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).
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Patent number: 9958910Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) PTE. LTD.Inventors: Philip M. Corcoran, Eric A. Eckberg, Joseph D. Rico, Edward J. Seminaro
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Publication number: 20140338325Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Philip M. Corcoran, Eric A. Eckberg, Joseph D. Rico, Edward J. Seminaro
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Patent number: 8827331Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Philip M. Corcoran, Eric A. Eckberg, Joseph D. Rico, Edward J. Seminaro
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Publication number: 20140050426Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen P. Mroz, Joseph D. Rico
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Patent number: 8641281Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Stephen P. Mroz, Joseph D. Rico
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Publication number: 20120308294Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Philip M. Corcoran, Eric A. Eckberg, Joseph D. Rico, Edward J. Seminaro
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Patent number: 7909902Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric A. Eckberg, James D. Gerken, Maurice F. Holahan, Gerard F. Muenkel, Joseph D. Rico, H. Burt Stone
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Publication number: 20090308033Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric A. Eckberg, James D. Gerken, Maurice F. Holahan, Gerard F. Muenkel, Joseph D. Rico, H. Burt Stone