Patents Examined by Tyler Johnson
  • Patent number: 8359719
    Abstract: A snap ring for coupling a purse line to a purse seine includes a frame, a plurality of rollers, a frame opening, and a locking unit. The frame is connected to the purse seine. The purse line passes through a second end of the frame. The rollers are rotatably provided in the frame at positions at which the purse line is brought into contact with the frame. The frame opening is formed in one side part of opposite side parts of the frame to open the frame. The locking unit is coupled to the frame to openably close the frame opening. The locking unit includes a first cylinder which is hinged at a first end thereof to the part of the frame which corresponds to a first end of the frame opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Ricardo Jang
  • Patent number: 8359717
    Abstract: Various embodiments of slide fasteners include a first set of coupling elements and a second set of coupling elements configured to be removably joined together by a slider. Each coupling element includes a first surface having a first shape and a second surface having a second shape, wherein the second surface is spaced apart from and cofaces the first surface. The first shape may be substantially triangular or substantially trapezoidal, according to various embodiments, and the second shape is substantially gear shaped. When the coupling elements of the first set and the second set are removably joined together, water is substantially prevented from leaking from the first surface to the second surface. In addition, the coupling elements are disposed on stringer tapes, and the surfaces of the stringer tapes adjacent the first surfaces of the coupling elements are laminated with a water resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Kentaro Yamamoto, Hisashi Yoneshima, Shigeyoshi Takazawa
  • Patent number: 8348582
    Abstract: A clip for a pin that extends from an outer surface of a member, the clip comprising a pin retaining portion and a clamp portion that surrounds the member outer surface, the clamp portion having a pin receiving opening therein adapted to receive the exposed end of the pin, and a pin retaining portion adjacent the pin receiving opening to retain the pin in the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Tom Bithell, Geoffrey Philip Wade
  • Patent number: 8336173
    Abstract: A clip assembly adapted to engage a male track member. The clip assembly includes a clamshell clamping member including a first leg and a second leg. The clip assembly further includes a female compression member adapted to fit in sliding relation at least partially about the clamshell clamping member. The female compression member is adapted to compress the first leg towards the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Pontaoe, Scott D. Kolasa
  • Patent number: 8333537
    Abstract: This nut torque indicator cover includes a cover piece that is joined to an indicator piece. It is fastened to a nut/bolt assembly primarily by pressing it down onto and over the exposed threads of the bolt so that the indicator piece registers with the hex portion of the nut. A snap fit design is incorporated into the nut torque indicator cover such that the cover piece and indicator piece can rotate relative to each other. The cover piece fastens securely to the external threads of the bolt providing protection to the threads, while the indicator piece, secured by the hex flats of the nut, indicates the nut circumferential position, allowing an indication of any torque loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hutchinson, SA
    Inventors: Larry K. Rogers, Andy Y. Chen
  • Patent number: 8328482
    Abstract: A tensioner for tensioning foundation bolts generally used in securing large utility towers is provided. The tensioner generally comprises a hollow outer body through which the foundation bolt can extend. The lower end of the body, which is adapted to abut onto the foundation surface from which the bolt extends, is provided with an opening allowing access to a foundation nut threaded onto the foundation bolt. The upper end of the outer body slidingly receives therein an inner body with which it defines an annular hydraulic piston, the inner body being configured with a seat portion for receiving and engaging a split nut mounted to the foundation bolt. Upon providing hydraulic fluid to the tensioner, the hydraulic piston urges the split nut, engaged to the foundation bolt, upwardly, thereby tensioning the foundation bolt. The load in the bolt is then maintained by threading down the foundation nut until it abuts onto the foundation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Integra Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Gordon Britton, David Hughes
  • Patent number: 8328486
    Abstract: A wheel retention nut includes a body having a front face and a rear face. A central bore with internal threads extends through the body. A first outer perimeter of a first diameter is positioned adjacent to the front face. The first outer perimeter defines a polygon adapted to receive a wrench. A second outer perimeter of a second diameter, which is larger than the first diameter, is positioned adjacent to the rear face. The second outer perimeter is sized to retain an eccentrically rotating wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: 1052633 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Devon Cox
  • Patent number: 8328488
    Abstract: A connector assembly configured to secure at least one component to a structure may include a base, at least one member configured to receive and retain a portion of a component, and a stud retainer extending from the base. The stud retainer may include first and second engaging legs within a retaining chamber. The first and second engaging legs are configured to automatically align the stud retainer with respect to a stud that passes into the retaining chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Melodie S. Luk
  • Patent number: 8322001
    Abstract: A fastener for fastening an attached or trim part to a support part includes a receptacle part having a pocket with a lateral opening and a guide slot, and a connecting part having at least one flange that can be introduced into the pocket through the lateral opening and having a fastening section. The fastening section has an opening to accommodate a retaining stud projecting from the support part. Located in the opening are latching fingers which can hold the retaining stud in place in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Ehrhardt, Ernst Ludwig Hahn, Harald Schaety
  • Patent number: 8282329
    Abstract: A fastener includes an adjustable insert that disposed a receptacle having a first end facing a grommet and the insert is connected to the receptacle for movement relative to the receptacle. The insert has a central opening and diametrically opposed cam and locking surfaces open to said central opening. A stud, having cross pins, extends into said central opening, and said cross pins being engageable with said cam and locking surfaces. A bore in the insert is radially disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert and the bore having an opening at the outer periphery of the insert facing the receptacle. An engagement member disposed within the bore and moveable therein laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert toward and against the receptacle to fix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle. The engagement member is moveable laterally relative to and toward the central opening of the insert to allow movement of the insert relative to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ned C. Bowers, Carlos Osorio
  • Patent number: 8267628
    Abstract: A threaded anchor for concrete metal deck floors includes a hollow plastic sleeve having an internally threaded top portion, a flared top end forming several outwardly-extending fingers, and a bottom end. A threaded bolt has a head end and a shaft with external threads mating with the threads of the hollow plastic sleeve. The shaft of the bolt includes internal threads having at least two different diameters. A nut is threaded to mate with the external threads on the bolt. In use, the assembled insert is punched in place through a hole formed in a metal deck layer. The fingers of the plastic sleeve collapse as the assembly is passed through the hole and expand below the deck. The nut is then tightened against the top of the deck to hold the insert in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: MW Engineering
    Inventors: William T. Noce, Soi Q. Hoang
  • Patent number: 8245364
    Abstract: A slider actuated closure mechanism includes internal projections that extend from interior sides of the closure elements and retention members that extend from exterior sides of the closure elements. A slider is disposed over the first and second closure elements and includes first and second sidewalls each including a shoulder inwardly extending from a distal end thereof. When the slider is disposed over the first and second closure elements, the first sidewall and the first closure element are minimally horizontally separated by a distance d1, the second sidewall and the second closure element are minimally horizontally separated by a distance d2, and the internal projections are horizontally separated by a distance d3. The sum of the distances d1, d2, and d3 equals a total non-zero distance, dt, that is less than a length that each of the shoulders inwardly extends from the respective first and second sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. Ackerman, James C. Pawloski
  • Patent number: 8245371
    Abstract: A string securing device includes a base having a central post extending centrally therefrom. A shaft extends through the passage in the central post so as to be connected to the cap mounted to the base by a bolt which extends through the cap from a top of the cap. A ring and a spool are located between the base and the cap, wherein the spool is rotated with the cap by engagement of first and second teeth on the spool and the cap respectively. The ring has multiple ratchet teeth which are removably engaged with third teeth on the cap so as to allow the cap to rotate in one direction. The ring includes flexible members which are deformed to lower the ring and provides straight and upward force to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Chin Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 8245367
    Abstract: There is provided a fastener which can be fixed in a mounting hole in an ensured fashion and which can be removed from the mounting hole in an easy and ensured fashion. This fastener 10 includes a main body 20 which is fixed in a mounting hole and a pin member for releasing the engagement of the main body 20 with the mounting hole. The main body 20 has a base portion 21 and a leg portion 30, a pair of elastic engagement pieces 35, 35 are provided on the leg portion 30, and distal end portions 37 of the elastic engagement pieces 35 are extended towards an insertion opening 23 in the pin member 40. The pin member 40 has a head portion 41 and an insertion portion 43, and a pressing surface 48 is provided on the insertion portion 43 for pressing the distal end portions 37 so as to deflect the pair of elastic engagement pieces 35, 35 inwards to such an extent that the elastic engagement pieces are not brought into engagement with the mounting hole when the pin member 40 is pushed in a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kato, Shigeo Okada, Takeshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8246281
    Abstract: Captive panel fasteners are configured to be held captive on a panel by multiple retaining elements. The fasteners include longitudinal grooves along a cylindrical portion of the fastener, a retaining ring over the cylindrical portion, a primary structure for retaining the retaining ring on the cylindrical portion, and secondary structure for retaining the cylindrical portion within a bore of the panel. The retaining ring includes radially inwardly extending opposing prongs that fit into the longitudinally extending grooves. A stop point may be provided in the longitudinally extending grooves, or an end of the fastener may be flared, to retain the retaining ring on the fastener. The prongs may also be slightly flexible and flared to grip the longitudinally extending grooves. The secondary structure can include one or more spring loaded pins in the fastener extending externally outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fastener Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Bulent G. Gulistan
  • Patent number: 8220115
    Abstract: A handpiece holder, which provides easy access to a medical, dental, or industrial handpiece, is replaceable and rotatable to hold handpieces in different angled positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Jack R. Nichols, Douglas Beattie, Jr., Zhaohui Lin, Densen Cao
  • Patent number: 8209821
    Abstract: The ratchet buckle for tightening a strap under a ratchet action provides a lock to positively prevent the ratchet buckle from inadvertently releasing the strap. The lock requires a removable handle to be installed on the ratchet buckle before the lock can be released. The removable handle extends the ratchet buckle crank arm for increased leverage in exercising the ratchet buckle and when removed reduces the overall size of the ratchet buckle and eliminates a crank arm portion that would otherwise extend beyond the ratchet buckle base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Weiguo Chen
  • Patent number: 8201309
    Abstract: Various connectors are shown and disclosed for attaching rope, cable or synthetic lines to fixed surfaces. Lashing line is used between the connector on the line and the connector attached to the fixed surface. Alternative embodiments are shown that use a cleat or a cam for securing the lashing line for adjusting the overall line length. The lines and connectors can be used for rigging in sailing vessels and for any other application requiring strong lines, connectors and light weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: John E. Franta
  • Patent number: 8196273
    Abstract: A quick release buckle assembly has a male portion and a female portion. The male portion is inserted into the female portion to lock the buckle assembly together. The male buckle portion is connected to a cable. Pulling the cable with sufficient force causes the male portion to release from the female portion. Several buckle assemblies can be simultaneously released if the cables are connected to a single handle. Pulling on the handle then releases all of the male portions at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: National Molding LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 8196269
    Abstract: A closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch includes a female profile having first, second, and third legs extending from a base of a first closure element. A first sealing flange is attached to each of the first and second legs, with a slit disposed through the first sealing flange to define a first sealing flap that depends from the first leg and a second sealing flap that depends from the second leg. A second sealing flange is attached to each of the second and third legs, with a slit disposed through the second sealing flange to define a third sealing flap that depends from the second leg and a fourth sealing flap that depends from the third leg. A first male profile extends from a base of a second closure element. The first male profile engages a portion of the first and second sealing flaps to form a seal therebetween when the respective male and female profiles are occluded. A second male profile extends from the base of the second closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Dais, Robert R. Turvey