Patents by Inventor James E. Harper

James E. Harper 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: 20250112385
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus for soldering contacts of multiple connector receptacles to pads on a board while also providing high-speed data paths between the multiple connector receptacles and the pads on the board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jeon, Ayoub Yari Boroujeni, James E. Harper, Mahmoud R. Amini, Davood Mousanezhad Viyand
  • Publication number: 20240186746
    Abstract: Power connectors that are easy to connect, have a low profile, and can convey one or more data signals. One example can provide a power connector that is easy to connect by providing an axisymmetric connector receptacle and connector insert. Magnets can be used to help guide a connection between a connector insert and a connector receptacle. Canted springs can be used to provide a tactile response to the insertion of the connector insert into the connector receptacle and to help to secure the connector insert in place when mated with the connector insert. Keying or self-aligning features can be included on either or both the connector insert and the connector receptacle to help guide mating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Harper, Davood Mousanezhad Viyand, James M. Jeon, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, Sajjad Mohammadiyangijeh
  • Patent number: 11811174
    Abstract: Power connectors that are easy to connect, have a low profile, and can convey one or more data signals. One example can provide a power connector that is easy to connect by providing an axisymmetric connector receptacle and connector insert. Magnets can be used to help guide a connection between a connector insert and a connector receptacle. Canted springs can be used to provide a tactile response to the insertion of the connector insert into the connector receptacle and to help to secure the connector insert in place when mated with the connector insert. Keying or self-aligning features can be included on either or both the connector insert and the connector receptacle to help guide mating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, James E. Harper, James M. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11626692
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that can provide audible feedback to inform a user that a card has been properly inserted, and can include structures to protect contacts in a connector receptacle from damage due to an improper card insertion. An example can provide a connector receptacle having a click module to provide audible feedback indicating that a card has been fully inserted. Another example can provide a connector receptacle having movable contacts that can remain out of an insertion path until the card is at least partially inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, George Tziviskos, Bartley K. Andre, Ayoub Yari Boroujeni, James E. Harper, Davood Mousanezhad Viyand, Rui Zhou, Daniel A. Bergvall, Nikhil S. Pansare
  • Publication number: 20230103155
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that can provide audible feedback to inform a user that a card has been properly inserted, and can include structures to protect contacts in a connector receptacle from damage due to an improper card insertion. An example can provide a connector receptacle having a click module to provide audible feedback indicating that a card has been fully inserted. Another example can provide a connector receptacle having movable contacts that can remain out of an insertion path until the card is at least partially inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, George Tziviskos, Bartley K. Andre, Ayoub Yari Boroujeni, James E. Harper, Davood Mousanezhad Viyand, Rui Zhou, Daniel A. Bergvall, Nikhil S. Pansare
  • Patent number: 11309649
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having a front wall and a floating connector assembly coupled to the front wall. The connector assembly includes a panel and a connector. The connector includes a frame attached to the panel and defines first and second alignment openings. A sleeve extends from the frame and extends through the front wall. A removable cover for the electronic device includes first and second connector alignment pins that align with the first and second alignment openings to align the connector sleeve with a connector aperture defined by the cover. The first and second connector alignment pins and the first and second alignment openings can each include tapered portions to move the connector assembly into alignment with the connector aperture as the cover is attached with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James E. Harper, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou
  • Publication number: 20220102923
    Abstract: Power connectors that are easy to connect, have a low profile, and can convey one or more data signals. One example can provide a power connector that is easy to connect by providing an axisymmetric connector receptacle and connector insert. Magnets can be used to help guide a connection between a connector insert and a connector receptacle. Canted springs can be used to provide a tactile response to the insertion of the connector insert into the connector receptacle and to help to secure the connector insert in place when mated with the connector insert. Keying or self-aligning features can be included on either or both the connector insert and the connector receptacle to help guide mating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, James E. Harper, James M. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11152752
    Abstract: Audio jacks and device enclosures that provide proper grounding, are readily reworkable, provide improved ventilation, and have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example can include a device enclosure including an enclosure wall and a sleeve for an audio jack. The sleeve can connect to ground through various paths. The audio jack housing can be inserted in the sleeve and kept in place using a fastener. This arrangement can allow the audio jack to be readily reworkable. The sleeve can be narrow at the enclosure wall for improved ventilation and an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, Ameya V. Nilkanth, James E. Harper, Mariel L. Lanas
  • Publication number: 20200379188
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having a front wall and a floating connector assembly coupled to the front wall. The connector assembly includes a panel and a connector. The connector includes a frame attached to the panel and defines first and second alignment openings. A sleeve extends from the frame and extends through the front wall. A removable cover for the electronic device includes first and second connector alignment pins that align with the first and second alignment openings to align the connector sleeve with a connector aperture defined by the cover. The first and second connector alignment pins and the first and second alignment openings can each include tapered portions to move the connector assembly into alignment with the connector aperture as the cover is attached with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: James E. Harper, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10847910
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensor assembly includes a main board, a board-to-board connector assembly, and a sensor component board. The main board has an edge. The board-to-board connector assembly is located on the main board and includes a housing. The housing includes a feature that aligns an angular orientation of the housing relative to the main board by engagement of the feature of the housing with the edge of the main board. The board-to-board connector also includes connector pins that are connected to the main board and are disposed within the housing. The sensor component board is connected to the main board by the connector pins of the board-to-board connector assembly to allow pivoting of the sensor component board relative to the main board over a limited angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, James E. Harper
  • Patent number: 10658797
    Abstract: Connector receptacles and device enclosures that can provide proper grounding, improved ventilation, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example can include a device enclosure including an enclosure wall and sleeves for a number of connector receptacles. Each sleeve can electrically contact a shield of a corresponding connector receptacle via a conductive structure, such as a conductive gasket, to provide a good ground path. The sleeves can be narrow at the enclosure wall for improved ventilation and an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, James E. Harper, Houtan R. Farahani, Sung-Ho Tan, Mariel L. Lanas
  • Publication number: 20200099181
    Abstract: Audio jacks and device enclosures that provide proper grounding, are readily reworkable, provide improved ventilation, and have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example can include a device enclosure including an enclosure wall and a sleeve for an audio jack. The sleeve can connect to ground through various paths. The audio jack housing can be inserted in the sleeve and kept in place using a fastener. This arrangement can allow the audio jack to be readily reworkable. The sleeve can be narrow at the enclosure wall for improved ventilation and an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, Ameya V. Nilkanth, James E. Harper, Mariel L. Lanas
  • Publication number: 20200099174
    Abstract: Connector receptacles and device enclosures that can provide proper grounding, improved ventilation, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example can include a device enclosure including an enclosure wall and sleeves for a number of connector receptacles. Each sleeve can electrically contact a shield of a corresponding connector receptacle via a conductive structure, such as a conductive gasket, to provide a good ground path. The sleeves can be narrow at the enclosure wall for improved ventilation and an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bartley K. Andre, Mahmoud R. Amini, Rui Zhou, James E. Harper, Houtan R. Farahani, Sung-Ho Tan, Mariel L. Lanas
  • Publication number: 20200099172
    Abstract: Conductive structures that can electrically connect connector receptacles to sections of a device enclosure. The conductive structures can include a compressible material. The compressible material can be at least partially covered with a conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Zhou, Mahmoud R. Amini, James E. Harper, Adam H. Herzog
  • Patent number: 6066060
    Abstract: An auxiliary pressure system is described for a hydraulic activated automotive automatic transmission having a hydraulic fluid reservoir and a line pressure circuit. The system includes an automatic transmission hydraulic fluid connector line having an intake end configured for attachment to a hydraulic fluid reservoir. A pressurization device is connected to the automatic transmission hydraulic fluid connector line, configured and operable to receive hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid reservoir and place such hydraulic fluid under positive pressure sufficient to actuate the automatic transmission. A pressure delivery line including a fitting configured for connection to the line pressure circuit of the automatic transmission, is connected to the pressurization device to deliver hydraulic fluid under positive pressure from the pressurization device to the line pressure circuit and thereby provide operating hydraulic pressure to the transmission for normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: James E. Harper