公开(公告)号：US11504945B2

公开(公告)日：2022-11-22

申请号：US16358590

申请日：2019-03-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Sofiane Berlat ,  Aedhan M. Loomis ,  Peter F. Coxeter ,  Sarah J. Montplaisir ,  Timon A. Wright ,  Yohji Hamada ,  Patrick Perry ,  Chad J. Miller ,  Andrew L. Rosenberg ,  Daniel A. Podhajny ,  Daniel D. Sunshine ,  Jessica J. Lu ,  Lia M. Uesato ,  Donald L. Olmstead

IPC: B32B7/09 ,  D04B1/08 ,  D04B21/20 ,  D04B1/22 ,  D05B1/06 ,  D05B93/00 ,  B29C70/24 ,  B29C65/00 ,  A45C11/00 ,  B32B3/26 ,  B32B5/06

Abstract: An item may be formed from structures that include holes. Stitching may be used to form a seam that joins the structures. The stitching may be formed from a chain stitch that passes through the holes. The holes may be formed from loops of knit fabric or other holes. Leather layers, polymer layers, fabric layers, and other structures with holes may be joined using the stitching. During fabrication, a layer of material with holes may be placed on an adjustable-shape fixture having a bed of needles. The shape of the bed of nails in the adjustable-shape fixture may then be changed. After the fixture has been used to transform the shape of one or more of the structures, the structures may be placed on needles in an assembly fixture and the stitching between the structures may be formed. The item may be an electronic device cover or other item.

公开(公告)号：US09894789B1

公开(公告)日：2018-02-13

申请号：US14579953

申请日：2014-12-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Yohji Hamada ,  John J. Baker ,  Peter F. Coxeter ,  Benjamin M. Rappoport ,  Joseph B. Walker

IPC: B32B3/26 ,  H05K5/03 ,  B32B5/02 ,  B32B38/00 ,  B32B37/18 ,  B32B37/12

CPC classification number: H05K5/03 ,  B32B3/266 ,  B32B5/026 ,  B32B37/12 ,  B32B37/18 ,  B32B38/0004 ,  B32B38/0008 ,  B32B2250/03 ,  B32B2305/182 ,  B32B2457/00

Abstract: Electronic equipment may include structured fabric. Structured fabric may be used as a protective case or cosmetic cover for an electronic device, may be used to form a band that holds an electronic device against a user's body, or may be used to cover one or more openings in an electronic device. Structured fabrics may be soft and pliable while maintaining the ability to hold a given shape without added support. Structured fabric may be formed by laminating fabric such as warp-knit fabric with a stiffener such as polymer film. Structured fabrics may include openings through which signals such as optical or audio signals pass. To maintain the geometry and shape of the openings in the structured fabric without covering the openings, the stiffener and adhesive that are attached to the fabric may be cut to form a pattern of openings that align with the openings in the fabric.

公开(公告)号：US11668026B2

公开(公告)日：2023-06-06

申请号：US16415486

申请日：2019-05-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Peter F. Coxeter ,  Didio V. Gomes ,  Benjamin J. Grena ,  Steven J. Keating ,  David M. Kindlon ,  Maurice P. May ,  Daniel A. Podhajny ,  Andrew L. Rosenberg ,  Daniel D. Sunshine

IPC: D03D1/00 ,  D02G3/44 ,  H05K1/03 ,  H05K3/34

CPC classification number: D03D1/0088 ,  D02G3/441 ,  H05K1/038 ,  H05K3/34 ,  H05K2201/029

Abstract: A fabric-based item may include fabric formed from intertwined strands of material. The fabric may include first and second fabric layers that at least partially surround a pocket. Initially, the pocket may be completely enclosed by the first and second layers of fabric. A shim may be placed in the pocket before the pocket is closed. An opening may be formed in the first layer of fabric to expose a conductive strand in the pocket. The shim may prevent the cutting tool from cutting all the way through to the second layer of fabric. After cutting the hole in the first layer of fabric, the shim may be removed and an electrical component may be soldered to the conductive strand in the pocket. A polymer material may be injected into the pocket to encapsulate the electrical component. The polymer material may interlock with the surrounding pocket walls.

公开(公告)号：US20200087823A1

公开(公告)日：2020-03-19

申请号：US16415486

申请日：2019-05-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Peter F. Coxeter ,  Didio V. Gomes ,  Benjamin J. Grena ,  Steven J. Keating ,  David M. Kindlon ,  Maurice P. May ,  Daniel A. Podhajny ,  Andrew L. Rosenberg ,  Daniel D. Sunshine

IPC: D03D1/00 ,  D02G3/44 ,  H05K1/03

Abstract: A fabric-based item may include fabric formed from intertwined strands of material. The fabric may include first and second fabric layers that at least partially surround a pocket. Initially, the pocket may be completely enclosed by the first and second layers of fabric. A shim may be placed in the pocket before the pocket is closed. An opening may be formed in the first layer of fabric to expose a conductive strand in the pocket. The shim may prevent the cutting tool from cutting all the way through to the second layer of fabric. After cutting the hole in the first layer of fabric, the shim may be removed and an electrical component may be soldered to the conductive strand in the pocket. A polymer material may be injected into the pocket to encapsulate the electrical component. The polymer material may interlock with the surrounding pocket walls.

公开(公告)号：US09623646B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-18

申请号：US14259907

申请日：2014-04-23

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Harry W. Smith, IV ,  Peter F. Coxeter ,  Jonathan T. Mechak ,  Adam L. Nekimken ,  Julio C. Quintero

IPC: B32B38/10 ,  B32B38/00 ,  B29C59/02 ,  H01L21/56

CPC classification number: B32B38/0004 ,  B29C59/02 ,  B32B38/10 ,  B32B2317/08 ,  B32B2457/00 ,  H01L21/568 ,  Y10T156/1026 ,  Y10T156/12

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to a method for embedding one or more electrical components in a flexible substrate. The method includes receiving a substrate of a flexible material, wherein the substrate includes a cosmetic surface and an opposing surface. The method further includes applying a carrier form to the substrate to create a carrier assembly, wherein the carrier form includes one or more positive images representative a design to be transferred to the opposing surface of the substrate. The method further includes removing or cutting a portion of material from the opposing surface of the substrate to form a new opposing surface. Subsequently, the carrier form is removed from the substrate to reveal one or more embedding cavities extending into the substrate at the new opposing surface. In some embodiments, the embedding cavities can thereafter receive one or more electrical components.

公开(公告)号：US11963324B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-16

申请号：US17210388

申请日：2021-03-23

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Yohji Hamada ,  John J. Baker ,  Peter F. Coxeter ,  Benjamin M. Rappoport ,  Joseph B. Walker

IPC: H05K5/03 ,  B32B3/26 ,  B32B5/02 ,  B32B37/12 ,  B32B37/18 ,  B32B38/00

CPC classification number: H05K5/03 ,  B32B3/266 ,  B32B5/026 ,  B32B37/12 ,  B32B37/18 ,  B32B38/0004 ,  B32B38/0008 ,  B32B2250/03 ,  B32B2305/182 ,  B32B2457/00 ,  Y10T428/24273 ,  Y10T428/24306 ,  Y10T428/24322

Abstract: Electronic equipment may include structured fabric. Structured fabric may be used as a protective case or cosmetic cover for an electronic device, may be used to form a band that holds an electronic device against a user's body, or may be used to cover one or more openings in an electronic device. Structured fabrics may be soft and pliable while maintaining the ability to hold a given shape without added support. Structured fabric may be formed by laminating fabric such as warp-knit fabric with a stiffener such as polymer film. Structured fabrics may include openings through which signals such as optical or audio signals pass. To maintain the geometry and shape of the openings in the structured fabric without covering the openings, the stiffener and adhesive that are attached to the fabric may be cut to form a pattern of openings that align with the openings in the fabric.

公开(公告)号：US20210212228A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-08

申请号：US17210388

申请日：2021-03-23

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Yohji Hamada ,  John J. Baker ,  Peter F. Coxeter ,  Benjamin M. Rappoport ,  Joseph B. Walker

IPC: H05K5/03 ,  B32B37/12 ,  B32B37/18 ,  B32B38/00 ,  B32B3/26 ,  B32B5/02

Abstract: Electronic equipment may include structured fabric. Structured fabric may be used as a protective case or cosmetic cover for an electronic device, may be used to form a band that holds an electronic device against a user's body, or may be used to cover one or more openings in an electronic device. Structured fabrics may be soft and pliable while maintaining the ability to hold a given shape without added support. Structured fabric may be formed by laminating fabric such as warp-knit fabric with a stiffener such as polymer film. Structured fabrics may include openings through which signals such as optical or audio signals pass. To maintain the geometry and shape of the openings in the structured fabric without covering the openings, the stiffener and adhesive that are attached to the fabric may be cut to form a pattern of openings that align with the openings in the fabric.

公开(公告)号：US10427374B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-01

申请号：US15920340

申请日：2018-03-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Yohji Hamada ,  Siddhartha Hegde ,  Zebinah P. Masse ,  Rimple Bhatia ,  Peter F. Coxeter ,  Amit S. Barve ,  Donald L. Olmstead ,  Javier Mendez

IPC: B32B1/08 ,  B32B5/02 ,  B32B3/26 ,  B32B27/12 ,  B32B27/08 ,  B32B5/26 ,  B32B7/12 ,  B32B7/03 ,  H04R1/02

Abstract: Electronic equipment may include seamless spacer fabric. Seamless spacer fabric may be used as a protective case or cosmetic cover for an electronic device such as a speaker. A seamless spacer fabric may include a seamless fabric outer layer, a spacer fabric inner layer, and an adhesive layer that bonds the seamless outer layer to the spacer fabric inner layer. The spacer fabric layer may have a seam region where one portion of the spacer fabric layer is joined with another portion of the fabric layer. The seamless fabric outer layer may cover the seam region to hide it from view. One or more additional seam hiding layers or strips may be formed on opposing sides of the spacer fabric layer to cover the seam. The seamless spacer fabric may have an array of openings that extends uniformly around the perimeter of the seamless spacer fabric.

公开(公告)号：US12256812B1

公开(公告)日：2025-03-25

申请号：US17481167

申请日：2021-09-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Kathryn P. Crews ,  Peter F. Coxeter ,  Yiwei Tao ,  Shantanu R. Ranade ,  Christopher I. Edwards ,  David M. Kindlon ,  Linda D. Benavente-Notaro

IPC: A44C5/14 ,  G04B37/14

Abstract: A watch band for a smart watch can secure the smart watch to the user's wrist. The watch band can include a continuous loop of woven material to conform around the user's wrist. The watch band can further include an encasement formed from a rigid material to receive the smart watch. The encasement can protect the smart watch during activities. The watch band can include a retention portion formed from a transparent material to receive the smart watch. The watch band can also include light emitted diodes to increase visibility.

公开(公告)号：US11998090B1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-04

申请号：US17554350

申请日：2021-12-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Kathryn P. Crews ,  Peter F. Coxeter ,  Yiwei Tao ,  Shantanu R Ranade ,  Christopher I. Edwards ,  David M. Kindlon ,  Linda D. Benavente-Notaro

IPC: G06F3/01 ,  A44C5/00 ,  G06K19/06

CPC classification number: A44C5/0053 ,  G06F3/011 ,  G06K19/0614

Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure can provide a watch band that provide a marker pattern to a computer-generated reality device. The watch band can include structures or features that provide an identifiable marker pattern to the computer-generated reality device. The structures or features that provide the marker pattern can be invisible or imperceptible to the user. Structures or features of the watch band can include infrared reflective thread, visually obscured markers, or lenticular lens assemblies.