Patent ID: 8616748

Claim:
A portable computing device, comprising: a bottom case; and a top case coupled to the bottom case to form a multi-part housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device, the complete housing enclosing at least a plurality of operational components, the top case comprising an integrated support system integrally formed with the top case, wherein the integrated support system is configured to distribute an externally applied load through the complete housing and provide structural elements for attaching selected operational components to the top case, the integrated support system comprising a continuous keyboard support rib that completely surrounds an opening in a keyboard zone in the top case, the keyboard support rib configured to support a keyboard assembly disposed in the opening, the keyboard assembly comprising: a plurality of keypads; a light guide panel configured to receive light from a light source at least some of which passes through a first surface of the light guide panel to directly illuminate selected portions of the plurality of keycaps; a reflector layer disposed at a second surface of the light guide panel, the second surface opposite the first surface, the reflector layer configured to reflect light incident at the second surface to the first surface thereby enhancing an amount of light used to illuminate the plurality of key caps; and a feature plate secured to the top case and configured to support the keyboard assembly.