Patents by Inventor Christopher J. DURNING

Christopher J. DURNING 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: 11955696
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing surrounds the display and has four corners defining portions of an exterior surface of the device. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least part of a first corner of the four corners and configured to operate as an antenna; a second housing segment defining at least part of a second corner of the four corners; and a third housing segment defining at least part of a third corner of the four corners. The third corner forms part of the housing diagonally opposite the second corner. The housing further includes a non-conductive housing component that structurally couples the first housing segment to another portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Froese, Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Patent number: 11800649
    Abstract: An electronic device including a housing defining an aperture, a display component positioned in the aperture, and a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component. The filler material can contact the display component and a portion of the housing defining the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kodiak D. Burke, John J. Baker, Tyler B. Cater, Christopher J. Durning, Benjamin J. Pope, Richard H. Dinh
  • Publication number: 20230224388
    Abstract: A mobile phone may include a display, wireless communication circuitry, a battery, and an enclosure enclosing the display, the wireless communication circuitry, and the battery. The enclosure may include a front cover formed from a transparent material and defining a front exterior surface of the mobile phone, a rear cover formed from a glass material and defining a rear exterior surface of the mobile phone, and a first housing component including a first wall section defining a first side exterior surface of the mobile phone, a second wall section defining a second side exterior surface opposite to the first side exterior surface, and a mid-chassis section extending between the first wall section and the second wall section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Eric W. Bates, Arun R. Varma, Benjamin J. Pope, Griffin L. Schmitt, Zonghao Liu, Michael W. Firka, Christopher J. Durning, Douglas G. Fournier, Yaocheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220059928
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing at least partially surrounds the display. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least a first portion of an exterior surface of the device and a first interlock feature having an interlock surface that is offset with respect to an end surface of the first housing segment. The first interlock feature has a first opening formed in the interlock surface. The housing further includes a second housing segment defining at least a second portion of the exterior surface of the device and a second interlock feature having a second opening aligned with the first opening, and a non-conductive housing component defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the device and extending into the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Kevin M. Froese, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Publication number: 20220061166
    Abstract: An electronic device including a housing defining an aperture, a display component positioned in the aperture, and a filler material at least partially surrounding a periphery of the display component. The filler material can contact the display component and a portion of the housing defining the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Kodiak D. Burke, John J. Baker, Tyler B. Cater, Christopher J. Durning, Benjamin J. Pope, Richard H. Dinh
  • Patent number: 11258163
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing surrounds the display and has four corners defining portions of an exterior surface of the device. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least part of a first corner of the four corners and configured to operate as an antenna; a second housing segment defining at least part of a second corner of the four corners; and a third housing segment defining at least part of a third corner of the four corners. The third corner forms part of the housing diagonally opposite the second corner. The housing further includes a non-conductive housing component that structurally couples the first housing segment to another portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Froese, Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Publication number: 20220006176
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing surrounds the display and has four corners defining portions of an exterior surface of the device. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least part of a first corner of the four corners and configured to operate as an antenna; a second housing segment defining at least part of a second corner of the four corners; and a third housing segment defining at least part of a third corner of the four corners. The third corner forms part of the housing diagonally opposite the second corner. The housing further includes a non-conductive housing component that structurally couples the first housing segment to another portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin M. Froese, Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Patent number: 11189909
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing at least partially surrounds the display. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least a first portion of an exterior surface of the device and a first interlock feature having an interlock surface that is offset with respect to an end surface of the first housing segment. The first interlock feature has a first opening formed in the interlock surface. The housing further includes a second housing segment defining at least a second portion of the exterior surface of the device and a second interlock feature having a second opening aligned with the first opening, and a non-conductive housing component defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the device and extending into the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Kevin M. Froese, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Patent number: 11133572
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a multi-segment housing for an electronic device that includes multiple conductive segments that are structurally coupled by one or more non-conductive housing segments or splits. One or more of the conductive segments may be configured to operate as an antenna and the non-conductive housing segments may provide electrical insulation between the conductive segment and one or more adjacent housing segments. The non-conductive housing segment may be formed from a polymer having an array of fibers dispersed within the polymer. The fibers may be aligned along one or more fiber directions, which may be substantially perpendicular to an exterior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yaocheng Zhang, John J. Baker, Martin J. Auclair, Paul U. Leutheuser, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham
  • Patent number: 10877517
    Abstract: Electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices, may include several enhancements and modification not found on traditional electronic devices. Parts of the electronic device can be welded together to provide structural support and or functional connections between operating components of the electronic device. Within a band, a back plate can support multiple operable components of the electronic device. The band, the welds, and/or the back plate can provide electrical connections between components. Conductive pathways provided by the welds can be provided with adequate strength and durability to reduce and avoid breakage so that sensitive components, such as a compass module, can operate without alterations that would cause interference. The welds can be provided in a sequence that mitigates the effects of heating during the welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Baker, Yaocheng Zhang, Robert T. Carson, Matthew D. Walker, Martin J. Auclair, Paul U. Leutheuser, Christopher J. Durning
  • Publication number: 20200081488
    Abstract: Electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices, may include several enhancements and modification not found on traditional electronic devices. Parts of the electronic device can be welded together to provide structural support and or functional connections between operating components of the electronic device. Within a band, a back plate can support multiple operable components of the electronic device. The band, the welds, and/or the back plate can provide electrical connections between components. Conductive pathways provided by the welds can be provided with adequate strength and durability to reduce and avoid breakage so that sensitive components, such as a compass module, can operate without alterations that would cause interference. The welds can be provided in a sequence that mitigates the effects of heating during the welding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: John J. BAKER, Yaocheng ZHANG, Robert T. CARSON, Matthew D. WALKER, Martin J. Auclair, Paul U. Leutheuser, Christopher J. Durning
  • Publication number: 20200076058
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a multi-segment housing for an electronic device that includes multiple conductive segments that are structurally coupled by one or more non-conductive housing segments or splits. One or more of the conductive segments may be configured to operate as an antenna and the non-conductive housing segments may provide electrical insulation between the conductive segment and one or more adjacent housing segments. The non-conductive housing segment may be formed from a polymer having an array of fibers dispersed within the polymer. The fibers may be aligned along one or more fiber directions, which may be substantially perpendicular to an exterior surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Yaocheng Zhang, John J. Baker, Martin J. Auclair, Paul U. Leutheuser, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham
  • Publication number: 20200076057
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing at least partially surrounds the display. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least a first portion of an exterior surface of the device and a first interlock feature having an interlock surface that is offset with respect to an end surface of the first housing segment. The first interlock feature has a first opening formed in the interlock surface. The housing further includes a second housing segment defining at least a second portion of the exterior surface of the device and a second interlock feature having a second opening aligned with the first opening, and a non-conductive housing component defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the device and extending into the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Kevin M. Froese, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Publication number: 20200076056
    Abstract: A device includes a display and a housing. The housing surrounds the display and has four corners defining portions of an exterior surface of the device. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least part of a first corner of the four corners and configured to operate as an antenna; a second housing segment defining at least part of a second corner of the four corners; and a third housing segment defining at least part of a third corner of the four corners. The third corner forms part of the housing diagonally opposite the second corner. The housing further includes a non-conductive housing component that structurally couples the first housing segment to another portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin M. Froese, Paul U. Leutheuser, Martin J. Auclair, Christopher J. Durning, Jun Ham, Lucy E. Browning, Sawyer I. Cohen, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Donald J. Parr
  • Patent number: 10461429
    Abstract: A consumer electronic product includes a switchable inductor array coupled to the RF antenna, the switchable inductor array comprising inductive elements and a switch circuit coupled to the inductor array to select at least one of the inductive elements and couple the selected inductive element with the RF antenna. The product can further include an assembly having a mesh that is strengthened by a stiffener. A multi-layer adhesive have a conductive layer that can be used to shield the RF antenna and adhesive layers that can provide adhesion between the stiffener and the housing of the product. The assembly can be covered by a cowling that is made of metal to provide further shielding. To reduce potential coupling between the RF antenna and the cowling, the cowling can have a portion that is formed of plastic to distance its metal portion from the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Durning, Hongfei Hu, Erdinc Irci, Salih Yarga, Christopher T. Cheng, Enrique Ayala Vazquez, Nanbo Jin, Erica J. Tong, Mattia Pascolini, Denis J. Lin, Salome Bavetta, Sherry Lee
  • Publication number: 20180069308
    Abstract: A consumer electronic product includes a switchable inductor array coupled to the RF antenna, the switchable inductor array comprising inductive elements and a switch circuit coupled to the inductor array to select at least one of the inductive elements and couple the selected inductive element with the RF antenna. The product can further include an assembly having a mesh that is strengthened by a stiffener. A multi-layer adhesive have a conductive layer that can be used to shield the RF antenna and adhesive layers that can provide adhesion between the stiffener and the housing of the product. The assembly can be covered by a cowling that is made of metal to provide further shielding. To reduce potential coupling between the RF antenna and the cowling, the cowling can have a portion that is formed of plastic to distance its metal portion from the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher J. DURNING, Hongfei HU, Erdinc IRCI, Salih YARGA, Christopher T. CHENG, Enrique AYALA VAZQUEZ, Nanbo JIN, Erica J. TONG, Mattia PASCOLINI, Denis J. LIN, Salome BAVETTA, Sherry LEE
  • Patent number: D933072
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Lucy E. Browning, Markus Diebel, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher J. Durning, Kevin M. Froese, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Paul U. Leutheuser, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Mikael Silvanto, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer