Patents by Inventor Eric James Mckeever
Eric James Mckeever 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).
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Patent number: 11622467Abstract: An assembly includes: a server rack; first side and second side outer rails attached to the rack and positionally fixed relative to the rack; a support device attached to the rack adjacent to a rear of the rack; a computer network switch having a port side positioned adjacent to the rear of the rack; and first side and second side inner rails attached to the network switch and positionally fixed relative to the network switch, the inner rails being slidably attached to the outer rails. The network switch is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the support device is located such that the support device physically blocks the network switch from being removed from the rear of the server rack.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric James Mckeever, Edward J. Seminaro, David P. Graybill, Benjamin Lyndgaard, Wayne A. Barringer
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Patent number: 11165183Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector cover and a lever arm coupled to the connector cover, the lever arm being shaped to accommodate a portion of an activating pin, wherein contact of the activating pin with the lever arm causes a movement of the connector cover from a first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a latch assembly comprising a clamp, the clamp in a clamped position preventing the connector cover from moving from the first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a first bracket with a first indentation, the first indentation being sized to accommodate a portion of a first locating pin, wherein an insertion of the first locating pin into the first indentation moves the clamp from the clamped position to an unclamped position, the unclamped position permitting the connector cover to move when activated by the insertion of the activating pin.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Eric James McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro, David P. Graybill, Thong N. Nguyen, Wayne A. Barringer
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Publication number: 20210273367Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector cover and a lever arm coupled to the connector cover, the lever arm being shaped to accommodate a portion of an activating pin, wherein contact of the activating pin with the lever arm causes a movement of the connector cover from a first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a latch assembly comprising a clamp, the clamp in a clamped position preventing the connector cover from moving from the first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a first bracket with a first indentation, the first indentation being sized to accommodate a portion of a first locating pin, wherein an insertion of the first locating pin into the first indentation moves the clamp from the clamped position to an unclamped position, the unclamped position permitting the connector cover to move when activated by the insertion of the activating pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric James McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro, David P. Graybill, Thong N. Nguyen, Wayne A. Barringer
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Publication number: 20210092859Abstract: An assembly includes: a server rack; first side and second side outer rails attached to the rack and positionally fixed relative to the rack; a support device attached to the rack adjacent to a rear of the rack; a computer network switch having a port side positioned adjacent to the rear of the rack; and first side and second side inner rails attached to the network switch and positionally fixed relative to the network switch, the inner rails being slidably attached to the outer rails. The network switch is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the support device is located such that the support device physically blocks the network switch from being removed from the rear of the server rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Eric James MCKEEVER, Edward J. SEMINARO, David P. GRAYBILL, Benjamin LYNDGAARD, Wayne A. BARRINGER
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Patent number: 8858250Abstract: A cable assembly structure, the structure including a connector having a connector body having a back end and a front end, a cam extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body, a wire bundle extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body; and a pair of guidance features extending from the front end of the connector body; and a receptacle having a receptacle body having a fixed end and an open end, and a pair of cam guides positioned on a top and a bottom surface of the receptacle. The cam is operable to couple the connector with the receptacle based on the guidance features aligning the connector with the receptacle, the cam guides being operable to receive the cam associated with the connector.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William Louis Brodsky, Mark Garrison Clark, Eric James McKeever, John G. Torok
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Publication number: 20140080341Abstract: A cable assembly structure, the structure including a connector having a connector body having a back end and a front end, a cam extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body, a wire bundle extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body; and a pair of guidance features extending from the front end of the connector body; and a receptacle having a receptacle body having a fixed end and an open end, and a pair of cam guides positioned on a top and a bottom surface of the receptacle. The cam is operable to couple the connector with the receptacle based on the guidance features aligning the connector with the receptacle, the cam guides being operable to receive the cam associated with the connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: William Louis Brodsky, Mark Garrison Clark, Eric James McKeever, John G. Torok
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Patent number: 7731146Abstract: An in-line node locking mechanism for supporting and locking a node within a rack system such forces applied on a node by the node locking mechanism generate consistent output forces. The in-line node locking mechanism utilizes dual swivel nuts and an in-line loading arrangement that evenly distributes forces along the length of a rail system to create evenly distributed forces and avoid the creation of stress points. An actuating screw causes the node locking mechanism to adjust between unlocked and locked positions. In the unlocked position, the mechanism causes the node to be lowered and move freely along the in-line rail system. In the locked position the mechanism causes the node to securely abut the rack system thereby locking the node within the rack system.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Lee Colbert, Eric James Mckeever, John Allan Shurdalsvold, Daniel A. Wright
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Publication number: 20100078397Abstract: An in-line node locking mechanism for supporting and locking a node within a rack system such forces applied on a node by the node locking mechanism generate consistent output forces. The in-line node locking mechanism utilizes dual swivel nuts and an in-line loading arrangement that evenly distributes forces along the length of a rail system to create evenly distributed forces and avoid the creation of stress points. An actuating screw causes the node locking mechanism to adjust between unlocked and locked positions. In the unlocked position, the mechanism causes the node to be lowered and move freely along the in-line rail system. In the locked position the mechanism causes the node to securely abut the rack system thereby locking the node within the rack system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Lee Colbert, Eric James Mckeever, John Allan Skurdalsvold, Daniel A. Wright