Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Curtis

Patrick J. Curtis 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: 8100619
    Abstract: A corner-cut corrugated fastener in accordance with the principles of the invention includes one or more features to facilitate fastening corner joints. The corrugated fastener includes a corrugated body member having a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The corrugated body member may have a notch along the trailing edge, or chamfers at opposing ends of the leading edge, or both a notch along the trailing edge and chamfers at opposing ends of the leading edge. Additionally or alternatively, the corrugated body member may include a corrugation that extends a full length of each lateral edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge in order to provide enhanced strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7918375
    Abstract: A pneumatically operable fastener-driving tool and seal mechanism assembly, and a method of operating the same, comprises the use of a single, annular seal member, having a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration, disposed within an annularly recessed portion of the fastener-driving tool piston in such a manner that the open region of the V-shaped annular seal member is disposed toward the relatively high-pressure upstream end portion of the fastener-driving tool cylinder, while, conversely, the closed region of the V-shaped annular seal member is disposed toward the relatively low-pressure downstream end portion of the pneumatic tool cylinder Accordingly, the relatively high-pressure air acts upon the radially outwardly flared lip portion of the annular seal member during a power stroke, while relatively low-pressure air acts upon the radially outwardly flared lip portion of the annular seal member during a return stroke, whereby only a single V-shaped annular seal member is required to achieve
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Johnson, Patrick J. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20100260579
    Abstract: A corner-cut corrugated fastener in accordance with the principles of the invention includes one or more features to facilitate fastening corner joints. The corrugated fastener includes a corrugated body member having a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The corrugated body member may have a notch along the trailing edge, or chamfers at opposing ends of the leading edge, or both a notch along the trailing edge and chamfers at opposing ends of the leading edge. Additionally or alternatively, the corrugated body member may include a corrugation that extends a full length of each lateral edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge in order to provide enhanced strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Curtis
  • Publication number: 20090272782
    Abstract: A pneumatically operable fastener-driving tool and seal mechanism assembly, and a method of operating the same, comprises the use of a single, annular seal member, having a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration, disposed within an annularly recessed portion of the fastener-driving tool piston in such a manner that the open region of the V-shaped annular seal member is disposed toward the relatively high-pressure upstream end portion of the fastener-driving tool cylinder, while, conversely, the closed region of the V-shaped annular seal member is disposed toward the relatively low-pressure downstream end portion of the pneumatic tool cylinder Accordingly, the relatively high-pressure air acts upon the radially outwardly flared lip portion of the annular seal member during a power stroke, while relatively low-pressure air acts upon the radially outwardly flared lip portion of the annular seal member during a return stroke, whereby only a single V-shaped annular seal member is required to achieve
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael P. Johnson, Patrick J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 6131787
    Abstract: A two-piece magazine for strips of nails in nailing tools, combinations thereof and methods therefor including first and second magazine portions each having an elongated side wall with front and rear end portions. The first magazine portion includes a first lower portion with a tongue protruding therefrom, and the second magazine portion includes a second lower portion with a groove. The tongue is disposable and frictionally retainable in the groove to assemble the first and second magazine portions. The first and second magazine portions are formed preferably at least partially by extrusion and partially in one or more stamping operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Curtis