Patents by Inventor Gary W. Collins

Gary W. Collins 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: 6710968
    Abstract: A tape transport system includes two reels. Each reel has a pair of parallel flanges between which the tape is held. A tape head with a tape contact surface over read elements and write elements is positioned between the reels such that tape extends from one reel, over the contact surface, and to the other reel. The contact surface is curved so that tape is in contact with different regions of the contact surface based on the amount of tape on each reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Collins
  • Patent number: 6535349
    Abstract: A tape transport system includes two hubs within an enclosure having smooth interior surfaces. A tape head is positioned between the tape hubs so that the magnetic tape travels between the tape hubs and over a tape head contact surface. The tape head moves laterally in a direction parallel to the direction of tape travel based on the amount of magnetic tape held on at least one of the hubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Collins
  • Patent number: 6498699
    Abstract: A tape transport system for positioning magnetic tape moving over a tape head is provided. The tape system includes a carrier ribbon having a width equal to the tape width. Passages through the carrier ribbon permit air, such as might otherwise trapped between the magnetic tape and the carrier ribbon, to pass through the carrier ribbon. At least one carrier ribbon guide is positioned on either side of the tape head. Each carrier ribbon guide has a channel of substantially the same width as the carrier ribbon for positioning the magnetic tape and the carrier ribbon across the tape head. A ribbon drive moves the carrier ribbon past the ribbon guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Collins
  • Patent number: 6381096
    Abstract: A tape transport system for positioning magnetic tape moving over a tape head is provided. The tape system includes at least one air bearing having a sinuous surface over which travels one side of the tape and a mating sinuous surface over which travels the other side of the tape. The sinuous surfaces each have openings through which air is forced. As the tape passes through the bearing, the tape is stiffened, permitting the tape to be precisely guided over the tape head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Collins
  • Patent number: 6283396
    Abstract: A tape transport system for positioning magnetic tape over a tape head includes a carrier ribbon with edges defining a channel for carrying the tape. Ribbon guides bring the carrier ribbon into contact with the tape as the tape moves near the tape head. A separation guide is positioned to allow the tape to separate from the carrier ribbon as the tape passes the tape head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Collins
  • Patent number: 6270031
    Abstract: A tape transport system includes two tape reels, each having a pair of flanges between which the tape is held. The parallel flange pairs position the tape in a direction normal to tape travel across the tape head contact surface. A cam guide is associated with each reel. Each cam guide has a curved surface over which the magnetic tape travels. The curved surface is positioned between the reel flange pair based on the amount of tape wound on the tape reel. The cam is positioned so that magnetic tape contacts the tape head contact surface at substantially the same location for any amount of tape wound on the tape reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Collins
  • Patent number: 5958113
    Abstract: An improved water vacuum extraction machine having a modular design allowing the detergent container to be removed when the machine is used in the vacuum mode when the detergent solution is not required. The water vacuum extraction machine includes a removable water filter to allow for the hydro filtration tank to be cleaned more easily. Further, an added filter is provided downstream of the suction motor to thereby reduce the amount of particles which are released into the environment. Specifically, the machine includes an outer casing including a bottom wall and a top wall and defining a chamber therein and a recovery tank removably positioned within the chamber. The hydro filter is disposed within the recovery tank and includes an inner tube and an outer which are concentrically arranged to define an annular space therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Thermax, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Collins, Kehl T. LeSourd
  • Patent number: 5938460
    Abstract: A handle which is attachable to an electrified vacuum hose of a hydro-vacuum extraction machine, the hose including electrical wires encapsulated therein, a vacuum tube and a solution supply tube running parallel to the hose. The handle includes a handle portion secured to the vacuum tube, the handle portion having a valve chamber for receiving a valve having an actuator, a retainer for retaining the valve in the valve chamber and a cover for covering the valve chamber, wherein the solution supplying tube is attachable to the valve for supplying the cleaning solution thereto. The cover is pivotally secured to the handle portion. The handle further includes an electric plug which is retained in the handle portion and is electrically connected to the electrical wires. The handle portion includes a first half member and a second half member which are connected to each other and which define a hollow chamber therein. The plug is retained in the hollow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Thermax, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Collins, Kehl T. LeSourd
  • Patent number: 4583213
    Abstract: An air shroud is disclosed for reducing vibration of the disk storage medium and controlling contamination in the environment above the disk in an optical disk data recording system. The shroud is placed over the rotating disk and pressurized air is forced into the center of the air space between the shroud and the disk where it moves from the center to the outside edge in a laminar flow. The shroud includes a circular plate with a slot for allowing the laser read/write beam to shine through the shroud and contact the surface of the disk for reading and writing data on the disk. An air duct is mounted around a center hole of the circular plate to distribute the pressurized air into the air space and a flange is mounted on the outer edge of the circular plate to reduce turbulence in the air flowing across the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Storage Technology Partners II
    Inventors: Allen T. Bracken, Harold A. Lunka, William J. Benker, Howard A. Snyder, Gary W. Collins
  • Patent number: D424764
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Thermax, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Collins, Kehl T. LeSourd