Enclosure features of a portable computer

Abstract

A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device includes a top case of a reduced size and shape. In order to assemble a keyboard assembly in the top case, the keyboard assembly is designed to deform or bend without causing damage to the keyboard assembly or a circuit board of the keyboard assembly. Methods of inserting the keyboard assembly into the top case are described. Also, in order to secure the keyboard assembly with the top case, an alignment tool is described having several fastener receives designed to detach from a main body of the alignment tool. The fastener receivers may be aligned at a non-zero angle that is substantially similar with a non-zero angle of end openings of the circuit board and end cavities of the top case. This allows for easier assembly of several fasteners. The keyboard assembly may further include a keyboard shield.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable computing device, comprising:
 an enclosure comprising an opening that includes an opening length, wherein the opening opens to an interior region defined by the enclosure and configured to receive an operational component through the opening; and   a keyboard assembly disposed in the interior region and in a flat configuration, the keyboard assembly comprising a major dimension greater than the opening length in the flat configuration, wherein the major dimension is less than the opening length in a bent configuration of the keyboard assembly different from the flat configuration, the bent configuration allowing the keyboard assembly to pass through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the keyboard assembly further comprises a minor dimension less than the major dimension. 
     
     
         3 . The portable computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the keyboard assembly comprises a circuit board that defines the major dimension and the minor dimension. 
     
     
         4 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the major dimension is reduced in the bent configuration, in response to a bending force, such that the interior region is capable of receiving the keyboard assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The portable computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener that secures the keyboard assembly with the enclosure, wherein:
 the enclosure comprises a cavity configured to receive the fastener,   the keyboard assembly comprises a keyboard opening aligned with the cavity, and   the fastener extends through the keyboard opening and into the cavity.   
     
     
         6 . The portable computing device of  claim 5 , wherein the cavity comprises a diagonal cavity and wherein the keyboard opening comprises a diagonal opening. 
     
     
         7 . The portable computing device of  claim 6 , wherein the enclosure comprises a surface having a surface opening, and wherein the keyboard assembly comprises a key positioned at least partially through the surface opening. 
     
     
         8 . The portable computing device of  claim 7 , wherein the diagonal cavity is disposed in the surface. 
     
     
         9 . A method for assembling a portable electronic device comprising an enclosure that includes an opening comprising an opening length, wherein the opening opens to an interior region defined by the enclosure and configured to receive an operational component, the method comprising:
 applying a bending force to a keyboard assembly to reduce a dimension of the keyboard assembly such that the dimension is less than the opening length;   inserting the keyboard assembly through the opening and into the interior region while maintaining the bending force; and   removing the bending force to the keyboard assembly causing the dimension of the keyboard assembly to extend such that the dimension is greater than the opening length.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 extending a fastener through a keyboard opening of the keyboard assembly; and   extending the fastener into a cavity of the enclosure, wherein extending the fastener into the cavity secures the keyboard assembly with the enclosure.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cavity comprises a diagonal cavity and wherein the keyboard opening comprises a diagonal opening. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein removing the bending force is subsequent to inserting the keyboard assembly through the opening and the interior region. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the keyboard assembly comprises:
 a major dimension defined by the dimension; and   a minor dimension less than the major dimension.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the keyboard assembly comprises a circuit board that defines the major dimension and the minor dimension. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein inserting the keyboard assembly through the opening and into the interior region while maintaining the bending force comprising:
 inserting a first end of the keyboard assembly through the opening; and   inserting a second end of the keyboard assembly through the opening, the second end opposite the first end.   
     
     
         16 . A keyboard shield suitable for use with a keyboard assembly of a portable computing device, the keyboard shield comprising:
 a first layer formed from a first non-electrically conductive material and disposed on a circuit board of the keyboard assembly;   a second layer formed from an electrically conductive material and disposed over the first layer, the second layer electrically coupled to an enclosure of the portable computing device; and   a third layer formed from a second non-electrically conductive material and disposed over the second layer, the third layer comprising a custom opening allowing an internal component to electrically couple with the second layer via the custom opening.   
     
     
         17 . The keyboard shield of  claim 16 , wherein the first layer comprises a first opening, and wherein the second layer comprises a second opening aligned with the first opening, the first opening and the second opening combine with the third layer to define an blind hole that receives a fastener that secures the keyboard assembly with a top case of the portable computing device. 
     
     
         18 . The keyboard shield of  claim 17 , further comprising a tail feature secured with the third layer and configured to provide a reduced coefficient of friction relative to the top case. 
     
     
         19 . The keyboard shield of  claim 16 , wherein the first layer comprises a first section and a second section separated from the first section. 
     
     
         20 . The keyboard shield of  claim 19 , further comprising a conductive adhesive that secures the second layer with the circuit board.