Steven L Holmes

US Patent:

6545874, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Jun 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/880676

Inventors:

Wayne H. Miller - Los Altos CA
Ricardo Alba Mariano - Hayward CA
Steven Thomas Holmes - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 500

US Classification:

361752, 361753, 361704, 361707, 361709, 361796, 361683, 361684, 361685

Abstract:

A cubical computer housing assembly comprises first and second ends and four sides, which define an interior compartment for housing the various computer components. The first and second ends are rigidly connected to one another and are slidingly detachable from four sides of the assembly. The interior compartment comprises three parallelepiped portions, one for accommodating a plurality of circuit boards, one for accommodating a heat sink and hard disk drive, and one for accommodating other memory device such as a CD ROM or DVD player. A hard disk drive is slidingly mounted in a frame which is rigidly mounted relative to the first and second ends. A hinged door on which is mounted a printed circuit board can be moved to an open position to provide access to the disk drive for removal and replacement of same.

US Patent:

7035102, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Mar 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/815488

Inventors:

Steven Holmes - Mountain View CA, US
Douglas L. Heirich - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 7/20

US Classification:

361695, 361687, 361690, 16510433, 454184

Abstract:

An apparatus for air-cooling an electronic device is disclosed. A contoured panel channels a flow of air within the housing of an electronic device so as to channel the flow of air more directly over heat producing elements such as the microprocessor and peripheral cards. A sensor can also be employed to determine whether the panel is present and properly placed. If not, measures can be taken to reduce the heat generated by the heat producing elements. For example, a warning can be displayed, or the microprocessor can be instructed to enter sleep mode.

US Patent:

7038914, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Jun 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/600127

Inventors:

Douglas L. Heirich - Palo Alto CA, US
Steven T. Holmes - Mountain View CA, US
James Guy Smeenge - Campbell CA, US
Jason Alan Burton - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 7/20

US Classification:

361719, 361697

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7042733, May 9, 2006

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/323641

Inventors:

Wayne H. Miller - Los Altos CA, US
Ricardo Alba Mariano - Hayward CA, US
Steven Thomas Holmes - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 5/00

US Classification:

361752, 361818, 361678, 361697

Abstract:

A cubical computer housing assembly comprises first and second ends and four sides, which define an interior compartment for housing the various computer components. The first and second ends are rigidly connected to one another and are slidingly detachable from four sides of the assembly. The interior compartment comprises three parallelepiped portions, one for accommodating a plurality of circuit boards, one for accommodating a heat sink and hard disk drive, and one for accommodating other memory device such as a CD ROM or DVD player. A hard disk drive is slidingly mounted in a frame which is rigidly mounted relative to the first and second ends. A hinged door on which is mounted a printed circuit board can be moved to an open position to provide access to the disk drive for removal and replacement of same.

US Patent:

7242576, Jul 10, 2007

Filed:

Mar 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/791997

Inventors:

Daniel J. Coster - San Francisco CA, US
Daniele De Iuliis - San Francisco CA, US
Chiew-Siang Goh - Cupertino CA, US
Douglas L. Heirich - Palo Alto CA, US
Steven Holmes - Mountain View CA, US
Jonathan P. Ive - San Francisco CA, US
Sung Kim - Palo Alto CA, US
Rick Mariano - Hayward CA, US
Thomas J. Misage - San Francisco CA, US
Dan Riccio - Los Gatos CA, US
Tang Yew Tan - San Francisco CA, US
Jeremy Yaekel - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 5/00
A47B 97/00
E05C 5/00
E05C 19/00

US Classification:

361683, 3122232, 3122655, 312263, 3122656, 292 63, 292 66, 292 67, 292302

Abstract:

Quick release couplings for releasably coupling components of a computer to the computer are disclosed. The quick release coupling mechanisms are generally configured to allow tool-less placement of the components relative to the computer. That is, the quick release coupling mechanisms are configured to perform their couplings without using conventional fasteners such as screws, bolts, etc. By eliminating the use of fasteners, the components may be inserted and removed from the computer without using tools (e. g. , tool-less). Furthermore, the quick release couplings are easy to maneuver thereby enabling quick and straightforward assembly and disassembly of the components to and from the computer (e. g. , quick release). For example, the components may be inserted and removed by a simple pushing or pulling motion, and/or by a simple flick of a latch or handle.

US Patent:

7248476, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Feb 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/357311

Inventors:

Steven Holmes - Mountain View CA, US
Douglas L. Heirich - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 7/20

US Classification:

361695, 361690, 361694, 174 161, 174 163, 165 803, 165122

Abstract:

An apparatus for air-cooling an electronic device is disclosed. A contoured panel channels a flow of air within the housing of an electronic device so as to channel the flow of air more directly over heat producing elements such as the microprocessor and peripheral cards. A sensor can also be employed to determine whether the panel is present and properly placed. If not, measures can be taken to reduce the heat generated by the heat producing elements. For example, a warning can be displayed, or the microprocessor can be instructed to enter sleep mode.

US Patent:

7460376, Dec 2, 2008

Filed:

May 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/418210

Inventors:

Wayne H. Miller - Los Altos CA, US
Ricardo Alba Mariano - Hayward CA, US
Steven Thomas Holmes - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 7/02

US Classification:

361752, 361800, 361790

Abstract:

A cubical computer housing assembly comprises first and second ends and four sides, which define an interior compartment for housing the various computer components. The first and second ends are rigidly connected to one another and are slidingly detachable from four sides of the assembly. The interior compartment comprises three parallelepiped portions, one for accommodating a plurality of circuit boards, one for accommodating a heat sink and hard disk drive, and one for accommodating other memory device such as a CD ROM or DVD player. A hard disk drive is slidingly mounted in a frame which is rigidly mounted relative to the first and second ends. A hinged door on which is mounted a printed circuit board can be moved to an open position to provide access to the disk drive for removal and replacement of same.

US Patent:

7466547, Dec 16, 2008

Filed:

Apr 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/742485

Inventors:

Steven Holmes - Mountain View CA, US
Douglas L. Heirich - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H05K 7/20

US Classification:

361695, 361690, 361694, 174 161, 174 163, 16510433

Abstract:

An apparatus for air-cooling an electronic device is disclosed. A contoured panel channels a flow of air within the housing of an electronic device so as to channel the flow of air more directly over heat producing elements such as the microprocessor and peripheral cards. A sensor can also be employed to determine whether the panel is present and properly placed. If not, measures can be taken to reduce the heat generated by the heat producing elements. For example, a warning can be displayed, or the microprocessor can be instructed to enter sleep mode.