Housing construction

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an equipment housing, comprising: locating together a first housing part ( 1 ) and a second housing part ( 2 ) so that the first housing part overlaps the second housing part at a join ( 15 ) between the housing parts; and irradiating the region of the join with radiation to which the first housing part is substantially transparent and the second housing part ( 2 ) is absorptive so as to heat the second housing part and fuse the housing parts ( 1,2 ) together at the join ( 15 ).

1 . A method for manufacturing an equipment housing, comprising: 
 locating together a first housing part and a second housing part so that the first housing part overlaps the second housing part at a join between the housing parts; and    irradiating the region of the join with radiation to which the first housing part is substantially transparent and the second housing part is absorptive so as to heat the second housing part and fuse the housing parts together at the join.    
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is located outward of the second housing part at the join.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second housing part includes a display opening.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is a back cover of the housing and the second housing part is a front cover of the housing.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is a transparent display window.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the second housing part is a front cover of the housing.  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the radiation is laser light.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the wavelength of the laser light is in the non-visible part of the spectrum.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the irradiation step is performed so as to generate insufficient heat to melt the outer surface of the first housing part.  
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising the steps of: 
 locating together a third housing part and the second housing part so that the third housing part overlaps the second housing part at a join between the second and third housing parts; and    irradiating the region of the join between the second and third housing parts with radiation to which the third housing part is substantially transparent and the second housing part is absorptive so as to heat the second housing part and fuse the second and third housing parts together at the join.    
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is a housing for a portable electronic device.  
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is a housing for a mobile phone.  
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is a housing for a portable electronic device.  
     
     
         14 . An equipment housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part located so that the first housing part overlaps the second housing part at a join between the housing parts; and the parts being laser welded together at the join.  
     
     
         15 . An equipment housing as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first housing part is located outward of the second housing part at the join.  
     
     
         16 . An equipment housing as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the welded zone does not extend to the outer surface of the first housing part.  
     
     
         17 . Canceled  
     
     
         18 . Canceled