Patents by Inventor Wayne Cowan
Wayne Cowan 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: 11744333Abstract: A wrist band for attaching a portable electronic device to a user includes articulating segments which may be releasably connected so as to provide the user the capability of sizing the wristband by adding or removing links as desired. A clasp is also disclosed for securing the wristband to a user. A manufacturing device and method are disclosed for machining complex surfaces on the segments and clasp.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Webb, Erik L. Wang, Daniele De Iuliis, Wayne Cowan
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Patent number: 11503885Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
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Publication number: 20210196011Abstract: A wrist band for attaching a portable electronic device to a user includes articulating segments which may be releasably connected so as to provide the user the capability of sizing the wristband by adding or removing links as desired. A clasp is also disclosed for securing the wristband to a user. A manufacturing device and method are disclosed for machining complex surfaces on the segments and clasp.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael J. WEBB, Erik L. WANG, Daniele DE IULIIS, Wayne COWAN
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Publication number: 20210137226Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
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Patent number: 11000101Abstract: A wrist band for attaching a portable electronic device to a user includes articulating segments which may be releasably connected so as to provide the user the capability of sizing the wristband by adding or removing links as desired. A clasp is also disclosed for securing the wristband to a user. A manufacturing device and method are disclosed for machining complex surfaces on the segments and clasp.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Webb, Erik L. Wang, Daniele De Iuliis, Wayne Cowan
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Patent number: 10893726Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
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Patent number: 10131035Abstract: Grooves are formed on an exterior surface of a component. The grooves are formed proximate to one another such that the grooves diffract light. The exterior surface is processed to reduce the sharpness of peaks between the grooves, reduce differences between the peaks and valleys of the grooves, and/or roughen the grooves. The processing reduces diffraction caused by the grooves such that light reflected from the grooves is not substantially color-shifted (e.g., is or is near the color of the reflecting surface). In various implementations, the processing may include dry blasting, etching, abrasive blasting, burnishing, grinding, ablation, an/or any other process capable of reducing the sharpness, reducing the differences, and/or roughening the surface. In implementations where dry blasting is used, the dry blasting may use ceramic beads as a blast material.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Michael T. Brickner, Ian Davison, Wayne Cowan, Naiming Fu
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Publication number: 20180271232Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Osamu YABE, Derek C. KRASS, Scott W. SLABAUGH, Michael BRICKNER, Julian HOENIG, Wayne COWAN, Rico ZÖRKENDÖRFER, Christopher J. STRINGER, Ian DAVISON
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Publication number: 20180242697Abstract: A wrist band for attaching a portable electronic device to a user includes articulating segments which may be releasably connected so as to provide the user the capability of sizing the wristband by adding or removing links as desired. A clasp is also disclosed for securing the wristband to a user. A manufacturing device and method are disclosed for machining complex surfaces on the segments and clasp.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael J. WEBB, Erik L. WANG, Daniele DE IULIIS, Wayne COWAN
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Patent number: 10016029Abstract: Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. A bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
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Patent number: 9980539Abstract: A wrist band for attaching a portable electronic device to a user includes articulating segments which may be releasably connected so as to provide the user the capability of sizing the wristband by adding or removing links as desired. A clasp is also disclosed for securing the wristband to a user. A manufacturing device and method are disclosed for machining complex surfaces on the segments and clasp.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Michael J. Webb, Erik L. Wang, Daniele De Iuliis, Wayne Cowan
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Patent number: 9577397Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing a shell assembly for an electrical connector. First and second shells of a shell assembly may be formed from metal sheets via a stamping process. The stamping process may produce a number of first shells attached to a section of metal sheet remaining after the stamping process—a guide rail—with the front end opening of the first shell being oriented at 90 degrees relative to the guide rail. A second shell may be formed and severed from a metal sheet as a result of the stamping process. One end of the first shells may be exposed after the stamping process such that the second shells may be assembled over the exposed end of the first shells to form a shell assembly. Additional operations can be performed on the shell assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal
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Publication number: 20150236465Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for manufacturing a shell assembly. First and second shells of a shell assembly may be formed from metal sheets via a stamping process. The stamping process may produce a number of first shells attached to a section of metal sheet remaining after the stamping process—a guide rail—with the front end opening of the first shell being oriented at 90 degrees relative to the guide rail. A second shell may be formed and severed from a metal sheet as a result of the stamping process. One end of the first shells may be exposed after the stamping process such that the second shells may be assembled over the exposed end of the first shells to form a shell assembly. Additional operations can be performed on the shell assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2012Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal
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Patent number: 9054477Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Brickner, Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal, Richard Heley, Mathias W. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20150152559Abstract: A method of plating the connector frames includes, in part, placing the frames in a vibrating bowl to enable the bowl's vibrations load the frames in a predefined orientation onto the vibrating bowl's channel. The properly oriented frames are delivered from this channel to a track. Subsequently, a multitude of sub-racks securely engage and lift the frames from the track. The sub-racks are afterwards aggregated to form a larger rack which transports the frames to a plating tank in which the plating operation is performed. Optionally, the spacing between adjacent frames in the track is such that no contact between adjacent frames can occur. Each sub-rack has a multitude of hooks or springs adapted to engage the frames. The sub-racks may be aggregated in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction to form the larger rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Brett A. Rosenthal, Wayne Cowan
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Publication number: 20140294656Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Michael Brickner, Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal, Richard Heley, Mathias W. Schmidt