Herbert Gene Leonard

US Patent:

6438858, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Jan 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/478613

Inventors:

David Campbell Brower - Wake Forest NC
Robert Joseph Heider - Durham NC
Herbert Gene Leonard - Louisburg NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G01B 714

US Classification:

33542, 335016

Abstract:

An electronic feeler gauge and a method of using the same which provides an objective means of determining the width of a gap between two surfaces. The gauge comprises a measuring element which is insertable into the gap and an indicator coupled to the measuring element for automatically indicating when the gap has been set to a predetermined distance. The measuring element comprises two plates which act as an electrical switch in an electrical circuit. When the gap gauge is inserted into a gap of predetermined width, the plates press against each other and current from a power source lights up a light emitting diode. Conversely, when the plates are inserted into a gap that is too wide, the plates do not press against each. The circuit, therefore, is not complete, and the light emitting diode does not light up. Thus, this invention provides an objective, reliable means for confirming the width of a gap.

US Patent:

6654068, Nov 25, 2003

Filed:

Jan 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/477755

Inventors:

James Gabriel Brewington - Raleigh NC
David Campbell Brower - Wake Forest NC
Richard Hunter Harris - Raleigh NC
Herbert Gene Leonard - Louisburg NC
Fred David Parnell - Raleigh NC
Jeff David Thomas - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04N 5655

US Classification:

348827, 2482781, 361681

Abstract:

A computer display includes a pivotally mounted upper housing having a display screen, a brake used to retard pivoting motion of this upper housing, and a release mechanism for releasing the brake so that the upper housing can be freely moved. The display screen is preferably a touchscreen, which is touched to indicate a selection made by the user, with the brake resisting a tilting movement of the screen as it is touched. In a first version, two brakes are used to retard motion in both directions, with a single release wheel being turned in one direction to allow rearward motion of the upper housing and in another direction to allow forward motion of the upper housing. In a second version, a single brake is released by stopping motion of a release mandrel to unwrap a clutch spring. In a third version, two brakes, operating near opposite edges of the upper housing to stop downward movement of the upper housing, provide a particularly stiff mechanism for mounting the upper housing, and are simultaneously released by turning a knob to pivot a shaft.

US Patent:

6719199, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Apr 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/426126

Inventors:

R. Kenneth Cotten - Raleigh NC
Robert J. Heider - Durham NC
Herbert G. Leonard - Louisburg NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

235380, 235375

Abstract:

An automated insertion/retrieval device for card reading device testing includes a housing assembly whose back face is coupled to a shaft of an air cylinder. Coupled to the side faces of the housing assembly are upper and lower gripper roller assemblies. As the test card is expelled from a card reading device, it is gripped by the gripper roller assemblies, activating a microswitch and supplying air to the air cylinder. The shaft retracts and moves the housing assembly away from the card reading device until the test card abuts a stationary card bumper, causing the test card to shift in position toward the card reading device, deactivating the microswitch and turning off the air supply to the air cylinder. An internal return spring of the air cylinder extends the shaft and returns the housing assembly to its original position, reinserting the test card into the card reading device.

US Patent:

42366780, Dec 2, 1980

Filed:

Jan 3, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/000746

Inventors:

Gerald C. Sienkiewicz - Raleigh NC
Donal J. McQuade - Raleigh NC
Herbert G. Leonard - Louisburg NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B65H 1748

US Classification:

242 5519A

Abstract:

A freely rotatable spool having an endless loop of printer ribbon wound around it is disclosed. The ribbon is withdrawn from the inner periphery of the coil and is simultaneously wound onto the outer periphery of the coil in a known manner. The freely rotatable spool is driven by the forces applied through pulling the ribbon off the inner periphery. Ribbon pulling is performed by an external set of feed rollers or similar mechanism. Difficulties encountered with the use of fabric ribbons in endless reel configurations are eliminated in the present invention by an improvement in the form of a polygonally shaped flange on the upper side of the freely rotatable spool on which the ribbon is wound. The flat sides on the polygonal flange have an optimum length which is defined in relationship to the width of the ribbon and the cosine of the angle at which the ribbon is withdrawn from the spool. An undercut dimension is provided on the spool so that the inner periphery of the ribbon is not in too great a contact with the hub or central core of the spool.

US Patent:

45538697, Nov 19, 1985

Filed:

Sep 12, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/531111

Inventors:

Douglas E. Alexander - Raleigh NC
James F. Holland - Raleigh NC
Herbert G. Leonard - Louisburg NC
Alvin R. Reed - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corp. - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B41J 1976

US Classification:

400568

Abstract:

A mechanical torque transmitting apparatus such as a one-way clutch which includes two distinct sets of flexural arms (primary and auxiliary) and a cylindrical engagement surface. The primary flexural arm is adapted to be in edgewise continuous engagement with the cylindrical surface. Preferably, the primary flexural arm has a long, straight, narrow cross-section area and applies a relatively low force against the cylindrical surface when said surface is rotating in a free-wheeling direction. In the non free-wheeling direction, the force against the cylindrical surface increases until the rotational forces overcome and buckle the primary flexural arm whereupon the auxiliary flexural arm is brought into contact with the cylindrical surface to resist further rotation.