PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9274359-B2
Application Number: US-201213528465-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device display chassis

Abstract:
An electronic device display may include display layers mounted in a display chassis. The display chassis may have a plastic chassis structure and a metal chassis structure. Backlight structures may include a rectangular light guide plate. Light-emitting diodes within the backlight structures may emit light that is coupled into the light guide plate. The display chassis may have four edges that surround a rectangular opening. The rectangular opening may be configured to receive display layers such as the light guide plate. The metal chassis may have a C-shaped cross-section that forms a cavity in which the light-emitting diodes are mounted. The metal chassis structure may have engagement features such as holes and bent tabs. The plastic chassis structure may be overmolded on the metal chassis structure in engagement with the engagement features. Mounting structures may be formed from protruding portions of the plastic chassis structure.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Display structures, comprising:
 light-emitting diodes mounted to a flexible printed circuit; 
 a metal chassis structure in which the light-emitting diodes and flexible printed circuit are mounted; and 
 a plastic chassis structure that is molded to the metal chassis structure, wherein the metal chassis structure has sheet metal portions that form a cavity in which the light-emitting diodes and flexible printed circuit are mounted, wherein the sheet metal portions are configured to form a C-shaped chassis structure having an upper planar wall and an opposing lower planar wall and wherein the light-emitting diodes are mounted between the upper planar wall and the lower planar wall. 
 
     
     
       2. The display structures defined in  claim 1  wherein the lower planar wall has a first portion and a second portion that are separated by a bend. 
     
     
       3. The display structures defined in  claim 1  wherein the C-shaped chassis structure has a plurality of openings that serve as engagement features for the plastic chassis structure. 
     
     
       4. The display structures defined in  claim 3  wherein the plastic chassis structure comprises plastic that is overmolded over the plurality of openings. 
     
     
       5. The display structures defined in  claim 4  wherein the openings include at least one circular opening with splayed bent metal structures. 
     
     
       6. The display structures defined in  claim 4  wherein the openings include at least one circular opening with a flared inner perimeter portion. 
     
     
       7. The display structures defined in  claim 1  wherein the sheet metal portions include a vertical wall that extends between the upper planar wall and the lower planar wall. 
     
     
       8. The display structures defined in  claim 7  wherein the sheet metal portions include an opening and wherein the plastic chassis structure comprises a protrusion with a screw hole adjacent to the opening. 
     
     
       9. The display structures defined in  claim 8  wherein the sheet metal portions have bent tab structures adjacent to the opening. 
     
     
       10. The display structures defined in  claim 8  further comprising a metal support structure within the protrusion that strengthens the protrusion. 
     
     
       11. The display structures defined in  claim 10  wherein the metal support structure comprises a spring having prongs that engage the sheet metal portions in the opening. 
     
     
       12. The display structures defined in  claim 1  wherein the plastic chassis structure and the metal chassis structure are configured to form a rectangular opening that receives a rectangular display layer. 
     
     
       13. Display structures, comprising:
 light-emitting diodes mounted to a flexible printed circuit; 
 a metal chassis structure in which the light-emitting diodes and flexible printed circuit are mounted; and 
 a plastic chassis structure that is molded to the metal chassis structure, wherein the metal chassis structure has sheet metal portions that form a cavity in which the light-emitting diodes and flexible printed circuit are mounted, wherein the plastic chassis structure and the metal chassis structure are configured to form a rectangular opening that receives a rectangular display layer, wherein the plastic chassis structure and the metal chassis structure are configured to form four edges that surround the rectangular display layer, wherein the plastic chassis structure forms three of the four edges, and wherein the metal chassis structure forms one of the four edges. 
 
     
     
       14. Display structures, comprising:
 at least one rectangular display layer; and 
 a display chassis having a rectangular opening configured to receive the rectangular display layer, wherein the display chassis comprises four edges and wherein the display chassis includes:
 a metal chassis structure that runs along at least one of the edges and that is configured to receive a light source and a flexible printed circuit to which the light source is mounted, and 
 a plastic chassis structure that is molded over a portion of the metal chassis structure, wherein at least one of the edges of the display chassis is formed exclusively of the plastic chassis structure. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The display structures defined in  claim 14  wherein the metal chassis structure runs along a first side of the rectangular display layer and wherein the plastic chassis structure is overmolded onto the metal chassis structure and is configured to run along second, third, and fourth sides of the rectangular display layer. 
     
     
       16. The display structures defined in  claim 15  wherein the plastic chassis structure comprises glass-filled nylon and wherein the metal chassis structure is configured to form a C-shaped sheet metal structure having an upper planar wall, a lower planar wall, and a vertical planar wall that extends between the upper planar wall and the lower planar wall. 
     
     
       17. The display structures defined in  claim 16  further comprising light-emitting diodes that form the light source, wherein the light-emitting diodes are mounted between the upper planar wall and the lower planar wall. 
     
     
       18. The display structures defined in  claim 17  further comprising:
 a light guide plate mounted in the display chassis; and 
 a reflector layer having a portion interposed between the lower planar wall and the light guide plate. 
 
     
     
       19. The display structures defined in  claim 14  wherein the metal chassis structure forms a cavity and wherein the light source is received within the cavity. 
     
     
       20. A display chassis, comprising:
 a metal chassis configured to receive light-emitting diodes and a flexible printed circuit to which the light-emitting diodes are mounted; and 
 a plastic chassis coupled to the metal chassis, wherein the metal chassis comprises a layer of sheet metal bent to form a cavity with a C-shaped cross section that receives the light-emitting diodes and the flexible printed circuit, wherein the metal chassis comprises engagement features and wherein the plastic chassis comprises plastic material that is overmolded on top of the metal chassis and that has portions that engage the engagement features. 
 
     
     
       21. The display chassis defined in  claim 20  wherein the plastic chassis comprises portions forming mounting structures with screw holes. 
     
     
       22. The display chassis defined in  claim 21  further comprising a metal support structure that surrounds at least one of the screw holes and that is embedded within one of the portions of the plastic chassis that forms the mounting structures.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to electronic devices with displays and associated backlight structures. 
     Electronic devices such as computers and cellular telephones have displays. Some displays such as plasma displays and organic light-emitting diode displays have arrays of display pixels that generate light. In displays of this type, backlighting is not necessary because the display pixels themselves produce light. Other displays contain passive display pixels that can alter the amount of light that is transmitted through the display to display information for a user but do not produce light themselves. As a result, it is often desirable to provide backlight for a display with passive display pixels. 
     In a typical backlight assembly for a display, a light guide plate is used to distribute backlight generated by a light source such as a light-emitting diode light source. Optical films such as a diffuser layer and brightness enhancing film may be placed on top of the light guide plate. A reflector may be formed under the light guide plate to improve backlight efficiency. 
     To provide satisfactory backlighting, it may be desirable to locate one or more strips of light-emitting diodes on the edges of a light guide plate. A strip of light-emitting diodes may be formed by mounting a row of light-emitting diodes onto a flexible printed circuit. Light-emitting diode strips are typically attached at the edges of the light guide plate so that the light-emitting diodes can direct light into the light guide plate. 
     To hold the strip of light-emitting diodes and the layers of the backlight assembly in place, backlight components such as these may be mounted in a display chassis. Display layers associated with the active portions of a display may also be mounted to the display chassis. 
     A typical chassis has a plastic portion that is referred to as the p-chassis and a metal portion that is referred to as the m-chassis. The p-chassis generally has a rectangular ring shape for receiving rectangular backlight and display layers. The m-chassis generally has a corresponding rectangular ring shape that provides the p-chassis with rigidity and helps hold the display layers in place within a device housing. 
     In compact devices and devices with multiple light-emitting diodes, challenges may arise in forming a display chassis. When space is at a premium, the dimensions associated with conventional chassis designs may make a chassis more bulky than desired. Light-emitting diodes produce heat, which can be challenging to dissipate properly during operation. Mounting structures associated with a conventional chassis may also be weaker than desired. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide electronic devices with improved display chassis structures. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electronic device may have a housing in which a display is mounted. The display may include display layers mounted in a display chassis. The display chassis may have a plastic chassis structure and a metal chassis structure. Mounting structures on the display chassis may be used to mount the display chassis to the display. The mounting structures may be formed from protrusions that include screw holes or other features to facilitate mounting. 
     The display may include backlight structures. The backlight structures may provide the display with backlight. The backlight structures may include a rectangular light guide plate. Light-emitting diodes within the backlight structures may emit light that is coupled into the light guide plate. A reflector may be used to help reflect the backlight from the light guide plate through active display layers in the display. 
     The display chassis may have four edges that surround a rectangular opening. The rectangular opening may be configured to receive display layers such as the light guide plate. The metal chassis may have a C-shaped cross-section that forms a cavity into which the light-emitting diodes are mounted. The metal chassis may run along one of the four edges of the display chassis while the plastic chassis runs along the three remaining edges of the display chassis or the metal chassis may be formed along two opposing display edges while the plastic chassis forms the remaining two edges. 
     Engagement features such as openings and bent tab-shaped protrusions may be formed in the metal chassis. The plastic chassis may be overmolded on top of portions of the metal chassis and may engage with the engagement features. An opening in the metal chassis may be formed adjacent to each mounting structure. The mounting structures may be formed from portions of the plastic chassis. Plastic mounting structures may be formed from protrusions in the plastic chassis. Each protrusion may have an embedded metal support structure such as a spring. The spring may each have prongs that protrude into an adjacent opening in the metal chassis. Each spring may surround the screw hole in the mounting structure in which it is embedded. Metal support structures for plastic mounting structure protrusions may also be formed from metal gaskets that are coupled to the metal chassis. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device with display structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device with display structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of backlight structures and associated display layers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an illustrative display chassis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of an end portion of a display chassis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of a display chassis showing how a plastic chassis wall portion may have recesses that are configured to receive mating tabs on display layers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an illustrative display chassis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the illustrative display chassis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative display chassis in the vicinity of a mounting structure in accordance with the present invention 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of the mounting structure in the illustrative display chassis of  FIG. 9  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a portion of another illustrative display chassis in the vicinity of a mounting structure in accordance with the present invention 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side view of the mounting structure in the illustrative display chassis of  FIG. 11  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of a corner portion of an illustrative display chassis structure having a metal portion with an opening for receiving a mating metal member for forming a mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the corner portion of the display chassis structure of  FIG. 13  showing how the display chassis may have a metal structure with a rectangular opening for receiving a mating metal member for forming a mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the corner portion of a display chassis having a metal member installed within a metal structure opening to form a mounting structure for the display chassis in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portion of a display chassis having a metal member such as a metal gasket structure to strengthen a display chassis mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A display may be provided with backlight structures. The backlight structures may produce backlight for the display that helps a user of a device view images on the display in a variety of ambient lighting conditions. The backlight structures and other display structures may be mounted in a display chassis. The display chassis may have a metal portion in which light sources such as light-emitting diodes may be mounted and may have a plastic portion that serves as a frame for display structures such as backlight structures and associated display layers (e.g., optical films such as a diffuser layer, brightness enhancing film, etc.). 
     An illustrative electronic device of the type that may be provided with a display is shown in  FIG. 1 . Electronic device  10  may be a computer such as a computer that is integrated into a display such as a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a somewhat smaller portable device such as a wrist-watch device, pendant device, or other wearable or miniature device, a cellular telephone, a media player, a tablet computer, a gaming device, a navigation device, a computer monitor, a television, or other electronic equipment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  10  may include a backlit display such as display  14 . Display  14  may be a touch screen that incorporates capacitive touch electrodes or other touch sensor components or may be a display that is not touch-sensitive. Display  14  may include an array of display pixels formed from liquid crystal display (LCD) components or other suitable display pixel structures. Arrangements in which display  14  is formed using liquid crystal display pixels are sometimes described herein as an example. This is, however, merely illustrative. Any suitable type of display technology may be used in forming display  14  if desired. 
     Display  14  may be protected using a display cover layer such as a layer of transparent glass or clear plastic. Openings may be formed in the display cover layer. For example, an opening may be formed in the display cover layer to accommodate a button such as button  16 . An opening may also be formed in the display cover layer to accommodate ports such as speaker port  18 . 
     Device  10  may have a housing such as housing  12 . Housing  12 , which may sometimes be referred to as a case, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramics, fiber composites, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or a combination of any two or more of these materials. 
     Housing  12  may be formed using a unibody configuration in which some or all of housing  12  is machined or molded as a single structure or may be formed using multiple structures (e.g., an internal frame structure, one or more structures that form exterior housing surfaces, etc.). The periphery of housing  12  may, if desired, include conductive walls. For example, housing  12  may have a peripheral conductive member such as a metal housing sidewall member or a display bezel. One or more openings may be formed in housing  12  to accommodate connector ports, buttons, and other components. 
     A cross-sectional side view of electronic device  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  may include a display such as display  14  mounted in housing  12 . Display  14  may include display structures  22  and display cover layer  20 . Display cover layer  20  may be formed from a layer of clear glass, a layer of transparent plastic, or other transparent materials. Display structures  22  may include layers of material for forming an active array of display pixels and backlight structures. Display structures  22  may be mounted within housing  12  under display cover layer  20 . For example, fasteners such as screws  26  may be used to attach display structures  22  to housing  12 . Display structures  22  may, as an example, have mounting structures with screw holes through which screws  26  may pass and housing  12  may have threaded openings for receiving the threaded tips of screws  26 . Other mounting schemes for display structures  22  may be used if desired. For example, display structures  22  may be mounted within device  10  using adhesive, using welds, using mating engagement structures (e.g., snaps), or using other mounting techniques. 
     Device  10  may include components such as components  30 . Components  30  may include components such as integrated circuits, switches, connectors, sensors, input-output devices, audio circuitry, batteries, and other electrical components. Components  30  may be mounted on one or more substrates such as substrate  28 . Substrate  28  may be a rigid printed circuit board (e.g., a board formed from fiberglass-filled epoxy or other rigid printed circuit board material), a flexible printed circuit formed from a sheet of polyimide or other flexible polymer layer, a plastic carrier, a support structure formed from other dielectric materials such as ceramic or glass, or other substrate structures. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , display structures  22  may include display layers  32 . Display layers  32  may include structures for forming an array of display pixels. As an example, display layers  32  may include liquid crystal display (LCD) display layers such as a lower polarizer, a thin-film transistor layer having a substrate of glass or plastic that is covered with an array of pixel electrodes and thin-film transistor circuitry for controlling the application of display signals to the electrodes, a color filter layer having an array of color filter elements for providing display pixels with the ability to display color images, a layer of liquid crystal material sandwiched between the thin-film transistor layer and the color filter layer, and an upper polarizer layer (as examples). Display structures  22  may also include optical films such as diffuser layers, brightness enhancing films, and other optical films. These films may be associated with backlight structures such as backlight structures  34  and may, if desired, be mounted in a display structure with one or more other display layers in backlight structures  34 . 
     Backlight structures  34  may provide backlight for display structures  22 . Backlight structures  34  may include a light source such as an array of light-emitting diodes  36 . Light-emitting diodes  36  may produce light  38 . Light  38  may be launched into the edge of light guide plate  40 . Light guide plate  40  may be formed from a sheet of clear plastic. Light  38  may be guided within light guide plate  40  due to the principal of total internal reflection. Light  44  that scatters upwards from light guide plate  40  may serve as backlight for display layers  32 , allowing user  46  to view backlit images on display  14 . Reflector  42  may reflect light that escapes downwards back in the upwards direction, thereby enhancing backlight efficiency. Reflector  42  may be formed from a reflective material such as white plastic, a layer of reflective plastic on a plastic carrier (e.g., a polyethylene terephthalate sheet), a metalized polymer layer, a white paper layer, or other reflective layer. 
     Display structures  22  may be mounted within support structures such as display structure chassis  48  of  FIG. 4 . Chassis  48  may have a rectangular opening such as opening  54 . Rectangular display structures may be mounted within rectangular opening  54 . Examples of rectangular display structures that may be mounted within or above opening  54  include backlight structures  34  (e.g., a rectangular light guide plate, a rectangular reflector, and rectangular optical films such as diffuser layers and brightness enhancing films). If desired, additional display structures  22  may also be mounted within chassis  48  or attached to chassis  48  such as rectangular polarizers, a rectangular thin-film-transistor layer, and a rectangular color filter layer. 
     Display structure chassis  48  may include plastic structures such as plastic structures  50  (sometimes referred to as a plastic chassis or p-chassis) and metal structures such as metal structures  52  (sometimes referred to as an m-chassis or metal chassis). Display structure chassis  48  may have a rectangular shape with four edges. Plastic chassis structures  50  may form three of the four edges while metal chassis structure  52  forms one of the four edges (as an example). Light source  36  (e.g., an array of light-emitting diodes) may be mounted within metal structures  52  (i.e., along the metal edge of chassis  48 ). If desired, chassis  48  may have different configurations (e.g., a configuration in which light-emitting diodes  36  are formed within metal chassis structures  52  along two opposing edges of a rectangular chassis while plastic chassis structures  50  form the remaining two edges of the rectangular chassis). 
     An example of a plastic material that may be used in forming plastic structures  50  is glass-filled nylon (e.g., nylon with impregnated glass fibers). Other types of materials such as other polymers, materials with other strengthening fibers, or combinations of two or more of these materials may be used in forming plastic structures  50 , if desired. 
     Examples of metal materials that may be used in forming metal structures  52  are aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and copper alloys (as examples). Metal generally has a significantly higher thermal conductivity than plastic, so forming structures  52  from metal may be helpful in conducting heat away from light source  36  during operation of light source  36  to provide backlight for display  14 . 
     Due to the strength that may be achieved using metal, metal structures  52  may be implemented using relatively thin walls. For example, metal structures  52  may be formed from sheet metal having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm (as an example). The use of thin metal for forming structures  52  may facilitate the mounting of display structures  48  within an electronic device housing that is compact in size. 
     A cross-sectional side view of display structures  48  in the vicinity of metal structures  52  is shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , metal structures  52  may have a C-shape (i.e., a C-shaped cross section). The C-shaped structure formed by metal structures  52  may serve as a sheet metal enclosure (i.e., a C-shaped cavity) that receives and encloses light-emitting diodes such as light-emitting diode  36  (i.e., light-emitting diodes  36  may be mounted within a cavity formed by the C-shaped sheet metal structures of metal chassis  52 ). Light-emitting diodes  36  may be characterized by a thickness H. The value of H may be, for example, about 0.8 mm, 0.6 to 1.0 mm, less than 1.0 mm, or other suitable values. Display layers  32  may include layers such as layer  32 - 1  (e.g., a lower polarizer layer), layer  32 - 2  (e.g., a thin-film transistor layer), layer  32 - 3  (e.g., a color filter layer), and layer  32 - 4  (e.g., an upper polarizer layer). Layers  32  may be less than 0.3 mm thick each, less than 0.2 mm thick, or may have other suitable thicknesses. 
     Structures  54  may have an upper planar wall, an opposing lower planar wall, and a vertical wall that couples the upper and lower planar walls. The lower planar wall may have a first portion such as portion  56  and a second portion such as portion  58  that are coupled by bend  60 . Bent portion  60  may be configured so that portion  56  is located farther from the upper planar wall of structures  54  than portion  58 . The spacing between the upper planar wall of structures  54  and portion  58  may allow portion  58  to grip reflector  42 . The wider spacing between the upper planar wall of structures  54  and portion  56  may provide space that allows free movement of light-emitting diode  36  and flexible printed circuit  62  to which light-emitting diode  36  is mounted. 
     During assembly of display structures  22 , reflector  42  may be added to the lower portion of chassis  48 . Reflective tape may then be installed along the upper planar wall of structures  54 . A fixture and shim may be used to locate light-emitting diodes  36  within structures  54 . Reflective tape may be used in securing light-emitting diodes  36  to structures  54 . Following insertion of light-guide plate  40 , display layers  32  and other optical films (e.g., a diffuser layer, a brightness enhancing film, etc.) may be added to form structures of the type shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an edge portion of plastic chassis structures  50 , showing how structures  50  may have recesses such as recess  64  for receiving mating tabs such as tab  66  on layers of display structures such as layer  68 . 
     An illustrative configuration of the type that may be used for display chassis  48  in device  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in the top view of  FIG. 7 , chassis  48  may include mounting structures  70 . Each mounting structure  70  may have an opening such as screw hole  74  and a surrounding plastic structure such as plastic structure (protrusion)  76 . Plastic structures  76  may be formed from protruding portions of plastic chassis  50 . Plastic chassis  50  may be formed by injection molding or other suitable techniques. For example, plastic chassis  50  may be overmolded on top of metal chassis  52 . During assembly of device  10 , screws may pass through openings  74  and may screw into threaded portions of housing  12  (as an example), thereby securing display chassis  48  and display structures  22  to housing  12  within device  10 . A bottom view of display chassis  48  of  FIG. 7  is shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     A perspective view of a corner portion of chassis  48  is shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , plastic chassis structures  50  may be overmolded over metal chassis structures  52 . To ensure that plastic chassis structures  50  securely engage metal chassis structures  52 , metal chassis structures  52  may be provided with engagement structures such as holes  78  and bent tab portion  82 . Holes  78  may be provided with flared inner peripheries such as inner peripheries  80 . With one suitable arrangement, metal chassis structures  52  may be formed from sheet metal and holes  78  may be formed by using a press to pattern the sheet metal. 
     Mounting structure  70  may be formed from portion  76  of plastic chassis structures  50 . Opening  74  may be used to form a screw hole that receives a screw when chassis  48  is mounted within device  10 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of chassis  48  in the vicinity of mounting structure  70  taken along line  84  and viewed in direction  86  of  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , metal chassis structure  52  may have engagement features such as opening  90  and bent tab portions  88  to help plastic chassis structures  50  engage metal chassis structures  52  following injection molding of structures  50  onto structures  52 . 
     A perspective view showing another illustrative configuration that may be used for chassis  48  is shown in  FIG. 11 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , openings  78  may have splayed structures such as structures  92  to engage overmolded plastic chassis  50 . Structures  92  may be formed by stamping holes  78  using a tool that creates separate bent metal portions within each opening. As shown in  FIG. 12 , outwardly protruding bent portions  94  on metal chassis structures  52  may be used in forming opening  90  to engage with overmolded plastic chassis structures  50 . 
     If desired, mounting structures  70  may be supported by incorporating separate embedded metal structures within plastic portion  76  of plastic chassis structures  50 . Consider, as an example, a corner portion of chassis  48  such as chassis  48  of  FIG. 13 . Overmolded plastic  50  may be formed over metal chassis  52 . Metal chassis  52  may have portions such as portions  96  that are bent to form opening  98 . 
     A perspective view of opening  98  in metal chassis  52  is shown in  FIG. 14 . Prior to injection molding structures  50  over bent portions  96  to form plastic portions  76  of mounting structures  70  of  FIG. 13 , a separate metal structure may be inserted in opening  98  such as spring  100  of  FIG. 15 . 
     Spring  100  may have a shape such as a horseshoe shape with engagement features such as prongs  104 . Initially, spring  100  may be squeezed so that prongs  104  are compressed and pass through opening  98 . After prongs  104  have passed through opening  98 , the spring may be released. This causes the sides of spring  100  to expand outwardly in directions  102 , thereby causing prongs  104  to engage with metal chassis structures  52  along the edges of opening  98 . Once spring  100  has been installed within opening  98  of metal chassis structures  52  so that spring  100  is attached to metal chassis structures  52 , plastic for chassis  50  may be injection molded over spring  100  and metal chassis  52 , thereby forming plastic portion  76  of mounting structure  70  and the remaining portions of plastic chassis  50 . By embedding metal support structures such as springs  100  within each mounting structure  70 , mounting structures  70  may be strengthened. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portion of metal structures  52  showing how a gasket such as gasket structure  106  (e.g., a flanged metal member) may be mounted within opening  98  of metal chassis structures  52 . Welds, adhesive, spring structures such as structure  100  of  FIG. 15 , or other attachment mechanisms may be used in attaching support structure  106  to metal chassis structures  52 . Once secured, plastic chassis  50  may be overmolded on top of structures  52  (including separate support structures  106 ). In this way, plastic chassis  50  may form support structure  70  over embedded metal support structure  106 . 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120620
Publication Date: 20160301
Grant Date: 20160301
Priority Date: 20120620
Inventors: QIAN AMY
RAPPOPORT BENJAMIN M.
FRANKLIN JEREMY C.
AI JIANG
KHOSLA JIVAN K
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02F2001/133628", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133308", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133615", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/0086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/0085", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2001/133328", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2001/133325", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2001/133317", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2201/46", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133615", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2201/46", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133328", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/0086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/0085", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/0085", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133308", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/0086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133325", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133615", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133317", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133325", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133308", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133328", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133628", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F2201/46", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133628", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/133317", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 48652335