Blocker Keeper Patents (Class 403/317)
  • Patent number: 11435776
    Abstract: A surgery table includes a patient support structure coupled to a connection assembly and a base structure coupled to the connection assembly. The connection assembly includes an arm and a locking member that engages the arm. The arm includes spaced apart first and second apertures. The locking member includes spaced apart first and second bores. A first key member and a second key member are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger P. Jackson, Lawrence Guerra, Michael Herron
  • Patent number: 10886713
    Abstract: A connection device for a cable management device and a slide rail assembly is disclosed. The slide rail assembly includes a first rail and a second rail, and the first rail and the second rail are displaceable with respect to each other. The cable management device includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm are movable with respect to each other and respectively coupled to the first rail and the second rail by two connection devices. At least one of the connection devices includes a first fitting, a second fitting and a resilient member. When the first fitting is mounted to the second fitting, a portion of the resilient member is configured to prevent the first and second fittings from being detached from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD., KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shun-Ho Yang, Wei-Chen Chang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 10626646
    Abstract: A door hinge assembly comprises a first hinge member mounted to a motor vehicle and a second hinge member mounted to the removable door assembly rotatable between a closed position and a nominal fully open position. A locking member retains the second hinge member relative the first hinge member when the removable door assembly is rotated between the closed position and the nominal fully open position. A release block and a release tab is alternatively provided on either of the first or second hinge member. The release tab is resiliently urged to a locked position when the removable door assembly is rotated between the closed position and the nominal fully open position. The release tab is displaced to an unlocked position by the release block when the removable door assembly is rotated to an extended open position, whereupon the first hinge member may be separated from the second hinge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Lizardo Amador, Aaron Anderson, Kyle Ebner
  • Patent number: 10316885
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission cable attachment device includes a body having a slot receiving a pin in a body sliding direction transverse to a pin longitudinal axis. A member has a portion displaced at least partially into the slot when the pin is received in the slot, the portion thereafter preventing release of the pin from the slot. A lock supported on the body is moved between a lock disengaged position to a lock engaged position when the pin is received in the slot. A lock-out slide is moved from a first position wherein a lock-out slide portion is received in a lock cavity in the lock disengaged position to a second position when the pin is received in the slot. The second position has the lock-out slide portion positioned outside of the lock allowing the lock to be displaced to the lock engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: DURA OPERATING, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Legault, John Sayeau
  • Patent number: 10184219
    Abstract: An example barrier connection system comprises at least one pair of connectors, each connector including a mounting section for attachment to a barrier, the mounting section having inner and outer faces, and first and second connector elements at respective sides of the mounting section. In one example, the first connector element comprises an inwardly extending flange that is spaced from the inner face of the mounting section to at least partially define a recess there between. The second connector element comprises an outwardly extending flange. The inwardly and outwardly extending flanges are dimensioned and orientated such that, in use, the outwardly extending flange of each connector is receivable within the recess of the other connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SAFEROADS PTY LTD
    Inventor: Casey McMaster
  • Patent number: 10094277
    Abstract: A method for assembling and disassembling a module of gas turbine engine is provided, along with a gas turbine engine configured for modular assembly/disassembly. The engine includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft connects a compressor section and a first turbine section. The second shaft is connected to the second turbine section. The first and second shafts are rotatable about the engine rotational axis. The second shaft and the second turbine section together form a module that can be assembled, or disassembled, or both from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Hanrahan
  • Patent number: 10076185
    Abstract: Example furniture kits and methods of making the same are described. An example method includes coupling a first block of a connector to a rear wall of a disassembled piece of furniture, the first block having a first groove, and coupling a second block of the connector to a side wall of the piece of the furniture, the second block having a second groove. One of the first block or the second block includes an extension and the other of the first block or the second block includes an opening to receive the extension when the first and second blocks are coupled. The example method also includes packaging the rear wall, the side wall and a locking cover into a furniture kit to be used to assemble the piece of furniture. The locking cover is to couple the first and second blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Bennett
  • Patent number: 9827133
    Abstract: A contouring arm and shoulder support is provided that is secured to a supporting and stabilizing belt. The support system includes a belt support and an arm support that are operably interconnected and yet easily disassociated. The arm support provides dynamic support that allows the patient to move their injured arm if needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald Louis Krenzel
  • Patent number: 9580945
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a telescoping hold open rod which is controllably lockable and unlockable for use in holding a panel such as a nacelle open to provide a user access to an opening covered by the panel. The hold open rod is useful in allowing the rod to be unlocked and telescopically collapsed. The rod can be locked into a telescopically extended position to maintain the panel in an open position relative to the opening to facilitate access to the opening without the rod telescoping closed. A retention assembly includes structures and devices to maintain the rod in an open condition although subject to compressive loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: Bo D. Artin
  • Patent number: 9422955
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to assemblies that include a first cardboard assembly member attached to a second cardboard assembly member via a connection arrangement. Some other embodiments are directed to methods for forming these assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: I.G. CARDBOARD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Izhar Gafni
  • Patent number: 9004800
    Abstract: A windshield wiper arm bracket includes a pair of side walls. Each of said side walls include at least one centrally located pin arm receiving hole formed therein. The bracket also includes a post attaching the pair of side walls together. The post is for receiving a pin arm adaptor thereon. The bracket also includes an attachment arm formed on a bottom of each of the pair of side walls. The attachment arms are for connecting the bracket to a windshield wiper assembly. An adaptor for a windshield wiper arm bracket includes a top portion and a web portion. The web portion includes a central aperture formed therein. The central aperture includes a first portion for receiving a post of the windshield wiper arm bracket and a second aperture for receiving a pin arm of a windshield wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Alberee Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Lee
  • Patent number: 8870489
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1, 1?) for the rotationally fixed connection of a drive-effective pin (3) of a gearbox to an articulated body (2) of a drive coupling of a drive shaft. In order to allow cost-effective and compact production and in order to simplify assembly and disassembly, the invention provides for the pin (3) and the articulated body (2) of the drive coupling to have respective mutually corresponding external axial toothings (11) and internal axial toothings (8) which are able to mesh with one another, and for an axial securing of the articulated body (2) and the pin (3) to be made possible by an axially displaceable bushing (12) arranged on the pin (3), which bushing (12) can be attached to a connecting portion (4) of the articulated body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: IFA-Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Langer, John Sherlock
  • Patent number: 8628267
    Abstract: An exemplary actuating mechanism includes a driving shaft and a driven shaft. The driving shaft includes a connecting end. Engaging blocks are formed on the connecting end with a clearance defined between each two neighboring engaging blocks. The driven shaft includes a pivot end. Protruding blocks are formed on the pivot end with a gap defined between each two neighboring protruding blocks. The driving shaft is connected with the driven shaft via the engaging blocks of the connecting end respectively engaged in the gaps and the protruding blocks of the pivot end respectively engaged in the clearances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shen-Chun Li, Hsien-Chuan Liang, Shou-Kuo Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130027855
    Abstract: A fastening mechanism includes a nosepiece, a rotating unit, a torsion spring and a locking unit. The nosepiece is disposed at one side of an object removably disposed in a housing. The rotating unit includes a wheel body including a peripheral wall with an outer peripheral friction surface disposed in frictional contact with a side surface of the nosepiece and a rotating disc formed with a notch. The rotating unit is operable to rotate in a releasing direction relative to the housing as biased by the torsion spring to move the object away from the housing through an opening by virtue of the frictional contact. The locking unit releasably engages the rotating disc to dispose the rotating unit at a stopped position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ping-Yu Ko
  • Patent number: 8322941
    Abstract: A connecting assembly for transmitting torque comprising a shaft journal with an outer annular groove and a hollow shaft with an inner annular groove, wherein, for torque transmitting purposes, the hollow shaft is rotationally fixed to the shaft journal and comprises at least one recess towards the outer circumferential face of the hollow shaft in a partial circumferential region of the inner annular groove. The connecting assembly also includes a radially elastically widenable axial securing ring which is positioned in the outer annular groove of the shaft journal and in the inner annular groove of the hollow shaft, wherein the axial securing ring comprises at least one outwardly projecting projection which is arranged in the at least one recess of the hollow shaft, and securing means which cover the at least one recess and prevent the axial securing ring from being radially widened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Cermak
  • Patent number: 8104988
    Abstract: Components for use in a locking connector system, such a heavy duty shackles, comprise a retainer, a body structure and pin which is axially moveable into a receiving cavity of the body structure, the body structure having a transversely directed cavity interconnecting with the cavity and have a latching shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bradken Resources Pty Limited
    Inventors: Jason Lunn, Matthew Patton, Reece Attwood
  • Patent number: 8087657
    Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a transport roller for transporting a sheet to the processing section, a driving motor for driving the transport roller, and a driving transmission mechanism. The driving transmission mechanism includes a rotary shaft, a transmission rotary member having a circular fit hole, a holder member with a press-fit hole having a curved part and a flat part, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the holder member and the transmission rotary member. The rotary shaft includes a fitting part having a circular cross section at one end side to be fitted into the circular fit hole, and a press-fit part having a curved part and a flat part press-fitted with the press-fit hole. The coupling mechanism includes a convex portion formed on a side of the transmission rotary member, and a concave portion formed on a side of the holder member press-fitted with the convex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Hamada, Fumihito Endo, Junya Nakajima, Koji Kanda
  • Publication number: 20110229256
    Abstract: Storage systems and methods of use of the same are disclosed. The storage systems are configured to be connected to wall structures and to be modular in construction, so as to be able to use a plurality of horizontally disposed hang rails and/or a plurality of vertical standards, and/or modular storage components that are received on a hang rail or a vertical standard, or that may be connected directly to a wall structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: KNAPE & VOGT MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd Ed Alan Schwartzkopf, Daniel L. Krueger, Jonathan T. Moroney, Aaron J. Schradin
  • Patent number: 8020324
    Abstract: A spacing assembly kit, for use with an implement assembly of a machine, includes a spacing element having a bore and a recess coaxial with the bore, the spacing element being positionable on an implement coupling pin to reduce an implement coupling width, and a spring clamp positionable within the recess and configured to inhibit movement of the spacing element along an implement coupling pin. An implement assembly includes an implement having a body and spaced apart pin supports, with a pin positionable within the pin supports and having an implement coupling width defined by an exposed portion of the pin. Spacing elements are positionable on the pin between the pin supports and configured to reduce the coupling width, spring clamps further being provided which are configured to inhibit movement of the spacing elements when the clamps are engaged about the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Moser, Timothy A. Gardner, Collin Spellmeier
  • Publication number: 20110027014
    Abstract: A paint gun assembly including a spray head and a connecting manifold. The spray head includes a bore terminating in a radially extending space of gradually increasing radius. The bore receives a shaft that has an axially extending bore which connects with radially extending bores in which balls are contained. The shaft also contains a plunger with a rounded end, engaging the balls. When forced into the axial bore, the plunger forces the balls into the radially extending bores and out into the tapered, radially extending space. The plunger engages a cam which is exposed at a surface of the manifold body and includes a hexagon drive to adjust the angular rotation of the cam using a suitable key. The manifold body provides a recess for receiving a retaining pin, whose end is received in the cam guide profile. Axial movement of the cam is resisted by a compression spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: John Anthony Rogers, David Simon Schofield
  • Publication number: 20100254754
    Abstract: A retaining ring for a constant velocity joint includes an annular, C-shaped retainer body that tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal axis from a first end opening and a first end to a second end opening and a second end, the retainer body comprising a first retainer leg and an opposed second retainer leg, the first retainer leg and the second retainer leg joined together on a proximal end and separated on respective distal ends by a gap. It also includes an axially extending annular rib disposed on the first end of the retainer body. It further includes a relief feature formed on the second end of the first retainer leg and a relief feature formed on the second end of the second leg, the relief feature on the first retainer leg and the relief feature on the second retainer leg disposed closer to the proximal end than the distal ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: MATTHEW A. BERUBE, KEITH A. KOZLOWSKI, JORGE FLORES-GARAY
  • Patent number: 7762117
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a crimp die holder. The crimp die holder includes a main body portion, a pin, and a spring. The main body portion includes a first recess, a second recess, and an opening. The first recess extends from a first side of the main body portion to a middle section of the main body portion. The second recess extends from a second side of the main body portion to the middle section. The opening extends from a third side of the main body portion and through a section of the second recess. The pin is disposed within the opening. The pin includes a first portion along a length of the pin. The first portion of the pin is configured to engage with a portion of a crimp die at the section of the second recess. The spring is between the main body portion and the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Burndy Technology LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Faucher, Mark A. Chiasson
  • Publication number: 20090148230
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for locking, with respect to rotation and translation, the engagement of a first shaft (2) with a second shaft (3), said first shaft being disposed in an axial bore (4) in said second shaft, said system comprising a locking device (5) movable between a locking position and a release position, the first shaft (2) having an end part (21) comprising two walls (22) inclined towards each other in a transverse direction, the axial bore (4) comprising two corresponding walls (23) opposite these, the change to the locking position of the locking device (5) causing a transverse movement of the end part (21) so as to put the inclined walls (22) in abutment against the corresponding walls (23) of the axial bore (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Andre Laisement, Vincent Emery, Pascal Millet
  • Patent number: 7540140
    Abstract: An improved shackle assembly is disclosed that provides a bow having specially configured receptacle on one end portion that interlocks with a specially configured pin assembly. The pin assembly has locking members or lugs that move between locking and releasing positions. The locking lugs can be moved to a locking position or unlocked using a rotating end portion of the shaft opposite the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventors: Carroll Diaz, Derrick Prentice
  • Patent number: 7293763
    Abstract: A retaining keeper assembly for a hoisting device. A shank has a plurality of circumferential grooves perpendicular to an axis of the shank. A thrust bearing surrounds the shank and is supported by the hoisting device. A split retaining collar having a plurality of interior circular protrusions mates with the circumferential grooves in the shank to prevent axial movement of the shank. A cylindrical retaining keeper ring having an open top and an open bottom encloses the assembled retaining collar, the keeper ring having an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the retaining collar. A pair of retaining rings surround the split retaining collar above and below the keeper ring to trap the keeper ring in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Crosby Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest E. Lutter, Alan C. Doughty, Paul A. Boeckman
  • Patent number: 7210540
    Abstract: A securing arrangement for a tool (7) of an agricultural tillage implement of a type having a tapered interconnection between a socket (5) on the tool and an adaptor piece (3) adapted for mounting onto a tine (1) of the tillage implement. The adaptor piece (3) has a recess (9) which can be an aperture or a pair of transverse arcuate slots (31) for receiving a retaining pin(11). The socket (5) on the tool has notches (15) on its opposed sides and a portion (13) on the retaining pin in use engages into at least one of the notches (15) to prevent disengagement of the socket (5) from the adaptor piece (3). The adaptor piece can be integral with the tine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Osmundson Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Graeme Stanley Ward, Thomas George Chapman
  • Patent number: 7144183
    Abstract: A locking assembly has two members which are moveable into coupling engagement with one another. The two members have lock engaging walls, and one of the members has an opening between the lock engaging walls for receiving a lock. The lock comprises a lock body and a retainer. The lock body has a channel for receiving a portion of the retainer. An end of the retainer extends underneath a retainer engaging wall, thus resisting movement of the lock out of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron B. Lian, Christopher M. Carpenter, Emory D. Hungerford, deceased, Lorraine R. Hungerford, legal representative, Ray J. Morris
  • Patent number: 7128494
    Abstract: An integrally formed caster socket is provided in a tubular framing member for a merchandising display or the like. The framing member has aligned stem receiving holes with the upper hole being on an outwardly domed frusto-conical shaped area and the lower hole is on an inwardly dimpled area of the lower frame wall. The socket configurations can be formed with simultaneous stamping or punching operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Midway Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Lucht
  • Patent number: 7125195
    Abstract: Locking bracket for a slider in a dovetail slot (3), where a further dovetail slot (4) is arranged perpendicularly to the first dovetail slot (3), in which a locking bracket (5) can be displaced from a position whereby the glider is locked by the locking bracket (5) to a position where the glider is free to be moved passed the locking bracket (5) and that a screw (6) captures the locking bracket (5) through a countersunk hole in the locking bracket (5), whereby the locking bracket is maintained or released by loosening the screw (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Øystein Hagen
  • Patent number: 7001098
    Abstract: A lock structure. The lock structure includes a first element, a second element, a guiding element and a fixing pin. The first element has a guide hole and a first through hole located under the guide hole. The second element is deposed under the first element and has a second through hole that is co-axially aligned with the first through hole. The guiding element rotates and is movably disposed in the guide hole. The guiding element has a third through hole aligned with the first through hole. The fixing pin is inserted through the third through hole, guide hole, first through hole and second through hole and has a first retaining portion. The first retaining portion is formed on the lower portion of the fixing pin and located under the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsueh-Cheng Lin, Jung-Huang Peng, Chin-Chen Chang, Chia-Fu Tsai, Zhen-Dao Shen
  • Patent number: 6872025
    Abstract: A toggle retainer (10) for toggle connections of conveyor pans (5) for chain scraper conveyors, guide troughs of mining machines and similar, with a locking plate (30) engaging across the locking extension (23, 24) on the toggle head (21, 22) of a toggle (20) and securing the toggle (20) in the toggle accepting pocket (9) against falling out to the side, both ends (31, 32) of which can be introduced into an insertion pocket (11, 12) in the toggle acceptor (1) and which for retention in the locking cut-outs (13, 14) of the toggle acceptor (1) have at least one aperture (37) into which the shaft (41) of a locking element (40) engaging in one of the locking cut-outs (13, 14) can be inserted. The locking plate (30) is provided with transverse borings (38, 39), one of which opens into the aperture (37) and in which a securing clamp (50) engagement can be inserted or is inserted retaining the shaft (41) by positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: DBT GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Hahn, Frank Fischer, Gerhard Merten, Ingo Pruss, Siegfried Schmidt, Jorg Wirtz
  • Patent number: 6832788
    Abstract: Engaging holes are disposed on both sides of an upper surface of a body of a manifold and are spaced from an axis of the body by a predetermined distance. A solenoid-operated valve is installed to the manifold. Shaft sections of a U-shaped connecting pin are inserted into the engaging hole of the body and another engaging hole of an adjacent manifold respectively. A connecting plate is installed to connect engaging projections which are formed at a second end of the body and a second end of the adjacent manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Masami Yoshida, Noriya Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6824325
    Abstract: A system and apparatus to couple a bracket member with a receiver member is disclosed. Embodiments may couple bracket members with receiver members, such as brackets to rails of racks, via a flexible member. The flexible member may secure a bracket member to a receiver member by fastening the bracket member to a corresponding extension or tab of the receiver member. Some embodiments may load a second portion of the flexible member such that pressure applied to the second portion can transfer the load to a first portion of the flexible member to facilitate coupling the bracket member with or decoupling the bracket member from the receiver member. In many of these embodiments, the load may transfer as a waveform along the flexible member. Further embodiments provide a lever for the second portion of the flexible member to facilitate transferring a load to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Gundlach, Jerry Lee Gunter, Dean Frederick Herring, Glenn Edward Myrto, Paul Andrew Wormsbecher
  • Publication number: 20040223806
    Abstract: A fastening device for fastening an object on a patient table comprises a horizontally extending recess provided on at least one longitudinal side of the patient table and a bracket arranged on the object to be fastened. The bracket can be engaged with this recess. The recess is designed in such a way that the bracket whose shape is suitably adapted to the recess can be inserted with minimal frictional resistance into the recess in a substantially traversal direction to the longitudinal of the extent of the recess to establish a force-fitting and/or form-fitting engagement of the bracket with the recess. For a straightforward and systematic establishment of the engagement, an upper inside wall of the recess can extend upwardly toward a back of the recess, and a portion of the bracket is adapted to substantially engage with the upper inside wall of the recess toward the back wall of the recess. The upper inside wall of the recess can have a groove adapted to engage a lug of the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Matthias Seufert
  • Publication number: 20040156675
    Abstract: A connector lock mechanism which not only can reduce the number of parts required in male and female connectors to be engaged with each other and the number of assembling steps of the connectors but also can surely detect a partially engaged condition between the male and female connectors. In a connector lock mechanism (31), there is included a connector removing mechanism (48) which is composed of a flexible elastic piece (35) formed integrally with one connector or male connector (32), and a push-out guide surface (41) formed integrally with the other connector or female connector (33) and capable of deforming the flexible elastic piece (35) elastically to thereby generate a push-out force pushing back the two connectors in their mutually removing directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6749358
    Abstract: A tooless electrical connector includes a housing having a bore with a groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with the groove establishing a shoulder between a groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A flat spring is provided and disposed in the groove for defining a spring cavity between the flat spring and the shoulder and a circular canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a circumferential groove is provided for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore and a plurality of primary radial fingers formed in the flat spring retain the coil spring in the cavity before insertion of the pin. A plurality of secondary radial fingers formed in the flat spring prevent axial movement between the housing and the pin with the coil spring within the pin groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 6739790
    Abstract: A shaft coupling assembly comprising a coupling element including a shaft receiving slot and retainer receiving aperture adjacent the shaft receiving slot; a retainer extendable through the retainer receiving aperture; and an axial shaft body configured to be inserted in the coupling element slot. A safety clip is configured to be retained on the coupling element with a first portion extending toward the shaft receiving slot. The first portion includes a retainer blocking edge and a pair of extensions. The first portion is moveable between an initial position wherein the blocking edge covers a portion of the retainer receiving aperture and a second position wherein the shaft body contacts the extensions and moves the edge such that the retainer receiving aperture is sufficiently clear to receive the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Walter Crudele
  • Patent number: 6733201
    Abstract: A plug connection with an installation securing device for cable lines comprises a sleeve with a central cylindrical cavity that is open at one end. A primary groove is open to the outer surface of the sleeve and the central cylindrical cavity. A wedge-shaped barrier that is integrally formed with the sleeve is disposed in the primary groove. A bolt is disposed in the central cylindrical cavity and it has a secondary groove that extends around its entire circumference. The secondary groove aligns with said primary groove when said bolt is fully inserted in said sleeve. A U-shaped spring is disposed in the primary groove holding the bolt in place by engaging the secondary groove via said primary groove. The U-shaped spring has hook-shaped ends that engage a wedge-shaped barrier, holding said U-shaped spring in place and thus said bolt in said sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Teleflex Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Wack, Andreas Waldow, Dirk Brucke
  • Publication number: 20040009032
    Abstract: The assembly of two parts, one of which is fixed and the other of which is removable, includes automatic locking and unlocking elements for securing the removable part to the fixed part. The unlocking elements are mounted on the removable part and are integrated inside it. The removable part has a male end adapted to be received in a complementary female end of the fixed part, snap-fastening against a resilient stop latch inside said female end. The male end is secured to a longitudinal spindle extending inside the removable part and terminated by a handle for manual actuation, thus enabling the male end to be turned in order to unlock the assembly of the two parts. The male end is returned automatically to its locking position by a return spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Pierre Rager
  • Patent number: 6676153
    Abstract: An airbag device for side protection in a motor vehicle has an inflatable airbag and a plurality of attachment elements that are anchored to the airbag module and can be inserted into a corresponding plurality of slots in a structural member of a motor vehicle in an assembly direction that is substantially parallel to a surface of the structural member of the vehicle having the slots therein. The attachment element is provided with engagement elements that extend along at least part of the edges of the slots and locking elements that hold the attachment elements in a position to engage the structural member of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefano Biglino
  • Patent number: 6672011
    Abstract: A modular command post system comprised of removable interconnecting truss elements is provided. The modular command post system is configured to provide shelter and infrastructure to support various electronic equipment used by occupants of the command post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Solipsys Corporation
    Inventors: Paul N. Garner, Lynn J. Adams, Charles P. Richards
  • Publication number: 20030223809
    Abstract: A snap ring having improved retention characteristics is configured for use inside a cylindrical cavity. The cavity includes a retention device having a retention surface forming an obtuse angle with the cavity wall. As an axial load is applied to the snap ring, it moves along the retention surface, thereby experiencing a reduction in diameter. The snap ring includes a circumferential discontinuity defined by two generally radial planar surfaces, or ring ends. The discontinuity is configured such that the ring ends will abut one another before the snap ring diameter is reduced beyond the retaining diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Nelson David Bove, Jeffrey Alan Miller, Larry Francis Traficant, Jay Robert Deller, Thomas Frederick McGill
  • Publication number: 20030219304
    Abstract: A retaining device (10) includes a shaft (12), and a fastener (30) attached to an end of the shaft. The shaft comprises a guide portion (14) at an end thereof for guiding the shaft to enter the fastener. An annular groove (16) is defined in a bottom portion of the shaft above the guide portion. The fastener is bent from a single strip of stainless steel material. The fastener is generally an equilateral triangle, and includes three straight sides (31, 32, 33). Two U-shaped resilient portions (34) are respectively formed at two junctions of the sides. A first end portion (35) extends from a free end of one of the sides. A second end portion (36) extends from a free end of another of the sides, parallel to and closely opposing the first end portion. The fastener is snappingly and securely received in the groove of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Chin-Hung Chang, Yu-Cheng Chou
  • Patent number: 6644884
    Abstract: A rotational spring clip is provided for connecting a male component to a female component. The spring clip is pivotally secured to a female component. The male component includes a male member that extends through a hole in the female component. The spring clip is then rotated to engage the male component with a structure that includes two spaced apart legs that define an open mouth. The legs of the clip are trapped between a flange formed at the outer distal end of the male member that extends through and beyond the female component. The legs of the clip are then frictionally trapped between the flange of the male member and an outer surface of the female component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Roro Frank of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Anthony Gledhill
  • Publication number: 20030156898
    Abstract: A mounting device for a control cable, including a stationary member to which a tube of the control cable is fixed, and a connector for connecting the tube to the stationary member. The stationary member has a first wall substantially parallel to an axial direction of the tube and a second wall extending from the first wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. The stationary member is provided with an opening extending over the first and second walls. The connector includes a body portion fitted into the opening on the second wall of the stationary member, and a locking portion inserted from outside into the opening on the first wall of the stationary member to be engaged therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Masazumi Miyagawa, Masakazu Akahori
  • Patent number: 6575051
    Abstract: A device for retaining a sheath of a remote control via cable has an attachment molded integrally with a support. The attachment has a base part arising from the support to delimit a housing for accommodating a fitting of the sheath, as well as a cover linked to the base part by a film hinge, in such a way that the cover is able to pivot between an opening position for the insertion of the fitting and a locking position for trapping the fitting. In the position for locking the cover, the end fitting is held in the housing, being immobilized axially and free in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Electronique
    Inventor: Louis Jean Michel Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20030053857
    Abstract: A shaft retainer particularly suitable for securing bearings on a motor shaft, the retainer having an annular core with a central opening for engaging the shaft in an interference fit, and a plurality of equally spaced biasing elements about the periphery of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Anderson, Kent D. Homfeldt
  • Patent number: 6524012
    Abstract: An assembly of an outer race of a constant velocity joint and part of a motor vehicle wheel bearing, wherein the outer race has a first bore and an internal groove in the bore, the bearing part and the race being held in assembled position by a spring ring engaged in the groove and in an external groove of the bearing part which has a second bore with an open end, the ring having, adjacent its ends, arms which extend generally radially inwardly through a slot extending radially of the second bore between an inner end open to the second bore and an outer end at the external surface of the bearing part, the slot extending axially between the external groove and an end of the bearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: GKN Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick Uchman
  • Patent number: 6508092
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical body of a device such as a cam lock is provided with a snap-in mount that enables the body to be mounted from one side of and through mounting holes formed in support panels of distinctly different thicknesses. The body has a shoulder that faces in one direction toward one side of a support panel, and carries sets of movable arms that define engagement surfaces located at different distances from the shoulder that snap outwardly after being inserted through a panel mounting hole to face toward the opposite side of the support panel. The body can be mounted on panels having three different thicknesses if three sets of arms are provided that each define engagement surfaces located at a different distance from the shoulder. More panel thicknesses can be accommodated if one or more of the sets of arms define two or more sets of engagement surfaces each located at a distinctly different distance from the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Laabs, Michael O. Misner, John J. Crocco
  • Publication number: 20020159826
    Abstract: A steer axle assembly is provided. The assembly includes an axle beam that defines a boss at one end. The boss defines one bore configured to receive a kingpin. The boss further defines two additional bores that intersect the kingpin bore and that are configured to receive draw keys used to secure the kingpin within the kingpin bore. The draw keys are both disposed on an inboard side of the kingpin. The assembly further includes nuts disposed about one end of the draw keys on the same side of the axle beam. The inboard location of the draw keys and the same-side location of the nuts reduces assembly time for the steer axle assembly and securely locks the kingpin within the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: David G. Moses, Dick D. Ryan, Mark A. Davis