Patents by Inventor Robert J. Hastings
Robert J. Hastings 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: 9620895Abstract: A socket is to receive a memory module usable in a computing system. A latch is to retain the memory module seated in the socket. The latch is to generate a positive locking latch retention force to prevent removal of the memory module while the latch is in a latched position.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LPInventors: Robert J Hastings, Joseph Allen, Minh H Nguyen, James Jeffery Schulze
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Publication number: 20150357755Abstract: A socket is to receive a memory module usable in a computing system. A latch is to retain the memory module seated in the socket. The latch is to generate a positive locking latch retention force to prevent removal of the memory module while the latch is in a latched position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.Inventors: Robert J Hastings, Joseph Allen, Minh H Nguyen, James Jeffery Schulze
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Patent number: 9192070Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading IC's into a socket lid is disclosed. The IC is first loaded into a lid. Once the IC has been loaded into the lid, the lid is rotated into a closed position on the frame. The lid is then locked in place on the frame by rotating at least one locking lever into a closed lacked position, where the locking lever forces the lid down against the socket contacts against a spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Chong S Tan, Robert J Hastings, Joseph R Allen, Michael T. Gill, Kelly K Smith, Keith A Sauer
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Patent number: 9011170Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a semiconductor is disclosed. First, the semiconductor is mounted into the bracket of a lid while the lid is detached from a frame. Once the semiconductor has been loaded into the lid/bracket assembly, the loaded lid is mounted onto the frame. The lid is then locked in place on the frame by rotating a locking lever into a closed locked position.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Keith A. Sauer, Kelly K Smith, Robert J. Hastings, Chong Sin Tan
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Publication number: 20130322037Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading IC's into a socket lid is disclosed. The IC is first loaded into a lid. Once the IC has been loaded into the lid, the lid is rotated into a closed position on the frame. The lid is then locked in place on the frame by rotating at least one locking lever into a closed lacked position, where the locking lever forces the lid down against the socket contacts against a spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Chong S. Tan, Robert J., Hastings, Joseph R. Allen, Michael T. Gill, Kelly K. Smith, Keith A. Sauer
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Publication number: 20130171858Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a semiconductor is disclosed. First, the semiconductor is mounted into the bracket of a lid while the lid is detached from a frame. Once the semiconductor has been loaded into the lid/bracket assembly, the loaded lid is mounted onto the frame. The lid is then locked in place on the frame by rotating a locking lever into a closed locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: Keith A. Sauer, Kelly K. Smith, Robert J. Hastings, Chong Sin Tan
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Patent number: 7617596Abstract: The described embodiments relate to electronic devices. One exemplary device includes a pair of sidewall components extending between respective top portions and bottom portions, the bottom portions lying in a plane that extends between the bottom portions. The device also includes a bottom component joined with and extending between the bottom portions, wherein the bottom component has a non-loaded disposition relative to the plane and a loaded disposition relative to the plane, and wherein at least a portion of the bottom component is closer to the plane in the loaded disposition than in the non-loaded disposition.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Paily T. Varghese, Robert J. Hastings, Thomas A. Kay, Jr.
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Patent number: 7282640Abstract: The described embodiments relate to electronic devices. One exemplary device includes a pair of sidewall components extending between respective top portions and bottom portions, the bottom portions lying in a plane that extends between the bottom portions. The device also includes a bottom component joined with and extending between the bottom portions, wherein the bottom component has a non-loaded disposition relative to the plane and a loaded disposition relative to the plane, and wherein at least a portion of the bottom component is closer to the plane in the loaded disposition than in the non-loaded disposition.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Paily T. Varghese, Robert J. Hastings, Thomas A. Kay, Jr.
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Patent number: 6988626Abstract: A rail mounting arrangement for supporting a computer component, such as a server, in a rack includes a pair of support rails and slide rail assemblies supported by the support rail. The support rails are identical and include a pair of mounting regions on either side of a longitudinal axis. The slide rail assemblies have a lower profile than the support rails and may be mounted on either of the mounting regions. The slide rail assemblies are secured to the server and present a low profile, permitting greater access to internal components within the server housing for servicing. The support rails are recessed in the rack to reduce the space occupied by the rail system in the region of the rack in which the server is supported.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventors: Paily T. Varghese, Robert J. Hastings, Paul E. Westphall
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Patent number: 6985358Abstract: The present invention is a fan tray assembly in a computer chassis which allows fan assemblies to be removed and installed without shutting down the computer device. The fan tray assembly includes two or more fan assemblies for cooling the interior of the chassis. The fan tray assembly has a first position in which the fan tray assembly is received in the chassis and an extended position in which the fan tray assembly extends from an opening in the chassis. The fan tray assembly has an endplate, a left side, a right side, and at least one of the sides includes one or more slots for receiving a fan assembly. A hot tap board mounted to the fan tray assembly is connected to a power cable. The fan assemblies are hot tap connected to the hot tap board. The present invention allows the fan assembly to be removed without shutting down the device by extending the fan tray assembly from the computer chassis and removing the fan assembly from the fan tray assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Daniel T. Thompson, Kevin Conn, Erik Robert Nielsen, Robert J. Hastings
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Patent number: 6962397Abstract: A track assembly, adapted to be mounted in a housing, having first and second rail members aligned with one another and allowed limited relative longitudinal movement with respect to the other. The joined first and second rail members have a mounting bracket attached to distal ends of the rail members. A spring, positioned between the rail members, provides a force extending the distance between the distal ends of the rail members. A locking mechanism interacts with the rail members and has a locked position resisting inward movement of the distal ends. The method of installing the track assembly in a rack is accomplished by compressing the track assembly to reduce its overall length prior to positioning it between opposing rack members. The track assembly is released to securely engage the opposing rack members and locked in position.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Karl J. Dobler, Kelly K. Smith, Robert J. Hastings
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Patent number: 6790068Abstract: A self-locking mechanism usable in conjunction with a printed circuit assembly (PCA). The self-locking mechanism generally comprises a central actuator, a pair of sliding members on either side of the actuator and one rotating lock member associated with each sliding member. The actuator, sliding members and rotating members preferably are mounted to a top edge of a vertically-mounted circuit board thereby forming the printed circuit assembly. The printed circuit assembly can only be removed from its host system after the actuator is turned to an unlocked position and then the sliding members are slid toward the actuator thereby causing the rotating lock members to disengage from their locked position. Turning the actuator also causes a signal to be asserted to the host system to disable power to the PCA. Upon installing the PCA, no power is provided to the PCA until it has been fully installed and the actuator locked.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Paul E. Westphall, Robert J. Hastings, Daniel T. Thompson
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Publication number: 20040106318Abstract: A self-locking mechanism usable in conjunction with a printed circuit assembly (PCA). The self-locking mechanism generally comprises a central actuator, a pair of sliding members on either side of the actuator and one rotating lock member associated with each sliding member. The actuator, sliding members and rotating members preferably are mounted to a top edge of a vertically-mounted circuit board thereby forming the printed circuit assembly. The printed circuit assembly can only be removed from its host system after the actuator is turned to an unlocked position and then the sliding members are slid toward the actuator thereby causing the rotating lock members to disengage from their locked position. Turning the actuator also causes a signal to be asserted to the host system to disable power to the PCA. Upon installing the PCA, no power is provided to the PCA until it has been fully installed and the actuator locked.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Paul E. Westphall, Robert J. Hastings, Daniel T. Thompson
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Patent number: 6731507Abstract: A power supply unit includes a housing in which one or more power supply modules can be inserted and a modular AC input section. The modular AC input section preferably attaches to the distal end of the housing from where the power supply modules are inserted. The AC input section includes one or more circuit breakers, connectors and wiring connecting the breakers to the connectors. The connectors preferably comprise blind mating connectors that mate with corresponding connectors on the rear surface of the power supply modules. The AC input section is screwed to the power supply housing or attached through some other suitable means. The AC input section is modular in the sense that it can be easily and quickly removed from the power supply unit and replaced with another section. This permits upgrades and repairs to be made in a quick, cost effective manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Paily T. Varghese, Robert J. Hastings
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Publication number: 20040080247Abstract: A track assembly, adapted to be mounted in a housing, having first and second rail members aligned with one another and allowed limited relative longitudinal movement with respect to the other. The joined first and second rail members have a mounting bracket attached to distal ends of the rail members. A spring, positioned between the rail members, provides a force extending the distance between the distal ends of the rail members. A locking mechanism interacts with the rail members and has a locked position resisting inward movement of the distal ends. The method of installing the track assembly in a rack is accomplished by compressing the track assembly to reduce its overall length prior to positioning it between opposing rack members. The track assembly is released to securely engage the opposing rack members and locked in position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Karl J. Dobler, Kelly K. Smith, Robert J. Hastings
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Publication number: 20040075983Abstract: The present invention is a fan tray assembly in a computer chassis which allows fan assemblies to be removed and installed without shutting down the computer device. The fan tray assembly includes two or more fan assemblies for cooling the interior of the chassis. The fan tray assembly has a first position in which the fan tray assembly is received in the chassis and an extended position in which the fan tray assembly extends from an opening in the chassis. The fan tray assembly has an endplate, a left side, a right side, and at least one of the sides includes one or more slots for receiving a fan assembly. A hot tap board mounted to the fan tray assembly is connected to a power cable. The fan assemblies are hot tap connected to the hot tap board. The present invention allows the fan assembly to be removed without shutting down the device by extending the fan tray assembly from the computer chassis and removing the fan assembly from the fan tray assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Daniel T. Thompson, Kevin Conn, Erik Robert Nielsen, Robert J. Hastings
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Patent number: 6717806Abstract: An alignment and retention mechanism comprises a hinged upper subassembly rotatably mated with a fixed lower subassembly defining a receptacle into which a component (e.g., a processor and heat sink assembly) is aligned and retained in place. The alignment and retention mechanism aligns and retains the component without the use of tools and loose fasteners and includes various features that prevent an improper attempt at inserting and removing the component into the receptacle. The alignment and retention mechanism can be used in computer systems as well as other types of electrical systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Minh H. Nguyen, Paul E. Westphall, Robert J. Hastings
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Patent number: 6714411Abstract: The present invention is a fan tray assembly in a computer chassis which allows fan assemblies to be removed and installed without shutting down the computer device. The fan tray assembly includes two or more fan assemblies for cooling the interior of the chassis. The fan tray assembly has a first position in which the fan tray assembly is received in the chassis and an extended position in which the fan tray assembly extends from an opening in the chassis. The fan tray assembly has an end plate, a left side, and a right side, and at least one of the sides includes one or more slots for receiving a fan assembly. A hot tap board mounted to the fan tray assembly is connected to a power cable. The fan assemblies are hot tap connected to the hot tap board. The present invention allows the fan assembly to be removed without shutting down the device by extending the fan tray assembly from the computer chassis and removing the fan assembly from the fan tray assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Daniel T. Thompson, Kevin Conn, Erik Robert Nielsen, Robert J. Hastings
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Patent number: 6702412Abstract: A track assembly, adapted to be mounted in a housing, having first and second rail members aligned with one another and allowed limited relative longitudinal movement with respect to the other. The joined first and second rail members have a mounting bracket attached to distal ends of the rail members. A spring, positioned between the rail members, provides a force extending the distance between the distal ends of the rail members. A locking mechanism interacts with the rail members and has a locked position resisting inward movement of the distal ends. The method of installing the track assembly in a rack is accomplished by compressing the track assembly to reduce its overall length prior to positioning it between opposing rack members. The track assembly is released to securely engage the opposing rack members and locked in position.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Karl J. Dobler, Kelly K. Smith, Robert J. Hastings
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Patent number: 6669497Abstract: A self-locking mechanism usable in conjunction with a printed circuit assembly (PCA). The self-locking mechanism generally comprises a central actuator, a pair of sliding members on either side of the actuator and one rotating lock member associated with each sliding member. The actuator, sliding members and rotating members preferably are mounted to a top edge of a vertically-mounted circuit board thereby forming the printed circuit assembly. The printed circuit assembly can only be removed from its host system after the actuator is turned to an unlocked position and then the sliding members are slid toward the actuator thereby causing the rotating lock members to disengage from their locked position. Turning the actuator also causes a signal to be asserted to the host system to disable power to the PCA. Upon installing the PCA, no power is provided to the PCA until it has been fully installed and the actuator locked.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Paul E. Westphall, Robert J. Hastings, Daniel T. Thompson