Patents by Inventor Marc Simmel

Marc Simmel 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: 20130288537
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide a good ground contact path, avoid marring of both inserts and receptacles, and can be arranged to fit in a device enclosure. These receptacles may include a subassembly that is inserted into a hollow tongue. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert molded in a housing, as well as a second number of contacts. The tongue may further include ground contacts on its sides and top. The tongue may cover edges of at least some contacts to prevent marring of both the connector receptacle and connector insert. The shell of the connector receptacle may be formed around a portion of the connector receptacle to assist in fitting the receptacle in a device enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Marc Simmel, Zheng Gao
  • Publication number: 20130288520
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide a good ground contact path, avoid marring of both inserts and receptacles, and can be arranged to fit in a device enclosure. These receptacles may include a subassembly that is inserted into a hollow tongue. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert molded in a housing, as well as a second number of contacts. The tongue may further include ground contacts on its sides and top. The tongue may cover edges of at least some contacts to prevent marring of both the connector receptacle and connector insert. The shell of the connector receptacle may be formed around a portion of the connector receptacle to assist in fitting the receptacle in a device enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Marc Simmel, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 8465327
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide sockets or connectors that are capable of operating at high data rates. One example provides a connector that uses a flex board to form a connection between pins of a socket or connector and a printed circuit board. In another example, one or more flex boards are used to provide a signal path between a memory device, such as an SODIMM, and a printed circuit board. Another example provides a stack of wafers, each formed of an insulated material and supporting one or more conductive pins for making an electrical connection between a memory device and a flex board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Springer, Vince Duperron, Marc Simmel, Peter Mitchell, Joshua Funamura
  • Patent number: 8444438
    Abstract: Connectors to connect optional or daughter cards or boards to main or motherboards. One example provides a connector that is capable of supporting high-speed data rates by employing contacts that provide short signal paths and a ground plane to improve signal quality. The space consumed in electronic devices may be reduced by providing a connector having a low profile, while another example may provide a connector having mechanical stability. Another example provides a connector having an increased manufacturability. Other examples include wider contacts for increased current capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, George Marc Simmel, Euan Abraham
  • Publication number: 20130012065
    Abstract: Connectors to connect optional or daughter cards or boards to main or motherboards. One example provides a connector that is capable of supporting high-speed data rates by employing contacts that provide short signal paths and a ground plane to improve signal quality. The space consumed in electronic devices may be reduced by providing a connector having a low profile, while another example may provide a connector having mechanical stability. Another example provides a connector having an increased manufacturability. Other examples include wider contacts for increased current capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, Geoge Marc Simmel, Euan Abraham
  • Publication number: 20120153043
    Abstract: Power-efficient actuator apparatus and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator assembly utilizes a shape memory alloy (SMA) filament driven by an electronic power source to induce movement in the underlying assembly to actuate a load (e.g., water valve). In addition, a circuit board is included which allows the actuator assembly to be readily incorporated or retrofit into a wide range of systems such that the signal characteristics of the supply line can, among other applications, be conditioned in order to protect the SMA filament. Furthermore, the circuit board can also readily be adapted for use with “green” power sources such as photovoltaic systems and the like. Methods for manufacturing and utilizing the aforementioned actuator assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Chaitanya Arekar, Leonid Foshansky, Kyle James Ovard, JR., Robert Bogursky, George Marc Simmel
  • Publication number: 20120083164
    Abstract: Connectors to connect optional or daughter cards or boards to main or motherboards. One example provides a connector that is capable of supporting high-speed data rates by employing contacts that provide short signal paths and a ground plane to improve signal quality. The space consumed in electronic devices may be reduced by providing a connector having a low profile, while another example may provide a connector having mechanical stability. Another example provides a connector having an increased manufacturability. Other examples include wider contacts for increased current capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, George Marc Simmel, Euan Abraham
  • Publication number: 20110250768
    Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide sockets or connectors that are capable of operating at high data rates. One example provides a connector that uses a flex board to form a connection between pins of a socket or connector and a printed circuit board. In another example, one or more flex boards are used to provide a signal path between a memory device, such as an SODIMM, and a printed circuit board. Another example provides a stack of wafers, each formed of an insulated material and supporting one or more conductive pins for making an electrical connection between a memory device and a flex board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Springer, Vince Duperron, Marc Simmel, Peter Mitchell, Joshua Funamura
  • Publication number: 20090220013
    Abstract: Low-cost connector apparatus for passing electrical signals from one device over another via a cable. In one embodiment, the connector apparatus comprises a coaxial type connector that mates with a host device, such as via the motherboard thereof. In one variant, the connector further comprises a plurality of electrical components including an integrated circuit adapted to condition (e.g., equalize) the signals being transmitted over the cable. The connector (and hence internal electrical components) is shielded so as to mitigate the effects of EMI or RFI on the host device circuitry itself. In another variant, the signals comprise IEEE-Std. 1394 “FireWire” high speed data signals, and the use of the shielded connector in the signal pathway allows the use of lower cost cabling than would otherwise be required with a non-shielded (non-integrated) connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Lawrence Dale Butts, Robert E. Fust, George Marc Simmel
  • Patent number: 6176748
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing molded of dielectric material and having a recess defined by opposed side walls having inner surfaces. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and include contact sections along at least one of the opposed side walls and exposed at the inner surface thereof. The terminals have distal ends at an end of the recess. At least some of the terminals have spacer tabs projecting laterally from edges of the contact sections of the terminals to maintain at least a minimum spacing between the distal ends of the terminals prior to molding the dielectric housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: George Marc Simmel, Chui Ngor Wong, Kiat Keen Chee, Sebastian Anjilikkal Poulose
  • Patent number: 6129589
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a recess defined by opposed side walls having inner surfaces. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and include retention sections spaced along at least one of the opposed side walls and exposed inwardly thereof. A plurality of ribs project inwardly from the one side wall between the spaced retention sections of the terminals. The ribs each have at least one side edge overlapping a side edge of a respective one of the terminal retention sections to capture the sections in the side wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: George Marc Simmel, Chui Ngor Wong, Kiat Keen Chee