Patents by Inventor Chad M. Clark
Chad M. Clark 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).
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Publication number: 20230349413Abstract: Described is a compression-limiting fastener assembly for attaching a first component having a first opening relative to a second component having a second opening. The compression-limiting fastener assembly includes a male fastener, a retainer clip, and a female fastener. The male fastener includes a head and a shank. The retainer clip includes a recessed pocket with a fastener hole formed therein. The retainer clip includes a body portion having a pair of generally parallel legs that are resiliently connected to define a channel. The recessed pocket maintains a first distance (D1) between the pair of generally parallel legs. The retainer clip engages the first component via the first opening and the channel. The female fastener includes a bore to receive the shank is via the fastener hole and the second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Mark Beyer, Gregory G. Buczynski, Chad M. Clark
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Publication number: 20230313827Abstract: Described is an isolating fastener assembly for attaching a first component to a blind hole of a second component. The isolating fastener assembly includes a clip and an isolating cap. The clip having a retaining head portion and a body portion. The body portion including a pair of legs spaced apart and flexibly connected to one another at the retaining head portion to define a channel. The isolating cap having a pair of guides. Each guide having a fastener-retention feature to engage and retain the clip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Mark O. Lepper
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Publication number: 20220407195Abstract: A battery terminal includes a post clamp for connecting to a battery post. The post clamp includes a post connector having a first connector end and a second connector end with an opening therebetween. The post connector is configured to substantially enclose a first surface of the battery post. A mounting clamp is provided for reducing the opening between the first connector end and the second connector end. A fastener is disposed vertically above the mounting clamp and the post connector. The fastener is configured to be provided vertically above the second surface of the battery post for fastening the mounting clamp to the post clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Mark Beyer, Gregory G. Buczynski, Sean A. Tomaselli
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Publication number: 20220341458Abstract: Disclosed are fastening systems for coupling a first component to stud, shaft, or the like via a sleeve assembly. The fastening system comprising an upper sleeve component, a lower sleeve component, and a nut. The upper sleeve component defines an upper sleeve opening, while the lower sleeve component defines a lower sleeve opening. The lower sleeve component comprises one or more flexible tabs configured to engage the upper sleeve component via the component opening. The nut is configured to pass through a sleeve opening to engage the stud. The sleeve opening is defined by the upper sleeve opening and the lower sleeve opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Jason Paradis, Gregory G. Buczynski, Ronald C. Owens
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Publication number: 20220341447Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a push retainer. The push retainer includes an annular body, flexible tabs, and legs. The annular body has a topside surface and an underside surface. The annular body defines an opening. The flexible tabs are coupled to the annular body and canted upwardly away from the topside surface at a first angle. The flexible tabs are configured to engage a post of the second panel. The legs extend downwardly away from the underside surface at a second angle. The legs are configured to engage the first panel to form a part-in-assembly (PIA) component when inserted through the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Michael Fullerton
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Patent number: 11149768Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured to securely couple to a component. The fastener assembly includes a compression-limiting bushing, a fastener coupled to the bushing, and a grommet coupled to the bushing. A clearance gap is defined between one or both of the bushing or the fastener and the grommet. At least a portion of the grommet is configured to move into the clearance gap as the fastener assembly is urged into an opening of the component. The grommet is configured to securely couple to the component.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Ronald Owens, Michael Fullerton
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Patent number: 11002303Abstract: A fastener-retaining system (100) is configured to securely couple a fastener (102) to a substrate (104). The fastener-retaining system (100) includes a compression-limiting bushing (106) including a tube defining a central passage (132), and a retainer (130) positioned within the central passage. The retainer (130) includes a first portion that securely connects to the bushing, and a second portion that is configured to securely connect to a portion of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Ronald C. Owens, II, Jeremy R. D. Tuttle, Chad M. Clark
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Patent number: 10655664Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured to securely couple to a component. The fastener assembly includes at least one bushing, a first grommet that is coupled to the bushing(s), and a second grommet that is coupled to the bushing(s). The first grommet and the second grommet are configured to securely retain the component therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Michael E. Fullerton
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Publication number: 20190242418Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured to securely couple to a component. The fastener assembly includes a compression-limiting bushing, a fastener coupled to the bushing, and a grommet coupled to the bushing. A clearance gap is defined between one or both of the bushing or the fastener and the grommet. At least a portion of the grommet is configured to move into the clearance gap as the fastener assembly is urged into an opening of the component. The grommet is configured to securely couple to the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Ronald Owens, Michael Fullerton
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Publication number: 20180142714Abstract: A fastener-retaining system (100) is configured to securely couple a fastener (102) to a substrate (104). The fastener-retaining system (100) includes a compression-limiting bushing (106) including a tube defining a central passage (132), and a retainer (130) positioned within the central passage. The retainer (130) includes a first portion that securely connects to the bushing, and a second portion that is configured to securely connect to a portion of the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Ronald C. Owens, II, Jeremy R.D. Tuttle, Chad M. Clark
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Publication number: 20180094667Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured to securely couple to a component. The fastener assembly includes at least one bushing, a first grommet that is coupled to the bushing(s), and a second grommet that is coupled to the bushing(s). The first grommet and the second grommet are configured to securely retain the component therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Michael E. Fullerton
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Publication number: 20180038405Abstract: A connection assembly including a grommet of hollow construction adapted to be retained within a retaining panel structure for attachment to a substructure. The grommet includes an upper collar and a lower collar disposed in spaced-apart relation. An axial bore extends through the grommet. Anti-rotation elements may be disposed between the upper and lower collars. The anti-rotation elements lock the grommet against rotational movement following insertion and rotation to a locking position within a complementary retaining panel opening. The grommet may carry variations of a compression limiter within the axial bore of the grommet and either an elongated fastener or a fastening nut may be secured in operative position with the grommet prior to shipment and installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Ronald C. Owens, Jeremy R.D. Tuttle