Patents Examined by David Upchurch
  • Patent number: 10036454
    Abstract: An electric meter housing and a cover have adjacent circular flanges reaching circumferentially about a cover axis. A clamping ring has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a cross-section configured for the ring to take an installed position fitted radially over the adjacent circular flanges. A gear moves the first end portion of the clamping ring circumferentially relative to the second end portion upon rotation of the gear. A manual actuator rotates the gear upon rotation of the actuator about an axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to the cover axis when the clamping ring is in the installed position. The gear is movable axially into and out of a blocked position in which a stop member blocks rotation of the gear. The actuator is interconnected with the gear to move the gear rotationally and axially relative to the stop member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Milorad Andic
  • Patent number: 9883733
    Abstract: A pacifier strap for connecting a pacifier to a fastening clip. The pacifier strap forms a loop at at least one end and includes a loop adjuster configured to adjust the length of the loop so that the length of the pacifier strap itself can be adjusted between a first length, in which the loop has a maximum length, and a second length, in which the loop has a minimum length. In addition, the pacifier strap has a container configured to receive at least one nipple of the pacifier, which container can be connected, at least temporarily, to the loop adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: MAM BABYARTIKEL GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventor: Peter Roehrig
  • Patent number: 9850049
    Abstract: A twist tie assembly has a flexible wire tie with an end cap component configured to retain the flexible wire tie in the base. Various embodiments of the end cap component provide means for releasably securing the flexible wire tie to a base or support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: LAGPULL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Gallup, Dino Kasvikis
  • Patent number: 9848677
    Abstract: A jewelry clasp is provided that includes a key, a casing, and a locking mechanism. The casing includes an external body with an internal cavity having an opening for receiving the key and another opening into which the locking mechanism is partially disposed. The locking mechanism includes a lever and a spring. The lever has a locking end configured to engage the key in a fixed position relative to the casing, and a pressing end for disengaging the lever from the key. The spring provides tension to the lever to facilitate engagement of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Haider Sayed
  • Patent number: 9850038
    Abstract: A child resistant zipper closure for a plastic bag includes a double slider, including a first slider and second slider. The first and second sliders are oriented on the zipper closure such that when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction toward the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is interlocking; and when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction away from the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is unlocking. The first and second sliders can be releasably connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Reynolds Presto Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Petkovsek, Roger E. Dowler, Gregg Thompson, Samuel D. Aversa
  • Patent number: 9839264
    Abstract: In one aspect, the subject matter of the disclosure features a watch band. The watch band includes a strap and a clasp mechanism integrated with an end of the strap. The clasp mechanism includes a concave member defining a channel at the end of the strap and a cover plate. The cover plate is configured to move between (i) a first position in which the cover plate covers the channel, and (ii) a second position in which the cover plate is retracted to leave at least part of the channel uncovered by the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Theodore Schooley, Frank Jay Ziberna, Roger Hsu, Keeline Burdick Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9840357
    Abstract: The implement includes an elongated strap and a buckle intended to interlock with the elongated strap that includes a) first end and a second end which incorporates a suspending fixture, and b) an inner and outer sides. The elongated strap incorporates in inner side a plurality of teeth alternating with a plurality of grooves. The plurality of teeth extends from the first end up to a first no teeth zone located in proximity of the second end. A group of several teeth follows after the first no teeth zone. When wrapping the elongated strap, the buckle is kept in an indented retaining portion of the elongated strap with its several teeth projecting upwardly. After an adjustment of the elongated strap is completed, the buckle is so displaced that the several teeth penetrate corresponding grooves of the multiplicity of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Richard Martin Kierstead
  • Patent number: 9839263
    Abstract: A pressure snap fastener with a bivalent closure comprises a first portion, to be associated with a first flap, and a second portion, to be associated to a second flap; where the portions, as associated with one another join the flaps. The pressure snap fastener further includes first temporary engagement means providing a temporary closure, in which the two portions are joined by a weakly joining and are free of partially swinging, and include second stable engagement means, providing a stable closure, in which the two portions are tightly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: FIMMA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Angelo Villa, Riccardo Candotti
  • Patent number: 9841041
    Abstract: A spring clip includes a body having (a) a base, (b) a support post carried on the base, (c) a first cantilever bar carried on the support post, (d) a second cantilever bar carried on the support post and (e) a 4-way locator fixed to the base on one side of the support post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diego Santillan Gutierrez, Fernando Paisano Rodriguez, Federico Perez Lecuona, David Paul Marshman
  • Patent number: 9834352
    Abstract: A cable tie includes a band having a first end and a second end. The cable tie also includes a housing, affixed to the band near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band, configured to lock the first end of the band in place when the housing receives the first end via the first opening. The band includes an ear clamp. The ear clamp includes: a front wall perpendicular to a top surface of the band; a rear wall perpendicular to the top surface of the band; and a top panel parallel to the top surface of the band and perpendicular to both the front wall and the rear wall. One end of the front wall is adjoined to the first end; one end of the rear wall is adjoined to the second end; one end of the top panel is adjoined to the other end of the front wall; and the other end of the top panel is adjoined to the other end of the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Freeman
  • Patent number: 9816540
    Abstract: A clip for removably and releasably securing an item onto a structure may include a singular, elongated body with an interior portion forming a cavity on the bottom end of the elongated body. The cavity may be sized and shaped to receive an edge of the structure for removably securing the clip to the structure. The clip may include a pushing surface sized and shaped for a user to removably secure the clip on the edge of the structure. The clip may also include a first set of two or more tabs disposed along the side portions of the elongated body and projected out at an acute angle, the first set of two or more tabs sized and shaped to provide a gripping surface on the side portions of the elongated body for the user to pull the clip off of the edge of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jennifer Smullen
  • Patent number: 9810256
    Abstract: A lock ring includes an elongated body including an end having a male portion, including a tip having a transverse cross-section larger in diameter than an adjacent portion of the lock ring body. Another end of the body includes a female portion including a tip having a transverse cross-section larger in diameter than the tip of the male portion of the body. The tip of the female portion defines a groove open to the exterior of the tip of the female portion. The groove is configured for receiving the tip of the male portion of the body, wherein the ends of the body are in a connected position. A cover is configured for closing the groove in the tip of the female portion of the body for securing the male portion of the body in the female portion in the connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Thundershirt, LLC
    Inventors: Philip J. Blizzard, Michael Creighton
  • Patent number: 9808050
    Abstract: Various configurations of Lace Ratchet Device (LRD) enables easy lace fastening and release. The LRD has two positions: “active” and “inactive”. In the active position the device works as a lace ratchet i.e. allowing the lace to be pulled forwards but blocks any lace motion backwards. After fastening the lace remains fastened until the LRD is switched into inactive position by pressing a lever. Each LRD has a turning gate with front end with sharp edge, rotatably installed in a channel. A preloaded helical torque spring keeps the LRD in active position when the lever is not pressed. Unlike prevalent lace fasteners with serrated surfaces, which cause accelerated lace wear, LRD's smooth front edge side and channel surfaces minimize lace wear. Parallel and triangular configurations of LRD pairs facilitates lace fastening of footwear, serving as “Ratchet Buckles”. Single LRDs can be used for fastening of garments and other objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jezekiel Ben-Arie
  • Patent number: 9802743
    Abstract: A retainer has a first ratcheting receiver that engages a strap in a one way ratcheting relationship that allows a free end of the strap to be passed through the first ratcheting receiver and a shank to be thereby pulled toward the first ratcheting receiver but not drawn away therefrom. The first ratcheting receiver backs an extension post protruding from the retainer such that the shank is sized to pass through an opening in a wall but is prevented from being withdrawn from the opening when the retainer is urged against the wall such that the extension post occupies at least a portion of the opening. A second ratcheting receiver is affixed to the retainer and receives the free end of the strap for securing a load to the retainer after the shank has been urged toward the first ratcheting receiver to secure the retainer to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: RL Hudson & Company
    Inventors: Benny R. Foreman, Adam Jeffrey Tilman
  • Patent number: 9803669
    Abstract: The present invention includes a multiuse clip assembly which can be employed to secure objects or panels to one another. It incorporates both the male and female features into each clip for greater versatility and durability over conventional clip systems. The unique universal and expandable mating system does not limit the orientation, position, or number of objects or panels that may be secured to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory Compton
  • Patent number: 9797432
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a carabiner are discussed herein. While the carabiner can have any suitable component, in some cases, it includes a frame that extends between a first end and a second end, with the frame being defining an internal space, and with the frame defining a gap between the first and second end. Additionally, the carabiner includes a gate that is movably connected to the frame such that the gate is movable between a closed position (in which the gate closes the gap) and an opened position (in which it the gap is open). In some cases, a portion of the gate is configured to divide the internal space into a first and a second enclosure when the gate is in the closed position. Additionally, in some cases, the gate defines an aperture that receives the second end when the gate is closed. Other implementations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Thanasit Inkavesvaanit
  • Patent number: 9781975
    Abstract: A footwear securement system employs a plurality of elastic, stretchable elongated tubes, each of which extend through opposed corresponding openings of the footwear. Retainers are slidably receivable on the tubes and releasably engageable against opposed sides of the footwear so as to secure the footwear to a wearer. The retainers are preferably lock washers. One end of each of the tubes is preferably tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Russell J. Dykema
  • Patent number: 9781978
    Abstract: A male button for a snap button is provided that can have an enhanced appearance and that can obtain an advertising effect and a decoration effect while representing a luxurious appearance and that can prevent foreign substances from being entered therein. The male button for a snap button includes: a main body having a surface portion and a press fixing portion having closed front surfaces in order to form a receiving space within a fitting protrusion and a concave peripheral portion protruded in a cylindrical shape; a deformation prevention device received at the receiving space of the main body; a snap having a coupling rod and fixed to the press fixing portion of the main body; and a snap fixing plate inserted and fixed to the coupling rod of the snap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventors: Mal Soon Shin, Jea Kwang Lim, Jeong In Im
  • Patent number: 9783351
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for attaching a plurality of gift bags together within a binding device, where a first gift bag strap of a first gift bag is secured to a first engaging member on a middle section of the binding device. The binding device includes a first crease between an upper section and the middle section, and a second crease between the middle section and a lower section. A second gift bag strap of a second gift bag is secured to a second engaging member on the middle section. The first engaging member is larger than the second engaging member, the first gift bag strap is larger than the second gift bag strap, and the first gift bag is larger than the second gift bag. The binding device is folded at the first crease and the second crease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Lindy Bowman Company
    Inventor: Linden H. Bowman
  • Patent number: 9776451
    Abstract: Provided is a binder in which a binder is provided with a binding member having a pressing portion pressing a material to be bound, an operation member operated so as to pivotally rotate to an open state and a hold state, and a base member the binder is further provided with an engagement body, a projection portion caused to engage with the engagement body, and a supporting portion provided with the engagement body, the supporting portion is configured so as to bend toward the projection portion side and bend in a direction of separating from the projection portion and the locked state is formed by engagement between the engagement body and the projection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LIHIT LAB., INC.
    Inventors: Kanji Tanaka, Yoshiteru Arimoto, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Hiroshi Nakano, Nobuaki Nagawa