Patents by Inventor James D. Gerken
James D. Gerken 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: 10053894Abstract: Latch assembly including a latch arm, having first and second length edges and first and second width edges. The latch arm includes a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizing member, positioned in a plane. The latch pawl connected to the first width edge and providing spring force resisting deflection non-parallel to the plane. The pivot connector and stabilizing member formed within an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member extending distally relative to the second width edge to the pivot connector, and providing spring force resisting deflection parallel to the plane. The component and latch assembly including a component having first and second faces being adjacent and perpendicular. The latch arm rotatably mounted on the second face between latched and unlatched positions. Assembly including an embossment positioned to deflect the latch pawl during latching so the latch arm sits raised upon the embossment in the latched position.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Rebeccah J. Vossberg, Daniel A. Wright
-
Publication number: 20180106084Abstract: Latch assembly including a latch arm, having first and second length edges and first and second width edges. The latch arm includes a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizing member, positioned in a plane. The latch pawl connected to the first width edge and providing spring force resisting deflection non-parallel to the plane. The pivot connector and stabilizing member formed within an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member extending distally relative to the second width edge to the pivot connector, and providing spring force resisting deflection parallel to the plane. The component and latch assembly including a component having first and second faces being adjacent and perpendicular. The latch arm rotatably mounted on the second face between latched and unlatched positions. Assembly including an embossment positioned to deflect the latch pawl during latching so the latch arm sits raised upon the embossment in the latched position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Rebeccah J. Vossberg, Daniel A. Wright
-
Publication number: 20180080569Abstract: A modular sleeve valve apparatus can include a valve body including a first port and a second port on a first and second sidewall of the valve body. The apparatus can include a first and second valve core sleeved within the valve body. The first valve core can be a cylinder including a first aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a second aperture in a top base-wall. The second valve core can be a cylinder including a third aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a fourth aperture in a bottom base-wall. The first and second valve cores can be removable from the valve body and radially rotatable within the valve body. The second valve core can be positioned stacked upon the first valve core to align the second aperture and the fourth aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Laurie M. Gerken, Glenn S. Leckband
-
Patent number: 9903486Abstract: A modular sleeve valve apparatus can include a valve body including a first port and a second port on a first and second sidewall of the valve body. The apparatus can include a first and second valve core sleeved within the valve body. The first valve core can be a cylinder including a first aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a second aperture in a top base-wall. The second valve core can be a cylinder including a third aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a fourth aperture in a bottom base-wall. The first and second valve cores can be removable from the valve body and radially rotatable within the valve body. The second valve core can be positioned stacked upon the first valve core to align the second aperture and the fourth aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Laurie M. Gerken, Glenn S. Leckband
-
Patent number: 9896867Abstract: Latch assembly including a latch arm, having first and second length edges and first and second width edges. The latch arm includes a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizing member, positioned in a plane. The latch pawl connected to the first width edge and providing spring force resisting deflection non-parallel to the plane. The pivot connector and stabilizing member formed within an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member extending distally relative to the second width edge to the pivot connector, and providing spring force resisting deflection parallel to the plane. The component and latch assembly including a component having first and second faces being adjacent and perpendicular. The latch arm rotatably mounted on the second face between latched and unlatched positions. Assembly including an embossment positioned to deflect the latch pawl during latching so the latch arm sits raised upon the embossment in the latched position.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Rebeccah J. Vossberg, Daniel A. Wright
-
Patent number: 9617766Abstract: Latch assembly including a latch arm, having first and second length edges and first and second width edges. The latch arm includes a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizing member, positioned in a plane. The latch pawl connected to the first width edge and providing spring force resisting deflection non-parallel to the plane. The pivot connector and stabilizing member formed within an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member extending distally relative to the second width edge to the pivot connector, and providing spring force resisting deflection parallel to the plane. The component and latch assembly including a component having first and second faces being adjacent and perpendicular. The latch arm rotatably mounted on the second face between latched and unlatched positions. Assembly including an embossment positioned to deflect the latch pawl during latching so the latch arm sits raised upon the embossment in the latched position.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Rebeccah J. Vossberg, Daniel A. Wright
-
Publication number: 20170009897Abstract: A modular sleeve valve apparatus can include a valve body including a first port and a second port on a first and second sidewall of the valve body. The apparatus can include a first and second valve core sleeved within the valve body. The first valve core can be a cylinder including a first aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a second aperture in a top base-wall. The second valve core can be a cylinder including a third aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a fourth aperture in a bottom base-wall. The first and second valve cores can be removable from the valve body and radially rotatable within the valve body. The second valve core can be positioned stacked upon the first valve core to align the second aperture and the fourth aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Laurie M. Gerken, Glenn S. Leckband
-
Patent number: 9493932Abstract: A modular sleeve valve apparatus can include a valve body including a first port and a second port on a first and second sidewall of the valve body. The apparatus can include a first and second valve core sleeved within the valve body. The first valve core can be a cylinder including a first aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a second aperture in a top base-wall. The second valve core can be a cylinder including a third aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a fourth aperture in a bottom base-wall. The first and second valve cores can be removable from the valve body and radially rotatable within the valve body. The second valve core can be positioned stacked upon the first valve core to align the second aperture and the fourth aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Laurie M. Gerken, Glenn S. Leckband
-
Publication number: 20160102486Abstract: Latch assembly including a latch arm, having first and second length edges and first and second width edges. The latch arm includes a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizing member, positioned in a plane. The latch pawl connected to the first width edge and providing spring force resisting deflection non-parallel to the plane. The pivot connector and stabilizing member formed within an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member extending distally relative to the second width edge to the pivot connector, and providing spring force resisting deflection parallel to the plane. The component and latch assembly including a component having first and second faces being adjacent and perpendicular. The latch arm rotatably mounted on the second face between latched and unlatched positions. Assembly including an embossment positioned to deflect the latch pawl during latching so the latch arm sits raised upon the embossment in the latched position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Rebeccah J. Vossberg, Daniel A. Wright
-
Publication number: 20160097188Abstract: A modular sleeve valve apparatus can include a valve body including a first port and a second port on a first and second sidewall of the valve body. The apparatus can include a first and second valve core sleeved within the valve body. The first valve core can be a cylinder including a first aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a second aperture in a top base-wall. The second valve core can be a cylinder including a third aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a fourth aperture in a bottom base-wall. The first and second valve cores can be removable from the valve body and radially rotatable within the valve body. The second valve core can be positioned stacked upon the first valve core to align the second aperture and the fourth aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2014Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Laurie M. Gerken, Glenn S. Leckband
-
Patent number: 9200709Abstract: A mechanical assembly including a pair of members each having a planar surface and a displacing structure can be designed to engage a compressible seal, and thereby reduce or eliminate shear force exerted on the seal, keeping the seal intact during compression. Each displacing structure can have a displacing surface and a latching surface. A compressible seal can be affixed to one of the planar surfaces. Contact between the displacing surfaces during parallel movement of the planar surfaces relative to each other may create a separation between the planar surfaces greater than the compressible seal height. Positioning of the displacing surfaces past each other during parallel movement of the planar surfaces relative to each other may initiate the compression of the compressible seal between the planar surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, David B. Johnson
-
Patent number: 9173331Abstract: An EMI shield for an electronic system enclosure is disclosed. The EMI shield may include an electrically conductive panel with a plurality of air ventilation channels, which has an upstream airflow side and a downstream airflow side. The EMI shield may also include a first air ventilation channel with a first cross-sectional shape having a first cross-sectional area and a first depth. The EMI shield may further include a second air ventilation channel with a second cross-sectional shape, having a cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area, and a second depth larger than the first depth.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.Inventors: James D. Gerken, David B. Johnson, David G. Lund, Timothy L. McMillan
-
Publication number: 20150076839Abstract: Latch assembly including a latch arm, having first and second length edges and first and second width edges. The latch arm includes a latch pawl, a pivot connector, and a stabilizing member, positioned in a plane. The latch pawl connected to the first width edge and providing spring force resisting deflection non-parallel to the plane. The pivot connector and stabilizing member formed within an area of the latch arm. The stabilizing member extending distally relative to the second width edge to the pivot connector, and providing spring force resisting deflection parallel to the plane. The component and latch assembly including a component having first and second faces being adjacent and perpendicular. The latch arm rotatably mounted on the second face between latched and unlatched positions. Assembly including an embossment positioned to deflect the latch pawl during latching so the latch arm sits raised upon the embossment in the latched position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, Rebeccah J. Vossberg, Daniel A. Wright
-
Publication number: 20140353919Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed, which may include a first member having a first planar surface, and a first displacing structure. The first displacing structure may have a displacing surface and a latching surface. The apparatus may also include a second member having a second planar surface and a second displacing structure. The second displacing structure may have a displacing surface and a latching surface. A compressible seal may be affixed to the second planar surface. Contact between the displacing surfaces during parallel movement of the first planar surface relative to the second planar surface may create a separation between the planar surfaces greater than the compressible seal height. Positioning of the displacing surfaces past each other during parallel movement of the first planar surface relative to the second planar surface may initiate the compression of the compressible seal between the planar surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Jessica R. Eidem, James D. Gerken, David B. Johnson
-
Patent number: 8890003Abstract: An apparatus for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) shielding, the apparatus comprising a first EMC shield with a plurality of substantially parallel interconnected finger elements spaced apart from one another. A second EMC shield with a plurality of substantially parallel interconnected finger elements spaced apart from one another. The first EMC shield coupled to the second EMC shield, wherein at least one finger element of the plurality of finger elements of the first EMC shield is situated between at least two finger elements of the plurality of finger elements of the second EMC shield and in parallel with the at least two finger elements such that a space is formed between the at least one finger element and at least one of the at least two finger elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James D. Gerken, David B. Johnson, David G. Lund, Timothy L. McMillan
-
Publication number: 20140182923Abstract: An apparatus for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) shielding, the apparatus comprising a first EMC shield with a plurality of substantially parallel interconnected finger elements spaced apart from one another. A second EMC shield with a plurality of substantially parallel interconnected finger elements spaced apart from one another. The first EMC shield coupled to the second EMC shield, wherein at least one finger element of the plurality of finger elements of the first EMC shield is situated between at least two finger elements of the plurality of finger elements of the second EMC shield and in parallel with the at least two finger elements such that a space is formed between the at least one finger element and at least one of the at least two finger elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: James D. Gerken, David B. Johnson, David G. Lund, Timothy L. McMillan
-
Publication number: 20140140001Abstract: An EMI shield for an electronic system enclosure is disclosed. The EMI shield may include an electrically conductive panel with a plurality of air ventilation channels, which has an upstream airflow side and a downstream airflow side. The EMI shield may also include a first air ventilation channel with a first cross-sectional shape having a first cross-sectional area and a first depth. The EMI shield may further include a second air ventilation channel with a second cross-sectional shape, having a cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area, and a second depth larger than the first depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James D Gerken, David B. Johnson, David G. Lund, Timothy L. McMillan
-
Patent number: 8687367Abstract: Apparatuses for compressing a thermal interface material between a heat generating electrical component and a cooling electrical component are provided. Embodiments include a draw rod coupled at one end to the cooling electrical component, the draw rod passing through the heat generating electrical component; wherein the draw rod includes a pin on the end opposite the end coupled to the cooling electrical component; and a rotatable latch coupled to the heat generating electrical component, the rotatable latch including a hook at one end; wherein when the rotatable latch is in an engaged position, the hook of the rotatable latch engages the pin of the draw rod such that the thermal interface material adhered to the heat generating component is coupled to the cooling electrical component.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James D. Gerken, Christopher M. Marroquin
-
Patent number: 8427834Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for compressing a thermal interface material between a heat generating electrical component and a cooling electrical component. Embodiments include a draw rod coupled at one end to the cooling electrical component, the draw rod passing through the heat generating electrical component; wherein the draw rod includes a pin on the end opposite the end coupled to the cooling electrical component; and a rotatable latch coupled to the heat generating electrical component, the rotatable latch including a hook at one end; wherein when the rotatable latch is in an engaged position, the hook of the rotatable latch engages the pin of the draw rod such that the thermal interface material adhered to the heat generating component is coupled to the cooling electrical component; wherein when the rotatable latch is in an unengaged position, the hook of the rotatable latch is not engaged with the pin of the draw rod.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James D. Gerken, Christopher M. Marroquin
-
Patent number: 8363406Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for compressing a thermal interface material between a heat generating electronic component and a cooling electrical component. Embodiments include a rotatable latch fastened to the heat generating electrical component, the rotatable latch including a hook; wherein when the rotatable latch is in an engaged position, the hook of the rotatable latch engages a pin extending from the cooling electrical component such that the thermal interface material adhered to the heat generating electrical component is coupled to the cooling component; when the rotatable latch is in an unengaged position, the hook of the rotatable latch is not engaged with the pin of the cooling electrical component; a load screw; wherein when the rotatable latch is in the engaged position, threading the load screw into the rotatable latch moves the rotatable latch into a locked state; and a spring leaf that is coupled to the heat generating electrical component.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James D. Gerken, Jeffrey L. Justin, Christopher M. Marroquin