Patents by Inventor Cassius J. Mullen

Cassius J. Mullen 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: 7909918
    Abstract: An intense field dielectric air filtration system includes a perimeter frame for wall or ceiling mounting at the inlet of a return air duct for an air conditioning apparatus. A door including a grille disposed thereon is mounted for movement on the frame between working and non-working positions for access to an air filter unit, a pre-filter unit and an intense field particle charging unit. Contacts on the filter unit and the field charging unit engage cooperating contacts on an enclosure mounted on the frame when the door is closed to supply electrical power. An interlock is provided to interrupt power when the door is moved to an open position or the grille is removed. A control system disposed in the enclosure includes user control features accessible when the door is in an open position. An alternate embodiment includes a support frame for positioning the filtration system in ductwork or the like other than a return air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Trane International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry S. Bias, Kristin Lyn Schaefer, Shannon L. Smith, John Mark Hagan, Mark David Woodruff, Daniel Joseph Mitchell, Cassius J. Mullen, Timothy H. Cauley, Robert Beasley
  • Publication number: 20090044703
    Abstract: An intense field dielectric air filtration system includes a perimeter frame for wall or ceiling mounting at the inlet of a return air duct for an air conditioning apparatus. A door including a grille disposed thereon is mounted for movement on the frame between working and non-working positions for access to an air filter unit, a pre-filter unit and an intense field particle charging unit. Contacts on the filter unit and the field charging unit engage cooperating contacts on an enclosure mounted on the frame when the door is closed to supply electrical power. An interlock is provided to interrupt power when the door is moved to an open position or the grille is removed. A control system disposed in the enclosure includes user control features accessible when the door is in an open position. An alternate embodiment includes a support frame for positioning the filtration system in ductwork or the like other than a return air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Larry S. Bias, Kristin Lyn Schaefer, Shannon L. Smith, John Mark Hagan, Mark David Woodruff, Daniel Joseph Mitchell, Cassius J. Mullen, Timothy H. Cauley, Robert Beasley
  • Patent number: 7054154
    Abstract: A system and method for a multi-functional security mechanism in a docking station is disclosed. A docking station includes a hook to secure a portable computer to the docking station. A base plate includes a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. A lever couples to the base plate to cause the base plate to actuate between the locked and unlocked orientation. A media bay, disposed in the docking station, receives a media device. A media bay lock pin couples to the media bay, engages the media device, and prevents removal of the media device from the media bay. A media bay lock couples to the base plate to release the media bay lock pin to engage the media device placed in the media bay. A media device sensor may associate with the media bay lock pin to permit the media bay lock pin to engage the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Cassius J. Mullen, Kevin L. Kamphuis
  • Patent number: 6885552
    Abstract: A system and method for a multi-functional security mechanism in a docking station is disclosed. A docking station includes a hook to secure a portable computer to the docking station. A base plate includes a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. A lever couples to the base plate to cause the base plate to actuate between the locked and unlocked orientation. A media bay, disposed in the docking station, receives a media device. A media bay lock pin couples to the media bay, engages the media device, and prevents removal of the media device from the media bay. A media bay lock couples to the base plate to release the media bay lock pin to engage the media device placed in the media bay. A media device sensor may associate with the media bay lock pin to permit the media bay lock pin to engage the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Cassius J. Mullen, Kevin L. Kamphuis
  • Publication number: 20040120112
    Abstract: A system and method for a multi-functional security mechanism in a docking station is disclosed. A docking station includes a hook to secure a portable computer to the docking station. A base plate includes a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation. A lever couples to the base plate to cause the base plate to actuate between the locked and unlocked orientation. A media bay, disposed in the docking station, receives a media device. A media bay lock pin couples to the media bay, engages the media device, and prevents removal of the media device from the media bay. A media bay lock couples to the base plate to release the media bay lock pin to engage the media device placed in the media bay. A media device sensor may associate with the media bay lock pin to permit the media bay lock pin to engage the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Cassius J. Mullen, Kevin L. Kamphuis
  • Patent number: 6741462
    Abstract: A docking station ejection apparatus includes a housing having a movably mounted actuator. A first member is mounted in the housing and movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the actuator. An ejector is moved to an eject position in response to movement by the first member to the second position. A second member is movably mounted in the housing for movement between the first and second positions in response to movement of the first member to the second position. A catch member is mounted in the housing and is movable between a catch position and a release position. The catch member is moved in response to movement by the second member to the second position. A first resilient member urges the first and second members to the first position, and a second resilient member urges the catch member to the catch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kamphuis, Cassius J. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20040012922
    Abstract: A docking station ejection apparatus includes a housing having a movably mounted actuator. A first member is mounted in the housing and movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the actuator. An ejector is moved to an eject position in response to movement by the first member to the second position. A second member is movably mounted in the housing for movement between the first and second positions in response to movement of the first member to the second position. A catch member is mounted in the housing and is movable between a catch position and a release position. The catch member is moved in response to movement by the second member to the second position. A first resilient member urges the first and second members to the first position, and a second resilient member urges the catch member to the catch position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kamphuis, Cassius J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 6522532
    Abstract: A cable docking system and method according to which a connector is secured to one end of a cable, and a docking box is connected to the other end of the cable. A terminal on the connector is engaged with a corresponding terminal on an electronic device, such as a computer, and a locking mechanism locks the connector to the device with the terminals in engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Reynold Liao, Cassius J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 6505487
    Abstract: A locking device (1) includes a first clip member (20) and a second clip member (40). The first and second clip members (20, 40) include a first and second clip base (21, 41), respectively. A first jaw (22) extends outwardly from the first clip base (21) whereas a second jaw (42) extends outwardly from the second clip base (41). The first and second clip members (20, 40) are connected together so that they may move with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the first and second jaws (22, 42) cooperate to form a locking loop (6). The locking loop (6) is adapted to fit through and lock with a locking feature (32) on an object to be secured. When the first and second clip members (20, 40) are moved to the open position, the first and second jaws (22, 42) are separated by an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael R. Garel, David W. Grunow, Cassius J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 6493218
    Abstract: A computer includes a base having an exterior surface and a keyboard including input components mounted on a portion of the exterior surface. A palm rest area is provided adjacent the keyboard. A palm rest component is detachably mounted in the palm rest area. A numerical keypad is mounted in the palm rest component. A coupling connects the numerical keypad to supplement the input components of the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Johnny C. Fraga, Cassius J. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20020089822
    Abstract: A cable docking system and method according to which a connector is secured to one end of a cable, and a docking box is connected to the other end of the cable. A terminal on the connector is engaged with a corresponding terminal on an electronic device, such as a computer, and a locking mechanism locks the connector to the device with the terminals in engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Reynold Liao, Cassius J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 6061234
    Abstract: A docking station for a computer system includes a tray having a support surface for supporting the computer system, and an undersurface opposite the support surface. The tray includes a plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface. A housing cover includes a security device extending therefrom for engagement with the computer system. A housing cover is mounted on the support surface and includes a plurality of snap tabs and a receiver extending through the openings and terminating adjacent the undersurface. A latching device is mounted adjacent the undersurface. A protrusion member is adjacent the undersurface and is connected for movement with the latching device into and out of engagement with the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Damon Broder, Cassius J. Mullen, Jefferson Blake West