Patents by Inventor Albert Napier

Albert Napier 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: 5325263
    Abstract: A device for installing and removing a removable computer component, such as a data storage drive or computer card, into or out of a computer housing. The device features a drive sled to which the data storage drive is mounted. A stationary carrier tray is secured to the computer housing. Interlocking angled tracks on the drive sled and the carrier tray secure the two structures together. To promote easy coupling of the drive's electrical interface connectors, the front end of the drive sled has a floating guide plate with forward-projecting locating pins, which pins are used to align the electrical connectors held by the floating guide plate. A rack and pinion mechanism is provided. The rack is disposed on the top of the carrier tray while the pinion is located on the underside of the drive sled. As the drive sled slides onto the carrier tray, the lever-actuated pinion gear engages the rack and consequently displaces the drive sled relative to the stationary carrier tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Singer, Charles Fiorella, Bryan Bolich, David Willheim, Stephen Hobson, deceased, Albert Napier