Apple Inc.

Paul Z Yuan

Min Chul Kim

Joseph Tang

Nathan Nicholas Ng

Josh Pong

Charles A Schwalbach

George Tziviskos

David B Kosecoff

Steven Charles Michalske

David Samuel Kumka

Robert Scritzky

Joshua J Pong

Xuan Liu

Clayton R Woosley

Ariadne Smith

Aditya Rao

Joseph I Briskey

Yufan Liao

Bo Feng

Eric H Wong

Systems for presenting electrically supported devices and methods for assembling the same are provided. A platform assembly may be equipped with one or more features for enabling a support module assembly to be easily removed from a bottom table surface of a table and replaced with another support module subassembly (e.g., to physically upgrade the support module assembly) while maintaining the position of a user device and/or cable assembly with respect to the table).

System for presenting electrically supported devices

High speed connector inserts and cables having improved heat conduction, high strength, and may be manufactured in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector insert having several paths by which heat may be removed from circuitry in the cable insert. In one example, heat may be removed from one or more circuits by forming a thermal path between a circuit and a shield of the connector insert. Another path may include one or more pads on a side of an integrated circuit board that are soldered directly to the shield. A braiding surrounding a cable may be soldered or otherwise thermally connected to the shield. Another example may provide a cable having a braiding that includes one or more types of fibers, such as aramid fibers. Another example may provide for increased manufacturability by using a wire comb and a solder bar.

High-speed connector inserts and cables

A cable connector and methods for the assembly thereof are disclosed. The cable connector eliminates potential for short events during plug insertion, provides good contact resistance, and can support high speed data transactions. The cable connector further includes a rotating lock design that provides a secure connection.

Cable connectors and methods for the assembly thereof

A cable assembly including a connector insert to fit in a connector receptacle in an electronic device, where a back surface of the connector insert is substantially flush with an outside of an enclosure for the electronic device. One example may provide a cable assembly that includes a connector insert formed by wrapping a flexible circuit board at least partially around a housing. The flexible circuit board may be routed against an underside of the electronic device such that it does not obstruct a user, consume space in a display area, or have an undesirable appearance.

Low-profile plug with cam and flexible circuit board

Structures and methods that simplify the assembly of connector inserts. One example may provide a connector insert having a termination block that is arranged to receive an end of a cable. The termination block may provide a first number of conductors in a first row and a second number of conductors in a second row. The termination block may be stepped such that the first number of conductors emerge from the termination block at a different position along their lengths than the second number of conductors. The first number of conductors may then attach to a first side of a printed circuit board or other connector portion, while the second number of conductors may then attach to a second side of the printed circuit board or other connector portion.

Stepped termination block

Power plugs that provide reliable functionality, may be reliably manufactured, and have a pleasant appearance. One example may provide a power plug that functions in a reliable manner by providing a ground connection that may maintain its shape over several insertions and removals from a wall socket. A relatively large ground block may act as a heat sink to help reduce plug temperature during operation. Another example may provide a power plug that may be reliably manufactured by forming the ground block as a solid piece to prevent buckling and bending during plug manufacturing that may otherwise result. Another example may provide a power plug that has an attractive appearance by employing a bridge having a flat surface such that after an overmold is formed over the bridge, a face of the plug has a resulting flat, smooth appearance.

Euro power plug

Method of manufacturing high-speed connector inserts and cables

Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide protection from exposed wires or terminals when a power plug is damaged or destroyed. One example may provide a plug having an inner cover that shields power carrying wires or terminals when an outer shell is damaged or destroyed. The inner cover may include openings to receive conductors, where the openings may lead to terminals or wires that connect to plug prongs. The received conductors may attach directly or indirectly to an outer shell, and further to a power cord, circuitry, or other electronic components. When the outer shell is damaged or destroyed, the conductors may pull out of the openings in the inner cover, thus disconnecting from the wires or terminals. The wires or terminals may thus remain protected by the inner shell, avoiding exposure to contact by users or inadvertent conductors.

Power connector having protective interior cover

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Paul Z Yuan