Apple Inc.

James G Smeenge

Dominic E Dolci

Daniele De Iuliis

Ricardo Alba Mariano

Cesar Lozano Villarreal

Victoria A Spielmann

Alexander Michael Kwan

Matthew Dean Rohrbach

Douglas Lea Heirich

Simon R Lancaster-Larocque

Vinh H Diep

Steven W Holmes

Chiew-Siang Goh

Gerardo Salas Bolanos

Cesar Lozano

Vicki Spielmann

Cesar Lozano Villareal

Jason Alan Burton

The described embodiments relate generally to ultrasonic welding and more particularly to performing an ultrasonic welding operation while rotating one part relative to a mating part. A non-uniform energy director can be disposed along a mating surface of a first part. The energy director can maintain a constant cross-sectional area while having a smaller height near a pivot point for the rotation and a larger height away from the pivot point. The varying height of the energy director can allow the tip of the energy director to come in contact with a second part rotating relative to the first part at approximately the same time during the ultrasonic welding process.

Ultrasonic welding

Various embodiments of low profile male connectors are described. In one embodiment, a connector includes a plug housing having a depth and an interior cavity designed to accommodate pins that extend within the interior cavity in a direction of the depth. The plug housing may be designed to be fully insertable into a receptacle connector of an electronic device, and to have a rear surface that conforms with a shape of an exterior surface of the electronic device. The pins arranged in the plug housing may include various features, such as connecting portions protruding from the plug housing at an angle of approximately 90 degrees for coupling to a cable, bases including cutouts for extending a length of an elongated shaft of the pin, barbs for engaging the plug housing, and limit stops for distributing a force applied to the elongated shaft upon engagement with a receiving pin.

Low profile male connector

An electronic device may be provided with electronic components such as radio-frequency transceiver integrated circuits and other integrated circuits that are be sensitive to electromagnetic interference. Metal structures are configured to serve both as heat sinking structures for the electrical components and electromagnetic interference shielding. Components are mounted to the substrate using solder. Metal fence structures are also soldered to the substrate. Each metal fence has an opening that covers a respective one of the components. A thermally conductive elastomeric gap filler pad is mounted in the opening. A metal heat spreading structure is electrically shorted to the fence using a conductive gasket that surrounds the gap filler pad so that the structure serves as an electromagnetic interference shield. Heat from the component travels through the gap filler pad to the metal heat spreading structure so that the heat spreading structure may laterally spread and dissipate the heat.

Heat sinking and electromagnetic shielding structures

Apparatus that may help identify unauthorized removal of goods while maintaining a pleasing physical appearance, avoiding theft misidentifications, and allowing a high degree of customer interaction. One example may provide a signal path for conveying a signal that is active when a good or device is removed from a retail or other environment in an authorized manner. The signal path may be wired or wireless. In another example, a signal path for a sensor may be inconspicuously combined with a power cable. In another example, theft misidentifications may be prevented by not relying on connections that a customer is likely to interact with to detect a theft. Another example may provide a security device that may allow a high degree of customer interaction by unobtrusively attaching a sensor to the back of a good to be protected.

Power cable having security feature

A connector of a cable (e.g., a 30-pin connector) can be used to facilitate various security-related and other functionalities. For example, a connector can include security locking mechanisms for engaging or locking the connector to a portable electronic device. A connector can additionally support the transmission of security signals, data signals, power, and/or the like. An unlocking tool can be used to disengage a connector locked to the portable electronic device. More specifically, the unlocking tool can be applied to a connector and cause the locking mechanisms of the connector to release such that the connector can be freely disconnected from a connected portable electronic device.

Unlocking tool for male connector

Various embodiments of digital signage systems and docking stations are described. In one embodiment, a digital signage system includes an electronic device having a rear surface and an opposing front surface at which a display of the electronic device may be viewed. The system also includes a body for supporting the electronic device. A recessed region is formed in the body from a top surface of the body, and the electronic device is positioned within the recessed region such that the rear surface of the electronic device fits entirely within the recessed region and the front surface of the electronic device is substantially flush with a portion of a top surface of the body that surrounds the recessed region. An aperture may be formed at least partially through the recessed region for receiving a cable assembly operable to connect to the electronic device. An elongated cutout may also be formed, extending from the aperture to an edge or edge surface of the body, and sized so that an insulated wire of the cable assembly can extend from the aperture to the edge or edge surface of the body.

Docking station for providing digital signage

Connector

Connector with locking mechanisms

A computer assembly is disclosed. The computer assembly comprises a chassis and a mounting module rigidly coupled to the chassis. The mounting module is for cooling the computer assembly when in operation. The computer assembly includes at least one circuit board suspended from the module. The at least one circuit board has a known orientation relative to the module and the at least one circuit board has a variable orientation relative to the chassis. A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides a stable mounting for the cooling system that includes a large heat sink. The method and system in accordance with the present invention prevents the disturbance of the critical alignment of the printed circuit board with the heatsink from shock and vibration loading. The system and method in accordance with the present invention provides features that ensure full and consistent engagement of the high density signal connectors, while preventing damage to these fragile components in installation and service. Finally, the system and method in accordance with the present invention provides a quick and easy means of assembly of the system, to enable secure reliable interconnection of the printed circuit board with the suspended circuit board (daughter board), while supporting the cooling system heatsink.

Processor module mounting assembly and a method of use

Growing community of inventors

Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

James G Smeenge