Plural Channels In Connector Patents (Class 403/391)
  • Patent number: 11088501
    Abstract: Die sets for crimping busses to electrical connectors are provided. The die set includes a pair of dies where one die has a guide member for aligning the dies with the electrical connector, and the other die has a one or more indentors for impacting the electrical connector. The electrical connectors include a guide hole that receives the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Armand Thomas Montminy
  • Patent number: 10731230
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for tanning hide to obtain leather. The general process for obtaining the intermediary wet blue stage comprises the following steps: a) a picking step with acid and salt, followed by b) a tanning step with chromium salt, followed by c) a basification step. The invention is characterized in that the bath of the pickling step comprises organic acids selected from 2-Methyl glutaric acid (MGA), ethyl succinic acid (ESA) and mixture thereof instead of the traditional strong acid, generally sulfuric acid This process requires less basification agent and enables an increase of the up-taking of the re-tanning products. This invention provides leather with improved mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TECHPOLYMERS INDUSTRIA E COMERCIO Ltda
    Inventor: Wagner Célio Ferraz Lourenço
  • Patent number: 9956009
    Abstract: A posterior cervical fixation system including an occipital plate member, a cross connector, a pair of elongated spinal rods and a plurality of polyaxial screws. The occipital plate member configured for fixing to an occipital bone comprises an aperture to receive a bone anchor member to secure the occipital plate member to the occipital bone and at least one rod clamping element dimensioned to receive at least one spinal rod. The cross connector secures the pair of elongated spinal rods to vertebral bodies. The cross connector includes a pair of collet connectors and a cross bar that is configured to secure the pair of elongated spinal rods in a desired distance. Each polyaxial screw has an anchor head associated with a fastening member. The pair of elongated spinal rods is configured to extend along the vertebral bodies between the occipital plate member and at least one of the polyaxial screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Shoshtaev
  • Patent number: 9770269
    Abstract: A spinal cross-connector comprises an elongated member, a first connector and a second connector. The first connector and the second connector are configured to receive spinal rods and adaptable to directly attach with pedicle screws. The first connector includes a first collet head, a first clamp and a first locking means. The second connector includes a second collet head, a second clamp and a second locking mans. The first locking means is configured to tighten over a first collet head and engage with the first connector. Similarly, the second locking means is configured to tighten over a second collet head and engage with the second connector. The engagement of the first locking means with the first connector and the second locking means with the second connector locks the spinal cross-connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Shoshtaev
  • Patent number: 9771960
    Abstract: A connection arrangement (10) comprising at least two bodies (11a, 11b), in particular at least two bodies of components of a mechanical automation group of movements, to be connected to each other and a constraining group (12) of these two bodies (11a, 11b) removably to each other, wherein each of the two bodies comprises a mutual rest surface (13a, 13b) for resting on each other and a coupling profile (14a, 15a, 14b, 15b) with the constraining group (12) defined in correspondence of at least two opposite perimetric portions of the respective mutual rest surface (13a, 13b), and wherein the constraining group (12) comprises at least one pair of tightening clamps (17, 18) which are engageable with the coupling profiles (14a, 15a, 14b, 15b) and which are removably connectable together by at least one connecting member (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: METAL WORKS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Corrado Tamiozzo
  • Patent number: 9474551
    Abstract: The current request reports an external fixation device to stabilize bone fractures with adaptable configuration during different stages of surgery or during treatment, through the generation of six degrees of freedom among the bone fragments. The device comprises numerous press-connector means, numerous cylindrical bars, numerous osteosynthesis screws and optionally from one to several rigid rings and one or more extension elements that permit generating diverse stable configurations to treat bone fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE
    Inventors: Arlex Leyton Virgen, Andres Machado Caicedo, Jaime Jose Garcia Alvarez
  • Patent number: 9143852
    Abstract: A stateless cord management device for storage and deployment of a cord, cable, or wire comprises a body having a sidewall with oppositely disposed open ends. A channel is at least partially defined by the sidewall and disposed therethrough between the oppositely disposed open ends. An access opening extends longitudinally along and through the sidewall between the oppositely disposed open ends of the sidewall. The access opening is at least partially defined by cooperatively disposed and abutting free ends of the sidewall, the free ends being at least partially separable from one another permitting access into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: Cal T Demier
  • Patent number: 9101406
    Abstract: A bone fixing system useful for holding bone in position, and a method for installing the same are disclosed. The ends of a conformable ligature are passed around bones, bone grafts, tendons, plates, rods, fasteners, or other anatomical or implanted structures, and the like to form a loop extending from a first portion of a body. The ends of the conformable ligature are passed through the body and extend out a second portion of the body. The ends may be attached to a tensioning tool and a selected tension may be applied. A closure member may engage an engagement portion of the body to create a friction force to hold the conformable ligature in place without significant movement relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventor: Karl Pierre Belliard
  • Patent number: 8919070
    Abstract: A spacer for retaining a cladding element on a building element in a spaced apart relationship has a constant cross-section in its longitudinal direction. The spacer is an at least substantially hollow structure having at least one external wall enclosing an interior space. At least one fastener insertion path extends through the interior space. The fastener insertion path is capable of holding a fastener disposed therein prior to mounting the spacer and cladding element on the building element. The spacer preferably comprises planar surfaces on opposite sides thereof that are configured to abut the cladding element and the building element, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Technoform Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Moses, Sebastian Ossadnik, Thomas Orth, Viktor Maranditsch, Ferdinand Bebber, Thorsten Poehlmann, Björn Hubrich
  • Patent number: 8393821
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a clamping device for locking two elements, e.g. rotatable shafts, having a substantially circular cross-section. The clamping device comprises a central holding part having two partly curved sections being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold the elements, which curved sections are inversely curved. Further, the clamping device comprises an upper holding part having a partly curved section arranged being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold a first element and a lower holding part having a partly curved section being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold a second element. The central, upper and lower holding parts are adapted to co-operate to lock the elements when pressed together by means of a tightening element. The curved sections are inversely curved in relation to each other and form together with the substantially rectangular section a substantially S-shaped central part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Elekta AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Kristian Wiberg, Per Carlsson
  • Patent number: 8251135
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing device (8) for a expansion valve (4) of a motor vehicle air-conditioning system (1), said expansion valve (4) being connected to two lines (5, 6). The two lines (5, 6) are positioned in relation to each other by means of a line positioning element (7) which is embodied as a sheet metal stamped part, said line positioning element comprising two slits which are used to receive the lines. The expansion valve (4) can be arranged on the housing (2), with the aid of the line positioning element (7), and can be fixed in an at least rotationally fixed manner, wherein one part of the motor vehicle air-conditioning system (1) is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Frape Behr S.A.
    Inventors: Francesc Santanach, Jorge Guzman, José Cremades Blasco
  • Patent number: 7708491
    Abstract: The invention concerns a splice bar for connecting two abutting sections of said cable tray, each cable tray section comprising longitudinal warp yarns and transverse weft yarns connecting the warp yarns. It comprises: an elongated central part (2) having two transverse support zones (18), designed each to receive one weft yarn; two anvil lugs (4) connected to the central part (2) on the same side thereof and arranged on either side of the transverse support zones (18); and two locking lugs (6) connected to the central part (2) on the side opposite to the anvil lugs (4) and arranged on either side of the transverse support zones (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: I.C.M. Group
    Inventors: Stephane Quertelet, Thomas Pareux
  • Patent number: 7707697
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved splicing nut of the type having a threaded nut portion and a core that is capable of being threaded into the nut portion, the nut portion and the core cooperating to receive and firmly retain a line therein. In the first embodiment of the invention, a visualization port is included in the core for providing visual access to at least a portion of the area between the nut portion and the core so that a user may quickly ascertain by looking through the visualization port whether or not a line is fully engaged with the splicing nut. Additional provision is made to cause the line to be compressed when the core is threaded into the nut portion and tightened. As a result, line slippage within the splicing nut is prevented. The invention further includes a fastening portion of the core that is exposed when the nut portion is firmly tightened onto the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Brennan
  • Patent number: 7611460
    Abstract: An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp. The assembly includes a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end. A support arm having an end portion with a substantially complimentary configuration to the surface defining the cavity is positionable within the cavity. A retaining mechanism is disposed about the main body and in communication with the end portion where the retaining mechanism retains the end portion within the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Corporation
    Inventor: Walter J. Dobrovolny
  • Patent number: 7562855
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism is provided for supporting a plurality of tools for use in a folder gluer machine. The clamping mechanism includes first and second clamps. Each clamp defines a corresponding clamping cavity for receiving a tool therein. Each clamp is movable between a release position wherein the clamping cavity has a first configuration and a clamping position wherein the clamping cavity has a second configuration. A clamping structure is operatively connected to the first and second clamps. The clamping structure sequentially moves the first and second clamps to their clamping positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Blanking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Oetlinger
  • Patent number: 7491008
    Abstract: An insert for an external fixation has two jaws for clamping a rod-shaped element. The insert includes a locking element and is an angled piece having two free ends, with at least one engagement edge for engagement into the rod-shaped element being provided at its one free end. The insert has a recess or bore for engagement with a locking shaft of the clamp provided at the free end thereof that lies opposite to the free end having the rod engagement edge. The insert is angled so that it may extend through a passageway in one of the jaws and into a cavity formed in the jaw for receiving the rod. The insert rod engaging edges are tapered to bite into the rod to prevent its movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma S.A.
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Vinzenz Burgherr, Damian Fankhauser
  • Patent number: 7401753
    Abstract: The invention recites an exhaust pipe clamp for clamping at least two pipes. The clamp includes a band formed to at least partially surround each of the two pipes, the band defining an internal volume. A reaction block is interconnected with the band and disposed substantially within the internal volume. The exhaust clamp also includes a clamping member operable to reduce the internal volume of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Bozmoski, Brian Campbell
  • Patent number: 7325997
    Abstract: System for connecting profile elements includes a separate clamping element having a clamping plate and at least one protrusion and a separate locking element having a base plate and at least one protrusion. In an assembled state, the locking element butts against that side of the profile elements located opposite the clamping element, such that protrusions of the locking element and of the clamping element are directed toward one another. A device is utilizes to clamp the clamping element and the locking element together such that, in the assembled state, the profile elements are clamped in between the clamping element and the locking element. The device being guided centrally between the profile elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Norbert Basler
  • Patent number: 7125379
    Abstract: An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp. The assembly includes a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end. A support arm having an end portion with a substantially complimentary configuration to the surface defining the cavity is positionable within the cavity. A retaining mechanism is disposed about the main body and in communication with the end portion where the retaining mechanism retains the end portion within the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Bjork, Todd W. Sharratt, Christopher Lee Berg, Walter J. Dobrovolny
  • Patent number: 7125380
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus of this invention provide instrumentation for clamping and securing instruments to support members. Specific embodiments of the invention are particularly useful as devices and methods for use during surgical procedures, such as implantation procedures to properly implant a prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventor: David Yager
  • Patent number: 7090427
    Abstract: A clamp for connecting together a set of structural bars having a body defining at least one pair of prismatic guides for positioning one of the bars within the clamp and a locking mechanism for securing the bars inside the guides. The body is defined by four sheet metal plates arranged parallel and facing each other in pairs of two, each pair of two arranged perpendicular to the other such that each pair is connected to the other collectively along four parallel edges of the body. The prismatic guides are each defined by a pair of aligned seats formed along respective sides of each pair of facing plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Petratto S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Petratto
  • Patent number: 6929275
    Abstract: A person transport wheelchair has a frame assembly with tubular members attached to connectors supporting a seat, a back rest, and a foot rest. A pair of wheels rotatably mounted on an axle secured to the frame assembly movably support the wheelchair on a surface. The connectors have joined parallel tubes and a flange on one tube. The tubular members have ends telescoped into the tubes. The flanges support the seat, back rest and foot rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Kurt Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Phillip E. Schlangen
  • Patent number: 6655105
    Abstract: A weldless stirrup spacer for manual installation, without a tool, on the concentric or parallel inner and outer reinforcement wire cages of reinforced concrete pipe or other concrete structures so as to position and maintain the cages at the required spaced-apart location. The spacer is formed as a unitary resilient wire member having a pigtail-shaped hook end at one end of a central spanning portion and a fastening end portion at the other end of the spanning portion. When installed, the pigtail-shaped hook end encircles a main reinforcement wire of the inner reinforcement cage, and the fastening end portion resiliently captures an opposed main reinforcement wire of the outer reinforcement cage. The fastening end portion includes a rounded loop portion which extends beyond the outer cage to contact the adjacent mold wall and space the outer reinforcement cage at the appropriate concrete-cover distance from the mold surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Richard A. Swenson
  • Patent number: 6616399
    Abstract: An improved gripping arm assembly including a two-piece gripper arm body construction which includes an arm clamp having alignment pins, and an arm main body with corresponding alignment holes for receiving the clamp pins, and a means for securably attaching the main body with the clamp. This two-piece gripper arm construction is simpler to remove than one-piece standard gripper arms. To replace a broken gripper arm with a new gripper arm only requires unscrewing fasteners holding the two-piece old gripper arm together allowing detachment of the broken gripper arm from the shaft, and clamping the two pieces of the new gripper arm together around the shafts and securing the screws and re-clipping an operating rod. The two-piece construction eliminates the need to remove a shaft from the machine or other gripper arms from the shaft when repairing or replacing one gripper arm or replacing or repairing a shaft having gripper arms mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6601866
    Abstract: A wheelchair clamp connects together a pair of wheelchairs situated side by side so that one attendant can move two wheelchair patients at the same time. The clamp member is a U-shaped member or an E-shaped member with end portions that project from the ends of a cross bar. These end portions extend into the tubular handles of the two wheelchairs. A clamp bar is fastened down by a hand wheel with a threaded post that passes through the clamp bar into a central portion of the clamp member. The cross bar can have a rubbery coating to facilitate gripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Henry J. Dobies
  • Patent number: 6536982
    Abstract: A cable clamp includes at least two elements which, preferably are interference-fittable together by way of male and female members. The cable clamp may also have on one or more of the elements, a ratchet mechanism on a surface which abuts against the face of a second cable clamp positioned against the first cable clamp. The ratchet mechanism allows the first and second cable clamps to be positioned relative to one another in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alan Dick & Company Limited
    Inventors: Peter Gibbons, Chris Manning
  • Patent number: 6494639
    Abstract: A primary connector useful for attaching a pre-cast element to a structure includes a receiver member and an attachment member. The receiver member includes a base plate and an acceptor disposed in substantially normal relation to the base plate. The attachment member is a separate plate having a front surface and a back surface with a plurality of anchors extending outwardly from the back surface and a plurality of keyhole slots formed through the plate with each of the slots be accessible from the plate's front surface so that the attachment member may be joined to the receiver member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Universal Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Cliff Friend
  • Patent number: 6454487
    Abstract: A device for fastening elements to at least one first grating composed of wires, the device has at two essentially flat elements which are connectable to each other and clampable around the wires of the at least first grating, the elements having at least one side with side edges and ribs provided along the side edges of the at least one side of the elements and leaving corner regions of the side edges open, the ribs having sides, the sides of the ribs and the sides of the elements being placeable at least partially against the wires of the at least first grating, the at least one side of the at least one having a first raised area with a surface area that is smaller than a surface area of the at least one element, the first raised area being provided with a second raised area with a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of the first raised area, the second raised area having sides, the sides of the second raised area and the surface area of the first raised area being arranged to rest at least p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Buenning, Johannes Koban, Michael Koeck, Armin Breitenbuecher
  • Patent number: 6435565
    Abstract: A band clamp is provided making a joint in each of two pairs of closely spaced pipes wherein the pipes in each pair are aligned with each other. The clamp has a single closed loop clamp band for connecting adjoining ends of the first pair to make a sealed joint and connecting the adjoining ends of the second pair of pipes to make a sealed joint. The clamp band encircles both pairs of pipes and overlaps a portion of the adjoining ends of both pairs of pipes. The closed loop of the clamp band has oppositely disposed concave lobe portions spanning the gap between the pipes and a clamping mechanism is provided for drawing the lobe portions toward each other for tightening the band around the adjoining ends of the pipes to provide a mechanical connection and a sealed joint in each pair of pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: BKS Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Potts, Michael E. Amedure
  • Patent number: 6431794
    Abstract: A dock support bracket has a central clamp of general C shape having an internal channel and opposing first and second side arms. The bracket has a clamping screw and a first beam mounting base on the first side arm and has an abutment and a second beam mounting base on the second side arm. The second beam mounting base is angular to the second side arm and to the first beam mounting base. Dock section beams can be mounted on the respective mounting bases of the bracket to form a dock. A dock support post can be received within the channel of the clamp, and pressed by the clamping screw of the first side arm against slippage on the post. Docks formed using the bracket have minimal or no side projecting hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Michael J. Zweber
  • Patent number: 6428192
    Abstract: An adjustable front lamp assembled between a tube and a handlebar of a bicycle. The lamp has a stem having a chamber defined therein, and a battery seat received in the chamber. A cover is provided on a top of the stem and has a bar laterally formed on an inner face of a front end thereof. A lamp seat is movably assembled on the front end of the stem. The lamp seat includes an upper housing and a lower housing, and has a lamp switch provided therein and electrically connected with the battery seat. The upper housing has a tongue extending between the cover and the stem, and a lamp button provided at a top face thereof and engaged with the lamp switch. An illuminating member is assembled in the lamp seat and electrically connected with the lamp switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Pao-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 6408492
    Abstract: The holder is a resilient arcuate clip of a size to fit on the handle section of a fishing rod. Outstanding therefrom is a series of resilient arcuate clips of different sizes to grip the smaller rod sections, whereby all the rod sections are held close together in side-by-side relation in a compact bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald V. Sparks, Sharon Lee Sparks
  • Patent number: 6394694
    Abstract: A connection clamp is disclosed, in particular for handlebar and front mounting units of bicycles and the like, which has features including two separate clamping points for the handlebar and the front mounting; only one clamping screw for both clamping points; at least one clamping screw is provided which is adjustable in at least two positions, at least one opening position and at least one clamping position; raised portions are provided on both sides of the bore of the handlebar receptacle; recesses are provided both in the region of the screw bore and in the region between the bores for receiving the handlebar and the front mounting; slots are provided between respective first and second portions of each of the clamping points, and the widths of these slots in an opening position is greater than the widths of these slots in a clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Jo Klieber GmbH
    Inventor: Jochen Klieber
  • Patent number: 6343891
    Abstract: A twisted bicycle stem includes first and second substantially identical helically twisted clamping members fastened together using four threaded fasteners received in four corresponding threaded apertures. The assembled twisted stem defines a vertical cylindrical receiving aperture and an opposing substantially horizontal cylindrical receiving aperture having a central axis offset by 90° with respect to the central axis of vertical receiving aperture. The two helically twisted clamping members each comprise one-half of the finished stem structure for receiving the substantially horizontal handlebar and the substantially vertical steerer tube. First and second helically twisted clamping members are preferably manufactured of an engineering plastic, preferably reinforced with a 50% glass fiber fill or carbon fiber fill using high tensile strength filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Trevor L. Combs
  • Patent number: 6303861
    Abstract: A grounding connector includes a frame with upper and lower arms cantilevered from a center section to form a channel adapted to receive a section of a structural steel member. The frame has a conductor receiving region in each of the cantilevered arms, each conductor receiving region being a slot extending through the frame having a longitudinal axis aligned substantially parallel to the frame. The conductor receiving slot on one side of the frame is sized to receive a conductor of a first size and the conductor receiving slot on the other side is sized to receive a conductor of a different size. The conductor receiving regions are located so that when the upper arm and the lower arm are compressed to grip the section of the structural steel member received in the channel, the conductor is crimped to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: FCI USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel David Dobrinski, Keith Francis Mello
  • Patent number: 6277069
    Abstract: A clamping device (10) for clampingly interconnecting a first elongate element (17) and a second elongate element (15). The clamping device (10) comprises a shaft (19), and a first clamping member (21) mounted on the shaft. The first clamping member (21) has first and second clamping sections (31, 32) between which the first elongate element (17) can be slidingly received and clampingly engaged. An aperture (73) is provided in the shaft (19) adjacent the second section (32) of the first clamping member (21) to slidingly receive the second elongate member (15). A second clamping member (22) is mounted on the shaft (19) and is displaceable therealong for clamping the second elongate element (15) between the first clamping member (21) and the second clamping member (22). A cam locking mechanism (23) is operably connected to the shaft (19) for selectively moving the clamping device between clamping and non-clamping conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Pine Ridge Holding Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce Nathaniel Gray
  • Patent number: 6264396
    Abstract: A retractor support apparatus of the present invention includes a first support arm, a second support arm, and a first clamping member. The first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto. The first clamping member has a clamping bore that is adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls. The first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamp is in an open position. The first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the clamp is in clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Dobrovolny
  • Patent number: 6260241
    Abstract: A splicing nut for securing a line or rope enables quick, lightweight, secure attachment of the line or rope end to itself so as to form a loop. The loop can be used to attach to another line or an object without the use of a knot or other attachment means or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen Brennan
  • Patent number: 6148710
    Abstract: A slitter-and-hole-punch and quick change adapter combination fits a bag machine or the like for punching holes and slits in a web of film material. A hole punch and a slitter blade are unitarily formed on a base member. Left and right resilient arms extend from distal to proximal, and have free ends that project proximally of the base member. The quick adapter can be an extruded block with a T-channel formed on a lower side with a passage or gap to accommodate the hole punch and the slitter blade. The T-channel has inwardly directed flanges that create side recesses to accommodate the resilient arms of the slitter-and-hole-punch. The side recesses have cooperating hollows to receive detents of the associated resilient arm. The slitter-and-hole-punch can be slid in and out of the T-slot, and when slid in, the detents on the resilient arms keep it in position. The slitter-and-hole-punch can be changed out in a few seconds by hand. The slitter-and-hole-punch units can be color coded, e.g., for gap size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Pearl Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl T. Pottorff
  • Patent number: 6120439
    Abstract: A clamping device (10) for clampingly interconnecting a first elongate element (17) and a second elongate element (15). The clamping device (10) comprises a shaft (19), and a first clamping member (21) mounted on the shaft. The first clamping member (21) has first and second clamping sections (31, 32) between which the first elongate element (17) can be slidingly received and clampingly engaged. An aperture (73) is provided in the shaft (19) adjacent the second section (32) of the first clamping member (21) to slidingly receive the second elongate member (15). A second clamping member (22) is mounted on the shaft (19) and is displaceable therealong for clamping the second elongate element (15) between the first clamping member (21) and the second clamping member (22). A cam locking mechanism (23) is operably connected to the shaft (19) for selectively moving the clamping device between clamping and non-clamping conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Pine Ridge Holding Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce Nathaniel Gray
  • Patent number: 6116810
    Abstract: Wires (D.4 to D.9) or objects similar 10 wires are fixed in predetermined positions by a device with pairs of clamping jaws (3.4/4.4 to 3.9/4.9). The device has at least two flat jaw elements (3, 4) lying against each other and being at least restrictedly slewable against each other around a center (M) and it further has holders (20). Each of the jaw elements (3, 4) has one clamping jaw (3.4 to 3.9, 4.4 to 4.9) for each one of a plurality of fixing points arranged on a circle (K.3) around the center (M) which clamping jaws are designed for exerting tangential clamping forces directed tangentially to the circle (K.3) on wires (D.4 to D.9) fixed in the fixing points. Hereby, clockwise clamping forces are exertable with the one jaw element and counter-clockwise clamping forces are exertable with the other jaw element. By slewing the jaw elements (3, 4) against each other the pairs of jaws are opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: IPT Weinfelden AG
    Inventor: Jurg Eberle
  • Patent number: 6067767
    Abstract: In a connecting element for multiple-sided, in particular three-sided lattice girders made of fibre composite material, tubes (6, 7, 8, 9) are provided and arranged so that one of these is in the centre and the others are evenly distributed around this tube receiving or forming a central member, are held together by a fibre ring winding (12) and held apart by a disc (16) provided in the central tube (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventor: Rainer Schutze
  • Patent number: 6024024
    Abstract: An enlarged table top is secured to a supporting structure disposed under the top for supportive engagement with a floor. The supporting structure includes a beam which extends longitudinally of the top directly adjacent the underside for fixed securement thereto. The beam is defined by a pair of elongate but sidewardly spaced tubular beam members which are rigidly joined together. An upright leg structure is provided adjacent at least one end of the table and includes a pair of upright but sidewardly spaced leg members having upper ends which are disposed adjacent the ends of the beam elements. A removable bracket includes opposed bracket parts which clamp the leg members therebetween, and one of the bracket parts has cantilevered support rods which telescope into the adjacent ends of the beam members for fixed securement thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: Paolo Favaretto
  • Patent number: 6003883
    Abstract: A recreational chair converter is disclosed. The chair converter will convert a folding chair with a U shaped rear support leg from its normal use as a chair to a transport cart. The chair converter is provided with a pair of wheels mounted on an axle and has a pair of elongated segments attached to each other by means of living hinges and bolts. Each segment has two lengthwise grooves so that the pair of segments, when attached together, will form two parallel cylindrical openings which receive and hold the axle equipped with wheels and the rear support leg of a recreational chair. The pair of segments are securely attached to and are completely around the rear tubular leg of a recreational chair. There is also provided a tension strap and buckle which holds the chair securely to said pair of segments and allows the converter device to be used as a transport cart when it is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Daniel C. Brenneman
  • Patent number: 5938042
    Abstract: A screening arrangement support frame component in which a pair of complementary elongate component members have body portions and cavity defining formations. The component members are secured side by side to one another such that the body portions abut and the cavity defining formations register to form a plurality of cavities for receiving socket elements. A plurality of socket elements, each defining a socket for receiving a protrusion that secures a screening panel to the component, the socket elements being mounted in the cavities when the component members are secured to one another. The thickness of each support frame component at the locations where the body portions abut is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the socket elements mounted in the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: Manfred Franz Axel Freissle, Jacobus Van Rensburg, Peter Helmut Franz Freissle
  • Patent number: 5927890
    Abstract: A thermally released separation or disconnecting device, particularly for fire protection systems, includes two oppositely arranged joining members which are connected to each other and are subjected to a tensile force. A destructible thermal release element is held between the joining members. The joining members are constructed as stirrups with two legs each, wherein the stirrups equally absorb the tensile force. The destructible thermal release element is held between oppositely arranged legs of the stirrups and extends essentially perpendicularly of the direction of the tensile force in the locked position of the separation device. Each leg of one stirrup holding the thermal release element is connected in the locked position of the separation device to the other leg of the other stirrup in a positively engaging manner against the direction of the tensile force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: JOB Lizenz GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Eduard J. Job, Christian Schnoor, Christian Bergmann
  • Patent number: 5899627
    Abstract: A retractor support apparatus of the present invention includes a first support arm, a second support arm, and a first clamping member. The first and second support arms are each attached to a pivot ball. The first clamping member has a clamping bore that is adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls. The first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamp is in an open position. The first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the clamp is in clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Dobrovolny
  • Patent number: 5896722
    Abstract: A weldless spacer for manually connecting without a tool two reinforcement cage wires or re-bars of a concrete reinforcing structure in spaced-apart relation is a unitary resilient wire member that has an elongated spanning portion that extends between the reinforcement wires, a hook end portion at one end of the spanning portion, and a fastening end portion at the other end of the spanning portion. The hook end portion includes a detent part and a V-hook part, which are joined by a spacer loop part and capture one of the reinforcement wires. The fastening end portion includes a detent part and a J-hook part, which are joined by a spacer loop part and capture the other reinforcement wire. One or both of the spacer loops are sized to space the reinforcement wire(s) at a desired distance(s) from the adjacent concrete form wall(s) for sufficient concrete cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Richard A. Swenson
  • Patent number: 5839707
    Abstract: A trench shield stacking bracket provided for facilitating the stacking of trench shields. The trench shield stacking bracket comprises an elongate hollow body frame which defines a pair of spaced apart trench shield spreader bar engaging Wall having upper and lower portions. The trench shield spreader bar engaging walls define upwardly opening trench shield spreader bar engaging slots in the upper portions thereof. The trench shield spreader bar engaging walls define downwardly opening trench shield spreader bar engaging slots in the lower portions thereof in opposed spaced apart register with the upwardly opening trench shield spreader bar engaging slots. Means are provided to selectively retain trench shield spreader bars selectively positioned within the upper and lower spreader bar engaging slots-during trench shield stacking operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Efficiency Production, Inc.
    Inventor: Luther Bradford Barringer
  • Patent number: 5823704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device (1) by which preferably multilayer cushions inflatable by air pressure can be fixed to a structural member, e.g. for producing a light-permeable and heat-insulating ceiling. For this purpose, the holding device (1) according to the invention comprises one or several piping profiles (4, 5) for receiving a peripheral thickening (42) of the cushions (2, 3). After the peripheral thickening has been fixed, the piping profiles (4, 5) are located in one or several receiving spaces (8, 9) of the supporting profile (6). In order to secure the piping profiles (4, 5) against loss a top profile (7) is fixed to the supporting profile (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Koch Konstruktive Membranen GmbH & Co., K.G.
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Koch, Klaus-Michael Koch