Patents by Inventor Brian Bitz

Brian Bitz 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: 10437293
    Abstract: Technologies are described relating to sequential multi-axis hinges that rotatably secure portions of a computing device. One example can include a set of hinges that rotate around a set of hinge shafts. The example can also include a shuttle cam through which an individual hinge shaft passes. The shuttle cam can be configured to move orthogonally relative to the individual hinge shaft to block rotation of the individual hinge shaft or an adjacent individual hinge shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Bitz
  • Patent number: 10345851
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices having displays that can be rotated through a range of travel. In some cases, a display can be readily adjusted to a desired physical location. The device can counter-balance the display to create a near weightless feel for the user when repositioning the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. Park, Jim Wahl, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin, Joseph Gault, Steve Klein, Anthony J. Hewett, Brian T. Whitman, Marlo E. Castillo, Mike F Deily, Nishant Srinivasan, Scott J. Korn, Brian Bitz, Matt Fiedler
  • Patent number: 10174534
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include a sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first portion and the second portion. The sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly can include a first set of links configured to control a relative order of rotation around individual axes of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly when the first and second portions are being rotated away from one another and a second different set of links configured to control the relative order of rotation around the individual axes of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly when the first and second portions are being rotated toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Errol Mark Tazbaz, Brian Bitz, John Campbell, Bonggwon Ji, Jeff Liao, Jingjiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10162389
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include multiple interconnected friction engines that secure the first portion and the second portion. An individual friction engine can define an axis of rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion. The example can also include sequencing elements that control a relative order of rotation of the multiple interconnected friction engines and overlapping hinge covers that protect the multiple interconnected friction engines and stabilize the timing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Errol Mark Tazbaz, Brian Bitz
  • Patent number: 10114424
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include a sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first portion and the second portion. The sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly can include rotation control elements configured to control a relative order of rotation around axes of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Campbell, Brian Bitz, Errol Mark Tazbaz
  • Patent number: 10067530
    Abstract: Technologies are described for a fully integrated multi-pivot hinge module to rotatably secure portions of a computing device. The multi-pivot hinge module includes multiple sequential frames that are radially aligned and configured to control a relative order of opening and closing of each individual frame. The multi-pivot hinge module includes friction, timing and kinematic components for controlling the order of rotation, degree of rotation and increasing stability of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Errol M. Tazbaz, Brian Bitz
  • Patent number: 10066429
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are hinge devices having reduced or minimized free play. Specifically, disclosed herein are hinge devices having surface elements positioned on a surface of a hinge component to reduce or eliminate any free play present between interacting hinge components. In one or more embodiments, the hinge includes a first hinge component having a first guide and a second hinge component having a second guide, wherein the second hinge component is rotatably mounted on at least one surface of the first hinge component such that the first guide is positioned within the second guide or the second guide is positioned within the first guide. At least one surface element is disposed on a surface of the first guide or the second guide to provide a reduction in free play at a location of the at least one surface element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Clark Park, Brian Bitz, Brett Andrew Tomky
  • Patent number: 10024090
    Abstract: Technologies are described for a set of removable couplers configured to secure sequential hinge covers over a sequential multi-pivot hinge module for rotatably securing portions of a computing device. The removable couplers may be configured to engage each end of a shaft, where the shaft rotatably couples frames of the multi-pivot hinge module together. Each of the removable couplers may include threaded holes for engaging a fastening component to secure a hinge cover over each frame. The hinge covers may be installed sequentially over each frame of the multi-pivot hinge module, by installing a frame, attaching removable couplers and securing the hinge cover, and repeating the process for each hinge cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Errol M. Tazbaz, Brian Bitz
  • Publication number: 20180113491
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are hinge devices having reduced or minimized free play. Specifically, disclosed herein are hinge devices having surface elements positioned on a surface of a hinge component to reduce or eliminate any free play present between interacting hinge components. In one or more embodiments, the hinge includes a first hinge component having a first guide and a second hinge component having a second guide, wherein the second hinge component is rotatably mounted on at least one surface of the first hinge component such that the first guide is positioned within the second guide or the second guide is positioned within the first guide. At least one surface element is disposed on a surface of the first guide or the second guide to provide a reduction in free play at a location of the at least one surface element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Clark Park, Brian Bitz, Brett Andrew Tomky
  • Patent number: 9936593
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices having displays that can be rotated through a range of travel. The device can counter-balance the display to create a near weightless feel for the user when repositioning the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mike F. Deily, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin, Daniel C. Park, Anthony J. Hewett, Brian Bitz, Harold A. Brown, Eric Davis, Joe Gault, Steve Klein, Ingrid Lin
  • Publication number: 20180088634
    Abstract: Technologies are described relating to sequential multi-axis hinges that rotatably secure portions of a computing device. One example can include a set of hinges that rotate around a set of hinge shafts. The example can also include a shuttle cam through which an individual hinge shaft passes. The shuttle cam can be configured to move orthogonally relative to the individual hinge shaft to block rotation of the individual hinge shaft or an adjacent individual hinge shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Bitz
  • Publication number: 20180067519
    Abstract: Technologies are described for a fully integrated multi-pivot hinge module to rotatably secure portions of a computing device. The multi-pivot hinge module includes multiple sequential frames that are radially aligned and configured to control a relative order of opening and closing of each individual frame. The multi-pivot hinge module includes friction, timing and kinematic components for controlling the order of rotation, degree of rotation and increasing stability of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Errol M. Tazbaz, Brian Bitz
  • Publication number: 20180066464
    Abstract: Technologies are described for a set of removable couplers configured to secure sequential hinge covers over a sequential multi-pivot hinge module for rotatably securing portions of a computing device. The removable couplers may be configured to engage each end of a shaft, where the shaft rotatably couples frames of the multi-pivot hinge module together. Each of the removable couplers may include threaded holes for engaging a fastening component to secure a hinge cover over each frame. The hinge covers may be installed sequentially over each frame of the multi-pivot hinge module, by installing a frame, attaching removable couplers and securing the hinge cover, and repeating the process for each hinge cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Errol M. Tazbaz, Brian Bitz
  • Publication number: 20170303415
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices having displays that can be rotated through a range of travel. The device can counter-balance the display to create a near weightless feel for the user when repositioning the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mike F. DEILY, Daniel C. PARK, Anthony J. HEWETT, Brian BITZ, Harold A. BROWN, Eric DAVIS, Joe GAULT, Steve KLEIN, Ingrid LIN, Robyn Rebecca Reed MCLAUGHLIN
  • Publication number: 20170300082
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices having displays that can be rotated through a range of travel. The device can counter-balance the display to create a near weightless feel for the user when repositioning the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. PARK, Anthony J. HEWETT, Brian T. WHITMAN, Marlo E. CASTILLO, Mike F DEILY, Nishant SRINIVASAN, Scott J. KORN, Brian BITZ, Matt FIEDLER, Jim WAHL, Robyn Rebecca Reed MCLAUGHLIN, Joseph GAULT, Steve KLEIN
  • Patent number: 9625953
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include a multi-pivot hinge unit rotatably securing the first and second portions. This example can further include a covered sequentially rotating multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first portion and the second portion in a manner that extends a footprint of the computing device as the first portion is rotated away from the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Bitz, John Campbell, Errol Mark Tazbaz, Joe Gault
  • Patent number: 9625954
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include a sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first portion and the second portion. The sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly can include rotation control elements configured to control a relative order of rotation around axes of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Campbell, Brian Bitz, Errol Mark Tazbaz
  • Publication number: 20170090523
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include multiple interconnected friction engines that secure the first portion and the second portion. An individual friction engine can define an axis of rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion. The example can also include sequencing elements that control a relative order of rotation of the multiple interconnected friction engines and overlapping hinge covers that protect the multiple interconnected friction engines and stabilize the timing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Errol Mark TAZBAZ, Brian Bitz
  • Patent number: 9549479
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a kickstand or similar support device connection mechanism in conjunction with computing devices. A substantially constant gap may be maintained between the kickstand and the device enclosure across the hinge rotation spectrum allowing the hinge and/or the kickstand to be level with the device enclosure. The connection mechanism may support various usage loads and rotation angles up to about 180 degrees, as well as allow for low force opening to a first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Gault, Scott Bowers, Brian Bitz, Aseem Singla
  • Publication number: 20160357226
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that have hinged portions. One example can include a first portion and a second portion. This example can also include a sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly rotatably securing the first portion and the second portion. The sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly can include rotation control elements configured to control a relative order of rotation around axes of rotation of the sequential multi-pivot hinge assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Campbell, Brian Bitz, Errol Mark TAZBAZ