Patents Examined by Hung Van Duong
  • Patent number: 7236370
    Abstract: A cluster module for holding multiple computers. In one variation, a computer rack is configured to receive a plurality of cluster modules, and each of the cluster modules holds a plurality of computers. In one implementation, the computers are secured within the each of the cluster modules in a vertical orientation. In another implementation, the computers are secured within each of the cluster modules in a horizontal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Rackable Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Coglitore, Matthew P. Casebolt
  • Patent number: 7230825
    Abstract: A system comprising a portable computer chassis having an internal speaker; openings in the chassis from which sound from the speaker can emanate, wherein the openings allow heat generated by the system to escape is provided. In one embodiment, the internal speaker is located at least a minimum distance away from the openings. By utilizing speaker grills as ventilation openings in this manner, ventilation openings on the bottom side of notebook computers can be eliminated and user comfort can be increased when the system is placed on the lap. Additionally, system reliability is improved as ventilation is also increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Gateway Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 7230822
    Abstract: A portable media reproduction system preferably includes a housing with an attached docking component for receiving a portable media player, the docking component being recessed into the housing when in a closed position such that the first side forms a uniformly substantially flat surface. A latch is provided for holding the docking component in the closed position, and a connector connects to the portable media player. The connector is positioned on the docking component to receive the portable media player when the docking component is in an open position. A base component is recessed into the second side of the housing when in a closed position such that the second side of the housing forms a uniformly substantially flat surface. The base component is extendable into an open position such that the it supports the portable media reproduction system in a substantially upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Altec Lansing, a division of Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Aaron Langberg, Richard Messerle
  • Patent number: 7227746
    Abstract: In a storage system that includes multiple disk drives, the disk drive packaging density is increased, and maintainability and serviceability, as well as cooling performance, are improved. The storage system includes multiple racks, multiple disk drives and multiple cooling devices. The multiple racks are arranged to form a substantially polygonal cylinder-shaped central space used to enable maintenance work to be carried out. Furthermore, an entrance area for a worker to enter the central space is formed between a first rack and a second rack among the multiple racks. The multiple disk drives are detachably mounted to one side of inside and outside of the multiple racks, and are arranged to form a first surface in each of the multiple racks. The multiple cooling devices are arranged to form a second surface in each of the multiple racks. The second surface is substantially parallel to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Tanaka, Kentaro Shimada
  • Patent number: 7224579
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reinforced slide chassis structure of an audio/video system, more particularly, to a reinforced slide chassis structure of an audio/video system for a motor vehicle, capable of preventing deteriorations in the slide chassis by reducing a total weight of the slide chassis yet reinforcing a deformation-sensitive portion of the slide chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Autonet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7218514
    Abstract: An I/O interface cover assembly includes a panel, a bracket for accommodating an I/O interface element, a driving device, a locking device and a button. The panel defines an opening and a button hole adjacent the opening. The bracket is received in the opening, and includes one end pivotally connected to the panel and the other end defining an I/O slot and a locking hole therein. The driving device is disposed between the panel and the bracket for driving the bracket out from the opening of the panel. The locking device is movably arranged to the panel, and engagable with the locking hole of the bracket. The locking device is disposed with a resilient element. The button is disposed in the button hole of the panel, and is able to press the locking device to disengage from the locking hole of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shao-Bo Han, Zhen Kang
  • Patent number: 7218513
    Abstract: A disc drive carrier unit installed on an installation surface of a computer casing is proposed. The installation surface has at least a first positioning piece and a first fixation piece, and both are perpendicular to each other. The disc drive carrier unit has a frame for encompassing and securing a disc drive, a second positioning piece for engaging with the first positioning piece, and at least a second fixation piece for correspondently securing to the first fixation piece. The second positioning piece of the disc drive carrier unit has an engaging function to replace the partial locking design of the conventional technology, for ease of assembly/disassembly and reduction of the assembly cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Chi Yang, Yue-Jun Hu, Mike Cai, Li-Ming Le
  • Patent number: 7218515
    Abstract: A cooling fan comprising a housing, an electric motor, a blade assembly, and a first motor control circuit board. The housing is operable to connect to a computer chassis that supports an electronic component. An electric motor is fixably mounted within a volume formed by an inner surface of the housing. A blade assembly is rotatably mounted to the electric motor. A first motor control circuit board is coupled to the electric motor and is disposed externally to the volume formed by the inner surface of said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wade D. Vinson, John P. Franz
  • Patent number: 7218526
    Abstract: A rack computer system. In one embodiment, a rack structure having a pair of mounting legs each having a rail interface oriented in a plane transverse to the pair of mounting legs. The rack computer system also has a computer chassis having a pair of mounting rails movable along the rail interface between a plurality of mounting depths oriented along the plane. In another embodiment, a method of forming a versatile rack mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: David W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 7215538
    Abstract: A portable computer is comprised of a base, a display, and one or more multi-sectioned arms connecting the base and the display. The arms can be folded and parked alongside the computer in a closed position. The arms can also be detached from both the base and the display. The display's viewing position can be continuously adjusted up, down, forward, backward, left, or right relative to the base, in a 3-dimensional range of movement with a semi-diameter of the height of the fully stretched arm. The base and the display are rotatably connected to the arms, so that the base and the display can rotate independently around the connections to control how they face each other, enabling multiple configurations in one computer. Five embodiments of the present invention are presented for illustration, based on arm designs and how they are connected to the base and the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: Shaofen Chen, Zhaofang Wen
  • Patent number: 7215537
    Abstract: A mounting system for electronic equipment is described which includes a mounting rack, a connector plate, and a retention device. The connector plate is hingedly mounted to a rear of the mounting rack and the connector plate is configured for the mounting of connectors that mate with the connectors of the electronic equipment. The retention device is configured to hold the connector plate against a rear of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Beseth, Daniel J. Cool, Stephen M. Reid
  • Patent number: 7215536
    Abstract: An electromagnetic shield assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a frame. The present embodiment is further comprised of an electromagnetic gasket surrounding the frame. The present embodiment is also comprised of an actuating element coupled with the electromagnetic gasket. The actuating element is adapted to retract and deploy a portion of the electromagnetic gasket with respect to the frame to provide an adjustable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James D. Hensley, Andrew H. Dickson
  • Patent number: 7212403
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of cooling a plurality of electronic components in a housing using one or more fans cooperating with baffles or ducts for directing a stream of air sequentially to the components or heat exchangers for the components. Direction of the air stream to the components is based on predetermined cooling prioritization of the plurality of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 7206199
    Abstract: A component coupling apparatus includes a wall comprising a first surface, a second surface located opposite the first surface, and defining a guide coupling aperture extending through the wall from the first surface to the second surface. A first guide member is coupled to the wall through the guide coupling aperture and positioned adjacent the first surface. A second guide member is coupled to the wall through the guide coupling aperture and positioned adjacent the second surface. A component may be coupled to the wall using the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Salvador Jimenez, Shannon Bynum
  • Patent number: 7203059
    Abstract: A portable computer having a main computer body and a display unit which is slidably attached to the main computer body and movable to various vertical positions up and away from the computer main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Russell G. Kramer
  • Patent number: 7203057
    Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus. The portable electronic apparatus comprises a body, a image-retrieving device, an operational interface, and a first display. The body has a main surface, a rear surface, a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The main surface is opposite to the rear surface. The first side is a flat surface. The second side connects the third side and the fourth side with arc surfaces. The second side is a curved surface. The operational interface and the first display are disposed on the main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Ying-Shi Lin
  • Patent number: 7203060
    Abstract: A disk drive support assembly has a clamp arrangement for releasably clamping a disk drive to a massive block. The clamp arrangement may be an inflatable actuator that is operable to clamp the disk drive to the block via a disk drive carrier. Various clamp assemblies for clamping a disk drive to a substrate, such as a disk drive carrier, are also disclosed. A disk drive carrier that can be adapted for use with different types of disk drive is also disclosed. Such disk drives include those that provide for electrical and/or data connections under the disk drive, those that provide for electrical and/or data connections at the rear of the disk drive, and those that have their own so-called product card associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Alexander S. Kay, Timothy J. Muncaster, Andrew J. Nineham, Andrew W. Atkins
  • Patent number: 7196902
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a disk drive coupling apparatus for rigidly coupling a disk drive to a chassis of a computer. In one embodiment, the disk drive coupling apparatus includes a disk drive to chassis coupler and a disk drive to chassis coupler engaging mechanism. One end of the disk drive to chassis coupler can be coupled to the chassis of the computer. The disk drive to chassis coupler engaging mechanism is capable of causing the other end of the disk drive to chassis coupler to apply pressure to the disk drive, thus, the disk drive can be rigidly coupled to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Albrecht, Akihiko Aoyagi, Fu-Ying Huang, Qinghua Zeng
  • Patent number: 7193857
    Abstract: A structure for vertically housing multiple computer systems is disclosed. The structure includes a bottom support member and a top support member substantially parallel to the bottom support member. The top support member is attached to the bottom support member by two side members. Bottom guides are mounted to the bottom support member, and top guides are mounted to the top support member. The top guides are substantially parallel to the bottom guides and are substantially aligned with the bottom guides. A computer system having a top groove and a bottom groove slides into a computer space in between the top support member and the bottom support member by having the top groove align with a top guide and by having the bottom groove align with a bottom guide to provide a fitting relationship. The computer system slides into the computer space to a non-backplaned rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Linux Networx, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane R. Robbins, Clark M. Roundy, Jason Lowry
  • Patent number: 7193855
    Abstract: A computer enclosure includes a cage (10), a side panel (20) and a fastening device (100). The fastening device includes a cover (40) attached to the side panel, an actuator (60), a locking member (70), and a coil spring (50). The cover includes an end plate (43) having an aperture (46) and a base (41) having a through hole (47). The actuator includes a shaft (65). The locking member includes a cantilever arm (74) and lock block (73) having a wedge (75). The actuator is slidably received in the cover with the shaft fixing the coil spring therearound and extending through the aperture. The locking member is located in the cover, the wedge is extendable into the through hole of the base. The actuator can drive the wedge upwardly and downwardly to engage with the cage for releasing and securing the side panel from and to the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Lu Fan, Li-Ping Chen, Kuo-Chih Lin