Housing for portable computer device and method of making same
A portable computer device, comprising a circuit board; a connector in communication with the circuit board, the connector adapted for insertion into a computer port; a light source associated with the circuit board; and a housing encasing at least the circuit board and the light source, the housing comprising a substantially opaque body portion and a substantially transparent or translucent lens portion, the lens portion located proximate the light source.
1 . A portable computer device, comprising:
a circuit board;
a connector in communication with the circuit board, the connector adapted for insertion into a computer port;
a light source associated with the circuit board; and
a housing encasing at least the circuit board and the light source, the housing comprising a substantially opaque body portion and a substantially transparent or translucent lens portion, the lens portion located proximate the light source.
2 . The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a proximal end located substantially opposite the connector, and the lens portion is located at the proximal end.
3 . The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the body portion conceals substantially all of the circuit board.
4 . The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the light source is adapted to emit light through the lens portion when the connector is connected to a computer port and the portable computer device is operational.
5 . The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.
6 . The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the body portion and the lens portion are co-molded from plastic.
7 . The portable computer device of claim 1 , wherein the portable computer device is a USB key.
8 . A housing for a portable computer device, comprising:
a shell including a connector portion adapted for insertion into a computer port;
a substantially opaque plastic body portion encasing at least a portion of the shell; and
a substantially transparent or translucent plastic lens portion co-molded with the body portion.
9 . The housing of claim 8 , wherein the lens portion positively engages the body portion.
10 . The housing of claim 9 , further comprising at least one protrusion on the lens portion and at least one cooperating recess on the body portion, wherein the protrusion extends through the recess.
11 . The housing of claim 8 , further comprising a collar interconnecting the shell and the housing.
12 . The housing of claim 11 , wherein the collar is molded onto the shell.
13 . The housing of claim 12 , further comprising integral barbs extending outwardly from the shell and into the collar, wherein the barbs engage the collar.
14 . The housing of claim 13 , wherein the barbs are stamped onto the shell.
15 . A method of forming a housing for a portable computer device, comprising:
(a) injection molding a first portion of the housing in a first injection mold cavity;
(b) transferring the first portion of the housing to a second injection mold cavity; and
(c) injection molding a second portion of the housing in the second injection mold cavity, whereby the first portion and the second portion join together.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step (c) occurs prior to complete hardening of the first portion of the housing.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step (c) occurs after complete hardening of the first portion of the housing.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the first portion is a substantially opaque body portion.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the first portion is a substantially transparent or translucent lens portion.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second portion is a substantially transparent or translucent lens portion.
21 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the second portion is a substantially opaque body portion.
22 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step (b) is carried out by hand.
23 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step (b) is automated.
24 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the step (a) comprises molding a recess in the first portion, and the step (c) comprises molding a protrusion in the second portion that extends into the recess.
25 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
(d) injection molding a collar onto a shell; and
(e) placing the housing over the shell and engaging a portion of the housing with the collar.
26 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising the step of forming integral, outwardly-extending barbs on the shell prior to the step (d), wherein the step (d) comprises injection molding the collar over the barbs.