Patent ID: 7554812

Claim:
A parallel stacking mid-frame structural support for use with a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device including at least a printed circuit board (PCB), a switch mounted on the PCB, and a bezel that contacts the switch, the switch being disposed between the PCB and the bezel, the bezel including at least a control interface for receiving force applied by a user of the portable electronic device, the mid-frame structural support comprising: a first side member, the first side member including at least a first portion for supporting the PCB, the switch and the PCB being disposed between the bezel and the first portion, the first portion receiving the force transmitted through the control interface, the switch, and the PCB when the control interface receives the force for actuating the switch to control at least an action of the portable electronic device; a second side member disposed substantially parallel to the first side member, the first member and the second member each configured with at least one support feature for providing structural support for the portable electronic device when an applied load exceeding a predetermined threshold is exerted on the portable electronic device, and at least one attachment feature; a third side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member; and a fourth side member mechanically contiguous with and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first side member.