Patents Assigned to ATF Inc.
  • Publication number: 20220389952
    Abstract: A bolt retention device is provided that includes a bolt having a shaft, a retention portion that includes a radial retention surface extending along the shaft, a sleeve having a cylindrical base with an inner bore, and at least one rib extending radially from the cylindrical base, wherein the retention portion has a diameter sized to receive the inner bore of the sleeve, and wherein the bolt is inserted into the sleeve to align the retention portion with the inner bore of the sleeve. The sleeve works to retain the bolt in a coupling aperture by applying a resistive force in the direction opposite the direction of motion. This resistive force is caused by physical interference created by the ribs against the inner bore of the coupling aperture. The ribs may vary in shape to create different desirable resistive characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: ATF, INC.
    Inventor: Viral Varshney
  • Patent number: 6672634
    Abstract: A vehicle door striker is manufactured from a U-shaped striker plate and a striker bolt. The striker plate has a mounting plate connected to an arm by a support segment. The mounting plate has a striker bolt hole and two mounting bolt holes therethrough and the arm has a boss with a threaded hole therethrough. The striker bolt has a head and a threaded end with a shaft therebetween. The shaft is surrounded by a profiled plastic sleeve which serves to dampen sound and reduce wear. In assembling the vehicle door striker, the striker bolt is inserted through the striker bolt hole such that the head is fully recessed in the mounting plate and such that the threaded end is threaded into the threaded hole of the boss. The sleeve may be placed over the shaft of the striker bolt either before or during the assembly process. A plastic cover substantially envelops the striker plate to provide sound dampening and to further protect the vehicle door striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: ATF, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6273480
    Abstract: A vehicle door striker is manufactured from a U-shaped striker plate and a striker bolt. The striker plate has a mounting plate connected to an arm by a support segment. The mounting plate has a striker bolt hole and two mounting bolt holes therethrough and the arm has a boss with a threaded hole therethrough. The striker bolt has a head and a threaded end with a shaft therebetween. The shaft is surrounded by a profiled plastic sleeve which serves to dampen sound and reduce wear. In assembling the vehicle door striker, the striker bolt is inserted through the striker bolt hole such that the head is fully recessed in the mounting plate and such that the threaded end is threaded into the threaded hole of the boss. The sleeve may be placed over the shaft of the striker bolt either before or during the assembly process. A plastic cover substantially envelops the striker plate to provide sound dampening and to further protect the vehicle door striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: ATF, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6267421
    Abstract: A vehicle door striker is manufactured from a U-shaped striker plate and a striker bolt. The striker plate has a mounting plate connected to an arm by a support segment. The mounting plate has a striker bolt hole and two mounting bolt holes therethrough and the arm has a boss with a threaded hole therethrough. The striker bolt has a head and a threaded end with a shaft therebetween. The shaft is surrounded by a profiled plastic sleeve which serves to dampen sound and reduce wear. In assembling the vehicle door striker, the striker bolt is inserted through the striker bolt hole such that the head is fully recessed in the mounting plate and such that the threaded end is threaded into the threaded hole of the boss. The striker bolt and threaded hole interface in an interference fit designed to maximize the failure point of the connection. The sleeve may be placed over the shaft of the striker bolt either before or during the assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: ATF Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6106037
    Abstract: A vehicle door striker is manufactured from a U-shaped striker plate and a striker bolt. The striker plate has a mounting plate connected to an arm by a support segment. The mounting plate has a striker bolt hole and two mounting bolt holes therethrough and the arm has a boss with a threaded hole therethrough. The striker bolt has a head and a threaded end with a shaft therebetween. The shaft is surrounded by a profiled plastic sleeve which serves to dampen sound and reduce wear. In assembling the vehicle door striker, the striker bolt is inserted through the striker bolt hole such that the head is fully recessed in the mounting plate and such that the threaded end is threaded into the threaded hole of the boss. The striker bolt and threaded hole interface in an interference fit designed to maximize the failure point of the connection. The sleeve may be placed over the shaft of the striker bolt either before or during the assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: ATF, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6095576
    Abstract: A vehicle door striker is manufactured from a U-shaped striker plate and a striker bolt. The striker plate has a mounting plate connected to an arm by a support segment. The mounting plate has a striker bolt hole and two mounting bolt holes therethrough and the arm has a boss with a threaded hole therethrough. The striker bolt has a head and a threaded end with a shaft therebetween. The shaft is surrounded by a profiled plastic sleeve which serves to dampen sound and reduce wear. In assembling the vehicle door striker, the striker bolt is inserted through the striker bolt hole such that the head is fully recessed in the mounting plate and such that the threaded end is threaded into the threaded hole of the boss. The sleeve may be placed over the shaft of the striker bolt either before or during the assembly process. A plastic cover substantially envelops the striker plate to provide sound dampening and to further protect the vehicle door striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: ATF Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: D433621
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: ATF, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Wiley