Patents by Inventor Rex A. Karl

Rex A. Karl 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: 6798651
    Abstract: A computer with an accessible storage medium drive assembly is provided. The computer comprises a chassis, a cradle and an accessible storage medium drive assembly. The cradle, having a first aligning member, is disposed on the chassis. The storage medium drive assembly comprises a carrier, a cable assembly and a storage medium drive. The storage medium drive, disposed on the carrier, is provided with plural first connectors. The cable assembly comprises a backer board, plural second connectors and a second aligning member corresponding to the first aligning member. The backer board is disposed on the carrier, and the second aligning member is disposed on the backer board. The second connector, corresponding to the first connector, is disposed on the backer board. The storage medium drive connects to the cable assembly by the engagement between the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignees: Wistron Corp., Acer Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Syring, Rex Karl
  • Patent number: 6711015
    Abstract: A CPU chip-cooling device is provided. The CPU chip is disposed on a chassis, and the cooling device comprises a heat sink, a bracket and a fan. The heat sink is disposed on the CPU chip. The bracket, having a pivot portion and a retention portion, is pivotally disposed on the chassis by the pivot portion. The fan is disposed on the bracket. The fan is adjacent to the heat sink when the bracket engages with the chassis by the retention portion. The fan is away from the heat sink when the retention portion of the bracket does not engage with the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignees: Acer Inc., Wistron Corp.
    Inventors: Harold Syring, Rex Karl
  • Patent number: 6711007
    Abstract: A computer with a security mechanism, for securing a motherboard and a storage medium drive such as a hard disk, is provided. The computer comprises a chassis, a pan, a first latch, a locking mechanism and a lock. The pan, disposed under the chassis, has the motherboard mounted thereon. The first latch, moveably disposed at the chassis, detachably engages the pan so that the pan combines with the chassis. The hard disk drive is accessibly disposed on the chassis. The locking mechanism is moveably disposed at the chassis to lock the hard disk drive in a separable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignees: Acer Incorporated, Wistron Corp.
    Inventors: Harold Syring, Rex Karl
  • Publication number: 20030147207
    Abstract: A computer with a security mechanism, for securing a motherboard and a storage medium drive such as a hard disk, is provided. The computer comprises a chassis, a pan, a first latch, a locking mechanism and a lock. The pan, disposed under the chassis, has the motherboard mounted thereon. The first latch, moveably disposed at the chassis, detachably engages the pan so that the pan combines with the chassis. The hard disk drive is accessibly disposed on the chassis. The locking mechanism is moveably disposed at the chassis to lock the hard disk drive in a separable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Acer Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Syring, Rex Karl
  • Publication number: 20030147213
    Abstract: A CPU chip-cooling device is provided. The CPU chip is disposed on a chassis, and the cooling device comprises a heat sink, a bracket and a fan. The heat sink is disposed on the CPU chip. The bracket, having a pivot portion and a retention portion, is pivotally disposed on the chassis by the pivot portion. The fan is disposed on the bracket. The fan is adjacent to the heat sink when the bracket engages with the chassis by the retention portion. The fan is away from the heat sink when the retention portion of the bracket does not engage with the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Acer Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Syring, Rex Karl
  • Publication number: 20030133388
    Abstract: A computer with an accessible storage medium drive assembly is provided. The computer comprises a chassis, a cradle and an accessible storage medium drive assembly. The cradle, having a first aligning member, is disposed on the chassis. The storage medium drive assembly comprises a carrier, a cable assembly and a storage medium drive. The storage medium drive, disposed on the carrier, is provided with plural first connectors. The cable assembly comprises a backer board, plural second connectors and a second aligning member corresponding to the first aligning member. The backer board is disposed on the carrier, and the second aligning member is disposed on the backer board. The second connector, corresponding to the first connector, is disposed on the backer board. The storage medium drive connects to the cable assembly by the engagement between the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Acer Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Syring, Rex Karl
  • Patent number: 5973920
    Abstract: A heat frame (10) incorporates a mounting frame for mounting multiple circuit boards (38), a heat sink (24), a connector bracket (34), and hinge mounts (12) into one integral component. Heat removed by the heat sink (24) is transferred over the entire heat frame (10) with the aid of a heat pipe (44). Fins 17 dissipate heat through the housing of computer (50) under the display assembly (74). The integral nature of the heat frame (10) reduces assembly and testing costs, as well as providing superior heat transfer and EMI/RFI grounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: James E. Altic, Rex A. Karl, Samuel L. Vinson
  • Patent number: 5946186
    Abstract: A latch apparatus for a docking station includes a first member connected to a pivot connection on a base portion of the docking station and a second member connected to the first member. The second member is substantially curved so as to form a mechanical moment. A third member is connected to the second member and to a lever. the latch apparatus is operable to decrease an initial rest angle between the first member and the base portion of the docking station and thereby substantially reduce lateral friction forces which develop when the base portion of the docking station is moving laterally. The latch apparatus is further provides mechanical advantage via the mechanical moment which decreases the amount of force required to be applied to the lever to accomplish a given amount of work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rex A. Karl, James E. Altic, Carrie D. Bader
  • Patent number: 5921697
    Abstract: A latch apparatus and attachment system for a docking station, with improved ease of closure and a connection lock capability, includes multiple connected latch members; a first of which is connected to a moveable base portion of the docking station; a second of which is substantially curved to form a mechanical moment; and a third of which is connected to a lever separate from the base portion. The multiple member latch apparatus and attachment system decreases an initial rest angle between the first member and the base portion of the docking station, which reduces lateral friction forces as the base portion of the docking station moves laterally. The curved member of the latch apparatus and attachment system improves efficiency of operation via the mechanical moment which decreases an amount of necessary force applied to the lever to accomplish a given amount of work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rex A. Karl, James E. Altic, Carrie D. Bader
  • Patent number: 5509176
    Abstract: A torque hinge 20 includes a shaft 14 surrounded with a coating 22 fixed to the shaft 14. The coated shaft 18 fits within a housing cavity 26 such that the coated shaft 18 is in frictional contact with the housing cavity 26. The frictional contact provides sufficient torque to torque hinge 20 to provide constant resistance through the torque hinge's entire range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Rex A. Karl