Patents by Inventor Allen Ronald Cox
Allen Ronald Cox 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: 6867942Abstract: A data storage cartridge having an data storage device, such as an encased magnetic disk drive assembly, is, in one embodiment, of generally an exterior dimensional form factor of a tape cartridge having a leader block with a hole therethrough for engagement by a threading pin. To distinguish the cartridge from a tape cartridge, the cartridge shell comprises a blocking portion at the location of the leader block hole. A transfer station both identifies the cartridge and indicates the presence of the cartridge at an end of travel in a cartridge receiver, employing an optical source and an opposed sensor directed toward the leader block hole when a cartridge is at the end of travel. In another embodiment, an encased magnetic disk drive assembly is supported and mounted in a cartridge shell by a shock mount.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas Robert Albrecht, John Ray Blair, Allen Ronald Cox, David Michael Davis, Paul Merrill Greco, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
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Patent number: 6813117Abstract: A shutter mechanism is provided at an access opening in a portable data storage cartridge. Clamshell shutters meet at a common junction in the access opening. Actuation paddles positioned at the clamshell shutters are arranged to, when engaged by actuation pins, pivot the respective clamshell shutters in opposite directions away from the common junction, to expose the access opening. The clamshell shutters are mounted such that, when pivoted away from the common junction, each clamshell shutter remains within the cartridge housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Ray Blair, Allen Ronald Cox, David Michael Davis
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Patent number: 6795301Abstract: The invention relates to an enclosure comprising a housing and a device connecting card which is compliantly connected within the housing. The compliant connection, in use, disperses mounting stresses caused by a device in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Allen Ronald Cox, Stephen Peter Legg
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Patent number: 6744595Abstract: An indicator comprises a rotary device in the form of a right cylinder arranged to be rotatable in a chamber of a portable data storage cartridge, which has an exterior wall opening to the chamber. A peripheral surface of the rotary device has an encoded pattern of at least one cylindrical surface and a plurality of facets interrupting the cylindrical surface(s). The facets are located at various axial positions, and at various angularly spaced rotational positions, such that, at differing rotational positions of the rotary device, at least one or none of the facets is positioned at the exterior opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Ray Blair, Dennis Hurley Byrne, Allen Ronald Cox, David Michael Davis, James Mitchell Karp
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Patent number: 6663440Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method for connecting a pin array and a circuit board. In particular, the invention relates to pin array connections used in connecting disk drives into disk drive enclosures. Connection is accomplished by using a multi-pinned plug connector which sequentially engages conductive surfaces at different levels within the receiving PCB. The plug connector is connected electrically at its opposing end to a second PCB.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Allen Ronald Cox, Stephen Peter Legg, Neil Morris
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Publication number: 20030128466Abstract: A shutter mechanism is provided at an access opening in a portable data storage cartridge. Clamshell shutters meet at a common junction in the access opening. Actuation paddles positioned at the clamshell shutters are arranged to, when engaged by actuation pins, pivot the respective clamshell shutters in opposite directions away from the common junction, to expose the access opening. The clamshell shutters are mounted such that, when pivoted away from the common junction, each clamshell shutter remains within the cartridge housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Ray Blair, Allen Ronald Cox, David Michael Davis
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Publication number: 20030128467Abstract: An indicator comprises a rotary device in the form of a right cylinder arranged to be rotatable in a chamber of a portable data storage cartridge, which has an exterior wall opening to the chamber. A peripheral surface of the rotary device has an encoded pattern of at least one cylindrical surface and a plurality of facets interrupting the cylindrical surface(s). The facets are located at various axial positions, and at various angularly spaced rotational positions, such that, at differing rotational positions of the rotary device, at least one or none of the facets is positioned at the exterior opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John Ray Blair, Dennis Hurley Byrne, Allen Ronald Cox, David Michael Davis, James Mitchell Karp
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Patent number: 6545865Abstract: A shock mount structure facilitates shock absorption for a device. An outrigger, preferably two wing-like outriggers at diametrically opposite sides of the device, is mounted to the device at an attachment point, and is positioned between two contacting force absorbing members, distributing the shock force to the force absorption members, and supporting the device against slippage with respect to the force absorption members. Leaf spring tabs are formed within the cartridge shell, spaced from an edge of the cartridge shell to allow their flexure. The force absorption members are positioned between the device and the leaf spring tabs, contacting the tabs, such that the tabs assist in absorbing shock force directed at the leaf spring tabs.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas Robert Albrecht, Allen Ronald Cox, David Michael Davis, Wayne Isami Imaino, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
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Publication number: 20030063436Abstract: The invention relates to an enclosure comprising a housing and a device connecting card which is compliantly connected within the housing. The compliant connection, in use, disperses mounting stresses caused by a device in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Allen Ronald Cox, Stephen Peter Legg
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Publication number: 20030011980Abstract: A shock mount structure facilitates shock absorption for a device. An outrigger, preferably two wing-like outriggers at diametrically opposite sides of the device, is mounted to the device at an attachment point, and is positioned between two contacting force absorbing members, distributing the shock force to the force absorption members, and supporting the device against slippage with respect to the force absorption members. Leaf spring tabs are formed within the cartridge shell, spaced from an edge of the cartridge shell to allow their flexure. The force absorption members are positioned between the device and the leaf spring tabs, contacting the tabs, such that the tabs assist in absorbing shock force directed at the leaf spring tabs.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas Robert Albrecht, Allen Ronald Cox, David Michael Davis, Wayne Isami Imaino, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
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Publication number: 20030013326Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method for connecting a pin array and a circuit board. In particular, the invention relates to pin array connections used in connecting disk drives into disk drive enclosures. Connection is accomplished by using a multi-pinned plug connector which sequentially engages conductive surfaces at different levels within the receiving PCB. The plug connector is connected electrically at its opposing end to a second PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Allen Ronald Cox, Stephen Peter Legg, Neil Morris
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Publication number: 20020159182Abstract: A data storage cartridge having an data storage device, such as an encased magnetic disk drive assembly, is, in one embodiment, of generally an exterior dimensional form factor of a tape cartridge having a leader block with a hole therethrough for engagement by a threading pin. To distinguish the cartridge from a tape cartridge, the cartridge shell comprises a blocking portion at the location of the leader block hole. A transfer station both identifies the cartridge and indicates the presence of the cartridge at an end of travel in a cartridge receiver, employing an optical source and an opposed sensor directed toward the leader block hole when a cartridge is at the end of travel. In another embodiment, an encased magnetic disk drive assembly is supported and mounted in a cartridge shell by a shock mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas Robert Albrecht, John Ray Blair, Allen Ronald Cox, David Michael Davis, Paul Merrill Greco, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
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Patent number: 4120505Abstract: A stabilizing backing plate for a rotating flexible record disk has a bearing surface with a smooth finish to prevent disk wear. A plurality of depressions in the backing plate trap air to prevent the flexible disk from adhering to the backing plate during start-up.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1977Date of Patent: October 17, 1978Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Allen Ronald Cox, Michael Robert Hatchett, Leonard John Rigbey