Patents by Inventor Herbert Gene Leonard

Herbert Gene Leonard 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: 6654068
    Abstract: A computer display includes a pivotally mounted upper housing having a display screen, a brake used to retard pivoting motion of this upper housing, and a release mechanism for releasing the brake so that the upper housing can be freely moved. The display screen is preferably a touchscreen, which is touched to indicate a selection made by the user, with the brake resisting a tilting movement of the screen as it is touched. In a first version, two brakes are used to retard motion in both directions, with a single release wheel being turned in one direction to allow rearward motion of the upper housing and in another direction to allow forward motion of the upper housing. In a second version, a single brake is released by stopping motion of a release mandrel to unwrap a clutch spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Gabriel Brewington, David Campbell Brower, Richard Hunter Harris, Herbert Gene Leonard, Fred David Parnell, Jeff David Thomas
  • Patent number: 6438858
    Abstract: An electronic feeler gauge and a method of using the same which provides an objective means of determining the width of a gap between two surfaces. The gauge comprises a measuring element which is insertable into the gap and an indicator coupled to the measuring element for automatically indicating when the gap has been set to a predetermined distance. The measuring element comprises two plates which act as an electrical switch in an electrical circuit. When the gap gauge is inserted into a gap of predetermined width, the plates press against each other and current from a power source lights up a light emitting diode. Conversely, when the plates are inserted into a gap that is too wide, the plates do not press against each. The circuit, therefore, is not complete, and the light emitting diode does not light up. Thus, this invention provides an objective, reliable means for confirming the width of a gap. The invention can be used for gaps of different widths by varying the thicknesses of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Nelson Arnold, Jr., David Campbell Brower, Robert Joseph Heider, Herbert Gene Leonard
  • Patent number: 5771152
    Abstract: A tilt adjustment mechanism having an upper housing, a lower housing and a shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly receives the gears which are pressed on either end of shaft. The shaft fits through locating slots in the lower housing. Each of the gears are activated by internal gears located on each side of the upper housing. The internal gears are integrally formed with the upper housing. The upper housing is hinged on the lower housing and can rotate 20 degrees. The shaft assembly mechanism provides a torsion bar function to insure that the upper housing moves evenly with respect to the lower housing. Even motion in the upwards and downwards directions of the housing is provided by even rotational torsional motion and opposite rotational torsional motion of the shaft assembly of the tilt adjustment mechanism. The shaft assembly mechanism decouples the frictional load in the two different rotational directions about its shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Crompton, Richard Hunter Harris, Herbert Gene Leonard, George Hufford, III, Jeff David Thomas