Hinges for electronic devices and accessory devices

    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.

    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.

    Friction roller hinge for electronic devices and method for making roller and spacer elements

    公开(公告)号:US11079807B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-08-03

    申请号:US16053693

    申请日:2018-08-02

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A hinge assembly is disclosed. The hinge assembly may include roller elements and spacer elements positioned between adjacent roller elements. The hinge assembly couples with two housing parts, and allows movement of the housing parts with respect to one another. The roller elements synchronously rotate along surfaces of the spacer elements during rotation of one of the housing parts. Also, in order to maintain engagement between the roller elements and the spacer elements, a strap may extend through openings of the roller elements and the spacer elements. Further, the strap may provide the hinge assembly with a desired stiffness. For example, when the first housing part ceases rotational movement, the strap may cause the first housing part to maintain its position relative to the second housing part. Also, the hinge assembly may include a tensioning element coupled to the strap in order to provide tension to the strap.

    Hinge assembly with layered friction elements

    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.

    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.

    Portable computing system
    27.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US10228721B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-03-12

    申请号:US15215530

    申请日:2016-07-20

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.

    Chin plate for a portable computing device

    公开(公告)号:US10001812B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-06-19

    申请号:US14825137

    申请日:2015-08-12

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    CPC classification number: G06F1/1656 G06F1/1616

    Abstract: A cover plate for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The cover plate can be used as a cosmetic feature disposed on a display or cover glass of the portable computing device. For instance, the cover plate may include one or may layers disposed on a surface of the cover plate. In some cases, the layers are formed on a rear surface of the cover plate. In addition to enhancing the appearance of the portable electronic device, the cover plate provides additional a protective layer to internal components positioned behind the cover plate. Moreover, the cover plate may formed from an electromagnetically transparent material such as glass to allow receipt and/or transmission of electromagnetic waves in the form of radio frequencies. Also, the cover plate offers protection to the display and cover glass when the portable electronic device is in a closed configuration.

    Enclosure features of a portable computing device
    30.
    发明授权
    Enclosure features of a portable computing device 有权
    便携式计算设备的外壳功能

    公开(公告)号:US09575514B2

    公开(公告)日:2017-02-21

    申请号:US14825147

    申请日:2015-08-12

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An enclosure for a portable computing device is disclosed. The enclosure includes a top case and a bottom case. The bottom case includes a retention feature that receives a snap member. The top case includes a tapered protrusion that is received by the snap member in order to secure the top case to the bottom case. Other features may be included. For example, the retention feature may also receive a tab member that secures the snap member to the retention feature. The retention feature and the tapered protrusion allow for alternate securing means between the top case and the bottom case. As a result, fewer fasteners are required to secure the top case with the bottom case.

    Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于便携式计算设备的外壳。 外壳包括顶盖和底壳。 底部壳体包括接收卡扣构件的保持特征。 顶部壳体包括锥形突出部,该锥形突出部被卡扣部件接收以便将顶部壳体固定到底部壳体。 可能包括其他功能。 例如,保留特征还可以接收将捕捉构件固定到保持特征的标签构件。 保持特征和锥形突起允许在顶壳和底壳之间的交替固定装置。 因此,需要较少的紧固件来固定顶壳与底壳。

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