PORTABLE COMPUTER UNIFIED TOP CASE

• US 20140168877A1
• Filed: 02/20/2014
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: IVE, Jonathan P., ANDRE, Bartley K., COSTER, Daniel J., RAFF, John, HOPKINSON, Ron, LIGTENBERG, Chris, THEOBALD, Matthew, STRINGER, Christopher, BROCK, John, GOLDBERG, Michelle Rae
• Granted Patent: US 10,152,081 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• 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 1/1656 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: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/04 Metal casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49996 Successive distinct removal operations

Abstract

A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case.

Claims

1. A portable computer, comprising:

an enclosure configured to be pivotally coupled to a lid, wherein the enclosure is formed from a single piece of metal, the enclosure comprising;

an interior surface that defines a cavity, the cavity comprising an undercut area forming a pocket configured to receive an operational component, the pocket having a size and shape in accordance with at least a portion of the operational component.

2. The portable computer as recited in claim 1, wherein the cavity is formed by removing material from an extruded metal block.

3. The portable computer as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of integral features extending from the interior surface and into the cavity, at least one of the integral features comprising an attachment feature,

wherein a portion of an outside surface of the enclosure corresponding to a portion of the enclosure from which the attachment feature extends is substantially planar.

4. The portable computer as recited in claim 2, wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of side walls and a bottom wall, and wherein the side walls and bottom wall cooperate to form at least a portion of the interior surface.

5. The portable computer as recited in claim 4, wherein the lid comprises a display.

6. The portable computer as recited in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of operational components attached to the interior surface of the enclosure.

7. The portable computer as recited in claim 5, wherein the metal comprises aluminum.

8. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises an integral frame member and a plurality of integrally formed attachment features.

9. An enclosure for a portable computer, comprising:

a seamless enclosure configured as a single finished metal part, the seamless enclosure arranged to enclose a plurality of operational components, the seamless enclosure comprising;

an interior surface defining a cavity configured to enclose the operational components, the cavity comprising an undercut area forming a pocket, the pocket configured to receive at least one of the operational components,

wherein a geometry of the pocket corresponds to at least a portion of the operational component.

10. The enclosure as recited in claim 9, wherein the pocket substantially surrounds the operational component.

11. The enclosure as recited in claim 9, wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of integral features extending from the interior surface and into the cavity, at least one of the integral features comprising a structural rib for increasing a rigidity of at least a portion of the enclosure.

12. The enclosure as recited in claim 11, wherein a portion of the enclosure from which the structural rib extends has a substantially planar outside surface.

13. The enclosure as recited in claim 12, wherein the structural rib comprises an attachment feature comprising a threaded aperture extending into the a top surface of the structural rib.

14. The enclosure as recited in claim 11, wherein the structural rib comprises at least one cut out having a shape and size in accordance with a component of the portable computing device, the cut out being configured to align at least one of the operational components of the portable computer.

15. The enclosure as recited in claim 11, wherein the structural rib comprises an aperture machined through a bottom portion of the structural rib that is configured to allow an internal connection to pass between the structural rib and the interior surface.

16. The enclosure as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

a cover configured to cooperate with the seamless enclosure to fully enclose the components of the portable computer,

wherein at least one of the plurality of integral features is an attachment feature configured to secure the cover to the seamless enclosure.

17. A portable computer, comprising:

an enclosure formed from an extruded metal billet, the enclosure arranged to enclose operational components of the portable computer, the enclosure comprising;

an interior surface that defines a cavity, the cavity comprising an undercut that forms a pocket configured to receive an operational component, the pocket having a geometry complementary to at least a portion of the operational component.

18. The portable computer as recited in claim 17, wherein the enclosure further comprises a plurality of integral features, at least one of the integral features being an attachment feature configured to secure the operational component within the pocket.

19. The portable computer as recited in claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of integral features of the seamless enclosure is a threaded aperture configured to receive a screw to secure one of the operational components within the cavity.

20. The portable computer as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

a cover configured to cooperate with the housing to fully enclose the operational components of the portable computer,

wherein at least one of the plurality of integral features is an attachment feature configured to secure the cover to the enclosure.