Display module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8971028-B2
Application number	US-201213541614-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 3, 2012
Priority date	Jan 6, 2010
Publication date	Mar 3, 2015
Grant date	Mar 3, 2015

Abstract

A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include a single piece housing and a display module. The display module can include a protective top glass cover that is bonded to a plastic display frame and surrounded by a seal frame. The display module can also include a display panel and its associated circuitry suspended from the display frame below the protective glass cover. The display module is coupled to the single piece housing using mounting clips in a manner that allows the display module to move relative to the single piece housing during an impact event. The plastic display frame can include inserts that provide structural support near openings in the single piece housing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A portable computing device, comprising:
a single piece housing comprising:
a top opening, and
a lip portion surrounding the top opening;

a display module having a size and shape in accordance with the top opening, comprising:
a display panel and associated display circuitry attached thereto for presenting visual content,
a display panel housing comprising one or more brackets that secure together the display panel and the display panel housing, and
a frame arranged to support the display panel housing, wherein when the portable computing device is in an assembled configuration, the display module is disposed within the top opening such that when the display panel faces upward, the associated display circuitry attached thereto hangs down from the frame.

2. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one mounting clip distributed around a perimeter of the frame, wherein assembling the portable computing device requires that the display module be inserted within the top opening such that during an initial insertion, at least one mounting clip is compressed towards the frame thereby allowing the at least one mounting clip to move past the lip of the single piece housing and as the display module is further inserted into the top opening, a tip of the mounting clip clears the lip and the mounting clip expands outward underneath the lip and into a notch in the single piece housing.

3. The portable computing device as recited in claim 2 , wherein in the expanded position, the at least one mounting clip secures the frame and associated display circuitry to the single piece housing.

4. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the portable computing device is a tablet computer.

5. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
a seal in contact with the lip and the display frame in the assembled configuration, the seal preventing contamination from entering an interior of the portable computing device.

6. The portable computing device as recited in claim 5 , wherein after the display module is secured to the housing, the display module is removed from the front opening by serially breaking the at least one mounting clip.

7. The portable computing device as recited in claim 1 , the display module further comprising:
a plurality of inserts used to provide additional structural support and reinforcement in regions where the frame is proximate to an opening in the single piece housing.

8. The portable computing device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the opening in the single piece housing corresponds to a mechanism for switching power on or off.

9. The portable computing device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the opening in the single piece housing corresponds to a mechanism that enables a muting function to be activated.

10. The portable computing device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the opening in the single piece housing corresponds to a mechanism that enables volume control.

11. The portable computing device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the opening in the single piece housing is for a multi-pin connector.

12. The portable computing device as recited in claim 7 , wherein the insert is formed of a polymer.

13. The portable computing device as recited in claim 12 , wherein the insert is formed of a metal.

14. The portable computing device as recited in claim 13 , wherein the insert is mechanically snapped into place on the frame.

15. The portable computing device as recited in claim 13 , the insert is integrated into the a plastic frame by:
loading the insert into a plastic molding tool to form an integrated assembly comprising the display frame and the insert,
forming the integrated assembly,
loading the integrated assembly into an overmold tool, the overmold tool being used to apply an additional layer of plastic over the integrated assembly to bond the insert to the frame, and
forming a number of apertures into the insert to improve adhesion between the insert material and the frame material when the additional plastic is added.

Assignees

• Mcclure Stephen R
• Banko Joshua D
• Ternus John P
• Morris Matthew B
• Thompson Peter M
• Gibbs Kevin
• Van Vorhis Timothy G
• Adamcyk Martin B
• Lucchesi Arthur J
• Carpenter Brian S
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Mcclure Stephen R
• Banko Joshua D
• Ternus John P
• Morris Matthew B
• Thompson Peter M
• Gibbs Kevin
• Van Vorhis Timothy G
• Adamcyk Martin B
• Lucchesi Arthur J
• Carpenter Brian S

Classifications

• H05K1/118

  specially for flexible printed circuits, e.g. using folded portions · CPC title

• Y10T292/1076

  Link and lever · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• Y10T29/49004

  including measuring or testing of device or component part · CPC title

• H05K1/0281

  Reinforcement details thereof · CPC title