Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110090627 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a clutch barrel. The clutch barrel encloses a connector assembly, the connector assembly providing support for a lid. The clutch barrel is configured such that a junction formed by the clutch barrel and a top layer of the lid is not visible to a user when the computer housing is on a horizontal surface. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090630 | PORTABLE COMPUTER DISPLAY HOUSING - A display housing for a portable computing device that utilizes a plastic cover bonded to an internal metal frame is described. To account for thermal cycling issues and in particular to prevent bond slippage, multiple types of adhesives are employed to join the metal frame and the plastic cover. In particular, a very high bond (VHB) adhesive material is used in certain areas to bond the metal inner frame to the plastic cover and a liquid adhesive is used in other areas. The plastic cover can be translucent to light. A method of coating the plastic cover to block light, such as from a backlight used for the display, is described. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090632 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090712 | PORTABLE COMPUTER DISPLAY HOUSING - A display housing for a portable computing device that utilizes a plastic cover bonded to an internal metal frame is described. To account for thermal cycling issues and in particular to prevent bond slippage, multiple types of adhesives are employed to join the metal frame and the plastic cover. In particular, a very high bond (VHB) adhesive material is used in certain areas to bond the metal inner frame to the plastic cover and a liquid adhesive is used in other areas. The plastic cover can be translucent to light. A method of coating the plastic cover to block light, such as from a backlight used for the display, is described. | 04-21-2011 |
20120087066 | ATTACHMENT MECHANISM - An attachment mechanism for attaching a first component and a second component includes at least a body integrally formed with the first component. In the described embodiment, the body includes at least a first portion, and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion where the first portion is deflectable in at least a first direction and the second portion is deflectable in at least a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The second portion secures the second component to the first component with a securing force proportional to an amount of deflection of the first portion and the first portion and the second portion remain apart. | 04-12-2012 |
20120092821 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer. | 04-19-2012 |
20120268881 | PORTABLE COMPUTER DISPLAY HOUSING - A display housing for a portable computing device that utilizes a plastic cover bonded to an internal metal frame is described. To account for thermal cycling issues and in particular to prevent bond slippage, multiple types of adhesives are employed to join the metal frame and the plastic cover. In particular, a very high bond (VHB) adhesive material is used in certain areas to bond the metal inner frame to the plastic cover and a liquid adhesive is used in other areas. The plastic cover can be translucent to light. A method of coating the plastic cover to block light, such as from a backlight used for the display, is described. | 10-25-2012 |
20130078052 | FLOATING FASTNERS - One or more fastenings can be used to fasten components together, such as housing components on a computing device. Each fastening can include a first opening associated with a first component, a second opening associated with a second component, a floating fastener, and a screw. The floating fastener is inserted into the first opening and/or second opening, and includes a threaded opening therein having a primary axis therethrough. The screw is inserted through first and/or second openings and into the threaded opening in the floating fastener. The screw and threaded opening combination is defined by contact between the screw and threaded opening about a thread surface that is substantially perpendicular to the primary axis, a screw thread return angle of 45 degrees or less, and a thread depth that is less than about triple the float between the major diameters of the screw and the threaded opening. | 03-28-2013 |
20130328741 | INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329359 | PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE WITH A HOUSING SECURED BY A MAGNETIC ELEMENT AND RELATED METHOD - Magnetic elements and attractors may be employed to secure a top case and a bottom case of a housing of a personal computing device. The magnetic elements may include a magnet that produces a magnetic field and a shunt. The shunt may direct the magnetic field through an opening to a pocket in which the magnet is received. Accordingly, flux leakage may be reduced and the bottom case may be secured to the top case. Magnetic elements and attractors may also be employed to secure a lid portion of the portable computing device to the housing thereof. These magnetic elements and attractors may be centered with respect to proximal and distal edges thereof. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329450 | PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing. | 12-12-2013 |
20140077670 | PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing. | 03-20-2014 |
20140079508 | FLOATING FASTENERS - One or more fastenings can be used to fasten components together, such as housing components on a computing device. Each fastening can include a first opening associated with a first component, a second opening associated with a second component, a floating fastener, and a screw. The floating fastener is inserted into the first opening and/or second opening, and includes a threaded opening therein having a primary axis therethrough. The screw is inserted through first and/or second openings and into the threaded opening in the floating fastener. The screw and threaded opening combination is defined by contact between the screw and threaded opening about a thread surface that is substantially perpendicular to the primary axis, a screw thread return angle of 45 degrees or less, and a thread depth that is less than about triple the float between the major diameters of the screw and the threaded opening. | 03-20-2014 |
20140096889 | INTERNAL COMPONENT ADHESIVE SECURING SYSTEMS FOR PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICES - Methods and systems for adhering internal components in a portable computing device are described. In some embodiments, an internal component adhesive removal system can include a conforming wrapper. In one embodiment, the conforming wrapper can wrap around a portion of an outer surface of the internal component. The conforming wrapper can secure and at least partially enclose the internal component such that the internal component is sufficiently constrained to protect the internal component from damage during movement of the portable computing device during normal use. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises one or more shock absorbing features. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises a feature configured to tear to facilitate removal of the internal component from the portable computing device. | 04-10-2014 |
20140109379 | FLOATING FASTENERS - One or more floating fastener assemblies used to fasten components together are described. In some embodiments, the components are top and bottom portions of an enclosure of a computing device. Each floating fastener assembly can include a fastener having at least one surface that can engage with a surface of the enclosure to limit the rotation of the fastener during fastening. Each floating fastener can also include a clearance area for the fastener to “float” in a lateral direction with respect to the enclosure. Thus, when corresponding openings in the top and bottom portions of the enclosure are not exactly aligned, each fastener can shift laterally to allow screws to engage to fasten the top and bottom portions together. | 04-24-2014 |
20140110045 | MAGNETIC PROPERTY RETENTION - A method and an apparatus for retaining magnetic properties of a magnet while undergoing manufacturing processes are presented. Ferrous materials with relatively good magnetic permeability are disposed adjacent to poles of magnet substantially containing magnetic field lines from the magnet within the ferrous materials. When the magnetic field lines are thereby substantially contained, the magnet can be exposed to elevated temperatures without losing magnetization strength. Adhesives, particularly adhesives that cure when exposed to elevated temperatures can be used with magnets configured to contain magnetic field lines without having the magnets lose magnetic strength. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111914 | TRACK PAD ACOUSTIC FEATURES RELATED TO A PORTABLE COMPUTER - The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal and external components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure, wherein the internal components comprise at least one external interface, such as, for example, a track pad interface. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111926 | PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FEATURES OF A PORTABLE COMPUTER - Methods, tools and fixtures for assembling a printed circuit board (PCB), such as a main logic board (MLB), in a portable computer device are described. A connector assembly having an electrically conductive gasket mounted on an edge of the MLB is described. In addition, a keyboard assembly including a notched portion of the MLB for accommodating more than one type of keyboard is described. In addition, a PCB assembly having a bracket to support a weak region of the PCB during assembly is described. In addition, a method for shielding an antenna cable situated on an MLB is described. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111933 | SSD (SOLID STATE DRIVE) RELATED FEATURES OF A PORTABLE COMPUTER - A removable assembly for quickly inserting and removing a mass storage device from a compartment situated on the case of a portable computing device is described. The removable assembly is made of a mass storage device, a bracket which serves as a carrier for the mass storage device, and a metal plate. The mass storage device can be a solid state drive (SSD) card. The bracket is a single-piece plastic structure that can be deflected for snap insertion into the compartment and snap removal from the compartment. The metal plate conducts heat from the solid state drive (SSD) card to prevent it from overheating. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112517 | MICROPHONE FEATURES RELATED TO A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - A portable computing device includes one or more microphones that function seamlessly with other components within the portable computing device. In one embodiment, a microphone opening is disposed on a side of the personal computing device and configured to be substantially perpendicular to a user. In another embodiment, two microphones can be disposed on an upper region above a keyboard section and can include a third microphone facing toward a rear portion of the portable computing device. In yet another embodiment, a fixture for providing a bonding pressure to microphones is described. | 04-24-2014 |
20140123459 | COMPONENT REMOVAL SYSTEMS FOR PORTABLE COMPUTERS - The described embodiments relate generally to components used in a portable computing device and more particularly to mounting a component with a component extractor that allows a component to be removably affixed to a portable computing device. The component extractor can include a compressible securing portion configured to secure the component to the portable computing device and an extracting portion arranged to apply an extracting force to the compressible securing portion to detach the component from the portable computing device. The compressible material can be made of a highly extensible material. In one embodiment, a low friction material can be provided along an edge of the component such that the component extractor slides along the edge during an extraction procedure. | 05-08-2014 |
20140362514 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer. | 12-11-2014 |