Richard S West

US Patent:

D470498, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Apr 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

29/158295

Inventors:

Armando Jesus Argumedo - Tucson AZ
Edwin Ralph Childers - Tucson AZ
Johnny Lynn Teale - Tucson AZ
Richard Alex West - Corona AZ

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

1402

US Classification:

D14435, D14479

US Patent:

6802469, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Feb 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/356993

Inventors:

Armando J. Argumedo - Tucson AZ
Edwin R. Childers - Tucson AZ
Richard A. West - Corona AZ

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G11B 2304

US Classification:

2423381, 242348, 360132

Abstract:

A tape cartridge comprising a housing, a tape reel disposed within that housing, where that tape reel is capable of rotation around a first axis, and where that tape reel includes a hub and a reel coupling which is engageable with a motor coupling for rotation of the tape reel. The tape cartridge further includes a brake plate disposed within the hub, where that brake plate is capable of moving in a first direction and in an opposing second direction along the first axis, but where the brake plate is not capable of rotation around the first axis. The brake plate includes a first side, an opposing second side, a brake plate gear disposed on the second side, and a fixturing assembly disposed on the first side. The tape cartridge further includes a clutch plate disposed within the hub, where that clutch plate is capable of moving in a first direction and in an opposing second direction along the first axis, and where that clutch plate is capable of rotation around the first axis. The clutch plate includes a first surface, an opposing second surface, where the second side of the clutch plate is rotatably disposed on the second side of the brake plate, and where one or more release pins are disposed on the first surface of the clutch plate, and where those release pins each include a distal end which extends through, and outwardly from, the cartridge.

US Patent:

6880225, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

May 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/444146

Inventors:

Richard A. West - Corona AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

B23Q003/00
B25B027/00

US Classification:

29468, 29464, 29242, 29270, 29271, 292815, 294265

Abstract:

A tool for reattaching a leader pin assembly to the data tape of a data tape cartridge utilizes a base that snaps onto the cartridge body. The tool opens the door of the cartridge and the loose leader tape inside the cartridge is laid in an alignment channel. A leader pin is inserted into a set of receptacles over the tape, and a clip is inserted into a pocket within an arm on the tool. The tape is then folded and pulled down over the leader pin and held in the alignment channel with a finger of the user. The arm of the tool, which retains the clip, is then pivoted from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The clip snaps over a center section of the leader pin and the folded tape to form a leader pin assembly, thereby securing the tape in the leader pin assembly.

US Patent:

6900964, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Feb 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/080069

Inventors:

Armando Jesus Argumedo - Tucson AZ, US
Edwin Ralph Childers - Tucson AZ, US
Johnny L. Teale - Tucson AZ, US
Richard Alex West - Corona AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G11B023/27
G11B023/02

US Classification:

360132

Abstract:

A cartridge case has the same general geometry and dimensions of a Magstar cartridge, but with modified lateral sides with recessed surfaces and additional gripping notches that permit the alternative use of the cartridge with either a Magstar or an LTO type of automated picker. The width of the bottom rear portion of the cartridge is reduced to conform to the width of a standard LTO cartridge and LTO gripping notches are provided by increasing the depth of the locating notches of the Magstar format to the size required for engagement by the fingers in the gripper arms of an LTO automated picker. As a result of this modification, the cartridge of the invention can be alternatively handled by either Magstar or LTO type of automated pickers.

US Patent:

6906873, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Feb 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/357246

Inventors:

Armando J. Argumedo - Tucson AZ, US
Edwin R. Childers - Tucson AZ, US
Mark A. Taylor - Tucson AZ, US
Richard A. West - Corona AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G11B015/18

US Classification:

360 7

Abstract:

A method and apparatus to monitor the positioning of a tape leader pin in a tape threader block moveably disposed in a tape drive. The' apparatus includes a tape threader block assembly comprising a first circuit having a first coil, a second circuit having a second coil, where that second circuit has an impedance, where the first coil is disposed adjacent the second coil. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit which detects the impedance of the second circuit, where the second circuit has a first impedance when the first circuit is open, and where the second circuit has a second impedance when the second circuit is closed. In the event a tape leader pin is properly releaseably fixtured to Applicants' threader block, the first circuit is closed and the impedance of the second circuit changes. The detection circuit detects that impedance change and provides a signal to a controller indicating that the tape leader pin is properly seated in the threader block.

US Patent:

6921038, Jul 26, 2005

Filed:

Aug 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/641562

Inventors:

Richard A. West - Corona AZ, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G11B015/66

US Classification:

2423324, 360132

Abstract:

A threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, where that threader block assembly includes a first moveable arm, a second moveable arm pivotally connected to the first moveable arm, and a magnet disposed on the second moveable arm. A tape drive which includes the threader block. A data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more tape drives comprising the threader block. A method to attach a tape leader pin to a threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, where that tape leader pin is disposed on one end of a magnetic tape. The method includes disposing a magnet on the threader block assembly, forming the leader pin from a paramagnetic material, and attaching the leader pin to the threader block assembly with a magnetic force.

US Patent:

D530701, Oct 24, 2006

Filed:

Nov 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

29/243479

Inventors:

Richard West - Hendersonville TN, US
David Render - Belleville, CA
Herbert Walter Bentz - Surrey, CA
Alexander Jeffrey Feldman - Vancouver, CA
Brian Giesbrecht - Vancouver, CA
Robbie Gordon Roberts - Port Moody, CA

Assignee:

Nortel Networks Limited

International Classification:

1403

US Classification:

D14151

US Patent:

D588573, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Dec 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

29/244057

Inventors:

Richard West - Hendersonville TN, US
David Render - Belleville, CA
Herbert Walter Bentz - Surrey, CA
Alexander Jeffrey Feldman - Vancouver, CA
Brian Giesbrecht - Vancouver, CA
Robbie Gordon Roberts - Port Moody, CA

Assignee:

Nortel Networks Limited - St. Laurent, Quebec

International Classification:

1403

US Classification:

D14151