Apple gets design patents for the Apple iPhone 4 and the Apple iPad 2 among other things

Even posthumously, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs continues to get credit for some of Apple's designs. The Cupertino based tech titan has just received design patents for the Apple iPhone 4, and its external antenna structure, Apple iPad 2, Apple iPhone 4/4S bumpers, the Smart Cover and the MagSafe for MacBooks. All of the patents are credited to a number of designers and all include Steve Jobs and Apple's top design dude, Jonathan Ives. Actually, Ives complete title is senior vice president of Industrial Design.

While the Apple iPhone 4 brought a totally new look to the iconic smartphone, the idea of wrapping the antenna around the outside of the device produced a stunning look for the phone, but actually hurt the functionality of the device. Holding the phone in the left hand created what was to become known as the "left-handed death grip" which caused attenuation of the antenna and a loss of signal strength. The term "Antennagate"was coined. Although Apple denied that the problem existed, Apple eventually sent out free rubber bumpers to owners of the phone to prevent the user's body from interfering with the antenna.

The patents can only bolster Apple's intellectual property portfolio, which it has been swinging around lately. On Thursday, Judge Lucy Koh will hear post-trial motions from both Apple and Samsung related to the first heavyweight battle between the two, while the two companies prepare for another trial to take place in 2014.

source: FreePatentsOnline via BGR