Patents by Inventor Kevin K. Kartchner

Kevin K. Kartchner 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: 5612831
    Abstract: An interlock system is provided for removable-media drive unit to prevent the drive loader from attempting to pull in and mount a data cartridge before it is released by a mechanical gripper or human hand. The interlock system includes a light source and a photodetector positioned in front of the drive on opposite sides of the path cartridge takes when it is being inserted or removed from the drive loader. The presence of the cartridge, gripper or other object in the path interrupts a light beam from the light source thereby signalling the drive controller to disable the drive loader. When the gripper has released the cartridge and withdrawn, or when the path is otherwise clear, the photodetector again detects the light beam and signals the drive controller that the loader can be safely enabled. In one embodiment, the light source and photodetector are mounted on a card which plugs into the face of the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank D. Gallo, Hartmut E. Hausler, Paul Y.-F. Hu, Kevin K. Kartchner, Scott M. Rockwell, Stephen J. Roffinoli, James C. Simkins