Patents by Inventor Richard Ernst

Richard Ernst 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: 8192123
    Abstract: A self-drilling fastener for use in a friable material with or without an underlying member at the point of use comprises an elongated body, a threaded exterior, an enlarged head with torque transmitting surfaces, proximal, intermediate, and distal portions, and a drilling tip generally opposite enlarged head. Proximal portion has an axial length, a threaded exterior having root and crest diameters and a thread height, where the crest diameter is about twice the root diameter. Intermediate portion has an axial length, a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter substantially smaller than proximal portion crest diameter and a thread height substantially smaller than proximal portion thread height. Distal portion has an axial length, a threaded exterior with a root that tapers toward the drilling tip, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the proximal portion crest diameter, and a thread height substantially smaller than the proximal portion thread height portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, John P. Grimm
  • Publication number: 20080019792
    Abstract: A self-drilling fastener for use in a friable material with or without an underlying member at the point of use comprises an elongated body, a threaded exterior, an enlarged head with torque transmitting surfaces, proximal, intermediate, and distal portions, and a drilling tip generally opposite enlarged head. Proximal portion has an axial length, a threaded exterior having root and crest diameters and a thread height, where the crest diameter is about twice the root diameter. Intermediate portion has an axial length, a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter substantially smaller than proximal portion crest diameter and a thread height substantially smaller than proximal portion thread height. Distal portion has an axial length, a threaded exterior with a root that tapers toward the drilling tip, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the proximal portion crest diameter, and a thread height substantially smaller than the proximal portion thread height portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, John Grimm
  • Publication number: 20070249494
    Abstract: Ceria-coated aerogels can include an aerogel support material having a stabilized ceria coating thereon. The ceria coating can be formed by solution or vapor deposition of alcogels or aerogels. Additional catalytic metal species can also be incorporated into the coating to form multi-metallic compounds having improved catalytic activity. Further, the ceria coated aerogels retain high surface areas at elevated temperatures. Thus, improvements in catalytic activity and thermal stability can be achieved using these ceria-coated composite aerogels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Edward Eyring, Richard Ernst, Gregory Turpin, Brian Dunn
  • Publication number: 20070224013
    Abstract: A self-drilling anchor for use in a friable material comprises a body having an axis, a flanged rear end, a drilling front end and a generally cylindrical portion therebetween having an outer surface with a thread disposed thereon, wherein the body forks, beginning at a predetermined distance from the flanged rear end, into a first leg and a second leg, the first leg extending forwardly into a drilling tip, wherein the first leg may have a generally rearward facing shoulder angled obtusely outwardly with respect to the axis, wherein the body has an axial bore for receiving an elongate fastener, the axial bore extending substantially through the flanged end and leading to the generally rearward facing shoulder, wherein the anchor is adapted so that the first leg pivots apart from the second leg when the elongate fastener deflects the generally rearward facing shoulder and the predetermined distance is selected to increase pullout strength when the first leg is pivoted apart from the second leg and the anchor i
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Cheryl Panasik, Aaron Monje, David Mueller, John Grimm, Richard Ernst, Naim Mansour
  • Publication number: 20060245841
    Abstract: In one aspect, an anchor may include a threaded body, and a coaxial nut, wherein the anchor has a driving mode and an anchoring mode with the nut drawn rearwardly into the body by a threaded fastener to open the body radially outwardly. In another aspect, a one-piece self-drilling anchor includes a generally cylindrical threaded body with a pair of diametrically opposed inverted Y-shaped slits each having a generally axial slit and an inverted V-shaped pair of slits, a nut having splines for engage a threaded fastener, a pair of diametrically opposed inverted V-shaped wedges that are demarcated from the body by the V-shaped slits so that the body is relasably connected to the body, and a generally flat V-shaped drill tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, George Dowse
  • Publication number: 20060182515
    Abstract: A new and improved toggle-bolt type fastener has pocket structure effectively incorporated therein so as to accommodate extra-long threaded activation screws or bolt fasteners in a coaxial manner within the toggle-bolt type fastener. Alternatively, structure has been incorporated within the toggle-bolt type fastener which effectively accommodates extra-long threaded activation screws or bolt fasteners by causing the same to be slightly deflected from their coaxial disposition within the toggle-bolt type fastener so as to permit the same to bypass the stab point of the toggle-bolt type fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Cheryl Panasik, Naim Mansour, Richard Ernst
  • Publication number: 20060165506
    Abstract: A self-drilling anchor for use in a friable material comprises a body having an axis, a flanged rear end, a drilling front end and a generally cylindrical portion therebetween having an outer surface with a thread disposed thereon, wherein the body forks, beginning at a predetermined distance from the flanged rear end, into a first leg and a second leg, the first leg extending forwardly into a drilling tip and having a generally rearward facing shoulder angled obtusely outwardly with respect to the axis, wherein the body has an axial bore for receiving an elongate fastener, the axial bore extending substantially through the flanged end and the generally cylindrical portion and leading to the generally rearward facing shoulder, wherein the anchor has a drilling mode wherein the second leg nests behind the generally rearward facing shoulder of the first leg, and an anchoring mode wherein the legs are pivoted apart from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Cheryl Panasik, Richard Ernst, Naim Mansour, John Grimm, David Mueller, Aaron Monje
  • Publication number: 20060104743
    Abstract: A flute positioner is provided for positioning a fastener in a tool barrel, and includes a body, a throughbore extending through the body, and at least one holding member extending into the throughbore. One or more extensions may extend radially outward from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Buytaert, Richard Ernst, George Davis, David Jablonski
  • Publication number: 20060078405
    Abstract: A flute holder comprises a bracket-engaging portion configured to engage a bracket, and a tool-engaging sleeve connected to the bracket-engaging portion and configured to engage a tool. A holding passage is at least partially defined within the tool-engaging sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Buytaert, Richard Ernst, George Davis
  • Publication number: 20060056938
    Abstract: In one aspect, a holder mountable to a friable substrate may include a self-drilling anchor, a wall engaging flange having an opening for receiving a fastener, and at least one leg extending from the flange for holding an object. In another aspect, a holder may include a self-drilling anchor having a drilling portion longer than a drywall thickness followed by a high-threaded portion, a wall engaging flange, and at least one leg for holding an object. In still another aspect, a holder may include a self-drilling anchor having a screw-like drilling portion longer than a drywall thickness followed by a high-threaded portion, a drywall engaging flange having a recess for receiving a rotary driver and a pair of openings each capable of receiving a threaded fastener and engaging threads thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, George Dowse, Joseph Dunk, Cheryl Panasik
  • Publication number: 20060057400
    Abstract: A method for forming multi-metallic sites on a substrate is disclosed and described. A substrate including active groups such as hydroxyl can be reacted with a pretarget metal complex. The target metal attached to the active group can then be reacted with a secondary metal complex such that an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction occurs to form a multi-metallic species. The substrate can be a highly porous material such as aerogels, xerogels, zeolites, and similar materials. Additional metal complexes can be reacted to increase catalyst loading or control co-catalyst content. The resulting compounds can be oxidized to form oxides or reduced to form metals in the ground state which are suitable for practical use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, Edward Eyring, Gregory Turpin, Brian Dunn
  • Publication number: 20060056939
    Abstract: In one aspect, a holder mountable to a friable substrate may include a self-drilling anchor, a wall engaging flange having an opening for receiving a fastener, and at least one leg extending from the flange for holding an object. In another aspect, a holder may include a self-drilling anchor, a wall engaging flange, and a pair of U-shaped legs for holding an object. In still another aspect, a holder may include a self-drilling anchor, a wall engaging flange, at least one leg extending from the flange for holding an object and a recess for receiving a rotary driver. A pair of openings may be provided in the flange for receiving a threaded fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, John Horvath
  • Publication number: 20060024144
    Abstract: In one aspect, a holder mountable to a friable substrate may include a self-drilling drywall fastener, a wall engaging base plate having an opening for receiving a fastener, and at least one leg extending from the base plate for holding an object. In another aspect, a holder may include a self-drilling drywall fastener having a drilling portion longer than a drywall thickness followed by a high-threaded portion, a wall engaging base plate, and at least one leg for holding an object. In still another aspect, a holder may include a self-drilling drywall fastener having a screw-like drilling portion longer than a drywall thickness followed by a high-threaded portion, a drywall engaging base plate having a recess for receiving a rotary driver and a pair of openings each capable of receiving a threaded drywall fastener and engaging threads thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: John Horvath, Keith Christiansen, Richard Ernst
  • Publication number: 20060018730
    Abstract: A self drilling fastener for use in a friable material mounted on a member comprises an elongated body having an axis, an enlarged head having torque transmitting surfaces therein, a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, a distal portion, and a drilling tip generally opposite the enlarged head. The proximal portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter, and a thread height. The intermediate portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion. The distal portion has a threaded exterior with a root that tapers toward the drilling tip, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventor: Richard Ernst
  • Publication number: 20050283961
    Abstract: A method of installing a self drilling anchor for use in a friable material mounted on a member comprising an elongated body having an axis, an axial bore adapted to receive an elongated fastener, a flared end having torque transmitting surfaces therein, a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, a distal portion, and a drilling tip generally opposite the flared end, wherein the proximal portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter, and a thread height, the intermediate portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion, and the distal portion has a threaded exterior with a root that tapers toward the drilling tip, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, George Dewey, George Dowse, James Robinson
  • Publication number: 20050285309
    Abstract: A method of making a self drilling anchor for use in a friable material mounted on a member comprising an elongated body having an axis, an axial bore adapted to receive an elongated fastener, a flared end having torque transmitting surfaces therein, a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, a distal portion, and a drilling tip generally opposite the flared end, wherein the proximal portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter, and a thread height, the intermediate portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion, and the distal portion has a threaded exterior with a root that tapers toward the drilling tip, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, George Dewey, George Dowse, James Robinson
  • Publication number: 20050207861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to anchor devices for securing fasteners. In particular, the present invention relates to a sleeve anchor for securing threaded fasteners in pre-drilled holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Barth Leatherman, Richard Ernst
  • Patent number: D557595
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, John P. Grimm, John Horvath
  • Patent number: D558029
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, John P. Grimm, John Horvath
  • Patent number: D558034
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ernst, John P. Grimm, John Horvath