Granted Patent B2

US 12,197,246 · App. 18/388,311 · Granted Jan 14, 2025

Inventors: Keith J Hendren (San Francisco, CA); Paul X Wang (Cupertino, CA); Adam T. Garelli (Santa Clara, CA); Brett W. Degner (Menlo Park, CA); Christiaan A. Ligtenberg (San Carlos, CA); Dinesh C. Mathew (San Francisco, CA)

Assignee: APPLE INC.

G06F1/1626G06F1/1643G06F1/1652G06F1/1662G06F3/0412

Abstract

Claims (58)

1. A laptop computer comprising:

a housing member defining:

an inner portion;

an outer side portion comprising a front flange that extends from a first side of the inner portion and a back flange that extends form a second side of the inner portion;

a first glass sheet positioned on a front side of the inner portion, at least partially surrounded by the front flange and defining a front exterior surface of the housing member; and

a second glass sheet positioned on a back side of the inner portion, at least partially surrounded by the back flange and defining a rear exterior surface of the housing member; and

a display positioned between the first glass sheet and the inner portion, at least partially surrounded by the front flange and configured to provide a first graphical output at the front exterior surface.

2. The laptop computer of claim 1 , wherein:

the display is positioned at an upper portion of the housing member;

the laptop computer further comprises an input device; and

the input device is positioned at a lower portion of the housing member.

3. The laptop computer of claim 2 , wherein the upper portion is coupled to the lower portion by a transition portion.

4. The laptop computer of claim 3 , wherein the transition portion is configured to bend in response to the lower portion being articulated between a first angular position relative to the upper portion and a second angular position relative to the upper portion.

5. The laptop computer of claim 3 , wherein the display extends along the upper portion, the transition portion and the lower portion.

6. The laptop computer of claim 3 , wherein:

the upper portion defines a first planar region of the housing member; and

the lower portion defines a second planar region.

7. The laptop computer of claim 1 , further comprising a second display positioned between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet and configured to provide a second graphical output at the rear exterior surface.

8. The laptop computer of claim 7 , wherein:

the display comprises a first touch-sensitive display that detects user inputs to the front exterior surface of the housing member; and

the second display comprises a second touch-sensitive display that detects user inputs to the rear exterior surface of the housing member.

9. An electronic device comprising:

an upper housing member comprising:

a frame;

a front flange that extends from a first side of the frame and defines a first portion of a side surface to the upper housing member;

a back flange that extends form a second side of the frame and defines a second portion of the side surface of the upper housing member;

a first glass sheet at least partially surrounded by the front flange and defining a display area at a front exterior surface; and

a second glass sheet at least partially surrounded by the back flange and defining a rear exterior surface;

a display positioned between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet and configured to provide a first graphical output at the front exterior surface; and

a lower housing member comprising an input device.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 , further comprising a hinge between the upper housing member and the lower housing member, the hinge configured to allow the upper housing member to articulate with respect to the lower housing member.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the hinge defines one or more pivot points about which the upper housing member and the lower housing member are articulated.

12. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the hinge is configured to maintain the upper housing member and the lower housing member in a selected orientation.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 , wherein:

in a first orientation the upper housing member is substantially parallel to the lower housing member; and

in a second orientation the upper housing member in not-parallel to the lower housing member.

14. The electronic device of claim 9 , further comprising a second display positioned between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet and configured to provide a second graphical output at the rear exterior surface.

15. The electronic device of claim 9 , wherein the input device comprises a keyboard, a trackpad or both.

16. A portable computer comprising:

a housing comprising:

an upper portion defining a first region of the portable computer, the upper portion comprising:

a frame;

a front flange that extends from a first side of the frame and defines a first portion of a side surface to the housing;

a back flange that extends form a second side of the frame and defines a second portion of the side surface of the housing;

a first glass sheet at least partially surrounded by the front flange and defining a display area at a front exterior surface; and

a second glass sheet at least partially surrounded by the back flange and defining a rear exterior surface;

a lower portion defining a second region of the portable computer; and

a transition portion extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the transition portion configured to bend in response to the lower portion being articulated between a first angular position relative to the upper portion and a second angular position relative to the upper portion; and

a display coupled to the upper portion and configured to provide a graphical output at the front exterior surface.

17. The portable computer of claim 16 , further comprising an input device coupled to the lower portion and configured to detect an input at the lower portion of the housing.

18. The portable computer of claim 16 , wherein:

in the first angular position, the upper portion and the lower portion are parallel; and

in the second angular position, the upper portion and the lower portion are positioned in a non-parallel relationship.

19. The portable computer of claim 18 , wherein:

in the second angular position:

the lower portion is substantially parallel to a support surface; and

the upper portion is positioned at a non-parallel orientation with respect to the support surface.

20. The portable computer of claim 19 , wherein the display is at least partially surrounded by the front flange.

Continuity (5)

References Cited (192)