COMPUTER HOUSING

• US 20120092821A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: ANDRE, Bartley K., HAMEL, Bradley J., LIGTENBERG, Chris, RAFF, John, DEFOREST, Laura, DIFONZO, John C., GAO, Zheng, GOLDBERG, Michelle, HIBBARD, Timothy S., HOPKINSON, Ron, LEGGETT, William F., REID, Gavin J., SCHWALBACH, Charles A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,780,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1658 related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0243 for decorative purposes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A computing device, comprising:

a single piece, seamless housing formed of a lightweight, flexible material, the seamless housing comprising;

a top portion, and

a body portion integrally formed with the top portion; and

a movable top cover pivotally connected to the single piece seamless housing, the movable top cover and the seamless housing shaped to create an appearance of a single continuous shape when the movable top cover is closed and in contact with the top portion.