Patents by Inventor Mick Estes

Mick Estes 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).

  • Disk drive having a system for protecting the read/write heads
    Patent number: 6359756
    Abstract: An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph L. Sonderegger, Thomas J. Angellotti, Craig Rupp, Mick Estes, Mark S. Thayne, Klinton D. Washburn
  • Head retraction system for retracting the heads of a disk drive
    Patent number: 6072666
    Abstract: An improved disk drive includes an improved operating system, an improved eject system, an improved head retract system and an improved motor loading system. In a preferred embodiment of the operating system it includes a motor, an eject crank, a head crank and an actuator. The output of the motor can be selectively controlled by the actuator to power either the eject crank or the head crank. Powering the head crank, causes the disk drive heads to move, and powering the eject crank causes a disk cartridge to be ejected from the disk drive. The motor loading system may have a disk drive motor having a threaded exterior and a member extending from the exterior to interface with the eject system. Additionally, this motor loading system may include an aperture in the chassis of the disk drive that has a threaded ring running around the circumference of the aperture and a spring extending from the threaded ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph L. Sonderegger, Thomas J. Angellotti, Craig Rupp, Mick Estes, Mark S. Thayne, Klinton D. Washburn