Patents by Inventor Christopher E. Zieman

Christopher E. Zieman 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: 10522933
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to self-locking electrical cable retainers. The cable retainer has a panel with a plurality of bores disposed within and extending longitudinally through the panel. Each bore of the plurality of bores is configured to receive individual cables. The cable retainer also has a plurality of latches. Each latch of the plurality of latches corresponds to a bore. Each latch has a first and second post. The first post is configured to bend the latch to a disengaged position through engagement with a corresponding cable as the cable is pushed longitudinally within the bore. The second post is configured to retain the corresponding cable within the respective bore when the latch returns to an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Zieman
  • Publication number: 20190006780
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to self-locking electrical cable retainers. The cable retainer has a panel with a plurality of bores disposed within and extending longitudinally through the panel. Each bore of the plurality of bores is configured to receive individual cables. The cable retainer also has a plurality of latches. Each latch of the plurality of latches corresponds to a bore. Each latch has a first and second post. The first post is configured to bend the latch to a disengaged position through engagement with a corresponding cable as the cable is pushed longitudinally within the bore. The second post is configured to retain the corresponding cable within the respective bore when the latch returns to an engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher E. Zieman
  • Patent number: 10038269
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to self-locking electrical cable retainers. The cable retainer has a panel with a plurality of bores disposed within and extending longitudinally through the panel. Each bore of the plurality of bores is configured to receive individual cables. The cable retainer also has a plurality of latches. Each latch of the plurality of latches corresponds to a bore. Each latch has a first and second post. The first post is configured to bend the latch to a disengaged position through engagement with a corresponding cable as the cable is pushed longitudinally within the bore. The second post is configured to retain the corresponding cable within the respective bore when the latch returns to an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Zieman
  • Patent number: 9379468
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrical connector including a first housing, a contact element having a first portion connected to the first housing, and a first elastic element for supporting the first portion in the first housing. The first elastic element is deflectable to permit the contact element to move relative to the first housing. The apparatus also includes a second electrical connector including a second housing and a second elastic element that is deflectable to receive and retain a second portion of the contact element that protrudes from the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Zieman, Kevin F. Casey
  • Publication number: 20140120760
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrical connector including a first housing, a contact element having a first portion connected to the first housing, and a first elastic element for supporting the first portion in the first housing. The first elastic element is deflectable to permit the contact element to move relative to the first housing. The apparatus also includes a second electrical connector including a second housing and a second elastic element that is deflectable to receive and retain a second portion of the contact element that protrudes from the first housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER E. ZIEMAN, KEVIN F. CASEY
  • Patent number: 7957133
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, an air flow distribution assembly having a first set of baffles disposed within an intake volume of the chassis and a second set of baffles disposed in proximity to an air outlet of the chassis. The first set of baffles is configured to turn the flow of an air stream approximately 90 degrees, relative to an inlet flow direction of the air stream, toward circuit boards disposed within the chassis. The second set of baffles is configured as a flow splitter that receives the air stream from the circuit boards and partitions the air stream into separate portions prior to the air stream exiting via the air outlet. The use of both the first and second set of baffles redirects and distributes the air stream, flowing into the air inlet, in a substantially even manner across the circuit board component mounting surfaces of the circuit boards disposed within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Zieman, Todd Mason
  • Publication number: 20080225479
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, an air flow distribution assembly having a first set of baffles disposed within an intake volume of the chassis and a second set of baffles disposed in proximity to an air outlet of the chassis. The first set of baffles is configured to turn the flow of an air stream approximately 90 degrees, relative to an inlet flow direction of the air stream, toward circuit boards disposed within the chassis. The second set of baffles is configured as a flow splitter that receives the air stream from the circuit boards and partitions the air stream into separate portions prior to the air stream exiting via the air outlet. The use of both the first and second set of baffles redirects and distributes the air stream, flowing into the air inlet, in a substantially even manner across the circuit board component mounting surfaces of the circuit boards disposed within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Zieman, Todd Mason
  • Patent number: 7394654
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, an air flow distribution assembly having a first set of baffles disposed within an intake volume of the chassis and a second set of baffles disposed in proximity to an air outlet of the chassis. The first set of baffles is configured to turn the flow of an air stream approximately 90 degrees, relative to an inlet flow direction of the air stream, toward circuit boards disposed within the chassis. The second set of baffles is configured as a flow splitter that receives the air stream from the circuit boards and partitions the air stream into separate portions prior to the air stream exiting via the air outlet. The use of both the first and second set of baffles redirects and distributes the air stream, flowing into the air inlet, in a substantially even manner across the circuit board component mounting surfaces of the circuit boards disposed within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Zieman, Todd Mason
  • Publication number: 20080094799
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, an air flow distribution assembly having a first set of baffles disposed within an intake volume of the chassis and a second set of baffles disposed in proximity to an air outlet of the chassis. The first set of baffles is configured to turn the flow of an air stream approximately 90 degrees, relative to an inlet flow direction of the air stream, toward circuit boards disposed within the chassis. The second set of baffles is configured as a flow splitter that receives the air stream from the circuit boards and partitions the air stream into separate portions prior to the air stream exiting via the air outlet. The use of both the first and second set of baffles redirects and distributes the air stream, flowing into the air inlet, in a substantially even manner across the circuit board component mounting surfaces of the circuit boards disposed within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Zieman, Todd Mason