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).
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Patent number: 8806732Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
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Patent number: 8605426Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: 8355001Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Joe Betts-Lacroix, Nick Merz, Josh Een, Aaron Julin, Jenn Cho
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Patent number: 8174501Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Joe Betts-LaCroix, Nick Merz, Josh Een, Aaron Julin, Jenn Cho
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Publication number: 20120057297Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: 8050028Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20110103003Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Windy Ward, Nick Merz
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Publication number: 20110038120Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20110000071Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: ZETTA RESEARCH, LLCInventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
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Publication number: 20100309134Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: Joe BETTS-LACROIX, Nick Merz, Josh EEN, Aaron JULIN, Jenn CHO
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Patent number: 7835147Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: 7810222Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Zetta Research, LLCInventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
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Patent number: 7636244Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Kriege, Dan Hong, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, David Lynch, David Lundgren, Nick Merz
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Publication number: 20090040698Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Patent number: 7457111Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nick Merz, John DiFonzo, Stephen Zadesky, Michael Prichard
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Publication number: 20080288701Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: OQO, Inc.Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
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Publication number: 20080165492Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: OQO, Inc.Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
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Patent number: D579451Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: OQO, Inc.Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz
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Patent number: D581935Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: OQO, Inc.Inventor: Nick Merz
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Patent number: D602938Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: OQO, Inc.Inventors: Hoss Ward, Nick Merz, Jonathan Betts-LaCroix