Patents by Inventor D. Michael Keffeler

D. Michael Keffeler 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: 6917497
    Abstract: An actuator arm latch assembly for a disk drive is disclosed which restrains movement of a disk drive actuator arm assembly during exposure of the disk drive to a shock event. In one embodiment, the actuator arm latch assembly is activated by the disk drive being exposed to a shock event that is directed along/about a first shock axis (e.g., within a reference plane that contains a disk drive base plate), and also is activated when the disk drive is exposed to a shock event that is directed along/about a second shock axis that is both non-parallel and non-colinear with the first shock axis (e.g., within a reference plane that is disposed at an angle to the disk drive base plate, and including perpendicular thereto).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Gale D. Johnson, James A. Dunckley, D. Michael Keffeler
  • Patent number: 6665140
    Abstract: A conductive lock washer for safely dissipating electrostatic charge which builds up on a disk surface without discharge across the head/dish gap. The lock washer, including a series of alternating inner and outer tabs, acts to reduce torque on the spindle washer damper and hoop stress on the washer itself, while still creating a conductive pathway to the top cover of the hard drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Vaclav Prochazka, Dana C. Fisher, Matthew J. Sandor, D. Michael Keffeler
  • Patent number: 6600632
    Abstract: A conductive lock washer for safely dissipating electrostatic charge which builds up on a disk surface without discharge across the head/dish gap. The lock washer, including a series of alternating inner and outer tabs, acts to reduce torque on the spindle washer damper and hoop stress on the washer itself, while still creating a conductive pathway to the top cover of the hard drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Vaclav Prochazka, Dana C. Fisher, Matthew J. Sandor, D. Michael Keffeler