Patents by Inventor John W. Bridges

John W. Bridges 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: 7946639
    Abstract: A server system lifting device includes a bearing area foldable at a midline. The bearing area includes a front portion and a rear portion that are defined by the midline. A plurality of handles are coupled to the bearing area. The plurality of handles includes two front handles coupled to opposite sides of the front portion of the bearing area and two rear handles coupled to opposite sides of the rear portion of the bearing area. The midline extends between the opposite sides. The bearing area is characterized by a width greater than or equal to a width of a server system chassis and a length such that the two forward handles are forward of a center of gravity of the server system chassis, and the two rear handles are posterior to the center of gravity, when the midline is approximately aligned with the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: John W. Bridges, Matthew C. Cain, Matthew J. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20100019520
    Abstract: A server system lifting device includes a bearing area foldable at a midline. The bearing area includes a front portion and a rear portion that are defined by the midline. A plurality of handles are coupled to the bearing area. The plurality of handles includes two front handles coupled to opposite sides of the front portion of the bearing area and two rear handles coupled to opposite sides of the rear portion of the bearing area. The midline extends between the opposite sides. The bearing area is characterized by a width greater than or equal to a width of a server system chassis and a length such that the two forward handles are forward of a center of gravity of the server system chassis, and the two rear handles are posterior to the center of gravity, when the midline is approximately aligned with the center of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: John W. Bridges, Matthew C. Cain, Matthew J. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 6915903
    Abstract: A reinforced packaging system is provided that includes a slit and an insert at a location in the foam frame that is susceptible to puncture. The presence of the slit and insert provides localized support against puncture by the shipped unit or an external component of the shipped unit. The insert may be composed of a paper, plastic, or other suitable product that is able to absorb the force from the shipped unit and transfer this force across the insert and the adjacent foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: James E. Manuel, John W. Bridges
  • Publication number: 20040226851
    Abstract: A reinforced packaging system is provided that includes a slit and an insert at a location in the foam frame that is susceptible to puncture. The presence of the slit and insert provides localized support against puncture by the shipped unit or an external component of the shipped unit. The insert may be composed of a paper, plastic, or other suitable product that is able to absorb the force from the shipped unit and transfer this force across the insert and the adjacent foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: James E. Manuel, John W. Bridges
  • Patent number: 6498719
    Abstract: A portable computer housing including an enclosure with a support wall and a strike zone including a first protrusion in the support wall. A support member is attached to the enclosure. The support member includes a base wall positioned in close proximity to the support wall of the enclosure. A second protrusion is formed in the base wall of the support member. The second protrusion is offset from the base wall by a first distance with at least a portion of the second protrusion being received within the first protrusion. A recess in the second protrusion is offset from the base wall by a second distance. The second distance is less than the first distance. The potential for impact-related failure of components in the portable computer is greatly reduced. Also, the configuration of the strike zone reduces the magnitude of the shock from an impact and eliminates a portion of the high frequency content that is known to damage components such as the hard drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventor: John W. Bridges
  • Patent number: 6105511
    Abstract: A packaging assembly for computer cabinets includes a base having a support surface, a pallet on one side of the support surface and a support guide on the other side of the support surface. A computer cabinet is mounted on the support surface and secured to the support guide. A two-piece cover is mounted over the cabinet and secured to the base. The two pieces of the cover are secured together by removable connectors. A cap is removably mounted on an end of the cover opposite the base and secured to the cover by additional ones of the removable connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L. P.
    Inventor: John W. Bridges
  • Patent number: 5850965
    Abstract: A reinforced container includes four exterior panels and four supports. Three of the supports are integrally connected to two exterior panels that are positioned to form an edge of the container. The supports can be secured to the interior sides of the exterior panels. The reinforced container can be made from folding a single sheet of corrugated fiberboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Derek W. Boyls, John W. Bridges
  • Patent number: 5823349
    Abstract: The present invention solves the problem of securing a corrugated shipping box to a skid or pallet without potential for injury when opened and which can be easily and securely resealed. The container for packaging and shipping articles of the present invention includes a substantially rectangular wooden base, such as a shipping skid or pallet, and a corrugated box. The box telescopes over the base wherein a portion of the base is inside the box. A reinforcing material, such as, for example, a foam plastic or Masonite.RTM., is applied to a section of the outside walls of the corrugated box adjacent to the base. A plurality-of screws fasten the box to the base through the reinforcing material, wherein the reinforcing material provides reinforcement and strength to the bond between the screws, the box and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventor: John W. Bridges
  • Patent number: 5631427
    Abstract: A portable notebook computer has a shock/vibration testing system incorporated therein and including first and second memory chips and a miniature accelerometer mounted on the computer motherboard and interconnected to the power supply board and storage battery portions of the computer by a power supply switchover circuit. During operational periods of the computer the switchover circuit connects the power supply board output to the accelerometer input, and the accelerometer output to the first memory chip, so that accelerometer output data indicative of the operational shock/vibration loads borne by the computer is received and stored in the first memory chip. During non-operational periods of the computer the switchover circuit connects the storage battery output to the accelerometer input, and the accelerometer output to the second memory chip, so that accelerometer output data indicative of the non-operational shock/vibration loads borne by the computer is received and stored in the second memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventor: John W. Bridges