Patents by Inventor Timothy S. Farrow

Timothy S. Farrow 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: 9330730
    Abstract: An exemplary drive tray includes parallel side members; at least one end member connected to the parallel side members where the members collectively form a resilient, substantially rectangular frame for receipt of a drive body; and a pair of parallel side walls extending in a direction normal to a plane defined by the frame where the pair of parallel side walls include engagement features to engage opposing sides of a drive body. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamley, Timothy S. Farrow
  • Patent number: 8531835
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for a planar adapter card retainer bracket that is removably attachable to a computer chassis and is formed with a plurality of plunger openings. Each plunger opening is configured to receive a respective adapter card retainer plunger. The adapter card retainer plunger is configured to extend from the bracket into the computer chassis to engage an edge of an adapter card thereby retaining the adapter card in a selected slot even if the adapter card is a low-profile adapter card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamley
  • Patent number: 8264824
    Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes a drive that includes two substantially parallel sides and, for receipt of media, a substantially rectangular opening; a plate that includes a tab; a positioning mechanism to position the plate with respect to either one of the two parallel sides of the drive; and a bay configured to at least partially receive the drive, with the plate, in first and second orientations of the substantially rectangular opening with respect to the bay where the bay includes a lower slot configured to receive the tab if the plate is positioned with respect to one of the two parallel sides of the drive in the first orientation of the opening and where the bay includes an upper slot configured to receive the tab if the plate is positioned with respect to the other of the two parallel sides of the drive in the second orientation of the opening. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamley, Timothy S. Farrow
  • Patent number: 8252067
    Abstract: A latch and latch handle recessed into the computer cover is provided, with the latch handle preferably presently a cam surface internally that interacts with a compatible cam surface associated with a lock bar. Preferably, a key lock is functionally integrated with the latch in such a way that when the key lock is unlocked the latch handle and latch are free to displace and to then urge the retention bar to disengage detents or hooks from slots or receptacles, by way of releasing the cover from a chassis or body of the desktop or workstation. Accordingly, in essentially one efficient movement via engaging the latch handle, a user will be able to quickly remove the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto
  • Patent number: 8120900
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for a planar adapter card retainer bracket that is removably attachable to a computer chassis and is formed with a plurality of plunger openings. Each plunger opening is configured to receive a respective adapter card retainer plunger. The adapter card retainer plunger is configured to extend from the bracket into the computer chassis to engage an edge of an adapter card thereby retaining the adapter card in a selected slot even if the adapter card is a low-profile adapter card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamley
  • Patent number: 8098489
    Abstract: The invention broadly contemplates an integrated thermal system that is capable of simultaneously cooling multiple, separate heat generating components of an electronic device. The integrated thermal system according to one embodiment of the invention takes the form of a CPU heat sink designed to intelligently maximize available airflow, utilizing multidirectional airflow cooling of a plurality of heat generating components on the motherboard. The heat sink is designed such that airflow provided by a single fan is captured and directed to nearby/adjacent components, thus cooling these components. The invention thus provides an integrated cooling solution and removes the need for multiple cooling systems/solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamloy, Timothy S. Farrow
  • Patent number: 8089762
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for directing power supply airflow. A power supply is disposed adjacent a first end of a chassis. The chassis comprises a z axis from the first end to a second end of the chassis and an x axis orthogonal to the z axis. A bay is disposed adjacent the first end of the chassis along the x axis from the power supply. The bay comprises at least one storage device. A chamber is disposed adjacent the first end of the chassis adjacent the bay along the x axis between the bay and the power supply. A first baffle is disposed offset from the power supply, the bay, and the chamber along the z axis toward the second end. The first baffle forms a first section and isolates a first airflow in the first section from a second airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamley
  • Patent number: 8072751
    Abstract: The invention broadly contemplates a tool-less retention system that appropriately distributes load via various distributed load points to prevent damage caused to a computer by heavy adapter cards during shipping. At least one embodiment of the invention includes a tool-less retention system with a balanced distributed load point positioned to contact and transfer force to the computer chassis at a region with great resistance to warping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto
  • Publication number: 20110239234
    Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes a drive that includes two substantially parallel sides and, for receipt of media, a substantially rectangular opening; a plate that includes a tab; a positioning mechanism to position the plate with respect to either one of the two parallel sides of the drive; and a bay configured to at least partially receive the drive, with the plate, in first and second orientations of the substantially rectangular opening with respect to the bay where the bay includes a lower slot configured to receive the tab if the plate is positioned with respect to one of the two parallel sides of the drive in the first orientation of the opening and where the bay includes an upper slot configured to receive the tab if the plate is positioned with respect to the other of the two parallel sides of the drive in the second orientation of the opening. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamley, Timothy S. Farrow
  • Publication number: 20110234064
    Abstract: An exemplary drive tray includes parallel side members; at least one end member connected to the parallel side members where the members collectively form a resilient, substantially rectangular frame for receipt of a drive body; and a pair of parallel side walls extending in a direction normal to a plane defined by the frame where the pair of parallel side walls include engagement features to engage opposing sides of a drive body. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamley, Timothy S. Farrow
  • Patent number: 7894186
    Abstract: A computer cover retention bar (or lock bar) is provided that is functionally integrated with a padlock and/or Kensington lock setup in such a way that full closure via the padlock and/or Kensington lock will ensure that the retention bar, itself provided with detents or hooks that themselves act to keep the cover fully closed with respect to a chassis or body of the desktop or workstation, cannot be moved. This then ensures that the locking action of a padlock or Kensington lock goes a measure beyond the norm, in that a cover can indeed remain fully closed without, e.g., affording unauthorized individuals from prying open the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singpore) Pte. Ltd
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto
  • Publication number: 20100246114
    Abstract: The invention broadly contemplates a tool-less retention system that appropriately distributes load via various distributed load points to prevent damage caused to a computer by heavy adapter cards during shipping. At least one embodiment of the invention includes a tool-less retention system with a balanced distributed load point positioned to contact and transfer force to the computer chassis at a region with great resistance to warping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto
  • Publication number: 20100243205
    Abstract: The invention broadly contemplates an integrated thermal system that is capable of simultaneously cooling multiple, separate heat generating components of an electronic device. The integrated thermal system according to one embodiment of the invention takes the form of a CPU heat sink designed to intelligently maximize available airflow, utilizing multidirectional airflow cooling of a plurality of heat generating components on the motherboard. The heat sink is designed such that airflow provided by a single fan is captured and directed to nearby/adjacent components, thus cooling these components. The invention thus provides an integrated cooling solution and removes the need for multiple cooling systems/solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, William F. Martin-Otto, Marc R. Pamloy, Timothy S. Farrow
  • Patent number: 7760504
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for thermal conduction interfacing. The system for thermal conduction interfacing is provided with a first layer formed substantially of a pliable thermally conductive material. The system includes a second layer formed substantially of a pliable thermally conductive material and coupled at the edges to the first layer forming a pliable packet, wherein the first layer and the second layer conform to a set of thermal interface surfaces. Additionally, the system includes a plurality of thermally conductive particles disposed within the packet, wherein thermal energy is transferred from the first layer to the second layer through the thermally conductive particles. Beneficially, such a system would provide effective thermal coupling between a heat generating device and a heat dissipating device. Additionally, the system would be modular, reusable, and easy to install or replace without a significant mess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, Dean F. Herring
  • Publication number: 20090241607
    Abstract: A computer cover retention bar (or lock bar) is provided that is functionally integrated with a padlock and/or Kensington lock setup in such a way that full closure via the padlock and/or Kensington lock will ensure that the retention bar, itself provided with detents or hooks that themselves act to keep the cover fully closed with respect to a chassis or body of the desktop or workstation, cannot be moved. This then ensures that the locking action of a padlock or Kensington lock goes a measure beyond the norm, in that a cover can indeed remain fully closed without, e.g., affording unauthorized individuals from prying open the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto
  • Publication number: 20090249495
    Abstract: A latch and latch handle recessed into the computer cover is provided, with the latch handle preferably presently a cam surface internally that interacts with a compatible cam surface associated with a lock bar. Preferably, a key lock is functionally integrated with the latch in such a way that when the key lock is unlocked the latch handle and latch are free to displace and to then urge the retention bar to disengage detents or hooks from slots or receptacles, by way of releasing the cover from a chassis or body of the desktop or workstation. Accordingly, in essentially one efficient movement via engaging the latch handle, a user will be able to quickly remove the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, William F. Martin-Otto
  • Patent number: 7239511
    Abstract: A computer system having an opening configured to accept a device, the device assembly including at least one engagement surface. 3The computer system comprises a locking mechanism disposed in the opening to releasably latch the device assembly in the opening at a preselected position. The latching mechanism includes a hand actuated assembly movable in the opening for releasably engaging the engagement surface of the device assembly when the device assembly is located in the opening. The invention also contemplates the combination of the device assembly and the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Joel W. Collins, III, Timothy S. Farrow, Brian H. Leonard
  • Patent number: 6166332
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a ribbon cable in a bent position with the extent of the bend limited to prevent distortion of or damage to the cable. The cable clamp apparatus includes a first and a second member, an inner member positioned inside the bend and an outer member located outside the bend of the ribbon cable, with one of the two members including at least one latch for securing the other member in a fixed relationship while the ribbon cable remains bent but at no greater a bend than the minimum radius. The latch is preferably formed integrally with the outer member, projecting each end at a distance approximately equal to the length of the inner member to hold the inner member in releasable relationship to the outer member while limiting the bend of the ribbon cable to the diameter of the inner member to avoid damage to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Farrow, Tze-wing Keung, Joel E. Walker
  • Patent number: 6137684
    Abstract: An electronic enclosure assembly having a logic chassis, a forward extension member attached to one end of the logic chassis wherein each side of the forward extension member has side pieces, each of the side pieces having a face and a notch. The enclosure further includes a removable chassis having a front side and a rearward side and sized to fit between the side pieces and slidably movable on the extension until it is engaged with the logic chassis. An activation handle having side members is pivotally attached on the sides and at front end of the removable chassis and is movable between an up position and a down position. The ends of the side members and the notches of the side pieces of the logic chassis cooperate for camming the removable chassis into engagement with the logic chassis when the activation handle is moved to its up position and for camming the removable chassis away and disengaging the removable chassis from the logic chassis when said activation handle is returned to its down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Ayd, Richard M. Ecker, Timothy S. Farrow, Franz Edlinger, Peter W. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6025989
    Abstract: A modular node assembly for a rack mounted multiprocessor computer in which the node assembly has a logic chassis and a removable chassis. The logic chassis contains logic cards including memory cards, a service processor card, Central Processing Unit (CPU) processor cards, and Input/Output (I/O) cards to which I/O and processor interconnecting cables are attached. The removable chassis contains the power supply module for the node, a node supervisor card, disk drives and cooling fans. The removable chassis is removable from the logic chassis without moving or disturbing the logic chassis. One fan of a pair of cooling fans in the removable chassis draws air through the power supply, which has relatively higher cooling needs, and blows the air into the logic chassis over logic modules having relatively lower cooling needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Ayd, Timothy S. Farrow, Peter W. Kelly