Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 48 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. In this particular report we briefly cover a patent focused on possible future iMac features on the drawing board. And as always, we wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple this week.

Low Profile Computer Support

Apple notes in their granted patent that 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.

Apple's granted patent covers a series of display and perhaps iMac design alternatives, focused on various display configurations, especially for portability.

In the first round of patent figures below we see various possible design tweaks that could, for example, add a charging base for smaller devices like an iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods & case, plus a slot to slip in an iPad for charging. Another design possibility is a dual hinged stand for a display that could angle down to better support artists … if it's a touch display supporting Apple Pencil – much like Microsoft's Surface Studio. The last figures illustrate a patent figure juxtaposed to an image of an actual iMac. That latter part is a patent feature fulfilled.

In the next round of patent figures, the emphasis is on providing a   handle for display or a future iMac to add a portability feature.

This is Apple's second granted patent on this invention and the emphasis this time around is on providing a handle, of one sort or another, to an iMac or standalone display. Apple's new patent claims added to the original patent adds a new handle based on a "deformable material" mentioned/listed 11 times.

Apple notes that 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.

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

The device carrying system is to made of a deformable material that stretches between the outer side surface and the handle while the handle is in the extended position. 

The system's 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.

The system's 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.

To review the entire patent or just the added patent claims, check out granted patent 11844183.

This Week's Remaining Granted Patents