Patents by Inventor Duane Fowler

Duane Fowler 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).

  • Apparatus and methods to contain radio frequency energy within a housing of an electronic device
    Patent number: 6613977
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods to contain radio frequency energy within the housing of an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes a flexible covering attached to the housing of the electronic device to cover an opening in the housing. The flexible covering is substantially impermeable to radio frequency energy and has a slot formed therein to allow objects to be inserted into and removed from the interior of the electronic device. In one embodiment, the flexible covering is an electrically conductive cloth. The cloth may be supported by a frame and attached to the housing, or be simply attached to the housing, using an electrically conductive adhesive. The edges of the slot are substantially coterminous along the length of the slot to trap radio frequency energy within the housing of the electronic device. A colored dust cover may be attached to the flexible material to provide a desired aesthetic appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane Fowler