Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6381824
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fastening anchoring devices having a screw aperture therethrough to a portions of panels devoid of openings including fastening the anchoring device to a one side of the panel, and forming an anchoring device locating indicium on another side of the panel opposite the anchoring device and in alignment with the aperture thereof without forming an opening through the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Levey
  • Patent number: 6361257
    Abstract: A parallel wave washer having a body member with an aperture disposed therethrough, a first groove and a first ridge are disposed across a first end of the body member, the first groove is spaced apart from the first ridge and is aligned parallel thereto, a second groove and a second ridge are disposed across an opposite second end of the body member, the second groove is located generally opposite and is aligned parallel to the first ridge, and the second ridge is located generally opposite and is aligned parallel to the first groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Grant
  • Patent number: 6284344
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer films having three or more layers of bias-cut film where at least two layers have different machine direction angles. More specifically, the present invention is directed to cross laminated films with three or more bias-cut film layers each having a machine direction angle between 20° and 70°, where at least two layers have different direction angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. E. Barnes, Charles E. Amendt, Steven S. Nimz
  • Patent number: 6260337
    Abstract: A hand strapping tool has a two-piece outer link assembly wherein a first upper outer link member is mounted upon a pivot shaft of the tool, while a second lower outer link member is mounted upon the distal end portion of the feedwheel shaft so as to maintain the feedwheel upon the feedwheel shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Nelson Cheung
  • Patent number: 6254161
    Abstract: A bracket (10) constructed from a single metal blank (20) is generally L-shaped and includes a first arm (16) for attachment to a member (12) requiring reinforcement and a second arm (18) for snap-on affixation to a pillar (14). The arms interconnect via a connecting portion (40). A pair of tabs (36,38) on the second arm (18) each include a cantiliver spring (50) which locks to the pillar (14) when the tabs are received within the pillar slots (64, 66,70, 72). Typically, two brackets (10) are used to secure a fender (12) to a pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Edward J. Wochaski
  • Patent number: 6249631
    Abstract: A method for preparing a fiber optic cable for a splice wherein a radial compressive strain is applied to the fiber optic cable and the fiber optic cable is cut adjacent to the applied radial compressive strain to create a splice end of the fiber optic cable having a convex bulb. A corresponding device for preparing a fiber optic cable for a splice comprises a cutting means for cutting a fiber optic cable into a waste end and a splice end and a collet for applying a radial compressive strain to the fiber optic cable adjacent to the cutting means of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth LeVey, Christopher Casey, Jason Colwell, Maitreya Madhyastha
  • Patent number: 6241445
    Abstract: A corrugated fastener having an asymmetrically corrugated body member with more corrugations protruding from one face of the body member than from an opposite face thereof, and a leading edge on one end of the body member, the leading edge formed by at least one beveled surface and skewed toward the face of the body member having more corrugations protruding therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Kent B. Godsted
  • Patent number: 6238204
    Abstract: An injection molding system having a locating ring disposed about and engaged with a pressure bushing. The locating ring is fastened to an outer surface of a clamp plate facing a platen. A first side of the locating ring is disposed against the outer surface of the clamp plate and a portion of a second side of the locating ring is disposed against the platen, thereby supporting the locating ring. The first side of the locating ring is preferably disposed in a recessed mounting surface on the clamp plate and the second side of the radial outer portion of the locating ring is flush with the outer surface of the clamp plate so that both the clamp plate and outer portion of the locating ring are engaged with the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Wampole
  • Patent number: 6224158
    Abstract: A headrest assembly wherein a headrest guide and/or a headrest insert permit adjustment of the headrest even when one or more components of the headrest assembly are misaligned or out of tolerance. The headrest guide includes two sleeves, each sleeve forming a channel, the two sleeves rigidly connected with respect to one another so that the channel of each sleeve is parallel with the other. The headrest insert includes a flexible coupling that permits two generally parallel headrest rods to self-align with respect to the channels of the headrest guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Hann
  • Patent number: 6225599
    Abstract: A mig welding gun handle is in two sections that are offset from each other by an angle of approximately 20 degrees. The offset handle makes the gun exceptionally comfortable for an operator to maneuver when welding various workpieces. A non-right angle gear set in which the pinion axial centerline intersects the gear axis of rotation at an angle of approximately 70 degrees makes the offset handle possible. The gun further comprises a gas seal that blocks atmospheric air in the weld wire liner from reaching the welding arc. The gas seal comprises a passage that bleeds inert gas to the interior of the liner. The relatively high pressure of the inert gas in the liner interior blocks atmospheric air from flowing through the hole in the contact tip to the arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Altekruse
  • Patent number: 6224129
    Abstract: A car seat tether restraint system having an anchor with a fastening portion and a leg with a foot extending from a mounting side thereof, a resilient locking flange extending from the mounting side of the anchor in an opposite direction as the foot, a body panel having a locking flange recess on one side thereof and an aperture therein, the leg disposed in the aperture with a portion of the body panel disposed between the mounting side of the anchor and the foot, the locking flange disposed in the locking flange recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Franco A. Cisternino, Kenneth R. LeVey, Eric G. Parker
  • Patent number: 6223375
    Abstract: A drilling and wrenching tool for use with a rotary power tool and combinations thereof. The tool includes a drill adapter having a drill bit protruding from a drill shank thereof, and a sleeve member having a first end with a first opening and a second opposite end with a second opening. The first opening of the sleeve member has a first sleeve engagement surface and a first fastener engagement surface, and the second opening has a second sleeve engagement surface and a second fastener engagement surface. The drill shank is axially disposable into the first or second opening of the sleeve member, and an outer shank engagement surface of the drill shank is engagable with the first or second sleeve engagement surface to impart rotation from the rotary power tool to the sleeve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: James C. Vaughan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6224672
    Abstract: A plate member, which may be a die plate or a shim, which is adapted to be used within a fluid material dispensing system, such as, for example, a system for dispensing or distributing adhesives upon substrates, is provided with a plurality of apertures equally spaced along the longitudinal extent thereof. The apertures comprise a plurality of throughbores for respectively receiving a plurality of fasteners, which are adapted to secure the plate member to a support structure, for example, an adhesive manifold or the like. In addition to the through-bores, milled slots are also provided within the plate member, the milled slots connecting the through-bores to a free edge portion of the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Michael Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6223595
    Abstract: An electrically resistive fluid level sensor and system for sensing fluid levels in a container, for example washing machine basins, and for closing a supply of fluid to the container when the fluid level in the container reaches a specified level. The system includes generally fluid level resistive element portions disposed in the container and electrically connectable by fluid therein, and an input signal source, electrically coupled to the fluid level resistive element portions, whereby an output signal across the fluid level resistive element portions is proportional to the fluid level. Temperature resistive element portions are preferably disposed in the container and connected in series between the input signal source and the fluid level resistive element portions to substantially cancel any thermal effects on fluid level sensing and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: Steve Dumbovic, Richard C. Francke
  • Patent number: 6220122
    Abstract: A fastener driving system and a fastener holding tool therefor having a shank and a resilient retainer with a bore therethrough coupled to a first end portion of the shank. A first end of the resilient retainer and a portion of the resilient retainer bore protrudes axially beyond the first end of the shank. In some embodiments, an annular chamfer is disposed on the resilient retainer between a first end and the bore thereof. The system includes a fastener having a shaft with a head formed on a trailing end portion thereof. The fastener head diameter is greater than the retainer bore diameter of the resilient retainer protruding axially beyond the first end of the shank to engage and retain the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: David J. Forsell, Edward Douglas Yates
  • Patent number: 6213614
    Abstract: A indicator dial having a plurality of shutters disposed on a base portion and movable between radially retracted and extended positions, an at least partially arcuate visual indicator disposed on the base portion and located radially outwardly of the shutters when the shutters are in the retracted position, a cover portion having a cam groove disposed on a side thereof adjacent the plurality of shutters, a portion of the shutters protruding into the cam groove of the cover portion, the cover portion rotatable relative to the base portion to move the shutters between the retracted and extended positions so that the shutters cover the portions of the light emitting ring when the shutters are in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Gjerde
  • Patent number: 6215109
    Abstract: An air preheater system, and a method of operating the same, for use in connection with the requisite supply of heated air streams to the dispensing modules of apparatus for dispensing hot melt adhesives comprises the initial separation of the incoming ambient relatively cool air into separate air streams. The separate air streams are then individually and separately heated, and the exiting or discharged heated air streams are then recombined into a single heated air stream. In this manner, any variations in the temperature levels, density, and flow rate parameters within the individual or separate heated air streams are therefore averaged out and effectively eliminated. The single heated air stream is then conducted to a distribution manifold wherein unique structure of the distribution manifold renders uniform distribution of the separate air streams to the hot melt adhesive dispensing modules possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Edward W. Bolyard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6213697
    Abstract: A self-cutting expansion anchor and system having a sleeve member with a plurality of expandable sections disposed about a shaft, the expandable sections having an end portion disposed toward a generally conical portion of the shaft, a heat hardened cutting portion protruding from at least some of the expandable sections of the sleeve member, the hardened cutting portions and the corresponding expandable sections are unitary members, and a threaded sleeve member having a driving end disposed about the threaded shaft toward a driving end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Yasutsugu Uejima
  • Patent number: 6209997
    Abstract: An impulse ink jet print head including a compliant chamber and a check valve coupled between an ink supply and an ink chamber. The compliant chamber attenuates pressure disturbances of short duration. The check valve prevents the reverse flow of ink and depriming of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ha Van Duong, Cliff John Cahill, Bopta Ky
  • Patent number: 6206339
    Abstract: A rotary valve actuator for actuating a valve pivotally disposed in a housing and movable between first and second positions. The actuator includes an actuator member coupled to the valve, a resilient arm coupled to one of the housing or the actuator member, and a wall member protruding from the one of the housing or the actuator member to which the resilient arm is not coupled. An arm tab protruding from the resilient arm is aligned with and preferably protrudes through an opening of the wall member when the valve is in the first position, and an arm engagement member of the resilient arm is engaged with a wall engagement portion of the wall member when the valve is in the first position. The resilient arm is flexible away from the wall member to disengage the arm engagement member from the wall engagement portion. The actuator is operable remotely by one or more flexible straps coupled to the actuator member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Parker, Craig L. Simdon