Patents by Inventor Jerry L. Alexander

Jerry L. Alexander 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: 7059555
    Abstract: A tape reel assembly for a data storage tape cartridge is described. The tape reel assembly has a hub. The hub includes a cylindrical core, an annular arm, and a web. The cylindrical core defines a drive side and a top side. The annular arm is co-axially disposed exterior to and separated from the cylindrical core. Additionally, the annular arm defines a tape winding surface bisected by a center line into a top half opposite the drive side and a bottom half adjacent the drive side. The web extends from the top side of the core, and a web center connects to the annular arm at a point in the top half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Jerome D. Brown, Jerry L. Alexander, Dean E. Sitz, Peter A. Ridl, Michael E. Reard
  • Patent number: 6860444
    Abstract: A leader block assembly insertable into a data storage tape cartridge. The leader block assembly includes a leader block and a tape clamp. The leader block defines opposing sides, at least one opposing side forms an engagement surface defining a region of constant slope adapted to selectively engage a cartridge detent. The tape clamp is secured to the leader block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6739538
    Abstract: A tape reel assembly for a data storage tape cartridge including a hub, and first and second flanges. The hub defines a hub axis and opposing first and second ends from which the flanges extend, respectively. The first flange includes a radially extending main body and an adjustment section. The adjustment section is provided within the main body, defines a tape edge contact surface, and is characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to the main body. The tape edge contact surface is readily deflectable relative to the hub axis. The adjustment section is configured such that a deflection orientation of the tape edge contact surface is a function of pressure on the hub. During use, as pressure on the hub increases (e.g., tape winding pressure), the adjustment section positions the tape edge contact surface to desirably direct the wound tape to a consistent lateral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20040094648
    Abstract: A leader block assembly insertable into a data storage tape cartridge. The leader block assembly includes a leader block and a tape clamp. The leader block defines opposing sides, at least one opposing side forms an engagement surface defining a region of constant slope adapted to selectively engage a cartridge detent. The tape clamp is secured to the leader block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6698675
    Abstract: A leader block assembly including a leader block, a tape clamp, and an elastomeric member. The leader block forms a channel defined by opposing sidewalls extending from a base, each sidewall forming a lip having an under surface. The tape clamp is nested within the channel and includes a bottom surface, opposing sides, and at least one cantilevered leg positioned at each of the opposing sides, respectively. Each leg extends upwardly relative to the bottom surface. The elastomeric member is disposed between the leader block and the tape clamp, and biases the tape clamp to a locked position in which the legs engage the under surface of the respect lips providing positive engagement between the tape clamp and the leader block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Jerome D. Brown, Dean E. Sitz, Jerry L. Alexander, Arne B. Boberg
  • Publication number: 20030201356
    Abstract: A tape reel assembly for a data storage tape cartridge including a hub, and first and second flanges. The hub defines a hub axis and opposing first and second ends from which the flanges extend, respectively. The first flange includes a radially extending main body and an adjustment section. The adjustment section is provided within the main body, defines a tape edge contact surface, and is characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to the main body. The tape edge contact surface is readily deflectable relative to the hub axis. The adjustment section is configured such that a deflection orientation of the tape edge contact surface is a function of pressure on the hub. During use, as pressure on the hub increases (e.g., tape winding pressure), the adjustment section positions the tape edge contact surface to desirably direct the wound tape to a consistent lateral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Imation Corp.
    Inventor: Jerry L. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20030111570
    Abstract: A leader block assembly including a leader block, a tape clamp, and an elastomeric member. The leader block forms a channel defined by opposing sidewalls extending from a base, each sidewall forming a lip having an under surface. The tape clamp is nested within the channel and includes a bottom surface, opposing sides, and at least one cantilevered leg positioned at each of the opposing sides, respectively. Each leg extends upwardly relative to the bottom surface. The elastomeric member is disposed between the leader block and the tape clamp, and biases the tape clamp to a locked position in which the legs engage the under surface of the respect lips providing positive engagement between the tape clamp and the leader block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Jerome D. Brown, Dean E. Sitz, Jerry L. Alexander, Arne B. Boberg
  • Patent number: 6405957
    Abstract: A data storage tape cartridge including a housing, first and second tape reels, a storage tape, first and second corner guides and an idler wrap guide. The housing defines a head access window. The tape reels are rotatably disposed within the housing, with the storage tape extending between the tape reels. The first and second comer guides are disposed within the housing at opposite sides of the head access window. Finally, the idler wrap guide is disposed within the housing and defines a tape path extending from the first tape reel to the idler wrap guide, and from the idler wrap guide to the first corner guide. The idler wrap guide is configured to frictionally dampen lateral movement of the storage tape upon rotation of the tape reels to greatly reduce servo off track events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, Daniel C. Egan, Douglas W. Johnson, Christopher J. Zwettler, William J. Vanderheyden, Albert E. Bass, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5649672
    Abstract: A drive and tape cartridge provide motor control for the tape tension in a belt-driven tape cartridge. Two different rollers drive the belt, and are controlled by two separate motors. This allows reduction in the friction required in the system and allows optimal sizing of the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Robert E. Wolff, Jerry L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5612844
    Abstract: A prism is provided for deflecting light through the tape information holes in the tape of a data cartridge. The end faces of the prism are diffusing, non-reflective or angled to minimize spurious reflections through the prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, David L. Tussey
  • Patent number: 5579191
    Abstract: A prism is provided for deflecting light through the tape information holes in the tape of a data cartridge. The prism includes a substantially hollow main prism body. The inside surface of the angled prism surface is formed in steps, so that light passing into the angled portion passes in the normal direction through a step, is reflected off of the angled surface, and then passes in the normal direction through the adjacent side of the step, or the adjacent side of the next step. In this fashion, minimal plastic material is required for the prism, while light reflection is restricted to only a single surface. An alternative embodiment provides steps on the internal surface of a mirror, instead of a prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, Kevin N. Biffert, Jerome V. Gagnier, Thiruppathy Srinivasan, Viet N. Tran
  • Patent number: 5573195
    Abstract: In a belt driven tape cartridge, tape tension is controlled by a yoke which articulates in a region between the tape packs. The yoke includes at least two rollers, one mounted adjacent each tape pack, for rotation on shafts constrained in the yoke. The cartridge belt is stretched around the drive roller and the yoked rollers to pull the yoke mechanism into firm engagement with the tape packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John F. Runyan, Jerry L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5346155
    Abstract: A data cartridge of the type in which magnetic recording tape is reversibly driven from one spool to another by an endless elastic drive belt contacting the periphery of the tape spools, a drive roller, and two located rollers at opposite corners of the cartridge. Tape tension and drive force are controlled by predetermined drag resulting from magnetic brakes built into the corner rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, Durkee B. Richards, Glenn R. Gaster
  • Patent number: 4729805
    Abstract: Stretched surface recording disk (SD) 10 comprises an annular support 12 having raised annular ridges 42 and 28 at its inside and outside diameters 22 and 30 with a base portion 24 in between the two ridges, and an annular recording medium film 14 held in radial tension and stretched across the base portion by adhering the film to attachment surfaces 48 and 36 near the inside and outside diameters respectively. The SD is annealed twice during manufacture to relieve stress in the stretched film 14. This annealing results in SD essentially free from track anisotropy and stress distribution anisotropy in the plane of the disk. As a result, data tracks are more stable than in previous SD, track density can be greater, and the SD is generally more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, Sankar B. Narayan, Sten R. Gerfast, Charles E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4623570
    Abstract: Stretched surface recording disk (SD) 10 comprises an annular support 12 having raised annular ridges 42 and 28 at its inside and outside diameters 22 and 30 with a base portion 24 in between the two ridges, and an annular recording medium film 14 held in radial tension and stretched across the base portion by adhering the film to attachment surfaces 48 and 36 near the inside and outside diameters respectively. The SD is annealed twice duringmanufacture to relieve stress in the stretched film 14. This annealing results in SD essentially free from track anisotropy and stress distribution anisotropy in the plane of the disk. As a result, data tracks are more stable than in previous SD, track density can be greater, and the SD is generally more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, Sankar B. Narayan, Sten R. Gerfast, Charles E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4272704
    Abstract: A D.C. power supply energized directly from an A.C. source including a voltage doubler circuit supplied with current from the A.C. source via a gate controlled bidirectional switch with the gate circuit for the bidirectional switch connected for control by a disabling switch means. The disabling switch means is controlled by a voltage level sensing circuit that senses the output voltage of the voltage doubler circuit to cause operation of the disabling switch means to disable the gate circuit for the bidirectional switch when a predetermined voltage level is sensed by the sensing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Jerry L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4087181
    Abstract: A plunger assembly for pressing together two smooth layers of material against a firm planar supporting surface without entrapping air between the layers. The assembly includes a soft resilient pad having adjacent surfaces disposed at an obtuse angle and meeting at a ridge. The pad is pressed against the material to first engage the ridge and then the adjacent surfaces progressively outwardly from the ridge to sweep air from between the layers of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4037221
    Abstract: A switch assembly which activates an electrical load when it receives a triggering signal through a network coupled between a touch plate and the switch assembly. The network continuously has an incoming signal at the touch plate comprising a noise component which may be of constant or slowly changing amplitude depending upon ambient conditions at the touch plate, and which incoming signal is instantaneously changed when an individual contacts the touch plate. The network is adapted to pass such an instantaneous change in the incoming signal as a triggering signal to activate the electrical load, but to block the incoming signal when it consists only of the noise component even when the amplitude of the noise component changes slowly. The switch assembly may include timing means so that when it receives a triggering signal the electrical load is activated for a predetermined time, and when activated may transmit a signal to a remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Inventor: Jerry L. Alexander
  • Patent number: RE33187
    Abstract: Stretched surface recording disk (SD) 10 comprises an annular support 12 having raised annular ridges 42 and 28 at its inside and outside diameters 22 and 30 with a base portion 24 in between the two ridges, and an annular recording medium film 14 held in radial tension and stretched across the base portion by adhering the film to attachment surfaces 48 and 36 near the inside and outside diameters respectively. The SD is annealed twice .[.duringmanufacture.]. .Iadd.during manufacture .Iaddend.to relieve stress in the stretched film 14. This annealing results in SD essentially free from track anisotropy and stress distribution anisotropy in the plane of the disk. As a result, data tracks are more stable than in previous SD, track density can be greater, and the SD is generally more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, Sankar B. Narayan, Sten R. Gerfast, Charles E. Nelson
  • Patent number: RE34765
    Abstract: Stretched surface recording disk (SD) 10 comprises an annular support 12 having raised annular ridges 42 and 28 at its inside and outside diameters 22 and 30 with a base portion 24 in between the two ridges, and an annular recording medium film 14 held in radial tension and stretched across the base portion by adhering the film to attachment surfaces 48 and 36 near the inside and outside diameters respectively. The SD is annealed twice during manufacture to relieve stress in the stretched film 14. This annealing results in SD essentially free from track anisotropy and stress distribution anisotropy in the plane of the disk. As a result, data tracks are more stable than in previous SD, track density can be greater, and the SD is generally more reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerry L. Alexander, Sankar B. Narayan, Sten R. Gerfast, Charles E. Nelson