Apple has a long history of patent applications focused on the development of glass-based device designs, dating back to at least 2014, particularly with concepts like an all-glass iPhone. Today, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a significant patent, which could be considered a key patent for glass enclosures in electronic devices. This patent covers a variety of devices, including the Apple Watch, iPhone, Mac, and introduces a distinctive iPhone design with displays on both sides of the device. In addition, Apple was granted three design patents today, further emphasizing their commitment to advancing this area of technology.
The granted patent applies to electronic devices such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, where the enclosures are made from glass. Traditionally, glass has been used primarily as a transparent cover for the touchscreen. However, the new patent introduces a novel concept where glass forms multiple sides of the device’s enclosure.
For example, an enclosure with a rectangular shape could feature glass on the front, back, and sides. In some designs, the entire device could be made from glass, including the front, back, and all sides, creating a seamless, unified appearance. Although the enclosure could be made of multiple separate glass pieces, it would appear as if it were one continuous piece.
This innovative glass-enclosure design opens up several new possibilities for functionality. For instance, transparent glass on the back and sides of the device could allow for additional displays, which users could view and interact with. These side and back displays could be equipped with touch or force-sensing capabilities, turning them into interactive input surfaces for the user.
The patent also covers a specific design where a glass element forms part of the six-sided enclosure of the device, with varying thicknesses along the peripheral side. In the patent’s illustrations (FIGS. 26A to 26C), one display component could be used to create six distinct display regions—one for each side of the transparent enclosure. Not all sides of the device may feature a display, in which case those sections would be either inactive or omitted.
This patent represents an important advancement in Apple’s work on innovative device designs, potentially paving the way for new, interactive devices with unique user experiences.