Patents by Inventor M. Lawrence Buller

M. Lawrence Buller 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: 6449145
    Abstract: A retention apparatus (hanger) suitable for use with a data processing system that includes a data processing box and a video display is disclosed. The hanger includes a pair of substantially parallel major sides and a pair of substantially parallel minor sides that connect the pair of major sides at their respective ends to define a substantially rectangular aperture suitable for receiving the data processing box. The hanger further includes a hook that has a base portion and a tooth portion connected at an end of the base portion. The base portion extends substantially from and in line with one of the minor sides such that the tooth portion is laterally displaced from one of the major sides with the tooth oriented towards the other minor side. In this configuration the hook enables the hanger to suspend from a groove in the display monitor with the first major side of the hanger in close proximity to a rear face of the video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: M. Lawrence Buller, Mark Alan Jacks, John Richard Pugley
  • Patent number: 6278614
    Abstract: A computer system including a computer chassis that includes a rear panel is provided. The rear panel defines a set of expansion card slots. A printed circuit board is received within the chassis includes a set of expansion card connectors aligned to the set of expansion card slots. A card retention bracket of the system includes first and second plates joined at a common end. The second plate extends substantially perpendicularly from the first plate. The first plate is adapted for being removably attached to an interior surface of the rear panel of the chassis such that the second plate extends exterior to the chassis. The second plate includes a set of card retention tabs including at least one retention tab corresponding to each expansion card slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Beaman, M. Lawrence Buller, Brian Michael Kerrigan, John Richard Pugley
  • Patent number: 6176461
    Abstract: A method and implementing computer system enclosure is provided which includes a selectively removable base support unit which is designed to stabilize vertical mounting capabilities when the base unit is attached to the enclosure and to allow horizontal mounting of the electronics enclosure when the base unit is detached. The electronics enclosure includes a locking edge on one of its sides. The locking edge is selectively engageable with a base support unit to provide a wide footprint for stable mounting of the electronics enclosure on the side of the enclosure which has the base unit attached. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking edge is tapered to force a tight fit between the enclosure and the support base unit. A locking mechanism is also operable at one end of the support base unit-electronics enclosure interface to provide a positive stop to lock the enclosure in place relative to the support base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Beaman, M. Lawrence Buller, Larry Thomas Cooper, Brian Michael Kerrigan, Tristan Alfonso Merino, John Richard Pugley
  • Patent number: 6141209
    Abstract: A computer has an internal chassis with four wall-like frame members located at its rectangular perimeter. A variety of electronic components are mounted to the chassis within the rectangular perimeter. A bezel is mounted to an outer portion of one of the frame members and forms an exterior rear panel of the computer. The chassis is sidably mounted within an integral, five-sided enclosure having a rectangular opening at its rearward end. The enclosure closely receives the chassis to eliminate relative movement therebetween. The bezel has an integral handle with a pair of tabs which engage recesses in the enclosure when the chassis is in the enclosure. The chassis is removed from the enclosure by lifting the handle on the bezel such that the tabs disengage the recesses in the enclosure to allow the chassis to slide out of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Michael Kerrigan, Larry Thomas Cooper, Daniel Paul Beaman, John Richard Pugley, M. Lawrence Buller, Jeffrey William Young
  • Patent number: 6134107
    Abstract: A computer has an internal chassis with a variety of electronic components including a power supply and a ventilation fan. The chassis is mounted within an enclosure which has having a ventilation port for exhaust air near a lower end. The power supply and ventilation fan are located at the bottom of the enclosure to lower the center of gravity of the computer and increase its overall stability while maintaining proper cooling efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Michael Kerrigan, M. Lawrence Buller, Jeffrey William Young
  • Patent number: 6075697
    Abstract: A computer has an internal chassis which is mounted within an enclosure. A variety of electronic components including a motherboard, a power supply and a ventilation fan are mounted to the chassis. The power supply has a small housing located within the enclosure. The housing is shaped to span the motherboard and requires no ducting. The ventilation fan is mounted to an inlet opening of the housing so that air is forced through the power supply before exiting the enclosure. The ventilation fan also pressurizes the housing such that a small, strategically located vent may be used to allow impingement cooling of other motherboard components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Michael Kerrigan, M. Lawrence Buller, Jeffrey William Young
  • Patent number: 4970579
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip package is described wherein the chip has an active face including a plurality of input and output pads. The chip is mounted face down on a pluralilty of flexible inner beam leads. The package's outer beam leads are bonded to pads residing on an underlying circuit board. A convective heat sink is thermally mounted to the reverse face of the chip, which heat sink is formed from folded thin metal sheet. The heat sink exhibits both minimum mass, and optimum cooling efficiency. The minimum mass reduces the cost of the heat sink through material savings and minimizes the possibility of damage to the package caused by sudden acceleration. The heat sink, in addition to itself being somewhat flexible, is provided with mounting points which are physically connected to the underlying circuit board via resilient connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Brian D. Arldt, Peter H. Bruhn, M. Lawrence Buller, Peter G. Ledermann, Stephen D. Linam, Barbara J. McNelis, Lawrence S. Mok, Paul A. Moskowitz