Patents Examined by David Upchurch
  • Patent number: 9481494
    Abstract: A slider structure, provided with a first member 1 and a second member 2, in which a first insertion groove 31 inclined forward and upward, and a second insertion groove 32 inclined forward and downward, are formed by the first member 1 and the second member 2, and, an opening width dimension S1 of the first insertion groove 31 and an opening width dimension S2 of the second insertion groove 32 are reduced when the first member 1 and the second member 2 are relatively moved and mutually come close to conduct stopping in left-and-right direction W of a fastener male-female portion Fa in the first insertion groove 31 and another male-female portion Fb in the second insertion groove 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MUPACK OZAKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ikuko Ozaki, Takeo Takashiro
  • Patent number: 9476446
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching items includes a body and a first and second hook oriented on a first and second side of the body. The apparatus further includes a first and second gate, the first gate attached to the body and oriented to close the first hook, the second gate attached to the body and oriented to close the second hook. The apparatus further includes a pivoting lock, the pivoting lock oriented in the body, the pivoting lock having a first position where a first end of the pivoting lock rests against the first gate and a second end of the pivoting lock rests against the second gate preventing the first and second gates from opening; and a second position where the first end of the pivoting lock does not rest against the first gate and the second end of the pivoting lock does not rest against the second gate, and the first and second gates may be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Bowden Ormsbee, Peter Zagone
  • Patent number: 9468285
    Abstract: The present invention is a multipurpose strap device for securing, fastening, removably attaching, carrying, storing holding, and/or locking items and/or objects. One current embodiment allows for carrying a helmet on a motorcycle by securing said helmet to said motorcycle via the multipurpose strap device. Other embodiments find use of the invention as a wallet, carrying case, or other storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Roger Martinez
  • Patent number: 9470258
    Abstract: A carabiner includes a body having a first arm extending from the body and a second arm extending from the body, a first gate pivotally coupled to the body adjacent the first arm for movement relative to the first arm, and a second gate pivotally coupled to the body adjacent the second arm for movement relative to the second arm. The carabiner also includes a blocking member supported by the body. The blocking member is movable between a first position, in which the first and the second gates are movable relative to the first and second arms, a second position, in which the first gate is inhibited from moving relative to the first arm and the second gate is movable relative to the second arm, and a third position, in which the first and the second gates are inhibited from moving relative to the first and second arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Fitz-Earle, William De Meulenaere, John Hung
  • Patent number: 9453557
    Abstract: The chain binder includes a main tube and two links separately screwed to the main tube. A U-shaped seat has two parallel side plates and a hollow portion and is pivoted by the main tube. A gear is fastened to the main tube and received in the hollow portion. A claw with two pairs of claw teeth and handle teeth is rotatably disposed between the two side plates. The claw and the gear compose a ratchet mechanism. A claw positioner is disposed on seat and is selectably inserted into a positioning hole of the claw. A lever set is rotatably and elastically connected to a U-shaped frame attached on the seat. The lever set will be rotatable when it is pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: STRONG YUN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeh-Chien Chou
  • Patent number: 9428371
    Abstract: A device for controlling movement of a rope has a main part and a bar. The main part defines a central opening, first and second side portions, first and second end portions, first and second pairs of projection portions extending from the first and second end portions, respectively, a first notch defined by the first pair of projection portions, and at least a first end friction surface formed at a juncture of one projection portion of the first pair of projection portions and the first end portion. The bar defines a bar notch. The first side portion pivotably supports the bar for rotation between a first position in which the bar is not in contact the second side portion and a second position in which the bar notch receives the second side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Conterra, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Lipke
  • Patent number: 9427674
    Abstract: A clip attachment system and method of manufacture can include: a proximal end; a first prong and a second prong, the first prong and the second prong extending from sides of the proximal end; a proximal extension extending from a middle portion of the proximal end between and spaced apart from the first prong and the second prong, and the proximal extension extending further from the proximal end than all portions of the first prong and the second prong that are in direct contact with the proximal end; a first intermediate extension extending from the first prong toward the second prong and a second intermediate extension extending from the second prong toward the first prong; and wherein the first prong terminates in a first curved end that extends toward and is spaced apart from a second curved end of the second prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Dickson Oi
  • Patent number: 9427037
    Abstract: A clip for fabric includes a pair of pivotally connected jaws which can be opened to accept fabric and closed to grip the fabric. The distal ends of the jaws combine to form a ratchet which allows the jaws to be closed, but once engaged prevents the jaws from re-opening. The proximal ends of the jaws form a spreading mechanism which causes the proximal ends of the jaws to spread apart as the clip clamps down on the fabric. This spreading action results in an even distribution of pressure upon the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Debra Ann Atherton
  • Patent number: 9414648
    Abstract: Open-ended slide fasteners that are watertight and/or airtight. The slide fasteners include box and pin mechanisms integrated with the slide fastener and configured to compress the tape edges and create a water and air tight seal, thus eliminating the need for installing a separate component after the slide fastener has been manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Ogura, Jesse Bryon Robinson, Wolfgang Coronel
  • Patent number: 9408437
    Abstract: A reel based lacing system is configured to allow the incremental tightening of a lace about a spool by rotation of a knob in the tightening direction. In some embodiments, the system can include a substantially inflexible pawl beam configured to resist rotation of the knob in the loosening direction and a pawl spring configured to bias the pawl against the housing and to allow the pawl to be displaced away from the housing when the knob is rotated in the tightening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Boa Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Paul Goodman, Eric Craig Irwin, Mark S. Soderberg, Sean Cavanagh
  • Patent number: 9402449
    Abstract: Provided is a fastener for an angle-adjustable earring. The fastener includes: a housing has a hollow box shape with an open front end; a latch member received in the housing; a pin member fixed to the latch member and inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the latch member; a control member having a protrusion that controls a position of the latch member that is locked; an elastic member that elastically supports the control member; and a cap member having a slide hole, the cap member being attached to the open front end of the housing in a state in which the elastic member, control member, and latch member are installed in the housing, in which the pin member extends from the latch member to the outside of the housing through the slide hole so that an angle of the pin member is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Rex Diamond Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won Ku Kim
  • Patent number: 9402447
    Abstract: Belt buckle for releasable connection of a belt to another belt or object. The belt buckle has a male buckle part with a plug-in extension and a female buckle part with a receptacle, and a locking device. The plug-in extension of the male buckle part is insertable into the receptacle of the female buckle part and the buckle parts are lockable to each other in a locking state by the locking device. In the locking state, the buckle parts are arrangeable relative to each other in a neutral position, in which the locking device can be brought into an unlocking position to separate the buckle parts. The buckle parts are additionally arrangeable relative to each other in a blocking position, pivoted in relation to the neutral position, in which the locking device is blocked in a locking position to prevent the buckle parts from being separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ABA HORTNAGL GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Hortnagl
  • Patent number: 9402457
    Abstract: A lanyard attachment assembly has a sleeve with an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface defines a passageway through the sleeve. A strap passes through the passageway and forms a closed loop to link the closed loop to the sleeve. The assembly optionally includes a connector with a connector opening therethrough. When the assembly includes a connector, the strap passes through the connector opening where the closed loop links the connector to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ty-Flot, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell A. Moreau, Andre W. Moreau
  • Patent number: 9403630
    Abstract: A binding device for attaching a plurality of gift bags together, the binding device including a body portion having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section. A first fastener is proximate the first end; and, a complementary second fastener is proximate the second end, the complementary second fastener for releasably engaging the first fastener. A first crease is between the upper section and the middle section; and, a second crease is between the middle section and the lower section. The middle section includes a first engaging member dimensioned to engage at least one first gift bag strap having a first size, and a second engaging member dimensioned to engage at least one second gift bag strap having a second size different than the first size, the first engaging member being larger than the second engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: The Lindy Bowman Company
    Inventor: Linden H. Bowman
  • Patent number: 9392829
    Abstract: A device for magnetic clasping for a clothing accessory includes at least one permanently magnetized assembly arranged at one end of one surface of the accessory, while a plurality of ferromagnetic elements and/or permanently magnetized assemblies are arranged longitudinally on the other surface at the opposite end thereof. The magnetized assemblies of one surface are suitable for attracting a magnetized assembly of the other surface. The magnetized assemblies and/or ferromagnetic elements of each surface are arranged such that, by placing the ends of the surfaces vertically adjacent to one another, a plurality of adjustment positions of the surfaces are obtained relative to the position of the magnetized assemblies and ferromagnetic elements, representing a plurality of possible tightness levels. Each magnetized assembly of one surface engages with a magnetized assembly or a ferromagnetic element of the other surface in each one of the adjustment positions to close any magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Gerarld Manuello
  • Patent number: 9388025
    Abstract: A shackle mount that is connectable to a standard recovery winch cable. The shackle mount includes a shackle attachment tab that prevents lateral movement of the shackle mount along the shackle pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: FACTOR 55, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Douglas Costa
  • Patent number: 9380840
    Abstract: A knitted surface fastener is provided that is capable of firmly forming warp knitting structure of a sewn area and achieving weight reduction as well as production costs reduction. A knitted surface fastener includes a pair of right and left sewn areas and a surface fastener area disposed between the right and left sewn areas. An average used amount of the weft insertion yarns in the sewn areas is set to be larger than an average used amount of the weft insertion yarns in the surface fastener area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhisa Okawa, Takeshi Kyuwa, Yuichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9370225
    Abstract: A zipper head assembly structure for increasing torsional strength includes a sliding member, a locking hook member, a pull member, a cap body, and an elastic member. The sliding member has a first sliding portion, a second sliding portion, and a connection portion connected between the first and the second sliding portions. The first sliding portion has a first support body and a second support body. The first sliding portion has an arc-shaped outer surface concaved downwardly from an upper side thereof. The locking hook member is movably disposed on the first and the second support bodies. The pull member has a pivot portion movably disposed between the locking hook member and the arc-shaped outer surface. The cap body is disposed on the first and the second support bodies. The elastic member is disposed between the inner surface of the cap body and the locking hook member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: CHUNG CHWAN ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Pau Lin
  • Patent number: 9364053
    Abstract: A fastener element includes a coupling head and a pair of leg portions and has a coupling concave portion provided on a first surface of the coupling head and a coupling convex portion projecting from a second surface of the coupling head. An outer margin portion on a first surface side of the coupling head has a first margin portion formed like a ridge line and a pair of second margin portions disposed on both sides of the first margin portion and formed like an inclined surface or a curved surface and one end of each of the second margin portions is arranged on an inside of both end positions of a width direction of the coupling concave portion. Accordingly, the feel of the fastener element can be improved and also the strength of the slide fastener with respect to transverse pulling can stably be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Seki
  • Patent number: 9360274
    Abstract: A sling strap retention device is provided. The sling strap retention device includes a structure with a first flexible member and a second flexible member, the first flexible member and the second flexible member further comprising a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a front surface, and a back surface, wherein the first and second flexible members may be oriented one over the other with the back sides of the first and second flexible members in opposition and coupled along a length of the members. The first and second flexible members may be configured to flex and couple to one another to form opposing closed loops. These closed loops may be configured to couple to and retain therein a sling strap of a weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Howard Elliot Horwitz