Patents by Inventor Laura M. DeForest

Laura M. DeForest 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: 11971130
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11934230
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11761573
    Abstract: Display assemblies for supporting displays on stands or support arms have mount portions to removably attach to the displays using magnetic assemblies and latches. The magnetic assemblies and latches can improve user experience and allow the display to be installed on a support arm from the viewing side of the display and without having to see or reach behind the display. Magnetic structures can center a mount portion of the support arm and a recess of the display and can attract them to each other. Laterally-extending latches can ensure the display is not inadvertently removed. Locking mechanisms can prevent the display from being rotated to a portrait orientation when sufficient space around the display and the necessary user intent is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Bradley J. Hamel, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Hao Zhu, Lauren M. Farrell, Sunita Venkatesh, Peter N. Jeziorek, Edward T. Sweet, David A. Jungquist, Karen Y. Cheng, Xiang Zhang, Danny L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom, Laura M. DeForest
  • Publication number: 20220325848
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20220326731
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20220325845
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20220290797
    Abstract: Display assemblies for supporting displays on stands or support arms have mount portions to removably attach to the displays using magnetic assemblies and latches. The magnetic assemblies and latches can improve user experience and allow the display to be installed on a support arm from the viewing side of the display and without having to see or reach behind the display. Magnetic structures can center a mount portion of the support arm and a recess of the display and can attract them to each other. Laterally-extending latches can ensure the display is not inadvertently removed. Locking mechanisms can prevent the display from being rotated to a portrait orientation when sufficient space around the display and the necessary user intent is not provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Bradley J. Hamel, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Hao Zhu, Lauren M. Farrell, Sunita Venkatesh, Peter N. Jeziorek, Edward T. Sweet, David A. Jungquist, Karen Y. Cheng, Xiang Zhang, Danny L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom, Laura M. DeForest
  • Patent number: 11378225
    Abstract: Display assemblies for supporting displays on stands or support arms have mount portions to removably attach to the displays using magnetic assemblies and latches. The magnetic assemblies and latches can improve user experience and allow the display to be installed on a support arm from the viewing side of the display and without having to see or reach behind the display. Magnetic structures can center a mount portion of the support arm and a recess of the display and can attract them to each other. Laterally-extending latches can ensure the display is not inadvertently removed. Locking mechanisms can prevent the display from being rotated to a portrait orientation when sufficient space around the display and the necessary user intent is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Bradley J. Hamel, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Hao Zhu, Lauren M. Farrell, Sunita Venkatesh, Peter N. Jeziorek, Edward T. Sweet, David A. Jungquist, Karen Y. Cheng, Xiang Zhang, Danny L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom, Laura M. DeForest
  • Patent number: 10620673
    Abstract: A portable computing device having a substantially non-conducting outer housing and alternative electrical grounding and audio system architectures is disclosed. The device can be a laptop computer having a main logic board, a keyboard assembly, an audio source positioned below the keyboard assembly, and an equalizer electrically coupled to the audio source, with each of these components being electrically coupled to a universal grounding structure. The audio source emits sound waves that are propagated through the keyboard assembly and between gaps between keyboard keys and the outer housing. Settings for the equalizer can be selected to account for sound absorption and amplification characteristics of the sound waves along these sound transmission paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Thomason, Kevin S. Fetterman, Laura M. DeForest, Ron Hopkinson, Michelle Goldberg, Ruchi Goel, John Raff, Timothy S. Hibbard
  • Publication number: 20200081483
    Abstract: Display assemblies for supporting displays on stands or support arms have mount portions to removably attach to the displays using magnetic assemblies and latches. The magnetic assemblies and latches can improve user experience and allow the display to be installed on a support arm from the viewing side of the display and without having to see or reach behind the display. Magnetic structures can center a mount portion of the support arm and a recess of the display and can attract them to each other. Laterally-extending latches can ensure the display is not inadvertently removed. Locking mechanisms can prevent the display from being rotated to a portrait orientation when sufficient space around the display and the necessary user intent is not provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Bradley J. Hamel, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Hao Zhu, Lauren M. Farrell, Sunita Venkatesh, Peter N. Jeziorek, Edward T. Sweet, David A. Jungquist, Karen Y. Cheng, Xiang Zhang, Danny L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom, Laura M. DeForest
  • Patent number: 10488687
    Abstract: A display device having a flexured element. More particularly, the display device may incorporate a cover glass with one or more flexure bearing sections. The flexure bearing may permit the cover glass to flex and/or bend in response to stresses or strains while still maintaining contact with an attachment point. If the attachment points have different heights, for example, the cover glass may flex at the flexure bearing, thereby permitting the portion of the cover glass between the attachment points to maintain a relatively planar alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Laura M. DeForest, James M. Cuseo
  • Patent number: 10317955
    Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Euan Abraham, John M. Brock, Matthew P. Casebolt, Robert L. Coish, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley Joseph Hamel, Ron Hopkinson, Jim Hwang, Caitlin E. Kalinowski, Steven Keiper, Patrick Kessler, Eugene Kim, Chris Ligtenberg, Jay K. Osborn, John Raff, Nicholas A. Rundle, David J. Yeh
  • Publication number: 20180314304
    Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Euan Abraham, John M. Brock, Matthew P. Casebolt, Robert L. Coish, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley Joseph Hamel, Ron Hopkinson, Jim Hwang, Caitlin E. Kalinowski, Steven Keiper, Patrick Kessler, Eugene Kim, Chris Ligtenberg, Jay K. Osborn, John Raff, Nicholas A. Rundle, David J. Yeh
  • Patent number: 10086484
    Abstract: Examples of tooling fixtures and methods for manufacturing computing devices are described. According to some examples, a computer component may be shaped using successive steps of forging after deep drawing. In some examples, certain components may be assembled to form sub-assemblies of computer components and the sub-assembly may then be machined to drive closer tolerances. According to other examples, a work holding tool is described which may include a first plurality of individually movable pins for supporting a first surface of a work piece, the tool also having a second plurality of individually movable pins for applying a restraining force over a second opposite surface of the work piece to retain the work piece in position while maintaining it in its natural state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Morgenstern, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle R. Goldberg, Nicholas Alan Rundle, Yuna Hu, Michael K. Morishita, Jacek M. Kolodziejski
  • Patent number: 10061361
    Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Euan Abraham, John M. Brock, Matthew P. Casebolt, Robert L. Coish, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley Joseph Hamel, Ron Hopkinson, Jim Hwang, Caitlin E. Kalinowski, Steven Keiper, Patrick Kessler, Eugene Kim, Chris Ligtenberg, Jay K. Osborn, John Raff, Nicholas A. Rundle, David J. Yeh
  • Patent number: 10016933
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to methods of assembly of electronic devices. In particular, a rotationally induced pressure is used to activate a securing mechanism positioned between a component and an enclosure. The component and the securing mechanism may be located in an inaccessible region of the enclosure such that traditional, direct, assembly processes may not be feasible. The securing mechanism may take the form of a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive or a fastener between the component and an interior surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio T. Campos, Keith J. Hendren, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle R. Goldberg, Kelsey J. MacMillan, Bryan J. Licata
  • Publication number: 20180067523
    Abstract: A portable computing device having a substantially non-conducting outer housing and alternative electrical grounding and audio system architectures is disclosed. The device can be a laptop computer having a main logic board, a keyboard assembly, an audio source positioned below the keyboard assembly, and an equalizer electrically coupled to the audio source, with each of these components being electrically coupled to a universal grounding structure. The audio source emits sound waves that are propagated through the keyboard assembly and between gaps between keyboard keys and the outer housing. Settings for the equalizer can be selected to account for sound absorption and amplification characteristics of the sound waves along these sound transmission paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Thomason, Kevin S. Fetterman, Laura M. DeForest, Ron Hopkinson, Michelle Goldberg, Ruchi Goel, John Raff, Timothy S. Hibbard
  • Patent number: 9884369
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to methods for forming structures by solid state deposition processes. More specifically a method for depositing cold spray over a removable body is disclosed. Methods are also disclosed for affixing operational and structural components to a surface of a device housing with cold spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Regis Louis Lancaster-Larocque, Ari P. Miller, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle R. Goldberg, William F. Leggett, Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 9829932
    Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Euan Abraham, John M. Brock, Matthew P. Casebolt, Robert L. Coish, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley Joseph Hamel, Ron Hopkinson, Jim Hwang, Caitlin E. Kalinowski, Steven Keiper, Patrick Kessler, Eugene Kim, Chris Ligtenberg, Jay K. Osborn, John Raff, Nicholas A. Rundle, David J. Yeh
  • Patent number: 9829930
    Abstract: A portable computing device having a substantially non-conducting outer housing and alternative electrical grounding and audio system architectures is disclosed. The device can be a laptop computer having a main logic board, a keyboard assembly, an audio source positioned below the keyboard assembly, and an equalizer electrically coupled to the audio source, with each of these components being electrically coupled to a universal grounding structure. The audio source emits sound waves that are propagated through the keyboard assembly and between gaps between keyboard keys and the outer housing. Settings for the equalizer can be selected to account for sound absorption and amplification characteristics of the sound waves along these sound transmission paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Thomason, Kevin S. Fetterman, Laura M. DeForest, Ron Hopkinson, Michelle Goldberg, Ruchi Goel, John Raff, Timothy S. Hibbard