Patents Represented by Attorney Schwartz & Weinrieb
  • Patent number: 6199246
    Abstract: A tie for fastening the upholstery of a vehicle seat cushion and/or seatback; the tie including a portion of wire, of predetermined length, fitted integrally at opposite ends with respective mutually connectable end heads, and a portion of tape shorter than the portion of wire and folded longitudinally about the portion of wire, between the heads, to enclose the portion of wire inside a tubular sleeve defined by a U-folded intermediate longitudinal portion of the portion of tape and closed by a flat connecting strip defined by superimposed mutually fixed opposite longitudinal lateral portions of the portion of tape; the connecting strip being stitchable to the upholstery in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: ITW Fastex-Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Cibin, Manrico Oddenino
  • Patent number: 6195961
    Abstract: A framework for mounting a wrapping material film roll spindle upon a film wrapping material dispensing assembly of a film wrapping or packaging machine comprises an external framework fixedly mounted upon the film wrapping material dispensing assembly, and an internal framework pivotally mounted interiorly of the external framework. A spindle is mounted upon the internal framework for supporting a roll of film wrapping material. The external framework comprises a rigidified four-sided framework defining an enclosed space within which the internal framework is disposed such that when the film wrapping material is dispensed, vibrations within the assembly are effectively eliminated or substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Faruk M. Turfan
  • Patent number: 6196596
    Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coaxial hose assembly comprises male and female half hose assemblies wherein the half hose assemblies respectively comprise a male and female connector, an outer tube member for conducting a first fluid therethrough, an inner tube member for conducting a second fluid therethrough, a joint retainer nut member for securing the male and female connectors together, and a sleeve member mechanically and fluidically connecting axially inner ends of the inner tube members together. Threaded disengagement of the joint retainer nut member releases the male and female connectors from each other, whereby the half hose assemblies may be readily pulled apart in opposite axial directions disengaging the axially inner end of one of the inner tube members from the sleeve member so as to achieve quick disconnection of the hose assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Kenneth H. Dorman
  • Patent number: 6185896
    Abstract: A screw threaded fastener (103) has an elongate shank (122) with a drilling tip (104) at one end and a head (123) at the other end. A screw thread extends along at least a part of the length of the shank (122). The trailing flank (116) of the thread subtends an angle (B) relative to the axis (117) of the fastener which approaches 90° and is greater than the angle (C) subtended by the leading flank (115). The screw is for use in fixing sheets of material a1 to thin metal battens (5) and the angle between the trailing flank (116) and the adjacent thin metal section (18) of the batten (9), being reduced in comparison to a conventional thread form, lessens the distorting effect of the thread on the batten (9) under relatively high pull-out loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: W. A. Deutsher Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: David James Alexander Roberts, Mark Doneddu
  • Patent number: 6186714
    Abstract: An inflatable dunnage air bag comprises a multi-layered paper bag and an inflatable bladder disposed within the multi-layered paper bag such that two sets of paper plies are disposed upon opposite sides of the inflatable bladder. The multi-layered paper bag has at least one flap member extending outwardly from one set of paper plies and is adapted to extend from a first side of the inflatable bladder and be folded over and secured upon the other set of paper plies so as to be secured at a location disposed upon the other or second side of the inflatable bladder. An inflation valve is fixedly secured to the first side of the inflatable bladder so as to facilitate inflation thereof, the inflation valve thereby being disposed remote from the location at which at least one flap member is secured so as not to present additional weakening forces or stresses within the already high-stress flap securing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Gene Berrier, John Leslie Harrington, Phillip S. Massey
  • Patent number: 6184776
    Abstract: An accelerator module for an electric vehicle has a pivotal actuator upon which is mounted a wiping element for wiping engagement with variable and constant resistance elements formed upon a printed circuit board mounted within a housing. A normally-open switch mechanism is also mounted upon the printed circuit board, and in order to delay the closure of the normally-open switch mechanism from its OPEN state to its CLOSED state, the actuator is provided with a spring-biased overtravel plunger mechanism which engages a push-button element of the switch mechanism so as to retain the switch in its OPEN state until the actuator has been moved a predetermined distance corresponding to a predetermined amount of depression of the accelerator pedal of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Danek, Mario Orrico
  • Patent number: 6179192
    Abstract: An improved fastener driving tool is provided that is especially adapted to the application of fasteners in trim applications, such as the fastening of wood trim and decorative pieces. The preferred embodiment is a combustion tool, and includes an incrementally adjustable fastener driving depth setting mechanism. The incremental control permits an operator to select from a number of discrete depth settings over a limited range. The preferred tool also includes a distance amplifying fastener lockout. The lockout amplifies a fastener follower movement permitting the blocking of movement of a linkage necessary to tool operation in response to the movement associated with an individual small fastener being dispensed. A trigger and handle of the preferred tool are proximate to the driver blade axis, and the trigger is disposed within an imaginary extension of a fuel canister held within the tool housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Murray Weinger, Patrick J. Driscoll, Robert S. Buetow, William E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6178721
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for placing corner protectors upon corner regions of loads or articles to be wrapped, banded, or otherwise packaged comprises a plurality of corner protector magazines and operatively associated corner protector pick-up arm and transfer assemblies which are divided into two groups of diagonally opposed magazines and pick-up arm and transfer assemblies wherein the two groups of magazines respectively house corner protectors having two different height dimensions. Depending upon the sensed height dimensions of the loads or articles, one of the two groups of magazines and pick-up arm and transfer assemblies are selectively activated so as to place the proper dimensioned corner protectors upon corner regions of the loads or articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Faruk M. Turfan
  • Patent number: 6176412
    Abstract: An improved fastener driving tool is provided that is especially adapted to the application of fasteners in trim applications, such as the fastening of wood trim and decorative pieces. The preferred embodiment is a combustion tool, and includes an incrementally adjustable fastener driving depth setting mechanism. The incremental control permits an operator to select from a number of discrete depth settings over a limited range. The preferred tool also includes a distance amplifying fastener lockout. The lockout amplifies a fastener follower movement permitting the blocking of movement of a linkage necessary to tool operation in response to the movement associated with an individual small fastener being dispensed. A trigger and handle of the preferred tool are proximate to the driver blade axis, and the trigger is disposed within an imaginary extension of a fuel canister held within the tool housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Murray Weinger, Patrick J. Driscoll, Robert S. Buctow, William E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6173822
    Abstract: Rotary damper, in particular for an actuating member in motor vehicles, comprising a housing having a cylindrical damper chamber, a liquid viscous medium within the chamber, a rotatably supported shaft within the chamber having at least one substantially radially extending vane such that upon rotation of the shaft, displaced medium flows between a narrow passage between the cylindrical wall of the chamber and the free end of the vane, at least a radially outer portion of the vane being inclined with respect to a diameter extending through the base of the vane and in the circumferential direction and being bendable such that upon a rotation of the shaft in the inclination direction the vane is bent towards the cylindrical wall and upon an opposite rotation the vane is bent towards the shaft, wherein at least one locking cam is provided at the cylindrical wall of the chamber which extends radially inwards and is adapted to be engaged by the free end of the vane if it is bent towards the cylindrical wall a prede
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: ITW ATECO GmbH
    Inventors: Holger M. Korb, J{umlaut over (u)}rgen Fuss
  • Patent number: 6174006
    Abstract: A tamper resistant seal comprises a series of ratchet teeth (12) arranged along a strap (14), with one end of the strap (14) being secured to a body (16) and the other end of the strap (14) being insertable into the body (16) so as to move the ratchet teeth (12) sequentially past a resiliently deformable catch (18), wherein the resiliently deformable catch (18) includes a pair of opposed jaws (44) which are movable laterally primarily with a vise-like or spelling action rather than a collet-like or flexing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David Austin Burt
  • Patent number: 6170772
    Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film wherein the prior stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Thimon, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Martin-Cocher, Georges Jaconelli
  • Patent number: 6171183
    Abstract: Actuation means for actuating a structural part in an automobile, particuarly a flap for a fan, wherein the part is pivotally supported about an axis, comprising a pull wire a power transfer component connected to the pull wire and the structural part, and a damper coupled to the power transfer component or the structural part, with the power transfer component including a resilient portion such that upon exerting tension on the power transfer component the resilient portion is deformed until a force is transferred to the structural part or the damper element, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: ITW- ATECO GmbH
    Inventors: Ute Villbrandt, Roland Klein
  • Patent number: 6170130
    Abstract: A lashing system having one or more cord anchors fastenable to a stationary member in spaced apart relation, and one or more cord clips each having a first portion with a first cord engaging member releasably and coupleable to a first cord portion and a second portion with a second cord engaging member selectively and releasably coupleable to a second cord portion so as to accommodate a particular article stowage application. The cord anchors also have a cord engaging member releasably coupleable to the cord, whereby the cord may be selectively coupled to one or more cord anchors, and thus positioned selectively on the stationary member. The lashing system also preferably includes a cord hook coupled to a first cord portion and a hook portion engagable by hooking to another cord portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Hamilton, John S. Pontaoe, Steven C. Keller
  • Patent number: 6170776
    Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film. The prior Stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Thimon, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Martin-Cocher, Georges Jaconelli
  • Patent number: 6170225
    Abstract: A low speed container packaging machine is provided using a plastic carrier to hold containers and comprising a conveyor moving containers in double rows introducing them to the carrier applying section, receiving and moving them, a pair of cogwheels to locate them in synchronous position below the jaw plates, and thus apply the carrier to the containers. The jaws are mounted on the plates spinning on two axes at preset angles with respect to the horizontal and vertical planes and located symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The plates, upon spinning take the carrier strip or fastener from the feed trough and with their jaws, stretch the carrier for a 180° run and locate it on the containers and together with a suitably positioned release plate, deposit the carrier on the containers. Once the carrier is applied on the containers, the containers enter the cut station in which packages of 2, 4, 6, 8 or more containers are formed by means of a novel cutting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Cervantes, Luis Miguel Diaz
  • Patent number: 6171042
    Abstract: As formed from a predetermined length of carbon steel wire, such as AISI C 1062 steel wire or high-manganese carbon steel wire, in sequential forming, rolling, and austempering steps, a pin for axial, non-rotational penetration into a steel, concrete, or masonry substrate has a head, a tapered shank, a point having a tip, and a transition zone between the tapered shank and the head. The head has an outer diameter at least about 2.6 times greater than the initial diameter of the predetermined length wire. The smaller end of the tapered shank has a diameter about 0.6 times the initial diameter thereof. The larger end of the tapered shank has a diameter about 0.7 times the initial diameter thereof. The point is joined unitarily to the smaller end of the tapered shank and conforms exept at the tip, which is rounded, substantially to a tangent ogive, which is tangent to the tapered shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert Olvera, George M. Velan
  • Patent number: 6164768
    Abstract: An ink supply system comprises an adapter, mounted upon the ink supply reservoir, and a mating bottle cap, secured to the ink supply container, for coupling the ink supply container to the ink supply reservoir adapter, wherein both the ink supply reservoir adapter and the ink supply container cap have unique mating or corresponding polarizing structure fixedly or integrally mounted thereon such that the ink supply reservoir will only accept such uniquely predeterminedly configured or structured ink supply containers. In this manner, non-compatible or inferior quality ink materials are not introduced into the ink supply reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Murphy, Clifford J. Cahill
  • Patent number: 6149362
    Abstract: An inflatable dunnage air bag comprises a multi-layered paper bag and an inflatable bladder disposed within the multi-layered paper bag such that two sets of paper plies are disposed upon opposite sides of the inflatable bladder. The multi-layered paper bag has at least one flap member extending outwardly from one set of paper plies and is adapted to extend from a first side of the inflatable bladder and be folded over and secured upon the other set of paper plies so as to be secured at a location disposed upon the other or second side of the inflatable bladder. An inflation valve is fixedly secured to the first side of the inflatable bladder so as to facilitate inflation thereof, the inflation valve thereby being disposed remote from the location at which at least one flap member is secured so as not to present additional weakening forces or stresses within the already high-stress flap securing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Gene Berrier, John Leslie Harrington, Phillip S. Massey
  • Patent number: 6142269
    Abstract: A rotary damper with a housing, with a rotor rotatably mounted in a closed chamber of the housing and with a viscous medium disposed within the chamber, wherein the rotor is so formed and so cooperates with the wall of the chamber that with a relative rotation of the housing and the rotor, a braking effect is produced by the medium, and wherein at least two rotor elements are provided which are arranged coaxially, preferably commonly in the chamber, and the neighboring rotor elements are coupled such that they are freely rotatable relative to one another over a limited rotational angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: ITW-ATECO GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Wonn