Patents by Inventor Paul J. Hack

Paul J. Hack 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: 11942722
    Abstract: Connector inserts having reliable contacts, as well as connector receptacles having improved magnetic circuits for use in electronic devices having a thin form factor. These and other examples can provide connector receptacles that can be easily aligned to an opening in an electronic device, as well as connector inserts and connector receptacles that can be readily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Bradley J. Hamel, George Tziviskos, Hao Zhu, Jean-Marc Gery, Paul J. Hack
  • Patent number: 11476707
    Abstract: A wireless power system has a wireless power transmitting device such as a charging puck and a wireless power receiving device such as a battery-operated device. The charging puck may be connected to a plug via a cable. The plug may include a boot and a connector. The boot may house a printed circuit board that is positioned closer to one of the boot housing walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivasa V. Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai, Paul J. Hack, Timothy J. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20220109328
    Abstract: A wireless power system has a wireless power transmitting device such as a charging puck and a wireless power receiving device such as a battery-operated device. The charging puck may be connected to a plug via a cable. The plug may include a boot and a connector. The boot may house a printed circuit board that is positioned closer to one of the boot housing walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Srinivasa V. Thirumalai Ananthan Pillai, Paul J. Hack, Timothy J. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20220102911
    Abstract: Connector inserts having reliable contacts, as well as connector receptacles having improved magnetic circuits for use in electronic devices having a thin form factor. These and other examples can provide connector receptacles that can be easily aligned to an opening in an electronic device, as well as connector inserts and connector receptacles that can be readily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John C. DiFonzo, Bradley J. Hamel, George Tziviskos, Hao Zhu, Jean-Marc Gery, Paul J. Hack
  • Patent number: 10862248
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. In various examples, the connector receptacle tongue or other portions may be reinforced such that they may withstand the insertion forces exerted through a connector insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao, Rui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10418763
    Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Samuel W. Yuen, Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • Publication number: 20180277995
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. In various examples, the connector receptacle tongue or other portions may be reinforced such that they may withstand the insertion forces exerted through a connector insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao, Rui Zhou
  • Publication number: 20180233867
    Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Samuel W. Yuen, Nathan N. Ng, Zheng Gao, Mahmoud R. Amini, Min Chul Kim, Colin J. Abraham
  • Patent number: 9991640
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. In various examples, the connector receptacle tongue or other portions may be reinforced such that they may withstand the insertion forces exerted through a connector insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao, Rui Zhou
  • Patent number: 9935388
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide audio jacks capable of providing a sufficient retention force to avoid some inadvertent extractions of an audio plug. Examples may also provide audio jacks that may be readily assembled. Other examples may provide other types of connectors. These audio jacks or other connectors may provide contact structures having one or more contacts, each having a contact support to increase contact retention force. Different materials may be used to form the contacts and the contact supports. In this way, contacts may be formed using a highly conductive material, while the contact supports may be formed of a material having good spring characteristics. While such a contact may not be able to provide an adequate retention force on its own, the use of a contact support may sufficiently increase the retention force to prevent accidental extractions of an audio plug or other connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 9882323
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. One example may provide a connector receptacle having one or more movable portions. These movable portions may move relative to an enclosure for an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. When a connector insert is inserted into the receptacle, the movable portions may move to help absorb insertion forces thereby protecting the connector receptacle from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Matthew W. Blum
  • Patent number: 9843133
    Abstract: Connector inserts having latches, bayonets, or similar structures as retention features. The connector inserts may include these bayonets on one or more sides or other portions of the connector insert. The bayonets may be located inside of a connector insert while the connector insert is being inserted into a receptacle, thereby reducing wear and marring of the receptacle. The bayonets may extend out of a connector insert when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle and may engage corresponding retention features in the connector receptacle, thereby reducing the chances of an inadvertent disconnection. When the bayonets are located inside the connector insert, the connector insert may be in a first state, while when the bayonets are extended, the connector insert may be in a second state. The connector insert may retain state in either the first or second state in the absence of a user applied force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mani Razaghi Kashani, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 9843142
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that have good signal integrity, are reduced in size, are reliable and durable, and are easy to assemble. One example may provide a connector receptacle having several ground connections to improve signal integrity and quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hack, George Tziviskos, Zheng Gao
  • Patent number: 9537238
    Abstract: Sockets that provide easy access for users to change cards while allowing the use of thinner device enclosures. One example provides a socket having two positions. When the socket is in an open state, the card may be oriented in a direction substantially away from the main logic board. When the socket is in a closed state, the card moves such that it is oriented at least closer to being in parallel to the main logic board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hack, Joshua Funamura, George V. Anastas, Zheng Gao, Gregory Springer, Erik James Shahoian
  • Publication number: 20160099524
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that have good signal integrity, are reduced in size, are reliable and durable, and are easy to assemble. One example may provide a connector receptacle having several ground connections to improve signal integrity and quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hack, George Tziviskos, Zheng Gao
  • Publication number: 20150311609
    Abstract: Sockets that provide easy access for users to change cards while allowing the use of thinner device enclosures. One example provides a socket having two positions. When the socket is in an open state, the card may be oriented in a direction substantially away from the main logic board. When the socket is in a closed state, the card moves such that it is oriented at least closer to being in parallel to the main logic board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Hack, Joshua Funamura, George V. Anastas, Zheng Gao, Gregory Springer, Erik James Shahoian
  • Publication number: 20150295362
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. In various examples, the connector receptacle tongue or other portions may be reinforced such that they may withstand the insertion forces exerted through a connector insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Jae Hwang Lee, Mahmoud R. Amini, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao, Rui Zhou
  • Publication number: 20150295356
    Abstract: Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. One example may provide a connector receptacle having one or more movable portions. These movable portions may move relative to an enclosure for an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. When a connector insert is inserted into the receptacle, the movable portions may move to help absorb insertion forces thereby protecting the connector receptacle from damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Matthew W. Blum
  • Publication number: 20150236446
    Abstract: Connector inserts having latches, bayonets, or similar structures as retention features. The connector inserts may include these bayonets on one or more sides or other portions of the connector insert. The bayonets may be located inside of a connector insert while the connector insert is being inserted into a receptacle, thereby reducing wear and marring of the receptacle. The bayonets may extend out of a connector insert when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle and may engage corresponding retention features in the connector receptacle, thereby reducing the chances of an inadvertent disconnection. When the bayonets are located inside the connector insert, the connector insert may be in a first state, while when the bayonets are extended, the connector insert may be in a second state. The connector insert may retain state in either the first or second state in the absence of a user applied force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mani Razaghi Kashani, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao
  • Publication number: 20150214649
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide audio jacks capable of providing a sufficient retention force to avoid some inadvertent extractions of an audio plug. Examples may also provide audio jacks that may be readily assembled. Other examples may provide other types of connectors. These audio jacks or other connectors may provide contact structures having one or more contacts, each having a contact support to increase contact retention force. Different materials may be used to form the contacts and the contact supports. In this way, contacts may be formed using a highly conductive material, while the contact supports may be formed of a material having good spring characteristics. While such a contact may not be able to provide an adequate retention force on its own, the use of a contact support may sufficiently increase the retention force to prevent accidental extractions of an audio plug or other connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: George Tziviskos, Paul J. Hack, Zheng Gao