Patents by Inventor Michael Boraas
Michael 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).
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Patent number: 11504557Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael A. Boraas, Keith G. Mattson
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Publication number: 20220054873Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
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Patent number: 11213705Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Michael A. Boraas
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Publication number: 20210308502Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Matthew J. Blackford, Michael A. Boraas, Ronald D. Jesme, Nitsan Ben-Gal Nguyen, Peter L. Olson
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Publication number: 20210196996Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
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Publication number: 20210077840Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2018Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Michael A. BORAAS, Keith G. MATTSON
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Patent number: 10792520Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: D B INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Michael A. Boraas, Andrew K. Thomforde, Treyben P. Kehren
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Publication number: 20200030644Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
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Patent number: 10343002Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: D B Industries, LLCInventor: Michael A Boraas
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Patent number: 9943936Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Vinod Kamath, Michael S. Miller, Mark E. Steinke, Jamil A. Wakil
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Publication number: 20170036046Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
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Publication number: 20160074681Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Michael A. Boraas, Andrew K. Thomforde, Treyben P. Kehren
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Patent number: 9007084Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Raymond F. Babcock, Michael A. Boraas, Matthew A. Butterbaugh, Jeffrey L. Justin
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Publication number: 20150033550Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: MICHAEL A. BORAAS, VINOD KAMATH, MICHAEL S. MILLER, MARK E. STEINKE, JAMIL A. WAKIL
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Patent number: 8900503Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael A. Boraas, Vinod Kamath, Michael S. Miller, Mark E. Steinke, Jamil A. Wakil
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Patent number: 8792243Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Raymond F. Babcock, Michael A. Boraas
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Patent number: 8608207Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael A. Boraas, Eric A. Eckberg, Scott A. Shurson
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Patent number: 8602457Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael A. Boraas, Eric A. Eckberg, Scott A. Shurson
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Publication number: 20130161945Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Boraas, Eric A. Eckberg, Scott A. Shurson
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Publication number: 20130134702Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael A. Boraas, Eric A. Eckberg, Scott A. Shurson