Made Up Of Plural Expansible Segments Or Sections Patents (Class 411/32)
  • Patent number: 11077571
    Abstract: A blade housing assembly for a power operated rotary knife including a split blade housing and an expansion sleeve assembly. The split blade housing including an annular blade support section and a mounting section extending from the blade support section. The mounting section includes a split extending through the mounting section and includes a first body portion and a second body portion on opposite sides of the split, the first body portion including a slot extending axially through the first body portion and movable between blade supporting and blade changing positions. The expansion sleeve assembly extends through the slot and includes a split sleeve changeable between first and second circumferences. The expansion sleeve assembly further including a fastener extends through the split sleeve and, when engaged with the split sleeve, maintains the split sleeve in the first circumference and secures the first body portion in the blade supporting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard J. Esarey
  • Patent number: 10695115
    Abstract: An expandable screw includes generally a shaft, a head, and a cut pattern. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis, an outer surface including a thread to engage bone, and an expandable region configurable between a first state with a first radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface and a second state having a second radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface. The cut pattern on the shaft permits at least partial nesting of a first portion of the expandable region within a second portion of the expandable region in the second state. The central lumen is closed by the abutment of a top portion of the second cut surface with the bottom portion of the first cut surface so as to form a closed structure or fluid seal preventing a bone ingrowth inside the central lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William Reimels
  • Patent number: 10221879
    Abstract: A fastener and method for mounting a connector to a panel, the fastener having an outer sleeve housing having a mount bushing portion and a locking portion with a collapsible end, and an inner pin member received in the outer sleeve housing and axially moveable therein between locked and unlocked positions. The inner pin member has a body with a head end that cooperates with the mount bushing portion of the outer sleeve housing and a locking end that cooperates with the locking portion of the outer sleeve portion. When the inner pin member is in the unlocked position, the collapsible end of the locking portion of the outer sleeve housing is allowed to collapse. When the inner pin member is in the locked position, the locking end of the inner pin member prevents collapse of the collapsible end of the locking portion of the outer sleeve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventor: Shan Mugan
  • Patent number: 10190613
    Abstract: The present invention provides a removable blind fastener 2 having a first tubular element 4 comprising an arm portion 24, 26, 28, a second tubular element 6 comprising an arm portion 30, 31, 32, and an elongate screw member 8. The elements are arranged in telescoping relationship one with the other and which fastener, when in use as a temporary fastener, is caused to secure the component parts of an airframe by causing telescoping movement of the elements towards each other when the screw member is turned in one direction and is caused to release the component parts of the airframe by causing telescoping movement of the elements away from each other when the screw member is turned in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Kwikbolt Limited
    Inventors: Jan Niklewicz, Dean Carran
  • Patent number: 9829026
    Abstract: An anchor bolt which is surely fixed to, for example, a rock wall and is easy to carry and store is provided. The anchor bolt according to the present invention has expandable devices (5) which are disposed at three locations of a rod (3). When the anchor bolt is inserted into a bore (2), a free end of an abutment part (16) of the expandable device (5) abuts an inner peripheral surface (26) of the bore (2), and expandable members (13) are held in the bore (2). In this state, when a taper member (12) is moved toward a base end of the anchor bolt along with the rod (3), an inclined surface (15) of the taper member (12) surface-contacts an inner surface (19) of the abutment part (16), and an outer peripheral surface (20) of the abutment part (16) is pressed against an inner peripheral surface 26 of the bore (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: HOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Andou, Toru Yanai
  • Patent number: 9681905
    Abstract: An expandable screw includes generally a shaft, a head, and a cut pattern. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis, an outer surface including a thread to engage bone, and an expandable region configurable between a first state with a first radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface and a second state having a second radius measured from the longitudinal axis to the outer surface. The head coupled with the shaft at a neck is configured to receive a driving instrument to insert and drive the shaft into the bone when the expandable region is in the first state. The cut pattern on the shaft permits at least partial nesting of a first portion of the expandable region within a second portion of the expandable region in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: William Reimels
  • Patent number: 9470254
    Abstract: The invention relates to the fixing of a natural ashlar panel to a substructure with an anchor having an internal thread. The invention proposes that the corresponding blind hole be drilled to residual wall thickness R and the anchor be set in a recessed position. The natural ashlar panels with the anchors can thus be transported to the building site in the form of a compact stack. At the building site, a bolt having a stop element is mounted, which stop element is supported on the anchor. At the opposite end the substructure is clamped against the stop element. In that way, the distance of the outer surface of the natural ashlar panel from the substructure is constant even in the event of varying thicknesses D of the natural ashlar panels. As a result, laborious adjustment work is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: fischerwerke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jochen Burbach
  • Patent number: 9016993
    Abstract: A grommet includes a shaft body, and a main body having a head and a leg spread by the shaft body pressed from a side of the head with elastic deformation. The shaft body includes a first contacting portion that contacts a contacted portion of the leg by pressing, and a second contacting portion located in a rear of the first contacting portion in the pressing direction, and a part of the leg is spread by the first contacting portion and then, another part of the leg is spread by further pressing the shaft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Michihiro Fukuo
  • Patent number: 8652208
    Abstract: A soft tissue fixation system, most typically applicable to orthopedic joint repairs, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee repair procedures, comprises an implant which is placeable in a tunnel disposed in a portion of bone, wherein the tunnel is defined by walls comprised of bone. A first member is deployable outwardly to engage the tunnel walls for anchoring the implant in place in the tunnel, and a second member is deployable outwardly to engage tissue material to be fixed within the tunnel. The second member also functions to move the tissue material outwardly into contact with the tunnel walls to promote tendon-bone fixation. Extra graft length is eliminated by compression of the tendon against the bone at the aperture of the femoral tunnel, which more closely replicates the native ACL and increases graft stiffness. The inventive device provides high fixation of tendon to bone and active tendon-bone compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cayenne Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin N. Baird, Derek J. Harper, Kenneth D. Montgomery, Joanne Kovalski
  • Patent number: 8602703
    Abstract: Anchor and method for use of an anchor for securing structures. The anchor of the present invention comprises a slotted sleeve disposed on a bolt. The elements of the slotted sleeve expand outwardly when a compression element on the bolt is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Rich
  • Publication number: 20130298381
    Abstract: An anchor, cable tie combination having a barrel with slatted sections for insertion into the hole, a flange positioned on a first rearward end of the barrel for setting the depth the barrel may be inserted into the hole, at least one locking buckle positioned approximate the flange having a channel and a locking pawl located within the locking buckle, an elongated strap having a stopper positioned on a first end of the strap, and wherein one or more cross-bars are formed crosswise on the strap and, wherein the second end of the strap is inserted through the second forward end of the barrel, the first rearward end of the barrel, the flange and the channel of the locking buckle, wherein the locking pawl of the channel engages the cross-bars formed on the strap, until the stopper of the strap contacts a second forward end of the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Dale Owen
  • Patent number: 8511035
    Abstract: In an anchor for the attachment to flat building components including two cover plates and an intermediate support core layer wherein the anchor comprises an expansion body and a wedge body which is inserted into the expansion body and includes an opening for inserting a mounting means, the installed anchor is disposed in an opening of the component which extends through the cover plates and the intermediate support core plate. The expansion body has spreadable engagement elements, wherein, with the anchor installed, a cylinder zone is in contact with the bore wall of the first cover plate, and a wedging zone spreads out engagement elements behind the first cover plate. A part of the anchor is additionally disposed in the second cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8469644
    Abstract: A stem fastening structure includes a cap, a bolt and a packing member. The cap abuts against a top of a stem and corresponds to a top edge of a middle hole of a front fork. The bolt passes through the cap and penetrates into the middle hole. The packing member has a loop portion for the bolt screwing therethrough. Two sides of the loop portion extend upward and diverge from the other to form two bottom cone portions. Two positioning portions respectively and vertically extend upward from the two positioning portioning. Two top cone portions respectively extend upward from the two positioning portions, and approach the other. A top of each top cone portions abuts against the cap. Thereby, when the bolt drives the loop portion to move toward the cap, the positioning portions abut against the middle hole, so that the stem is fastened to the front fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Shih-Chieh Chang
  • Publication number: 20130156525
    Abstract: A blind fastener adapter for a conventional screw-threaded nut and screw comprises a collar and a segmented ring over the collar, the ring and collar having a tapered interface wherein relative axial movement results in a change of diameter of the ring. The adapter further includes a spring adapted to bias the collar and ring into mutual engagement; the collar and ring include means to prevent substantial relative angular movement thereof. The collar is adapted for engagement by a blind side head of the screw in use, and the ring is adapted for blind side engagement of the perimeter of a hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Neil Frank Gill, Mark Gaskell, Douglas Ramsey Norris, Terry Williams
  • Patent number: 8464494
    Abstract: In an anchor for use in a construction panel which includes upper and lower cover plates, wherein the anchor includes a cylinder body, a displacement body and a cement container provided with desired rupture locations and installed in the cylinder body and the cylinder body is provided with engagement elements for extending behind the upper cover plate, the cement container includes at least two chambers separated by an intermediate wall and is provided with an upper and a lower opening each closed by a thin-walled rupturable foil, with the intermediate wall being also rupturable by the displacement member upon movement thereof into the cylinder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer, Rüdiger Walz
  • Patent number: 8449583
    Abstract: An improved fastener apparatus includes an outer sleeve which is moved into a patient's body tissue. A distal end portion of the outer sleeve is expanded in the patient's body tissue. An inner sleeve is moved axially through the outer sleeve and a distal end of the inner sleeve is expanded in the patient's body tissue. The fastener apparatus may be provided with an external thread convolution on either or both of the inner and outer sleeves. During expansion of the distal end portion of either the inner or outer sleeve, a proximal end portion of the outer sleeve may be gripped and pulled to offset forces applied to the distal end portion of one of the sleeves. Although inner and outer sleeves may advantageously be utilized, the fastener apparatus may be constructed with only a single sleeve or three or more sleeves if desired. A secondary fastener assembly may be moved through a main fastener assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Viktor E. Krebs, Wael K. Barsoum, Jonathan H. Krapf
  • Patent number: 8430616
    Abstract: A press-set threaded screw assembly includes a first member having an aperture. A second member abutting the first member includes a threaded bore co-axially aligned with the aperture. A screw body includes a body flange, a neck portion, and a threaded member. The threaded member in a non-installed condition has first and second displacement portions separated by a tapered slot, each having a main thread portion. A pin is frictionally received in a bore created through the body flange and neck portion in a screw non-installed condition. The threaded member is inserted through the aperture and received in the threaded bore in an initial installation condition. The pin is axially aligned to slide into the tapered slot, whereby the pin oppositely displaces the first and second displacement portions away from each other to contact a plurality of female threads of the threaded bore, defining an installed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph R. Wesley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8414647
    Abstract: A soft tissue fixation system, most typically applicable to orthopedic joint repairs, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee repair procedures, comprises an implant which is placeable in a tunnel disposed in a portion of bone, wherein the tunnel is defined by walls comprised of bone. A first member is deployable outwardly to engage the tunnel walls for anchoring the implant in place in the tunnel, and a second member is deployable outwardly to engage tissue material to be fixed within the tunnel. The second member also functions to move the tissue material outwardly into contact with the tunnel walls to promote tendon-bone fixation. Extra graft length is eliminated by compression of the tendon against the bone at the aperture of the femoral tunnel, which more closely replicates the native ACL and increases graft stiffness. The inventive device provides high fixation of tendon to bone and active tendon-bone compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cayenne Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin N. Baird, Derek J. Harper, Kenneth D. Montgomery, Joanne Kovalski
  • Patent number: 8387340
    Abstract: In an anchor installation in a lightweight construction panel including first and second cover plates with a support core structure disposed between the cover plates, wherein the anchor is installed in a bore so as to extend at least through the first cover plate and the support core to the second support plate, the anchor includes engagement structures for engagement with at least the first cover plate and the support core and also cement containing balloons which are crushed upon insertion of the anchor thereby releasing the cement which solidifies forming a firm connection between the anchor and the first and second cover plates and the support core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20120213607
    Abstract: An anchor apparatus for insertion into a pre-formed hole in an object of interest for permanent embedment in the hole. The apparatus includes: a screw pair having: (i) a screw with a screw head and (ii) a nut threadly interconnected therebetween; an anchor with a distal part and a proximal part to be received and anchored in the hole, the anchor comprising at least two fixing petals extendable from the outer perimeter of the distal part of the anchor; and a pushing tubular member with a distal part and a proximal part, the distal part of said tubular member adapted to expand said fixing petals of the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Amir PELED
  • Patent number: 8192490
    Abstract: A soft tissue fixation system, most typically applicable to orthopedic joint repairs, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee repair procedures, comprises an implant which is placeable in a tunnel disposed in a portion of bone, wherein the tunnel is defined by walls comprised of bone. A first member is deployable outwardly to engage the tunnel walls for anchoring the implant in place in the tunnel, and a second member is deployable outwardly to engage tissue material to be fixed within the tunnel. The second member also functions to move the tissue material outwardly into contact with the tunnel walls to promote tendon-bone fixation. Extra graft length is eliminated by compression of the tendon against the bone at the aperture of the femoral tunnel, which more closely replicates the native ACL and increases graft stiffness. The inventive device provides high fixation of tendon to bone and active tendon-bone compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Cayenne Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin N. Baird, Derek J. Harper, Joe P. Kovalski, Joanne Kovalski, legal representative, Kenneth D. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8192122
    Abstract: An anchor bolt for use in a hole in a base material is provided and includes a stud, a sleeve disposed about the stud and a retainer nut, disposed in operable communication with the stud and having a dimension measured from a central axis of the hole that is at least as large as a corresponding dimension of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Powers Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Gaudron, Jacob Olsen
  • Patent number: 8171697
    Abstract: In an anchor for use in a lightweight construction panel having upper and lower cover plates with a support core disposed therebetween, which anchor comprises a cylinder body including a cement container with rupture areas and having engagement elements which, upon insertion of a displacement body into the cylinder body, spread the engagement elements outwardly below the upper cover plate and push liquid cement out of the cement container into the areas of the upper and the lower cover plates, the displacement body is coupled to the cylinder body for rotation therewith and the cylinder body has a bottom with broaching elements for cleaning the contact area of the lower bottom plate in front of the anchor upon rotation of the displacement body during anchor installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20120087762
    Abstract: To obtain a fastener, and a structure for fastening a member to be fastened, with which a sufficiently locked state can be maintained even when the male member is pushed from the back. In the case when an external force in a direction of pulling out from a female member (14) acts on a male member (16) in a fully fastened state, the male member (16) moves in an axial direction, and a position where claw parts (34) of engaging leg pieces (28) engage moves from mounting parts (58) and (60) to contact parts (54) and (56). An engaging slot (62) is formed on the contact part (56), and the engaging slot (62) therefore engages with the claw part (34) of the engaging leg piece (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Takefumi Adachi
  • Patent number: 8142122
    Abstract: An anchoring device for insertion in a hole provided in a structure such as a wall (hollow or solid) comprises proximal and distal sections. The proximal section includes a head defining an aperture for receiving a fastener, and the distal section includes a pair of expandable wings displaceable between collapsed and expanded positions. Each wing is biased towards its expanded position such that the wings can engage the structural material delimiting the hole or a distal surface of the structure. The distal section comprises, proximally of the wings, a variable-length flexible portion for allowing the wings to engage the distal surface of the structure for various structure thicknesses. The distal section comprises, distally of the wings, a tip section adapted to spread outwardly when engaged by the fastener. The proximal section comprises a pair of legs each having a toothed rack for engaging the structural material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Fixations Cie Ltee-Cobra Anchors Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Pierre McDuff, Alexandre Pollak, Lang Nguyen, William A. Crossley
  • Patent number: 8061948
    Abstract: A device for fastening an add-on part (23) and a support part (24) at a distance from each other has a mounting nut (1) comprising an internal thread (9) of a first direction of thread, a compensating bush (5) comprising an external thread (8) that is adjusted to the internal thread (9), and a fastening screw (26), wherein its screw shaft (25) is configured having an external thread (27) of a second direction of thread opposite of the first direction of thread. The compensating bush (5) is configured having an internal sleeve (13) comprising a head section (15) having an arrangement of reinforcement zones (17) and adaptation zones (18), wherein the reinforcement zones (17) have a larger resistance than the adaptation zones (18) as opposed to an expansion directed radially outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventor: Vincent DeGelis
  • Patent number: 8046964
    Abstract: In an anchor for the attachment to construction panels including two cover plates and an intermediate support core layer wherein the anchor comprises an expansion body and a wedge body which inserted into the expansion body and includes an opening for screwing or pounding in a mounting means, the installed anchor is disposed in an opening of the panel which extends through the first cover plate and the intermediate support core plate. The expansion body has locking zones and engagement elements which are spreadable by wedge elements. With the anchor installed, a wedging zone spreads out the engagement elements of the expansion body behind the cover plate and the locking zones are interlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20110058915
    Abstract: A fastener adapted to join a first component to a second component. The fastener includes a first connecting end adapted to engage a slot opening in the first component, and a second connecting end adapted for press-fit insertion into an opening in the second component. The first connecting end includes a raised edge collar defining a concave surface facing away from the second connecting end and an opposing platform surface disposed above the raised edge collar in spaced relation to the raised edge collar with a post member extending between the raised edge collar and the opposing platform surface. The first connecting end is adapted to hold the first component in sandwiched relation between the raised edge collar and the opposing platform surface. The raised edge collar includes a segmented perimeter wall including a plurality of cut-outs defining substantially independently flexible segments between the cut-outs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Derek SCROGGIE, Robert OSTERLAND, Keith MORRIS
  • Patent number: 7879094
    Abstract: A soft tissue fixation system, most typically applicable to orthopedic joint repairs, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee repair procedures, comprises an implant which is placeable in a tunnel disposed in a portion of bone, wherein the tunnel is defined by walls comprised of bone. A first member is deployable outwardly to engage the tunnel walls for anchoring the implant in place in the tunnel, and a second member is deployable outwardly to engage tissue material to be fixed within the tunnel. The second member also functions to move the tissue material outwardly into contact with the tunnel walls to promote tendon-bone fixation. Extra graft length is eliminated by compression of the tendon against the bone at the aperture of the femoral tunnel, which more closely replicates the native ACL and increases graft stiffness. The inventive device provides high fixation of tendon to bone and active tendon-bone compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cayenne Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin N. Baird, Derek J. Harper, Joe P. Kovalski, Joanne Kovalski, legal representative, Kenneth D. Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20100272536
    Abstract: A solid masonry and hollow block fastening device that uses two expansion collars to secure a fastening thereof in varied masonry materials. In greater particularity, the two expansion collars are interconnected by a bridge of a unitary construction therewith in order to enhance the strength and holding power thereof when mounted on masonry material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stanley Kaplan, Steven M. Hyman
  • Patent number: 7722295
    Abstract: An expansion shell assembly for mine roof bolts includes an expansion member threaded onto an associated mine roof bolt. A support device is annularly disposed around the associated roof bolt. An expansion shell is annularly disposed around the associated roof bolt between the expansion member and the support device. The expansion shell has a base ring for engaging the support device and fingers for engaging a peripheral edge of the expansion member. The engagement between the base ring and the support device permits axial traverse movement of the support device relative to the expansion shell for tensioning the roof bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Met-Tech Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Cook
  • Patent number: 7698787
    Abstract: A w-base fastener includes multiple legs that compress towards a common member, to which the legs are attached, during the installation through an opening of a structure. These legs then engage the backside of the structure to which the fastener is mounted to hold the fastener in a mounted position within the opening. The fastener also includes a head or similar structure that permits items to be mounted to the fastener. The w-base fastener described herein also includes opposite flex arm features for thermal expansion for assembling moldings to a panel. Embodiments of the invention are used to provide for the ease of assembly, proper fit, and functional retention of moldings to structural panels, while also providing for the thermal expansion of the moldings. Aspects of the invention may be advantageously employed on automotive body side moldings including doors, rockers, wheel flares and other areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland
  • Patent number: 7600956
    Abstract: An anchoring device for insertion in a hole provided in a structure such as a wall (hollow or solid) comprises proximal and distal sections. The proximal section includes a head defining an aperture for receiving a fastener, and the distal section includes a pair of expandable wings displaceable between collapsed and expanded positions. Each wing is biased towards its expanded position such that the wings can engage the structural material delimiting the hole or a distal surface of the structure. The distal section comprises, proximally of the wings, a variable-length flexible portion for allowing the wings to engage the distal surface of the structure for various structure thicknesses. The distal section comprises, distally of the wings, a tip section adapted to spread outwardly when engaged by the fastener. The proximal section comprises a pair of legs each having a toothed rack for engaging the structural material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Cobra Anchors Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Pierre McDuff, Alexandre Pollak, Lang Nguyen, William A. Crossley
  • Patent number: 7490394
    Abstract: A nut and screw set for reducing the amount of hindered motion therebetween is disclosed. The nut and screw set includes a screw and a nut. The screw includes a plurality of screw threads. The nut includes a plurality of nut threads. The nut threads are threadably engagable with the screw threads. The nut threads are sized reduce hindered motion between the screw and the nut as a result of thermal expansion of the screw and the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Zakrzewski
  • Publication number: 20040258499
    Abstract: A retainer clip having a rectangular shaped head and body portion with a pair of spaced block members located between two pairs of triangular shaped deformable walls and a pointed end section with the head portion and the pair of block members having aligned apertures for self threading a screw there through to deform said two pairs of triangular shaped wall to thereby capture a member to a wall panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Koushik Saha
  • Patent number: 6719509
    Abstract: An improved expansion screw and particularly an expansion screw for securely anchoring on various types of solid walls and hollow walls mainly includes a bolt and a nail tube. The nail tube has a front end fastened to a nut, a middle portion formed at least one expansion section which has carved slots formed thereon in an annular manner, and at least one -shaped slot formed annularly between the nut and the expansion section. Each -shaped slot has an expansion flap located therein. Every two neighboring -shaped slots are bridged by a longitudinal connection strip to form a bend section. When the bolt nut at the front end of the bolt is turned and driven to generate an inward compression, the expansion flap is forced to extend outwards and overlap with the annular ring at the front end of the nail tube, and the longitudinal connection strip is bent outwards on the bend section to form a double compression on the inner side of a construction hole in a wall to form a secured coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Joker Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pan-Ching Huang, Chih-Tsung Chen
  • Publication number: 20040067121
    Abstract: An improved expansion screw and particularly an expansion screw for securely anchoring on various types of solid walls and hollow walls mainly includes a bolt and a nail tube. The nail tube has a front end fastened to a nut, a middle portion formed at least one expansion section which has carved slots formed thereon in an annular manner, and at least one -shaped slot formed annularly between the nut and the expansion section. Each -shaped slot has an expansion flap located therein. Every two neighboring -shaped slots are bridged by a longitudinal connection strip to form a bend section. When the bolt nut at the front end of the bolt is turned and driven to generate an inward compression, the expansion flap is forced to extend outwards and overlap with the annular ring at the front end of the nail tube, and the longitudinal connection strip is bent outwards on the bend section to form a double compression on the inner side of a construction hole in a wall to form a secured coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Pan-Ching Huang, Chih-Tsung Chen
  • Patent number: 6702534
    Abstract: A spreader dowel includes a sleeve having an area formed with an internal first thread for engagement by a screw. The sleeve has opposite ends and includes first longitude slots on one end for defining an expansion zone. A spreader piece formed with a conical portion is connected to the screw and spreads the expansion zone, when the screw is inserted. The sleeve has second longitude slots which extend inwardly from an end face on the other end. In the region of the second longitude slots toward the end face, the sleeve has a zone which is formed with an internal second thread defined by a thread diameter which is smaller than a thread diameter of the screw while having a same pitch as the thread diameter of the screw, or is threadless with a clear diameter which is smaller than an outer diameter of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Horst Filipp GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Filipp
  • Patent number: 6679662
    Abstract: An expansible plug has a plurality of expansible tongues which extend over an expansible region and are expandable radially away from one another under the action of an expanding member, the expansible region being radially oversized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Nehl
  • Patent number: 6676346
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening element made from metal, having an expansion sleeve (2) and an expansion member (3), which expansion member (3) is axially displaceable on the shank of a threaded bolt (8), the threaded bolt (8) having on its forward end an end-stop in the form of an expander (9). On the threaded bolt (8), between the expander (9) and the expansion member (3), there is arranged a spacing element (10). In the event of a tensile load, the expander (9) enters the spacing element (10) and forms a deformation zone that corresponds to the length of the spacing element (10). As a result of the friction and deformation occurring in the deformation zone, overloads are absorbed and, consequently, the fastening element is prevented from coming out or the threaded bolt from breaking off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Albert Frischmann, Marc Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 6641316
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable keyboard to be used, for example, at a computer terminal. The preferred embodiment is in the form of a keyboard having a number of keys, the keyboard being formed in at least two segments which are mutually movable relative to one another using a hinge or joint. Each of the segments of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys. The relatively movable nature of the keyboard aims at reducing stress and discomfort to the user by eliminating contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint may be in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle, in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Goldstein, Andrzej Skoskiewicz, Clifford Jue, David John Law
  • Publication number: 20030138307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing element (10) for anchoring in a drilled hole (30, 32) having an undercut (28) in a laminated body (24, 26), for example, laminated glass. The fixing element (10) has an expander cone (14), onto which an expansion ring (16) can be pushed. To be able to compensate for misalignment between the layers (24, 26) of the laminated body (24, 26), the drilled hole (30) in an outer layer (24) is drilled with a larger diameter than in a further layer (26) of the laminated body (24, 26). The invention proposes constructing a washer (18) of the fixing element (10) with an injection opening (22), through which the gap between a threaded shank (12) of the fixing element (10) and the wall of the drilled hole (30) in the outer layer (24) of the laminated body (24, 26) can be filled with a sealing compound (26)2. (FIG. 2). 2Presumably in error for 36—translator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Stefan Lind
  • Patent number: 6460688
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a simple, safe to handle fixing device for a par that can be inserted between adjacent supports, especially centrally. Locating holes that are aligned approximately flush with each other, for holding elements of the part are provided in the adjacent supports. The holding elements are configured in the form of pegs mounted in the part. The pegs are provided with a screw thread at their second ends and each engage in a corresponding screw of sliding pieces that can slide in the part. The sliding pieces can be slid and stopped in a plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the pegs. The part has at least one pair of pegs on opposite outer surfaces that are flush with each other through the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Wittenstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Hofmann, Thomas Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6377445
    Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a circuit board within the chassis of an electronic device are disclosed. The chassis of an electronic device includes a mounting panel assembly having at least one slot for receiving a standoff mounted to the circuit board. Each slot includes a first end suitable for allowing insertion and removal of the standoff through the slot and a second end suitable for engaging the standoff to retain the standoff in the slot for securing the circuit board to the mounting panel assembly. A ramp member extends beneath the slot adjacent to the first end for urging the standoff toward the second end when the standoff is inserted in the slot through the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, David D. Williams, Daniel C. Castillo, Salah Din, Paul O. Amdahl, Dirk O. Cosner
  • Patent number: 6293743
    Abstract: An expansion anchor installable in a pre-drilled hole formed in a base material. The expansion anchor includes a bolt having a shaft with a head portion, an opposing end portion, and a threaded portion. A shoulder is disposed on the shaft intermediate the head portion and the end portion thereof, and an expandable sleeve is disposed about the shaft between the shoulder and the end portion of the shaft. The expandable sleeve has an expandable upper sleeve portion and an expandable lower sleeve portion wherein the expandable lower sleeve portion is expandable outwardly before the expandable upper sleeve portion is expandable outwardly. A nut having a substantially conical surface is fixed rotationally in the pre-drilled hole and is engagable with the threaded portion of the shaft. The substantially conical surface of the nut is engageable with the expandable lower sleeve portion so as to expand the lower sleeve portion until the nut is axially fixes in the pre-drilled hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, Sigismund G. Paul, Edward D. Yates
  • Patent number: 6164884
    Abstract: The novel anchor has a neck portion formed with an opening for inserting a screw into the anchor, a head portion formed with an annular, circumferentially closed collar, and spreading elements connecting the neck portion with the head portion. Radially extending longitudinal webs connect the spreading element with the collar and they space the collar from the spreading elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Alfred Friedrich Mayr
  • Patent number: 6146055
    Abstract: An anchor for a mine roof bolt incorporates a single large rib at the top of a segmented shell. This single large rib is forced into the wall of the bore hole by the downward movement of an associated threaded camming nut during the first few revolutions of the roof bolt. The remainder of the outer surface is generally smooth or unserrated and provides a large bearing surface which is urged against the bore hole wall upon further rotation of the bolt. The camming nut has a specific shape flaring substantially near its upper end such that a relative large area of the bore hole wall below the rib is forced into compression. When fully engaged, the camming nut compresses a tightening washer of a metal alloy softer that the camming nut or the shell. The washer is forced into the threads of the nut thereby preventing loosening of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Claude White
  • Patent number: 5997219
    Abstract: A tube-formed rock bolt is expandable into contact with the wall in a bore hole without stretching the periphery of the rock bolt. The rock bolt has an elongated tube (12) with a closed cross section. The tube is provided with a longitudinal depressed part (13). End pieces (14, 24) are secured to the ends of the tube, and the end pieces are provided with axial channels (15, 35) having peripheries which provide a seal resulting from deformation of material when the rock bolt is assembled by joining together different sections. By connecting one end (30) of the assembled rock bolt to a high pressure pump (39), the entire assembled rock bolt can be expanded at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drill AB
    Inventors: Daniel Krzysztalowicz, Bo Ohlson
  • Patent number: 5975788
    Abstract: A locating apparatus includes a double expanding locating pin and a subplate having both threaded and precision holes, which are sized to accommodate the locating pin. The double expanding locating pin is a cylindrical housing having a first expandable end with a plurality of slots and a tapered portion and a second expandable end with a plurality of slots and a flange. A ball is disposed within the second expandable end and is forced by a set screw against the flange to spread apart wall portions of the cylindrical housing which are positioned intermediate the slots for expanding a lower portion of the locating pin. A cap having a flanged tapered end is threaded into the first expandable end of the cylindrical housing and is seated against the tapered portion of the cylindrical housing for forcing apart the wall portions positioned intermediate the slots for expanding an upper portion of the locating pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Joseph Russell Cousins, Jeffrey John Baur
  • Patent number: 5944486
    Abstract: An interchangeable fan blade system for a ceiling fan, made up of a set of adapters having a plurality of elongated attachment apertures that allow the adapter to be threadably fitted to virtually any type of fan support arm, and a complimentary set of interchangeable fan blades. The adapters include one of a variety of connectors for attaching one end of the fan blades to the support arm. The one end of the fan blade is configured and adapted, or otherwise provided with mating connector elements adapted to engage the connectors of the adapters, thereby allowing the fan blades to be removably attached to the adapters. A second embodiment of the interchangeable fan blade system is a set of interchangeable fan blades having a plurality of elongated attachment apertures which allow the fan blades to be secured to virtually any type of fan arm, by threading a plurality of shoulder cap screws and a plurality of male-female connectors though the plurality of attachment apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Donald P. Hodgkins, Jr.