Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Wilson
Thomas W. Wilson 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).
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Patent number: 9273198Abstract: Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
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Patent number: 9267022Abstract: Rubber in its uncured state is very tacky and rubber forms such as pellets, sheets, etc., tend to be hard to process due to the agglomeration and sticking of these rubber forms. Aspects of the invention use cured rubber powder as an anti-tack agent in a molding rubber mixture. In one aspect, the cured rubber powder has a particle size between 50 and 250 ?m in the uncured rubber forms, a diameter of between 1 and 10 mm, and a length of between 1 and 15 mm.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. Wilson, III, Feng-Ming Ou, Ping-Hung Tsai
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Publication number: 20160049266Abstract: An input device, such as a keyboard, includes one or more keys that each includes a keycap operable to move within an aperture of a frame to activate a switch and fabric disposed over the frame and keycap. A first region of the fabric is bonded to the keycap and a second region of the fabric is bonded to the frame. The first region may be an embossed region and the second region may be an unembossed region. The fabric may dampen sound from within the keyboard, such as noise related to movement of the keycap, activation of the switch, and so on. The fabric may also form a barrier that restricts passage of contaminants into the aperture and/or other portions of the input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Benjamin A. Cousins, Melody Kuna, Sean S. Corbin, John M. Brock, Robert S. Murphy, Thomas W. Wilson, JR.
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Publication number: 20150301563Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing in which a display is mounted. A gasket may be mounted in a groove between the display and housing. The gasket may contain an embedded stiffener. Corner brackets may be installed in the corners of the housing. The housing may have inner and outer concentric ribs. Recesses in the housing may be configured to receive the corner brackets. The recesses may be formed between the inner and outer concentric ribs. Gap filling structures such as a foam layer may be interposed between a rear housing wall and a display backlight unit. Display color variations may be corrected by using a backlight unit having an array of light-emitting diodes of different colors. An electrostatic discharge protection layer may be grounded to a housing using conductive tape. Black edge coatings and adhesive-based structures may block stray light. Camera window regions may be supported using adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Joss Nathan Giddings, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Victor H. Yin, Jun Qi, Meizi Jiao, Paul Xiaopeng Wang
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Publication number: 20150274943Abstract: Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
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Publication number: 20150268510Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
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Patent number: 9143668Abstract: A camera may be mounted under a display in an electronic device. The display may include a polarizer layer, a color filter layer, and a thin-film-transistor layer. A layer of material such as a glass insert may be attached to an edge of the display. Openings may be formed in the layers of the display and the insert to accommodate the camera. A sleeve structure may be mounted within an opening. The camera may include lens structures formed from a stack of lens elements. One or more layers of the display may be interposed within the lens structures. The glass insert may be mounted within a notch in the color filter layer and thin-film transistor layer or along a straight edge of the color filter layer and thin-film transistor layer. The edge of the color filter layer may be recessed with respect to form a mounting shelf for the insert.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Keith J. Hendren, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Adam T. Garelli
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Publication number: 20150243457Abstract: A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, Craig C. Leong, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., John M. Brock
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Patent number: 9093229Abstract: In a first embodiment, an input device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, a feature plate having at least one anchoring mechanism operably connected to the support mechanism, and an illumination panel. The illumination panel is positioned between the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The at least one anchoring member extends through a portion of the illumination panel. In a second embodiment, an input device includes a keycap, a support mechanism configured to move the keycap, a support plate operably connected to the support mechanism, and an illumination panel. The illumination panel includes a light source, a light guide, and a frame substantially surrounding the light guide. Light illuminated from the light source is directed by the light guide and the frame towards the keycap.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Brad Patton
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Patent number: 9085675Abstract: Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
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Publication number: 20150193038Abstract: An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch-sensitive track pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a tracking control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable track pad so as to generate one or more other control signals (e.g., button signals). The control signals can be used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Brett William Degner, Patrick Kessler, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Bartley K. Andre, Matthew P. Casebolt
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Patent number: 9075567Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing in which a display is mounted. A gasket may be mounted in a groove between the display and housing. The gasket may contain an embedded stiffener. Corner brackets may be installed in the corners of the housing. The housing may have inner and outer concentric ribs. Recesses in the housing may be configured to receive the corner brackets. The recesses may be formed between the inner and outer concentric ribs. Gap filling structures such as a foam layer may be interposed between a rear housing wall and a display backlight unit. Display color variations may be corrected by using a backlight unit having an array of light-emitting diodes of different colors. An electrostatic discharge protection layer may be grounded to a housing using conductive tape. Black edge coatings and adhesive-based structures may block stray light. Camera window regions may be supported using adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Joss Nathan Giddings, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Jun Qi, Meizi Jiao, Paul Xiaopeng Wang
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Patent number: 9069525Abstract: An electronic device display may have a color filter layer and a thin film transistor layer. A layer of liquid crystal material may be interposed between the color filter layer and the thin film transistor layer. A layer of polarizer may be laminated onto the surface of the color filter layer. Laser trimming may ensure that the edges of the polarizer are even with the edges of the color filter layer. The thin film transistor layer may have an array of thin film transistors that control pixels of the liquid crystal material in the display. Driver circuitry may be used to control the array. The driver circuitry may be encapsulated in a planarized encapsulant on the thin film transistor layer or may be mounted to the underside of the color filter layer. Conductive structures may connect driver circuitry on the color filter layer to the thin film transistor layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs, John Z. Zhong, Steve Hotelling, Lynn Youngs, Kuo-Hua Sung
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Publication number: 20150177899Abstract: A haptic response element is contemplated. The haptic response element may generate a tactile feeling as an output and is associated with a computing device. The tactile feeling may be created by moving a part of the haptic response element. A gel may act to return the moving part of the haptic response element to a starting or zero point. Motion of the moving part may exert a shear force on the gel, rather than a compressive force.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Peteris k. Augenbergs, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Jonah A. Harley, Patrick Kessler, John M. Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, JR.
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Publication number: 20150138710Abstract: An electronic device housing may have upper and lower portions that are attached with a hinge. At least one portion of the housing may have a rear planar surface and peripheral sidewalls having edges. A display module may be mounted in the housing. The display module may have glass layers such as a color filter glass layer and a thin-film transistor substrate. The color filter glass layer may serve as the outermost glass layer in the display module. The edges of the display module may be aligned with the edges of the peripheral housing sidewalls to create the appearance of a borderless display for the electronic device. The display module may be provided with an opening that allows a camera or other electronic components to receive light. Traces may be provided on the underside of the thin-film transistor substrate to serve as signal paths for the electrical components.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Dinesh C. Mathew, Thomas W. Wilson, JR., Victor H. Yin, Bryan W. Posner, Chris Ligtenberg, Brett W. Degner, Peteris K. Augenbergs
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Publication number: 20150133580Abstract: An elastomer composition includes guayule rubber and a butadiene rubber, with at least about 5 phr guayule rubber based on 100 phr elastomer. The cured rubber has a higher coefficient of friction as compared to a cured rubber of the same formulation except using Hevea rubber rather than guayule rubber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Thomas W. Wilson, III
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Publication number: 20150130730Abstract: An electronic device including a processor, a display screen in communication with the processor, a track pad in communication with the processor including a movable surface that is selectively movable in at least one direction to provide feedback to a user, and a feedback system in communication with the processor including a feedback sensor. The feedback sensor determines a movement characteristic of the movable surface and the processor selectively adjusts at least one setting of the track pad based on the movement characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Jonah A. Harley, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Patrick Kessler, Kenneth L. Staton, Dhaval Chandrakant Patel, Thomas W. Wilson, JR.
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Publication number: 20150119517Abstract: Rubber in its uncured state is very tacky and rubber forms such as pellets, sheets, etc., tend to be hard to process due to the agglomeration and sticking of these rubber forms. Aspects of the invention use cured rubber powder as an anti-tack agent in a molding rubber mixture. In one aspect, the cured rubber powder has a particle size between 50 and 250 ?m in the uncured rubber forms, a diameter of between 1 and 10 mm, and a length of between 1 and 15 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. Wilson, III, Feng-Ming Ou, Ping-Hung Tsai
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Patent number: 8981243Abstract: An input device configured to communicate with a computing device includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a second position, and a feature plate operably connected to the support mechanism. The support mechanism includes a first support and a second support. The first support and the second support are each connected to the at least one keycap and the feature plate. The first support and second support pivot to allow vertical movement of the keycap but lateral movement of the first support and second support are restricted.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Craig C. Leong, James J. Niu, Keith J. Hendren, John M. Brock, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr.
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Patent number: 8941795Abstract: An electronic device may have a liquid crystal display with backlight structures. The backlight structures may produce backlight that passes through display layers in the display. The display layers may include color filter elements, a liquid crystal layer, and a thin-film transistor layer. The color filter elements may be interposed between the thin-film transistor layer and the backlight structures or the thin-film transistor layer may be interposed between the color filter elements and the backlight structures. The backlight structures may be formed from optical fiber, a two-dimensional array of light-emitting diodes, a light guide plate that includes a rectangular recess for receiving optical films, or light guide plate structures that include internal light scattering structures. A light guide plate may be provided with alignment features that mate with alignment features on optical films.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Adam T. Garelli, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Thomas W. Wilson, Jr., Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Keith J. Hendren, Peteris K. Augenbergs