Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Cariker

Bruce A. Cariker 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: 10278296
    Abstract: A shroud including a body comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) reception unit configured to receive a PCBA unit of an electronic device, wherein the PCBA unit comprises multiple light emitting diode (“LED”) units which emit multiple light emitting diode (“LED”) signals. The shroud can also include a plurality of ribs located on the body and configured to contact a cover for the electronic device, wherein the plurality of ribs are configured to substantially isolate each of the multiple LED signals, and wherein the body and the plurality of ribs comprise a resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Cariker, Kevin M. Takeuchi, Takashi Kono
  • Patent number: 10126786
    Abstract: A drive ejection mechanism, a storage drive enclosure and a server device having the drive ejection mechanism assembly are provided. The ejection mechanism assembly includes a lower guide member, an ejection member, a drive retaining member, and a biasing member. The lower guide member have a first end and a second end and may include a floor and at least one sidewall defining a lower drive insertion path. The ejection member may be slidingly coupled to the lower guide member. The drive retaining member may be hingedly connected to the first end of the lower guide member. The biasing member may be configured to bias the ejection member toward the first end of the lower guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wojciech Szeremeta, Bruce A. Cariker
  • Publication number: 20170303412
    Abstract: A shroud including a body comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) reception unit configured to receive a PCBA unit of an electronic device, wherein the PCBA unit comprises multiple light emitting diode (“LED”) units which emit multiple light emitting diode (“LED”) signals. The shroud can also include a plurality of ribs located on the body and configured to contact a cover for the electronic device, wherein the plurality of ribs are configured to substantially isolate each of the multiple LED signals, and wherein the body and the plurality of ribs comprise a resilient material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce A. Cariker, Kevin M. Takeuchi, Takashi Kono
  • Patent number: 9699923
    Abstract: A shroud including a body comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a printed circuit board assembly (“PCBA”) reception unit configured to receive a PCBA unit of an electronic device, wherein the PCBA unit comprises multiple light emitting diode (“LED”) units which emit multiple light emitting diode (“LED”) signals. The shroud can also include a plurality of ribs located on the body and configured to contact a cover for the electronic device, wherein the plurality of ribs are configured to substantially isolate each of the multiple LED signals, and wherein the body and the plurality of ribs comprise a resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Cariker, Kevin M. Takeuchi, Takashi Kono
  • Publication number: 20170034942
    Abstract: A drive ejection mechanism, a storage drive enclosure and a server device having the drive ejection mechanism assembly are provided. The ejection mechanism assembly includes a lower guide member, an ejection member, a drive retaining member, and a biasing member. The lower guide member have a first end and a second end and may include a floor and at least one sidewall defining a lower drive insertion path. The ejection member may be slidingly coupled to the lower guide member. The drive retaining member may be hingedly connected to the first end of the lower guide member. The biasing member may be configured to bias the ejection member toward the first end of the lower guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Wojciech SZEREMETA, Bruce A. CARIKER
  • Patent number: 9230607
    Abstract: A mounting system can be used in a storage device or other electrical device to mount a component, such as a drive, while also providing at least some shock absorption. The mounting system can include a deflection arm, a protrusion and a hole. The protrusion and hole can be configured to engage one another. One of either the hole or the protrusion can be on the deflection arm and the other can be on the component being mounted. The mounting system can also include a locking tab configured to move to a position behind the deflection arm. The locking tab can decrease the amount of deflection that can be experienced by the deflection arm to prevent the component from becoming prematurely dislodged from the mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Cariker, Mee Ok Chung
  • Patent number: 9169845
    Abstract: A fan plate system can include a fan plate and may or may not include the fan. The fan plate can include one or more surfaces. The fan plate can also include a grill configured to allow air to flow into or from a fan through the grill. The one or more surfaces can be configured to connect to a first end of an outer housing of the fan. The one or more surfaces can also provide a gap between the first end of the fan outer housing and the grill when the fan outer housing is connected to the fan plate. In some embodiments, an electronic device can include a fan plate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Takeuchi, Bruce A. Cariker
  • Patent number: 8981218
    Abstract: A device includes a first enclosure portion; a second enclosure portion; and a mechanical interface between the first enclosure portion and the second enclosure portion. The mechanical interface may be configured to couple the first enclosure portion to the second enclosure portion to thereby define a housing interior volume. The mechanical interface may be further configured to enable ventilation from the housing interior volume to an exterior of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Kono, Bruce A. Cariker, Michael J. Bowman, Steven T. Peng
  • Publication number: 20150062800
    Abstract: A mounting system can be used in a storage device or other electrical device to mount a component, such as a drive, while also providing at least some shock absorption. The mounting system can include a deflection arm, a protrusion and a hole. The protrusion and hole can be configured to engage one another. One of either the hole or the protrusion can be on the deflection arm and the other can be on the component being mounted. The mounting system can also include a locking tab configured to move to a position behind the deflection arm. The locking tab can decrease the amount of deflection that can be experienced by the deflection arm to prevent the component from becoming prematurely dislodged from the mounting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: BRUCE A. CARIKER, MEE OK CHUNG
  • Patent number: 8929087
    Abstract: An electromagnetic shield for a storage device comprising a printed circuit board (PCBA) defining a plated through hole defining a generally cylindrical plated surface. The electromagnetic shield may comprise a top surface and sides oriented generally perpendicular to the top surface. One or more of the sides comprise a press-fit connector configured for removable insertion in the plated through hole. The press-fit connector may comprise at least one resilient member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to resiliently bow out in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis during insertion and press against the plated surface of the through hole to displace plating material formed thereon to form a gas-tight seal between the at least one resilient member and the plated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Cariker
  • Publication number: 20140369002
    Abstract: A fan plate system can include a fan plate and may or may not include the fan. The fan plate can include one or more surfaces. The fan plate can also include a grill configured to allow air to flow into or from a fan through the grill. The one or more surfaces can be configured to connect to a first end of an outer housing of the fan. The one or more surfaces can also provide a gap between the first end of the fan outer housing and the grill when the fan outer housing is connected to the fan plate. In some embodiments, an electronic device can include a fan plate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: KEVIN M. TAKEUCHI, BRUCE A. CARIKER
  • Patent number: 8164849
    Abstract: A novel information storage device has a disk drive, a disk drive support structure adapted to maintain the disk drive base in a substantially vertical position, and an electrically conductive shield attached to the disk drive base. The electrically conductive shield is disposed adjacent and overlying the disk drive printed circuit board. The electrically conductive shield includes a fan mounting surface having a fan duct opening disposed adjacent an upper end of the electrically conductive shield, and a lower air inlet opening disposed adjacent a lower end of the electrically conductive shield. The information storage device includes no fan and no fan is attached to the fan mounting surface. The electrically conductive shield forms a continuous internal air passageway from the lower air inlet opening to the fan duct opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wally Szeremeta, Bruce A. Cariker
  • Patent number: 8004791
    Abstract: A novel information storage device is disclosed and claimed. The information storage device includes a disk drive, a disk drive printed circuit board, and a first conductive shield over the disk drive printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the disk drive. The information storage device also includes a bridge controller printed circuit board and a second conductive shield over and electrically coupled to the bridge controller printed circuit board. The first and second conductive shields are in direct contact with each other. A disk drive interface connector electrically couples the bridge controller printed circuit board with the disk drive printed circuit board. A third conductive shield is attached to the disk drive interface connector and is in direct contact with both the first and second conductive shields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wally Szeremeta, Bruce A. Cariker
  • Publication number: 20090213491
    Abstract: A novel information storage device is disclosed and claimed. The information storage device includes a disk drive, a disk drive printed circuit board, and a first conductive shield over the disk drive printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the disk drive. The information storage device also includes a bridge controller printed circuit board and a second conductive shield over and electrically coupled to the bridge controller printed circuit board. The first and second conductive shields are in direct contact with each other. A disk drive interface connector electrically couples the bridge controller printed circuit board with the disk drive printed circuit board. A third conductive shield is attached to the disk drive interface connector and is in direct contact with both the first and second conductive shields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: WALLY SZEREMETA, BRUCE A. CARIKER