Stephen Donn Cook

US Patent:

6796666, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Oct 17, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/733291

Inventors:

Stephen J. Cook - Loveland CO
David W. Boyd - Greeley CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 7182

US Classification:

359871, 359872, 359873, 359881

Abstract:

An apparatus for mounting an object precisely in a specific plane. An object is mounted on small support points rather than flat pads or other flat surfaces. The support points are stiff but not completely rigid. Exactly four support points are used. Mechanical forces are sufficient to slightly compress the two higher support points on a diagonal and to slightly compress the object so that the object presses against all the support points, with a higher amount of compression for one pair of diagonal points relative to the other two points. In an example embodiment, the support points are formed at the intersection of curved surfaces or at the intersection of multiple planar surfaces. In a specific example embodiment, the points are formed at the intersection of cylindrical surfaces. The points are fabricated by a cylindrical cutting bit that has partial-cylinder grooves formed circumferentially in the bit. The outer surface of the bit is used to mill two intersecting planes, and the grooves result in cylindrical surfaces intersecting at the same angle as the intersecting planes.

US Patent:

20070144092, Jun 28, 2007

Filed:

Nov 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/557746

Inventors:

Paul Swiszcz - Niwot CO, US
Ko Kuperus - Den Haag, NL
Tim Jeske - Centennial CO, US
Eugene Ballard - Arvada CO, US
Stephen Cook - Brighton CO, US

Assignee:

Hunter Douglas Inc. - Upper Saddle River NJ

International Classification:

E04C 1/00

US Classification:

052309110

Abstract:

An apparatus for manufacturing cellular laminate structural panels includes one or more supply stations of a flexible strip material including folding rollers for sequentially folding the strip material into cellular structures and feeding the cellular structures into a conveyor where the cellular structures are held in compression. The apparatus further includes a laminating station where the folded cellular structures are laminated to an upper and/or lower sheet material to which lines of a bonding medium have been applied prior to engagement with the cellular structures. The folded cellular structures are heated before engaging the sheet material so as to enhance the bonding of the sheet material to the cellular structures and subsequent to bonding, the laminate is passed through a cooling station to set the bonding medium. Downstream from the laminating station, the laminate passes through a side edge folding station where edges of the sheet material are folded over side edges of the laminate to finish the side edges of the laminate and subsequently the laminate is passed into a cutter for cutting the continuous laminate into predetermined lengths. Ends of the cut panels then receive rigid edge strips to fully finish the panel. The method of the invention includes the steps performed by the components of the apparatus.

US Patent:

47990074, Jan 17, 1989

Filed:

Jul 14, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/073876

Inventors:

Stephen J. Cook - Loveland CO
Michael L. Bullock - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R 3102

US Classification:

324158F

Abstract:

An apparatus is described for interfacing an automatic board test system to an electronic circuit card. This interface permits short and reliable connections between the test system and electronic components located on the circuit card for the electronic signals which test these components. This apparatus works equally well with vacuum actuated and mechanically actuated systems.

US Patent:

48703532, Sep 26, 1989

Filed:

Dec 30, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/139418

Inventors:

Stephen J. Cook - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R 104
G01R 102

US Classification:

324158F

Abstract:

A pre-loaded compression spring assembly is described which preferably includes a compression spring, a base plate to support one end of the spring, and a flexible retention member which extends over the opposite end of the spring and which is adapted to retain the spring in a pre-loaded condition on the base plate. The spring assembly is compressed when force is applied to the upper end of the spring. The spring assembly has a variety of uses, including for example use in circuit board testing apparatus.

US Patent:

53111192, May 10, 1994

Filed:

Sep 12, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/582263

Inventors:

Michael L. Bullock - Loveland CO
Ronald K. Kerschner - Loveland CO
Stephen J. Cook - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R 3102
G01R 1073

US Classification:

324158F

Abstract:

A board fixturing system employed in an automatic in-circuit tester is vibrated at a sub-ultrasonic frequency that is in substantial close proximity to a resonant frequency of at least a major portion of the fixturing system to improve the probability of establishing good electrical conductivity between the probes of the automatic in-circuit tester and predetermined contact locations on the board under test.

US Patent:

47712341, Sep 13, 1988

Filed:

Nov 20, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/933403

Inventors:

Stephen J. Cook - Loveland CO
Kris J. Kanack - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R 104

US Classification:

324158F

Abstract:

A fixture is disclosed for connecting circuit cards having electronic components to a board test system. The fixture is vacuum actuated. The test fixture comprises a fixture base and a support assembly. The fixture base comprises a board test system interface, supports, probe plate and electrical connections. The probe plate contains an integral vacuum chamber with molded supports. The support assembly comprises a first seal, a support plate, a second seal, and a third seal. The circuit card is positioned by two tooling pins located in the probe assembly. The card is electrically connected to the test system through a probe, connecting wire, and a scanner pin. Two new seals are disclosed.

US Patent:

53049217, Apr 19, 1994

Filed:

Aug 7, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/741719

Inventors:

Stephen J. Cook - Loveland CO
Ronald K. Kerschner - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R 3102
G01R 106

US Classification:

324158F

Abstract:

Grounding technology is provided for a short-wire, circuit board test fixture. As a result of the grounding technology, the ground between a circuit board test system and a circuit board under test can be reliably controlled. The grounding technology provides testing at extremely higher speeds by minimizing ground bounce. An internal ground plane is situated in the test fixture. Pursuant to one embodiment of the invention, a coax assembly at ground potential surrounds critical signal paths between the internal ground plane and an alignment plate situated at the bottom of the test fixture. Either a conductive alignment plate or a conductive ground comb affixed to a non-conductive alignment plate is implemented to permit conduction of the ground signal between the board test system and the coax assembly. In another embodiment, an array of ground personality pins provides conduction of the ground signal between the internal ground plane and the board test system. The ground personality pins are clustered around critical signal paths to control impedance.

US Patent:

6166829, Dec 26, 2000

Filed:

Apr 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/067785

Inventors:

Michael L. Christensen - Windsor CO
Stephen J. Cook - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04N 1024

US Classification:

358473

Abstract:

An optical image scanner includes a scan head that is mounted onto a guide member with a bias torque that reduces uncertainty in position of the scan head. A drive member, such as a belt or cable, is attached to the scan head with an offset relative to a centerline of the guide member. A tensioning device ensures that the drive member asserts force on the scan head at each of the attachment points. As a result, a bias torque is placed onto the scan head, relative to the guide member, reducing uncertainty in position. For bidirectional movement, the biasing torque is the same for either direction of travel.