Patents by Inventor Charles A. Schwalbach

Charles A. Schwalbach 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: 20160058206
    Abstract: A display apparatus, such as a table, for display consumer products, such as electronic devices, is disclosed. The table may include a display cavity for displaying products. The display cavity may include a transparent glass panel defining a top portion thereof so as to allow consumers to view products housed within the display cavity. The table may include a lighting system configured to illuminate at least a portion of the display cavity. The table may also include a cooling system for maintaining or modifying the temperature within the display cavity. A rotatable display panel defining at least a portion of the bottom of display cavity may rotate from the bottom of the table to allow a user can access the products within the display cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Charles A. SCHWALBACH, David Samuel KUMKA, Sheng YANG, David Benjamin KOSECOFF, Cheryl Partido ESPIRITU, Kully Kraig MANDON, Christopher M. GREEN, Jonathan P. SIEGEL
  • Publication number: 20160064995
    Abstract: A display apparatus, such as a table, for display consumer products, such as electronic devices, is disclosed. The table may include a display cavity for displaying products. The display cavity may include a transparent glass panel defining a top portion thereof so as to allow consumers to view products housed within the display cavity. A display fixture for holding a consumer product with the display cavity is disclosed. A kit for aligning a plurality of nodes on the display panel is also disclosed. A DC-to-DC converter that can receive a DC input voltage via a first standard receptacle connector, convert the DC input voltage to a DC output voltage using regulator circuitry and provide the DC output voltage at a second standard receptacle connector is also disclosed. The DC-to-DC converter can include a compact, cosmetic, minimalist housing for containing a space-efficient printed circuit board that includes the regulator circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Charles A. SCHWALBACH, David Samuel KUMKA, Sheng YANG, David Benjamin KOSECOFF
  • Publication number: 20160058173
    Abstract: A table with drawers for displaying electronic devices is disclosed. The table may include a support beam and support panel within the table top for structural support. The table may include one or more drawers coupled to a carriage mechanism positioned rearward from the rear of the drawer. The carriage mechanism may be configured for moving the drawer from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher M. Green, Kully Kraig Mandon, Daniel McBroom, Michael D. McBroom, Charles A. Schwalbach, Jonathan P. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20160048163
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: 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: 20150245722
    Abstract: A retail electronic product demonstration fixture for demonstrating portable electronic devices. The product demonstration fixture may include an exhibition portion and a base portion. A portable electronic device offered for sale may be affixed to the exhibition portion. The base portion may include an electronic display, an auxiliary battery, and an auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller may direct power from the auxiliary battery to the electronic display upon determining that a battery within the electronic display has fallen below a particular selected level. Similarly the auxiliary controller may direct power from the auxiliary battery to the portable electronic device offered for sale upon determining that a battery within the portable electronic device has fallen below a selected level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Emery A. Sanford, David G. Havskjold, Steven G. Herbst, Anthony S. Montevirgen, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Tyson B. Manullang, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • Publication number: 20150208826
    Abstract: A display system and method for displaying a product is disclosed. The system may include a display stem and a retainer for holding the product. The retainer may include a bracket and a retainer body having a substantially smooth surface. The display stem may include a recess for receiving at least a portion of the retainer body. The retainer may be oriented on top of the display stem in one or more predetermined positions through the use of magnetic forces. The retainer may be returned to and held on top of the display stem using a retaining cable. The retainer body and recess may include charging contacts for delivering power to a product held by the retainer when the retainer body is received within the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Sheng YANG, Charles A. Schwalbach, Russell John Kaaihue HEIRAKUJI, Carly Lynn MARASCO
  • Publication number: 20150163960
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments related to a component for use in a portable electronic device. The component includes a wall of the portable electronic device, containing an intake zone that includes a set of intake vents directed at a first angle toward one or more heat-generating components of the portable electronic device. The wall also includes an exhaust zone containing a set of exhaust vents directed at a second angle out of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy D. Batailou, Jay S. Nigen, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Charles A. Schwalbach, Matthew P. Casebolt, Nicholas A. Rundle, Frank F. Liang
  • Publication number: 20150098183
    Abstract: Magnetic elements and attractors may be employed to secure a top case and a bottom case of a housing of a personal computing device. The magnetic elements may include a magnet that produces a magnetic field and a shunt. The shunt may direct the magnetic field through an opening to a pocket in which the magnet is received. Accordingly, flux leakage may be reduced and the bottom case may be secured to the top case. Magnetic elements and attractors may also be employed to secure a lid portion of the portable computing device to the housing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Brett W. Degner, Bradley J. Hamel, William F. Leggett, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • Patent number: 8976528
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates heat transfer in an electronic device. The system includes a heat pipe configured to conduct heat away from a heat-generating component in the electronic device. The system also includes a thermal stage disposed along a thermal interface between the heat-generating component and the heat pipe, wherein the thermal stage applies a spring force between the heat-generating component and the heat pipe. The thermal stage includes a first thickness to accommodate the heat pipe and a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness to increase a spring force between the heat-generating component and the heat pipe. Finally, the system includes a set of fasteners configured to fasten the thermal stage to a surface within the electronic device and form a thermal gap between the heat pipe and an enclosure of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Patrick Kessler, Charles A. Schwalbach, Richard H. Tan, William F. Leggett
  • Patent number: 8963841
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for internal components for portable computing devices relating to keyboard components and keyboard backlighting. In one embodiment, a keyboard module can include a rectangular light guide panel and a driver board including discrete light sources mounted on the driver board where the driver board is disposed along one edge of the light guide panel and light emitted for the discrete light sources is captured by the light guide panel and distributed to predetermined locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan P. Brooks, Robert S. Murphy, John M. Brock, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • Patent number: 8964383
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments related to a component for use in a portable electronic device. The component includes a wall of the portable electronic device, containing an intake zone that includes a set of intake vents directed at a first angle toward one or more heat-generating components of the portable electronic device. The wall also includes an exhaust zone containing a set of exhaust vents directed at a second angle out of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy D. Bataillou, Jay S. Nigen, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Charles A. Schwalbach, Matthew P. Casebolt, Nicholas A. Rundle, Frank F. Liang
  • Patent number: 8947874
    Abstract: Magnetic elements and attractors may be employed to secure a top case and a bottom case of a housing of a personal computing device. The magnetic elements may include a magnet that produces a magnetic field and a shunt. The shunt may direct the magnetic field through an opening to a pocket in which the magnet is received. Accordingly, flux leakage may be reduced and the bottom case may be secured to the top case. Magnetic elements and attractors may also be employed to secure a lid portion of the portable computing device to the housing thereof. These magnetic elements and attractors may be centered with respect to proximal and distal edges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Brett W. Degner, Bradley J. Hamel, William F. Leggett, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • Publication number: 20140362514
    Abstract: A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: John RAFF, Bartley K. ANDRE, Laura DEFOREST, John C. DIFONZO, Zheng GAO, Michelle GOLDBERG, Bradley J. HAMEL, Timothy S. HIBBARD, Ron HOPKINSON, William F. LEGGETT, Chris LIGTENBERG, Gavin J. REID, Charles A. SCHWALBACH
  • Patent number: 8897007
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventors: Brandon S. Smith, Cheryl P. Espiritu, Houtan R. Farahani, Charles A. Schwalbach
  • Patent number: 8897002
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8837128
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8831261
    Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more speakers integrated with internal components. In one embodiment, the speakers can be configured to produce audio output signals and direct at least a portion of the audio signals through vents disposed on a base portion of the portable computing device. In one embodiment, the vents can also direct cooling air into the base portion. In one embodiment, the speakers can also be configured to direct a portion of the audio signal through a speaker grille disposed on the base portion. One embodiment of a speaker enclosure can include a resonant cavity for a first audio transducer formed by the speaker enclosure in cooperation with the base portion of the portable computing device and a second audio transducer configured to direct an audio signal beneath a keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, Ron A. Hopkinson, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach, Derek J. Yap
  • Patent number: 8811005
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Casebolt, Gavin J. Reid, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140226271
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith
  • Patent number: D737081
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Schwalbach, Sheng Yang, Russell John Kaaihue Heirakuji, Carly Lynn Marasco, Michael Gorman