Apple Inc.

Autosplice, Inc.

George Marc Simmel

Zheng Gao

Joshua R Funamura

Euan S Abraham

Brett W Degner

Mahmoud R Amini

Houtan R Farahani

Gregory Allen Springer

Min Chul Kim

William P Cornelius

George V Anastas

Robert Martin Bogursky

Chia Chi Wu

Leonid Foshansky

Todd F Gotham

Danny L McBroom

Phillip S Satterfield

Lawrence Dale Butts

Daniel A Bergvall

Robert E Fust

Larry A Barham

Chaitanya Arekar

Kyle James Ovard, Jr

Aaron P Miletich

Connector receptacle assemblies that may be simple to manufacture, provide multiple receptacles, and provide a good ground contact path. One example may provide a connector receptacle assembly formed of a housing having a tongue that may include openings on one or more sides for contacts as well as openings on its sides for ground contacts. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having at least two tongues, where each tongue may be aligned with a corresponding opening in a device enclosure. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having a tongue with a center ground contact, where the center ground contact may be located between the top row and the bottom row of contacts. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having a titanium-copper center ground contact.

Dual connector having ground planes in tongues

Mechanisms to prevent access to electronic components in an electronic device when the electronic device is receiving power. On example may provide an electronic device including a receptacle, the receptacle including a button. The button may be configured to be depressed by a user, and otherwise to be in a normal state. When the button is depressed, it may act through a locking mechanism to unlock, open, or eject a door covering one or more sockets or electronic components. When the door is closed, the locking mechanism may either prevent the door from being opened, or may maintain the door in a closed state, unless the button is depressed. When a power plug is inserted in the receptacle, the power plug may prevent access to the button. Accordingly, when the power plug is inserted, the button may not be accessible to be depressed, and the door may remain closed.

Protective locking mechanism for device enclosure

Connector receptacles that may have a reduced height when combined with a printed circuit board and reduce wasted space inside an electronic device. One example may provide a connector receptacle that fits in an opening in a printed circuit board. The connector receptacle may also be angled at an oblique angle relative to the printed circuit board such that its face may be flush with a highly stylized device enclosure.

Connector for placement in board opening

Connector receptacles may be provided, where a multiple of such connector receptacles may be readily aligned to openings in a device enclosure, particularly where the openings are located on a curved or otherwise non-planar surface of the device enclosure. One example may provide a connector assembly that includes a plurality of connector receptacles. The connector receptacles in a connector assembly may be accurately aligned or registered to each other, and the connector assembly may be accurately aligned to a device enclosure. In this way, several connector receptacles may be accurately aligned to openings in the device enclosure. In another example, two or more connector receptacles may have faces that are at an oblique angle relative to each other.

Self-registered connectors for devices having a curved surface

Connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide a good ground contact path, avoid marring of both inserts and receptacles, and can be arranged to fit in a device enclosure. These receptacles may include a subassembly that is inserted into a hollow tongue. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert molded in a housing, as well as a second number of contacts. The tongue may further include ground contacts on its sides and top. The tongue may cover edges of at least some contacts to prevent marring of both the connector receptacle and connector insert. The shell of the connector receptacle may be formed around a portion of the connector receptacle to assist in fitting the receptacle in a device enclosure.

Connector receptacle shell that forms a ground contact

High-speed connectors having a high density of contacts may be provided. One example may provide a connector having a housing with a slot forming an opening in a top side. The slot and opening may be arranged to receive a card. This connector may provide a high density of contacts by arranging the contacts in multiple rows in the slot. Various contacts may include barbs to be inserted into the housing. The barbs may be angled and may have one or more teeth to help anchor the contacts in place. A conductive or nonconductive shield or shell may be placed over the housing. When a conductive shield is used, metal pins may be inserted into the housing for mechanical stability and secured to the shield, and various contacts may have contacting portions in contact with the shield to improve signal integrity.

Edge connector having a high-density of contacts

Power-efficient actuator apparatus and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator assembly utilizes a shape memory alloy (SMA) filament driven by an electronic power source to induce movement in the underlying assembly to actuate a load (e.g., water valve). In addition, a circuit board is included which allows the actuator assembly to be readily incorporated or retrofit into a wide range of systems such that the signal characteristics of the supply line can, among other applications, be conditioned in order to protect the SMA filament. Furthermore, the circuit board can also readily be adapted for use with 'green' power sources such as photovoltaic systems and the like. Methods for manufacturing and utilizing the aforementioned actuator assembly are also disclosed.

Power-efficient actuator assemblies and methods of manufacture

Low-cost connector apparatus for passing electrical signals from one device over another via a cable. In one embodiment, the connector apparatus comprises a coaxial type connector that mates with a host device, such as via the motherboard thereof. In one variant, the connector further comprises a plurality of electrical components including an integrated circuit adapted to condition (e.g., equalize) the signals being transmitted over the cable. The connector (and hence internal electrical components) is shielded so as to mitigate the effects of EMI or RFI on the host device circuitry itself. In another variant, the signals comprise IEEE-Std. 1394 'FireWire' high speed data signals, and the use of the shielded connector in the signal pathway allows the use of lower cost cabling than would otherwise be required with a non-shielded (non-integrated) connector.

Low-cost connector apparatus and methods for use in high-speed data applications

Connectors having improved signal paths. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector having a pair of first contacts adjacent to each other. Two second contacts may be located on each side of and adjacent to the pair of first contacts. The second contacts may include a front beam portion that contacts a front shield located along a front face of the connector. The front shield may in turn connect to a top shield that at least partially covers a top, sides, and back of the connector.

Shielding for edge connector

A computing device includes a Mini DisplayPort or other standardized plug and port connection that is fully internalized within the full device housing. The port can be affixed or coupled to a printed circuit board, with a display cable having a mating plug that is plugged into the port. To prevent the inadvertent uncoupling of the plug from the port, one or more clips, clamps, fixtures, or other cable retention components can hold the cable and/or plug in place at or near where the plug inserts into the Mini DisplayPort or other standardized communication port. Added stability to the cable can also be provided at or near such location.

Internal connection retention components for computing devices

Connectors to connect optional or daughter cards or boards to main or motherboards. One example provides a connector that is capable of supporting high-speed data rates by employing contacts that provide short signal paths and a ground plane to improve signal quality. The space consumed in electronic devices may be reduced by providing a connector having a low profile, while another example may provide a connector having mechanical stability. Another example provides a connector having an increased manufacturability. Other examples include wider contacts for increased current capabilities.

Growing community of inventors

Cupertino, CA, United States of America

George Marc Simmel