Patents by Inventor Brandon S. SMITH
Brandon S. SMITH 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).
-
Publication number: 20140226271Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding an apparatus and method for providing an electrical component for a portable computing device. More specifically a method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting the electrical component to machined mounts extending from an interior sidewall of the portable computing device housing. The machined mounts allow the electrical component to be suspended above an inner surface of the portable computing device so that the electrical component does not interfere with audio output or aesthetics of a speaker grill drilled into the portable computing device housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
-
Patent number: 8717748Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding an apparatus and method for providing an audio jack for a portable computing device. More specifically a method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting the audio jack to machined audio jack mounts extending from an interior sidewall of the portable computing device housing. The machined mounts allow the audio jack to be suspended above an inner surface of the portable computing device so that the audio jack does not interfere with audio output or aesthetics of a speaker grill drilled into the portable computing device housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
-
Publication number: 20140111928Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more clutch assemblies that can include a conductive elastomer configured to contact at least a portion of the clutch assembly of the portable computing device. The conductive elastomer can be configured to also contact at least one region of the base portion of the portable computing device and can include highly conductive regions. A USB grounding plate can be attached to a portion of a case for the portable computing device and can be configured to provide a ground pathway between the case and a ground sheath of a USB connector inserted into an opening in a side wall of the case.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Brandon S. SMITH, Cheryl P. ESPIRITU, Houtan R. FARAHANI, Charles A. SCHWALBACH
-
Publication number: 20140111929Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The portable computing device can include a case snap system configured to movably attach two portions of a base of the computing device together. The portable computing device can include a lid portion with a support structure having a shaped profile configured to support a display. The portable computing device can include locating features disposed within the base portion configured to locate internal components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. ANDRE, Brandon S. SMITH, Charles A. SCHWALBACH, Gavin J. REID, Houtan R. FARAHANI, Zheng GAO, Michael D. McBROOM, Hilbert T. KWAN, Joss N. GIDDINGS
-
Publication number: 20140077670Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. DEGNER, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, Ron A. HOPKINSON, Bartley K. ANDRE, Jeremy BATAILLOU, Jay S. NIGEN, Matthew S. THEOBALD, Matthew P. CASEBOLT, Charles A. SCHWALBACH, Brandon S. SMITH, William F. LEGGETT
-
Patent number: 8616748Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Jay S Nigen, Matthew S. Theobald, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett
-
Publication number: 20130329450Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. DEGNER, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, Ron A. HOPKINSON, Bartley K. ANDRE, Jeremy BATAILLOU, Jay S. NIGEN, Matthew S. THEOBALD, Matthew P. CASEBOLT, Charles A. SCHWALBACH, Brandon S. SMITH, William F. LEGGETT
-
Publication number: 20130328741Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Patrick Kessler, Bradley J. Hamel, Dinesh C. Mathew, John M. Brock, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Joss N. Giddings, Matthew C. Waldon, Cina Hazegh, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett, Gavin J. Reid, Tom Tate, Gary Thomason
-
Publication number: 20130327556Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more clutch assemblies that can include a conductive elastomer configured to contact at least a portion of the clutch assembly of the portable computing device. The conductive elastomer can be configured to also contact at least one region of the base portion of the portable computing device. In one embodiment, the conductive elastomer can be disposed on the clutch assembly. The conductive elastomer can enhance an electrical coupling between two or more regions of the base portion, especially in the region near the conductive elastomer and the clutch assembly. The enhanced coupling can increase a performance of an electrical shield provided by the two or more regions of the base portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew P. CASEBOLT, Gavin J. REID, Charles A. SCHWALBACH, Brandon S. SMITH
-
Publication number: 20130329396Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. Components such as keys may be mounted in openings in the housing. The housing may include a display housing portion and a base portion that are coupled using hinge structures. The keys may be used to form a keyboard in the base portion of the housing. Sensitive circuitry such as sensitive wireless circuitry may be shielded from electromagnetic interference by shielding the openings with a layer of conductive material. The layer of conductive material may be a metal layer that forms part of a reflector for a backlight structure. The backlight structure may be used to provide backlight for keys in the keyboard. The keyboard may include a support structure having openings through which the backlight passes to reach the keys. The openings may be bridged using conductive paths so that the support structure serves as a radio-frequency shielding structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Matthew Casebolt
-
Publication number: 20130330978Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding an apparatus and method for providing an audio jack for a portable computing device. More specifically a method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting the audio jack to machined audio jack mounts extending from an interior sidewall of the portable computing device housing. The machined mounts allow the audio jack to be suspended above an inner surface of the portable computing device so that the audio jack does not interfere with audio output or aesthetics of a speaker grill drilled into the portable computing device housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Charles A. SCHWALBACH, Brandon S. SMITH