For Cooperating With Aperture In Supporting Structure Or Structure-to-be-secured Patents (Class 24/458)
  • Patent number: 7333333
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink, a retention module and a clip. The retention module includes a plurality of locking portions. The clip includes a main piece, an operating piece pivotally connecting with the main piece, and a buckling piece pivotally connecting with the operating piece. The main piece includes a pressing beam resting on the heat sink and a clamping portion engaging with a corresponding locking portion of the retention module. By operating the operating piece, the heat dissipation device has two positions, at a first of which a clamping portion of the buckling piece engages with a corresponding locking portion of the retention module and the pressing beam of the main piece presses the heat sink toward the retention module; at a second of the two positions, the clamping portion of the buckling piece disengages from the retention module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang-Hui Zhao, Yi-Qiang Wu
  • Patent number: 7307842
    Abstract: The proposed heat sink assembly mounted on a heat source includes a heat sink including a base with a top surface and a plurality of fins, and a retaining device including a frame with a top, a hole with a size larger than that of the base, an elastic rod connected with the frame, extending into the hole and having and end portion protruding towards the hole and pushing the heat sink and a plurality of retaining plates extending downwards from one of the first two and the second two opposite sides. Each of the retaining plates has a barb mounting the heat sink on the heat source and making the top surface raise through the hole to a same height of the top to facilitate the heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Malico Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Liang
  • Patent number: 7301101
    Abstract: To provide a flat cable clamp which can not only prevent breakage of a hinge but also limit a bending direction of the hinge, First and second protective protrusions 36, 43 are disposed in the vicinity of both side edge surface 26, 27 of first and second thin-walled hinges 14, 15 so as to be opposed to the both side edge surfaces 26, 27 of the first and second thin-walled hinges 14, 15, respectively. The first and second hinge protective protrusions 36, 43 limit bending directions of the first and second thin-walled hinges 14, 15, on the occasion that first and second covers 12, 13 engage with a clamp main body 11 so as to clamp down a flat cable 60 between the first and second covers 12, 13 and the clamp main body 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kaoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7292444
    Abstract: A heat sink fastener includes a main body, a piercing member and a wire clip. The main body includes a pressing part for holding a heat sink in contact with a heat-generating component, an engaging part and a latching leg; the engaging part and the latching leg are disposed at opposing ends of the pressing part. The piercing member includes a piercing body extending through the engaging part of the main body and a tubular part and a hook. The wire clip includes a pivot shaft pivotally connected with the tubular part of the piercing member, a locking leg for fastening to the main body and a lever interconnecting the pivot shaft and the locking leg together, wherein the lever is rotatable to change the positional relationship between the piercing member and the engaging part of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Yong Yang, Yong-Dong Chen, Guang Yu, Shih-Hsun Wung, Chun-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 7287305
    Abstract: A clip for retaining a trim cover assembly against a foam pad of a vehicle seat including a base having a hook end and a lock end. The base also includes a flange extending out therefrom. The hook end defines a hook, which secures the trim cover assembly to the clip. The lock end includes a lock and a lock hook. The foam pad includes a pair of inner foam pad walls that define a trench, through which the clip initially passes before contacting the foam pad. The clip is inserted into the foam pad so that the lock end passes completely through the foam pad to an underlying “B” surface. The lock hook is then rotated relative to the base until the lock hook engages the flange. The clip is firmly anchored within the foam pad by the lock end, which has a width greater than the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew M. Bednarski
  • Patent number: 7283361
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink, a retention module and a clip having two clipping portions for securing the heat sink to the retention module. The heat sink includes a base for contacting with a heat generating electronic device. The base defines two flutes in two opposite sides thereof respectively. Each of the flutes is located at a middle of a corresponding one of the two opposite sides. The retention module is located around the electronic device and includes a bottom wall for supporting the heat sink. Each clipping portion is rotatablely connected to the retention module and includes a pressing portion which is rotatablely received in the flute of the base and presses the base to the bottom wall of the retention module when the clip is rotated to a position locked to the retention module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh-Kun Lee, Wan-Lin Xia, Bao-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 7280361
    Abstract: A clamping tool for securing a heat sink to a holding frame, which is disposed on top of a central processing unit (CPU), includes a support arm, a press handle, an elastic member, and an engaging arm. The support arm provides a horizontal arm member and an elastic vertical arm member being attached to an end with a lower hook end thereof engaging with a lock hole disposed at a lateral side of the holding frame. An end of the press handle has a round projection with an eccentric pivotal hole. The elastic member is a bow shaped plate being disposed under at an end of the horizontal arm member. The engaging arm has an upper end with a pivotal hole and a lower bent end and the upper end passes through the elastic member and pivotally fits with the press handle by way of a pivotal shaft passing through the pivotal hole and the eccentric pivotal hole. The lower bent end engages with another lock hole at another lateral side of the holding frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 7267361
    Abstract: A fastener for fastening an airbag assembly to a structural member of a vehicle has an abutment element with a front side and a reverse side. An expansion element is arranged on the reverse side of the abutment element and is designed so as to clamp the structural member between the abutment element and the expansion element. The expansion element can be arranged on the structural member of the vehicle in a detachable manner and from the front side can be directly or indirectly detached from the structural member with the help of unlocking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Volker Hofmann, Bernhard Schmidt, Med Merzouk, Matthias Volkmann, Joachim Verheugen
  • Patent number: 7251917
    Abstract: An arrangement for securing fabric relative to a framework comprising a framework, a groove in the framework, and a locking spline for being received into the groove in the framework whereby a fabric panel can be retained relative to the framework by an insertion of the locking spline into the groove with a portion of the fabric panel disposed between the locking spline and the groove. The framework can have an obverse side, a peripheral edge, and a reverse side and the groove can be disposed to the reverse side of the framework whereby the fabric panel can be applied to the framework with a portion of the fabric panel retained within the groove and with the fabric panel reversing over the peripheral edge of the framework and traversing at least a portion of the framework. A secondary groove can enable a retention of a secondary material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Sava Cvek
  • Patent number: 7236369
    Abstract: A heat sink retention assembly for retaining a heat sink in thermal contact with a CPU while transmitting load away from the CPU. The heat sink retention assembly includes a frame sized to receive the heat sink, the frame including opposing pin capture channels and a wire module. The wire module includes an upper handle section and a lower pivoting section. The wire module is pivotably coupled to the frame at the lower pivoting section. The wire module further includes opposing end pins, wherein each pin is moveably retained within and extends through a corresponding pin capture channel such that when the wire module is rotated with respect to the frame, the pins travel within their respective channels in order to engage the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Barina, Michael D. French, Dean F. Herring, John P. Scavuzzo, Paul A. Wormsbecher
  • Patent number: 7224587
    Abstract: A chip sandwich includes a heat sink, a retention module, a computer chip mounted in a socket on a mother board, a wave washer spring and a mounting plate. The heat sink is mounted on the retention module using cams, hooks and heat sink tabs to provide an initial orientation of the heat sink over the computer chip. To provide final contact pressure between the heat sink and the computer chip, a wave washer spring oriented beneath the computer chip and under the mother board provides an upward pressure against the bottom of the mother board, and particularly against the center of the computer chip. Thus, by the wave washer spring pushing against the center of the computer chip, secure contact pressure is provided between the heat sink and the computer chip, while minimizing the amount of pressure between the computer chip's pins and the chip socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Klaus Dittus, Timothy Samuel Farrow, Walter Adrian Goodman, Dean Frederick Herring, William Fred Martin-Otto, Rodrigo Samper, John Paul Scavuzzo
  • Patent number: 7219404
    Abstract: A retaining clip is for securing an electrical connector to be inserted through an opening formed in a panel. The retaining clip comprises a base having an aperture therethrough for receiving the free end of the electrical connector and having one or more engagement means for engaging with and holding the electrical connector. The base is shaped to contact at least a portion of the surface of the panel that it overlies. A plurality of fingers extending away from the base are displaceable to allow insertion of a mating connector and to contact the surface of the mating connector. Thus, the clip shields the surface of the mating connector with respect to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Goro Haga, David Kitt
  • Patent number: 7216891
    Abstract: A device for fastening a curtain airbag tether to a vehicle structure has a bracket provided with a slot to engage the airbag tether and with a resilient tongue to couple the bracket with the vehicle structure at an opening provided in the vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefano Biglino
  • Patent number: 7218520
    Abstract: A retainer includes a retention module surrounding a heat sink and two clip members for cooperating with the retention module to retain the heat sink. Each clip member includes a strap resting on the heat sink and a pair of legs located at opposite ends of the strap and engagable with the retention module. The legs are pivotably attached to opposite ends of the strap. Friction between the legs and the strap is capable of holding the legs at any positions between released positions at which the legs are free from the retention module and engaged positions at which the legs are engaged with the retention module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Yun Li, Hong-Bo Shi, Min Li
  • Patent number: 7213597
    Abstract: A disposable mask system for positioning a patient relative to a patient restraint board during radiation therapy includes a piece of low-melt thermoplastic material affixed to a rigid, non-thermoplastic frame. A lock-down mechanism is integrally incorporated into the rigid, non-thermoplastic frame, such that a manipulable portion of the lock-down mechanism extends upward from the surface of the rigid frame so that it is accessible by the user. An engagement member extends downward from the underside of the rigid frame such that it can engage corresponding holes in a patient restraint board, such that when the rigid frame is pushed down so that its engagement members fully engage the corresponding holes of the patient restraint board, then the thermoplastic mask system may by tightly secured to the patient restraint board by activating the lock-down mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Bionix Development Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Huttner
  • Patent number: 7200899
    Abstract: A coupling is provided between a sheet member with an edge of a thickness T, having at least one opening formed adjacent the edge, and a receiving member formed with a recess of a width W and spacers defining within the recess a groove of a width w, which meets the condition T<w<W. The recess comprises at least one projection protruding into the groove, and the groove is adapted to slidingly receive the edge of the sheet member with the projection snap-fitting into the opening, thereby providing a secure coupling between the sheet and receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Keter Plastic Ltd.
    Inventor: Sami Sagol
  • Patent number: 7190586
    Abstract: Heat sink retention assemblies and related methods are described. In one embodiment, a system comprises a base, a handle rotatably mounted on the base, and heat sink retention structure joined with the handle and moveable by the handle between an opened and a closed position effective to secure a heat sink on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John P. Franz, Thomas T. Hardt, David Deis
  • Patent number: 7188393
    Abstract: A fastener device for connecting a first component to a second component comprises a clip having a flange and a shank, and a retaining plate cooperable with the clip to embrace the first component between the flange and the retaining plate when the shank is passed through a hole in the first component and a hole in the retaining plate. When the shank is passed through a hole in the second component, first elastic engagement leaves on the shank engage an edge of that hole. Second elastic engagement leaves on the retaining plate engage portions of the first elastic engagement leaves, and the retaining plate is interposed between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kawai
  • Patent number: 7190591
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes a heat sink (10) deposited on a circuit board (100), a pair of bolts (30), and a clip (20) attached to the circuit board. The clip includes a pressing portion (22) engaging the circuit board, a first locking portion (26) and a second locking portion (28). The first locking portion defines an opening (42) and a slot (40) and the second locking portion defines a positioning groove (50). The clip further includes a clamping portion (70) linearly movably and rotatable mounted on the second locking portion. One bolt has a head engaging with the heat sink and a bead engaging with the first locking portion. The other bolt has a head engaging with the heat sink and a bead engaging with the clamping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xue-Wen Peng, Bing Chen
  • Patent number: 7178205
    Abstract: A fastener first member connects to a second member by a flexible tether. A third member having multiple deflectable wings slides onto the second member. A first member male pin extends through a third member aperture to engage second member biasing elements, joining the first, second and third members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Rosalind A Nessel, Steven M Benedetti, Jeff A Slobodecki
  • Patent number: 7178855
    Abstract: An automotive door panel fastener assembly is provided including a substrate and a doghouse structure molded thereon. The doghouse structure includes a doghouse floor, a doghouse ceiling, a first doghouse sidewall having a first forward end and a first rearward end, a second doghouse sidewall having a second forward end and a second rearward end, a doghouse endwall, and a doghouse insertion opening. A pin chamber is formed through the doghouse ceiling. An entrance slot is formed in the doghouse ceiling to provide a path from the doghouse insertion opening to the pin chamber. The entrance slot has a first slot side and a second slot side. A first flexible arm has a first fixed end and a first free end. The first flexible arm is flexible in response to an inward force and is rigid in response to an outward force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Catron, Aaron DeLong, Gerry Krause, Marko Markovic
  • Patent number: 7180746
    Abstract: A retaining device (20) for mounting a heat sink (30) to an electronic device (40) includes an unitary metal wire clip (22), a locking device (26) and a camming member (24). The clip includes a pair of spaced apart pressing beams (221), at least one latching beam (223) and a crossbeam (225). The latching beam is set at one side of the pressing beams. The crossbeam extends between the pressing beams at an opposite side thereof. The camming member is pivotably attached to the locking device and includes a cam (242) being engageable with the crossbeam. The camming member is pivotable relative to the locking device from an unlocked position to a locked position and the pressing beams force the heat sink into close contact with the electronic device when the camming member is located at the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fang-Xiang Yu, Meng-Tzu Lee, Shu-Ho Lin, Ming-Kun Cao
  • Patent number: 7167367
    Abstract: A heat sink clip has a first housing, a second housing, a sliding bolt and an actuation member. The first housing has a leg and a pressing part extends from the first housing. The second housing has ear-like pieces, and sliding grooves are located in the ear-like pieces. The sliding bolt is fixed on the leg of the first housing, and the sliding bolt slides up and down on the sliding grooves of the second housing. The actuation member includes a wrenching part which is connected to a pivotally connecting part and the pivotally connecting part is further connected to the ear-like pieces of the second housing. The sliding bolt is in contact with the actuation member. Further, the heat sink clip is latched by actuating the actuation member to contact the sliding bolt, therefore, the leg of the first housing is moved downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Jie Zhang
  • Patent number: 7163012
    Abstract: A diving snorkel assembly includes a snorkel tube and a casing. The snorkel tube includes a first portion and a second portion telescopically disposed relative to each other. The snorkel tube further includes an inner surface that defines an air passageway. The air passageway extends through the first portion and the second portion between a first end and a second end of the snorkel tube. A casing surrounds at least part of the first portion and the second portion. An interior of the casing is in fluid isolation from the air passageway. Due to the fluid isolation between the air passageway and the interior of the casing, mechanical mechanisms are sufficient to secure the casing in place such that the diving snorkel assembly may be made without the use of glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: John B. Delphia
  • Patent number: 7159283
    Abstract: A locking device for a panel is provided for a single board computer for fixing onto the chassis of an industrial personal computer. The locking device includes a handle, a locking element, a first spring, a seat and a second spring. The handle has a concave groove at the front-end thereof for receiving the locking element. The first spring is placed in an inner of the locking element for abutting against an inner portion of the handle. The pin penetrates through the seat and the handle and fixes them together. The second spring is mounted on the pin and has an end hooked to the locking element. The locking element has a pressing portion. When the pressing portion is pressed, the handle and the locking element move back together through the pin as an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nextronics Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Hao-Chun Chang, Hou-An Su, Hui-Chun Kuo
  • Patent number: 7161808
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly may be plugged into a receiving element in a printed circuit board. A retention element includes upper and lower portions. The lower portion may be plug locked onto a printed circuit board. The upper portion then telescopes into and releaseably locks in the lower portion. The upper portion may include a rod which may be rotated to free the upper portion from the lower portion for disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7152837
    Abstract: A hanger apparatus is fabricated of a strand of material that is formed into a plurality of coils of incrementally decreasing diameter to fabricate a tapered, hollow helix. A hook or other engagement means is integrally formed at one end of the helix. The helix is compressively or frictionally engaged with an opening in a selected substrate to provide a hanger assembly for receiving and holding a selected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: James Babjak
  • Patent number: 7152281
    Abstract: A fastener for connecting a first component to a second component includes a first component connecting end allowing relative movement between a first component connected thereto and the fastener during assembly and during conditions of expansion and contraction. A second component connecting end of the fastener is configured for connecting to a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Derek Scroggie
  • Patent number: 7146652
    Abstract: The present invention provides a face guard connector assembly for a sports helmet, such as a football, hockey or lacrosse helmet. The face guard includes a plurality of elongated bar members that intersect to define a grid. The connector assembly removably connects the face guard to the helmet shell. The connector assembly includes a bracket having at least one channel configured to receive a portion of the face guard. The connector assembly further includes a shock absorber assembly that distributes an impact force at the face guard to the shell in an omni-directional manner. The shock absorber assembly includes an elastomeric grommet, a bushing, and a nut, each have an opening. When aligned, the openings collectively define a passageway configured to receive a fastener that secures the connector assembly to the sports helmet. The helmet shell has opposed side portions with each side portion having a mounting aperture that receives an extent of the shock absorber assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Riddell, Inc.
    Inventors: Thad M. Ide, Nelson Kraemer, Ralph J. Infusino
  • Patent number: 7123482
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a plurality of levers that convert a lesser input force to a greater output force for support of a heatsink component coupled with an electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan Karl Barsun, Michael Wortman, Bryan D. Bolich
  • Patent number: 7120971
    Abstract: A resilient clip for engaging a structure and having a body portion (22) with a pair of top flanges (24), a pair of fastening fingers (26) and a pair of abutting coupling flanges (28). Each of the fastening fingers (26) are coupled to the body portion (22) that is coupled to an associated top flange (24). Each of the abutting flanges (26) has a concave surface, which engages the mounting structure. The fastening finger (26) portions are configured to engage a first side of a mounting flange on an interior trim component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Robert W Osterland, Jeff A Slobodecki
  • Patent number: 7117927
    Abstract: A mounting system for a heat exchanger assembly consisting of a plastic bracket secured to the heat exchanger after brazing and requires no additional fasteners. The bracket includes a pair of arms that extend over a reinforcement member and engage a core. The first arm presents a resilient finger extending in a cantilever fashion to a protrusion presenting a ramp. The ramp allows the finger to flex outward as the bracket is assembled over the reinforcement member until the ramp snaps over and engages an edge on the reinforcement member. A notch and hole on the reinforcement member align with a male post and a second section of the bracket to limit movement of the bracket relative to the heat exchanger assembly. The arms have aligned openings, to create an airway through the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Edward Kent, David A. Southwick
  • Patent number: 7115816
    Abstract: A pair of elongated, thin, flexible, plastic strips capable of being secured together linearly, around an object to be anchored, such as a bundle of wires, or pipe. One of the strips has means for securing the device to a panel such as a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas C. Barmore
  • Patent number: 7116556
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus (1) includes a locking pin (10) and an operation member (20) attaching to the locking pin. Resilient prongs (13) are formed at a first end of the locking pin. A detent (16) is formed at a periphery of the locking pin. The operation member comprises a compressing portion (21) capable of compressing the prongs radially to a predetermined compressed state when the operation member moves axially in a first direction from the second end to the first end and capable of releasing the prongs when the operation member moves axially in an opposite second direction to allow the prongs to return to their original states, and a catch (24) to engage with the detent to prevent movement of the operation member in the second direction to maintain the prongs at the predetermined compressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh-Kun Lee, Chun-Chi Chen, Liang-Hui Zhao
  • Patent number: 7114686
    Abstract: A locking clip for locking an elongate piece to a structure has a first portion forming an aperture in a first plane for receiving a rod, tube or other elongate workpiece. The first portion has a first lock portion and an attachment member. The locking clip also has a second portion having an inside surface and a free end. The second portion is connected to the first portion via a hinge for movement (i.e., movement of the second portion of the locking clip relative to the first portion) in a second plane from a closed position to an open position. The second portion also has a second lock portion and a positioning pin extending inwardly from the inside surface. The second portion is lockable in the closed position by engagement of the first and second lock portions with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory James Andrigo
  • Patent number: 7099156
    Abstract: A locking device for mounting a heat sink to a CPU mounted on a printed circuit board, includes a first locking member extending the heat sink and the circuit board and having a block for pressing the heat sink, an operating member pivotably connected to the first locking member, a second locking member extending the heat sink and the circuit board and pivotably connected to the operating member, and an actuating structure formed between the first and second locking members. The first and second locking members each includes a hook located below the circuit board. The operating member is pivotable about the first locking member to drive the second locking member to move upwardly and to cause the actuating structure to simultaneously drive the first and second locking members to move away from each other, whereby the hooks engage below the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Chi Chen, Shi-Wen Zhou, Hsieh-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 7082650
    Abstract: A snap fit mechanism has an elastic tongue provided on a base of the mechanism. On the tip of the tongue is provided an engaging claw that has an engaging inclined face. A far end of the engaging inclined face from the base is arranged so as to be located between the outside face of the elastic tongue and the centerline C in a longitudinal direction of the elastic tongue. Further, on the tip of the elastic tongue is provided an engagement-maintaining inclined face which gives an outward load to the elastic tongue on receiving an accidental load thereon so as to reduce the inward elastic deformation of the elastic tongue, thereby preventing the accidental release of the engagement of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Awakura, Kazutoshi Taniguchi, Hideaki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7073230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic clip, for the detachable connection of a trim plate to a support piece, in particular, to the door frame of a motor vehicle. The clip comprises a head piece (1) and an anchoring foot (2), which may be inserted in an opening in the support piece (4) and an upper part (3), for fixing to the trim plate (6), which may be connected to the head piece (1) in a snap-fastening manner. The head piece (1) has the form of an open cylinder, with a central recess (7), on the edge (8) of which inwardly-projecting support segments (9) are formed, in order to guarantee application of the clip, even with variations in tolerance between the fixing site on the trim plate (6) and the fixing opening (5) in the support piece (4). Furthermore, a support plate (10) is provided above the anchoring foot (2), above which a T-shaped support pin (11) extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: A. Raymond & CIE
    Inventor: Daniel Boville
  • Patent number: 7059288
    Abstract: An apparatus that may be utilized as a glow plug connector (1401) includes a retainer (1601) disposed between retainer flanges (2415), advantageously in a groove (2413). The retainer (1601) is capable of compressing to fit, for example, within a passage of a rocker carrier (820) of an internal combustion engine, and capable of subsequently expanding to prevent the connector (1401) from being dislodged from the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew D. Merrick, Franco Franchi
  • Patent number: 7059025
    Abstract: A fastener connects a first object to a second object and includes an anchor securable to the second object and configured to have a portion thereof pass through a hole in the first object. A latch is connectable to the anchor on a side of the first object opposite the second object. The latch is connectable without tools, and provides clamping force for securing the objects to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Work, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Edland
  • Patent number: 7052221
    Abstract: A fastener for attaching two panels and having aligned apertures consists of a fastener which utilizes a retainer, a through-shaft, a rubber sleeve, and an end cap. The shaft extends through the retainer and a rubber sleeve is fitted around the shaft being retained axially by cap which is attached to the end of the shaft. The pre-assembled fastener is attached to a first panel preferably by clinch-type attachment. Cam surfaces on the underside of a head of the shaft and inside the retainer cooperate such that when the head of the shaft is turned, the shaft is withdrawn from the retainer compressing the rubber sleeve between the end cap and a base of the retainer. This causes the rubber sleeve to bulge and apply a clamp load against the backside of the second panel. Thus the two panels are captured between the expanded area of the rubber sleeve and the base of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: PEM Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian G. Bentrim
  • Patent number: 7046516
    Abstract: A clip for heat sink comprises an inverted T-shaped retaining member and an L-shaped operation member pivotably connected to the retaining member. The retaining member has a detaining portion defining several openings and a connecting portion extending from the detaining portion. The operation member has a press portion for bearing against the heat sink and a holding portion for being grasped extending from the press portion. The operation member is capable of being driven to rotate from a first position to a second position to cause the detaining portion to interlock with a retention module provided on a printed circuit board, thereby securing the heat sink to an electronic element package on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh-Kun Lee, Cui-Jun Lu, Ling-Bo Cao Cao
  • Patent number: 7040647
    Abstract: A clip (12) is provided to engage and retain an aperture formed in part of an inflatable element. The clip has means (25, 26) to engage an aperture region of the inflatable element, and also means (17, 18, 19) to engage an aperture formed in a vehicle body to retain the clip in position on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Forrester Ketley & Co.
    Inventors: Yann Deligny, Paul Short, James Hinton
  • Patent number: 7036522
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated pneumatic valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in fluid communication with a source of pressurized air, an outlet port adapted to be in fluid communication with at least one active pneumatically operated device, and a pass-through port. The pass-through port is adapted to be in fluid communication with and provide a pass-through of the supply of pressurized air to the inlet port of at least one other valve assembly such that the valves are mounted in series with respect to the supply of pressurized air. A latching assembly is also provided that is supported upon the valve body and is adapted to engage and be operatively retained within an aperture in a mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Williams, Robert H. Neff
  • Patent number: 7032274
    Abstract: There is disclosed a metal fitting (100, 100a, 100b, 200) adapted to be secured to a base member (200) by at least an eyelet (102, 102a, 102b) or a rivet (222), in which the metal fitting (100, 100a, 100b, 200) includes at least an aperture (106, 106a, 106b, 214) adapted to receive at least part of the eyelet (102, 102a, 102b) or rivet (222), in which at least one tab (108, 110, 108a, 108b, 216) extends from a periphery of the aperture (106, 106a, 106b, 214) into the aperture, and the tab (108, 110, 108a, 108b, 216) is adapted to engage with a flared portion (112, 112a, 112b) of the eyelet (102, 102a, 102b) or rivet (222) to secure the metal fitting (100, 100a, 100b, 200) with the base member (200). There is also disclosed a document holder formed of such a metal fitting as attached to a base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventor: Junichi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7013537
    Abstract: The detent means for a heat sink has on each of the two ends of a pressing member a fixing engaging member and a movable engaging member, the movable engaging member is provided thereon with a foldable member. Wherein the pressing member is provided on the heat sink, the fixing engaging member extending downwards to engage protrusions on a side of a fixing seat of a microprocessor, the movable engaging member can be lowered to engage with protrusions on an opposite side of the fixing seat of the microprocessor, and the movable engaging member can be raised to a predetermined level under the action of the foldable member to thereby exert a force on the pressing member, thus the heat sink and the microprocessor at the center of the fixing seat can be press connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Glacialtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Jung-Cheng Lin, Hsin-Chang Tsai
  • Patent number: 7009844
    Abstract: A retention module firmly secures a heat sink for a computer chip. The retention module is oriented about the computer chip on a circuit board. The retention module has a rotatable wire form that has two loops. When the rotatable wire form is rotated, the two loops press against an impingement shelf on the heat sink, forcing the heat sink against the retention module and the computer chip. The two loops are angularly offset to each other, thus compensating for torsion lag between the two loops when the two loops are pressed against the impingement shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Samuel Farrow, Dean Frederick Herring, William Fred Martin-Otto
  • Patent number: 7001128
    Abstract: A fastener assembly has a two part fastener and a pin. The two part fastener interlocks with each other for mounting on a vehicle and sandwiching at least two panels therebetween. The two part fastener has an aperture extending therethrough. The pin interlocks with the two part fastener for mounting a sandwiching at least one other panel to the first two panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Kuntze
  • Patent number: 6997658
    Abstract: An alignment pin or fastener includes a radially eccentric part such that when the fastener is tightened, the eccentric part shifts radially to simultaneously align the holes of two plates in a radial direction and clamp the two plates together in an axial direction. The bi-directional fastener includes two heads at opposite ends of a shaft, wherein the two plates become sandwiched and clamped between the two heads. The shaft and the two heads remain fixed relative to each other, so turning one head turns the other. This allows the fastener to be tightened even when only one of the heads is accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: David E. Fly
  • Patent number: 6994226
    Abstract: A plastic reinforcing clip for use with a container of the type including a corrugated sleeve adapted to be removably attached to a plastic pallet or base member by the use of sliding latch members coacting with circular apertures in the lower peripheral edge portion of the sleeve. The reinforcing clip structure is formed of a single piece of molded plastic material and includes an outer annular planar portion, an inner annular planar portion, an outer cup-shaped liner portion, an inner cup-shaped liner portion, and a central hinge portion. In use, the central hinge portion is positioned under and along the lower edge of the sleeve beneath an aperture in the sleeve and the inner and outer planar portions are swung upwardly about live hinges provided between the hinge portion and the inner and outer planar portions. As the inner and outer planar portions are swung upwardly and inwardly, the cup-shaped liner portions enter the slot from the inner and outer faces of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Lyle H. Shuert