Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a couple of patent applications from Apple relating to Mac Pro. The first covers the Pro Display and stand mounting system. The second patent covers the Mac Pro rack mount form factor.  

Apple Pro Display XDR and Stand Mounting System

Sparse Laser Etch Anodized Surface for Cosmetic Grounding

Apple notes that electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown. ESD can cause failure of solid-state electronic components such integrated circuits. Static electricity can build up on electronic devices and various conductive components.

When an electronic device is mounted to another electronic device or to another component, inadvertent discharge of static electricity between the two devices can damage sensitive electronic components in the electronic device.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a system for mounting an electronic device to a second device that can dissipate any static electricity that builds up on both of the devices.

Apple's invention pertains to a mounting system that can mount a first electronic device to another device and provide a path for discharge of static electricity between the devices while maintaining a visually appealing connection surface and avoiding a metal-on-metal connection point that could otherwise result in corrosion and/or wear over time. In some embodiments, a first part of the mounting system is formed on a first device and includes a metallic layer covered by a cosmetic anodized layer with multiple micro-perforations formed through the anodized layer, each of which exposes a small portion of the underlying metallic layer.

The micro-perforations can be formed by laser-etching the cosmetic anodized layer to provide a grounding path to the underlying metal layer while the micro-perforations are sufficiently small to remain practically or completely undetectable to an unaided human eye.

A second part of the mounting system can be formed on a second device that can be mounted to or otherwise connected to the first device. The second part of the mounting system can include a compressible semi-conductive wear layer formed on a second electronic device. The semi-conductive wear layer can be compressed against and coupled with the anodized layer of the first part of the mounting system such that portions of the semi-conductive wear layer are pressed into the micro-perforations and into electrical contact with the underlying metallic layer.

In some embodiments, the compressible, semi-conductive wear layer can be formed in a recess of the second electronic device, and in some embodiments, the semi-conductive wear layer is made from a conformal conductive rubber.

In various embodiments the compressive force that compresses the semi-conductive wear layer against the anodized layer and into the micro-perforations can be produced by one or more connection components configured to attach and secure the mounting region of the first electronic device to the mounting region of the second electronic device.

In some embodiments, at least some of the connection components can include one or more magnets, and in some embodiments, at least some of the connection components can include one or more mechanical latches.

Embodiments of the disclosure can be used to mount many different types of devices or components to each other. In some embodiments, the mounting system described herein can be used to mount a computer display to a stand for the display. In some embodiments, the mounting system design can be used in a modular server tower, a modular tower for a desktop computer or decouplable panels with a cosmetic interface.

Apple's patent FIG. 6 shown below shows an exemplary embodiment of an electronic with a mounting system; FIG. 7 shows an exemplary detailed view of a mounting system; FIG. 8 shows an exemplary view of a mounting system with the electronic device uncoupled.

Apple's patent application 20200100349 that was published today by the U.S. Patent Office was filed back in Q2 2019. This is now a patent fulfilled.

Inventors: Gentile; Rhett D.; (Santa Monica, CA); Jeziorek; Peter N.; (San Jose, CA); Venkatesh; Sunita; (San Francisco, CA); Farrell; Lauren M.; (Mountain View, CA); Osborne; Steven J.; (San Jose, CA)

Mac Pro – Rack Mount

Apple's second Mac Pro Patent application relates to the Mac Pro in a Rack Mount form. The following verbiage is found on Apple's Mac Pro webpage:

Different form. Same powerful factors. 

Mac Pro is also available in a rack mount — with all the same performance features and configuration options as the tower — for spaces better suited to a rack design. The rack mount features the airflow‑maximizing 3D lattice and stainless steel handles on the front and tool‑less stainless steel slide rails in place of feet or optional wheels.

Apple's second Mac Pro Patent application relates to the Mac Pro in a Rack Mount form. The rack system may include support structures. The rack system may further include a housing attached to the support structures. The rack system may further include a computing assembly that is located in the housing. The computing assembly may include a circuit board having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The computing system may further include a first component located on the first surface.

The rack system may include a first support structure having a first rail coupled to a computing system. The rack system may further include a second support structure having a second rail coupled to the computing system. The rack system may further include a housing coupled with the first support structure and the second support structure.

Apple's patent FIG. 20 below illustrates a front isometric view of the computing assembly, showing the latch assembly of the plate assembly; FIG. 23 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a computing assembly, showing the computing assembly with a plate assembly and an antenna integrated with the plate assembly; the first image is a rack mount from Apple's Mac Pro website.

Apple's patent application 20200100383 that was published today by the U.S. Patent Office was filed back in Q3 2019. This is now a patent fulfilled. To drill into the details, check it out here.

Inventors: HERSHEY; Daniel D.; (San Francisco, CA) ; PISTOR; Christoph M.; (Santa Cruz, CA) ; ANDRE; Bartley K.; (Menlo Park, CA) ; KOSOGLOW; Richard D.; (San Jose, CA) ; MCBROOM; Michael D.; (Leander, TX) ; BHARADWAJ; Shravan; (San Jose, CA) ; BERK; Jonathan L.; (Mountain View, CA) ; FARAHANI; Houtan R.; (San Ramon, CA) ; CUSEO; James M.; (San Jose, CA) ; ALLAN, II; William R.; (Half Moon Bay, CA) ; PARELL; David C.; (Palo Alto, CA) ; KNOPF; Eric A.; (Mountain View, CA) ; MCFARLAND; Seth G.; (San Jose, CA)