Patents Examined by Michael S. Lee
  • Patent number: 11533971
    Abstract: In a molded surface fastener in which an engaging element includes at least two engaging pawl portions protruded outward, a plurality of the engaging elements is disposed in a line along a machine direction to form an element row, a plurality of the element rows is arranged side by side in a cross direction, each of the engaging elements has, as the engaging pawl portions, at least a pair of symmetrical engaging pawl portions which are disposed each other at symmetrical positions in the cross direction and are respectively protruded in the cross direction sides, and a plurality of the engaging elements is arranged in a staggered pattern. Thereby, the molded surface fastener can appropriately and stably exert desired performance such as peel strength with respect to more types of non-woven fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamashita, Yoshiyuki Fukuhara, Ryosuke Tanimoto, Makoto Takekawa, Shoichi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11528970
    Abstract: The present disclosure may provide a connector, an electronic apparatus, a wearable apparatus and an assembly method. The connector may include: a main body and a mating member connected to the main body. An inclined face may be provided on one end of the mating member away from the main body, and a recess may be defined between the inclined face and the main body. The mating member may be configured to be inserted into a mating site of the electronic apparatus; the inclined face may be configured to push an engaging member of the electronic apparatus to move on the inclined face while the mating member is being inserted into the mating site; when the mating member is inserted into the mating site and arrives at a predefined location, the engaging member may be restored and accommodated in the recess to engage with the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuege Xue
  • Patent number: 11529778
    Abstract: A fluid-impervious slide fastener is disposed; an covering abutting member is formed in a central slit of a pair of support tapes, the covering abutting member has a first covering body having a covering layer and a second covering body having a covering layer; when the fluid-impervious slide fastener is in a coupled status, the first covering body and the second covering body are able to elastically abut against each other so as to form a tightening deformation, thus the central slit is provided with a fluid-impervious function against a fluid, for example a liquid, of capable of bearing a hydrostatic pressure of 30 gf/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Chao-Mu Chou, Shiu-Yin Cheng
  • Patent number: 11519445
    Abstract: A clip is structured for coupling together a first component and a second component. The clip includes a body portion and an opposing wall residing opposite and spaced apart from the body portion. At least one connecting member spans a space between the body portion and the opposing wall to connect the body portion and the opposing wall. The at least one connecting member is structured to enable resilient movement of each of the body portion and the opposing wall with respect to the other one of the body portion and the opposing wall responsive to a force acting on the body portion and/or a force acting on the opposing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc..
    Inventor: Praveen Kumar
  • Patent number: 11518593
    Abstract: A securing device (10) for securing a first object (320) relative to a second object (322), the securing device (10) being configured to frictionally maintain its position relative to the objects and to itself, includes a device body (12) having a first end (12A), an opposed second end (12B), and a cross-sectional area. The device body (12) is formed from a material so that the device body (12) exhibits tensile strength of greater than four thousand five hundred kPa and less than nine thousand three hundred kPa. The material that forms the device body (12) has an average coefficient of static friction of greater than 0.75 and less than 1.75 relative to itself. A ratio of the tensile strength (in kPa) to the cross-sectional area (in square millimeters) is greater than 40:1 and less than 100:1. The material that forms the device body (12) can include thermoplastic elastomers, and can further include styrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SIMPLE STRAP LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan F. Everest, Cameron Smith, Benjamin Komer
  • Patent number: 11497282
    Abstract: A bungee bead apparatus includes a bead and elastic cord with first and second ends fixedly secured in proximity to, or in contact with, each other at one end of the bead to form a loop. A circumferential recess formed between first and second sides of the bead extends from the bead's first end to its second end, having a cross-sectional height and width to receive the loop of the elastic cord therethrough. The orifice extends at an acute angle, positioned midway between the bead's first and second sides, and begins at the bead's first end in proximity to the first side, and transects the circumferential recess at its second end. The circumferential recess is annular with a depth of about one-half the diameter of the cylindrical elastic cord to receive only a portion therein. The recess and orifice permit two (or more) such apparatus to be linked together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: David Fayena
  • Patent number: 11490676
    Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending through the upper. A motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and an optical encoder. The optical encoder comprises a three-dimensional encoder defining a major axis and having a surface having a first plurality of segments positioned between a second plurality of segments, and an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of a first and second plurality of segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11470920
    Abstract: The present invention is a buckle comprising: a lever having a first set of apertures and a second set of openings; a rod, wherein the rod is inserted through the first set of apertures; a pin, wherein the pin is inserted through the second set of openings; a base plate rotatably attached to the pin and positioned within the lever; a set of locking tabs in communication with the rod a bar rotatably attached to the pin; and a strap attached to the bar at a first end and releasably engaged with the base plate and the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Tim Tucker
  • Patent number: 11470922
    Abstract: Provided is a molded surface fastener having an improved balance between durability against repeated attachment and detachment operations and peeling strength. A molded surface fastener made of a thermoplastic resin, includes: a flat plate-shaped base portion; and a plurality of engaging elements protruding from one main surface of the base portion. Each engaging element includes: a stem upstanding from the main surface; and an engaging head portion formed at an upper end portion of the stem, the head portion including a projection portion extending mainly in a direction perpendicular to a molding direction as viewed in a planar view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Michihata, Yui Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11466753
    Abstract: A ratcheting strap adjuster comprising a bracket, a webbing plate, and one or more captive members. The webbing plate is rotatably coupled to the bracket. Each of the one or more captive members is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the one or more captive members restrict rotation of the webbing plate in one direction when the one or more captive members are in the engaged position and allow rotation of the webbing plate in the one direction and in an opposite second direction when the one or more captive members are in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Pure Safety Group, Inc.
    Inventor: William Leo Farrell
  • Patent number: 11464292
    Abstract: A stopper for securing an end of a lace in an article having at least one eyelet, such as a shoe, without having to form an exposed knot. A thin, rigid body includes a series of openings arranged in a row, including a first, middle opening through which the lace is routed from the eyelet, a second opening proximate one end through which the lace is routed from the middle opening, and a third opening proximate an opposite through which the lace is routed from the second opening via the first end of the body, the third opening having a slot-shaped configuration. When tension is applied to the lace, as by a foot being inserted into a shoe, a locking engagement is formed between the lace and stopper and the stopper reacts against the eyelet. The stopper may be hidden from view behind the eyelet stay of a shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Xpand Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Edward Harris, Charles David Harris
  • Patent number: 11464295
    Abstract: A decorative button cover system is disclosed herein. The decorative button cover system can include a button slide portion configured to slidably receive at least a portion of a button of a garment, and the decorative button cover system can include a decorative portion attached to the button slide portion. The decorative button cover system can also include a button of a garment configured to at least partially insert into button slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Swittun LLC
    Inventor: Madison Clark
  • Patent number: 11452343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoulder strap positioner for releasably connecting a first and a second strap of a child restraining seat harness, where the shoulder strap positioner comprises a male member configured to be connected to a first strap of the child restraining seat harness and a female member configured to be connected to a second strap of the child restraining seat harness, and where the male member can be removably connected to the female member (1b), where the female member comprises a receptacle provided with an opening for insertion of the male member, the opening being provided over a part of a circumference of the female member, where at least one rib is provided over a part of the opening, and where the male member comprises an tongue provided with a groove, the male and female members being locked to each other through a movement of the male member towards the at least one rib, the at least one rib being brought into contact and accommodated in the groove through this movement, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HTS Hans Torgersen & Sønn AS
    Inventors: Hugo Westra, Marloes Koenraads
  • Patent number: 11441712
    Abstract: A hose clamp includes a clamp main body including a ring portion and a pair of knob portions; and a holder. The holder includes a main body portion, a pair of holding walls, and an operation portion. An inner surface on a distal end side of one holding wall includes a protrusion that protrudes more largely inward than an inner surface on a distal end side of other holding wall. And in a state where the pair of knob portions are close to each other, a distal end of one knob portion in a peripheral direction is engaged with the inner surface of the one holding wall, and the other knob portion is engaged with the inner surface of the other holding wall, so that the ring portion is kept in a diameter-increased state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: PIOLAX, INC.
    Inventors: Shun Muramatsu, Ken Sodeyama
  • Patent number: 11440487
    Abstract: A system and method including a fastener clip, the fastener clip including a first piece made of an elastic first material. The first piece includes a pair of legs joined at a head portion, and one or more pairs of barbs coupled to the pair of legs. The barbs are configured to dig into the blade and to secure the fastener clip to the blade at least based upon the fastener clip being placed over the blade. The fastener clip includes a second piece made of a softer second material. The second piece includes inside and outside portions to the outside and to the inside of the first piece. The outside portions are configured to engage a slot in a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TERMAX LLC
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, David Friesorger
  • Patent number: 11425968
    Abstract: A closure device includes a first closure part which includes a base body and at least one closure element rotatably arranged on the base body about an axis of rotation. The at least one closure element includes a base body and at least one first locking portion arranged on the base body, and at least one second closure part which includes a base element and at least one second locking portion arranged on the base element. The first closure part and the at least one second closure part can be placed against each other along a placement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Fidlock GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Fiedler, Lasse Hiller
  • Patent number: 11421755
    Abstract: A cord lock for adjusting the length of a cord includes a main body with a through hole, in which a cord can be inserted. A friction member is blocked in the main body in such a manner that a portion of a tooth thereof narrows the gap of the through-hole in order to limit the sliding of the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: RIRI S.A.
    Inventors: Simone Brezzi, Davide Dal Toso
  • Patent number: 11412818
    Abstract: A retainer assembly for securing a knot defined by a pair of shoelaces of a shoe includes a base member, a clamping member, and a clip member. The clamping member is engaged with the base member and telescopically moves relative to the base member between an extended position and a retracted position. The clamping member includes a clasp. Moreover, the clip member is pivotally coupled to the base member and is adapted to engage with the clasp when the clamping member is arranged in the retracted position to secure the knot between the clip member and the clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Lawrence Skolnik
  • Patent number: 11406162
    Abstract: A ratchet device includes a ratchet wheel. The ratchet device further includes a first lever, the first lever rotatably interconnected with the ratchet wheel. The ratchet device further includes a second lever, the second lever rotatably interconnected with the ratchet wheel. The ratchet device further includes a first pivoting bracket, the first pivoting bracket pivotally interconnected with the first lever. The ratchet device further includes a second pivoting bracket, the second pivoting bracket pivotally interconnected with the second lever. The first pivoting bracket has a first position where the first pivoting bracket is rotated to engage the ratchet wheel and a second position where the first pivoting bracket is rotated to disengage from the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Rex Seader
  • Patent number: 11408545
    Abstract: A clamping clip, including a clamping band the two end portions of which overlap one another in a closed condition of the clamping clip forming an inner band portion and an outer band portion, the clamping band including a first tensioning hook arranged on the outer band portion, and a second tensioning hook arranged on the inner band portion, the second tensioning hook including an inclined surface facing the outer band portion as a ramp, wherein at least one of the first tensioning hook and the second tensioning hook includes a plurality of projections facing away from the other of the first tensioning hook and the second tensioning hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Oeitker Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Willi Haensli, Rolf Deller, Steffen Richter