Patents by Inventor David M. ROCKFORD
David M. ROCKFORD has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10942548Abstract: A computing device includes one or more microphones that function seamlessly with other components within the computing device. In one embodiment, a microphone opening is disposed underneath a keyboard with a channel from the microphone to an opening between the keyboard webbing and a keycap of the keyboard. In another embodiment, two microphones can be spaced apart from a keyboard region of the device and a third microphone can be disposed underneath the keyboard region with an channel from the microphone to an opening between the keyboard webbing and a keycap of the keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Renda, David M. Rockford, Jonathan L. Berk, Chanjuan Feng, Daniel K. Boothe, Daniel D. Hershey
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Publication number: 20200097053Abstract: A computing device includes one or more microphones that function seamlessly with other components within the computing device. In one embodiment, a microphone opening is disposed underneath a keyboard with a channel from the microphone to an opening between the keyboard webbing and a keycap of the keyboard. In another embodiment, two microphones can be spaced apart from a keyboard region of the device and a third microphone can be disposed underneath the keyboard region with an channel from the microphone to an opening between the keyboard webbing and a keycap of the keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Nicholas A. Renda, David M. Rockford, Jonathan L. Berk, Chanjuan Feng, Daniel K. Boothe, Daniel D. Hershey
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Publication number: 20160192550Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to components used in a portable computing device and more particularly to mounting a component with a component extractor that allows a component to be removably affixed to a portable computing device. The component extractor can include a compressible securing portion configured to secure the component to the portable computing device and an extracting portion arranged to apply an extracting force to the compressible securing portion to detach the component from the portable computing device. The compressible material can be made of a highly extensible material. In one embodiment, a low friction material can be provided along an edge of the component such that the component extractor slides along the edge during an extraction procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford
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Patent number: 9310847Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to components used in a portable computing device and more particularly to mounting a component with a component extractor that allows a component to be removably affixed to a portable computing device. The component extractor can include a compressible securing portion configured to secure the component to the portable computing device and an extracting portion arranged to apply an extracting force to the compressible securing portion to detach the component from the portable computing device. The compressible material can be made of a highly extensible material. In one embodiment, a low friction material can be provided along an edge of the component such that the component extractor slides along the edge during an extraction procedure.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford
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Patent number: 9304550Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus relating to an adhesive bond that includes an integrated release mechanism. The adhesive bond can secure components in a portable electronic device, such as a battery, to the housing of the portable electronic device. The release mechanism can be embodied as a thin layer of polymeric material sandwiched between a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer. The first and second adhesive layers are joined to one another by a number of pillars that extend through openings in the release mechanism. A portion of the release mechanism can protrude from the adhesive bond allowing a technician or user to pull the release mechanism out of the adhesive bond, which severs the pillars that hold the adhesive layers together. In this way, the release mechanism allows for efficient separation of the adhesively secured components.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David M. Rockford, William F. Leggett
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Publication number: 20160093861Abstract: A power supply system for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The power supply system includes a number of battery cells distributed between a number of structural support members of a housing of the portable electronic device. The battery cells of the power supply can be separated so that they can be individually installed between the structural support members of the housing. After installing the battery cells a battery busbar of the power supply system can be subsequently slid through openings defined by the structural support members so that the battery busbar can electrically couple together battery cells separated by structural support members. The battery busbar can also be electrically coupled to a battery management unit of the power supply system, which can also be separated from the battery cells by a structural support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventor: David M. Rockford
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Publication number: 20160091933Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus relating to an adhesive bond that includes an integrated release mechanism. The adhesive bond can secure components in a portable electronic device, such as a battery, to the housing of the portable electronic device. The release mechanism can be embodied as a thin layer of polymeric material sandwiched between a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer. The first and second adhesive layers are joined to one another by a number of pillars that extend through openings in the release mechanism. A portion of the release mechanism can protrude from the adhesive bond allowing a technician or user to pull the release mechanism out of the adhesive bond, which severs the pillars that hold the adhesive layers together. In this way, the release mechanism allows for efficient separation of the adhesively secured components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: David M. Rockford, William F. Leggett
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Patent number: 9030839Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal and external components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure, wherein the internal components comprise at least one external interface, such as, for example, a track pad interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford, Gavin J. Reid, Matthew P. Casebolt, Changsoo Jang
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Patent number: 8846177Abstract: Methods and systems for adhering internal components in a portable computing device are described. In some embodiments, an internal component adhesive removal system can include a conforming wrapper. In one embodiment, the conforming wrapper can wrap around a portion of an outer surface of the internal component. The conforming wrapper can secure and at least partially enclose the internal component such that the internal component is sufficiently constrained to protect the internal component from damage during movement of the portable computing device during normal use. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises one or more shock absorbing features. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises a feature configured to tear to facilitate removal of the internal component from the portable computing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, Kathleen A. Bergeron, William F. Leggett, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, David M. Rockford
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Publication number: 20140123459Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to components used in a portable computing device and more particularly to mounting a component with a component extractor that allows a component to be removably affixed to a portable computing device. The component extractor can include a compressible securing portion configured to secure the component to the portable computing device and an extracting portion arranged to apply an extracting force to the compressible securing portion to detach the component from the portable computing device. The compressible material can be made of a highly extensible material. In one embodiment, a low friction material can be provided along an edge of the component such that the component extractor slides along the edge during an extraction procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford
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Publication number: 20140111914Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal and external components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure, wherein the internal components comprise at least one external interface, such as, for example, a track pad interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford, Gavin J. Reid, Matthew P. Casebolt, Changsoo Jang
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Publication number: 20140096889Abstract: Methods and systems for adhering internal components in a portable computing device are described. In some embodiments, an internal component adhesive removal system can include a conforming wrapper. In one embodiment, the conforming wrapper can wrap around a portion of an outer surface of the internal component. The conforming wrapper can secure and at least partially enclose the internal component such that the internal component is sufficiently constrained to protect the internal component from damage during movement of the portable computing device during normal use. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises one or more shock absorbing features. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises a feature configured to tear to facilitate removal of the internal component from the portable computing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventors: Matthew P. CASEBOLT, Kathleen A. BERGERON, William F. LEGGETT, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, David M. ROCKFORD
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Patent number: D843933Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joss Giddings, Christopher R. Pasma, David M. Rockford, Mikael Silvanto, Stephen Jacobs Wisler
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Patent number: D967753Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joss Giddings, Christopher R. Pasma, David M. Rockford, Mikael Silvanto, Stephen Jacobs Wisler