公开(公告)号：US11971130B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-30

申请号：US17653854

申请日：2022-03-07

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Brett W. Degner ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Christoph M. Pistor ,  Mehrdad Hooshmand ,  Simon J. Trivett ,  Bradley J. Hamel ,  Kristopher P. Laurent ,  David H. Narajowski ,  Stephen V Jayanathan ,  Laura M. DeForest

IPC: F16M11/12

CPC classification number: F16M11/121 ,  F16M2200/041 ,  F16M2200/063

Abstract: Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.

公开(公告)号：US11960334B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-16

申请号：US18301975

申请日：2023-04-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Mikael M. Silvanto ,  Bartley K. Andre ,  Adam T. Garelli ,  Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque ,  Robert Y. Cao ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  Jacob S. Kononiuk ,  Robert J. Lockwood ,  Bryan W. Posner ,  Kevin M. Keeler ,  Bruce E. Berg ,  Yi-Chen Kuo ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Houtan R. Farahani

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  E05D11/00 ,  E05D11/10

CPC classification number: G06F1/1683 ,  E05D11/0054 ,  E05D11/0081 ,  E05D2011/0072 ,  E05D11/1028 ,  G06F1/1616 ,  G06F1/1656 ,  G06F1/1681

Abstract: Cable assemblies for providing electrical communication between hinged sections of an electronic device are described. The cable assemblies can include a cover that covers one or more cables that run through a hinge region of the electronic device. The cable and cover can be drawn over a mandrel of the hinge region. The cover and the portions of the mandrel can be visible to a user at the hinge region of the electronic device. The cover can be sufficiently rigid to guide a path of the cable and protect the cable from bending beyond a prescribed angle during rotation of the electronic device at the hinge region. The cover can also be sufficiently rigid to prevent ceasing or folding of the cover and the cable during rotation of the electronic device at the hinge region.

公开(公告)号：US11934230B2

公开(公告)日：2024-03-19

申请号：US17653859

申请日：2022-03-07

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Brett W. Degner ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Christoph M. Pistor ,  Mehrdad Hooshmand ,  Simon J. Trivett ,  Bradley J. Hamel ,  Kristopher P. Laurent ,  David H. Narajowski ,  Stephen V Jayanathan ,  Laura M. DeForest

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  F16M11/10 ,  H05K5/02

CPC classification number: G06F1/1654 ,  F16M11/10 ,  G06F1/166 ,  G06F1/1607 ,  G06F1/1681 ,  H05K5/0221 ,  H05K5/0226

Abstract: Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.

公开(公告)号：US11907426B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-20

申请号：US17703740

申请日：2022-03-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Ari P. Miller ,  Justin D. Crosby ,  Daniel K. Boothe ,  Houtan R. Farahani ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Ryan J. Mihelich ,  Robert J. Lockwood

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  H04R1/02 ,  G06F3/041 ,  H04R1/24 ,  G06F3/0354 ,  H04R7/04 ,  H04R17/00 ,  H04R9/06

CPC classification number: G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/03547 ,  G06F3/041 ,  H04R1/028 ,  H04R1/24 ,  H04R7/04 ,  H04R9/06 ,  H04R17/00 ,  H04R2400/03 ,  H04R2499/11 ,  H04R2499/13 ,  H04R2499/15

Abstract: An electronic device has a housing that forms an exterior surface of the electronic device. An array of actuators is coupled to the housing and is operable to move the housing in order to produce sound waves and/or haptic output via the exterior surface. In this way, less space is consumed by acoustic and haptic devices as compared to similar conventional devices, thereby allowing for thinner electronic devices and/or room for other components within the housing. The actuators may be operable to move different regions of the housing to produce sound waves and/or haptic output within different frequency ranges.

公开(公告)号：US11853122B2

公开(公告)日：2023-12-26

申请号：US17658971

申请日：2022-04-12

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aidan N. Zimmerman ,  Bradley J. Hamel ,  Christopher J. Stringer ,  Markus Diebel ,  Sung-Ho Tan ,  Mikael M. Silvanto ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Daniel L. McBroom ,  Michael D. McBroom

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  F16M11/38 ,  A45C11/00

CPC classification number: G06F1/1632 ,  A45C11/00 ,  F16M11/38 ,  G06F1/1643 ,  G06F1/1698 ,  A45C2011/002 ,  A45C2011/003 ,  A45C2200/15 ,  G06F1/1626

Abstract: Accessory devices for portable electronic devices are described. An exemplary accessory device can include a first segment coupled to a second segment via a first hinge assembly. The accessory can include a third segment coupled to the second segment via a second hinge assembly such that the second segment is positioned between the first and third segments. The accessory device can be arranged between a closed configuration and a configuration of a stand that supports the portable electronic device at a viewing angle. At the support configuration, the second segment can be at an acute angle relative to the first segment to shift the center of gravity of the system towards the middle. The third segment can be suspended above the first segment and be inclined outwards. The hinge assemblies of the system can be sufficiently stiff to withstand the weight of the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US11545317B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-03

申请号：US17651972

申请日：2022-02-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Ian A. Guy ,  Ari P. Miller ,  Edward J. Cooper ,  Houtan R. Farahani ,  Kevin M. Robinson

IPC: H01H3/12 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/7065

Abstract: Key assemblies having a foldable stabilizer are disclosed. The stabilizer can be positioned under a keycap to help guide the keycap and limit rotation or movement when the key is pressed. The stabilizer can have a pointed-star shape with multiple folding axes and can have multiple points of connection or linkage to the keycap or other surrounding components. The stabilizer can unfold or flatten as the keycap is pressed and can fold as the keycap is raised.

公开(公告)号：US20220326731A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-13

申请号：US17653859

申请日：2022-03-07

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Brett W. Degner ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Christoph M. Pistor ,  Mehrdad Hooshmand ,  Simon J. Trivett ,  Bradley J. Hamel ,  Kristopher P. Laurent ,  David H. Narajowski ,  Stephen V Jayanathan ,  Laura M. DeForest

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  H05K5/02

Abstract: Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.

公开(公告)号：US11307615B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-19

申请号：US16879341

申请日：2020-05-20

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aidan N. Zimmerman ,  Bradley J. Hamel ,  Christopher J. Stringer ,  Markus Diebel ,  Sung-Ho Tan ,  Mikael M. Silvanto ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Daniel L. McBroom ,  Michael D. McBroom

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  F16M11/38 ,  A45C11/00

Abstract: Accessory devices for portable electronic devices are described. An exemplary accessory device can include a first segment coupled to a second segment via a first hinge assembly. The accessory can include a third segment coupled to the second segment via a second hinge assembly such that the second segment is positioned between the first and third segments. The accessory device can be arranged between a closed configuration and a configuration of a stand that supports the portable electronic device at a viewing angle. At the support configuration, the second segment can be at an acute angle relative to the first segment to shift the center of gravity of the system towards the middle. The third segment can be suspended above the first segment and be inclined outwards. The hinge assemblies of the system can be sufficiently stiff to withstand the weight of the electronic device.

公开(公告)号：US11282656B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-22

申请号：US16536091

申请日：2019-08-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Ian A. Guy ,  Ari P. Miller ,  Edward J. Cooper ,  Houtan R. Farahani ,  Kevin M. Robinson

IPC: H01H3/12 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/7065

Abstract: Key assemblies having a foldable stabilizer are disclosed. The stabilizer can be positioned under a keycap to help guide the keycap and limit rotation or movement when the key is pressed. The stabilizer can have a pointed-star shape with multiple folding axes and can have multiple points of connection or linkage to the keycap or other surrounding components. The stabilizer can unfold or flatten as the keycap is pressed and can fold as the keycap is raised.

公开(公告)号：US20210373610A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-02

申请号：US16885045

申请日：2020-05-27

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Qiliang Xu ,  Kevin M. Robinson ,  Xiaonan Wen ,  Shingo Yoneoka

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  G06F3/01 ,  F16M11/10

Abstract: A notebook computer may include a display portion, a base portion, a hinge mechanism movably coupling the display portion to the base portion, an optical sensing system configured to capture an image of an object, an actuation system comprising a shape-memory alloy member coupled to the base portion and the display portion and configured to move the display portion relative to the base portion, and a processing system. The processing system may be configured to determine a target position for the display portion based at least in part on a location of the object in the image and cause the actuation system to actuate the hinge mechanism to move the display portion, relative to the base portion, from an initial position to the target position.