Patents by Inventor Rick Wahl

Rick Wahl 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: 6411504
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a base, a display panel, a cover for housing the display panel, and a cover pivotally connected to the base. The display panel includes a front surface having an active area and an inactive area surrounding the active area. The cover includes a latch hook extending over a portion of the inactive area of the display panel. The latch hook secures the cover to the base when the cover in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Bryan F. Howell, Rick Wahl, Jeff Brostrom, Peter Skillman, Otto Deruntz
  • Publication number: 20020015284
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a base, a display panel, a cover for housing the display panel, and a cover pivotally connected to the base. The display panel includes a front surface having an active area and an inactive area surrounding the active area. The cover includes a latch hook extending over a portion of the inactive area of the display panel. The latch hook secures the cover to the base when the cover in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: BRYAN F. HOWELL, RICK WAHL, JEFF BROSTROM, PETER SKILLMAN, OTTO DERUNTZ
  • Patent number: 6222724
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a base and a cover pivotally connected to the base. The cover includes a substantially planar back plate and peripheral sides overhanging the base. An LCD panel is mounted in the cover and extends in a plane substantially parallel to the back plate. A hinge connection is mounted in an extended portion of one of the peripheral sides and substantially in the plane of the LCD panel. A hinge arm extends from the base and is extended to overhang a peripheral side of the base for pivotal attachment to the hinge connection in the extended portion of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Bryan Howell, Rick Wahl, Peter Skillman, Otto Deruntz
  • Patent number: 6111746
    Abstract: A computer system includes a processor module having a clip mounted on a peripheral edge of the module. The clip includes a body which has an elongated channel portion for gripping the peripheral edge. On each end of the channel portion, a clamp is provided. The clamps each have ground contacts and locating dimples for engaging screw holes formed in the module. The channel portion also includes at least one leg member extending therefrom for contact with a surface of the computer chassis which houses the module. The ground contacts extend from the clamps and engage ground surfaces in the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Rick Wahl, Steve Gluskoter
  • Patent number: 6101676
    Abstract: The adjustable clutch hinge assembly includes a shaft, an adjustment member connected to one end of the shaft, a metal inner cone member, and a metal outer cone member. The end of the shaft to which the adjustment member is connected is inserted into an aperture in the inner cone member, which is split, to allow a decrease of the internal diameter thereof, and has protruding key features, such that a threaded portion of the adjustment member protrudes out the opposite end of the inner cone member. The inner cone member resides within the outer cone member, which has receptive features for the inner cone member and its protruding key features to prevent rotation of the inner cone member within the outer cone member. When the threaded portion of the adjustment member protruding out the end of the inner cone member is drawn through the outer cone member, an outer surface of the inner cone member is forced against an inner surface of the outer cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Rick Wahl, Andrew Moore