Patents by Inventor Dennis K. Miller

Dennis K. Miller 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: 6115909
    Abstract: A ZIF PGA socket tool (42) for releasably coupling a pin grid array (PGA) chip (22) with a "latch-less" zero insertion force (ZIF) socket (20) includes a housing (44), a sled (46), and an actuator (48). The housing (44) is configured to be placed in fixed relation to the ZIF socket (20). The sled (46) includes rails (84) that slidably couple with corresponding grooves (82) in the housing (44). The sled (46) further includes a shoulder (98) configured to abut an edge (40) of the PGA chip (22). The actuator (48) includes a pin (122) that is received by a slotted opening (118) in the sled (46). The pin (122) and the slotted opening (118) form a cooperative relationship such that rotational movement of the actuator (48) produces rectilinear movement of the sled (46) so that the shoulder (98) of the sled (46) imparts a pushing force on the edge (40) of the PGA chip (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Dennis K. Miller
  • Patent number: 5501436
    Abstract: A substrate retention fixture including a base formed of a relatively flat plate with major surfaces and a substrate receiving area formed in one surface thereof with a plurality of openings adjacent the area and in communication therewith. A plurality of spools, one each positioned in each opening, and slideably mounted within the opening for movement between a substrate disengaged and a substrate engaged position. A plurality of springs, one each positioned in each opening, with the spring in each opening engaged with the spool in the opening and biasing the spool into the substrate engaged position. Alignment pins formed to engage and align a substrate positioned in the area, the alignment pins being mounted on one of the base and the plurality of spools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Dennis K. Miller