Patents by Inventor Kevin D. Gibbs

Kevin D. Gibbs 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: 20140091888
    Abstract: Methods and tools for positioning cables using magnets during assembly of a consumer electronic product are described. Methods described are well suited in the manufacture of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, computer tablets and the like. Methods involve attaching magnetic components to cables and to one or more surfaces within the enclosure of the electronic devices. During assembly, the magnetic components on the cables magnetically couple with corresponding magnetic components on the surfaces within the enclosure. In this way, the cables can be secured in certain positions and out of the way during the assembly of the electronic device. In some instances, the cables can remain magnetically secured after assembly and during the operation of the electronic device. In other instances, the magnetic components are decoupled after assembly thereby releasing the cables from their secured positions during operation of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin D. Gibbs, Derek W. Wright, John Raff
  • Publication number: 20140092583
    Abstract: Electronic devices may include displays having backlight structures and display layers. The display layers may include alignment features. The backlight structure may include alignment features. The alignment features on the backlight structures may include transparent portions of the backlight structures. The alignment features on the display layers may include alignment marks that are visible through the transparent portions of the backlight structures. The transparent portions of the backlight structures may include openings that extend from a first surface of the backlight structures to an opposing second surface of the backlight structures. The openings may be filled by transparent members formed from plastic or glass. The transparent members may include additional alignment marks. The transparent members may include lensing portions that magnify the alignment marks on the display layers when viewed through the lensing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Kevin D. Gibbs, Amy Qian, John Raff, Jiang Ai
  • Publication number: 20140075743
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8662934
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that may be used in a variety of applications, may have a desirable aesthetic appearance, may be durable and reliable, and may be manufactured in a simplified manner. One example may provide a receptacle that may be used in a number of different devices to avoid having to redesign a receptacle for different devices. Another example may maintain a desirable appearance by reducing the chance of marring or functional damage during insertions of an insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scritzky, Joshua R. Funamura, George V. Anastas, John Raff, Henry Jules, Kevin D. Gibbs, Carl R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20130342970
    Abstract: An electronic device may have polarizer layers, color filter layers, thin-film-transistor layers, and other display layers. A display layer may be separated from structures such as a display cover layer formed from clear glass or plastic and a touch sensor layer mounted on an inner surface of the display cover layer by an air gap. Cavities within an electronic device housing may serve as a source of dust and other contaminants. The air gap may be sealed against dust intrusion from a cavity within an electronic device using a dust sealing structure. The dust sealing structure may have a rectangular ring shape that runs around a rectangular peripheral portion of a display layer. The dust sealing structure may be formed from a tape-based structure, an elastomeric structure, a compressible foam structure, or a cured liquid structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Jiang Ai, Amy Qian, Benjamin M. Rappoport, Kevin D. Gibbs, Derek Wright, John P. Ternus, John Raff, Stephen R. McClure
  • Publication number: 20130223836
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a conductive housing. A dielectric structure may be mounted in the conductive housing to form an antenna window. An electrical component such as a camera, light sensor, or other device may press against a conductive foam structure. A printed circuit may have conductive traces that form an antenna ground and antenna resonating element. The printed circuit may be wrapped around a support structure. The electrical component, the conductive foam structure, and the printed circuit wrapped around the support structure may be compressed between a display cover layer and the antenna window. A camera window may be attached to a camera window trim using multiple adhesives. The trim may have a curved exterior surface that matches a curved housing surface. A flexible printed circuit cable may have a folded portion. A band structure may surround the folded portion to form a service loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin D. Gibbs, Carl R. Peterson, Erik A. Uttermann, Conor P. Lenahan, John P. Ternus, Justin R. Wodrich, Elvis M. Kibiti, Derek Wright
  • Publication number: 20130140965
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided having internal components mounted to a structural glass support member. The structural glass support member may have a planar front surface that forms a front surface of the device. The structural glass support member may have bent portions that form sidewall surfaces of the device. Portions of the structural glass support member may form a transparent display cover layer. A rigid or flexible display may be mounted to the structural glass support member. Additional internal device components may be mounted to the display. A thin enclosure for enclosing the internal components in the device may be mounted to the structural glass support member. The thin enclosure may be mounted to the structural glass support member using a peripheral member. The thin enclosure may be free from attachments to internal components or may be adhesively bonded to one or more internal components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20130065437
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that may be used in a variety of applications, may have a desirable aesthetic appearance, may be durable and reliable, and may be manufactured in a simplified manner. One example may provide a receptacle that may be used in a number of different devices to avoid having to redesign a receptacle for different devices. Another example may maintain a desirable appearance by reducing the chance of marring or functional damage during insertions of an insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scritzky, Joshua R. Funamura, George V. Anastas, John Raff, Henry Jules, Kevin D. Gibbs, Carl R. Peterson