METHODS FOR FORMING FIBER-REINFORCED STRUCTURES WITH SEGMENTS FORMED FROM DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIBER
First Claim
1. A wireless device cover, comprising:
- a front flap including a support frame;
a rear cover; and
a flexible portion coupled to an edge of the front flap and an edge of the rear cover, wherein the flexible portion forms a hinge allowing the front flap to rotate relative to the rear cover;
the support frame further comprising;
a first region comprising a plastic material reinforced by a first set of fibers,a second region comprising a plastic material reinforced by a second set of fibers, the second set of fibers further comprising a radio-transparent material, wherein the second region is configured to align with an antenna included in a wireless device intended to be placed within the wireless device cover, anda third region disposed between the first and second regions, in which the first set of fibers gradually transitions to the second set of fibers.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fiber-reinforced structures for use in forming support structures and electronic device housing members may include multiple types of fiber. A first portion of the structures formed from a first type of fiber such as glass fiber may be radio transparent. A second portion of the structures formed from a second type of fiber such as carbon fiber may be more rigid than the first type of fiber and may be radio opaque. The second portion of the structures may be used to selectively add strength to the fiber-reinforced structures. The first portion of the structures may be used to maintain radio transparency for compatibility with wireless electronic device operations. The fiber-reinforced structures may be formed by rolling a sheet of prepreg material that includes a first area with the first type of fiber and a second area with the second type of fiber.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A wireless device cover, comprising:
-
a front flap including a support frame; a rear cover; and a flexible portion coupled to an edge of the front flap and an edge of the rear cover, wherein the flexible portion forms a hinge allowing the front flap to rotate relative to the rear cover; the support frame further comprising; a first region comprising a plastic material reinforced by a first set of fibers, a second region comprising a plastic material reinforced by a second set of fibers, the second set of fibers further comprising a radio-transparent material, wherein the second region is configured to align with an antenna included in a wireless device intended to be placed within the wireless device cover, and a third region disposed between the first and second regions, in which the first set of fibers gradually transitions to the second set of fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for forming a support frame for a wireless device cover, the method comprising:
-
receiving a first set of fibers and positioning the first set of fibers in a first region of a layout tool; receiving a second set of fibers formed from a radio-transparent material and positioning the second set of fibers in a second region of a layout tool, wherein a portion of the second set of fibers is allowed to overlap with the first set of fibers to create a third region in which the first set of fibers gradually transitions to the second set of fibers; creating a prepreg layer by impregnating the first and second sets of fibers with a resin and curing agent; placing at least one prepreg layer within a mold, wherein the mold is configured to shape the at least one prepreg layer into a support frame; curing the at least one prepreg layer; trimming any excess material from the resulting support frame; and coupling the support frame to a flexible front flap of a wireless device cover. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification