Patents by Inventor Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans

Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans 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: 9779895
    Abstract: A small form-factor input device operative to be coupled to an electronic device using a cable may include a circuit board; a first electrical switch disposed on a first side of the circuit board; a second electrical switch disposed on a second side of the circuit board; a frame defining a periphery, wherein the circuit board is maintained within the periphery of the frame; first and second shells that house the circuit board, the first shell placed over the first side of the circuit board, and the second shell placed over the second side of the circuit board; and at least one clip coupled to each one of the first shell and the second shell, wherein the at least one clip is operative to engage the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Michelle Yu, Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Cameron Frazier
  • Publication number: 20160155584
    Abstract: A small form-factor input device operative to be coupled to an electronic device using a cable may include a circuit board; a first electrical switch disposed on a first side of the circuit board; a second electrical switch disposed on a second side of the circuit board; a frame defining a periphery, wherein the circuit board is maintained within the periphery of the frame; first and second shells that house the circuit board, the first shell placed over the first side of the circuit board, and the second shell placed over the second side of the circuit board; and at least one clip coupled to each one of the first shell and the second shell, wherein the at least one clip is operative to engage the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Michelle Yu, Wilhelmus M.C. Crooijmans, Cameron Frazier
  • Patent number: 9263203
    Abstract: A small form-factor input device operative to be coupled to an electronic device using a cable may include a circuit board; a first electrical switch disposed on a first side of the circuit board; a second electrical switch disposed on a second side of the circuit board; a frame defining a periphery, wherein the circuit board is maintained within the periphery of the frame; first and second shells that house the circuit board, the first shell placed over the first side of the circuit board, and the second shell placed over the second side of the circuit board; and at least one clip coupled to each one of the first shell and the second shell, wherein the at least one clip is operative to engage the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Michelle Yu, Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Cameron Frazier
  • Publication number: 20130341168
    Abstract: A small form-factor input device operative to be coupled to an electronic device using a cable may include a circuit board; a first electrical switch disposed on a first side of the circuit board; a second electrical switch disposed on a second side of the circuit board; a frame defining a periphery, wherein the circuit board is maintained within the periphery of the frame; first and second shells that house the circuit board, the first shell placed over the first side of the circuit board, and the second shell placed over the second side of the circuit board; and at least one clip coupled to each one of the first shell and the second shell, wherein the at least one clip is operative to engage the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Michelle Yu, Wilhelmus M.C. Crooijmans, Cameron Frazier
  • Patent number: 8456864
    Abstract: The present description is directed to small form-factor input devices operative to be coupled to an electronic device using a cable. For example, in some embodiments, an input device is described for providing one or more inputs to an electrical device, wherein the input device comprises a circuit board having first and second sides; a first electrical switch disposed on the first side of the circuit board; a second electrical switch disposed on the first side of the circuit board; a third electrical switch disposed on the second side of the circuit board; a frame defining a periphery, wherein the circuit board is maintained within the periphery of the frame; top and bottom shells that house the circuit board, the top shell placed over the first side of the circuit board, and the bottom shell placed over the second side of the circuit board; and at least one clip coupled to each one of the top shell and the bottom shell, wherein the at least one clip is operative to engage the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Michelle Yu, Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Cameron Frazier
  • Patent number: 8292663
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Kurt Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20120178283
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus M.C. Crooijmans, Kurt Stiehl
  • Patent number: 8052468
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Kurt Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20110021084
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus M.C. Crooijmans, Kurt Stiehl
  • Patent number: 7833055
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Kurt Stiehl
  • Publication number: 20100009575
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus M.C. Crooijmans, Kurt Stiehl
  • Patent number: 7557320
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a surface-mounted dome switch for use in an electronic device. The switch may include a dome having a conductive inner surface operative to create an electrical path between adjacent conductive pads of a circuit board. The dome may include a tab extending away from the periphery of the dome such that the tab is parallel to the circuit board when the dome is mounted to the circuit board. The tab may be mounted a pad on the circuit board using SMT, in the same manner that any other electronic device component would be mounted. In some embodiments, a raised edge may be inserted underneath the dome to increase the travel required to actuate the dome. The increased travel may provide a more pleasing user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Christopher D. Prest
  • Publication number: 20090122510
    Abstract: The present description is directed to small form-factor input devices operative to be coupled to an electronic device using a cable. For example, in some embodiments, an input device is described for providing one or more inputs to an electrical device, wherein the input device comprises a circuit board having first and second sides; a first electrical switch disposed on the first side of the circuit board; a second electrical switch disposed on the first side of the circuit board; a third electrical switch disposed on the second side of the circuit board; a frame defining a periphery, wherein the circuit board is maintained within the periphery of the frame; top and bottom shells that house the circuit board, the top shell placed over the first side of the circuit board, and the bottom shell placed over the second side of the circuit board; and at least one clip coupled to each one of the top shell and the bottom shell, wherein the at least one clip is operative to engage the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Michelle Yu, Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Cameron Frazier