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).
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Patent number: 6710968Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Storage Technology CorporationInventor: Gary W. Collins
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Patent number: 6535349Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Storage Technology CorporationInventor: Gary W. Collins
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Patent number: 6498699Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Storage Technology CorporationInventor: Gary W. Collins
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Patent number: 6381096Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Storage Technology CorporationInventor: Gary W. Collins
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Patent number: 6283396Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Storage Technology CorporationInventor: Gary W. Collins
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Patent number: 6270031Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Storage Technology CorporationInventor: Gary W. Collins
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Patent number: 5958113Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Thermax, Inc.Inventors: Gary W. Collins, Kehl T. LeSourd
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Patent number: 5938460Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Thermax, Inc.Inventors: Gary W. Collins, Kehl T. LeSourd
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Patent number: 4583213Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 1984Date of Patent: April 15, 1986Assignee: Storage Technology Partners IIInventors: Allen T. Bracken, Harold A. Lunka, William J. Benker, Howard A. Snyder, Gary W. Collins
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Patent number: D424764Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Thermax, Inc.Inventors: Gary W. Collins, Kehl T. LeSourd