Patents by Inventor Michael T. Peets

Michael T. Peets 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: 7791902
    Abstract: A system for protecting electronic components to be disposed inside a computer housing comprising a gliding connector aligner for disposing inside the housing. The aligner has a central flat surface to be disposed over electronic components and a plurality of appendages with at least one nub each disposed at an opposing end to that of the central surface. The appendages are substantially perpendicular to the flat surface. An EMC gasket is also provided around the housing. The gasket in one embodiment has a plurality of portions with each portion having a central support line from which a plurality of complementary spring fingers emanates. The portions are connected to one another via a tab such that said gasket can be stretched around all housing corners such that said spring fingers from different portions are placed in a substantially perpendicular direction to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Peets
  • Publication number: 20100124846
    Abstract: An electromagnetic compatibility (“EMC”) gasket includes a first conductive portion moveable to a plurality of positions. A secondary conductive portion is connected to the first conductive portion at an adjacent edge. A third conductive portion is opposite the secondary conductive portion such that the first portion is between the second and third portions. The third conductive portion is connected to the first conductive portion at an adjacent edge. The third conductive portion is curved creating a hook structure such that when in a housing the third conductive portion engages a portion of the housing. This engagement causes the first conductive portion of the EMC gasket to fold and/or flex as an electronic card is moved within the housing in a lateral direction while the housing is disposed stationary in a chassis to mate a connector on the electronic card with a connector in the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael T. Peets
  • Patent number: 7683267
    Abstract: A method and associated assembly is provided for a collapsible EMC gasket is provided. In one embodiment, the gasket comprises a flexible conductive sheet disposed between corner of a first and a second surface of a computer frame capable of housing electronic components. The sheet is larger in area than the corner area of the frame such that when disposed, said sheet forms a curved structure. The sheet is being fabricated of a material that can be compressed and then decompressed back to its original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Peets
  • Patent number: 7646600
    Abstract: A method and incorporated assembly is provided to enhance structural integrity and prevent interface deflection in a computer rack having a midplane and capable of housing a plurality of nodes. The assembly comprises at least one structural filler book capable of being disposed above or below said midplane where any node may be disposed having geometry and material properties to resist and counteract the plugging force of said node an causing a cancellation effect. The filler book have at least two horizontal supports being connected to one another via a vertical support and a plenum an air for directing air flow. The filler book is being secured to said rack or midplane via an engagement component disposed on one of its horizontal supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Ecker, Michael T. Peets, Robert R. Genest
  • Publication number: 20090257191
    Abstract: A method and incorporated assembly is provided to enhance structural integrity and prevent interface deflection in a computer rack having a midplane and capable of housing a plurality of nodes. The assembly comprises at least one structural filler book capable of being disposed above or below said midplane where any node may be disposed having geometry and material properties to resist and counteract the plugging force of said node an causing a cancellation effect. The filler book have at least two horizontal supports being connected to one another via a vertical support and a plenum an air for directing air flow. The filler book is being secured to said rack or midplane via an engagement component disposed on one of its horizontal supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard M. Ecker, Michael T. Peets, Robert R. Genest
  • Publication number: 20090141469
    Abstract: A system for protecting electronic components to be disposed inside a computer housing comprising a gliding connector aligner for disposing inside the housing. The aligner has a central flat surface to be disposed over electronic components and a plurality of appendages with at least one nub each disposed at an opposing end to that of the central surface. The appendages are substantially perpendicular to the flat surface. An EMC gasket is also provided around the housing. The gasket in one embodiment has a plurality of portions with each portion having a central support line from which a plurality of complementary spring fingers emanates. The portions are connected to one another via a tab such that said gasket can be stretched around all housing corners such that said spring fingers from different portions are placed in a substantially perpendicular direction to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael T. Peets
  • Publication number: 20090141471
    Abstract: A method and associated assembly is provided for a collapsible EMC gasket is provided. In one embodiment, the gasket comprises a flexible conductive sheet disposed between corner of a first and a second surface of a computer frame capable of housing electronic components. The sheet is larger in area than the corner area of the frame such that when disposed, said sheet forms a curved structure. The sheet is being fabricated of a material that can be compressed and then decompressed back to its original shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael T. Peets
  • Patent number: 7540757
    Abstract: A lockout mechanism for a card assembly having a blind connection to an electronic component includes a card disposed in a housing and articulable in the housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the card assembly into the electronic component, the card including a connector having connection fingers extending substantially in said direction. A lockout is disposed in the housing, the lockout movable in a direction perpendicular to the card between a first or locked position and a second or unlocked position, and preventing articulation of the card unless the one or more connection fingers are aligned with one or more corresponding component fingers in the electronic component. An alignment feature is included, that when brought into contact with a corresponding portion of the electronic component ensures proper alignment between the one or more connection fingers and one or more corresponding component fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Loparco, Michael T. Peets
  • Patent number: 7505251
    Abstract: An actuation assembly and method is provided for mating electronic unto a computer rack comprising a main housing engageably securable to a slide assembly. The slide assembly is capable of being secured to a side of the computer rack and having sliding features such that the slide assembly and the main housing when engaged can be telescoped out or returned to a closed position. The main housing having a vertical wedge for securing said assembly to said rack more securely and a drive wedge for moving the vertical wedge such that it can telescope into and out of said rack with said slide mechanism via a lead screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Canfield, John J. Loparco, Emanuele F. Lopergolo, Budy D. Notohardjono, Michael T. Peets, John G. Torok
  • Publication number: 20090068859
    Abstract: A lockout mechanism for a card assembly having a blind connection to an electronic component includes a card disposed in a housing and articulable in the housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the card assembly into the electronic component, the card including a connector having connection fingers extending substantially in said direction. A lockout is disposed in the housing, the lockout movable in a direction perpendicular to the card between a first or locked position and a second or unlocked position, and preventing articulation of the card unless the one or more connection fingers are aligned with one or more corresponding component fingers in the electronic component. An alignment feature is included, that when brought into contact with a corresponding portion of the electronic component ensures proper alignment between the one or more connection fingers and one or more corresponding component fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John J. Loparco, Michael T. Peets
  • Patent number: 7491900
    Abstract: An electromagnetic gasket includes a first conductive shell having a pair of first side walls and a pair of first end walls extending from a first bottom wall defining a first opening, the pair of first side walls each having at least one first outward bias positioned thereon, the pair of first end walls each having a first tab extending therefrom, and the first bottom wall having an array of first openings and a pair of apertures; and a second conductive shell having a pair of second side walls and a pair of second end walls extending from a second bottom wall defining a second opening, the pair of second side walls and pair of second end walls each having at least one second outward bias positioned thereon, and the second bottom wall having an array of second openings. The First outward bias is configured to electrically connect to an inner surface defining an empty slot of an electrical enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Peets, Andrew Rybak
  • Patent number: 6863562
    Abstract: A connector for attaching a printed circuit board to other apparatus is formed as a separate connector body with a plurality of pins projecting from one end surface that are attached to the printed circuit board by being secured in vias through the board and a threaded opening at the end surface opposite the one end surface from which the pins project. When a bolt is received in the connector threaded opening and drawn tight to secure the printed circuit board to other apparatus, the stresses and material deformation induced by the securing bolt are isolated from the printed circuit board. Further, the attachment of the pins to the printed circuit board rather than the use of screws extending through holes in the circuit board reduces the size of ‘keep out’ zones that must be avoided by the wiring paths on each wiring surface of the printed circuit board through which mounting holes extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randall Scott Jensen, Michael T. Peets