Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Rico

Joseph D. Rico 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: 9958910
    Abstract: A hardware retention mechanism comprising a frame including a first guide shoulder and a pivot point; an actuator arm including a first guide post; and a first shape memory alloy wire strung between the first guide shoulder and the first guide post that rotates the actuator arm between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator arm is rotatable around the pivot point between a locked position and an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the frame may further comprise a second guide shoulder, the actuator arm may further comprise a second guide post, and a second shape memory alloy wire may be strung between the second guide shoulder and the second guide post that rotates the actuator arm between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Philip M. Corcoran, Eric A. Eckberg, Joseph D. Rico, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20140338325
    Abstract: A hardware retention mechanism comprising a frame including a first guide shoulder and a pivot point; an actuator arm including a first guide post; and a first shape memory alloy wire strung between the first guide shoulder and the first guide post that rotates the actuator arm between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator arm is rotatable around the pivot point between a locked position and an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the frame may further comprise a second guide shoulder, the actuator arm may further comprise a second guide post, and a second shape memory alloy wire may be strung between the second guide shoulder and the second guide post that rotates the actuator arm between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Philip M. Corcoran, Eric A. Eckberg, Joseph D. Rico, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Patent number: 8827331
    Abstract: A hardware retention mechanism comprising a frame including a first guide shoulder and a pivot point; an actuator arm including a first guide post; and a first shape memory alloy wire strung between the first guide shoulder and the first guide post that rotates the actuator arm between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator arm is rotatable around the pivot point between a locked position and an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the frame may further comprise a second guide shoulder, the actuator arm may further comprise a second guide post, and a second shape memory alloy wire may be strung between the second guide shoulder and the second guide post that rotates the actuator arm between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Philip M. Corcoran, Eric A. Eckberg, Joseph D. Rico, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20140050426
    Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing a low profile sliding drawer used in information technology equipment (ITE). A low-profile slide mechanism having a substantially horizontal cross section telescopes outwardly a predefined length and includes a plurality of rail sections that are interconnected with shouldered T pins, with sliding of the rail sections occurring on the T pin shoulders spacing apart the rail sections from an associated base pan and drawer. Each of the rail sections is movable a set amount of an overall length of the slide mechanism. The low-profile slide mechanism is friction based and includes different predefined selected materials forming the shouldered T pins and the rail sections to prevent galling and having predefined rigidity and strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen P. Mroz, Joseph D. Rico
  • Patent number: 8641281
    Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing a low profile sliding drawer used in information technology equipment (ITE). A low-profile slide mechanism having a substantially horizontal cross section telescopes outwardly a predefined length and includes a plurality of rail sections that are interconnected with shouldered T pins, with sliding of the rail sections occurring on the T pin shoulders spacing apart the rail sections from an associated base pan and drawer. Each of the rail sections is movable a set amount of an overall length of the slide mechanism. The low-profile slide mechanism is friction based and includes different predefined selected materials forming the shouldered T pins and the rail sections to prevent galling and having predefined rigidity and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen P. Mroz, Joseph D. Rico
  • Publication number: 20120308294
    Abstract: A hardware retention mechanism comprising a frame including a first guide shoulder and a pivot point; an actuator arm including a first guide post; and a first shape memory alloy wire strung between the first guide shoulder and the first guide post that rotates the actuator arm between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator arm is rotatable around the pivot point between a locked position and an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the frame may further comprise a second guide shoulder, the actuator arm may further comprise a second guide post, and a second shape memory alloy wire may be strung between the second guide shoulder and the second guide post that rotates the actuator arm between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip M. Corcoran, Eric A. Eckberg, Joseph D. Rico, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Patent number: 7909902
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a modified hexagonal perforated pattern and objects within which the pattern is formed. For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus includes an object and a perforated pattern formed in the object. The perforated pattern includes a plurality of perforations through which matter is flowable. Each of the perforations includes a modified hexagonal shape including a hexagon having six rounded corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, James D. Gerken, Maurice F. Holahan, Gerard F. Muenkel, Joseph D. Rico, H. Burt Stone
  • Publication number: 20090308033
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a modified hexagonal perforated pattern and objects within which the pattern is formed. For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus includes an object and a perforated pattern formed in the object. The perforated pattern includes a plurality of perforations through which matter is flowable. Each of the perforations includes a modified hexagonal shape including a hexagon having six rounded corners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, James D. Gerken, Maurice F. Holahan, Gerard F. Muenkel, Joseph D. Rico, H. Burt Stone