Patents by Inventor Richard D. Kirk

Richard D. Kirk 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: 5548981
    Abstract: A lock assembly is disclosed for small computers and similar electronic devices of the type that must be locked yet must permit access for repair even when the proper key is not available to the repair person without requiring that the expensive lock or its mounting be damaged. Further, readily visible evidence of the forced access must be apparent to a casual observer of the computer. Forced entry detection is provided by the instant invention through the use of a fracture ring having support elements seated into recesses in a rebated cover opening which hold the lock assembly in place during normal use but which allow the assembly to become axially misaligned after the lock has been forced. Frangible portions of the lock support hold the lock assembly in both rotational and axial stability which stability is lost when the frangible portions are broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Kirk
  • Patent number: 5495391
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hand held computer having a housing. The housing has a first side and a second side wherein the second side is opposite the first side. A display and a processor are included in the housing. There is an opening in the first side of the housing for receiving a memory card. A connector is mounted within the housing for connecting the memory card to the processor. An ejector mechanism is operable from outside the housing from the second side to eject the memory card from the connector. The ejector mechanism has a bar that spreads the ejection force to both corners of the card nearest the connector so as to provide balanced ejection force to eject the card without damage to the connector contacts. The bar is moved by a button which is held captive in the second side of the housing. The button transmits the force provided by a user's finger to the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Kirk
  • Patent number: 5325264
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a personal computer apparatus and a device for removing a direct access storage device from a personal computer. More particularly, this disclosure describes a tool for easily removing an electromechanical storage device such as hard disk drive which is directly attached to the bus structure provided by a planar board or motherboard of a personal computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: IBM Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Kirk, Mark C. McPherson, Brian A. Trumbo
  • Patent number: D332036
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Richard D. Kirk, Mark C. McPherson, Brian A. Trumbo