IP Library Granted Patent US 11,844,183
Granted Patent B2
US 11,844,183 · App. 18/054,077 · Granted Dec 12, 2023

Low profile computer support

Inventors: Paul X. Wang (Cupertino, CA); Abidur R. Chowdhury (San Francisco, CA); Adam T. Garelli (Morgan Hill, CA); Bart K. Andre (Palo Alto, CA); Dinesh C. Mathew (San Francisco, CA); Keith J. Hendren (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: APPLE INC.
H05K5/0234F16M11/38G06F1/181H05K5/0017H05K5/023H05K5/0226F16M2200/04G06F2200/163
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,844,183
App. No.
18/054,077
Filed
Nov 9, 2022
Granted
Dec 12, 2023
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2841
USPC
361/679.22
Abstract

Low-profile computer supports include features to reduce the thickness and improve the portability or storage capability of a computer system while it is disassembled, packaged, shipped, or moved. Some computer systems have a computing device and a dock device that can be stored and moved separately or that can store or support accessories associated with the computer system. Some computer systems have a movable stand configured to transition between a collapsed state and a deployed or standing state. Some stands include handles or grips for moving the computer systems while collapsed. Other computer systems include handles or grips to provide areas to more easily carry the computer systems. The handles or grips can have features such as a flexible material to hide or mask their appearance on the computer system.

Claims (40)

1. A device carrying system, comprising:

a housing having an outer side surface defining an opening containing a handle; and

a deformable material attached to the housing and extending across the outer side surface and across the opening;

wherein the deformable material is deformable in response to a hand of a user grasping the handle; and

wherein the housing includes a grip contact surface positioned within the opening, and wherein the deformable material is deformable into the opening and into contact with the grip contact surface.

2. The device carrying system of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a protrusion within the opening.

3. The device carrying system of claim 1 , wherein the opening has a hooked side profile.

4. The device carrying system of claim 1 , wherein the deformable material comprises an elastomeric material.

5. The device carrying system of claim 1 , wherein the handle is movable relative to the housing between a stored position and an extended position, wherein, in the stored position, the handle is positioned within the housing at or below a plane defined by the outer side surface, and wherein, in the extended position, the handle extends outward from the outer side surface and is graspable by the user to carry the housing.

6. The device carrying system of claim 5 , wherein the deformable material stretches between the outer side surface and the handle while the handle is in the extended position.

7. The device carrying system of claim 5 , wherein the handle is movable between the stored position and the extended position by applying and releasing an inward force to the handle.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

a device housing;

an opening defined by the housing;

a grip contact surface positioned within the opening defined by the device housing; and

a flexible material layer extending across and covering the opening in the device housing;

wherein the flexible material layer is deformable into the opening and is configured to contact the grip contact surface.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the flexible material layer is configured to at least partially cover a rear surface of the device housing.

10. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the opening is defined in a rear surface of the device housing.

11. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the opening is defined in a top surface of the device housing.

12. The electronic device of claim 8 , further comprising a protrusion extending from the grip contact surface within the opening.

13. The electronic device of claim 8 , further comprising a handle positioned at least partially within the opening defined by the device housing.

14. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the handle is movable between a retracted position and an expanded position.

15. A system for carrying a device, comprising:

a housing having an outer surface and defining an opening at the outer surface;

a deformable material covering the opening; and

a retractable handle at least partially received in the opening, wherein:

the retractable handle includes a grip contact surface, the deformable material being deformable into contact with the grip contact surface;

the retractable handle is movable between a stored position and an extended position while covered by the deformable material;

the retractable handle, in the stored position, is positioned within the housing at least partially below a plane defined by the outer surface; and

the retractable handle, in the extended position, is positioned at least partially above the plane outward from the outer surface.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein

the retractable handle is configured to extend in a direction away from the opening when in the extended position upon being released.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein

the deformable material is deformed in response to movement of the retractable handle;

the retractable handle, in the extended position, defines a gap; and

the gap is configured to receive fingers of a user.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein:

the deformable material is attached to the housing and extends across the opening;

the deformable material is configured to conceal the retractable handle with the retractable handle in the stored position.

Continuity (3)
Continuation 17079334 · Oct 23, 2020
Continuation In Part 16437858 · Jun 11, 2019
Related Publication 20230088181A1 · Mar 23, 2023
Cited By (1)
US 12,699,417