Patents by Inventor Vernon D. Erickson

Vernon D. Erickson 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: 6589076
    Abstract: An electrical connector has an inner dielectric housing adapted for mounting a plurality of electrical contacts and including at least one forwardly projecting mating portion having opposite sides. The connector has a metallic shield surrounding a major portion of the inner dielectric housing. An outer dielectric cover has a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The outer dielectric cover surrounds a major portion of the metallic shield and includes first and second integrally formed spring latches. The first integrally formed spring latch extends forwardly from the back along the top and the second integrally formed spring latch extending forwardly from the back along the bottom. The first and second spring latches each comprise a spring portion and a distal grip, said distal grips being constructed and arranged to compress the spring latches when a user urges them inwardly toward each other to install the connector in a computer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Jorge A. Moriel, Vernon D. Erickson, Jeff P. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20030090881
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for securing a received tab included on a printed circuit board. The apparatus may include a chassis suitable for containing an electrical component, a card retention member disposed on the external surface of the chassis and a securing member pivotally attached to the card retention member. Additionally, the apparatus may contain a locking system for restraining the securing member in a secured orientation and an angled receiving area on the securing member suitable for forcing the received tab inward towards the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Cesar D. Castillo, Armando Rocha, Richard A. Gibson, Thomas H. Carson, Vernon D. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20030081399
    Abstract: An information handling system case is disclosed which has a chassis suitable for containing an electronic component, an access door removably mounted to the chassis, the access door suitable for permitting access to an electronic component contained in the computer chassis, and a release mechanism adjacent to the access door, wherein the release mechanism is manually operable by a single hand of a user to release the access door from the chassis, the access door separating from the chassis upon manipulation of the release mechanism by the user. The quick release mechanism is preferably a squeezable handle. EMI shielding is accomplished through EMI clips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Cesar Daniel Castillo, Armando Rocha, Richard A. Gibson, Vernon D. Erickson, Thomas H. Carson
  • Patent number: 6442038
    Abstract: A card hold down assembly for retaining one or more expansion cards within the chassis of an electronic device such as a computer system, server, photocopier, facsimile machine, printer, or the like is described. The card hold down assembly is comprised of a retainer that engages the mounting bracket securing tab of an expansion card received in the chassis to at least partially restrain the tab for securing said expansion card in the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon D. Erickson, David R. Davis, Thomas H. Carson, Robert S. Williams, Alejandro Puentes
  • Publication number: 20020085347
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for multiple computer storage drives mounts at least one drive so that it may be swung out for easy access to the drive and to its cable connectors. The mechanism comprises a drive cage mounting bracket, a hinge, and appropriately adapted chassis, so that the mounting bracket is hingeably connected to the chassis to swing open for access and to swing closed for operation. The bracket is adapted so that, when in the open position, the cable connector of at least one mounted drive is distal from the hinge and chassis and thus easily accessible. A preferred embodiment provides for releaseably locking the bracket in the closed position. Furthermore, the bracket preferably mounts a hard drive so that it is suspended within the airspace above the computer motherboard for easier cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Vernon D. Erickson, David R. Davis, Thomas R. Carson, Robert S. Williams, Alejandro Puentes
  • Patent number: 6392875
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for multiple computer storage drives mounts at least one drive so that it may be swung out for easy access to the drive and to its cable connectors. The mechanism comprises a drive cage mounting bracket, a hinge, and appropriately adapted chassis, so that the mounting bracket is hingeably connected to the chassis to swing open for access and to swing closed for operation. The bracket is adapted so that, when in the open position, the cable connector of at least one mounted drive is distal from the hinge and chassis and thus easily accessible. A preferred embodiment provides for releaseably locking the bracket in the closed position. Furthermore, the bracket preferably mounts a hard drive so that it is suspended within the airspace above the computer motherboard for easier cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon D. Erickson, David R. Davis, Thomas R. Carson, Robert S. Williams, Alejandro Puentes