Thursday, July 11, 2013

Apple Invents a Wild Unibody Magnetic Coated MacBook Lid

On July 11, 2013, the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that reveals their invention that generally relates to alternative coatings for rare earth magnets and more specifically the plating of rare earth magnets with aluminum. The invention covers a magnet surface coating which can be adapted to match the overall look, shape, and feel of the device to which it is attached. The wild twist is that Apple is considering this magnetic coating for the back lid of a future MacBook application.


Apple's patent covers the magnets used in their iPad Smart Cover as well as the application of magnets in MagSafe. Considering that the first two examples of magnetics in use today already exist, it makes the mysterious third application just that more interesting.


Possible Future MacBook with Unique Back Cover Magnetic Coating


Apple's patent FIG. 5 noted below illustrates a possible future MacBook with a rear housing which is a magnet structural element 502 which is plated with a layer of aluminum in order to convert the otherwise brittle magnet structure into a more robust structural element.



By designing the MacBook with a backing made mainly of magnetic material a uniform magnetic field can be produced which allows attachment of the MacBook to a number of different surfaces, including for example, refrigerators, metallic armbands, or even a wall mounted docking station.


By spreading the magnetic surface over a wide area the density of the field can be reduced while maintaining enough overall attractive force to support the device on nearly any surface. The less powerful field can be desirable where concerns about magnetic interference are at issue.


It should be noted that in some embodiments only a certain portion of the MacBook's rear housing is made from magnetic material, only enough to allow attachment to a targeted surface. A remainder of rear MacBook can be another structurally robust material that can receive an aluminum coating.


Technically speaking, this could apply to a future aluminum based iPad or iPad mini as well which could be interesting.

Patent Credits


Apple credits Larocque Lancaster and Regis Simon as the inventors of this patent application which was originally filed in Q3 2013 under serial number 626881.


Patently Apple presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.


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