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).

  • Patent number: 10942548
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Renda, David M. Rockford, Jonathan L. Berk, Chanjuan Feng, Daniel K. Boothe, Daniel D. Hershey
  • Publication number: 20200097053
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Renda, David M. Rockford, Jonathan L. Berk, Chanjuan Feng, Daniel K. Boothe, Daniel D. Hershey
  • Publication number: 20160192550
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford
  • Patent number: 9310847
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford
  • Patent number: 9304550
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Rockford, William F. Leggett
  • Publication number: 20160093861
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: David M. Rockford
  • Publication number: 20160091933
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: David M. Rockford, William F. Leggett
  • Patent number: 9030839
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford, Gavin J. Reid, Matthew P. Casebolt, Changsoo Jang
  • Patent number: 8846177
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, Kathleen A. Bergeron, William F. Leggett, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, David M. Rockford
  • Publication number: 20140123459
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford
  • Publication number: 20140111914
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: William F. Leggett, David M. Rockford, Gavin J. Reid, Matthew P. Casebolt, Changsoo Jang
  • Publication number: 20140096889
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew P. CASEBOLT, Kathleen A. BERGERON, William F. LEGGETT, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, David M. ROCKFORD
  • Patent number: D843933
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joss Giddings, Christopher R. Pasma, David M. Rockford, Mikael Silvanto, Stephen Jacobs Wisler
  • Patent number: D967753
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joss Giddings, Christopher R. Pasma, David M. Rockford, Mikael Silvanto, Stephen Jacobs Wisler