Patents by Inventor Kenneth Jenks
Kenneth Jenks 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: 8203094Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with switch assembly input components that can have adhesives adhered to the side and/or bottom surfaces of support plates for retaining switches between the adhesives and the tops of the support plates. The switch assembly input components can include buttons with one or more absorption elements for receiving impact energy, reducing the impact energy, and transferring the reduced impact energy onto the switches.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Tang Yew Tan, Erik L. Wang, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Phillip Michael Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks
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Patent number: 8112130Abstract: A mobile communications device has an outer housing with a front wall in which an acoustic opening is formed. A tub is disposed inside the housing, wherein an acoustic opening is formed in a bottom of the tub and is positioned to be aligned with the acoustic opening in the outer housing. A receiver is disposed within the tub so that a sound port hole of the receiver faces an inside face of the tub and is aligned with the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. A plate piece is disposed between an inside face of the housing and the face of the receiver in which the sound port hole is formed. An acoustic opening is formed in the plate piece and positioned to be aligned with the sound port hole of the receiver and the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, Kenneth A. Jenks, Richard P. Howarth, Chad G. Seguin
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Publication number: 20110188225Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. During assembly, the first part may be rotated into place within the second part. Retention clips attached to the frame may be used to secure the two parts together. Assembly instructions and associated connector numbers may be provided within the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Phillip M. Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Adam D. Mittleman
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Publication number: 20110133998Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Philip M. Hobson, Erik L. Wang, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Adam D. Mittleman
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Publication number: 20110120850Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with switch assembly input components that can have adhesives adhered to the side and/or bottom surfaces of support plates for retaining switches between the adhesives and the tops of the support plates. The switch assembly input components can include buttons with one or more absorption elements for receiving impact energy, reducing the impact energy, and transferring the reduced impact energy onto the switches.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Tang Yew Tan, Erik L. Wang, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Philip Michael Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks
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Publication number: 20110109516Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Stephen P. Zadesky, Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Adam D. Mittleman, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub
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Patent number: 7933123Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. During assembly, the first part may be rotated into place within the second part. Retention clips attached to the frame may be used to secure the two parts together. Assembly instructions and associated connector numbers may be provided within the devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Phillip M. Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Adam D. Mittleman
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Publication number: 20110076091Abstract: This is directed to a hook and receiving element combination for securing components forming the shell of an electronic device. The receiving element can include a beam connected to the outer shell component and operative to deflect as the hook element approaches the receiving element. To limit deflections of the outer shell component, the beam can be restrained at opposing ends in directions perpendicular to the beam length, but free to slide along the beam axis. In some embodiments, the receiving element can include a lip for guiding the deflection of the beam as the beam contacts the hook element. In particular, the lip can ensure that the beam deflects at an angle relative to the hook element motion such that a smaller hook element motion is required to engage the beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: AppleInc.Inventor: Kenneth A. Jenks
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Patent number: 7889139Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Erik L. Wang, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Adam D. Mittleman
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Patent number: 7880106Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with switch assembly input components that can have adhesives adhered to the side and/or bottom surfaces of support plates for retaining switches between the adhesives and the tops of the support plates. The switch assembly input components can include buttons with one or more absorption elements for receiving impact energy, reducing the impact energy, and transferring the reduced impact energy onto the switches.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam Duckworth Middleman, Tang Yew Tan, Erik L. Wang, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Phillip Michael Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks
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Patent number: 7876274Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Stephen P. Zadesky, Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Adam D. Mittleman, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub
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Patent number: 7672142Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with one or more electrical components that may be coupled to one or more circuit boards by flexible circuits that can have reduced ground lengths. Each flexible circuit can include at least one ground conductor that may run along its length and that may have at least one portion exposed for coupling to a grounding element that may also be coupled to a ground plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Philip Michael Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub
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Publication number: 20090257207Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. During assembly, the first part may be rotated into place within the second part. Retention clips attached to the frame may be used to secure the two parts together. Assembly instructions and associated connector numbers may be provided within the devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Phillip M. Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Adam D. Mittleman
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Publication number: 20090257189Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. Each device may be formed from two parts. A first part may be provided with components such as a display, a touch screen, a cover glass, and a frame. A second part may be provided with a plastic housing, circuit boards containing electrical components, and a bezel. Engagement members may be connected to the first and second parts. The engagement members may be formed from metal clips with holes and springs with flexible spring prongs that mate with the holes in the clips. The metal clips may be welded to frame struts on the frame and the springs may be welded to the bezel. Hard stop structures may be used to vertically align the first and second parts. A frame in the device may have an integral gasket.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Phillip M. Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks, Adam D. Mittleman
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Publication number: 20090247244Abstract: A mobile communications device has an outer housing with a front wall in which an acoustic opening is formed. A tub is disposed inside the housing, wherein an acoustic opening is formed in a bottom of the tub and is positioned to be aligned with the acoustic opening in the outer housing. A receiver is disposed within the tub so that a sound port hole of the receiver faces an inside face of the tub and is aligned with the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. A plate piece is disposed between an inside face of the housing and the face of the receiver in which the sound port hole is formed. An acoustic opening is formed in the plate piece and positioned to be aligned with the sound port hole of the receiver and the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, Kenneth A. Jenks, Richard P. Howarth, Chad G. Seguin
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Publication number: 20090247237Abstract: A portable electronic device such as a handheld electronic device is provided. The device may have upper and lower portions. The upper portion may have clips that attach to springs on the lower portion. The device may have a housing with a bezel. A prong on the springs may ground the bezel. A vibrator mounting bracket may hold a vibrator in place within the housing. The vibrator mounting bracket may have an end that engages the housing. A threaded insert may be welded to the spring. A screw that passes through a hole in the vibrator mounting bracket may be screwed into the threaded insert to attach the vibrator to the housing. An elastomeric member may bias the vibrator towards the bracket. An acoustic module may serve as a subassembly for the device. Components such as an antenna, dock connector, microphone, and speaker may be attached to the acoustic module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, Kenneth A. Jenks, Karen Y. Cheng
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Publication number: 20090000931Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with switch assembly input components that can have adhesives adhered to the side and/or bottom surfaces of support plates for retaining switches between the adhesives and the tops of the support plates. The switch assembly input components can include buttons with one or more absorption elements for receiving impact energy, reducing the impact energy, and transferring the reduced impact energy onto the switches.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Tang Yew Tan, Erik L. Wang, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Philip Michael Hobson, Kenneth A. Jenks
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Publication number: 20080316121Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Stephen P. Zadesky, Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Adam D. Mittleman, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub
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Publication number: 20080316116Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Phillip M. Hobson, Erik L. Wang, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Adam D. Mittleman
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Patent number: RE41755Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Palm, Inc.Inventors: Mindy Chahal, Nicolas Denhez, Troy Hulick, Kenneth A. Jenks, Scott Lincke, Steven Shiozaki, May Tsoi, Gil Wong, Max Yoshimoto