Patents by Inventor Bill Lam

Bill Lam 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).

  • Electrical adapter for a connector having a retention latch
    Patent number: 7901250
    Abstract: An electrical adapter is provided for engaging a connector plug. The adapter comprises a male end, a female end, and a retention member. The male end is disposed at one end of the adapter for connecting the adapter to a female receptacle corresponding to the connector plug. The female end is disposed at another end of the adapter for engaging the connector plug. The female end comprises a top cap having a button disposed thereon. The retention member comprises a holder section, an energy storage section, and an energy release section. The holder section holds the connector plug. The energy storage section stores energy resulting from when the connector plug engages the retention member. When engaged by the button, the energy release section releases the energy stored in the energy storage section such that the connector plug automatically ejects from the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Lam, Ian Lin, Mark Wiltse
  • ELECTRICAL ADAPTER FOR A CONNECTOR HAVING A RETENTION LATCH
    Publication number: 20100112845
    Abstract: An electrical adapter is provided for engaging a connector plug. The adapter comprises a male end, a female end, and a retention member. The male end is disposed at one end of the adapter for connecting the adapter to a female receptacle corresponding to the connector plug. The female end is disposed at another end of the adapter for engaging the connector plug. The female end comprises a top cap having a button disposed thereon. The retention member comprises a holder section, an energy storage section, and an energy release section. The holder section holds the connector plug. The energy storage section stores energy resulting from when the connector plug engages the retention member. When engaged by the button, the energy release section releases the energy stored in the energy storage section such that the connector plug automatically ejects from the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bill Lam, Ian Lin, Mark Wiltse