Patents by Inventor Mark Joseph LaPlante
Mark Joseph LaPlante 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: 6532654Abstract: A method of forming an electrical connector including providing a metallic sheet having a multitude of connector blanks formed therein, each of the connector blanks having a base portion, a contact portion and a singulation arm; forming each of the connector blanks into a connector having a predetermined shape wherein each of the connectors remain connected to the metallic sheet by their respective singulation arms and wherein the singulation arms are nonplanar with respect to the metallic sheet; joining the base of each of the connectors to a first substrate; and severing the singulation arms to separate each of the connectors from the metallic sheet wherein the base of each of the connectors is joined to the first substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the contact portion contacts a second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Luc Gilbert Guerin, Mario J. Interrante, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Gregory Blair Martin, Thomas P. Moyer, Glenn A. Pomerantz, Thomas Weiss
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Publication number: 20020092164Abstract: A method of forming an electrical connector including providing a metallic sheet having a multitude of connector blanks formed therein, each of the connector blanks having a base portion, a contact portion and a singulation arm; forming each of the connector blanks into a connector having a predetermined shape wherein each of the connectors remain connected to the metallic sheet by their respective singulation arms and wherein the singulation arms are nonplanar with respect to the metallic sheet; joining the base of each of the connectors to a first substrate; and severing the singulation arms to separate each of the connectors from the metallic sheet wherein the base of each of the connectors is joined to the first substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the contact portion contacts a second substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Luc Gilbert Guerin, Mario J. Interrante, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Gregory Blair Martin, Thomas P. Moyer, Glenn A. Pomerantz, Thomas Weiss
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Patent number: 6272957Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William Dale Carbaugh, Jr., Lester Wynn Herron, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Nabil Amir Rizk, James Robert Wylder
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Patent number: 6207330Abstract: Exposure masks and inspection masks for use in the electronics field may be made using laser beams wherein the mask comprises a substrate which is substantially unaffected by exposure to the laser beam and an opaque pattern forming layer on the substrate, which pattern forming layer absorbs the laser beam and is selectively etched when exposed to the laser beam. A preferred mask has an overcoat transparent layer. A cavity inspection mask is provided having a series of openings in the form of lines formed in the opaque pattern forming layer, the lines bounding the cavity walls, is the mask being used for determining if the cavity is centrally positioned on the substrate and/or that the cavity is of the desired size. Substrates containing identifying masks thereon which cannot be seen by the unaided eye for theft deterrence are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David C. Long
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Patent number: 6127069Abstract: Exposure masks and inspection masks for use in the electronics field may be made using laser beams wherein the mask comprises a substrate which is substantially unaffected by exposure to the laser beam and an opaque pattern forming layer on the substrate, which pattern forming layer absorbs the laser beam and is selectively etched when exposed to the laser beam. A preferred mask has an overcoat transparent layer. A cavity inspection mask is provided having a series of openings in the form of lines formed in the opaque pattern forming layer, the lines bounding the cavity walls, is the mask being used for determining if the cavity is centrally positioned on the substrate and/or that the cavity is of the desired size. Substrates containing identifying masks thereon which cannot be seen by the unaided eye for theft deterrence are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David C. Long
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Patent number: 6116127Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William Dale Carbaugh, Jr., Lester Wynn Herron, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Nabil Amir Rizk, James Robert Wylder
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Patent number: 6017025Abstract: An apparatus for accurately positioning and retaining at least one component, comprising a substantially rigid frame comprising a side having at least one opening therein that is larger in size than the component, a layer of compliant material attached to the side of the frame and having at least one opening therein, the frame opening and the layer opening cooperating to define a component receiving opening sized for receiving the component, said component receiving opening having an inner sidewall having at least a portion thereof consisting of compliant material, the compliant material being in substantially uniform contact with the side of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1996Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Brenda Lee Peterson, Donald Rene Wall
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Patent number: 5996985Abstract: An apparatus for accurately positioning and retaining at least one component, comprising a substantially rigid frame comprising a side having at least one opening therein that is larger in size than the component, a layer of compliant material attached to the side of the frame and having at least one opening therein, the frame opening and the layer opening cooperating to define a component receiving opening sized for receiving the component, said component receiving opening having an inner sidewall having at least a portion thereof consisting of compliant material, the compliant material being in substantially uniform contact with the side of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Brenda Lee Peterson, Donald Rene Wall
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Patent number: 5974931Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William Dale Carbaugh, Jr., Lester Wynn Herron, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Nabil Amir Rizk, James Robert Wylder
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Patent number: 5958628Abstract: Exposure masks and inspection masks for use in the electronics field may be made using laser beams wherein the mask comprises a substrate which is substantially unaffected by exposure to the laser beam and an opaque pattern forming layer on the substrate, which pattern forming layer absorbs the laser beam and is selectively etched when exposed to the laser beam. A preferred mask has an overcoat transparent layer. A cavity inspection mask is provided having a series of openings in the form of lines formed in the opaque pattern forming layer, the lines bounding the cavity walls, is the mask being used for determining if the cavity is centrally positioned on the substrate and/or that the cavity is of the desired size. Substrates containing identifying masks thereon which cannot be seen by the unaided eye for theft deterrence are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Gregory Balz, Mark William Kapfhammer, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David C. Long
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Patent number: 5905352Abstract: Dimpling of a workpiece by rebounding of a magnetic repulsion punch mechanism, when operated at high punching rates, is avoided by application of a damping pulse at a point at or subsequent to a mid-point of a return stroke of the punch from the workpiece and preferably within the last 10% of the return stroke. This damping pulse is preferably a fraction of the pulse width and of approximately the same amplitude as a driving pulse applying kinetic energy to the punch for causing punching of the workpiece. At high punching rates the kinetic energy of the return portion of a punching stroke is substantially determined by elastic rebounding of the punch from a guide bushing. The removal of kinetic energy during the return portion of the stroke allows the return of the punch to a position close to a rest position during a very short interval with small overshoot under control of mechanical damping.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William Dale Carbaugh, Jr., Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Karl Friedrich Stroms, Christopher David Setzer
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Patent number: 5891543Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new apparatus and method for screening using electrostatic adhesion. More particularly, the invention encompasses an apparatus that uses an electrostatic charge during the screening process for a semiconductor substrate. Basically, a backing layer is adhered to a green ceramic sheet using an electrostatic charge, while the green ceramic sheet is processed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1996Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jon Alfred Casey, Cynthia Jeane Calli, Darren T. Cook, David B. Goland, John Ulrich Knickerbocker, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Daniel Scott Mackin, Kathleen Mary McGuire, Keith Colin O'Neil, Kevin Michael Prettyman, Michael Thomas Puchalski, Joseph Christopher Saltarelli, Candace Anne Sullivan
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Patent number: 5874369Abstract: Vias are formed in a dielectric film overlying an electrode layer by sweeping a laser beam over the area in which the via is to be formed. In particular, a Nd:YAG laser, producing a beam of light having a 266 nm wave length, effectively ablates a barium strontium titanate dielectric film, without adversely affecting an underlying platinum electrode. The present invention overcomes the problem of wet chemical etching of dielectric films to form vias. Wet chemical etching often requires etchants that adversely affect the underlying metal electrode and typically require the use of environmentally undesirable chemicals.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1996Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mukta Shaji Farooq, Mark Joseph LaPlante
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Patent number: 5795217Abstract: A burnisher for disassociating undesirable material from a work piece includes a wire and a burnishing medium operably associated with the wire. The flexibility of the burnisher permits forces to be generated to disassociate the burnishing medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1995Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark Joseph LaPlante, Thomas Edward Lombardi, David Clifford Long, Anton Nenadic, Alan Piciacchio
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Patent number: 5759669Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new apparatus and method for screening using porous backing material. More particularly, the invention encompasses an apparatus that uses a porous backing material which is adhered to a green sheet during the screening process. Basically, a backing layer having a very high porosity is adhered to a green sheet, while the green sheet is screened. During the drying process of the green sheet some of the screening fluids are absorbed by the porous backing layer, which allows the screened vias of the green sheet to have a smooth surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jon Alfred Casey, Cynthia Jeane Calli, Darren T. Cook, David B. Goland, John Ulrich Knickerbocker, Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Daniel Scott Mackin, Kathleen Mary McGuire, Keith Colin O'Neil, Kevin Michael Prettyman, Michael Thomas Puchalski, Joseph Christopher Saltarelli, Candace Anne Sullivan
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Patent number: 5726568Abstract: Dimpling of a workpiece by rebounding of a magnetic repulsion punch mechanism, when operated at high punching rates, is avoided by application of a damping pulse at a point at or subsequent to a mid-point of a return stroke of the punch from the workpiece and preferably within the last 10% of the return stroke. This damping pulse is preferably a fraction of the pulse width and of approximately the same amplitude as a driving pulse applying kinetic energy to the punch for causing punching of the workpiece. At high punching rates the kinetic energy of the return portion of a punching stroke is substantially determined by elastic rebounding of the punch from a guide bushing. The removal of kinetic energy during the return portion of the stroke allows the return of the punch to a position close to a rest position during a very short interval with small overshoot under control of mechanical damping.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William Dale Carbaugh, Jr., Mark Joseph LaPlante, David Clifford Long, Karl Friedrich Stroms, Christopher David Setzer