Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Paul F. Donovan
  • Patent number: 6688826
    Abstract: A captive fastener system having a fastener and a retention member is provided. The retention member includes a cylindrical body having a flange at one end thereof. Work piece retention members project outwardly of the body for securing the retention member in a bore of a work piece. A plurality of dimples project inwardly in the retention member, and are narrow in a circumferential direction and elongated in an axial direction of the body. The dimples frictionally engage a shank of the fastener, to hold the fastener in the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Henna Agha, Glenn Heavens
  • Patent number: 6669150
    Abstract: A clip assembly configured for attachment to an axially elongated tubular member in a manner limiting movements of said clip assembly relative to the elongated member is disclosed. The clip assembly includes a hollow sleeve configured to fit about and grippingly engage an outer lengthwise portion of the elongated tubular member and a clip having a fastening portion and an attachment portion. The fastening portion of the clip is configured to attach the clip to a support. The attachment portion of the clip includes first and second sections which combine with each other to define an opening for accommodating and compressing the hollow sleeve therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Benoit, David A. Shereyk
  • Patent number: 6671174
    Abstract: A surge protector block assembly includes a plurality of individual 5-pin housing units which are formed integrally together. Each of the plurality of individual housing units has a plurality of surface mountable socket contacts for receiving corresponding pins of a surge protector module. A single and/or multi-layer printed circuit board is provided with a plurality of solder pads. Each of the plurality of individual housing units is surface mounted onto the solder pads of the single and/or multi-layer printed circuit board for electrical connection to corresponding ones of the plurality of the socket contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Heidorn
  • Patent number: 6668428
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device to be used for tending straps and also to be used as a whistle. More particularly, this invention relates to a device for tending straps with a whistle integrated within the device where both the whistling and strap-tending functions are independently operable. While whistles may be included as individual pieces of gear they are often not available when desired. This invention facilitates the inclusion of a whistle by combining it with items designed to tend the straps on gear that is more commonly carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Andrew Moeller
  • Patent number: 6659701
    Abstract: A panel fastener for assembling a panel structure to a substructure is herein disclosed. The fastener comprises a body having a pair of offset flanges connected by a hollow support structure having a bore formed therethrough that is connected to a head having a third flange and a shank extending therefrom, by at least one flexible member that is connected between the body and the head of the fastener. The shaft of the head further having at least one retaining mechanism formed therein such that when the shaft of the head is inserted through the bore formed through the hollow support structure of the body of the fastener, the retaining mechanism can engage a bore formed through the substructure so as to secure the panel structure thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Marc R. Risdale
  • Patent number: 6659698
    Abstract: A grommet having a body formed of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve wherein the inner sleeve may be made to spin within the outer sleeve upon the application of a torqueing force that exceeds a predetermined release torque is herein disclosed. The grommet has a head attached to the body thereof to limit the insertion of a shank of the grommet into an aperture formed in a primary panel and a retaining structure formed into the outer surface of the shank to permit the grommet to be pre-assembled with the primary panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Kirchen, Steve Everard
  • Patent number: 6658704
    Abstract: A cord lock has a body and plunger in which a cord is secured, and an extension sleeve designed for insertion through an opening in an article or fabric to which the cord lock is attached. A back plate is engaged along the length of the extension sleeve, to pinch the fabric or article between the body and back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jordi Badrenas Buscart
  • Patent number: 6657287
    Abstract: A leadframe having component receiving projections, such as electrical connectors, adapted to receive a component thereon, such as a ferrite filter, and having means for securing the position of the component on the leadframe during premold or overmold processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Smith, Robert J. Cook, Steven R. Benson
  • Patent number: 6652206
    Abstract: A rivet-type fastener is disclosed, suitable for panel fasteners and other applications in which retention in a hole is required. The act of inserting the fastener expands fastener arms to secure the fastener in the hole, and positions locking protrusions of a post within notches of the arms, to lock the fastener within the hole. In some embodiments the fastener can be released, for removal and re-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chad E. Heflin, George Siragusa
  • Patent number: 6647242
    Abstract: A static control device suitable for printers, copiers and the like is disclosed. A carrier strip of non-metallic electrically conductive material, such as plastic, is provided with a plurality of spaced bundles of electrically conductive filaments. The bundles extend beyond the carrier strip, in close proximity to media transported along a media path in the media handling apparatus. In the presence of electrical fields, the filaments induce ionization, and establish a conductive path for charges on the media to the carrier strip for grounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Gagnon, Daniel P. McCormick, Jeffrey W. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6637567
    Abstract: A free run clutch apparatus is disclosed for damping movement of a device mechanically connected to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing which defines an enclosure and a rotor rotatably located within the enclosure, the rotor defining a cavity. A shaft has a first and a second end, the first end of the shaft being rotatably disposed within the cavity. A biasing device is disposed within the cavity between the first end of the shaft and the rotor. Also, a black oxide coating is coated on the biasing device such that when the shaft is rotated in a first direction, a free run of the biasing device within the cavity is permitted. However, when the shaft rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the coated biasing device grabs the rotor so that damping of the rotation of the shaft in the second direction can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Doornbos
  • Patent number: 6634229
    Abstract: A fluid level sensing systems including a resistive element having an upper end portion disposed in an upper portion of a container and a lower end portion disposed in a lower portion of the container. The resistance of the resistive element varies between the upper and the lower portions of the container. An at least partially conductive strip having substantially the same length as the resistive element is disposed in the container generally parallel thereto and at approximately the same level in the container as the resistive element. An input signal source is coupled to the resistive element by a series resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ghaffar Kazkaz, Richard C. Francke, Bradley S. Beiermann
  • Patent number: 6634841
    Abstract: A fastener assembly device is disclosed for fastening workpieces together. The device includes an elongate fastener having a first and a second end. The first end of the fastener defines a head and the fastener includes a threaded portion which extends between the second end of the fastener and the head. A shank portion is disposed between the head and the threaded portion and an annular collar is disposed between the head and the second end of the fastener. A washer cooperates with the fastener, the washer defining an aperture for the reception therethrough of the threaded portion of the fastener. The washer includes a plurality of protrusions which extend towards and cooperate with the annular collar. The arrangement is such that when the threaded portion of the fastener extends through the aperture of the washer, the protrusions interact with the collar for holding the fastener and the washer together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn G. Heavens, Albert W. Van Boven
  • Patent number: 6625879
    Abstract: A method for making an electrically shielded housing for an electrical device includes the steps of at least partially forming an insert member having a non-conductive outer surface portion and a conductive inner surface portion, insert molding the at least partially formed insert member in a cavity of a non-conductive housing body member so that the conductive inner surface portion of the insert member is disposed adjacent an outer surface portion of the body member cavity and the non-conductive outer surface portion of the insert member forms a housing cavity. An electrical device received in the housing cavity is electrically shielded by the conductive inner surface portion of the insert member and insulated from the conductive inner surface portion of the insert member by the non-conductive outer surface portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Michael Frederick Collins, Terry Dean Thomason, Ralph A. Hausler
  • Patent number: 6622355
    Abstract: A mounting structure for buckles, cord locks and the like is provided with a base and a body for placement on opposite sides of the article to which the component is to be secured. A first connector part in the nature of a rack is provided on one of the body and base, and a lug is provided on the other of the body and the base for engagement at various locations along the rack to secure the body and base on opposite sides of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jordi Badrenas Buscart, John S. Pontaoe
  • Patent number: 6618910
    Abstract: A cord clamp having a housing with first and second matable body portions, first and second side-by-side cord accommodating passages extending at least partially through the housing from both opposite ends thereof. In some embodiments, a plurality of cord retaining teeth protrude into one of the passages, and in some embodiments one or both of the passages are devoid of cord retaining teeth and include a passage constriction for adjustably capturing a corresponding cord portion. A hinge may interconnect the first and second body portions at one end thereof, preferably between the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Pontaoe
  • Patent number: 6616888
    Abstract: A two-part resilient bumper formed by depositing a first liquified resilient material into a bumper cavity of a mold plate, distributing the first liquified resilient material over a bottom portion of the bumper cavity before depositing a second liquified resilient material into the bumper cavity on top of the first liquified resilient material, and curing the first and second liquified resilient materials to form a first resilient material bonded to a second resilient material, wherein the first and second resilient materials have different performance characteristics when cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Lindquist, Frank V. Plimi, Jr.
  • Patent number: D484070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jordi Badrenas Buscart
  • Patent number: D484784
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: George Siragusa
  • Patent number: D485209
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Tracy, Edward Eaton