Patents by Inventor Kristopher P. LAURENT

Kristopher P. LAURENT 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: 11971130
    Abstract: Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Kevin M. Robinson, Christoph M. Pistor, Mehrdad Hooshmand, Simon J. Trivett, Bradley J. Hamel, Kristopher P. Laurent, David H. Narajowski, Stephen V Jayanathan, Laura M. DeForest
  • Patent number: 11950354
    Abstract: This application relates to a layout of components within an electronic device. The electronic device includes a circuit board and one or more thermal components located on or proximate to each surface of the circuit board. As a result, thermal energy generated by components of the circuit board are drawn away from the circuit board in a more efficient manner. Additionally, the electronic device may include one or more air movers designed to draw ambient air into the electronic device in a manner that causes the ambient air to cool components upstream from the air movers. Further, the electronic device includes a fin stack that is thermally coupled to the aforementioned thermal components, and further receives air driven in by the air mover(s). Also, the electronic device is designed to receive the ambient air through openings that define a 360-degree air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Brett W. Degner, Jay S. Nigen, Eric R. Prather, David H. Narajowski
  • Patent number: 11934230
    Abstract: Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Kevin M. Robinson, Christoph M. Pistor, Mehrdad Hooshmand, Simon J. Trivett, Bradley J. Hamel, Kristopher P. Laurent, David H. Narajowski, Stephen V Jayanathan, Laura M. DeForest
  • Patent number: 11788609
    Abstract: A display assembly has a linkage and counterbalance made to provide non-tilting movement of a display at the end of a support arm while providing counterbalance equal to a change in potential energy of the display. The linkage can be a four-bar, parallelogram-shaped linkage, and the counterbalance can include a Scotch yoke configured to store energy in an energy storage device of the assembly as the support arm rotates. The display assembly can improve comfort and ease of moving a supported display while minimizing friction, hysteresis, and counterbalance mismatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Brett W. Degner, Danny L. McBroom, David H. Narajowski, Edward T. Sweet
  • Patent number: 11761573
    Abstract: Display assemblies for supporting displays on stands or support arms have mount portions to removably attach to the displays using magnetic assemblies and latches. The magnetic assemblies and latches can improve user experience and allow the display to be installed on a support arm from the viewing side of the display and without having to see or reach behind the display. Magnetic structures can center a mount portion of the support arm and a recess of the display and can attract them to each other. Laterally-extending latches can ensure the display is not inadvertently removed. Locking mechanisms can prevent the display from being rotated to a portrait orientation when sufficient space around the display and the necessary user intent is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Bradley J. Hamel, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Hao Zhu, Lauren M. Farrell, Sunita Venkatesh, Peter N. Jeziorek, Edward T. Sweet, David A. Jungquist, Karen Y. Cheng, Xiang Zhang, Danny L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom, Laura M. DeForest
  • Publication number: 20230284372
    Abstract: This application relates to a layout of components within an electronic device. The electronic device includes a circuit board and one or more thermal components located on or proximate to each surface of the circuit board. As a result, thermal energy generated by components of the circuit board are drawn away from the circuit board in a more efficient manner. Additionally, the electronic device may include one or more air movers designed to draw ambient air into the electronic device in a manner that causes the ambient air to cool components upstream from the air movers. Further, the electronic device includes a fin stack that is thermally coupled to the aforementioned thermal components, and further receives air driven in by the air mover(s). Also, the electronic device is designed to receive the ambient air through openings that define a 360-degree air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kristopher P. LAURENT, Brett W. DEGNER, Jay S. NIGEN, Eric R. PRATHER, David H. NARAJOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20230147273
    Abstract: Electronic assemblies and methods of assembly are described. In an embodiment, an electronic assembly includes a stiffener structure shear bonded to an opposite side of a module substrate from a ball grid array (BGA) package. The stiffener structure may be shear bonded at elevated temperature after bonding of the BGA package to lock in a flat or near-flat surface contour of the module substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Jie-Hua Zhao, Kristopher P. Laurent, Michael E. Leclerc, Rangaraj Dhanasekaran, Simon J. Trivett
  • Patent number: 11570549
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that reduce the size of headphones and allow for small form-factor storage configurations are discussed. User convenience features that include synchronizing earpiece stem positions and automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Michael E. Leclerc, David H. Narajowski, Kristopher P. Laurent, William K. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniele de Luliis, Markus Diebel, Sung-Ho Tan
  • Publication number: 20220356931
    Abstract: A display assembly has a linkage and counterbalance made to provide non-tilting movement of a display at the end of a support arm while providing counterbalance equal to a change in potential energy of the display. The linkage can be a four-bar, parallelogram-shaped linkage, and the counterbalance can include a Scotch yoke configured to store energy in an energy storage device of the assembly as the support arm rotates. The display assembly can improve comfort and ease of moving a supported display while minimizing friction, hysteresis, and counterbalance mismatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Brett W. Degner, Danny L. McBroom, David H. Narajowski, Edward T. Sweet
  • Patent number: 11477575
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that reduce the size of headphones and allow for small form-factor storage configurations are discussed. User convenience features that include synchronizing earpiece stem positions and automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Michael E. Leclerc, David H. Narajowski, Kristopher P. Laurent, William K. Smith, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniele de Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Sung-Ho Tan
  • Publication number: 20220326731
    Abstract: Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Kevin M. Robinson, Christoph M. Pistor, Mehrdad Hooshmand, Simon J. Trivett, Bradley J. Hamel, Kristopher P. Laurent, David H. Narajowski, Stephen V Jayanathan, Laura M. DeForest
  • Publication number: 20220325848
    Abstract: Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Kevin M. Robinson, Christoph M. Pistor, Mehrdad Hooshmand, Simon J. Trivett, Bradley J. Hamel, Kristopher P. Laurent, David H. Narajowski, Stephen V Jayanathan, Laura M. DeForest
  • Publication number: 20220325845
    Abstract: Support systems and stands for electronic devices include tilt hinges, lift arms, and their component parts. Some tilt hinges include assemblies for guiding and retaining bars or protrusions into preferred positioning within receiver openings to unify the parts, particularly as they move, and to reduce wobble or slop in the joints. Lift arms provide simplified and low-cost guidance and counterbalance mechanisms for controlling movement of the electronic device relative to the base of a stand. In some cases, the lift arms have sheaths to help protect or cover mechanisms while allowing additional space for the mechanisms within the lift arm. Other interconnection systems hide and protect a connector interface between the stand and the electronic device within a housing until unlocked and the connector is moved into an exposed position. These systems improve efficiency, comfort, ergonomics, accessibility, and user satisfaction of the electronic devices and their supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Kevin M. Robinson, Christoph M. Pistor, Mehrdad Hooshmand, Simon J. Trivett, Bradley J. Hamel, Kristopher P. Laurent, David H. Narajowski, Stephen V. Jayanathan, Laura M. DeForest
  • Publication number: 20220290797
    Abstract: Display assemblies for supporting displays on stands or support arms have mount portions to removably attach to the displays using magnetic assemblies and latches. The magnetic assemblies and latches can improve user experience and allow the display to be installed on a support arm from the viewing side of the display and without having to see or reach behind the display. Magnetic structures can center a mount portion of the support arm and a recess of the display and can attract them to each other. Laterally-extending latches can ensure the display is not inadvertently removed. Locking mechanisms can prevent the display from being rotated to a portrait orientation when sufficient space around the display and the necessary user intent is not provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Bradley J. Hamel, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Hao Zhu, Lauren M. Farrell, Sunita Venkatesh, Peter N. Jeziorek, Edward T. Sweet, David A. Jungquist, Karen Y. Cheng, Xiang Zhang, Danny L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom, Laura M. DeForest
  • Publication number: 20220290798
    Abstract: A display stand has two spaced apart legs connected by a horizontal support bar that is attachable to multiple displays. Carriage assemblies allow the stand to adjust the vertical position of the displays, shuttles and rails allow the stand to adjust the horizontal positions of the displays, and a central joint on the support bar allows the stand to adjust the angle between the displays. The carriage assemblies can convert rotational movement of adjustment handles into vertical movement of the support bar that is synchronized at both legs whether the support bar is in a straight or angled configuration. Wheels on the shuttles can provide smooth, consistent contact with rails in the support bar despite changes in the nominal dimensions of the rails. The display stand provides improved smoothness, rigidity, and comfort for the user to support and use multiple displays on a single stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. Leclerc, Brett W. Degner, Danny L. McBroom, David H. Narajowski, Denis H. Endisch, Kristopher P. Laurent, Simon J. Trivett
  • Patent number: 11415201
    Abstract: A display assembly has a linkage and counterbalance made to provide non-tilting movement of a display at the end of a support arm while providing counterbalance equal to a change in potential energy of the display. The linkage can be a four-bar, parallelogram-shaped linkage, and the counterbalance can include a Scotch yoke configured to store energy in an energy storage device of the assembly as the support arm rotates. The display assembly can improve comfort and ease of moving a supported display while minimizing friction, hysteresis, and counterbalance mismatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Brett W. Degner, Danny L. McBroom, David H. Narajowski, Edward T. Sweet
  • Patent number: 11378225
    Abstract: Display assemblies for supporting displays on stands or support arms have mount portions to removably attach to the displays using magnetic assemblies and latches. The magnetic assemblies and latches can improve user experience and allow the display to be installed on a support arm from the viewing side of the display and without having to see or reach behind the display. Magnetic structures can center a mount portion of the support arm and a recess of the display and can attract them to each other. Laterally-extending latches can ensure the display is not inadvertently removed. Locking mechanisms can prevent the display from being rotated to a portrait orientation when sufficient space around the display and the necessary user intent is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, Bradley J. Hamel, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Hao Zhu, Lauren M. Farrell, Sunita Venkatesh, Peter N. Jeziorek, Edward T. Sweet, David A. Jungquist, Karen Y. Cheng, Xiang Zhang, Danny L. McBroom, Michael D. McBroom, Laura M. DeForest
  • Patent number: 11371644
    Abstract: A display stand has two spaced apart legs connected by a horizontal support bar that is attachable to multiple displays. Carriage assemblies allow the stand to adjust the vertical position of the displays, shuttles and rails allow the stand to adjust the horizontal positions of the displays, and a central joint on the support bar allows the stand to adjust the angle between the displays. The carriage assemblies can convert rotational movement of adjustment handles into vertical movement of the support bar that is synchronized at both legs whether the support bar is in a straight or angled configuration. Wheels on the shuttles can provide smooth, consistent contact with rails in the support bar despite changes in the nominal dimensions of the rails. The display stand provides improved smoothness, rigidity, and comfort for the user to support and use multiple displays on a single stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael E. Leclerc, Brett W. Degner, Danny L. McBroom, David H. Narajowski, Denis H. Endisch, Kristopher P. Laurent, Simon J. Trivett
  • Patent number: 11330354
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that reduce the size of headphones and allow for small form-factor storage configurations are discussed. User convenience features that include synchronizing earpiece stem positions and automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel R. Bloom, Michael E. Leclerc, David H. Narajowski, Kristopher P. Laurent, Daniele de Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Sung-Ho Tan
  • Patent number: 11323793
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that reduce the size of headphones and allow for small form-factor storage configurations are discussed. User convenience features that include synchronizing earpiece stem positions and automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kristopher P. Laurent, David H. Narajowski, Michael E. Leclerc, Brett W. Degner, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniele de Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Sung-Ho Tan