Patents Examined by Victor Sakran
  • Patent number: 6859982
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector for releasable joining of two ends of material. The invention involves two generally symmetrical connector halves which engage with one another to maintain a connection capable of resisting opposing tension forces. A spring-force ball and socket arrangement is incorporated in each body half to maintain a secure connection. Rotatable interlocking tongue-and-groove structures provide ease of use and effective resistance to tension forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Mario R. Carrillo
  • Patent number: 6851163
    Abstract: A terminus (8) for a bungee cord (15) has a hook (9) with a transverse axis (17) which is within a given distance of the longitudinal axis (16) of a bore (13) within the stem (10) of the terminus. A cleat (24) opens into a cord passage (20) leading to the bore (13) to permit pulling a cord (15) into the cleat (24) thereby locking the terminus in position on the cord (15). The relative axial alignment of the load in the cord (15) with the transverse axis (17) of the hook (9) prevents the load (15) from rotating the hook substantially. A land (27) adjusts the thickness of the cleat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Keeper Corporation
    Inventor: Ricky W. Selby
  • Patent number: 6845548
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for mounting a goggle on a helmet. The goggle is connected with a strap. The buckle assembly includes a first buckle having a main body. The strap is connected at an end of the main body. A buckling portion is formed on the main body. The buckling portion forms a buckling hole and a buckling flange, and a grip portion is connected to another end of the main body. A second buckle includes a main plate and a locating portion, a buckling portion which is formed of catch plates which can be bent inwards and outwards, and a claw is outwardly disposed on each catch plate for catching the buckling flange of the first buckle. A buckle locator includes a base, a locating portion for connecting the locating portion of the second buckle, and allocating portion for connecting the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Lifestyle Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chin Lin
  • Patent number: 6842951
    Abstract: A peg has a one-piece clip essentially consisting of two branches, each branch having an anterior part forming a jaw and a posterior part forming a lever arm. The peg also has a hinge around a rotational axis that connects the branches at an intermediate point. A spring extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis is mounted and compressed between the two lever-forming parts of the two branches. The spring urges, under its biasing resilience, the two branches to a closed position. The spring has a biasing force in the direction of increasing its axial longitudinal dimension that is more controllable over time than a spring having a biasing torque. Thus, over time the pressure exerted by the arms of the peg in the closed position remains more constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Genprod
    Inventors: Bertrand Barre, Francis LePage
  • Patent number: 6842949
    Abstract: A wire rope clamp includes a U-shaped clamp member having a central fold. The clamp member has a first plate portion on one end of the central fold and a second plate portion on an opposite end of the central fold. The clamp member has a least one opening therein sized to allow at least one wire rope to pass therethrough. Such opening is located on said central fold between opposite sides of the clamp member. A tightening member urges the first plate portion and the second plate portion relatively closer together causing the plate portions to clamp onto one or more wire ropes located therebetween. The plate portions have embossments perpendicular to the rope direction that provide sufficient clamping grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Robert E. Warren
  • Patent number: 6839943
    Abstract: A fastening device on a plastic attachment for a motor vehicle, especially on a bumper, with a receptacle formed in one piece on the attachment for a part to be fastened to the attachment by means of snap fastening, which, like the receptacle, has no resiliently deformable snap fastening element, and a plug-in element having resiliently deformable snap fastening elements for position-setting snap fastening on the one hand to the part to be fastened and on the other hand to the socket on the attachment, is to be made susceptible of rational and simple manufacture. For this purpose such a fastening device provides for the engagement of at least one of the snap fastening means of the plug-in element, the receiver of the attachment has substantially oppositely lying arms of limited circumference with at least one opening each with respect to the direction of insertion of the plug-in element for the achievement of the position-fixing snap fastening in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Burkhardt, Dietmar Preissler, Anton Sautner
  • Patent number: 6839942
    Abstract: An adjustable securement device is provided comprising a rod having a plurality of openings therein. Such rod has at least a first and a second opening therein at opposed ends thereof wherein such openings are generally parallel. A centrally located through-slot is provided for the passage of a securement ring. Such ring may easily traverse the length of the slot and at one end may be affixed to ensure the affixation of the securement device at a designated position along a supporting line. Finally, a groove is provided at one end of the rod to aid in securing an end of the support line to the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Daniel R. Spearing
  • Patent number: 6839944
    Abstract: A shoelace fastener is provided for a shoe that includes a shoelace having a pair of distal lace segments. The shoelace fastener includes a substantially rigid fastener body formed with a pair of lace exit holes, a pair of lace entry holes disposed between the lace exit holes, and a pair of anchor portions, each of which is disposed between a respective adjacent pair of the lace entry and exit holes. Each of the distal lace segments is extendable through a respective lace entry hole, over a respective anchor portion, and into a respective lace exit hole. Tension applied by the shoe on the shoelace enables forces the distal lace segments against the fastener body. Pulling of the fastener body through a flexible pull unit on the fastener body results in loosening of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Kun-Chung Liu
  • Patent number: 6832417
    Abstract: A safety hook that includes a body having a hook portion and a shank portion, a gate that is pivotally mounted from a gate pivot point on the shank portion, and a locking element that is pivotally supported from the shank. The safety hook also includes a peninsular portion that extends between the locking element and the and the heel portion of the gate, and a spring, the spring being mounted between and against the locking element and the locking element, so that to release the gate the user simply rotates the locking element away from the peninsular portion and then rotates the closure portion in, towards the mouth of the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 6826810
    Abstract: The separable bottom end stop assembly has male and female members engageable with and releasable from each other in a front-to-back direction thereof. A slide plate of the male member has an engagement leg portion projected therefrom, while a sliding plate of the female member has an engagement hole. Sliding surfaces are respectively formed at peripheries of the engagement leg portion and the engagement hole of the slide plates. Each of the slide surfaces is formed with steep incline surfaces and a gentle incline surface. With the cam mechanism, when the male member and the female member are pressed from both surfaces thereof, an insert plate disposed at one of the male member and the female member is automatically guided to an inside of the slider held by a holding portion disposed at the other of the male member and the female member, which simultaneously causes the slider to start moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ichikawa, Miyako Tamura
  • Patent number: 6817070
    Abstract: A shoelace fastener is provided for a shoe that includes a shoelace having a pair of distal lace segments. The shoelace fastener includes a fastener body formed with a pair of through holes. Each of a pair of clamp members has a pivot portion partitioning a respective through hole into a lace entry side and a lace exit side. The distal lace segments are extendable through the lace entry side, over a respective clamp member, and into the lace exit side of a respective through hole in the fastener body. Tension applied by the shoe on the shoelace enables the clamp members to clamp the distal lace segments against the fastener body. Pulling of the fastener body through a pull unit results in loosening of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Inventor: Kun-Chung Liu
  • Patent number: 6804868
    Abstract: A locking clasp (1) has a planar clasp body (3) an aperture (13), a swivel cover (12) rivetably mounted on a top surface and an interconnecting link having a plate (8) of the same size and shape as the aperture. When the plate on the interlocking link is inserted into the aperture of the clasp body and the swivel cover is rotated over the plate, the clasp provides a secure, aesthetic, all-pleasing and easy to use clasp for jewelry and other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Beverly Fox
  • Patent number: 6804864
    Abstract: A fastener for securing a first object such as a headliner to a second object such as the interior of an aircraft or automobile which is also capable of being pre-assembled with the first object in a predetermined orientation is disclosed. A fastener constructed and arranged according to the present invention has an upper head from which extends a shank having a shank fastener formed therein for securing the retainer into a bore formed in the second object. At least one pre-assembly leg is secured to the shank at a predetermined offset distance from the head. A lower head having a bore formed therethrough so that it may be received over the shank of the fastener is secured to a distal end of the at least one pre-assembly leg and actuates the pre-assembly leg so as to double the pre-assembly leg upon itself and simultaneously bias it into contact with the first object, thereby securing the fastener within a bore formed through the first object in the predetermined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Kirchen, James S. Tisol, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6796008
    Abstract: A reflectorized lace or the like includes an inner layer, a reflectorized outer layer encasing the inner layer, and a protective layer covering the reflectorized outer layer. The protective layer is made of a woven material having a number of open spaces to allow passage of light rays. The protective layer is provided with one or more attachment patches by which the lace may be attached to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kae Sheng Webbing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ke-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 6796007
    Abstract: A buckle mechanism comprises a female portion and at least one male portion adapted to be received within the cavity of the female portion. The male portion has a base, a central leg with a catch and a locking tab. The locking tab seats in the locking slot when the male portion is inserted into the female portion. There is a center button mechanism mounted in the female portion and having a center push button, a spring connected to the center push button and/or to a spring base and at least one flexible leg connected to the spring base. The flexible leg has a catch that interlocks with the catch on the male portion when the male portion is inserted into the female portion. When the center push button is depressed, the spring compresses and causes the flexible leg to bend and release the catch on the male portion so that the male portion is ejected from the female portion when the locking tab is depressed sufficiently to clear the locking slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 6775885
    Abstract: A two way open-end zipper formed of two zipper tapes, left and right top stops, a plug pin and a fixed pin and two slides is disclosed in which the fixed pin has a first upright sidewall, a second upright sidewall, a longitudinal sliding way defined between the first and second upright sidewalls for the passing of the slides during installation of the slides, and a springy hook projected from the first upright side wall into the longitudinal sliding way and adapted to stop the slides in place when the slides moved downwards along the zipper tapes to the lower limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Lien-Chou Wang
  • Patent number: 6769157
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle guard device is provided for preventing access to a release button on a seat belt. The device comprises a sleeve structured to fit over a variety of shapes and sizes of seat belt buckles. The sleeve comprises a front face and a top face that are capable of covering the front portion of a variety of seat belt buckles. The sleeve is made of sufficiently rigid material to prevent indentation of the faces and thereby prevent contact with both front and top belt buckle release button. The sleeve further comprising a split back face, which enables the sleeve to expand to fit over the variety of seat belt buckles. A top arm extending from the sleeve engages the scat belt strap with a tight friction fit to resist removal of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Patricia L. Meal
  • Patent number: 6769155
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioning/relaxing element that comprises a base (3), at least one rotating shaft (4) mounted on said base, a mobile part (2) and a lashing device (1). Between said base (3) and the at least one shaft (4) at least one nonpositive and positive element (5, 6) is provided that tightly encloses the shaft (4). The first nonpositive and positive element (5), configured as a tensioning element, is firmly linked on the one side (5a) with a part (2) that is mobile vis-a-vis the base (3) and can be actuated on the other side (5b), with a variable and continuous pretension, via a first actuator (11), while the second nonpositive and positive element (6), configured as a relaxing element, is firmly linked on the one side (6a) with the base (3) and can be actuated on the other side (6b), with a variable and continuous pretension, via a second actuator (11′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mammut TEC AG
    Inventors: Ruedi Hess, Erwin Rott
  • Patent number: 6769156
    Abstract: A zipper hand with puller fixed function includes a body, a hook element, a connected element, a puller and a buckled means, wherein the hook element is disposed on the body, one end of the hook element has a hook portion inserted into two guiding grooves of the body, one end of the connected element is connected to a top of the body and contacted to an inner edge of the hook element, the puller is connected to the connected element, and the buckled is disposed between the body and the puller. When the zipper hand is in a buckled state, the puller can be buckled and fixed on the body, and do not worry about the puller is raised up, so as to maintain the zipper hand in the buckled state, for avoiding the zipper hand being loosed and occurring an unexpected move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Tan Ming Chen
  • Patent number: RE38652
    Abstract: A plastic molded hook for use with a hook and loop fastening system especially adapted for use with low profile loops. The hook design includes a base, a stem and a crook whereby the volume of the portion of the hook penetrating into a pile of loops is defined as the displacement volume. Hooks especially adapted for use with low profile loops have a displacement volume of less than 6×10−6 cubic inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventor: George A. Provost