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).
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Patent number: 8780539Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Laura DeForest, John DiFonzo, Zheng Gao, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley J. Hamel, Timothy S. Hibbard, Ron Hopkinson, William F. Leggett, Chris Ligtenberg, Gavin J. Reid, Charles A. Schwalbach
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Publication number: 20130329359Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bartley K. ANDRE, Brett W. DEGNER, Bradley J. HAMEL, William F. LEGGETT, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, Charles A. SCHWALBACH
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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
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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
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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
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Publication number: 20130329934Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Matthew P. CASEBOLT, Ron A. Hopkinson, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach, Derek J. Yap
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Publication number: 20130329368Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Patrick Kessler, Charles A. Schwalbach, Richard H. Tan, William F. Leggett
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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
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Publication number: 20130328785Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Ryan P. Brooks, Robert S. Murphy, John M. Brock, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Charles A. Schwalbach
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Publication number: 20130327507Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 8199468Abstract: A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a clutch barrel. The clutch barrel encloses a connector assembly, the connector assembly providing support for a lid. The clutch barrel is configured such that a junction formed by the clutch barrel and a top layer of the lid is not visible to a user when the computer housing is on a horizontal surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.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
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Publication number: 20120092821Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: Apple Inc.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
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Patent number: 8111505Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.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
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Publication number: 20110090632Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.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
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Publication number: 20110090627Abstract: A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a clutch barrel. The clutch barrel encloses a connector assembly, the connector assembly providing support for a lid. The clutch barrel is configured such that a junction formed by the clutch barrel and a top layer of the lid is not visible to a user when the computer housing is on a horizontal surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.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