Handheld computing device

• US 10,180,702 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2012
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Dabov, Teodor, Lim, Hui-Leng, Yeates, Kyle, Lynch, Stephen Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Cruz, Dimary Lopez
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rathod, Abhishek
• Application Number:
  US13/558,219
• Publication Number:
  US 20130021280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,365 Days
• Field of Search: 36167921
• 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 1/1656 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: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49771 Quantitative measuring or gauging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49995 Shaping one-piece blank by removing material

Abstract

A minimum Z height handheld electronic device and methods of assembly is described. The electronic device includes a single seamless housing having a front opening and a cover disposed within the front opening and attached to the seamless housing without a bezel.

Claims

1. A portable computing device, comprising:

a housing having a bottom wall and sidewalls coupled with the bottom wall, the sidewalls defining a first geometry and that terminate at an edge that defines a front opening, the sidewalls comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall;

a first mounting bracket coupled with at least the first sidewall;

a second mounting bracket coupled with at least the second sidewall;

a display assembly comprising a cover glass carried by the housing such that the cover glass is arranged within the front opening at the edge, the cover glass comprising an outermost surface characterized as having at least a second geometry different from the first geometry;

a frame that carries the display assembly such that the cover glass lacks direct contact with the housing; and

a seal in direct contact with both the frame and the sidewalls.

2. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a polymer frame having a first fastener portion and a second fastener portion, and wherein the portable computing device further comprises:

A first metal frame portion that coupled with the polymer frame at the first fastener portion, the first metal frame portion coupled with the first mounting bracket; and

A second metal frame portion that couples with the polymer frame at the second fastener portion, the second metal frame portion coupled with the second mounting bracket.

3. The portable computing device as recited in claim 2, wherein the polymer frame further comprises a third opening that at least partially receives the display assembly.

4. The portable computing device as recited in claim 3, wherein the polymer frame that carries a display screen at the third opening.

5. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1, wherein the seal is an environmental seal that prevents contaminates from entering the portable computing device between the cover glass and the unitary housing.

6. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a battery coupled with the display assembly.

7. The portable computing device as recited in claim 6, wherein the battery is positioned between the display assembly and the bottom wall.

8. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the cover glass that is not directly above the display assembly is masked to conceal other electrical components within the housing.

9. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing having a front opening and comprising a bottom wall and sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form a cavity, the sidewalls forming an edge that defines the front opening;

a first frame member fully enclosed within the housing, the first frame member coupled to at least one of the sidewalls;

a transparent protective cover that covers the front opening, the transparent protective cover comprising an interior facing surface and corner regions; and

a second frame member that surrounds and conforms to the corner regions, the second frame member at least partially enclosed within the housing and adhesively secured to a first portion of the interior facing surface, the second frame member having a frame opening, wherein the first frame member retains the second frame member such that the transparent protective cover is centered with respect to the front opening; and

a display assembly adhered to a second portion of the interior facing surface of the transparent protective cover and positioned in the frame opening, the second portion being different from the first portion.

10. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 9, wherein the transparent protective cover comprises a layer of transparent material having a size and shape in accordance with the front opening.

11. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 9, wherein the display assembly comprises a touch sensing layer applied to the transparent protective cover.

12. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 9, wherein both the housing and the first frame member are formed of metal.

13. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 12, wherein the second frame member is formed of plastic.

14. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 9, further comprising an environmental seal that centers the transparent protective cover within the front opening and is in direct contact with the housing.