Patents by Inventor Jeffrey L. Thorn

Jeffrey L. Thorn 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: 8102617
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a storage media cartridge in a data storage library is disclosed. The apparatus includes an accessor, a pinion and a rack having a straight section and a curved section. The curved section includes multiple rack teeth that are capable of rotating independently from each other to allow the pinion to travel along the straight section and onto the curved section of the rack, or vice versa, without any interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7839601
    Abstract: A deep slot tape cartridge library module including a main wall having two major surfaces; a pair of side walls in spaced relation to each other and each extending orthogonally to both major surfaces whereby the main wall and side walls form a substantially “H” shaped structure; an opening in the main wall, the opening extending longitudinally along the main wall a relatively short distance; a spring clip configured complimentarily to the opening and removably retainable therein; and a spring fixedly connected to the spring clip. A method for replacing a spring of a high density tape library where a spring assembly and main wall are utilized, the method including identifying a slot having a failed spring; emptying the identified slot of tape cartridges; extracting the spring assembly from the main wall; and replacing the spring assembly with a non-failed spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7630165
    Abstract: Data storage libraries as disclosed that provide for accessors that turn upon angled rails. In the library, a first rail and a second rail form an angle. The first and second rail each have a drive surface, but the drive surfaces are on different vertical planes. A switching mechanism of the accessor is then configured to move a drive mechanism between the different vertical planes of the drive surfaces. If the switching mechanism positions the drive mechanism adjacent to the drive surface of the first rail, then the drive mechanism engages the drive surface of the first rail to move the accessor along the first rail. If the switching mechanism switches the position of the drive mechanism adjacent to the drive surface of the second rail, then the drive mechanism engages the drive surface of the second rail to move the accessor along the second rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Publication number: 20090147398
    Abstract: Data storage libraries as disclosed that provide for accessors that turn upon angled rails. In the library, a first rail and a second rail form an angle. The first and second rail each have a drive surface, but the drive surfaces are on different vertical planes. A switching mechanism of the accessor is then configured to move a drive mechanism between the different vertical planes of the drive surfaces. If the switching mechanism positions the drive mechanism adjacent to the drive surface of the first rail, then the drive mechanism engages the drive surface of the first rail to move the accessor along the first rail. If the switching mechanism switches the position of the drive mechanism adjacent to the drive surface of the second rail, then the drive mechanism engages the drive surface of the second rail to move the accessor along the second rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7525756
    Abstract: Data storage libraries as disclosed that provide for accessors that turn upon angled rails. In the library, a first rail and a second rail form an angle. The first and second rail each have a drive surface, but the drive surfaces are on different vertical planes. A switching mechanism of the accessor is then configured to move a drive mechanism between the different vertical planes of the drive surfaces. If the switching mechanism positions the drive mechanism adjacent to the drive surface of the first rail, then the drive mechanism engages the drive surface of the first rail to move the accessor along the first rail. If the switching mechanism switches the position of the drive mechanism adjacent to the drive surface of the second rail, then the drive mechanism engages the drive surface of the second rail to move the accessor along the second rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Publication number: 20080285172
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a storage media cartridge in a data storage library is disclosed. The apparatus includes an accessor, a pinion and a rack having a straight section and a curved section. The curved section includes multiple rack teeth that are capable of rotating independently from each other to allow the pinion to travel along the straight section and onto the curved section of the rack, or vice versa, without any interruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7443631
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a storage media cartridge in a data storage library is disclosed. The apparatus includes an accessor, a pinion and a rack having a straight section and a curved section. The curved section includes multiple rack teeth that are capable of rotating independently from each other to allow the pinion to travel along the straight section and onto the curved section of the rack, or vice versa, without any interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Publication number: 20080157446
    Abstract: A deep slot tape cartridge library module including a main wall having two major surfaces; a pair of side walls in spaced relation to each other and each extending orthogonally to both major surfaces whereby the main wall and side walls form a substantially “H” shaped structure; an opening in the main wall, the opening extending longitudinally along the main wall a relatively short distance; a spring clip configured complimentarily to the opening and removably retainable therein; and a spring fixedly connected to the spring clip. A method for replacing a spring of a high density tape library where a spring assembly and main wall are utilized, the method including identifying a slot having a failed spring; emptying the identified slot of tape cartridges; extracting the spring assembly from the main wall; and replacing the spring assembly with a non-failed spring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy
  • Patent number: 7347334
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a storage media cartridge within a data storage library is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first pair of rack and guide rail, a second pair of rack and guide rail, and an accessor capable of moving on the first pair of rack and guide rail or the second pair of rack and guide rail. The first pair of rack and guide rail is located orthogonally from the second pair of rack and guide rail. Located at an intersection between the first pair of rack and guide rail and the second pair of rack and guide rail, a turn plate may change a moving direction of the accessor. The turn plate includes two racks and four guide rails with a conical shaped rack tooth located at an intersection of the two racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Thorn, Raymond Yardy