Patents by Inventor Daniel W. Hoekstra

Daniel W. Hoekstra 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).

  • Publication number: 20100022285
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for retrofitting a mobile electronic device, which has an input power receptacle located on its side, to receive power from a power delivery pad that has a flat power delivery surface. A connector assembly is connectable to the mobile electronic device by plugging a connector into the input power receptacle of the device. A power receiver assembly connects pivotally and electrically to the connector assembly by magnetism. The power receiver assembly is pivotal to position a power receiver hub, which is at a fixed distance from the connector assembly, over an axis of the mobile device, where an anchor comprising magnetic material or a mechanical attachment apparatus is adhered to the surface of the mobile device, and the hub is attached to the anchor by magnetism also, so that it is simply and easily detachable and re-attachable. The connector is adjustable in the connector assembly to position the power receiver assembly flush with the surface of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Wildcharge, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitch Randall, Daniel W. Hoekstra
  • Patent number: 5914831
    Abstract: A bezel (100) mitigates cartridge over ejection from a tape drive, the tape drive receiving and ejecting a cartridge of magnetic tape for performing recording and reading operations with respect to the magnetic tape. The bezel (100) comprises both a bezel plate (102) and a pair of cartridge braking projections (120) attached thereto. The cartridge braking projections partially extend into a cartridge slot (104) and retard motion of a cartridge travelling through the slot. The cartridge braking projections (120) are resilient and bidirectionally flexible, preferably being formed of cellular urethane. The cartridge braking projections (120) extend into the slot by a predetermined distance above a lower cartridge plane (115). In one embodiment, the bezel (100) is attached to a rack which accommodates the tape drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Exabyte Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Lass, David M. Romig, Daniel W. Hoekstra
  • Patent number: 5867344
    Abstract: An automated cartridge handling system or library (20, 20') for storing cartridges (22) of information storage media comprises a cartridge holder (26); a tape drive (30) movably mounted with respect to the cartridge holder; and, a transport system (40) for transporting the tape drive (30) in a drive transport path (42) between a unloaded position and a cartridge loaded position. The cartridges (22) remain stationary in the library while the tape drive is transported between the unloaded position and the cartridge loaded position. The cartridge holder library has a plurality of apertures (70) which receive cartridge holders or spines (80). To retain the cartridge (22) within the spine, each spine has resilient cartridge retaining fingers (100) formed in its interior cavity (90) for engaging a notch (104) on the cartridge. Each spine is provided with stabilization flanges (112) for stabilizing the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Exabyte Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Ellis, Daniel W. Hoekstra, Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 5739978
    Abstract: An automated cartridge handling system or library (20, 20') for storing cartridges (22) of information storage media comprises a cartridge holder (26); a tape drive (30) movably mounted with respect to the cartridge holder; and, a transport system (40) for transporting the tape drive (30) in a drive transport path (42) between a unloaded position and a cartridge loaded position. The cartridges (22) remain stationary in the library while the tape drive is transported between the unloaded position and the cartridge loaded position. The cartridge holder library has a plurality of apertures (70) which receive cartridge holders or spines (80). To retain the cartridge (22) within the spine, each spine has resilient cartridge retaining fingers (100) formed in its interior cavity (90) for engaging a notch (104) on the cartridge. Each spine is provided with stabilization flanges (112) for stabilizing the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Exabyte Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Ellis, Daniel W. Hoekstra, Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 5607275
    Abstract: An automated library (30) handles a plurality of data storage units (e.g., data cartridges) stored therein. The library comprises an octagonal drum-like member (34) mounted above a library frame (32). The drum (34) has a plurality of faces on an exterior periphery thereof, each for selectively accommodating a cartridge rack (62). Each face of the drum has a rack mount (110) selectively attachable thereto. The library further comprises a rack (38) for accommodating a plurality of modular I/O drive-containing drawers (64). A picker device (80) engages and transports data cartridges between drives (320), an active rack (60), and an entry/exit port transport (500). The entry/exit transport device (500) transports a selected cartridge between a predetermined position in the cabinet and the entry/exit port (100). The entry/exit transport device (500) is both rotatable and extensible. A picker move method and library inventory method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Exabyte Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Woodruff, Daniel W. Hoekstra, Christopher L. Scott, Thomas W. Volckhausen, Thomas J. Studebaker, Bruce L. Younglove
  • Patent number: 5498116
    Abstract: An automated library (30) for handling a plurality of data storage units comprises a frame (32), an I/O drive (320); a unit engagement device (80) which transports data storage units between the drive and the storage receptacle. A cabinet substantially encloses the frame and has an entry/exit port (100) formed therein. The library is further provided with an entry/exit transport device (500) which pivots 90 degrees about an axis perpendicular to a unit orientation plane to transport a selected data storage unit between the entry/exit port and a predetermined position in the cabinet. The entry/exit transport device has a cartridge engagement portion with two edges (574, 576), a first of the edges being configured to load/unload the selected data storage unit at the entry/exit port and a second of the edges being configured to load/unload the selected data storage cartridge at the predetermined position. The first and second edges are orthogonal to one another in the entry/exit transport plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Exabyte Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Woodruff, Daniel W. Hoekstra, Christopher L. Scott, Thomas W. Volckhausen, Thomas J. Studebaker, Bruce L. Younglove