Patents by Inventor Michael A. Boraas

Michael A. Boraas 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: 11504557
    Abstract: A non-motorized fall-protection apparatus, comprises a drum, and a rotationally-activated braking device that comprises at least one pawl and at least one ratchet with at least one tooth that is engagable by an engaging end of the at least one pawl, wherein the rotationally-activated braking device comprises a limited-use, constant-contact friction brake comprising at least one layer of friction material with a friction-braking surface and at least one rotatable member with a contact surface that is in contact with the friction-braking surface of the layer of friction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Keith G. Mattson
  • Publication number: 20220054873
    Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus with a movable protective shroud and with a sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly including an informational sheet that is compactable and extendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
  • Patent number: 11213705
    Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus with a movable protective shroud and with a sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly including an informational sheet that is compactable and extendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
  • Publication number: 20210308502
    Abstract: There is provided fall protection equipment, such as a self-retracting lifeline (SRL), including features that enable the SRL to determine a worker's location and a map of a surface on which the worker is working. There is also provided an SRL having a lifeline with a distal end for connection to a user, at least one sensor adapted to determine the tension in the lifeline, and a computing device comprising a processor and a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Michael A. Boraas, Ronald D. Jesme, Nitsan Ben-Gal Nguyen, Peter L. Olson
  • Publication number: 20210196996
    Abstract: An impact indicator for a fall-protection apparatus. The indicator includes a deflectable element that is deflectable to allow movement of a movable component of the impact indicator from a first, non-indicating position to a second, indicating position. Also disclosed are kits, methods and systems that use impact indicators and that facilitate installation of a replacement impact indicator in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
  • Publication number: 20210077840
    Abstract: A non-motorized fall-protection apparatus, comprises a drum, and a rotationally-activated braking device that comprises at least one pawl and at least one ratchet with at least one tooth that is engagable by an engaging end of the at least one pawl, wherein the rotationally-activated braking device comprises a limited-use, constant-contact friction brake comprising at least one layer of friction material with a friction-braking surface and at least one rotatable member with a contact surface that is in contact with the friction-braking surface of the layer of friction material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Michael A. BORAAS, Keith G. MATTSON
  • Patent number: 10792520
    Abstract: A personal descent system is provided. The personal descent system includes a support structure coupling assembly and a control descent device. The support structure coupling assembly is configured and arranged to be coupled to a descent lifeline. The support structure coupling assembly includes an adaptor connection member. The adaptor connection member is configured and arranged to couple different types of lifelines and lanyards to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is selectively coupled to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is configured and arranged to be coupled to a safety harness donned by a user. The control descent device is further configured to detach from the support structure coupling assembly during a descent operation while controlling a payout of the descent lifeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: D B INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Andrew K. Thomforde, Treyben P. Kehren
  • Publication number: 20200030644
    Abstract: A fall-protection apparatus with a movable protective shroud and with a sleeve assembly, the sleeve assembly including an informational sheet that is compactable and extendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
  • Patent number: 10343002
    Abstract: A rescue strap assembly comprising a connector, an adjuster, a mechanical advantage assembly, and a strap having a first end, an intermediate portion, and a second end. The first end is operatively connected to the connector and the mechanical advantage assembly, the intermediate portion is routed through the adjuster, and the mechanical advantage assembly is configured and arranged to engage at least a portion of the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Michael A Boraas
  • Patent number: 9943936
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for forming an overmolded dual in-line memory module (DIMM) cooling structure are provided. Embodiments include identifying, by a tagging module, contextual information indicating circumstances in which the photograph was taken; based on the contextual information, selecting, by the tagging module, candidate profiles from a plurality of friend profiles associated with a profile of a user; and suggesting, by the tagging module to the user, the selected candidate profiles as potential friends to tag in the photograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Vinod Kamath, Michael S. Miller, Mark E. Steinke, Jamil A. Wakil
  • Publication number: 20170036046
    Abstract: A rescue strap assembly comprising a connector, an adjuster, a mechanical advantage assembly, and a strap having a first end, an intermediate portion, and a second end. The first end is operatively connected to the connector and the mechanical advantage assembly, the intermediate portion is routed through the adjuster, and the mechanical advantage assembly is configured and arranged to engage at least a portion of the intermediate portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
  • Publication number: 20160074681
    Abstract: A personal descent system is provided. The personal descent system includes a support structure coupling assembly and a control descent device. The support structure coupling assembly is configured and arranged to be coupled to a descent lifeline. The support structure coupling assembly includes an adaptor connection member. The adaptor connection member is configured and arranged to couple different types of lifelines and lanyards to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is selectively coupled to the support structure coupling assembly. The control descent device is configured and arranged to be coupled to a safety harness donned by a user. The control descent device is further configured to detach from the support structure coupling assembly during a descent operation while controlling a payout of the descent lifeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Andrew K. Thomforde, Treyben P. Kehren
  • Patent number: 9007084
    Abstract: A support structure for installation of a component assembly housed in a rotating, translating carriage chassis, the support structure including: a stationary rail that includes a shaft extruding perpendicular to the stationary rail; a rotating rail adapted to receive a carriage chassis rail, the rotating rail parallel to the stationary rail when the rotating rail is in a non-rotated position, the rotating rail including a shaft receptacle that receives the shaft, the rotating rail configured to rotate about the shaft and relative to the stationary rail; and a translation mechanism attached to the rotating rail, the translation mechanism enabling the carriage chassis rail to translate parallel to and along the rotating rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond F. Babcock, Michael A. Boraas, Matthew A. Butterbaugh, Jeffrey L. Justin
  • Publication number: 20150033550
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for forming an overmolded dual in-line memory module (DIMM) cooling structure are provided. Embodiments include identifying, by a tagging module, contextual information indicating circumstances in which the photograph was taken; based on the contextual information, selecting, by the tagging module, candidate profiles from a plurality of friend profiles associated with a profile of a user; and suggesting, by the tagging module to the user, the selected candidate profiles as potential friends to tag in the photograph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. BORAAS, VINOD KAMATH, MICHAEL S. MILLER, MARK E. STEINKE, JAMIL A. WAKIL
  • Patent number: 8900503
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for forming an overmolded dual in-line memory module (DIMM) cooling structure are provided. Embodiments include identifying, by a tagging module, contextual information indicating circumstances in which the photograph was taken; based on the contextual information, selecting, by the tagging module, candidate profiles from a plurality of friend profiles associated with a profile of a user; and suggesting, by the tagging module to the user, the selected candidate profiles as potential friends to tag in the photograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Vinod Kamath, Michael S. Miller, Mark E. Steinke, Jamil A. Wakil
  • Patent number: 8792243
    Abstract: Carriage chassis for installation of a component assembly in a support structure. The support structure includes a power connector in a connector housing. The carriage chassis includes: rails adapted to receive a component assembly and a safety cover. One of the rails includes a tri-lobed torsion stop that includes a first lobe configured to contact the connector housing when no safety cover is installed, preventing a component assembly from coupling with power; a second lobe configured to receive contact from a displacement member of a safety cover, rotating the tri-lobed torsion stop; and a third lobe configured to provide contact to the displacement member when the safety cover is installed and a component assembly is coupled with power. The third lobe and the first lobe prevent removal of the safety cover when a component assembly is coupled with the power connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond F. Babcock, Michael A. Boraas
  • Patent number: 8608207
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing coolant to a computer rack system comprises a first and a second quick disconnect couplings each having a male insert, a female socket aligned with the male insert and a release collar movable on the female socket between a release position and a docked position, a carriage slidably coupled to the chassis to move the male inserts between a retracted position with male inserts separated from the female sockets and a docked position with male inserts inserted into the female sockets. A resilient member intermediate the chassis and the release collars assists in moving the release collars from the release position to the docked position to make up a fluidic circuit. A collar stop coupled to the chassis and aligned with the release collars engages and moves the release collars from the docked position to the release position to break out the fluidic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Eric A. Eckberg, Scott A. Shurson
  • Patent number: 8602457
    Abstract: Quick connect apparatuses and methods of operating a quick connect apparatus are provided. Embodiments include a first tubular element to house a portion of a second tubular element inserted into the first tubular element; a quick connect coupling to lock the first tubular element to the second tubular element, the quick connect coupling including: a locking collar; a semicircular wedge; a rocker arm, the rocker arm to change a radial distance of the semicircular wedge relative to center of the first tubular element in response to a movement of the locking collar in a direction parallel to direction of insertion of the second tubular element into the first tubular element; a beveled washer surrounding the first tubular element; and a spring to apply a preload force to the beveled washer, the parallel movement of the beveled washer changing an amount of the preload force applied by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Eric A. Eckberg, Scott A. Shurson
  • Publication number: 20130161945
    Abstract: Quick connect apparatuses and methods of operating a quick connect apparatus are provided. Embodiments include a first tubular element to house a portion of a second tubular element inserted into the first tubular element; a quick connect coupling to lock the first tubular element to the second tubular element, the quick connect coupling including: a locking collar; a semicircular wedge; a rocker arm, the rocker arm to change a radial distance of the semicircular wedge relative to center of the first tubular element in response to a movement of the locking collar in a direction parallel to direction of insertion of the second tubular element into the first tubular element; a beveled washer surrounding the first tubular element; and a spring to apply a preload force to the beveled washer, the parallel movement of the beveled washer changing an amount of the preload force applied by the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Eric A. Eckberg, Scott A. Shurson
  • Publication number: 20130134702
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing coolant to a computer rack system comprises a first and a second quick disconnect couplings each having a male insert, a female socket aligned with the male insert and a release collar movable on the female socket between a release position and a docked position, a carriage slidably coupled to the chassis to move the male inserts between a retracted position with male inserts separated from the female sockets and a docked position with male inserts inserted into the female sockets. A resilient member intermediate the chassis and the release collars assists in moving the release collars from the release position to the docked position to make up a fluidic circuit. A collar stop coupled to the chassis and aligned with the release collars engages and moves the release collars from the docked position to the release position to break out the fluidic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Eric A. Eckberg, Scott A. Shurson