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).

  • Patent number: 11744333
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Webb, Erik L. Wang, Daniele De Iuliis, Wayne Cowan
  • Patent number: 11503885
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Publication number: 20210196011
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. WEBB, Erik L. WANG, Daniele DE IULIIS, Wayne COWAN
  • Publication number: 20210137226
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Patent number: 11000101
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Webb, Erik L. Wang, Daniele De Iuliis, Wayne Cowan
  • Patent number: 10893726
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Patent number: 10131035
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. Brickner, Ian Davison, Wayne Cowan, Naiming Fu
  • Publication number: 20180271232
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Osamu YABE, Derek C. KRASS, Scott W. SLABAUGH, Michael BRICKNER, Julian HOENIG, Wayne COWAN, Rico ZÖRKENDÖRFER, Christopher J. STRINGER, Ian DAVISON
  • Publication number: 20180242697
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. WEBB, Erik L. WANG, Daniele DE IULIIS, Wayne COWAN
  • Patent number: 10016029
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Derek C. Krass, Scott W. Slabaugh, Michael Brickner, Julian Hoenig, Wayne Cowan, Rico Zörkendörfer, Christopher J. Stringer, Ian Davison
  • Patent number: 9980539
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Webb, Erik L. Wang, Daniele De Iuliis, Wayne Cowan
  • Patent number: 9577397
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal
  • Publication number: 20150236465
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 9054477
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Brickner, Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal, Richard Heley, Mathias W. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150152559
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Brett A. Rosenthal, Wayne Cowan
  • Publication number: 20140294656
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Michael Brickner, Wayne Cowan, Brett A. Rosenthal, Richard Heley, Mathias W. Schmidt