公开(公告)号：US11106249B1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-31

申请号：US16439571

申请日：2019-06-12

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aidan N. Zimmerman ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Scott J. Krahn ,  Chien-Tsun Chen ,  Bradley J. Hamel ,  Arthur Stanley Brigham

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  H05K5/00 ,  H05K7/00 ,  E05D5/02 ,  E05D7/00

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first and a second set of friction elements engaged each other by an applied force perpendicular to the friction elements. The first and the second set of friction elements are capable of rotational movement about a cylindrical element that passes through each of the friction elements. Also, the first set of friction elements is capable of movement relative to the second set of friction elements. However, the first set friction elements can remain in a fixed position based upon the applied force, until an external force overcomes the applied. During rotation of the first set of friction elements about the cylindrical element, the frictional engagement that controls the position of the first set of friction elements is based primarily on engagement between the friction elements, as opposed to engagement, if any, between the friction elements and the cylindrical element.

公开(公告)号：US11567542B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-31

申请号：US16821875

申请日：2020-03-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Ari P. Miller ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Chien-Tsun Chen

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  F16C11/04 ,  E05D11/00 ,  E05D11/08 ,  E05D11/10 ,  E05D1/04

Abstract: An accessory device for an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device includes multiple sections, with one section holding the electronic device, and another section having an input mechanism, such as a keyboard. The accessory device includes a hinge assembly that allows relative movement of the sections with respect each other. An additional hinge assembly is integrated with the section carrying the electronic device, and provides additional flexibility and range of motion of the section, thereby allowing a user to position the electronic device at multiple different angles relative to the section carrying the input mechanism. Also, each hinge assembly may include multiple roller and spacer elements, as well as a retention structure passing through each roller element and spacer element. The retention structure can provide tension to increase the frictional force between the roller and spacer elements, and/or provide counterbalance to offset the weight of the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US10324501B1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-18

申请号：US16041633

申请日：2018-07-20

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aidan N. Zimmerman ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Scott J. Krahn ,  Chien-Tsun Chen ,  Bradley J. Hamel ,  Arthur Stanley Brigham

IPC: G06F16/00 ,  H05K5/00 ,  H05K7/00 ,  G06F1/16 ,  E05D7/00 ,  E05D5/02

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first and a second set of friction elements engaged each other by an applied force perpendicular to the friction elements. The first and the second set of friction elements are capable of rotational movement about a cylindrical element that passes through each of the friction elements. Also, the first set of friction elements is capable of movement relative to the second set of friction elements. However, the first set friction elements can remain in a fixed position based upon the applied force, until an external force overcomes the applied. During rotation of the first set of friction elements about the cylindrical element, the frictional engagement that controls the position of the first set of friction elements is based primarily on engagement between the friction elements, as opposed to engagement, if any, between the friction elements and the cylindrical element.

公开(公告)号：US10347443B1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-09

申请号：US15605390

申请日：2017-05-25

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Chia Chi Wu ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Alex J. Lehmann ,  Chien-Tsun Chen ,  Kuo-Chiang Chin ,  Ming Gao ,  Zheng Gao

IPC: H01H13/83 ,  F21V8/00 ,  G06F3/02

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a backlight integrated membrane for a keyboard. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a keyboard having a key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the key cap and a membrane may be positioned below the feature plate. The membrane may include a transparent substrate optically coupled to a light emitting element. The membrane may also include electrical traces for a key switch disposed on the transparent substrate. The embodiment may further include a domed structure positioned on the membrane and configured to actuate the key switch when depressed.