Patents Examined by Rowland D Do
  • Patent number: 8732914
    Abstract: Active material based fasteners that are reversible are provided. These fasteners can be in the form of, for example, cable ties and twist ties. In an embodiment, a fastener for securing an object comprises: a flexible elongated member capable of at least partially surrounding the object; and an adjustment mechanism in operable communication with the flexible elongated member, the adjustment mechanism comprising an active material capable of undergoing a change in a property upon exposure to an activation source, wherein the elongated member is configured to engage or release the object in response to the change in the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8695175
    Abstract: A fast lock fixing clip for vehicle seatbelt includes: a front clip plate including a front clip plate main body having a first end, a second end and a turning auxiliary plate; a rear clip plate including a rear clip plate main body having a first end, a second end and a seatbelt pressing plate; a pivotal device for rotatably connecting the second ends of the front and rear clip plate main bodies; and a latch device for latching/unlatching the first ends of the front and rear clip plate main bodies with each other. When mounted on the seatbelt, the fast lock fixing clip will automatically turns upward to fold the seatbelt. In case of collision, when the folded seatbelt is abruptly straightened, the end of the seatbelt is instantaneously strongly accelerated to more sensitively and quickly activate the automatic locking device of the seatbelt to lock the seatbelt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Ching-Tien Pi
  • Patent number: 8695174
    Abstract: An anchor apparatus for a bead chain of window covering comprises a first anchor member, a second anchor member, an anchor plate and a main fastener. The first anchor member has a first space to hold the second anchor member. The anchor plate is held in a lower side of the first space and a second space of the second anchor member to form a coupling relationship with the main fastener. The main fastener runs through the lower sides of the first and second anchor members and the anchor plate for closing while the upper sides of the first and second anchor members are opened, thereby allow the bead chain to be moved. The main fastener can be released to allow the anchor plate to push the second anchor member to move with the upper sides of the first and second anchor members closed to fix the bead chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Li-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 8695172
    Abstract: A hose clamp includes a plate spring main body, and a slit and a first grip piece are formed at one end portion, while an insertion piece and a second grip piece are formed at the other end portion thereof. A locking piece having a hook-shaped locking portion is formed on the first grip piece via a bent portion, while an engagement holding portion is formed on the second grip piece. Provided on the locking piece are a taper portion which expands from the locking portion towards the bent portion and a stopper portion which extends substantially parallel to the first grip piece. The taper portion is disposed along a plane which is substantially parallel to a circumferential surface of the plate spring main body, and an intersection point between the taper portion and the stopper portion is offset in a width direction relative to the locking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Nagai, Takeaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8683661
    Abstract: A push button type belt buckle includes a moveable rod and a push button arranged to be interlaced with each other and configured to cooperate with spring mechanisms provided in a belt base. With such a unique structure, a buckling pin provided on the moveable rod is able to floatingly buckle a belt with ease while exhibiting an elastic characteristic capable of returning to its original position such that the adjustment of the extent of the fastening and buckling of the belt can be advantageously achieved via the push button reliably and such that the push button type belt buckle of the present invention is of the improved effects of facilitated operations and simplified assembly requirements and functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Hsi-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 8671525
    Abstract: The collar has a roughly cylindrical metal band and a pair of ears projecting from this band and defining a tightening space between themselves. It also has a tightening device for pulling these ears towards each other. The ears have an extension which is bent around behind each ear away from the other ear and which has a hole for the tightening rod and the tightening device, this hole being lined up with a hole in the forward part of the same area ear. A bracing space is provided between the bent extension and this forward part. The holes of the extension and of the forward part each have an edge portion with a guard which extends into the bracing space and an edge portion without a guard which is aligned with the guard of the other hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Etablissements Caillau
    Inventors: Fabrice Prevot, Cyriaque Fouqueray, Mickaƫl Gapteau
  • Patent number: 8671529
    Abstract: A closed-end treatment structure for a slide fastener of a vehicle seat, the structure including: a pair of cloth tapes to be attached to a seat skin of the vehicle seat; a pair of teeth lines respectively attached to the pair of cloth tapes; a slider configured to move from a top stop side to a bottom stop side while detachably meshing the teeth lines; a pull-tab connected to the slider through a connection portion; and a storing portion configured to store the slider, the pull-tab and end portions of the cloth tapes, in a state where the slider is moved to the bottom stop side, thereby storing the closed-end of the slide fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Mima, Tsutomu Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 8661629
    Abstract: A roller-loaded zipper slide includes first and second roller brackets respectively mounted in top and bottom slide body blocks of the slide body thereof to carry a respective front roller in flush with the front edges of the top and bottom slide body blocks and in proximity to the zipper's interlocking teeth and in direct contact with the zipper tapes for guiding the interlocking teeth into the internal chamber of the roller-loaded zipper slide smoothly and accurately, avoiding scratching or damaging the stitches of the zipper tapes, improving zipper slide sliding mobility, reducing zipper teeth wear and prolonging zipper slide lifespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Genmore Zipper Corporation
    Inventor: Lien-Chou Wang
  • Patent number: 8650722
    Abstract: A clip for a vehicle including: a substantially hollow clip main unit that has a distal end portion to be fixedly pressed into a fixation member on a vehicle body side, and a base portion in which an opening is formed; and a main unit support member that is capable of supporting the clip main unit from an inside thereof in a state where the main unit support member is completely inserted into the opening of the clip main unit, wherein a clip linking device is provided to the clip main unit and the main unit support member for engaging the clip main unit with the main unit support member so as to restrict the relative displacement in the insertion direction between the clip main unit and the main unit support member, in a state where the main unit support member is half-inserted into the clip main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shizuo Hosoya, Nobumoto Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 8646156
    Abstract: A vacuum press fit zipper assembly designed for watersports apparel and gear and other water related applications. Overmolding construction forms an effective seal around the entire perimeter of the fastener assembly, and a vacuum fit is created between the two mating portions of the zipper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Subzipper, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Harrison Brightman
  • Patent number: 8635748
    Abstract: A slider is provided which can be mounted on a zipper without any pre-activation, particularly zippers which are opened by squeezing together a portion of the profiles wherein a fulcrum effect is achieved to separate the profiles. The slider omits at least part of the zipper opening elements so that the user must squeeze the slider together in order to urge the zipper profiles apart thereby opening the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Anzini
  • Patent number: 8613127
    Abstract: A timepiece movement including a tourbillon that has a rotating carriage bearing a sprung balance and an escapement. The carriage includes a top pivot and a bottom pivot, respectively carried by a top bridge and a bottom bridge of the carriage. The carriage pivots between a bottom plate of the timepiece movement and a bridge of the movement. The timepiece movement includes a stop member, arranged for limiting the axial shake of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventor: Cedric Kaltenrieder
  • Patent number: 8601646
    Abstract: A steel wire hook includes a head and a base which are made of metallic wire. The head is connected with the base. A plane where the head is provided is perpendicular to a plane where the base is provided. The head includes a circular-arc-shaped top end portion, a left shoulder, a right shoulder and a short leg. The left shoulder and the right shoulder are extended from the circular-arc-shaped top end portion and are symmetrical to each other. The short leg is provided at a lower end of the head and is tilted towards the circular-arc-shaped top end portion. An angle is provided between the short leg and the base. The base, having an approximately oval-shape and formed by coiling a metallic wire at a horizontal direction, includes a long leg which has a larger gap from the main body of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Zhangjian Wang
  • Patent number: 8601647
    Abstract: A clip includes a head portion locking one of the attaching member or the attached member; a center support pillar extending downward from the head portion, to be inserted into the attachment holes; auxiliary support pillars extending downward from the head portion such that a longitudinal direction of a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to an extending direction thereof is perpendicular to that of a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to an extending direction of the center support pillar; and a pair of elastic legs interconnected with end portions of the center support pillar and the auxiliary support pillar, and expanding in a V-shape from an end toward the head portion side. Locking portions are provided in end portions of the elastic legs, to lock with the other of the attaching member or the attached member, and empty spaces are provided in the auxiliary support pillar, for housing deformed portions of the elastic legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiro Hasegawa, Wataru Kojima
  • Patent number: 8595904
    Abstract: A disposable handcuff system restrains a person's wrists. The system has a flexible tie comprising a locking head, an elongated, substantially planar strap extending from the locking head having a through passageway, and a locking sleeve. The locking head and the locking sleeve have stops that permit the end of the strap to be readily inserted through the passageway and the locking sleeve, but inhibit withdrawal of the strap after it has been tightened around the wrists of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Jersey Tactical Corp.
    Inventors: Nicholas Klementowicz, III, John A. Dapkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8590116
    Abstract: A loop rope assembly includes a main rope segment having a plurality of rope strands and first and second ends, a first end loop provided on the first end of the main rope segment, a second end loop provided on the second end of the main rope segment and at least one intermediate loop defined by at least one of the rope strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffery Dahl
  • Patent number: 8578570
    Abstract: A silencer patch including a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a set of hook-and-loop-type fasteners disposed on the first surface of the body, wherein the set of hook-and-loop-type fasteners includes either a plurality of hooks or a plurality of loops and is configured to releasably secure the first surface of the body to a corresponding set of hook-and-loop-type fasteners disposed on a first separate body; and an alternative fastener disposed on the body and configured to releasably secure the second surface of the body to a corresponding alternative fastener disposed on a second separate body, wherein the alternative fastener is not a hook-and-loop-type fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rickshaw Bagworks
    Inventor: Mark M. Dwight
  • Patent number: 8572822
    Abstract: A metallic male snap part capable of coupling with a female snap part where the projection of the male snap part can be coupled to a depression of the female snap part. The projection includes multiple relatively highly deformable portions and multiple relatively low deformable portions, the highly and low deformable portions being arranged alternately in the circumference direction of the projection. The highly deformable portions are more deformable elastically in the radial direction of the projection than the low deformable portions. Each of the highly deformable portions has a relatively large, outer bulge which bulges more outward in the radial direction than a relatively small, outer bulge of each of the low deformable portions. The projection further includes longitudinal slits and lateral slits to partition the projection into the highly deformable portions and the low deformable portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8572821
    Abstract: A metallic male snap part is capable of enhancing coupling strength with a female snap part by giving appropriate and sufficient elastic deformability to the projection of the male snap part which can be coupled to a depression of the female snap part. The projection includes a plurality of relatively highly deformable portions and a plurality of relatively low deformable portions, the highly and low deformable portions being arranged alternately in the circumference direction of the projection. The highly deformable portions are more deformable elastically in the radial direction of the projection than the low deformable portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8573888
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe having a clamp. In one embodiment the clamp includes pads for clamping onto the outer surface or coating of the rigid pip, the pads having a teeth or serrations formed thereon for gripping the outer surface of the pipe. In a second embodiment, the clamp includes one or more coil springs formed from a resilient material adapted to be wound around the outer circumference of the pipe. The method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe includes the steps of reducing the outer diameter of the pipe at a location of the pipe to which a buoyancy module is to be attached and subsequently mounting a buoyancy module at such location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Technip France SA
    Inventors: Sylvain Denniel, Richard Alan Leslie Ross