Patents by Inventor Joel E. Walker

Joel E. Walker 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: 7654398
    Abstract: A cable management system includes an adjustable length arm adapted to receive at least one cable in a computer system, and the adjustable length arm is configured to be connected to a first hinge and a second hinge that respectively define first and second opposite ends of the adjustable length arm. The first hinge is connected to a portion of the computing system, and the at least one cable and second hinge are connected to a movable device that moves relative to the portion of the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Bridges, John G. Gundlach, Joel E. Walker
  • Patent number: 7517241
    Abstract: Systems and arrangements to release a telecommunications cable connector plug from a telecommunications cable connector jack of a telecommunications device are disclosed. Embodiments may include an apparatus to release the plug from the jack. The apparatus may include a pivot and a main body attached to the pivot to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pivot. The main body may include an arm and a touch point. When the main body is suitably positioned by the attaching of the apparatus to the telecommunications device, a force applied at the touch point may produce a rotation of the arm. The rotation may cause the leading surface of the arm to compress a release lever of the telecommunications cable connector plug and to disengage the telecommunications cable connector plug from the telecommunications cable connector jack. In many embodiments, the pivot may consist of a wire passing through a hole in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Gundlach, Joel E. Walker
  • Publication number: 20080132101
    Abstract: Systems and arrangements to release a telecommunications cable connector plug from a telecommunications cable connector jack of a telecommunications device are disclosed. Embodiments may include an apparatus to release the plug from the jack. The apparatus may include a pivot and a main body attached to the pivot to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the pivot. The main body may include an arm and a touch point. When the main body is suitably positioned by the attaching of the apparatus to the telecommunications device, a force applied at the touch point may produce a rotation of the arm. The rotation may cause the leading surface of the arm to compress a release lever of the telecommunications cable connector plug and to disengage the telecommunications cable connector plug from the telecommunications cable connector jack. In many embodiments, the pivot may consist of a wire passing through a hole in the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Gundlach, Joel E. Walker
  • Patent number: 6166332
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a ribbon cable in a bent position with the extent of the bend limited to prevent distortion of or damage to the cable. The cable clamp apparatus includes a first and a second member, an inner member positioned inside the bend and an outer member located outside the bend of the ribbon cable, with one of the two members including at least one latch for securing the other member in a fixed relationship while the ribbon cable remains bent but at no greater a bend than the minimum radius. The latch is preferably formed integrally with the outer member, projecting each end at a distance approximately equal to the length of the inner member to hold the inner member in releasable relationship to the outer member while limiting the bend of the ribbon cable to the diameter of the inner member to avoid damage to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, Tze-wing Keung, Joel E. Walker
  • Patent number: 5595316
    Abstract: An equipment enclosure insludes identical top and bottom portions each made from a single sheet of sheet metal, and a front panel and rack tube assembly wherein the front panel is made and stamped from a single sheet of sheet metal while the remaining tube assembly comprises the other three sides of the enclosure and is also produced from a single sheet of sheet metal. Left and right side plates may be fastened to the sides of the tube assembly to allow for various mounting configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Pat Gallarelli, Joel E. Walker, Robert E. Steinbugler