Patents by Inventor Spencer W. Stout

Spencer W. Stout 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: 6717769
    Abstract: A removable disk cartridge drive has an eject member that moves from a forward position to a rearward position upon insertion of the cartridge from the drive. A coupling member extends between an eject button on the drive and a switch which energizes an electro-mechanical device to eject the cartridge when the switch is triggered. The coupling member is a clear plastic which transmits light to the eject button to indicate the presence of a cartridge in the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Shaun Staley, Spencer W. Stout
  • Publication number: 20020167756
    Abstract: A data storage cartridge (14) can be removably inserted into a drive (13), so that respective connectors (52, 67) move into engagement. Two pawls (81, 82) are biased by a spring (119), and releasably lock the cartridge in its inserted position. In order to remove the cartridge from the drive, a motorized eject mechanism (221) can be actuated and effects movement of an eject member (171), which in turn disengages the pawls from the cartridge, moves the cartridge sufficiently to disengage the connectors, and positions the pawls for insertion of the next cartridge. If the motorized mechanism is not operable, a manual release can be effected by manually inserting a member (291) through an opening (261) provided in the drive housing, and using this member to manually move the eject member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Paul C. Kunz, Ryan D. Osterhout, Theodore J. Smith, Spencer W. Stout, Scott P. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020167755
    Abstract: A removable disk cartridge drive has an eject member that moves from a forward position to a rearward position upon insertion of the cartridge from the drive. A coupling member extends between an eject button on the drive and a switch which energizes an electro-mechanical device to eject the cartridge when the switch is triggered. The coupling member is a clear plastic which transmits light to the eject button to indicate the presence of a cartridge in the drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Shaun Staley, Spencer W. Stout
  • Publication number: 20020085300
    Abstract: An information storage device (10) includes a drive module (14) releasably coupled to an interface module (13), where an information storage cartridge (11) can be removably inserted into the drive module in an approximately vertical direction. The drive module has a light source and magnifying lens which highlight indica located on the cartridge. Guide structure ensures that the cartridge can be inserted only with a single proper orientation. The drive module includes a display (236) which provides operational status information, and which is visible through an opening (411) provided in the interface module. The interface module has at least two ports (307, 308) conforming to a selected communication protocol, to permit the information storage device to be daisy chained with other compatible devices. A button (301) for initiating cartridge removal is actuated in an approximately vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Allen T. Bracken, Theodore J. Smith, Jeffery D. Penman, Todd R. Shelton, David S. Greenhalgh, Paul E. Jacobs, Spencer W. Stout, Paul C. Kunz, Scott P. Thomas, Douglas S. Reynolds, David L. Jolley, Ryan D. Osterhout