Other

Phase Metrics, Inc.

Roger D Peters

Jeffrey K Rhoton

Jerry Backer

Judah Himango

Christopher Clennon

A collaboration program operates on a computer system for storing, sharing and synchronizing data between different users. Centrally stored content data items are organized by associations into one or more folders, with the folders arranged by associations in a multi-level hierarchical structure. Users have access to all folders and content data items falling within at least one top level folder or 'file cabinet' viewable by that user. When a user makes a change/addition to the hierarchical structure, that change/addition is transmitted to a server, which makes the change/addition to the necessary associations and sends messages through a TCP/IP format advising other signed-on users of the change/addition. With each content data item having the capability of being associated into multiple folders and each folder having the capability of being associated into multiple other folders or file cabinets, the computer system operating the collaboration program gives different users simultaneous, synchronized access to the folders and content data items in the hierarchical structure.

Collaboration software with real-time synchronization

A rugged spindle for a disk certifier that test the disks of a hard disk drive. The spindle contains a first bearing and a second bearing that are coupled together by a shaft. The first bearing is coupled to a chuck that captures a disk. The second bearing is coupled to the spindle shaft of an electric motor which rotates the disk. The bearings each contain an outer graphite sheath that is separated from a hardened housing by an air bearing. The connecting shaft is bonded to the first and second bearings by an adhesive that is injected through longitudinal passages of the shaft. The bonding adhesive flows along the interface of the connecting shaft and bearings until the adhesive fills an indicator slot of the shaft. Air bearings are created during the bonding process of the second bearing to insure an accurate relationship between the two bearings and the housing.

Crash tolerant air bearing spindle

A pneumatically operated vacuum chuck for releasably securing data discs includes an arbor with an annular land disposed at the distal end thereof to engage the inner periphery of the disc. An annular groove is formed concentrically in the land to exert a suction grip on a data disc. A piston assembly is secured in a bore within the arbor, the distal end of the piston assembly including a resilient bushing that expands diametrically upon proximal retraction to block the egress path of the disc from the annular land. The piston head engages the bore with a sliding seal, and the sealed interior chamber of the arbor communicates with the annular groove at the distal end of the arbor. A compression spring biases the piston assembly proximally, and air pressure applied to the proximal end of the piston assembly drives the piston assembly distally against the spring. An air channel extends axially through the piston assembly from the proximal end thereof to the sealed interior chamber of the arbor, and a check valve disposed in the air channel transfers vacuum pressure to the annular groove and blocks pneumatic pressure. Pneumatic pressure translates the piston assembly distally, releasing the resilient bushing from blocking removal of the data disc on the annular land, and releasing the vacuum suction on the disc.

Vacuum chuck for rotating data discs

Apparatus for translating objects along a path is constructed in a manner which automatically conforms surfaces of a guideway with adjacent surfaces of a rail that extends along the guideway and thereby realizes very precise travel. A housing containing the guideway initially has a channel that is broader than the guideway. Plates are loosely disposed in the channel and strips of resilient material extend from the plates to the channel walls. The rail is emplaced between the plates and a cover plate is secured to the housing over the rail. This wedges the plates apart and compresses the resilient material while causing the top of the rail to be strictly parallel with the cover plate and while causing the plates to be strictly parallel with the rail side surfaces. Hardenable liquid adhesive is injected into the channel to unitize the plates with the housing.

Method of manufacturing a linear slide

Linear slide and method of manufacture thereof

A chuck adapted for releasably securing data discs and the like for processing and testing procedures includes an arbor secured at its proximal end to a rotatable tool, and a cylindrical bore within the arbor houses a reciprocating piston. A spring within the bore biases the piston proximally, and a piston rod extends through an aperture in the distal end of the arbor. The distal end of the arbor includes a neck portion extending axially and distally and dimensioned to extend through the central aperture of a data disc, and an annular land surface extending about the neck portion to impinge upon the disc surface adjacent to the central aperture thereof. A resilient bushing is secured coaxially to the distal end of the piston rod, the bushing having a truncated conical configuration tapering toward the distal end. The proximal end of the bushing is dimensioned to be slightly smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the annular land surface, and is provided with a bevelled outer edge. Air pressure is provided to the proximal side of the piston to drive the piston and piston rod distally, the bevelled edge of the bushing impinging on the end surface of the neck portion of the arbor when the piston is extended distally. When the air pressure is relieved and a disc has been secured about the neck portion of the arbor, the spring force of the spring within the arbor drives the piston and rod proximally, compressing the bushing axially and causing it to deform and spread at its proximal end. The bevelled proximal edge of the deforming bushing wipes radially outwardly onto the inner annular surface of the disc, urging the disc to impinge on the annular land surface of the arbor and securing the disc thereto. The bevelled edge is significant in creating a trailing edge effect which pushes a disc onto the land surface, even if the disc was not originally placed correctly on the land surface.

Rotary chuck for centering and retaining data discs

A clamp for supporting a plate such as a memory disk which comprises a housing with a supporting surface in contact with one side of the plate surface and a mechanism for applying a segmented ring to the second side of the plate surface and a fluid pressure means within said housing to apply a large clamping pressure.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Roger D Peters