Patents by Inventor Michael Allen Curnalia

Michael Allen Curnalia 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: 8149586
    Abstract: A tray keying mechanism is mounted on a backplane inside a modular chassis and has a protrusion that stands out like a post for each of several equipment bays. A modular tray can be inserted into each of the equipment bays, but it will not be allowed to be fully inserted and to engage the electrical connectors on the backplane if the corresponding post meets an obstruction on the rear apron of the tray. If the particular tray is the correct type, and is not upside down, the post will encounter no obstructions during the insertion of the tray, and the electrical connectors will be allowed to engage. In one embodiment, the keying mechanism comprises a bracket of molded plastic that fits all around the several connectors on the backplane, and could be patterned to fit an already existing and in-service backplane and chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Allen Curnalia, Kenji Hidaka, Michihiro Okamoto, Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Takeshi Wagatsuma
  • Patent number: 7930812
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing toolless rack mounting rail installation using a pin having a latch. A retention device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes stepped features and a dual locking mechanism that are configured to engage standard apertures of rack systems. The locking mechanism is configured to extend beyond the surface of a pin when in a normal position, but may be depressed to allow the retention device to be easily inserted or removed without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Allen Curnalia, John Geoffrey Gundlach, Daniel Paul Kelaher, Gregory Mark Bennett
  • Patent number: 7782603
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus comprising a latch mechanism, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a touch point, push points, pull back handles, and a latch tongue adapted to move up and down, wherein the latch tongue is adapted to being inserted into a retention hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Allen Curnalia, Kenji Hidaka, Michihiro Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20100182754
    Abstract: A tray keying mechanism is mounted on a backplane inside a modular chassis and has a protrusion that stands out like a post for each of several equipment bays. A modular tray can be inserted into each of the equipment bays, but it will not be allowed to be fully inserted and to engage the electrical connectors on the backplane if the corresponding post meets an obstruction on the rear apron of the tray. If the particular tray is the correct type, and is not upside down, the post will encounter no obstructions during the insertion of the tray, and the electrical connectors will be allowed to engage. In one embodiment, the keying mechanism comprises a bracket of molded plastic that fits all around the several connectors on the backplane, and could be patterned to fit an already existing and in-service backplane and chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Allen Curnalia, Kenji Hidaka, Michihiro Okamoto, Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Takeshi Wagatsuma
  • Patent number: 7453698
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to automatically secure a chassis to a rackmount rail. The apparatus includes a pin operably attached to a chassis and an aperture disposed within a rackmount rail to receive the pin. The pin is attached to the chassis such that the pin automatically protrudes from the chassis upon inserting a component into the chassis. The aperture automatically receives the pin to secure the chassis. Removing the component from the chassis automatically disengages the pin from the aperture to release the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Roger Cox, Michael Allen Curnalia
  • Publication number: 20080239651
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus comprising a latch mechanism, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a touch point, push points, pull back handles, and a latch tongue adapted to move up and down, wherein the latch tongue is adapted to being inserted into a retention hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Allen Curnalia, Kenji Hidaka, Michihiro Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20080217274
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing toolless rack mounting rail installation using a pin having a latch. A retention device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes stepped features and a dual locking mechanism that are configured to engage standard apertures of rack systems. The locking mechanism is configured to extend beyond the surface of a pin when in a normal position, but may be depressed to allow the retention device to be easily inserted or removed without the use of tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Allen Curnalia, John Geoffrey Gundlach, Daniel Paul Kelaher, Gregory Mark Bennett
  • Publication number: 20080049385
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to automatically secure a chassis to a rackmount rail. The apparatus includes a pin operably attached to a chassis and an aperture disposed within a rackmount rail to receive the pin. The pin is attached to the chassis such that the pin automatically protrudes from the chassis upon inserting a component into the chassis. The aperture automatically receives the pin to secure the chassis. Removing the component from the chassis automatically disengages the pin from the aperture to release the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Aaron Roger Cox, Michael Allen Curnalia