Patents Assigned to Palo Alto Design Group
  • Patent number: 6189842
    Abstract: Tilt and swivel adjustment of a flat panel display including detents for landscape and portrait positions and a kickout feature for preventing contact between the flat panel display and its base. A stand for the display includes a neck member coupled to the base member and a riser member which is slidable with respect to the neck member. The display is mounted to an upper portion of the riser member via a swivel apparatus which allows a user to pivot the display between landscape and portrait orientations. The swivel apparatus includes a cam and corresponding ramp. When the display is pivoted between the portrait and landscape orientations, the cam and ramp cause the display to be tilted with respect to the stand such that a lower portion of the display is tilted away from the base member, thereby preventing contact therebetween. The swivel apparatus includes a bearing member which is mounted between the display and a portion of the swivel apparatus which is pivotable with respect to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group
    Inventors: Kathleen A. Bergeron Gull, Gregory Allen Springer, Malcolm Sloan Smith
  • Patent number: 6141222
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for and method of attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system uses spring-urged protrusions to attach the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system without screws or other traditional hardware fasteners. Preferably, the spring-urged protrusions are configured to allow quick and easy installation and removal without the need for tools. Further, the apparatus is preferably configured to use standard mounting holes included in most peripheral electronic components. Therefore, the apparatus does not require costly custom modification for use with a variety of peripheral electronic components. More particularly, the apparatus is preferably electrically conductive to ground the chassis of the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system. In addition, the apparatus uses the spring-urged protrusions to reduce or eliminate the transmission of vibration between the peripheral electronic component and the electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group
    Inventors: John Toor, Robert B. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5973926
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a motherboard to a chassis of a personal computer using only a single screw. A number of standoffs snap into the base of the chassis, electrically contacting the chassis. Each standoff includes a projection. The motherboard includes apertures for accepting the projections such that when an ramp and shelf of each projection is aligned with the motherboard, the motherboard is positioned a fixed distance from the chassis. A mounting bracket also includes a number of projections. Apertures provided in the motherboard correspond to the projections of the mounting bracket. The surface of each side of the motherboard surrounding each aperture is plated with an electrically conductive material to form a conductive path between the motherboard and the standoffs and the bracket. The projections of the bracket are inserted into the corresponding apertures in the motherboard. A screw is inserted through a wall of the chassis and into a threaded hole in the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Sacherman, John Toor
  • Patent number: 5748442
    Abstract: A personal computer chassis having increased reliability, versatility and decreased manufacturing costs. In a first embodiment, a disk drive is installed in the chassis in a first orientation for resting the computer on a desk top or in a second orientation, rotated 90 degrees from the first orientation, for resting the computer on a floor. The chassis is configured to allow interchangeable trim plates. When the trim plate is used as a base plate it has a larger periphery than when used as a side trim plate. In a second embodiment, a disk drive may be installed in the chassis without screws. Spring urged clips allow the disk drive to be easily inserted into the computer chassis, yet provide secure attachment. In a third embodiment, electrical contact is ensured for input/output port covers attached to the rear of the computer chassis. Each cover is made to bend slightly over protrusions on the computer chassis, forcing the cover into firm contact with the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group
    Inventor: John Toor
  • Patent number: D345209
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Shoda, Dallas Grove
  • Patent number: D355168
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dallas R. Grove
  • Patent number: D356786
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group
    Inventors: Jim Sacherman, Thomas Shoda
  • Patent number: D359477
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Shoda
  • Patent number: D424027
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group
    Inventors: Thomas Mamoru Shoda, Livius Dumitru Chebeleu
  • Patent number: D427163
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group
    Inventors: Kathleen A. Bergeron Gull, Jo Frances Wollschlaeger