Patents by Inventor Nick Merz

Nick Merz 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: 8806732
    Abstract: A method for protecting a connection interface in a computer-docking assembly in which a computer-support assembly is partially rotated about an arm assembly while moving the computer-support assembly toward a connection interface of the base station. The computer-support assembly is generally aligned with the connection interface of the base station to posture the computer-support assembly in proximity to the interface connection of the base station for protecting the interface connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
  • Patent number: 8605426
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 8355001
    Abstract: A computer has a display, keyboard and two main component parts. The components each have an L-shape and are linked together to enable sliding movement in substantially one plane in a first direction. The linkage also enables movement orthogonally with respect to the first direction in another plane, such that the components transition from a closed position of the computer in which the components interfit together to form a first right rectangular prism and in which the display is exposed, to an open position having a second right rectangular prism shape in which the keyboard is exposed adjacent to and in the same plane as the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Betts-Lacroix, Nick Merz, Josh Een, Aaron Julin, Jenn Cho
  • Patent number: 8174501
    Abstract: A computer has a display, keyboard and two main component parts. The components each have an L-shape and are linked together to enable sliding movement in substantially one plane in a first direction. The linkage also enables movement orthogonally with respect to the first direction in another plane, such that the components transition from a closed position of the computer in which the components interfit together to form a first right rectangular prism and in which the display is exposed, to an open position having a second right rectangular prism shape in which the keyboard is exposed adjacent to and in the same plane as the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Betts-LaCroix, Nick Merz, Josh Een, Aaron Julin, Jenn Cho
  • Publication number: 20120057297
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 8050028
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20110103003
    Abstract: A docking assembly for a computer. The docking assembly includes a base station, and a computer-support assembly coupled to the base station. A method for positioning a computer-support assembly for receiving a portable computer comprising moving away from a base station at least one engager member bound to a computer-support assembly. The base station and the computer-support assembly are rotatably coupled to an arm assembly. The method additionally includes moving the computer-support assembly away from the base station while rotating about the arm assembly, and positioning the computer-support assembly in a posture for receiving a portable computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Windy Ward, Nick Merz
  • Publication number: 20110038120
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20110000071
    Abstract: A method for protecting a connection interface in a computer-docking assembly in which a computer-support assembly is partially rotated about an arm assembly while moving the computer-support assembly toward a connection interface of the base station. The computer-support assembly is generally aligned with the connection interface of the base station to posture the computer-support assembly in proximity to the interface connection of the base station for protecting the interface connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: ZETTA RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
  • Publication number: 20100309134
    Abstract: A computer has a display, keyboard and two main component parts. The components each have an L-shape and are linked together to enable sliding movement in substantially one plane in a first direction. The linkage also enables movement orthogonally with respect to the first direction in another plane, such that the components transition from a closed position of the computer in which the components interfit together to form a first right rectangular prism and in which the display is exposed, to an open position having a second right rectangular prism shape in which the keyboard is exposed adjacent to and in the same plane as the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Joe BETTS-LACROIX, Nick Merz, Josh EEN, Aaron JULIN, Jenn CHO
  • Patent number: 7835147
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 7810222
    Abstract: A method for protecting a connection interface in a computer-docking assembly in which a computer-support assembly is partially rotated about an arm assembly while moving the computer-support assembly toward a connection interface of the base station. The computer-support assembly is generally aligned with the connection interface of the base station to posture the computer-support assembly in proximity to the interface connection of the base station for protecting the interface connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Zetta Research, LLC
    Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
  • Patent number: 7636244
    Abstract: A computing device having an improved enclosure arrangement is disclosed. One aspect of the enclosure pertains to enclosure parts that are structurally bonded together to form a singular composite structure. In one embodiment, structural glue is used to bond at least two unique parts together. Another aspect of the enclosure pertains to enclosure parts that are electrically bonded together to form a singular integrated conductive member. In one embodiment, conductive paste is used to bond at least two unique parts together. The improved enclosure is particularly useful in portable computing devices such as laptop computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kriege, Dan Hong, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, David Lynch, David Lundgren, Nick Merz
  • Publication number: 20090040698
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Patent number: 7457111
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
  • Publication number: 20080288701
    Abstract: A method for protecting a connection interface in a computer-docking assembly comprising rotating at least partially a computer-support assembly about an arm assembly while moving the computer-support assembly toward a connection interface of the base station and while the arm assembly is at least partially rotating about the base station. The method for protecting additionally comprises aligning generally the computer-support assembly with the connection interface of the base station to posture the computer-support assembly in proximity to the interface connection of the base station for protecting the interface connection. A method for engaging a portable computer including moving away from a base station at least one engager member bound to a computer-support assembly. The base station and the computer-support assembly are rotatably connected to an arm assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: OQO, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
  • Publication number: 20080165492
    Abstract: A docking assembly for a computer. The docking assembly includes a base station, and a computer-support assembly coupled to the base station. A method for positioning a computer-support assembly for receiving a portable computer comprising moving away from a base station at least one engager member bound to a computer-support assembly. The base station and the computer-support assembly are rotatably coupled to an arm assembly. The method additionally includes moving the computer-support assembly away from the base station while rotating about the arm assembly, and positioning the computer-support assembly in a posture for receiving a portable computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: OQO, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
  • Patent number: D579451
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: OQO, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
  • Patent number: D581935
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: OQO, Inc.
    Inventor: Nick Merz
  • Patent number: D602938
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: OQO, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix