Abstract:
A portable electronic device having a rigid chassis. The portable electronic device utilizes a reinforcement structure within the chassis. The structure is designed for application in a space constrained area by incorporating one or more speaker mounts and speakers for audio output.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, such as computers, and particularly to portable electronic devices, such as portable computers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of portable, electronic devices are used for performing various tasks. An exemplary device includes a chassis, a processor disposed within the chassis, a display, an input device (e.g. a keyboard) and an audio output device, such as a speaker or speakers. The electronic device can take the form of a portable computer, DVD player, Internet access device or other devices. 
     There has been a trend towards making such devices smaller and thinner to make such devices more readily portable. However, as such devices get thinner and/or more complex, there is decreased room for mechanical support of the overall chassis. Additionally, some of these devices, such as notebook computers, have a plurality of openings for “multibays” that add to the structural problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a portable computer is provided with increased structural stiffness. The portable computer comprises a chassis and a keyboard connected to the chassis. The computer also includes a speaker box and a speaker coupled to the speaker box. The speaker box is designed as a structural support member connected to the chassis. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a portable electronic device structure is provided. The electronic device structure comprises a chassis having a front, a rear, a first side extending between the front and the rear and a second side extending between the front and rear. A reinforcement structure is coupled to the chassis such that it extends at least partially between the first side and the second side to provide added structural rigidity. Additionally, a speaker is mounted to the reinforcement structure. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for reinforcing a portable computer having a chassis. The method comprises combining a speaker with a structural reinforcement member. The method further includes connecting the structural -reinforcement member along the chassis to stiffen the chassis. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary portable, electronic device, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reinforcement member used to reinforce the chassis-of an electronic device, such as the device illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is-a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 5 is an inverted cross-sectional view taken generally along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring generally to FIG. 1, an exemplary electronic device  10  is illustrated. In this example, electronic device  10  comprises a portable computer, such as a notebook computer, but device  10  can comprise a variety of other types of portable, electronic devices. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, device  10  includes a chassis  12  having a front  14 , a rear  16  and a pair of sides  18 ,  20  that extend generally between front  14  and rear  16 . Chassis  12  also includes an upper wall  22  and a lower or base wall  24 . Upper wall  22  forms part of a top or upper case  26  that is joined to a bottom or lower case  28  along a seam  30 . Lower case  28  includes base wall  24 . 
     In addition to chassis  12 , the exemplary device  10  comprises a processor  31  and a user interface  32  through which a user may input instructions or information. Exemplary user interfaces  32  include a keyboard  34  and/or cursor control buttons  36 . However, a variety of other user interfaces may be utilized depending on the design and application of electronic device  10 . 
     Often, electronic device  10  also includes a display  38  for displaying information. In this embodiment, display  38  comprises a flip-up screen  40  connected to chassis  12  by a hinge  42 . Hinge  42  is disposed generally at rear  16  of chassis  12 . 
     Electronic device  10  also includes one or more audio output devices, such as a speaker or speakers  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of speakers  44  are disposed beneath upper wall  22  of upper case  26  and positioned to output sound through openings  46  formed in upper wall  22 . Speakers  44  are disposed generally between keyboard  34  and front  14  of chassis  12 . 
     One or more bays  48  also may be incorporated into the design of electronic device  10 . Typically, the one or more bays  48  are disposed towards the front of chassis  12  for receipt of an appropriate drive through front  14 . Each bay  48  may be designed for a desired drive, e.g. a CD-ROM drive, appropriate for the specific application of electronic device  10 . 
     Referring also to FIG. 2, the speaker or speakers  44  are disposed in a speaker box  50 . An exemplary speaker box  50  comprises speaker mounting areas  52  (see also FIG. 3) for receiving speakers  44  and a structural support or reinforcement member  54 . Structural support member  54  helps conserve space within a relatively small portable chassis  12  by accommodating speaker positioning while providing substantially increased structural stiffness for the overall chassis. 
     Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, structural support member  54  is attached to chassis  12  and extends at least partially across the chassis. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, support member  54  extends from side  18  to side  20  within the interior of chassis  12 . In this embodiment, structural support member  54  is attached to upper case  26  along the interior surface of upper wall  22 . Also, the support member is located intermediate keyboard  34  and front  14  of chassis  12 . By combining structural support member  54  with speaker mounting areas  52 , an efficient use of space is accomplished while stiffening the relatively thin chassis  12 . 
     An exemplary speaker box  50  and structural support member  54  is illustrated in FIG.  3 . The exemplary structural support member  54  is formed of a relatively stiff material, such as a variety of moldable plastic materials, commonly used in the computer industry. 
     In the example illustrated, structural support member  54  includes a main body portion  56  having, for example, a pair of speaker mounting areas  52  for receiving speakers  44 . The exemplary support member  54  also includes an extended arm  58  that extends from main body portion  56  towards side  18  of chassis  12 . Additionally, another support arm  60  extends from main body portion  56  in a direction generally perpendicular to extended arm  58  along side  20  of chassis  12 . 
     Although support member  54  may be formed in a variety of configurations, the illustrated embodiment includes a generally planar support wall  62  to which speakers  44  are mounted. A reinforcement wall  64  extends from planar support wall  62  in a direction generally perpendicular to planar support wall  62 . Reinforcement wall  64  provides support member  54  with greater strength and rigidity. Additionally, reinforcement wall  64  includes an edge  66  designed to abut against the inside surface of upper wall  22 , as further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Support member  54  also may include a plurality of fastener supports  68 . One type of appropriate fastener support includes an aperture  70  for receiving a fastener, such as a threaded fastener, therethrough. 
     One way of attaching speaker box  50  to chassis  12  is to securely attach structural support member  54  to upper case  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, structural support member  54  is adhered to the inside surface of upper wall  22  by an appropriate adhesive  72 . Adhesive  72  is applied along edge  66 , and edge  66 .is abutted against the inside surface of wall  22  in a location such that the audio output ends  74  of speakers  44  are directed towards openings  46  formed through chassis  12 , asbest illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Thus, the bases  76  of speakers  44  are positioned generally at or through planar support wall  62  of structural support member  54 , as best illustrated-in FIG.  4 . 
     In addition to adhering support member  54  to upper case  26 , a plurality of fasteners  78  can be used to further secure the overall speaker box  50  to chassis  12 . Exemplary fasteners include screws that are inserted through apertures  70  of appropriate fastener supports  68  and tightened in appropriate threaded bosses  80 , as best illustrated in FIG.  5 . The attachment of speaker box  50  to chassis  12 , e.g. upper case  26 , fully supports one or more speakers  44  while adding substantial structural rigidity to the overall chassis  12 . 
     It will be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. For example, the combined speakers and structural support can be applied to a variety of other portable electronic devices; one or more speakers may be utilized in a variety of arrangements; the configuration of the structural support member can be adapted according to the overall chassis design and location of internal components; and the structural support member can be made-of a variety of materials, such as plastics, metals or woods, that are able to increase the structural rigidity of the chassis. These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. With respect to the claims, it is the intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, for any limitations of any of the claims herein except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words “means for” together with an associated function.