Patents by Inventor Fergal Duffy

Fergal Duffy 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).

  • Disk drive preparation jig assembly
    Patent number: 6931706
    Abstract: A jig assembly for preparing a disk drive for mounting in a computer comprises a bay arranged to receive a disk drive and a pair of side rails to be fixed to opposite edges of the disk drive. Each side rail has captive screws in register with a respective screw-threaded hole in the edge of the disk drive. Two powered screwdrivers on each side of the bay are in register with the screws and are mounted for movement towards and away from the respective side rail. When the disk drive and rails are loaded into the bay, pneumatic cylinders C1 automatically advance the screwdrivers towards the side rail to engage and rotate the screws to screw the side rails tight against the edge of the disk drive, and then retract the screwdrivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Michael McTague, Fergal Duffy
  • Disk drive preparation jig assembly
    Publication number: 20030217461
    Abstract: A jig assembly for preparing a disk drive for mounting in a computer comprises a bay 20 arranged to receive a disk drive 16 (FIG. 4) and a pair of side rails 10 to be fixed to opposite edges 14 of the disk drive. Each side rail has captive screws 12 in register with a respective screw-threaded hole in the edge of the disk drive. Two powered screwdrivers 40 on each side of the bay are in register with the screws 12 and are mounted for movement towards and away from the respective side rail. When the disk drive and rails are loaded into the bay 20, pneumatic cylinders C1 automatically advance the screwdrivers towards the side rail to engage and rotate the screws to screw the side rails tight against the edge of the disk drive, and then retract the screwdrivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Michael McTague, Fergal Duffy