Patents by Inventor Samuel L. Vinson

Samuel L. Vinson 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: 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: 5477415
    Abstract: An automatic docking station for a portable PC such as a Notebook PC is provided wherein the station includes a housing with external connectors to connect up to a full size monitor and full size keyboard as well as external connectors for connection to a modem and a mouse. The docking station further includes internal connectors coupled to these external connectors and tray for receiving the portable computer. The docking station includes a first drive motor to drive the tray into and out of the docking station so that some of the internal connectors engage and disengage with connectors on the end of a portable PC mounted on the tray. The movement of the tray causes an internal connector mounted on a first side of the docking station to cam into and out of engagement with a connector on a first side of a portable PC mounted on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry D. Mitcham, Samuel L. Vinson, Thomas R. Grimm