Computer housing seal

• US 5,419,626 A
• Filed: 09/01/1993
• Issued: 05/30/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Crockett, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/115,376
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 312/7.2, 312/223.2, 348/835, 348/840, 348/841, 348/842, 174/52.3, 361/681, 361/682, 52/397, 52/393, 52/202, 52/203, 52/396.4, 52/656.5, 52/776, 40/152, 40/159.2
• US Class Current: 312/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133311 Environmental protection, e.g. against dust or humidity
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13332 Front frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/465 Snap -fit
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/503 Arrangements improving the resistance to shock
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing

Abstract

A portable computer housing for containing a display device having a display frame includes a housing structure for containing the display device and defining a display aperture, wherein a portion of the display frame is exposed through the display aperture when the display device is contained within the housing structure. The portable computer housing further includes an elastomeric overmold which covers a portion of the housing structure which surrounds the display aperture and extends over the display aperture so to form an elastomeric flange, wherein the elastomeric flange is positioned in contact with the portion of the display frame which is exposed through the display aperture. Moreover, the elastomeric flange includes a upper lock member, and the display frame includes a lower lock member, wherein the upper lock member cooperates with the lower lock member so as to lock the elastomeric overmold to the display frame and seal the computer housing.

Claims

1. The combination of an apparatus and an electronic device having a display, the apparatus comprising:

a housing structure having a display aperture defined therein, wherein the display is exposed through the display aperture when the electronic device is housed in the apparatus; and

an elastomeric layer which is molded over a portion of said housing structure which surrounds the display aperture and extends over a portion of the display aperture so as to form a flange which contacts the display.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing structure comprises a first housing structure member which defines the display aperture therein and has an exterior side, and further wherein all of the exterior side of the first housing structure member is covered by said elastomeric layer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the flange includes a first lock member; and

the display includes a second lock member, wherein the first lock member cooperates with the second lock member so as to create a seal between the display and the elastomeric layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the first lock member includes a first set of elongated grooves and tongues; and

the second lock member includes a second set of elongated grooves and tongues which are formed complementary to the first set of elongated grooves and tongues so as to mesh in a friction fit manner therewith.

5. The combination of a portable computer housing and a display device having a display frame, the portable computer housing comprising:

a housing structure for containing the display device and defining a display aperture, wherein a portion of the display frame is exposed through the display aperture when the display device is contained within the housing structure; and

an elastomeric layer which is molded over a portion of said housing structure which surrounds the display aperture and extends into a portion of the display aperture so as to form an elastomeric flange, wherein the elastomeric flange is positioned in contact with the portion of said display frame which is exposed through the display aperture.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said housing structure comprises a first housing structure member which defines the display aperture therein and has an exterior side, and further wherein all of the exterior side of the first housing structure member is covered by said elastomeric layer.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:

the elastomeric flange includes a first locking portion; and

the display frame includes a second locking portion, wherein the first locking portion cooperates with the second locking portion so as to lock the elastomeric layer to the display frame.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the first locking portion includes a first set of elongated grooves and tongues; and

the second locking portion includes a second set of elongated grooves and tongues which are formed complementary to the first set of elongated grooves and tongues so as to mesh in a friction fit manner therewith.

9. The combination of an apparatus and an electronic device which includes a display having a first lock member, the apparatus comprising:

a housing structure having a display aperture defined therein, wherein the display is exposed through the display aperture when the electronic device is housed in the apparatus; and

an elastomeric layer being molded over and secured to said housing structure and having a second lock member, wherein the first lock member cooperates with the second lock member so as to seal the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said housing structure comprises a first housing structure member which defines the display aperture therein and has an exterior side, and further wherein all of the exterior side of the first housing structure member is covered by said elastomeric layer.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the first lock member includes a first set of elongated grooves and tongues; and

the second lock member includes a second set of elongated grooves and tongues which are formed complementary to the first set of elongated grooves and tongues so as to mesh in a friction fit manner therewith.