Flaccidly Or Integrally (but Not Severably) Connected Patents (Class 206/343)
  • Patent number: 11110574
    Abstract: A device for driving fastening elements into a substrate comprises a setting channel; an energy transmission element, which can be moved in a fastening direction in the setting channel, for transmitting energy to one of the fastening elements at a time; and a magazine for transporting the fastening elements to the setting channel in a transport direction. The magazine is suitable for transporting multiple rows of fastening elements at once. Additionally, a fastening element strip comprises a plurality of rows of receptacles for fastening elements aligned in a transport direction and fastening elements which are housed in the receptacles and define a fastening direction, wherein the rows of receptacles are arranged one behind the other in a transverse direction oriented perpendicular to the transport direction and perpendicular to the fastening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan Miescher, Mikko Merikoski
  • Patent number: 10704583
    Abstract: Frangible connectors can extend between and can alone couple adjacent insulator bodies together. The insulator bodies can also include counteracting frangible connectors that can be spaced from and coupled solely to a single one of the plurality of insulator bodies. The counteracting frangible connectors provide a counteracting shearing operation, which can help counteract the counterclockwise rotational movement that the frangible connectors tend to impart as they are sheared. The insulator bodies can be mounted on staples. The insulator bodies can have an upper bridge profile and the staples can have a lower crown profile opposing the upper bridge profile. The lower crown profile and the upper bridge profile can have opposite end portions that engage each other and can have central portions that are simultaneously spaced from each other to provide a central space between corresponding central portions of the insulator bridge and the staple crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Fairbanks, James Sareault, Richard Waterman
  • Patent number: 10510273
    Abstract: Plastic fastener and plastic fastener assembly. The plastic fastener assembly may be a length of continuously connected fastener stock and may include a first flexible filament having a first end and a second end, a first cross-bar disposed at the first end of the first flexible filament, and a first paddle disposed at the second end of the first flexible filament. The plastic fastener assembly may further include a second flexible filament, the second flexible filament having a first end and a second end, a second cross-bar disposed at the first end of the second flexible filament, and a second paddle disposed at the second end of the second flexible filament. The plastic fastener assembly may further include a first severable connector interconnecting the first and second paddles. The first severable connector may include a pair of generally frusto-semi-circular members joined to one another at a generally planar break region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J Burout, David L Schuttler, David S Smith
  • Patent number: 9991660
    Abstract: A die holder for organizing and storing at least one die for use with a crimping tool comprises a body including a first surface and a second surface parallel to and spaced from the first surface, and a first bore extending from the first surface toward the second surface. The first bore terminates at a location that is spaced from the second surface. The die holder further comprises a die holding pin at least partially received within the first bore and having a first portion with a first outer dimension and a second portion with a second outer dimension greater than the first outer dimension. The die holding pin is movable between a die retaining position and a die releasing position. The die holder also comprises a spring configured to bias the die holding pin from the die releasing position toward the die retaining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sean T. Kehoe
  • Patent number: 9974516
    Abstract: A needle guide assembly for inserting a needle into the body of a patient in order to access a subcutaneous target, such as a vessel, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the needle guide assembly comprises a needle guide body that is configured to at least indirectly and removably attach to an image producing device, such as an ultrasound probe. The needle guide body defines at least first and second elongate guide channels. Each guide channel defines a unique insertion angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasound probe. Further, each guide channel is configured to accept needles of differing gauges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Orome, Eric W. Lindekugel, Matthew W. Bown
  • Patent number: 9932718
    Abstract: An augerable ground anchor having: a) a shaft having a first end and a distal second end; b) an augering means affixed about said shaft adjacent to said first end; c) a ground contact plate affixed to said shaft proximate to said second end; d) a first anchor means affixed to said contact plate for securing a manufactured home sidewall strap to said ground anchor, said first anchor means being centrally positioned and having a first longitudinal axis and; e) a second anchor means for securing a stabilizing strut to said ground anchor, the second anchoring means being affixed to the contact plate outboard from the first anchor means and having a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second longitudinal axis are at a first acute angle Ø. An anchoring and stabilizing assembly is further described that further includes a stabilizing plate adjacent to and in contact with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Home Pride, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Blevins, Andy Oliphant, Claude Hammonds, Locke Jones
  • Patent number: 9789948
    Abstract: A system with attachment clips designed to fix an attachment element of an aircraft fuselage frame onto a fuselage skin and/or to stiffeners fitted onto this fuselage skin is provided. The system includes tooling elements arranged alternately with the clips such that they connect to each other, in order to reduce the fabrication time and cost of an aircraft fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Yannick Marin, Emilie Luche
  • Patent number: 9792839
    Abstract: A length of fastener stock (111) includes opposing first and second continuous side members—(113-1) and (113-2) which are coupled together by a plurality of flexible cross-links (117). Individual fasteners (121) are selectively obtained from the stock (111) by cutting or separating the side members (113-1) and (113-2) at appropriate points (i.e., midway) between the cross-links or filaments (115). Accordingly, each fastener (121) will include a first cross-bar (123-1), which has been cut from side member (113-1), and a second cross-bar (123-2), which has been cut from side member (113-2), the cross-bars (123-1) and (123-2) being interconnected by the flexible filament (115). Suitably, with respect to an axial cross-section thereof, the width W of the flexible filament (115) is greater than or equal to approximately one and a half-times the height H of the filament (115).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Cooper, Adam Dickson
  • Patent number: 9706991
    Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body is disclosed. The cartridge body may comprise a deck and a plurality of staple cavities. The cartridge body further comprises a plurality of staples removably positioned within the staple cavities, wherein each staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position. Each staple comprises a base, a first leg extending from the base, and a second leg extending from the base, wherein the first leg and the second leg define a plane. The base comprises an offset portion which is offset with respect to the plane when the staple is in the unfired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, William B. Weisenburgh, II
  • Patent number: 9527606
    Abstract: To reduce the time and cost of manufacture of an aircraft fuselage, a tool for positioning mounting clamps to attach a fuselage frame element onto a fuselage skin and/or onto stiffeners is provided. Accordingly, the tool includes a ramp and several systems for holding clamps in position distributed along the ramp, where each system includes a mobile device for applying pressure to the clamp, together with an adjustment device coupled to the mobile device such that its separation from the ramp is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Yannick Marin, Damien Guilloteau
  • Patent number: 9447807
    Abstract: A fastener (2) for securing a workpiece comprising a plurality of workpiece members, said fastener comprising a shank (4) and a radially enlarged head (6) wherein the fastener further comprises axial voids (40) and splines (18), such that when the fastener is installed into a workpiece by a mandrel, breakstem or pin, the shank of the fastener is expanded such that the crests of the splines are caused to mechanically engage with the internal walls of the fastener apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Brewer
  • Patent number: 9422962
    Abstract: A collated staple strip assembly includes first and second staples, each staple having a bight extending between first and second legs, first and second leg axes, and a bight axis. An attachment strip is secured to at least one of the first and second legs of the first staple and at least one of the first and second legs of the second staple. The attachment strip is deformable about a first axis extending along at least a portion of the height of one of the first and second staples and substantially parallel to the leg axes of one of the first and second staples to position the first and second staples such that the bight axis of the first staple is substantially alignable with the bight axis of the second staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Anthony C. Binek
  • Patent number: 9199756
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a plastic fastener from a supply of ladder-type fastener stock includes a pair of separate modules that are independently pneumatically powered by a common air source. Each module is adapted to receive and index a corresponding side rail of the fastener stock, separate a cross-bar therefrom and eject the separated cross-bar out through a sharpened needle. As a feature of the invention, the pair of modules ejects the cross-bars of the dispensed fastener in an offset relationship to minimize fastener stress. As another feature of the invention, the pair of modules is independently slidably coupled to a common mounting plate. In this manner, the spacing and angular orientation between the modules are adjustable. As another feature of the invention, the feed mechanism includes a feed pawl that selectively engages outwardly facing notches formed in the side rail to ensure accurate alignment prior to the severing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8739387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tie and a method for tying at least one object. More particularly, the tie has a strip, which includes a tip, a connecting end opposite the tip and a plurality of teeth arranged on the strip between the tip and the connecting end, and a plurality of locking members, which are connected to the connecting end of the strip. Each of the locking members includes an opening for passage of the strip therethrough and a locking tab for engaging at least one of the teeth so as to allow the strip to move through the opening of a corresponding one of the locking members only in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Dov Frishberg
  • Patent number: 8646599
    Abstract: A transport safety device (8) for a nail coil or roll (7), the roll consisting of nails (1), comprising head (2) and shank (3), which, by connecting means (5), are connected to one another longitudinal side (4) by longitudinal side, with the heads oriented in one and the same direction, so as to form an elongate band (6) rolled up into roll form, in which form the heads in one winding turn partly cover the heads in the immediately external turn, intended to be fitted to a nail driver tool (20), where the transport safety device displays a ring (9) which surrounds the outermost turn of the nail roll in the region below the nail heads (2), in which the surrounding ring (9) consists of a configurationally stable material which displays means (10) which extend in towards the center (11) of the roll closely adjacent the upper side (12) of the nail heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Isaberg Rapid AB
    Inventor: Marie Andersson
  • Patent number: 8517238
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes an elongate fastener, and a support collar mounted on the elongate fastener. The support collar is shaped such that it has profiles on opposite sides of the elongate fastener that are asymmetric with respect to each other. The asymmetry may be an asymmetry in the number, shape, position, or size of recesses on two opposite sides of the elongate fastener. A plurality of fastener assemblies may be provided as a fastener strip, in which each support collar is joined to one or two adjacent support collars in a strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Gensmann, Michael Kunz, Markus Rompel
  • Patent number: 8403139
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for retaining and installing rivets into a belt fastener includes a collated rivet strip comprising connected upper and lower strips and retaining a predetermined configuration of rivet heads therebetween. The rivet strip is used in conjunction with a guide block assembly having top and bottom portions interlocked together. The top portion contains studs aligning with the rivet heads to assist the release of the rivet head from the rivet strip, seating the rivets in pilot holes of the lower portion of the guide block assembly for further driving through the belt fastener and into the belt material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Conveyor Accessories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Willoughby Richardson, Robert Richard Jennings
  • Publication number: 20130048521
    Abstract: A transport safety device (8) for a nail coil or roll (7), the roll consisting of nails (1), comprising head (2) and shank (3), which, by connecting means (5), are connected to one another longitudinal side (4) by longitudinal side, with the heads oriented in one and the same direction, so as to form an elongate band (6) rolled up into roll form, in which form the heads in one winding turn partly cover the heads in the immediately external turn, intended to be fitted to a nail driver tool (20), where the transport safety device displays a ring (9) which surrounds the outermost turn of the nail roll in the region below the nail heads (2), in which the surrounding ring (9) consists of a configurationally stable material which displays means (10) which extend in towards the centre (11) of the roll closely adjacent the upper side (12) of the nail heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ISABERG RAPID AB
    Inventor: Marie Andersson
  • Patent number: 8347537
    Abstract: A label tag cord made of plastic material is used as a connector between the label tag and the product, or as an independent identifier. The label tag cord includes a linearly extending and pliable cord body. First and second positioning parts are configured at opposite ends of the cord body. The preset area between the first and second positioning part form an extended block area having width and thickness larger than the cord diameter. The extended block area correspondingly defines a first surface or second surface, at least one of which forms an identifying surface. The extended surface can provide text and image layout. A display unit has a surface containing protruding or concaving parts or paste area. The text and image display unit can be a trademark, pattern, or image. The label tag cord can help to produce brand value, increase advertising effect, and enhance product value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Ying-Che Huang
  • Publication number: 20120298716
    Abstract: A fastener collation includes a collation of alignment caps fitted over the pointed ends of respective fasteners for maintaining the fasteners in a parallel-spaced configuration for positioning the nosepiece of a pneumatically powered fastener-driving tool for driving a fastener, such as a nail, through an aperture in a workpiece, such as a metal channel, into an underlying workpiece, such as a wood beam. The alignment caps each include a convex tip which enables tactile placement of the nosepiece of the tool when the tip is dragged on the surface of the workpiece with the purpose of positioning the tip into the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Ricardo Segura
  • Patent number: 8256614
    Abstract: Interconnected and on-site severable deck clips with cooperating installation tool for joining two adjacent decking planks to an underlying support structure. The deck clips are interconnected and on-site severable, are attached to the underlying support structure, and engage the two adjacent decking planks so as to fasten the two adjacent decking planks to the underlying support structure without a need for nails or screws to pass through the two adjacent decking planks. The installation tool is hand-held, removably receives a number of the deck clips, and feeds the deck clips one at a time to fasten to the underlying support structure, and when a deck clip is fastened to the underlying support structure, the deck clip is severed from the other deck clips in the installation tool and a next deck clip is feed by way of the installation tool and attached to the underlying support structure to engage the two adjacent decking planks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Keven R. Wadsworth, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8240467
    Abstract: An elastic fixing element and a coherent arrangement of such elements. These elastic fixing elements are intended in particular to hold together a first and a second element, rectilinear in particular, such as a vine shoot or a branch and a metal support wire. The elastic fixing element includes a closed loop, a head, and a neck connecting this head to the closed loop. This head is extended by a top stub. The closed loop is extended by a bottom stub, which facilitates the manual fitting of the elastic element around the elements to be secured. The coherent arrangement includes at least two elastic fixing elements. These elastic elements are connected together by a first link at the position of their respective top stubs. These elastic elements are connected together by a second link at the position of their respective bottom stubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ghent-Supply
    Inventors: Frank Bosmans, Jan Bosmans
  • Patent number: 8192825
    Abstract: A low-melt plastic fastener. According to one embodiment, the low-melt plastic fastener is shaped to include a flexible filament having a first cross-bar at a first end, and a second cross-bar at a second end. The filament, the first cross-bar, and the second cross-bar may be formed from the same material and may be molded as a unitary structure. Preferably, the fastener is molded as part of a length of continuously connected ladder stock. The plastic fastener is preferably made from a formulation consisting of about 60-99%, by weight, of a low-melt polyurethane and 1-40%, by weight, of a styrene acrylonitrile. The formulation is selected so that the filament melts when heated for about 10 minutes at 130-180° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Shilale, Charles J. Burout, III
  • Patent number: 8152039
    Abstract: A recess filling apparatus forms part of, or is for use with, a tool for driving a multiplicity of fixing elements into a work surface. The apparatus utilizes a dispensing strip defining a multiplicity of chambers containing filler material, each chamber containing sufficient filler material for use with a single fixing element. The apparatus comprises means to support the dispensing strip, and means for locating a chamber that contains filler material in or adjacent to the path of a fixing element, and for advancing the dispensing strip prior to driving the next fixing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nail Seal Limited
    Inventors: Roy Searle, Jan Holland
  • Publication number: 20120048909
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes an elongate fastener, and a support collar mounted on the elongate fastener. The support collar is shaped such that it has profiles on opposite sides of the elongate fastener that are asymmetric with respect to each other. The asymmetry may be an asymmetry in the number, shape, position, or size of recesses on two opposite sides of the elongate fastener. A plurality of fastener assemblies may be provided as a fastener strip, in which each support collar is joined to one or two adjacent support collars in a strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Gensmann, Michael Kunz, Markus Rompel
  • Patent number: 8109386
    Abstract: A fastening clip bar, comprising a plurality of fastening clips arranged parallel to each other, an adhesive joining the fastening clips with each other, and at least one elastic tape extending over the fastening clips which is glued together with the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Joh. Friedrich Behrens AG
    Inventor: Burghardt Krohn
  • Patent number: 8047366
    Abstract: A connected fastener assembly is formed by fitting a shaft guide on a shaft section of each fastener, by connecting the fasteners using two connecting sheets made of a synthetic resin and disposed on upper and lower sides of the shaft guides. Since the connecting sheets have through holes thorough which the fasteners pass and connecting sections formed so as to be easy to bend or difficult to bend in the width direction, the connected fastener assembly can be formed into a straight type or a coil type. In a connected fastener assembly, shaft sections of a plurality of fasteners are connected by a connecting band formed of a thin sheet of a synthetic resin. Ring-shaped retaining sections for retaining the shaft sections are formed at constant intervals in the connecting bands. The ring-shaped retaining sections are disposed so as to be overlaid on shaft guides made of soft materials and fitted on the shaft sections. Each of the shaft guides is formed into a cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakagawa, Hiroki Yamamoto, Takamichi Hoshino, Kazuhisa Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8033394
    Abstract: A connected fastener assembly is formed by fitting a shaft guide on a shaft section of each fastener, by connecting the fasteners using two connecting sheets made of a synthetic resin and disposed on upper and lower sides of the shaft guides. Since the connecting sheets have through holes through which the fasteners pass and connecting sections formed so as to be easy to bend or difficult to bend in the width direction, the connected fastener assembly can be formed into a straight type or a coil type. In a connected fastener assembly, shaft sections of a plurality of fasteners are connected by a connecting band formed of a thin sheet of a synthetic resin. Ring-shaped retaining sections for retaining the shaft sections are formed at constant intervals in the connecting bands. The ring-shaped retaining sections are disposed so as to be overlaid on shaft guides made of soft materials and fitted on the shaft sections. Each of the shaft guides is formed into a cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakagawa, Hiroki Yamamoto, Takamichi Hoshino, Kazuhisa Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7963393
    Abstract: A connected fastener assembly is formed by fitting a shaft guide on a shaft section of each fastener, by connecting the fasteners using two connecting sheets made of a synthetic resin and disposed on upper and lower sides of the shaft guides. Since the connecting sheets have through holes thorough which the fasteners pass and connecting sections formed so as to be easy to bend or difficult to bend in the width direction, the connected fastener assembly can be formed into a straight type or a coil type. In a connected fastener assembly, shaft sections of a plurality of fasteners are connected by a connecting band formed of a thin sheet of a synthetic resin. Ring-shaped retaining sections for retaining the shaft sections are formed at constant intervals in the connecting bands. The ring-shaped retaining sections are disposed so as to be overlaid on shaft guides made of soft materials and fitted on the shaft sections. Each of the shaft guides is formed into a cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakagawa, Hiroki Yamamoto, Takamichi Hoshino, Kazuhisa Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20100326855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for feeding fasteners to a fastener driving tool, comprising the steps of determining the number (x) of fasteners required for an operation, assembling a fastener assembly comprising at least two fasteners, wherein the number of fasteners in said fastener assembly is a multiple of the number (x) of fasteners required for the operation and feeding said fastener assembly to said fastener driving tool. The invention also relates to a fastener assembly comprising at least two fasteners, wherein the number of fasteners is a multiple of the number (x). Finally, the invention relates to a fastener comprising attachment means for snap fitting said fastener to another fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ITW SVERIGE AB
    Inventor: Kristian Ostergren
  • Publication number: 20100140123
    Abstract: A magazine strip for use in a setting power tool includes a carrier strip (11) for carrying the fastening elements (20) and formed of a plurality of strip segments (12) each having a receptacle for a fastening element (20), and a corresponding plurality of pivot connections (14) provided between respective adjacent strip segments (12) for enabling a pivotal movement of the strip segments relative to each other, with pivot axes of the pivot connections extending coaxially with respective fastening elements (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Stefan Miescher, Harald Fielitz, Walter Odoni, Robert Spasov
  • Patent number: 7681730
    Abstract: A needle (51) particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners (21) of the type comprising a filament (15) having a cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) at a first end thereof, each of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) and the filament (15) including a first flat side, the first flat sides of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) being coplanar. The needle (51) includes a stem portion (53). The stem portion (53) terminates in a tip (57) at its front end and is shaped to define a longitudinal bore (59) and a longitudinal slot (61) for receiving the filament (15) and the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2). The longitudinal bore (59) has a first flat side, and the longitudinal slot (61) has a first flat side, wherein the flat sides are coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Cooper, Jeffrey A. Raymond, Charles L. Deschenes, Daniel Gilbertson
  • Publication number: 20090188822
    Abstract: A recess filling apparatus forms part of, or is for use with, a tool for driving a multiplicity of fixing elements into a work surface. The apparatus utilises a dispensing strip defining a multiplicity of chambers containing filler material, each chamber containing sufficient filler material for use with a single fixing element. The apparatus comprises means to support the dispensing strip, and means for locating a chamber that contains filler material in or adjacent to the path of a fixing element, and for advancing the dispensing strip prior to driving the next fixing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Roy Searle, Jan Holland
  • Patent number: 7530458
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to make it possible to fill connecting fasteners of various thicknesses in a single kind of fastener magazine. A connecting fastener is such that the thickness of a connecting band (13a, 13b) is increased or decreased according to the stem diameter of a screw (12a, 12b), whereby the width of the connecting fastener (11a, 11b) as seen in the direction of travel thereof is made constant, and the connecting band (13a, 13b) is brought into engagement with a longitudinal guide groove (5a) formed in the fastener passageway of the fastener magazine (5) of a screw fastening machine. This makes it possible to stably hold the connecting fasteners (11a, 11b) of various stem diameters at a given height, thus improving the versatility of the fastener magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Max Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeo Fujiyama, Junichi Tamura, Yoshihiro Kaneko, Mitsuhisa Machida, Koichi Kohama
  • Publication number: 20090114558
    Abstract: A low-melt plastic fastener. According to one embodiment, the low-melt plastic fastener is shaped to include a flexible filament having a first cross-bar at a first end, and a second cross-bar at a second end. The filament, the first cross-bar, and the second cross-bar may be formed from the same material and may be molded as a unitary structure. Preferably, the fastener is molded as part of a length of continuously connected ladder stock. The plastic fastener is preferably made from a formulation consisting of about 60-99%, by weight, of a low-melt polyurethane and 1-40%, by weight, of a styrene acrylonitrile. The formulation is selected so that the filament melts when heated for about 10 minutes at 130-180° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Shilale, Charles J. Burout, III
  • Patent number: 7458462
    Abstract: A die storing and organizing system includes a holder for storing and organizing crimp dies, the holder having a first side and a second, opposite side. The system further includes a plurality of apertures in the holder, each aperture extending from the first side to the second, opposite side; wherein each aperture is adapted to receive a die pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Carr
  • Patent number: 7207095
    Abstract: A process for forming an elongate strip defined by a plurality of adjacent but sidewardly spaced pressure caps used for securing an underlayment to a substrate. A plurality of essentially identical strip segments, each containing a plurality of substantially identical pressure caps disposed in sidewardly spaced relationship along a row, are molded of a plastics material, with the endmost cap of each strip being molded with an outwardly cantilevered securing tab. A plurality of strip segments, after removal from the mold, are positioned in adjacent end-to-end relationship and the connecting tab on the end of one strip is mechanically joined to the endmost cap associated with a second strip, with a plurality of such strips being joined in aligned end-to-end relationship to define the elongate strip, which strip can be suitably packaged as a coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: National Nail Corporation
    Inventors: Roger C. Bruins, Roger A. Vanden Berg
  • Patent number: 7108130
    Abstract: A strip includes fasteners (1), each having a shank (2) which is pointed at one end (4) and bears a head (3) at the other end. The fasteners are respectively engaged by their shanks (2) in guide and damping blocks joined together in a string (8). The strip further includes a second guide string (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Societe de Prospection et d'Inventions Techniques SPIT
    Inventors: Patrick Herelier, Roland Almeras
  • Patent number: 7021462
    Abstract: A fastener carrier assembly used to secure rows of fasteners in a workpiece using a conventional driving tool. The fastener carrier assembly includes a plurality of fasteners, an upper strip and a separate lower strip. The upper strips include a plurality of interconnected, frangible collating elements. The lower strip includes sleeves that are intended to stay with the fastener after the fastener is embedded into a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Powers Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Powers, Paul Gaudron
  • Patent number: 7014407
    Abstract: A wire nail for use with a powered nail-driving tool has a full-round head with an axis that is offset from an axis of the integrally formed shank. An outer circumferential surface of the shank is at least as offset from the shank axis in one radial direction as a circumferential surface of the head in that radial direction. Accordingly, such nails may be collated shank-to-shank in a strip of wire nails such that adjoining shanks are both parallel and touching. During manufacture of the wire nail, a notch is formed in the shank at the intersection between the shank and the head. The notch and the head axis are disposed on opposite sides of the shank axis from each other. The notch facilitates improved metal flow during the head-forming procedure and results in strong shank to head connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: John R. Crompton, Wayne Greene, George P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6991102
    Abstract: A magazine strip of tie ratchets which are provided for holding the ends of ties for binding elongated articles such as cable harnesses and are connected to one another by webs, the width of which is not greater than half the ratchet width and which are arranged adjacent to the tie entry side of the ratchets. The webs have a length of not more than 1.3 mm and/or one sixth of the ratchet dimension in the direction of the magazine strip. The width of the essentially parallel wall sections which carry the webs is expediently not greater than three quarters of the entire width of the ratchets. The thickness/width ratio of the webs should be not greater than 1/5. The invention also relates to a tool for binding cable harnesses which ensures that the webs are cut exactly in the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hellermann Tyton GmbH
    Inventor: Viktor Kurmis
  • Patent number: 6971515
    Abstract: A tool for dispensing plastic fasteners from a fastener clip, each plastic fastener in the fastener clip having a cross bar coupled to a common runner bar by a stub. The tool comprises a gun shaped casing having a front, a rear and a top. A guide groove extends down from the top for receiving the fastener clip. A hollow slotted needle is mounted in the front of the gun shaped casing, the hollow needle having an inlet opening in communication with the guide groove and an outlet opening. The hollow needle includes an anti-back and a knife edge. An ejector slide is disposed within the gun shaped casing and movable back and forth therein. A feed slide is disposed within the gun shaped casing and movable back and forth therein. A feed cam is disposed inside the casing is rotably mounted at one place onto the casing and pivotally mounted at another place onto the feed slide. The feed cam includes a front surface having a pair of outwardly extending spaced apart pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Cooper, Jeffrey A. Raymond
  • Patent number: 6880723
    Abstract: In stick-type connected nails, connecting bands are glued to two portions, that is, upper ends and lower ends of shaft portions of nails which are arranged in parallel in an equidistant manner so as to connect the nails to each other. By providing the connecting bands at two portions, that is, the upper and lower portions, when a plural sheets of connected nails are loaded in a multiple loading type nail magazine in a superposed manner, heads and distal end portions of the neighboring connecting nails are not entangled in a staggered manner. Hence, the smooth nail feeding can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Osuga, Mitsugu Takezaki
  • Patent number: 6880700
    Abstract: In stick type connected nails, connecting bands are glued to two portions, that is, upper ends and lower ends of shaft portions of nails which are arranged in parallel in an equidistant manner so as to connect the nails to each other. By providing the connecting bands at two portions, that is, the upper and lower portions, when plural sheets of connected nails are loaded in a multiple loading type nail magazine in a superposed manner, heads and distal end portions of the neighboring connecting nails are not entangled in a staggered manner. Hence, the smooth nail feeding can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Osuga, Mitsugu Takezaki
  • Patent number: 6848575
    Abstract: A plurality of fastening elements are arranged parallel to each other, each of the unit fastening elements having a filament section, an inserting head section equipped with a suitable engagement section at one end, and a socket section equipped with a hole for irreversibly passing the inserting head section located at the other end. The socket sections arranged on one connection bar, and the inserting head sections are arranged on another connection bar. The connection bars are closely arranged to each other so as to be oppositely disposed to each other with a predetermined length displaced to each other along a longitudinal direction of the bars. The filament section of each one of the unit fastening elements is formed in a curved configuration which is in fixed condition, so jamming is reduced when the operator couples the fastening element using a coupler gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignees: Kotec's Co., Ltd., Sanyo Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ueno, Akihiro Goto
  • Publication number: 20040256261
    Abstract: A nail holder strip, having a plurality of nail holders including a support base, for holding and supporting a nail, and a passage in the support base for receiving the nail. Additionally, each of the nail holders includes a stiffening stem positioned adjacent to the passage and to the support base, so as to provide additional rigidity to the strip. The plurality of nail holders are releasably attached to form the nail holder strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Gaudron
  • Patent number: 6830573
    Abstract: A surgical fastener system is disclosed. The system includes a surgical fastener, a surgical fastener holder sized and shaped to receive the surgical fastener at least partially therein, and a surgical fastener driver having a seat sized and shaped to frictionally receive a head of the surgical fastener therein. The fastener driver is constructed and arranged to selectively urge the fastener, and more particularly the fastener head, out of the seat. The surgical fastener driver thus includes an elongate body with the seat defined at an end thereof, and a drive piston disposed within the body. The drive piston has a first retracted position, and a second extended position in which at least a portion of the piston extends into the seat to urge the fastener out of the seat during usage. Also disclosed is a surgical fastener and a surgical fastener holder, respectively, for use with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Biohorizons Implant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Todd Strong, Rickey D. Hart, R. Steven Boggan, Prasad V. Nalluri
  • Patent number: 6814231
    Abstract: In a fastener driving tool, a carrier for holding a plurality of fasteners comprises a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve holding an associated fastener. Each sleeve has a body with an axis and a bore, the bore extending axially through the body and the bore being for receiving the associated fastener. A set of compressible ribs is also included within the bore of the sleeve for gripping a shank of the associated fastener so that the associated fastener is positioned substantially in the axial direction of the sleeve when the fastener is driven. Each rib has a curved portion that is concave with respect to the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Harish C. Gupta
  • Publication number: 20040045999
    Abstract: A screw alignment device for assisting engagement of a screw driving tool during a fastening operation with a screw of the type having a shank disposed between a head end and a front end, the screw tool being of the type having a shaft with a gripping formation at one end thereof for engagement with the screw head. The screw alignment device includes a screw guide having a body of generally annular configuration formed from a resilient material and having an internal capacity of generally frusto-conical configuration. There is also a tool guide spaced rearwardly from the screw guide and aligned with the cone axis. The device further includes a connector which connects the screw guide to the tool guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Alex Babij
  • Publication number: 20030231942
    Abstract: A wire nail for use with a powered nail-driving tool has a full-round head with an axis that is offset from an axis of the integrally formed shank. An outer circumferential surface of the shank is at least as offset from the shank axis in one radial direction as a circumferential surface of the head in that radial direction. Accordingly, such nails may be collated shank-to-shank in a strip of wire nails such that adjoining shanks are both parallel and touching. During manufacture of the wire nail, a notch is formed in the shank at the intersection between the shank and the head. The notch and the head axis are disposed on opposite sides of the shank axis from each other. The notch facilitates improved metal flow during the head-forming procedure and results in strong shank to head connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: John R. Crompton, Wayne Greene, George P. Smith