Dean F Herring

US Patent:

6367897, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Aug 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/632682

Inventors:

Timothy Scott Bass - Chapel Hill NC
Dean Fredrick Herring - Youngsville NC
William Fred Otto - Apex NC
John Robert Kirksey - Cary NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

A47B 9700

US Classification:

3122232, 361683

Abstract:

A blank for closing an input/output slot in the rear panel of a personal computer has an elongated body with a tab on one end and a flange on an opposite end. The body also has a large elliptical dome that protrudes rearward. A set of spring fingers extend along each side of the dome. The blank is installed in one of the input/output slots by first inserting the tab into a pocket below the slot. The dome is then pivoted into the slot until the fingers snap onto a pair of upright edges that define the slot. The blank is removed from the slot by pushing the dome in the opposite direction out of slot to overcome the flexible retention force provided by the fingers.

US Patent:

6477050, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Sep 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/952330

Inventors:

Dean Frederick Herring - Youngsville NC
Beth Frayne Loebach - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H05K 720

US Classification:

361704, 24458, 165 803, 165185, 248510, 257719, 257729, 361710, 361719

Abstract:

A fastening mechanism for installing a processor heatsink on a planar board space takes up a minimal amount of the planar board space. The heatsink is held down securely against the top of the processor with a substantial amount of force. This is accomplished through a screw and leaf spring mechanism at each side edge of the processor. The screw and leaf spring arrangement are rotated out of the way while the heatsink is installed and then returned to their original positions to retain the heatsink. The mechanism is partially assembled prior to the installation of the heatsink.

US Patent:

6507487, Jan 14, 2003

Filed:

Nov 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/708349

Inventors:

Richard Michael Barina - Lake Worth FL
Timothy S. Bass - Chapel Hill NC
Dean Frederick Herring - Youngsville NC
William Fred Otto - Apex NC
Rodrigo Samper - Raleigh NC
Susan Pohl Wise - Leasburg NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 116

US Classification:

361685, 361683, 361686, 312236

Abstract:

A computing system includes a frame and a drive mounting structure for mounting one or more drive units within the computing system, with the drive mounting structure being pivotally and removably mounted on the frame to move between an operating position, in which an internal end of a drive unit mounted within the drive mounting structure is held within the computing system, and a service position, in which the internal end of the drive unit extends outward from the computing system. In the service position, access is provided to an open end of the drive mounting structure, into which the drive unit can be installed, to the internal end of the drive unit, for attachment of a cable, and to a side of the drive mounting structure, through which fasteners are driven to mount the drive unit within the drive mounting structure.

US Patent:

6540530, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Nov 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/725555

Inventors:

Timothy S. Bass - Chapel Hill NC
Dean F. Herring - Youngsville NC
John Robert Kirksey - Cary NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H01R 466

US Classification:

439 92

Abstract:

A computing system includes a number of circuit cards fastened by brackets to a slotted panel, which has slots allowing the attachment of external cables to the circuit cards. Electrical grounding between the slotted panel and the brackets is achieved through the use of a conductive gasket extending along an inner surface of the slotted panel. The conductive gasket includes a central web, a number of contact bumps extending from the central web to the slotted panel, and a number of contact bumps extending from the central web to the brackets. Contact bumps thus extending in opposite directions are placed in alternating positions along the central web, so that the central web is deflected as the contact gasket is compressed.

US Patent:

6552905, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Sep 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/951927

Inventors:

Dean Frederick Herring - Youngsville NC
Joseph Anthony Holung - Wake Forest NC
Beth Frayne Loebach - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H05K 720

US Classification:

361704, 165 803, 165185, 257719, 361710, 361715, 248510, 24458

Abstract:

A heat sink retention assembly including a spring, a spring retainer, and a spring displacement limiter. The spring retainer maintains the spring in a compressed state in which a contact portion of the spring applies a force to the heat sink. The compressed state is characterized by a predetermined spring displacement and exerted force. The spring displacement limiting mechanism prevents displacement of the compressed spring substantially beyond the predetermined spring displacement. The displacement limiting mechanism may comprise a separate component such as a spacer structure or may be integrated into the configuration of the spring itself. In one spacer structure embodiment, the spacer has a vertical dimension that is determined by the difference between the total spring displacement possible and the predetermined spring displacement required to deliver the predetermined force to the heat sink. When the spacer is placed between a bowed portion of the spring and the heat sink, it contacts both the spring and the heat sink when the spring is in the compressed state thereby preventing additional displacement. Alternatively, the spacer may be sized to leave a small gap between the spacer and the heatsink when the spring is in the compressed state to permit slight movement of the heatsink under mechanical shock.

US Patent:

6680843, Jan 20, 2004

Filed:

Apr 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/118809

Inventors:

Timothy Samuel Farrow - Apex NC
Dean Frederick Herring - Youngsville NC
Mark John Lawrence - Cary NC
Brian Hargrove Leonard - Durham NC
Bruce Wayne Rasa - Raleigh NC
James Stephen Rutledge - Durham NC
John David Swansey - Durham NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 116

US Classification:

361681, 361683

Abstract:

A unitary personal computer system in information handling elements of the system such as the central processor, associated memory, drives and options such as modems or network interface cards are housed in a common housing with the display or monitor. Provision is made for access to the information handling elements of the system by release of manually actuable latches and the like and for mounting of the information handling elements in ways which facilitate orderly and attractive use, such as by providing smooth transitions between stowed and active positions and ready adjustment of positions.

US Patent:

6719385, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Jan 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/483614

Inventors:

Jacklin Ann Adams - Cary NC
Walter Adrian Goodman - Raleigh NC
Timothy Samuel Farrow - Apex NC
Dean Frederick Herring - Youngsville NC
Joseph Anthony Ho-Lung - Wake Forest NC
William Fred Otto - Apex NC
Jeffrey Tate - Cary NC
Jeffrey Jay Miller - Cary NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

A47B 8804

US Classification:

3123341, 361685

Abstract:

A system for holding a device in a computer system, the computer system including a drive cage for holding the device, is disclosed. The system comprises a first rail coupled to one side of the device and adapted to fit into the drive cage and a second rail coupled to the device at a side opposite the one side and adapted to fit into the drive cage, wherein the first and second rails are coupled to the device without requiring a tool. Computer systems utilizing the system in accordance with the present invention, will be better equipped to handle the acoustic vibrations created during the operation of different types of drives such as Direct Access and Storage Devices (DASDs). Accordingly, this will enable computer system manufacturers to incorporate faster DASDs without acoustically coupling the DASD to the chassis. Furthermore, by employing a screw-less rail, PC manufacturers and users will no longer be required to use a tool to remove the attached rails. This facilitates the easy removal and reinstallation of DASDs when interchanging computer components.

US Patent:

6754073, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Apr 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/134013

Inventors:

John Geoffrey Gundlach - Chapel Hill NC
Dean Frederick Herring - Youngsville NC
Paul Andrew Wormsbecher - Apex NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 116

US Classification:

361687, 361724, 454184, 3122232

Abstract:

An assembly for dissipating heat generated by electronic components, the assembly designed to include a computer chassis dimensioned to substantially enclose the electronic components. The assembly is further designed so that the chassis includes a panel having a substantially flat portion and a non-flat portion with the non-flat portion including a plurality of vent holes and having a surface area that is greater than the surface area of a flat portion with corresponding outer dimensions so as to permit an increase in the number of vent holes and improvement in the air flow within the computer chassis while at the same time maintaining the structural integrity of the computer chassis and minimizing electromagnetic interference resulting from the percentage of open area to closed area within the venting surface.