Patents by Inventor Bonnie Kay Dobbs

Bonnie Kay Dobbs has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6771517
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing circuit board flexing is presented. The apparatus is fastened to a printed circuit board to provide rigid support for reducing bending and flexing. In one embodiment, a rigid frame is provided that is adapted to be fastened to one or more components and to be fastened to a printed circuit board. The frame is adapted to elevate the attached component from the PCB surface allowing components to be mounted on the PCB therewith. The frame is adapted to occupy minimal printed circuit board surface area so as not to displace electronic components. In another embodiment, an elongated truss-like stiffener is provided that is adapted to be fastened to one side of the printed circuit board and adapted to span the printed circuit board. The elongated stiffener is adapted to have an open structure to minimize cooling flow disturbance and weight. The elongated stiffener includes a plurality of legs forming a truss-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alex Crapisi, Jeffrey Scott Cogner, Stephen Cermak, III, Stephen A. Bowen, Rodney Ruesch, David Paul Gruber, Bonnie Kay Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20030038096
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing circuit board flexing is presented. The apparatus is fastened to a printed circuit board to provide rigid support for reducing bending and flexing. In one embodiment, a rigid frame is provided that is adapted to be fastened to one or more components and to be fastened to a printed circuit board. The frame is adapted to elevate the attached component from the PCB surface allowing components to be mounted on the PCB therewith. The frame is adapted to occupy minimal printed circuit board surface area so as not to displace electronic components. In another embodiment, an elongated truss-like stiffener is provided that is adapted to be fastened to one side of the printed circuit board and adapted to span the printed circuit board. The elongated stiffener is adapted to have an open structure to minimize cooling flow disturbance and weight. The elongated stiffener includes a plurality of legs forming a truss-like structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alex Crapisi, Jeffrey Scott Cogner, Stephen Cermak, Stephen A. Bowen, Rodney Ruesch, David Paul Gruber, Bonnie Kay Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6512676
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing circuit board flexing is presented. The apparatus is fastened to a printed circuit board to provide rigid support for reducing bending and flexing. In one embodiment, a rigid frame is provided that is adapted to be fastened to one or more components and to be fastened to a printed circuit board. The frame is adapted to elevate the attached component from the PCB surface allowing components to be mounted on the PCB therewith. The frame is adapted to occupy minimal printed circuit board surface area so as not to displace electronic components. In another embodiment, an elongated truss-like stiffener is provided that is adapted to be fastened to one side of the printed circuit board and adapted to span the printed circuit board. The elongated stiffener is adapted to have an open structure to minimize cooling flow disturbance and weight. The elongated stiffener includes a plurality of legs forming a truss-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alex Crapisi, Jeffrey Scott Cogner, Stephen Cermak, III, Stephen A. Bowen, Rodney Ruesch, David Paul Gruber, Bonnie Kay Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6487082
    Abstract: A printed circuit board apparatus, configurations and methods are presented which provide for close spacing between the HUB and multiple processors as well as a common configuration for two or four processor boards. A printed circuit board is provided with conductive apertures and portions corresponding to an efficient Packaging allowing for the attachment of the processor-chip on one side of the printed circuit board, and the HUB and other supporting electronic components on the other side of the printed circuit board. This configuration allows for the close spacing of the electrical conductors of the HUB and the processors without the limitations imposed by the physical dimensions of the respective hardware. Additionally, a symmetric packaging of the conductive apertures and portions about a centerline of the printed circuit board allows for a simple design modification to allow for a two two-processor board to be manufactured from a similarly configured four-processor board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alex Crapisi, Jeffrey S. Conger, Stephen Cermak, III, Stephen A. Bowen, Rodney Ruesch, David Paul Gruber, Bonnie Kay Dobbs