Patents by Inventor Alec K. Hitchman

Alec K. Hitchman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6990722
    Abstract: A tubular fastener element is inserted into an opening in a wall until a flange at the trailing end of the fastener element is in contact with the wall. Then, an externally threaded end of a rod is inserted into a center opening in the fastener element from the flange side of the wall and is mated with internal threads in the fastener element beyond the second side of the wall. A tubular mandrel that surrounds the rod is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening in the tubular fastener. The outside diameter of the mandrel is larger than the inside diameter of the center opening in the fastener element. The rod is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion of the fastener element to collapse and form a second radial flange on the second side of the wall. The mandrel is forced axially into the center opening in the fastener element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard F. Reid, Timothy H. Johnson, David A. Gorton, Mark R. Weiss, Dean C. Madden, Alec K. Hitchman
  • Patent number: 6792657
    Abstract: A tubular fastener element (34) is inserted into an opening (44) in a wall (W) until a flange (40) at the trailing end of the fastener element (34) is in contact with the wall (W). Then, an externally threaded end (32) of a rod (28) is inserted into a center opening (56) in the fastener element (34) from the flange side (42) of the wall (W) and is mated with internal threads (52) in the fastener element (34) beyond the second side (50) of the wall (W). A tubular mandrel (24) that surrounds the rod (28) is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening (56) in the tubular fastener (34). The outside diameter of the mandrel (24) is larger than the inside diameter (58) of the center opening (56) in the fastener element (34). The rod (28) is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion (46) of the fastener element (34) to collapse and form a second radial flange (60) on the second side (50) of the wall (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Leonard F. Reid, Timothy H. Johnson, David A. Gorton, Mark R. Weiss, Dean C. Madden, Alec K. Hitchman
  • Publication number: 20020189101
    Abstract: A tubular fastener element (34) is inserted into an opening(44) in a wall (W) until a flange (40) at the trailing end of the fastener element (34) is in contact with the wall (W). Then, an externally threaded end (32) of a rod (28) is inserted into a center opening (56) in the fastener element (34) from the flange side (42) of the wall (W) and is mated with internal threads (52) in the fastener element (34) beyond the second side (50) of the wall (W). A tubular mandrel (24) that surrounds the rod (28) is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening (56) in the tubular fastener (34). The outside diameter of the mandrel (24) is larger than the inside diameter (58) of the center opening (56) in the fastener element (34). The rod (28) is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion (46) of the fastener element (34) to collapse and form a second radial flange (60) on the second side (50) of the wall (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Leonard F. Reid, Timothy H. Johnson, David A. Gorton, Mark R. Weiss, Dean C. Madden, Alec K. Hitchman
  • Patent number: 6487767
    Abstract: A tubular fastener element (34) is inserted into an opening(44) in a wall (W) until a flange (40) at the trailing end of the fastener element (34) is in contact with the wall (W). Then, an externally threaded end (32) of a rod (28) is inserted into a center opening (56) in the fastener element (34) from the flange side (42) of the wall (W) and is mated with internal threads (52) in the fastener element (34) beyond the second side (50) of the wall (W). A tubular mandrel (24) that surrounds the rod (28) is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening (56) in the tubular fastener (34). The outside diameter of the mandrel (24) is larger than the inside diameter (58) of the center opening (56) in the fastener element (34). The rod (28) is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion (46) of the fastener element (34) to collapse and form a second radial flange (60) on the second side (50) of the wall (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard F. Reid, Timothy H. Johnson, David A. Gorton, Mark R. Weiss, Dean C. Madden, Alec K. Hitchman