Patents by Inventor Robert R. Atkinson

Robert R. Atkinson 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: 11398692
    Abstract: The connector portion of a flex connector may be integrated into a socket, by forming a complete cutout in the socket in which the connector is located, or by forming the socket with a portion having a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the socket, with the connector being positioned in this portion of reduced thickness between the socket and an MLB. Another flex connector may be formed vertically above the first flex connector, mounted to the top surface of the package and clamped in place by a heat sink on top of the stack. Providing both top and bottom flex connectors may multiply the number of available connections for a given footprint. A heatsink positioned on top of the stack may include a spring assembly on a bottom portion to engage specified portions of the stack with a predefined force to ensure correct loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mahesh S. Hardikar, David A. Secker, Rajasekaran Swaminathan, Ravindranath T. Kollipara, Robert R. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20220102884
    Abstract: The connector portion of a flex connector may be integrated into a socket, by forming a complete cutout in the socket in which the connector is located, or by forming the socket with a portion having a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the socket, with the connector being positioned in this portion of reduced thickness between the socket and an MLB. Another flex connector may be formed vertically above the first flex connector, mounted to the top surface of the package and clamped in place by a heat sink on top of the stack. Providing both top and bottom flex connectors may multiply the number of available connections for a given footprint. A heatsink positioned on top of the stack may include a spring assembly on a bottom portion to engage specified portions of the stack with a predefined force to ensure correct loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: MAHESH S. HARDIKAR, DAVID A. SECKER, RAJASEKARAN SWAMINATHAN, RAVINDRANATH T. KOLLIPARA, ROBERT R. ATKINSON
  • Patent number: 9354668
    Abstract: In one embodiment chassis for an electronic device comprises a first section and a second section and an assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to the second section of the chassis for an electronic device, comprising a first hinge assembly to be coupled to the first section of the chassis for the electronic device, a second hinge assembly to be coupled to the second section of the chassis for the electronic device, a first rigid connecting member to be coupled to the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly, a first resistance element to provide a first rotational resistance between the first hinge assembly and a first end of the first rigid connecting member and a first resistance element to provide a second rotational resistance between the second hinge assembly and a second end of the first rigid connecting member. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tod A. Byquist, Peter Bristol, Michael S. Brazel, Kristin L. Weihl, Stella Latscha, Alexander D. Williams, Nicolas Kurczewski, Barry T. Dale, Robert R. Atkinson, Jr., Stephen J. Allen, Patrick S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9258914
    Abstract: In one embodiment chassis for an electronic device comprises a first section and a second section and an assembly to connect a first section of the chassis to a second section of the chassis, comprising a hinge assembly to be coupled between the first section of the chassis and the second section of the chassis to allow rotation of the second section of the chassis with respect to the first section of the chassis, and a translation assembly to be coupled to the hinge assembly of the chassis for the electronic device to allow translation of the second section of the chassis with respect to the first section of the chassis, wherein rotation of the hinge assembly activates the translation assembly. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Alanna M. Koser, Robert R. Atkinson, Jr., Ralph V. Miele, Anthony P. Valpiani
  • Publication number: 20150305185
    Abstract: In one embodiment chassis for an electronic device comprises a first section and a second section and an assembly to connect a first section of the chassis to a second section of the chassis, comprising a hinge assembly to be coupled between the first section of the chassis and the second section of the chassis to allow rotation of the second section of the chassis with respect to the first section of the chassis, and a translation assembly to be coupled to the hinge assembly of the chassis for the electronic device to allow translation of the second section of the chassis with respect to the first section of the chassis, wherein rotation of the hinge assembly activates the translation assembly. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Alanna M. KOSER, Robert R. ATKINSON, JR., Ralph V. MIELE, Anthony P. VALPIANI
  • Publication number: 20150227174
    Abstract: In one embodiment chassis for an electronic device comprises a first section and a second section and an assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to the second section of the chassis for an electronic device, comprising a first hinge assembly to be coupled to the first section of the chassis for the electronic device, a second hinge assembly to be coupled to the second section of the chassis for the electronic device, a first rigid connecting member to be coupled to the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly, a first resistance element to provide a first rotational resistance between the first hinge assembly and a first end of the first rigid connecting member and a first resistance element to provide a second rotational resistance between the second hinge assembly and a second end of the first rigid connecting member. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Tod A. Byquist, Peter Bristol, Michael S. Brazel, Kristin L. Weihl, Stella Latscha, Alexander D. Williams, Nicolas Kurczewski, Barry T. Dale, Robert R. Atkinson, JR., Stephen J. Allen, Patrick S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9086852
    Abstract: A computing device including fastening features. The computing device may include an upper shell comprising an upper boss protruding from the upper shell, the upper boss defining a cavity. The computing device may include a lower shell comprising a lower boss protruding from the lower shell. The computing device may include a threaded insert including an insert portion received at the cavity of the upper boss. The threaded insert may include a flange portion wider than the insert portion, and a lateral movement reduction feature. The computing device may include a fastener received through the lower boss and through the threaded insert to fasten the upper shell and lower shell to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick S. Johnson, Robert R. Atkinson, Jr., Tod A. Byquist, Ben M. Broili
  • Publication number: 20140177152
    Abstract: A computing device including fastening features. The computing device may include an upper shell comprising an upper boss protruding from the upper shell, the upper boss defining a cavity. The computing device may include a lower shell comprising a lower boss protruding from the lower shell. The computing device may include a threaded insert including an insert portion received at the cavity of the upper boss. The threaded insert may include a flange portion wider than the insert portion, and a lateral movement reduction feature. The computing device may include a fastener received through the lower boss and through the threaded insert to fasten the upper shell and lower shell to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Patrick S. Johnson, Robert R. Atkinson, JR., Tod A. Byquist, Ben M. Broili
  • Patent number: 7888790
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a bare die package and its methods of fabrication. The bare die package comprises a die electrically coupled to a package substrate, and a displacement constraint. In an embodiment of the present invention, the displacement constraint is a plurality of members fixedly attached onto the package substrate and surrounds the die. When the bare die package is secured between a socket and a heat sink, the plurality of members provide structural support to the package substrate and prevent excessive substrate warpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R Atkinson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7832215
    Abstract: A heat sink may be clamped to a thermoelectric cooler and vapor chamber using a U-shaped retention band. The band may attach underneath the vapor chamber, extending around the thermoelectric cooler, and over a heat sink. The heat sink may include a plate to distribute the force of the band across the heat sink. Bolts may be utilized to transfer the force from the free ends of the U-shaped retention band to a vapor chamber support frame. Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention, a thermoelectric cooler may be clamped to a heat sink without wasting heat transfer area through the use of bolts, without unnecessary bending, and without requiring a relatively thick base on the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20100072612
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a bare die package and its methods of fabrication The bare die package comprises a die electrically coupled to a package substrate, and a displacement constraint. In an embodiment of the present invention, the displacement constraint is a plurality of members fixedly attached onto the package substrate and surrounds the die. When the bare die package is secured between a socket and a heat sink, the plurality of members provide structural support to the package substrate and prevent excessive substrate warpage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Robert R. Atkinson, JR.
  • Patent number: 7161808
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly may be plugged into a receiving element in a printed circuit board. A retention element includes upper and lower portions. The lower portion may be plug locked onto a printed circuit board. The upper portion then telescopes into and releaseably locks in the lower portion. The upper portion may include a rod which may be rotated to free the upper portion from the lower portion for disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Atkinson