Stephen F Lynch

US Patent:

7544066, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Jun 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/135013

Inventors:

Stephen Brian Lynch - Alamo CA, US
Jason Sloey - San Jose CA, US
Cameron Frazier - San Carlos CA, US
Mathias Schmidt - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H01R 12/00

US Classification:

439 77, 439496

Abstract:

An electrical connector that utilizes a flexible substrate for providing electrical contact surfaces within the electrical connector is disclosed. Advantageously, the electrical contact surfaces can be precisely formed on the flexible substrate such that manual assembly of individual contacts (e. g. , pins) for a connector can be avoided. In one embodiment, the flexible substrate also facilitates connection of the electrical connector to other electrical components, such as other substrates, integrated circuits, etc. , without having to solder leads or pins of a connector to a printed circuit board. In one implementation, the flexible substrate can be integrally formed with a system substrate.

US Patent:

7697281, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Sep 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/205824

Inventors:

Teodor Dabov - San Francisco CA, US
HuiLeng Lim - San Jose CA, US
Kyle Yeates - Palo Alto CA, US
Stephen Brian Lynch - Portola Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1/16

US Classification:

36167955

Abstract:

A minimum Z height handheld electronic device and methods of assembly is described. The electronic device includes a single seamless housing having a front opening and a cover disposed within the front opening and attached to the seamless housing without a bezel.

US Patent:

7710737, May 4, 2010

Filed:

Apr 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/100670

Inventors:

Stephen Brian Lynch - San Francisco CA, US
Dinesh Mathew - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 1/00

US Classification:

361748, 174520, 174565, 174135

Abstract:

This invention is directed to a support plate for reinforcing a portion of a circuit board. The support plate may be coupled to a portion of the circuit board that is subject to forces (e. g. , portions of the circuit board having switches) to prevent flexing of the board. The support plate may be coupled to the circuit board. This invention is also directed to a switch constructed from a button, a label plate, and a backer plate. The label plate and the backer plate may include apertures operative to receive a protrusion extending from the button, where the protrusion is welded to the backer plate. Labels may be printed or attached to the bottom surface of the label plate to protect the labels. In some embodiments, the protrusion may be welded to the backer plate. The protrusion may be operative to engage an electrical switch of an electronic device in which the switch is placed.

US Patent:

7771240, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Aug 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/188735

Inventors:

Stephen Brian Lynch - San Francisco CA, US
Emery Sanford - San Francisco CA, US
Cameron Frazier - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H01R 24/04

US Classification:

439668, 174 5056, 29620

Abstract:

This invention is directed to systems and methods for providing a port in an electronic device housing that is electrically isolated from a conductive portion of a connector inserted in the port. In some embodiments, the connector may include a non-conductive flange or ring operative to contact the housing and the portions of the housing within the port. In some embodiments, a thin layer of non-conductive material may be applied to the portions of the housing within the port to prevent conductive portions of the connector from coming into contact with the housing (e. g. , and grounding the conductive portion. This invention may be of particular interest when the conductive portion that may come into contact with the housing is not used to ground the connector.

US Patent:

7869206, Jan 11, 2011

Filed:

Sep 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/205826

Inventors:

Teodor Dabov - San Francisco CA, US
Hui Leng Lim - San Jose CA, US
Kyle Yeates - Palo Alto CA, US
Stephen Brian Lynch - Portola Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1/16

US Classification:

36167955

Abstract:

A minimum Z height handheld electronic device and methods of assembly is described. The electronic device includes a single seamless housing having a front opening and a cover disposed within the front opening and attached to the seamless housing without a bezel.

US Patent:

7961476, Jun 14, 2011

Filed:

Feb 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/710026

Inventors:

Stephen Brian Lynch - San Francisco CA, US
Dinesh Mathew - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 1/00

US Classification:

361748, 200315, 200317

Abstract:

This invention is directed to a support plate for reinforcing a portion of a circuit board. The support plate may be coupled to a portion of the circuit board that is subject to forces (e. g. , portions of the circuit board having switches) to prevent flexing of the board. The support plate may be coupled to the circuit board. This invention is also directed to a switch constructed from a button, a label plate, and a backer plate. The label plate and the backer plate may include apertures operative to receive a protrusion extending from the button, where the protrusion is welded to the backer plate. Labels may be printed or attached to the bottom surface of the label plate to protect the labels. In some embodiments, the protrusion may be welded to the backer plate. The protrusion may be operative to engage an electrical switch of an electronic device in which the switch is placed.

US Patent:

8011970, Sep 6, 2011

Filed:

Jun 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/825686

Inventors:

Stephen Brian Lynch - San Francisco CA, US
Emery Sanford - San Francisco CA, US
Cameron Frazier - San Carlos CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H01R 24/04

US Classification:

439668, 174 5056, 29620

Abstract:

This invention is directed to systems and methods for providing a port in an electronic device housing that is electrically isolated from a conductive portion of a connector inserted in the port. In some embodiments, the connector may include a non-conductive flange or ring operative to contact the housing and the portions of the housing within the port. In some embodiments, a thin layer of non-conductive material may be applied to the portions of the housing within the port to prevent conductive portions of the connector from coming into contact with the housing (e. g. , and grounding the conductive portion). This invention may be of particular interest when the conductive portion that may come into contact with the housing is not used to ground the connector.

US Patent:

8023261, Sep 20, 2011

Filed:

Sep 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/205551

Inventors:

Emery Sanford - San Francisco CA, US
Stephen Brian Lynch - Portola Valley CA, US
Anthony Sagala Montevirgen - Milpitas CA, US
Fletcher Rothkopf - Mountain View CA, US
Mathias Schmidt - Santa Clara CA, US
Hamid Mohammadinia - San Jose CA, US
R. Sean Murphy - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 5/00
H04M 1/00

US Classification:

36167955, 36167956, 36167957, 36167958, 4555751, 4555753, 4555754, 4555758

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for assembling an electronic device and components thereof are provided. The electronic device may include a housing and a cover inserted into an opening in the housing. The electronic device may also include a first assembly that may be inserted into the housing through a first end, and a second assembly that may be inserted into the housing through a second end. The electronic device may also include end cap assemblies. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include an input mechanism coupled to the housing and a plate coupled to the housing. In some embodiments, a connector of the electronic device may be mounted on a circuit board by inserting a fixture into the connector, mounting the connector to a portion of the circuit board, removing the fixture from the connector, and separating the portion of the circuit board from another portion of the circuit board.