Patents by Inventor Bradley Hamel
Bradley Hamel 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: 8905795Abstract: Spring-loaded contacts having an improved reliability. One example may provide spring-loaded contacts having a reduced likelihood of entanglement between a spring and a plunger. For example, a piston may be placed between a plunger and a spring. The piston may have a head portion that is wider than the diameter of the spring and located between the spring and the plunger to isolate the spring and the plunger. In these and other examples, an additional object, such as a sphere, may be placed between the plunger and spring. In another example, two additional objects, such as two spheres, may be placed between a plunger and piston.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Min Chul Kim, John DiFonzo, Nathan N. Ng, Chris Ligtenberg, Bradley Hamel, Rian Leichter, Sridhar Sundaram, Josh Pong, Vince Duperron, Zheng Gao
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Patent number: 8729414Abstract: A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Robert Scritzky, Bradley Hamel
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Publication number: 20130214659Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using an insert molding process to form a tactilely seamless overall part from component parts that are made from different materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing includes a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material that is of a different type than the first material. The first part includes a first external surface and a first bonding surface, and the second part includes a second external surface and a second bonding surface. The second bonding surface can be integrally bonded to the first bonding surface so that the first external surface and the second external surface form a gap-free overall surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Erik Wang, Bradley Hamel, Phillip Michael Hobson
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Publication number: 20130095690Abstract: Spring-loaded contacts having an improved reliability. One example may provide spring-loaded contacts having a reduced likelihood of entanglement between a spring and a plunger. For example, a piston may be placed between a plunger and a spring. The piston may have a head portion that is wider than the diameter of the spring and located between the spring and the plunger to isolate the spring and the plunger. In these and other examples, an additional object, such as a sphere, may be placed between the plunger and spring. In another example, two additional objects, such as two spheres, may be placed between a plunger and piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Min Chul Kim, John DiFonzo, Nathan N. Ng, Chris Liqtenberg, Bradley Hamel, Rian Leichter, Sridhar Sundaram, Josh Pong, Vince Duperron, Zheng Gao
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Patent number: 8367958Abstract: A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, Robert Scritzky, Bradley Hamel
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Patent number: 8346183Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using an insert molding process to form a tactilely seamless overall part from component parts that are made from different materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing includes a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material that is of a different type than the first material. The first part includes a first external surface and a first bonding surface, and the second part includes a second external surface and a second bonding surface. The second bonding surface can be integrally bonded to the first bonding surface so that the first external surface and the second external surface form a gap-free overall surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher Prest, Erik Wang, Bradley Hamel, Phillip Michael Hobson
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Publication number: 20110132736Abstract: A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, Robert Scritzky, Bradley Hamel
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Patent number: 7902474Abstract: A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, Robert Scritzky, Bradley Hamel
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Patent number: 7892041Abstract: A constraint mechanism for receiving an audio plug in an electronic device is provided. The constraint mechanism may include a conductive tube operative to receive the audio plug. In addition, the constraint mechanism may include several features operative to engage corresponding features of the electronic device to prevent the constraint mechanism from moving in any direction (e.g., which could cause damage in the electronic device if the audio jack was forced to move by an impact on the audio plug). For example, the constraint mechanism may include a center wall to prevent yawing, and rear tabs to prevent pitching. As another example, the constraint mechanism may include a side plate operative to be coupled to the electronic device to prevent rolling. In some embodiments, the constraint mechanism may include an asymmetrical tube entrance for ensuring the proper alignment of the constraint mechanism with an electronic device opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott Myers, Bradley Hamel, Erik Wang, Jason Sloey, Richard Howarth
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Publication number: 20100167595Abstract: A constraint mechanism for receiving an audio plug in an electronic device is provided. The constraint mechanism may include a conductive tube operative to receive the audio plug. In addition, the constraint mechanism may include several features operative to engage corresponding features of the electronic device to prevent the constraint mechanism from moving in any direction (e.g., which could cause damage in the electronic device if the audio jack was forced to move by an impact on the audio plug). For example, the constraint mechanism may include a center wall to prevent yawing, and rear tabs to prevent pitching. As another example, the constraint mechanism may include a side plate operative to be coupled to the electronic device to prevent rolling. In some embodiments, the constraint mechanism may include an asymmetrical tube entrance for ensuring the proper alignment of the constraint mechanism with an electronic device opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott Myers, Bradley Hamel, Erik Wang, Jason Sloey, Richard Howarth
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Patent number: 7708604Abstract: A constraint mechanism for receiving an audio plug in an electronic device is provided. The constraint mechanism may include a conductive tube operative to receive the audio plug. In addition, the constraint mechanism may include several features operative to engage corresponding features of the electronic device to prevent the constraint mechanism from moving in any direction (e.g., which could cause damage in the electronic device if the audio jack was forced to move by an impact on the audio plug). For example, the constraint mechanism may include a center wall to prevent yawing, and rear tabs to prevent pitching. As another example, the constraint mechanism may include a side plate operative to be coupled to the electronic device to prevent rolling. In some embodiments, the constraint mechanism may include an asymmetrical tube entrance for ensuring the proper alignment of the constraint mechanism with an electronic device opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott Myers, Bradley Hamel, Erik Wang, Jason Sloey, Richard Howarth
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Publication number: 20100048257Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using an insert molding process to form a tactilely seamless overall part from component parts that are made from different materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing includes a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material that is of a different type than the first material. The first part includes a first external surface and a first bonding surface, and the second part includes a second external surface and a second bonding surface. The second bonding surface can be integrally bonded to the first bonding surface so that the first external surface and the second external surface form a gap-free overall surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Christopher Prest, Erik Wang, Bradley Hamel, Phillip Michael Hobson
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Publication number: 20090272639Abstract: A portable electronic device may have an inverted dome switch assembly. The switch assembly may have an inverted dome that has a base and a conductive underside. The base may be attached to a button member. Two electrical contacts in the button member may face the conductive underside. Corresponding conductive traces may be connected to the contacts. The dome may bear against a housing member. The button member may be movable with respect to the housing member from an unactuated position to an actuated position. The dome switch may form a footprint based upon the dome base area. The housing member may extend into a portion of the footprint and not into the remaining portion of the footprint allowing that space to be otherwise utilized.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, Robert Scritzky, Bradley Hamel
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Publication number: 20090275243Abstract: A constraint mechanism for receiving an audio plug in an electronic device is provided. The constraint mechanism may include a conductive tube operative to receive the audio plug. In addition, the constraint mechanism may include several features operative to engage corresponding features of the electronic device to prevent the constraint mechanism from moving in any direction (e.g., which could cause damage in the electronic device if the audio jack was forced to move by an impact on the audio plug). For example, the constraint mechanism may include a center wall to prevent yawing, and rear tabs to prevent pitching. As another example, the constraint mechanism may include a side plate operative to be coupled to the electronic device to prevent rolling. In some embodiments, the constraint mechanism may include an asymmetrical tube entrance for ensuring the proper alignment of the constraint mechanism with an electronic device opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Scott Myers, Bradley Hamel, Erik Wang, Jason Sloey, Richard Howarth