Patents by Inventor Michael Walter Smith

Michael Walter Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20040093701
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Edward Sacha, Paul Lester Clemens, Mark Fleydervish, Richard H. Ducato, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Publication number: 20040096272
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Edward Sacha, Paul Lester Clemens, Mark Fleydervish, Richard H. Ducato, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Publication number: 20040083582
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance. The combination of the above structures with the presence of barbs being bent at their front portion improves immensely the ergonomic character of the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Edward Sacha, Paul Lester Clemens, Mark Fleydervish, Richared H. Ducato, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Publication number: 20040081534
    Abstract: Fasteners which are characterized by easy insertion and extraordinarily difficult separation of items that they attach together. This is achieved by snapping segments, which may comprise anti-opening and/or anti-sliding portions, which immensely increase the strength with which the fasteners hold the objects together. Vehicles comprising objects connected together by the fastening devices are part of the instant invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6726418
    Abstract: This invention pertains fasteners which are characterized by easy insertion and extraordinarily difficult separation of items that they attach together. This is achieved by a combination of snapping segments with an elastic body disposed at least under the head of the fastener. The snapping segments may comprise anti-opening and/or anti-sliding portions, which immensely increase the strength with which the fasteners hold the objects together. The elastic body in the vicinity of the bottom section of the fasteners also provides water and gas proof properties, as well as elimination of squeaking noises. Vehicles comprising objects connected together by the fastening devices described and claimed herein are part of the instant invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Eustathios Vassiliou Revocable Trust
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6718599
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Edward Sacha, Paul Lester Clemens, Mark Fleydervish, Richard H. Ducato, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6648542
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot. This invention also relates to vehicles having parts connected with the above sealing spring fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Gary John Bobeck
  • Publication number: 20030103800
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Gary John Bobeck
  • Publication number: 20030103801
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Gary John Bobeck
  • Publication number: 20030053884
    Abstract: This invention pertains fasteners which are characterized by easy insertion and extraordinarily difficult separation of items that they attach together. This is achieved by a combination of snapping segments with an elastic body disposed at least under the head of the fastener. The snapping segments may comprise anti-opening and/or anti-sliding portions, which immensely increase the strength with which the fasteners hold the objects together. The elastic body in the vicinity of the bottom section of the fasteners also provides water and gas proof properties, as well as elimination of squeaking noises. Vehicles comprising objects connected together by the fastening devices described and claimed herein are part of the instant invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6527471
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Gary John Bobeck
  • Publication number: 20020194710
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Edward Sacha, Paul Lester Clements, Mark Fleydervish, Richard H. Ducato, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6497011
    Abstract: This invention relates to vehicles having parts connected with a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a hermetically closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot. In a preferred version, the sealing fastener comprises a substantially non-elastic tough casing around portion of the elastic body in order to avoid rapture during insertion of the fastener into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Richard H. Ducato, Mark Fleydervish, Werner Politzki, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Publication number: 20020104201
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a hermetically closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot. In a preferred version, the sealing fastener comprises a substantially non-elastic tough casing around portion of the elastic body in order to avoid rapture during insertion of the fastener into the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Richard H. Ducato, Mark Fleydervish, Werner Politzki, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6409443
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fastener, which expands by the insertion of an expanding member, preferably a screw. The fastener comprises a substantially flat head and two expandable legs. The head has an upper side and a lower side, preferably separated by a gap. The head also has a hole (round, oblong or otherwise shaped) in which the expanding body may engage or pass through for expanding the legs and securing one object to another object, such as a plastic panel to a metal sheet. The fastener also comprises a Y-shaped funnel configuration, which has been formed by a partial cut of the legs. Miscellaneous configurations of the Y shaped legs provide improved guidance to the expanding member, improved engagement to at least one of the objects, such as the metal sheet for example, and improved engagement to the expanding member, among other advantages. The fastener may also comprise portions under the upper side of the head, which portions are engageable to the expanding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: WTPA, Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph William Lowry, Michael Anthony Giugliano, Michael Walter Smith, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6381811
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a hermetically closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot. In a preferred version, the sealing fastener comprises a substantially non-elastic tough casing around portion of the elastic body in order to avoid rapture during insertion of the fastener into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Richard H. Ducato, Mark Fleydervish, Werner Politzki, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6379092
    Abstract: A sealing fastener, which expands by the insertion of preferably a screw. The fastener comprises a substantially flat head and two expandable legs. The fastener has further an elastic body, especially a thermoplastic elastomer, molded at least on the lower side of the head by insert injection molding. The elastic body does not contain plasticizers which may be harmful to other plastics (such as polycarbonate and ABS for example) coming in contact with the fastener, all its surfaces are well defined, has well defined properties, and its dimensions are characterized by narrow tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: WTPA, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kanubhai Manibhai Patel, Michael Walter Smith, Edward John Smith
  • Publication number: 20020017009
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a hermetically closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot. In a preferred version, the sealing fastener comprises a substantially non-elastic tough casing around portion of the elastic body in order to avoid rapture during insertion of the fastener into the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Richard H. Ducato, Mark Fleydervish, Werner Politzki, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Publication number: 20020001502
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing spring fastener, which comprises a U-shaped structure, on which an elastic body has been incorporated. The elastic body has a closed cavity within the U-shaped structure. The sealing spring fastener can form an assembly with an extension of a panel, preferably a plastic panel. The assembly or the fastener by itself can be engaged into the slot of a solid sheet, preferably a metal sheet, in a manner that one side of the sheet is sealed from the other side of the sheet in the vicinity of the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Gary John Bobeck
  • Patent number: 6299399
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fastener, which expands by the insertion of an expanding member, preferably a screw through an engageable hole of the fastener. The fastener comprises a substantially flat head and two expandable legs. The head has an upper side and a lower side, preferably separated by a gap. The fastener has a hardness within a range which improves considerably the pulling force and allows the head of the fastener to be bowable upon applying said force on the expanding member, thus resulting in a gradual rather than abrupt failure. The engageable hole may be round or oblong. Additional engagement may be provided at lower portions of the fastener for improving pulling force and/or prevailing torque. Further, an elastic body may be integrally molded at least at the lower side of the head of the fastener, and preferably throughout the head of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: WTPA, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Joseph William Lowry, Michael Anthony Giugliano