The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 30, 2014
Filed:
Sep. 25, 2012
Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Norman Chow, Milpitas, CA (US);
Brian K. Copeland, San Jose, CA (US);
Erik D. Gillow, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Daniel A. Green, Campbell, CA (US);
David Kim, Shenzhen, CN;
William S. Masek, North Attleboro, MA (US);
Donald Q. Ross, III, San Jose, CA (US);
Chuan You Su, Shenzhen, CN;
Mark E. Wilcox, San Jose, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Methods and structures for manufacturing and assembling matching parts in a manufacturing line are described. In some embodiments, the parts are portions of a consumer product, such as an electronic device. The matching parts are manufactured and assembled in a way such that the interface between the matching parts is substantially seamless. In some embodiments, the interface has a feature with curved portions. Methods involve measuring the dimensions of a primary part and custom machining a secondary part to seamlessly fit with the primary part. In this way, the secondary part is made to uniquely fit the primary part. The primary and secondary parts can be marked to identify them as matching parts in a manufacturing environment where numerous pairs of parts are made.