Patents by Inventor Benjamin Michael

Benjamin Michael 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: 7068510
    Abstract: A blade server module comprising: a housing assembly; a printed circuit board disposed within the housing assembly and mounted in a free-floating relationship thereto; a processor mounted on the printed circuit board; heat sink assembly disposed in the housing assembly in close proximity to the processor; and, one or more compliant compression elements disposed within the housing assembly so as to be preloaded to provide a force on the printed circuit board to force the heat source into thermal engagement with the heat sink assembly. Methods and systems are disclosed for effectively dissipating heat reliably in compact packaging arrangements that are particularly adapted for computing systems including blade servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Joseph Crippen, Pat Gallarelli, Benjamin Michael Kreuz, Arvind Kumar Sinha
  • Patent number: 7040995
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, Hinging Chair Stand (100), a Hinging Chair Stand includes first and second support members (200 and 202) coupled to one another at the intermediate portion. (210) The support members each have a leg portion (206a and 206b) that is adapted to rest on a base and an arm portion (204a and 204b) adapted to suspend a hanging chair over a region defined by the leg portions 220. A pair of attachment members (212) may be coupled to ends of the arm portions to suspend the hanging chair over the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Benjamin Michael Lee
  • Patent number: 7010819
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a hammock support includes a helically shaped support member having a first end and a second end, the support member adapted to rest on a base and a pair of stability members coupled to the support member and adapted to prevent the support member from rotating around the axis of the support member. The support member is adapted to couple a first hammock to the support member at the first and second ends and a second hammock to the support member adjacent the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Benjamin Michael Lee
  • Patent number: 6866286
    Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor. Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Witte, James Arthur Nagorcka
  • Publication number: 20040194612
    Abstract: Under the present invention, audio characteristics of computer audio files are analyzed (measured). Based on the analysis, baseline ratings are determined. Final ratings are then determined by scaling each baseline rating relative to one another to fit within a fixed range. A setting can then be established for a playing device so that only computer audio files having a final rating that meets the established setting will be played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Michael Parees
  • Publication number: 20040116195
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, Hinging Chair Stand (100), a Hinging Chair Stand includes first and second support members (200 and 202) coupled to one another at the intermediate portion. (210) The support members each have a leg portion (206a and 206b) that is adapted to rest on a base and an arm portion (204a and 204b) adapted to suspend a hanging chair over a region defined by the leg portions 220. A pair of attachment members (212) may be coupled to ends of the arm portions to suspend the hanging chair over the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Benjamin Michael Lee
  • Publication number: 20040098802
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a hammock support includes a helically shaped support member having a first end and a second end, the support member adapted to rest on a base and a pair of stability members coupled to the support member and adapted to prevent the support member from rotating around the axis of the support member. The support member is adapted to couple a first hammock to the support member at the first and second ends and a second hammock to the support member adjacent the first and second ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Benjamin Michael Lee
  • Publication number: 20040090042
    Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor. Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Benjamin Michael Witte
  • Patent number: 6698786
    Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor.Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Witte, James Arthur Nagorcka
  • Patent number: 6535391
    Abstract: A system and method for front service access to a component or subassembly in a computer system is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frame having a front face is provided, as well as a plate configured to move into and out of the front face of the frame. The plate includes a first portion and a second portion coupled to one another via a linking element. A component cage is mounted on the first portion of the plate. The first portion of the plate is moved out of the front face of the frame and is rotated downward via the linking element. In this position, the cage is readily accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Carl Larsen, Benjamin Michael Kreuz, Francis Anthony Kuchar, Jr., Donald Lee Thompson
  • Patent number: 6502654
    Abstract: A utility transport tractor having a cargo box above the rear axle with the operator's platform forward of the rear axle enabling additional seats to be included. To maintain the functionality of a conventional agricultural tractor, the cargo box tail gate and a portion of the cargo box floor can be raised to positions in which they both extend upwardly and forwardly toward the operator. In these positions, the three point hitch at the rear of the tractor is visible to the operator as is typically the case conventional agricultural tractors. The tail gate is mounted to the cargo box for rotation about multiple axes to pivot the tail gate to multiple open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Witte, Robert James Recker, Barrie Lloyd Smith
  • Publication number: 20020190496
    Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor. Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation.
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Witte, James Arthur Nagorcka
  • Publication number: 20020170760
    Abstract: A utility transport tractor having a cargo box above the rear axle with the operator's platform forward of the rear axle enabling additional seats to be included. To maintain the functionality of a conventional agricultural tractor, the cargo box tail gate and a portion of the cargo box floor can be raised to positions in which they both extend upwardly and forwardly toward the operator. In these positions, the three point hitch at the rear of the tractor is visible to the operator as is typically the case conventional agricultural tractors. The tail gate is mounted to the cargo box for rotation about multiple axes to pivot the tail gate to multiple open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Witte, Robert James Recker, Barrie Lloyd Smith
  • Publication number: 20020159241
    Abstract: A system and method for front service access to a component or subassembly in a computer system is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frame having a front face is provided, as well as a plate configured to move into and out of the front face of the frame. The plate includes a first portion and a second portion coupled to one another via a linking element. A component cage is mounted on the first portion of the plate. The first portion of the plate is moved out of the front face of the frame and is rotated downward via the linking element. In this position, the cage is readily accessible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Carl Larsen, Benjamin Michael Kreuz, Francis Anthony Kuchar, Donald Lee Thompson
  • Publication number: 20010018782
    Abstract: In the production of a nonwoven fabric of thermally bonded fibers, a heavy web of fibers is continuously fed to a toothed cylinder at a slow speed to form a layer of fibers, and a portion of this layer is removed and formed into a lightweight uniform web at a faster speed. The second web is conveyed without draw to a calender having a bonding nip, and the fibers of the web are rearranged by compression and heating and are supported on a hot surface of one of the calender rolls prior to entering the nip to additionally improve uniformity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Nolan, Joseph F. Merker
  • Patent number: 6210511
    Abstract: In the production of a nonwoven fabric of thermally bonded fibers, a heavy web of fibers is continuously fed to a toothed cylinder at a slow speed to form a layer of fibers, and a portion of this layer is removed and formed into a lightweight uniform web at a faster speed. The second web is conveyed without draw to a calender having a bonding nip, and the fibers of the web are rearranged by compression and heating and are supported on a hot surface of one of the calender rolls prior to entering the nip to additionally improve uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Fibertech Group
    Inventors: Benjamin Michael Nolan, Joseph F. Merker
  • Patent number: 6138782
    Abstract: A steering control system for a tracked vehicle includes an engine driven variable displacement steering pump which drives a hydraulic motor. A control system senses steering wheel position, vehicle speed, engine speed and forward/reverse vehicle direction. As a function of these sensed inputs, a control signal is generated and is used to control the swashplate angle of an engine-driven variable displacement pump which drives a steering motor which drives a differential track drive mechanism. The control system also determines a ratio of motor speed to vehicle speed and generates a powerboost signal when the ratio exceeds a threshold value. The powerboost signal is communicated to the engine controller which causes the engine to increase its power output. This modifies the engine fuel delivery curve based on the steering system power requirement and increases the power available for turning the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Vernon Anderson, John Wayne Schletzbaum, Ronald Lee Mayfield, Dennis Royal Yoder, Benjamin Michael Witte, Raymond Yifei Hou, Sanjay Ishvarlal Mistry
  • Patent number: 5850351
    Abstract: In a distributed management apparatus for a battery pack, a battery monitoring module for each individual battery comprises a microcomputer and apparatus for bi-directional communication with a central control. Each microcomputer is provided with memory and its own control program, which allow sophisticated data gathering, communication and bypass control functions to be performed by each battery monitoring module independently of the central control, although still at its command, for more efficient control design and more flexible and capable system operation. In a preferred embodiment, each battery monitoring module may further comprise voltage and temperature measuring circuits with inputs to the microcomputer and a bypass circuit incorporating the microcomputer itself. All the battery monitoring modules are linked with an interface module by a minimal element, common digital communication circuit for bi-directional communication between each of the battery monitoring modules and the central control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Nader Michael Lotfy, Robert Charles Diefenbach, Benjamin Michael Eiref
  • Patent number: 5670930
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch (10) to close or open an electric circuit depending on the temperature of a bimetallic part (26) comprises an electrically conductive housing (12) with an underside (13). An electrically conductive cover (16) is provided to close the housing (12). There is an insulating disk (17) between the housing (12) and the cover (16) which electrically isolates the housing (12) from the cover (16). The housing (12) contains a switching device (15) which makes or breaks an electric contact between the housing (12) and the cover (16) depending on the temperature of the bimetallic part (26), whereby the electric circuit can be connected on the one hand to the cover (16) and on the other to the housing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventors: Peter Hofsass, deceased, by Ulrika Hofsass, legal representative, by Marcel Peter Hofsass, legal representative, by Denise Petra Hofsass, legal representative, by Henrik Peter Hofsass, legal representative, by Carola Rika Hofsass, legal representative, by Benjamin Michael Hofsass, legal representative
  • Can
    Patent number: D530613
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvia Maria Farrow, Philip Alan Marriott, Benjamin Michael Fraser Zabell