Leif A Erickson

US Patent:

6690531, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/747598

Inventors:

Durkee B. Richards - Stillwater MN
James S. Anderson - Chanhassan MN
Leif O. Erickson - River Falls WI

Assignee:

Imation Corp. - Oakdale MN

International Classification:

G11B 5596

US Classification:

360 7202, 360 7712, 360 7802

Abstract:

Data recording tape is passed along guides and past a read/write head. Sensors detect the position of the tape and adjust the guides and the head as a function of the position. If the tape deviates from the target tape path, a controller moves a guide to steer the tape back to the target tape path, using the sensor signals. In cases of tape disturbance such as those involving rapid tape motion, an adaptive estimator uses the sensor signals to position the head to anticipate the expected position of the tape when the disturbance arrives at the head.

US Patent:

6808581, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Jun 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/883144

Inventors:

Leroy A. Kuta - Mahtomedi MN
Leif O. Erickson - River Falls WI

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B32B 3100

US Classification:

156187, 156159, 156256, 156450, 156504, 2425553

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for automatically applying a flying splicing tape to a roll of sheet material. The roll of sheet material is defined by a width and includes an outer-most layer. With this in mind, the method includes lifting a portion of the outer-most layer away from a remainder of the roll. The lifted portion is then cut to form a leading edge that is otherwise spaced from a remainder of the wound roll. To this end, the cut is made at a defined spacial location along the outer-most layer such that the leading edge is radially aligned with a defined application line relative to a circumference on the wound portion of the roll. In other words, when the outer-most portion is subsequently wound back onto the roll, the leading edge will be aligned with the defined application line. The splicing tape is then applied to the wound portion of the roll at the defined application line, such that the splicing tape extends across at least a portion of the width of the roll. In one preferred embodiment, the splicing tape is applied in a straight fashion relative to an axis of the roll.

US Patent:

53857828, Jan 31, 1995

Filed:

Apr 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/052813

Inventors:

Christopher J. Zwettler - Maplewood MN
Leif O. Erickson - River Falls WI

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 500

US Classification:

428332

Abstract:

A base plate for use in a data cartridge using pre-coated aluminum. The coating is applied before cutting the aluminum into a base plate shaped article.

US Patent:

58709240, Feb 16, 1999

Filed:

Apr 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

/059807

Inventors:

Aboutorab S. Fahimi - Bloomington MN
Durkee B. Richards - Stillwater MN
Leif O. Erickson - River Falls WI

Assignee:

Imation Corp. - Oakdale MN

International Classification:

B21D 5300

US Classification:

723792

Abstract:

A tape bearing surface for a tape that reduces tape surface contact near the edge, while minimizing variation in cross-web tension, and a method of making the same. The tape surface piece has a longitudinal axes defining a tape path and a lateral axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along a top surface. The top surface defines a convex shape having at least one distinct radii extending along the lateral axis. In one embodiment, the convex shape is elliptical or parabolic. In one embodiment, two distinct radii are formed so that a first radius proximate a center of the lateral axis is greater then a second radius proximate edges of the lateral axis. The present invention is also directed to a tape guide and a tape cartridge containing the present tape bearing surface.

US Patent:

62951815, Sep 25, 2001

Filed:

Jun 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/665167

Inventors:

Aboutorab S. Fahimi - Bloomington MN
Durkee B. Richards - Stillwater MN
Leif O. Erickson - River Falls WI

Assignee:

Imation Corp. - Oakdale MN

International Classification:

G11B 1560

US Classification:

36013021

Abstract:

A tape bearing surface for a tape that reduces tape surface contact near the edge, while minimizing variation in cross-web tension, and a method of making the same. The tape surface piece has a longitudinal axes defining a tape path and a lateral axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along a top surface. The top surface defines a convex shape having at least one distinct radii extending along the lateral axis. In one embodiment, the convex shape is elliptical or parabolic. In one embodiment, two distinct radii are formed so that a first radius proximate a center of the lateral axis is greater then a second radius proximate edges of the lateral axis. The present invention is also directed to a tape guide and a tape cartridge containing the present tape bearing surface.

US Patent:

42091454, Jun 24, 1980

Filed:

Jan 10, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/002344

Inventors:

Leif O. Erickson - Maplewood MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G03B 104
G11B 1532

US Classification:

242204

Abstract:

A cassette reel drive mechanism is disclosed for providing fast forward and reverse drive for the supply and takeup reels of the cassette. The mechanism includes a simple mechanism, all of which is desirably mounted on the shaft of a DC reversible motor, and utilizes a portion of the torque of the motor, coupled through a clutch mechanism, to pivot a linkage arm. An idler wheel is mounted on the arm and is driven by the motor. Pivoting of the arm brings the idler wheel into driving contact with a respective turntable associated with the supply and takeup spindles on which a cassette may be mounted to provide the desired fast forward or reverse drive, and disengages a brake mechanism to allow unencumbered rotation of the appropriate turntable.

US Patent:

46316094, Dec 23, 1986

Filed:

Feb 16, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/580892

Inventors:

Leif O. Erickson - Hudson WI
Vurnen J. Leonard - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G11B 582

US Classification:

360135

Abstract:

A stretched surface recording disk includes an annular substrate to which are adhesively attached magnetic recording films covering each major surface of the substrate. The substrate has annular ridges adjacent its inner and outer diameters which support the film above and parallel to each major surface and film attachment surfaces adjacent the ridges which are radiused an amount sufficient to place the adhesive in compression, preferably about 0. 030 inches (0. 80 mm).

US Patent:

D3831256, Sep 2, 1997

Filed:

Mar 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

D/036765

Inventors:

Daniel C. Egan - Oakdale MN
Randy S. Bay - Wahpeton ND
James J. Evanoff - Roseville MN
Leif O. Erickson - River Falls WI
Armando J. Argumedo - Tucson AZ
Steven L. Felde - Tucson AZ
Scott M. Rockwell - Tucson AZ
Kenneth R. Shelley - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Imation Corp. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

1499

US Classification:

D14121