Laser-formed features
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsPeter N. Russell-Clarke, Michael S. Nashner, Houtan R. Farahani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments are directed to laser-based processes for forming features on the surface of a part. The feature may include a geometric element, a color element, and/or a surface finish element. In some cases, the laser-formed features are formed as a pattern of textured features that produce an aesthetic and/or tactile effect on the surface of the part. In some cases, the texture features may be sufficiently small that they may not be discerned by the unaided human eye. Also, in some cases, a multiple laser-based processes are combined to form a single feature or a finished part having a specific aesthetic and/or tactile effect.
Claims18
An electronic watch comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- an aluminum input dial that is rotatable, about a rotation axis, relative to the housing and defines:
- an axial end surface on the aluminum input dial;
- a peripheral surface on the aluminum input dial;
- a three-dimensional curved surface extending between the axial end surface and the peripheral surface;
- and
- a radial array of rectangular grooves along the three-dimensional curved surface, the radial array of rectangular grooves cooperating to define a tactile effect along the three-dimensional curved surface, wherein
- each rectangular groove includes a layer of oxidized aluminum that is visually distinct from a surrounding region of the three-dimensional curved surface;
- and
- at least one groove of the radial array of rectangular grooves defines a bottom surface extending along a curved path that corresponds to the three-dimensional curved surface.
An electronic watch comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- a dial that is rotatable relative to the housing and defines an aluminum surface, the dial comprising:
- a first pattern of recesses on a first curved surface of the aluminum surface of the dial and having a full geometric shape and cooperating to form a tactile effect on the first curved surface;
- a second pattern of recesses on the aluminum surface of the dial adjacent to the first pattern of recesses and having a partial geometric shape that is distinct from and corresponds to a portion of the full geometric shape;
- an oxidized color element comprising an oxidized aluminum surface formed into each recesses;
- and
- a non-patterned portion;
- wherein the oxidized aluminum surface is visually distinct from the non-patterned portion.
An electronic watch comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- an aluminum input dial that is rotatable, about a rotation axis, relative to the housing and defines:
- an axial end surface on the aluminum input dial and having a first non-patterned region;
- a peripheral surface on the aluminum input dial and having a second non-patterned region;
- a curved surface extending between the axial end surface and the peripheral surface;
- and
- a radial array of grooves along the curved surface and cooperating to define a tactile effect along the curved surface, a groove of the radial array of grooves:
- including a layer of oxidized aluminum that is visually distinct from a surrounding region of the curved surface;
- defining a bottom surface extending along a curved path;
- and
- extending from the first non-patterned region to the second non-patterned region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.