Patents by Inventor James K. Hill

James K. Hill 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 carrier apparatus and associated method
    Patent number: 6532150
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to retain a disk drive on a carrier without connecting the disk drive to the carrier with a fastener. In addition to the carrier, the apparatus can include an alignment feature on the carrier for cooperating with a corresponding alignment feature of the disk drive to align the disk drive with the carrier. The apparatus also generally includes an actuation member for moving the carrier between a disengaged position and an operable position. The actuation member may include a linkage connected to the carrier, and a handle connected to the linkage. The handle is capable of being moved between first and second positions which correspondingly moves the carrier between disengaged and operable positions. The actuation member may also include a retention element connected to the handle for retaining the disk drive on the carrier while the handle is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: American Megatrends, Inc.
    Inventors: Clas Sivertsen, James K. Hill, Jr.
  • Disk drive carrier apparatus and associated method
    Publication number: 20020181196
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to retain a disk drive on a carrier without connecting the disk drive to the carrier with a fastener. In addition to the carrier, the apparatus can include an alignment feature on the carrier for cooperating with a corresponding alignment feature of the disk drive to align the disk drive with the carrier. The apparatus also generally includes an actuation member for moving the carrier between a disengaged position and an operable position. The actuation member may include a linkage connected to the carrier, and a handle connected to the linkage. The handle is capable of being moved between first and second positions which correspondingly moves the carrier between disengaged and operable positions. The actuation member may also include a retention element connected to the handle for retaining the disk drive on the carrier while the handle is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: American Megatrends, Inc.
    Inventors: Clas Sivertsen, James K. Hill