Patents by Inventor Joseph P. Tracy

Joseph P. Tracy 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: 7764387
    Abstract: An optical measurement device for determining at least two parameters of a measurement location of a surface of at least one workpiece positioned in a known coordinate system is described. The device comprises a first light source providing a first measurement beam. The first measurement beam is directed at a first surface of a workpiece. The device also comprises a second light source providing a second measurement beam. The second measurement beam is directed at a second surface of a workpiece facing opposite the first surface. Further, the device comprises a first system of receiving optics. The first system of receiving optics detects the incoming position of the first measurement beam. The first system of receiving optics is positioned on an opposite side of a workpiece from the first light source. Further still, the device comprises a second imaging system. The second system of receiving optics detects the incoming position of the second measurement beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Joseph P. Tracy, Ryan A. Jurgenson, David R. Swift
  • Patent number: 7433023
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for determining spatial information of a workpiece surface positioned in a predetermined coordinate system. Apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used to determine one or more coordinates of one or more measurement locations of a workpiece within a predetermined coordinate system. Such coordinates can be used to define points, lines, and/or surfaces of the workpiece within the coordinate system. In one exemplary application, apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used to determine spatial information of surfaces of head suspensions or head suspension assemblies such as those that are generally utilized in dynamic storage devices such as magnetic disk drives. Such spatial information can be used to determine z-height and/or static attitude, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Swift, Mark T. Girard, Joseph P. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20080212107
    Abstract: An optical measurement device for determining at least two parameters of a measurement location of a surface of at least one workpiece positioned in a known coordinate system is described. The device comprises a first light source providing a first measurement beam. The first measurement beam is directed at a first surface of a workpiece. The device also comprises a second light source providing a second measurement beam. The second measurement beam is directed at a second surface of a workpiece facing opposite the first surface. Further, the device comprises a first system of receiving optics. The first system of receiving optics detects the incoming position of the first measurement beam. The first system of receiving optics is positioned on an opposite side of a workpiece from the first light source. Further still, the device comprises a second imaging system. The second system of receiving optics detects the incoming position of the second measurement beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Joseph P. Tracy, Ryan A. Jurgenson, David R. Swift
  • Patent number: 7191512
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tray for holding components having first and second sides, wherein the first side has at least one first component receptacle for engaging said component; and the second side has at least one component engaging member, and further wherein the first component receptacle and the component engaging member are aligned such that when multiples of the tray are stacked upon each other the first component receptacle and the component engaging member will cooperate to restrain the motion of the component relative to the tray. In such an embodiment the component will have first and second engagement surfaces and the first component receptacle will engage the first component engagement surface and the component engaging member will engage the second component engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Ryan A. Jurgenson, Susan June Livermore, legal representative, David R. Swift, Joseph P. Tracy, Roger R. Livermore, deceased
  • Patent number: 7127799
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assembling a head gimbal assembly useful in a hard disk drive and for testing such an assembly. In a method in accord with the present invention a head/slider is mounted to a circuited gimbal in an automated assembly machine. Following this step the head/slider circuited gimbal assembly will be subjected a dynamic electrical test with those head/slider circuited gimbal assemblies not passing being sorted from the lot. Following this step the head/slider circuited assembly will be attached to a suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Ryan A. Jurgenson, Susan June Livermore, legal representative, David R. Swift, Joseph P. Tracy, Roger R. Livermore, deceased
  • Patent number: 7027141
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining and adjusting the static attitude of a head suspension or a head suspension assembly for use in a dynamic storage device. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a workpiece support and an adjust device, operatively positioned with respect to the workpiece support, for adjusting the head suspension. The adjust device includes first and second clamp portions for restraining a gimbal arm and an adjust body for deforming the restrained gimbal arm while the gimbal arm is restrained by the first and second clamp portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Joseph P. Tracy, David R. Swift, Ryan A. Jurgenson
  • Publication number: 20020171970
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining and adjusting the static attitude of a head suspension or a head suspension assembly for use in a dynamic storage device. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a workpiece support and an adjust device, operatively positioned with respect to the workpiece support, for adjusting the head suspension. The adjust device includes first and second clamp portions for restraining a gimbal arm and an adjust body for deforming the restrained gimbal arm while the gimbal arm is restrained by the first and second clamp portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Joseph P. Tracy, David R. Swift, Ryan A. Jurgenson
  • Publication number: 20020135926
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for measurement of suspension assembly component position and static attitude and for adjustment thereof. An apparatus in accord with the present invention includes modules for the measurment and adjustment of the gimbal portion of suspensions, FSAs, and HGAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Joseph P. Tracy, David R. Swift, Ryan A. Jurgenson
  • Publication number: 20020069518
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tray for holding components having first and second sides, wherein the first side has at least one first component receptacle for engaging said component; and the second side has at least one component engaging member, and further wherein the first component receptacle and the component engaging member are aligned such that when multiples of the tray are stacked upon each other the first component receptacle and the component engaging member will cooperate to restrain the motion of the component relative to the tray. In such an embodiment the component will have first and second engagement surfaces and the first component receptacle will engage the first component engagement surface and the component engaging member will engage the second component engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Ryan A. Jurgenson, Roger R. Livermore, Susan June Livermore, David R. Swift, Joseph P. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20020069510
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assembling a head gimbal assembly useful in a hard disk drive and for testing such an assembly. In a method in accord with the present invention a head/slider is mounted to a circuited gimbal in an automated assembly machine. Following this step the head/slider circuited gimbal assembly will be subjected a dynamic electrical test with those head/slider circuited gimbal assemblies not passing being sorted from the lot. Following this step the head/slider circuited assembly will be attached to a suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Ryan A. Jurgenson, Roger R. Livermore, Susan June Livermore, David R. Swift, Joseph P. Tracy
  • Patent number: 5949350
    Abstract: A system for training an animal to remain in a specified area of containment. The perimeter of containment being easily tailored to fit a specific geometry. The system includes apparatus for determining the location of the animal, apparatus for specifying boundary coordinates, apparatus for determining if the location of the animal is within the containment perimeter, and apparatus for administering stimulus to the animal if warranted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mobius Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Ryan A. Jurgenson, Roger R. Livermore, David R. Swift, Joseph P. Tracy