Through-slot For Engagement With Crossbar Patents (Class 411/555)
  • Patent number: 11795982
    Abstract: A connection device for mobile frame structures includes a bracket on a surface having a cam shaft and a cam lock has a spiral axial slot having a locking groove and a central cam groove. A cam follower, a spring and a force stop are positioned in the central cam groove. A retention device holds the components in the cam groove. A structural support is engaged to the cam lock. An intersection between the spiral axial slot and the central cam groove has one or more detents which engage the cam follower prior to engagement of the cam lock to the bracket. The cam shaft is positioned in the spiral axial slot and the cam lock is rotated moving the cam shaft into the locking groove and depressing the cam follower relative to the spring to lock the cam shaft into the locking groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Miles Koolmeister
  • Patent number: 11598623
    Abstract: A ground-fixing system for a tire characteristics sensor housing (10) comprises: a fixing plate (1) comprising a plurality of recesses (2) of a given profile distributed over the surface of the fixing plate; and a plurality of fixing pins (3) of substantially corresponding profile, similarly distributed on a fixing face of said sensor housing (10), the shapes and dimensions of the recesses (2) and of the pins (3) for fixing being provided so as to allow, on the one hand, in a position of insertion of the pins, engagement of the latter in said recesses and, on the other hand, in a locking position of the pins, fixing of the sensor housing (10) on the fixing plate (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventor: Vianney Leroy
  • Patent number: 10695877
    Abstract: A workholding system includes a quarter turn fastener used in workholding applications to quickly hold and release objects, such as tooling, parts, and plates. In one embodiment, a T-slot fastener facilitates the creation of an entire workholding system that facilitates the rapid installation of studs into receiving members. The compact design also makes possible the ability to insert the quarter turn fastener into a device that can fit into a T-slot and still have considerable holding power. The system is lower in cost than other solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Elijah Tooling, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard V. Miller
  • Patent number: 10641223
    Abstract: An engaging projection of a valve body engages with an interlocking groove of a nozzle plate and the nozzle plate is rotated relative to the valve body. The engaging projection moves in a lateral groove of the interlocking groove while elastically deforming an arm part (elastically deformable portion), and the engaging projection is accommodated in a recess (lock position in the interlocking groove) of the arm part. A bottom surface of the recess of the arm part is pushed against the engaging projection of the valve body by the elastic force of the arm part, and the engaging projection of the valve body is seated and fixed on the bottom surface of the recess of the arm part. Accordingly, the nozzle plate is fixed to the valve body while being retained via the engaging projection and the interlocking groove (interlocking means).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Noguchi
  • Patent number: 10406711
    Abstract: A knife cylinder is provided with a restraint parts disposed within a fixation hole; a compression coil spring for pressing the restraint parts inwardly of the fixation hole; an operating parts entering the inside of the restraint parts through a mounting hole; a protrusion provided to the restraint parts; a helical groove provided in the operating parts, the helical groove engaging with the protrusion and being configured so that, when the operating parts rotates, the helical groove can move the restraint parts from a first position to a second position; and a blocking groove provided in the outer surface of the operating parts and blocking the rotation of the operating parts in the reverse direction when the restraint parts is located at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MACHINERY SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Iwai, Toshiaki Miyakura
  • Patent number: 10189555
    Abstract: A latching mechanism is provided for engaging an aircraft surface panel to a support member. The aircraft panel is provided with a post extending from the lower surface, which extends through a panel support member into a post engagement mechanism. The post engagement mechanism defines a rotatable sleeve, which rotates for locking and unlocking engagement between the post and the post engagement mechanism. Locking engagement continues when power to the post engagement actuator is terminated. The post engagement mechanism may utilize various types of actuators, including mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic. The aircraft panel and the panel support member are translatable into and out of abutting engagement independent of the need for any contact with the aircraft panel upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John Rufino, Kevin A. Noertker, Charles R. Smith, Cory Combs
  • Patent number: 10179548
    Abstract: A closure device for fastening an object, for example an electronic instrument, to a carrier element includes a first closure part and a magnet device which acts in a magnetically attracting manner between the first closure part and the second closure part. At least one thread is arranged on one of the connection portions and at least one engagement element is arranged on the other of the connection portions. The connection portions are screw-connectable together by rotation with respect to one another as a result of the at least one engagement element running onto the at least one thread. The first closure part includes at least one first anti-rotation portion and the second closure part includes at least one second anti-rotation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Fidlock GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Fiedler, Friedemann Richter, Breido Botkus
  • Patent number: 10018212
    Abstract: A blind bolt and tool is used for fastening a bolt through a hole in a structure when only one side of the structure is accessible. A receiver is formed on the tip end of a bolt shaft opposite from a bolt head. Internal threads are formed within the receiver proximate an outward end, and a hex socket is formed in the inward end of the receiver. External threads and a guide are formed on a tip of the tool, and the external threads mate with the internal threads in the receiver to hold the bolt during installation. A hex key on one end of the tool engages the hex socket in the receiver so that the tool may impose a torque on the bolt when a nut is being tightened on the bolt. In another embodiment, a splined tip is formed on the end of the bolt. The tip is designed to shear off when a sufficient torque is applied. Also, a shim is configured to fit between structures held together by the blind bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Allfasteners USA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Strange, Bruce A. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 9982699
    Abstract: An energy absorbing rotatable fastener to attach curtain air bags to a vehicle body includes a metal clip with a rectangular central aperture and inward flanges on opposing sides of the aperture. A molded pin includes a manipulation portion and an energy absorption portion supported on the clip with a biasing element urging the pin outward. The pin and clip connect an air bag tab and body plate and the pin is rotatable in an arc of 45° to place the energy absorption portion in an energy absorbing position between the tab and body plate. The pin and clip each provide energy absorption on air bag deployment. In one form, the manipulation portion of the pin includes a drive cap that provides ninety degrees (90°) of lost motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Marc R. Risdale
  • Patent number: 9309905
    Abstract: A clamping element, a fastening arrangement with clamping element, and a method for use of the clamping element are provided. In one example, the clamping element has a first leg and a second leg. The first and the second leg are arranged lying opposite one another. The first and the second leg are connected mechanically via a base region. The base region braces in the first leg in a spring-elastic manner with respect to the second leg on the parts arranged and clamped between the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Joachim Lacroix
  • Patent number: 9309833
    Abstract: A hanger assembly for use between a first duct and a second duct has a flexible leaf spring having a body and a leg, a locking member for attaching the leg to the first duct, and a mounting member for attaching the body to the second duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Senofonte
  • Patent number: 9193122
    Abstract: A rotatable tire building drum 10 has a pair of axially and radially moveable bead locks 20 and a radially expandable center building deck assembly 40 with two sets of deck plates when expanded forms a 360 degree solid deck surface. The deck plates have been sized to abut when fully expanded to form a solid 360 degree building surface to support a tire carcass 2. The two sets of deck plates are divided into a first set of even deck plates and a second set of odd deck plates, arranged in a sequence of at least 6 or more circumferentially adjacent abutting deck plates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in an expanded state. In a retracted state, the first set of even deck plates 42 moves radially inward of the second set of odd deck plates 44, the first set 42 underlying the second set 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Frederic Marechal, Thierry Royer, Jean Marie Colling, Olivier Di Prizio, Wolfgang Buerling, Olivier Lescaud
  • Patent number: 8643248
    Abstract: An electrical machine configured to operate in a power range of several MVA includes a rotor configured to rotate about an axis. The rotor includes a rotor winding disposed in a rotor lamination stack and having an exposed winding head outside of the rotor lamination stack. The winding head includes a winding head retention system having a plurality of radially oriented retention elements each including a locking device configured to secure a respective one of the retention elements against at least one of an unintentional loosening and a flying away in an event of a breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Renewable Technologies
    Inventors: Alexander Schwery, Serdar Cifyildiz, Matthias Schmid
  • Patent number: 8607399
    Abstract: A quick release attachment for a power tool having a rotatable spindle includes a pad assembly and a quick release connector adapted to join the pad assembly to the spindle. The pad assembly includes a mounting plate and a pad affixed to at least one side of the mounting plate, wherein the pad includes a primary material that is either metal, stone, ceramic, fiber, sand, nylon or polypropylene, and the mounting plate includes a central aperture. The mounting plate aperture further comprises a circular ring disposed therein and has a t-shaped key extending diametrically across the aperture. The t-shaped key comprises a magnetically attractive material. The quick release connector has a main body adapted to fixedly engage the spindle. The connector further has a head end extending from the main body and having a circular cross-section sized to engage the circular ring. The head end further has a slot sized to engage the t-shaped key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Richard T. Umbrell
  • Patent number: 8434963
    Abstract: A connector for rigidly engaging elongate structural members in a display structure includes a beam connection portion defined on a body and having a cavity. A semi-cylindrical guide surface of the cavity is adjacent to an opening. The opening has an elliptical shape in which the difference between a major and a minor axis is an offset distance. An eccentric fastener is rotatably disposed in the cavity and includes a head portion that protrudes from the opening and engages a hole of the elongate structural member, and a cam portion that is eccentrically disposed relative to the head portion and configured to engage the semi-cylindrical surface when the eccentric fastener is rotated relative to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Orbus/P3
    Inventors: Dean Alkas, Michael Carrow
  • Patent number: 8122567
    Abstract: A floor mat clip assembly adapted to attach a floor mat to the interior carpet of a vehicle is disclosed. The clip assembly includes a floor clip attached to the carpet and a mat clip attached to the floor mat. The floor clip includes a base member and a top member having a locking member rotatably attached thereto. The base and top member of the floor clip are adapted to cut through the carpet and interlock to sandwich the carpet therebetween. The mat clip includes a top member and a base member, each having an aperture and adapted to interlock to sandwich the mat therebetween. The mat can then be positioned to insert the locking member of the floor clip through the aperture of the mat clip. A subsequent rotation of the locking member locks together the respective clips to secure the floor mat to the interior carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Mark A. Connor, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110268536
    Abstract: A fastener includes an adjustable insert that disposed a receptacle having a first end facing a grommet and the insert is connected to the receptacle for movement relative to the receptacle. The insert has a central opening and diametrically opposed cam and locking surfaces open to said central opening. A stud, having cross pins, extends into said central opening, and said cross pins being engageable with said cam and locking surfaces. A bore in the insert is radially disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert and the bore having an opening at the outer periphery of the insert facing the receptacle. An engagement member disposed within the bore and moveable therein laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert toward and against the receptacle to fix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle. The engagement member is moveable laterally relative to and toward the central opening of the insert to allow movement of the insert relative to the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Ned C. Bowers, Carlos Osorio
  • Patent number: 7657960
    Abstract: A quick release attachment for a power buffer having a rotatable spindle includes a buffing pad assembly and a quick release connector adapted to join the buffing pad assembly to the spindle. The buffing pad assembly includes a mounting plate and a buffing pad affixed to either side of the mounting plate. The mounting plate and the buffing pads each have respective aligned central apertures. The mounting plate aperture further comprises a circular ring disposed therein and has a pin extending diametrically across the aperture. The pin comprises a magnetically attractive material. The quick release connector has a main body adapted to fixedly engage the spindle. The connector further has a head end extending from the main body and having a circular cross-section sized to engage the circular ring. The head end further has a slot sized to engage the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Richard T. Umbrell
  • Patent number: 7546661
    Abstract: A floor mat clip assembly adapted to attach a floor mat to the interior carpet of a vehicle is disclosed. The clip assembly includes a floor clip attached to the carpet and a mat clip attached to the floor mat. The floor clip includes a base member and a top member having a locking member rotatably attached thereto. The base and top member of the floor clip are adapted to cut through the carpet and interlock to sandwich the carpet therebetween. The mat clip includes a top member and a base member, each having an aperture and adapted to interlock to sandwich the mat therebetween. The mat can then be positioned to insert the locking member of the floor clip through the aperture of the mat clip. A subsequent rotation of the locking member locks together the respective clips to secure the floor mat to the interior carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Connor, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070196196
    Abstract: A fastening system to press together 2 work pieces. These are plates with a circular aperture on each plate. The first work piece is engaged to the second work piece through a biased engagement. The receptacle assembly consists of a housing and its mechanical contents attached to the first work piece. The bolt assembly consists of a cylindrical bolt with a head and a shank attached and captured thru a retaining bracket to the second work piece and is moveable with respect to the receptacle assembly between the extended and retracted position. Two or more disc springs inside the housing bias the fastener toward the locked position with a biasing force. The bolt fastener has 2 opposing spiral cam slots machined on its shank and when introduced into the pin ring, inside the housing, will engage 2 radial placed cross-pins in its cam slots. Said cross-pins are seated in the pin ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Detlef T. Schorling, Nancy Kay Keech
  • Patent number: 6343709
    Abstract: A impact resistant, sealable canister is provided comprising a wall structure having a lower edge portion joined to a base. A receiving collar is joined to an opposing top edge portion of the wall structure. The receiving collar includes an annular channel and an inner shoulder having fastener pads. The pads have fastener openings and stationary connector elements. A container lid releasably seals against the collar by operation of fastener parts retained in the lid that engage the collar connector elements. Gasket materials adjacent the collar periphery and around the fastener parts function to provide a reusable sealed canister useful for water activities and other outdoor involvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Wild Ideas, LLC
    Inventors: Allen L. DeForrest, Craig J. Kent
  • Patent number: 5716180
    Abstract: A fastener for holding panels together includes a grommet for engaging a first panel, a stud received in the grommet, and a receptacle for securement to a second panel, wherein the receptacle includes a body having an internally threaded bore, an externally threaded barrel member in engagement with the threads of the bore, curved slots in the barrel member for receiving a cross pin of the stud, and a mechanical arrangement for selectively locking the barrel member from movement relative to the body. The grommet may include diametrically opposed slots having open ends extending through an end of the grommet for receiving the cross pin of the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Ned C. Bowers
  • Patent number: 5511919
    Abstract: A fastening element is provided having a fastener body including a first side and a second side, with resilient locking prongs extending from one side of the fastener body. The fastener body can include either a cavity or a shank on one of the sides. The shank or cavity can be provided with either a channel or an engagement lug for mating with a complimentary fastening element. One side of the fastener body can also be provided with a cam surface or a resilient surface to inhibit rotation between mated complimentary fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Dane C. Scalise
  • Patent number: 5362187
    Abstract: A fastener is provided having a bolt releasably securable to a nut. The bolt includes a collar and resilient locking prongs with shoulders to anchor the bolt to a first member, such as a grommet or panel, and the nut has a nut body and resilient locking prongs with shoulders to anchor the nut to a second body, such as a second grommet or panel. A bolt shank having several curved channels open at one end and having locking slots at the other end is insertable into a cavity in the nut which has engagement lugs disposed therein. Rotation of either the nut or the bolt causes the engagement lugs to travel within the channels and engage the locking slots, thereby securing the nut to the bolt. Either a spring washer or resilient collar material can be used to apply a locking force to urge the nut and bolt in opposite directions to ensure that the lugs remain in the locking slots. Pressing the lug and nut together with an unlocking force greater than the locking force allows the nut and bolt to disengage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Dane C. Scalise
  • Patent number: 4653970
    Abstract: A quick action fastener suitable for fastening panels or the like in face-to-face contact, including a pierce nut adapted to be secured within one of the panels and a male stud inserted through the other panel and into a through-hole in the nut. The nut includes a central, pilot portion which is diepunched through the panel and a pair of undercut grooves on opposites sides of the pilot portion, into which edges of the panel are deformed in order to securely hold the nut on the panel. The nut includes a locking element extending across the through-hole which is received within and contacts with a spiral cam slot in the stud upon partial rotation of the stud to lock the stud in the nut and thereby securely fasten the panels together. In one embodiment, the stud is axially biased from the locking element by a spring captured between the head of the stud and one of the panels while another embodiment employs a pair of wire loops forming a spring support for the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Multifastener Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Ballantyne
  • Patent number: 4596504
    Abstract: A quick acting, self locking fastener of the spiral cam type is provided with a receptacle comprising a housing having a bottom, open top and a pair of opposed sidewalls. One of the walls is provided with a lip at the top thereof and the opposed wall is provided with a slot at its top. The closure for the housing includes a pair of biased faces which define a clip therebetween. The bottom face is provided with a slot at one end and a lip at the opposite end. A spring within the housing includes a central section that forms a cross pin for an associated stud and end sections that serve to bias the opposed sidewalls apart to secure the engagement of the sidewall's lip and slot with those of the bottom face of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Dzus Fastener Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Conrad J. Gunther
  • Patent number: 4522541
    Abstract: A receptacle (20) for a stud (30) is mounted in a rectangular aperture (38) in a member (34). The receptacle has a housing (22) with a base (40) and flat legs (42, 44) and is held on the member (34) by being gripped between flanges (46, 48) on the legs and a non-circular element (28). Each of the legs has a side flange (54) on each side and diametrically opposite one of the said flanges have a slot (55). The pair of opposed flanges on each side of the receptacle define an elongate slot between them in which the non-circular element is free to move after rotation from a position in which it is held within the transverse slot (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Dzus Fastener Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Bidwell