Patents by Inventor John Joseph Struble, Jr.

John Joseph Struble, Jr. 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: 7975860
    Abstract: A rack for supporting electronic devices and modules with adjustable rails. The rack has a vertical wall with a set of holes at various elevations, each set of holes including at least a proximal hole evenly spaced apart from a distal hole. A longitudinally-extending rail has a set of clips for selectively securing the rail to the vertical wall, wherein the set of clips includes at least a proximal clip selectively receivable in the proximal hole at a selected elevation for supporting a proximal end of the rail and a distal clip selectively receivable in the distal hole at the selected elevation for supporting a distal end of the rail. The system may include a second rail for securing to an opposing vertical wall of the rack to form a shelf or bay for an electronic device. Each rail may be latched in place and can be selectively installed and removed without use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Klaus Dittus, Eric Alan Eckberg, Michael Sven Miller, Stephen Peter Mroz, Scott Alan Shurson, John Joseph Struble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7731524
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A forwardly-directed power connector is secured to a distal end of at least one rail or shelf bracket for blind docking with a rearwardly-directed power connector on the electronic module. The shelf bracket securing the forwardly-directed electrical connector is included in a pair of longitudinally-extending shelf brackets secured to opposing vertical side walls of a rack at a common elevation to form a module bay. The electronic module may slide along the shelf bracket until a rearwardly-directed power connector of the electronic module blind docks with the forwardly-directed power connector. A boss or alignment stud may be included on the bracket to improve alignment of the connectors. The forwardly-direct electrical connector may also be secured to the bracket with a floating connection to enable minor adjustments in alignment during blind docking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Klaus Dittus, Michael Sven Miller, Stephen Peter Mroz, John Joseph Struble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7674123
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for securely positioning a cable connector plug for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A bracket includes a chip that is selectively securable to open and close the bracket. A cable connector plug collar is laterally receivable in the bracket when the bracket is open. The bracket retains the collar in a circumferential tongue and groove relationship when the bracket is closed. When the bracket is properly positioned and secured within a rack bay, the bracket positions the connector plug for blind docking without restricting operative access to the connector plug. A preferred bracket is sufficiently flexible to allow lateral movement of the connector plug when the bracket is closed about the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Weber, John Joseph Struble, Jr., Joseph Francis Herman, Jr., John Geoffrey Gundlach, Karl Klaus Dittus
  • Publication number: 20090261214
    Abstract: A cable clamp has a first clamp member secured to the chassis or to the rack adjacent to one of the module bays and a second clamp member movably secured to the first clamp member. The first clamp member defines a first clamp surface and the second clamp member defines a second clamp surface facing the first clamp surface. An elastic material is secured to a surface of one or both of the first and second clamp surfaces. The second clamp member is movable away from the first clamp member for receiving the one or more electronic cables between the first and second clamp surfaces. A biasing member biases the second clamp member toward the first clamp member sufficient to compress and frictionally engage the elastic material with the one or more electronic cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Norris Beauchamp, David Frederick Champion, Karl Klaus Dittus, Aubrey Lamond Hodges, John Joseph Struble, JR., Brian Alan Trumbo
  • Publication number: 20090263992
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A forwardly-directed power connector is secured to a distal end of at least one rail or shelf bracket for blind docking with a rearwardly-directed power connector on the electronic module. The shelf bracket securing the forwardly-directed electrical connector is included in a pair of longitudinally-extending shelf brackets secured to opposing vertical side walls of a rack at a common elevation to form a module bay. The electronic module may slide along the shelf bracket until a rearwardly-directed power connector of the electronic module blind docks with the forwardly-directed power connector. A boss or alignment stud may be included on the bracket to improve alignment of the connectors. The forwardly-direct electrical connector may also be secured to the bracket with a floating connection to enable minor adjustments in alignment during blind docking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Klaus Dittus, Michael Sven Miller, Stephen Peter Mroz, John Joseph Struble, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090261051
    Abstract: A rack for supporting electronic devices and modules with adjustable rails. The rack has a vertical wall with a set of holes at various elevations, each set of holes including at least a proximal hole evenly spaced apart from a distal hole. A longitudinally-extending rail has a set of clips for selectively securing the rail to the vertical wall, wherein the set of clips includes at least a proximal clip selectively receivable in the proximal hole at a selected elevation for supporting a proximal end of the rail and a distal clip selectively receivable in the distal hole at the selected elevation for supporting a distal end of the rail. The system may include a second rail for securing to an opposing vertical wall of the rack to form a shelf or bay for an electronic device. Each rail may be latched in place and can be selectively installed and removed without use of tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karl Klaus Dittus, Eric Alan Eckberg, Michael Sven Miller, Stephen Peter Mroz, Scott Alan Shurson, John Joseph Struble, JR.
  • Patent number: 6437262
    Abstract: A handle operating assembly suitable for use with an electric disconnect switch assembly having a circuit breaker. The handle operating assembly comprises a handle operator extending outward from the electric disconnect switch and movable between an ON and an OFF position and a face plate having a slot therein. The handle operator slidably moves in the slot between the OFF position and the ON position. The face plate mounts to the electric disconnect switch assembly and is positionable between a first position to prevent access to the circuit breaker and a second position to provide access to the circuit breaker. The handle operating assembly provides ease of accessibility to the electrical disconnect switch and ease of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pankaj Gupta, Ranjit Sunil Acharya, Amit Narang, John Joseph Struble, Jr., Edgar Yee, David Edward Thorn, Elwood Rau Combs
  • Patent number: 6424519
    Abstract: A draw out unit with improved drawout box and handle assembly is disclosed. The drawout box is designed to accommodate an improved terminal assembly of the present invention, which reduces the dimensions of the box, and further provides access to the interior of the box by providing an open side for allowing service of an electrtical device within the bucket thus permitting the motor control center to remain active during service. The drawout box of the present invention further includes an improved handle assembly with operable connection to a circuit breaker handle within the confines of the smaller drawout box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gilbert Anthony Soares, Richard Emery Bernier, Charles Piper, Edgar Yee, John Joseph Struble, Jr., Edward Bruce Bynum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6423913
    Abstract: A locking device for use on an electric disconnect switch having a handle operator assembly. The locking device includes a slide plate slidably positioned within the housing and a first lock arranged to engage said slide plate and secure the handle operator assembly in an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pankaj Gupta, Ranjit Sunil Acharya, Amit Narang, John Joseph Struble, Jr., Edgar Yee, David Edward Thorn, Elwood Rau Combs