Patents Assigned to Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5690454
    Abstract: A retainer has inner and outer subsections that are hingedly connected. An outer portion is hingedly connected to the outer subsections. The outer subsection rotates on its hinge relative to the outer portion, and axially back towards the inner surface of the wall to contact the wall. The inner subsection extends to a connection with the inner head portion. The inner and outer subsections are in abutting contact adjacent to the hinge. The abutting contact creates a holding force at the point of contact between the hinge and the inner wall. This results in a truss-like configuration that securely retains the retainer in the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5425609
    Abstract: A number of improvements to anchoring retainers are disclosed. The improvements ensure that the retainers are securely attached to walls, and that they do not move during attachment after being attached by a threaded fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5244324
    Abstract: A number of improvements to anchoring retainers are disclosed. The improvements ensure that the retainers are securely attached to walls, and that they do not move during attachment after being attached by a threaded fastener. In one inventive feature, an improved cap for securing the fastener to the wall is disclosed wherein the cap has a thickened portion. In another feature, flip caps are disclosed which secure the anchor within a bore in the wall. In an additional feature of the invention, a tab and groove engagement insures that portions of the retainer do not move relative to each other as the threaded fastener is tightened. Finally, in another feature of the invention, structure is included into the retainer which assists the retainer in folding towards a secured position in the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5006027
    Abstract: A fastener-receiving member is disclosed that can be used with either a blind hole or a hollow wall. In addition, the length of the fastener-receiving member can be adjusted to be accommodated within various thicknesses of walls. The nut portion of the fastener-receiving member is configured so that it has ridges at its outer periphery that will engage with the surface of a hole regardless of the quality of the drilled hole. A wing-like locking section will expand to insure an adequate grip between the wall and the member. In addition, an insertion tool is disclosed that aids an operator in inserting the fastener-receiving member into a hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4943253
    Abstract: A fastener-receiving member is disclosed that can be used with either a blind hole or a hollow wall. In addition, the length of the fastener-receiving member can be adjusted to be accommodated within various thicknesses of walls. The nut portion of the fastener-receiving member is configured so that it has ridges at its outer periphery that will engage with the surface of a hole regardless of the quality of the drilled hole. A wing-like locking section will expand to insure an adequate grip between the wall and the member. In addition, an insertion tool is disclosed that aids an operator in inserting the fastener-receiving member into a hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4491447
    Abstract: An anchoring retainer is mounted in a blind hole in a concrete floor or wall. The retainer, adapted to be used with a threaded element, comprises a flexible unitary one-piece body made from a plastic material. The body has an axis, is of generally triangular configuration and has at the apex thereof a sleeve provided with an opening surrounding the axis through which the threaded element extends. The sleeve has a pair of integrally formed outwardly diverging elongated flexible legs. An elongated flexible strut of V-shape is spaced axially from the sleeve and includes a central strut portion located beneath and spaced from the sleeve along with a pair of outwardly diverging strut portions which are integrally connected to the central strut portion and to the flexible legs near the outer ends thereof. In use, the sleeve end of the retainer is inserted into the blind hole, with the free ends of the legs near the open end of the blind hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon D. Smith, Glenn T. Parker
  • Patent number: 4415299
    Abstract: An anchoring retainer is provided for mounting at one side of a supporting structure such as a wall or ceiling having a through or restrictive opening therein through which the retainer is first inserted to reach one side of the structure or for mounting in a blind hole in a concrete floor or wall. Generally the same retainer may be used with a through opening or blind hole. The retainer, adapted to be used with a threaded element, comprises a flexible unitary one-piece body made from a plastic material. The body has an axis, is of generally triangular configuration and has at the apex thereof a sleeve provided with an opening surrounding the axis through which the threaded element extends. The sleeve has a pair of integrally formed outwardly diverging elongated flexible legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon D. Smith, Glenn T. Parker
  • Patent number: 4397595
    Abstract: An anchoring retainer is provided for mounting at one side of a supporting structure such as a wall or ceiling having a through or restrictive opening therein through which the retainer is first inserted to reach one side of the structure or for mounting in a blind hole in a concrete floor or wall. Generally the same retainer may be used with a through opening or blind hole. The retainer, adapted to be used with a threaded element, comprises a flexible unitary one-piece body made from a plastic material. The body has an axis, is of generally triangular configuration and has at the apex thereof a sleeve provided with an opening surrounding the axis through which the threaded element extends. The sleeve has a pair of integrally formed outwardly diverging elongated flexible legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon D. Smith, Glenn T. Parker
  • Patent number: 4143581
    Abstract: An anchoring retainer is provided for mounting at one side of a supporting structure such as a wall, ceiling or the like having an opening therein. The retainer is used with a threaded element or fastener which extends from the other side of the supporting structure through the opening into the retainer and together forms a fastener assembly. The retainer comprises a flexible unitary one-piece plastic body having an axis which is adapted to extend through the opening in the supporting structure. The body has a generally triangular configuration and is provided with a sleeve at the apex of the triangle. An opening is provided in the sleeve surrounding the axis. The sleeve at the edges thereof located on opposite sides of the axis is provided with a pair of integrally formed outwardly diverging flexible legs. A flexible control strut is spaced axially from the sleeve and has the ends thereof integrally connected to the outer end portions of the flexible legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1979
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon D. Smith, Glenn T. Parker