Patents by Inventor James A. Duff

James A. Duff 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: 9345325
    Abstract: A shim includes a main body defined by a main body outer perimeter and having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A pocket is located within the main body outer perimeter and is recessed from the first surface to provide a support surface. A protrusion is defined by a protrusion outer perimeter and is located within the main body outer perimeter. The protrusion protrudes from the second surface to an engaging surface. A plurality of geometrically shaped cells are located within the protrusion outer perimeter and are recessed from the engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Floersch, James A. Duff
  • Publication number: 20150208803
    Abstract: A shim includes a main body defined by a main body outer perimeter and having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A pocket is located within the main body outer perimeter and is recessed from the first surface to provide a support surface. A protrusion is defined by a protrusion outer perimeter and is located within the main body outer perimeter. The protrusion protrudes from the second surface to an engaging surface. A plurality of geometrically shaped cells are located within the protrusion outer perimeter and are recessed from the engaging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Floersch, James A. Duff
  • Patent number: 6085918
    Abstract: A shelving system includes a pair of upright frames with a plurality of shelves connected therebetween, each upright frame including a pair of vertical posts with a plurality of braces extending between the posts to form rigid frames. Each post is generally U-shaped, with each brace having an end journaled within the U-shaped frame, and removably secured utilizing a plurality of protrusions engaged within apertures in a leg of each post. Each brace has a width which is effective to snugly secure the brace between the legs of each post. Each end of each brace has an upper and lower protrusion with a ramped distal portion for separating the legs of the post as the brace is inserted between the legs of the post. A proximal flat face on each protrusion engages a straight edge of each aperture to resist removal of the brace end from the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Lozier Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Duff, Mark L. Nunn
  • Patent number: 5030906
    Abstract: An electrical connecting apparatus supporting a multiple pin connector under test so that the connector pins of the connector can be electrically engaged without touching the functional connecting surface of the connector pins, the apparatus comprising a housing member with a connector nesting cavity and a cantilever clamp for retaining the connector under test in the nesting cavity. A contact assembly causes plural spring biased pin contactors to contact the connector in a connected mode so as to make electrical contact while maintaining the pristine surface condition of the functional ends of the connector pins, and an ejector pin is provided to eject the connector from the nesting cavity in following testing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Duff
  • Patent number: 4412260
    Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for receiving a disk cartridge and guiding the cartridge to an operating position within a disk drive, and for subsequently ejecting the cartridge when its use is complete, all responsive to the opening and closing of the disk drive door. The mechanism for ejecting the cartridge also automatically opens a transducer head access door when the cartridge is inserted into the receiver, and automatically closes the door upon cartridge ejection. Improvements are also disclosed in the manner of mounting a lift collar designed to support the disk and hub within a cartridge, and for an improved method of adjusting the cartridge to operate alternatively in write protect and write enable modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Magnetic Peripherals Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Stricklin, Anthony D. Denero, Robert A. Quatro, James A. Duff
  • Patent number: 4336631
    Abstract: A disc memory cartridge double-acting handle design increases, over an earlier design, the amount of material resisting stresses at critical points to increase overall stiffness and strength. The increased stiffness and strength allows plastic to be used as the structural material for the mechanism, rather than the metal of the earlier design. The manipulation required is unchanged from the earlier design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Assignee: Magnetic Peripherals, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Duff, Donald R. Boisvert
  • Patent number: 4194228
    Abstract: In a disk memory module of the type having a permanent housing enclosing the disk and hub, and an opening at the bottom to allow access to the hub by the spindle of the drive unit on which the module is mounted, an improvement for restricting radial movement of the disk and hub within the housing to prevent damage to the disk caused by contact between it and the housing. An annular projection on the interior top surface of the housing fits inside an annular depression in the top of the hub. Radial movement of the hub causes contact between the projection and the side of the depression before the disk edge strikes the inside edge of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Magnetic Peripherals Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Duff
  • Patent number: 4185313
    Abstract: An improved means for attaching the detachable type of dust shield to a disc memory assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Magnetic Peripherals Inc.
    Inventors: Paul N. Green, James A. Duff
  • Patent number: 4177899
    Abstract: An improved disk memory dust shield having an exterior surface similar to the surface of the disk module housing which mates with it, thereby allowing a plurality of dust shields to be nestingly stacked with each other. This permits all the dust shields not currently in use because their disk modules are mounted in drives, to be compactly stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Magnetic Peripherals Inc.
    Inventors: Paul N. Green, James A. Duff
  • Patent number: D257675
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Magnetic Peripherals Inc.
    Inventors: Paul N. Green, James A. Duff