Fabric lamination to a component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9575515-B2
Application number	US-201414451146-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 4, 2014
Priority date	Jun 2, 2014
Publication date	Feb 21, 2017
Grant date	Feb 21, 2017

Abstract

Techniques for fabric lamination to a component are described. According to various implementations, a single piece of fabric is laminated to a moveable component and to an apparatus to which the moveable component is attached. Generally, lamination of fabric to a moveable component and portions of an associated apparatus can enhance a user experience in a variety of ways. Embodiments may also be employed to cut fabric from around a surface component of an apparatus.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a chassis with a first outer surface and a second outer surface, the second outer surface having a display device attached thereto;
a moveable component attached to the chassis adjacent to the first outer surface, the moveable component positionable in multiple positions relative to the chassis to support different viewing positions of the display device;
a single portion of fabric that is laminated to an outer surface of the moveable component and the first outer surface of the chassis, the single portion of fabric being cut to allow movement of the moveable component relative to the chassis; and
the second outer surface including a bezel around the display device, the bezel being laminated with the single portion of fabric and having a component installed in an opening on the bezel adjacent the display device, the single portion of fabric being cut around the component to remove a section of the single portion of fabric and expose the component.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a computing device and the moveable component comprises a support component configured to support different viewing positions of the display relative to a surface on which the apparatus is placed.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a wearable computing device.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one hinge mechanism fastened internally to the chassis, and wherein the moveable component is attached to the at least one hinge mechanism to enable movement of the moveable component relative to the chassis.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the single portion of fabric is cut along a profile of one or more edges of the moveable component to allow movement of the moveable component relative to the chassis.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the moveable component is attached to the chassis along a particular edge of the moveable component, and wherein the single portion of fabric is not cut along the particular edge of the moveable component.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6 , wherein the moveable component is attached to the chassis via a hinge mechanism, the hinge mechanism having a center of rotation that coincides with a seam between the particular edge of the moveable component and an adjacent edge of the chassis.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein edges of the single portion of fabric are cut according to an outer profile of the chassis.

9. A computing device comprising:
a chassis;
a display device operably attached to a first external surface of the chassis, the first external surface including a bezel around the display device;
a support component moveably attached to the chassis adjacent to a second external surface of the chassis to support different viewing positions of the display device relative to a surface on which the computing device is placed;
a single portion of fabric that is laminated to an outer surface of the support component and the second external surface, the single portion of fabric being cut to allow movement of the support component relative to the chassis; and
the bezel being laminated with the single portion of fabric and having a component installed in an opening on the bezel adjacent the display device, the single portion of fabric being cut around the component to remove a section of the single portion of fabric and expose the component.

10. A computing device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the computing device comprises a tablet device, the first external surface comprises a front surface of the tablet device, and the second external surface comprises a rear surface of the computing device.

11. A computing device as recited in claim 9 , further comprising at least one hinge mechanism fastened to the chassis, and wherein the support component is attached to the at least one hinge mechanism to enable movement of the support component relative to the chassis.

12. A computing device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the single portion of fabric is cut along a profile of one or more edges of the support component to allow the movement of the support component relative to the chassis.

13. A computing device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the support component is attached to the chassis along a particular edge of the support component, and wherein the single portion of fabric is not cut along the particular edge of the support component.

14. A computing device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the second external surface comprises a rear surface of the computing device, and wherein the single portion of fabric is further cut according to an outer edge profile of the rear surface of the computing device.

15. An apparatus comprising:
a chassis with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
a display device positioned within the first surface of the chassis, the first surface including a bezel around the display device;
a support component moveably attached via a hinge mechanism to the chassis adjacent the second surface of the chassis to support different viewing positions of the display device;
a single portion of fabric including a first section that is laminated using an adhesive to an outer surface of the support component and the second surface of the chassis, the single portion of fabric being cut to allow movement of the support component relative to the chassis; and
the bezel being laminated with a second section of the single portion of fabric and having a component installed in an opening on the bezel adjacent the display device, the second section of the single portion of fabric being cut around the component to remove a portion of the second section of the single portion of fabric and expose the component.

16. An apparatus as described in claim 15 , wherein the single portion of fabric is cut along a profile of one or more edges of the support component to allow the movement of the support component relative to the chassis.

17. An apparatus as described in claim 15 , wherein the support component is attached to the chassis along a particular edge of the support component, and wherein the single portion of fabric is not cut along the particular edge of the support component.

18. An apparatus as described in claim 15 , wherein the portion of fabric is cut according to an outer edge profile of the chassis.

19. An apparatus as described in claim 15 , wherein the hinge mechanism has a center of rotation that coincides with a seam between a particular edge of the support component and an adjacent edge of the chassis.

20. An apparatus as described in claim 15 , wherein the component is a touchpad that is configured to receive touch input.

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Leon Camilo
• Siddiqui Kabir
• Hansen Dane M
• Reed Anthony Christian
• Mickelson Matthew David
• Chen Jiannan
• Marwah Rahul

Classifications

• G06F1/163

  Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt · CPC title

• F16M13/00

  Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} · CPC title

• H05K5/0234

  Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor · CPC title

• E05D11/04

  relating to the use of free balls as bearing-surfaces (E05D7/06 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H05K13/00

  Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components · CPC title