Patents Assigned to AlphaUSA
  • Publication number: 20250043814
    Abstract: A fastener comprising a nut, a washer, and a shell that axially retains the nut and the washer together. In one embodiment, the shell axially retains the nut and the washer together, and has a lower wall axially retaining the washer to the nut in a first direction, and a s-shaped section retaining the nut to the washer in a second direction. In another embodiment, the shell has a bent section and a lower wall extending axially away from the bent section. The lower wall of the bent section retains the washer to the shell. In yet another embodiment, the shell comprises a base wall including a first bend, a first skirt depending away from the first bend, a second bend extending away from the second bend, a third bend extending away from the second bend, and a second skirt depending away from the third bend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: AlphaUSA
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Catherine Strumbos, Thomas Strangway, Brian Nau
  • Publication number: 20240425129
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a threadless positioning pin includes a head end, a pilot end, a positioning shank, a retainer shank, and a keyway. In another embodiment, a threadless positioning retainer includes a first end, a second end, an exterior, and an interior with a key extending from an inner surface proximate the first end. In another embodiment, a threadless positioning fastener includes a threadless positioning pin and a threadless positioning retainer, including an interior with a key configured to ride in a keyway of the threadless positioning pin. In another embodiment, a method of joining assembly elements includes providing a primary element, advancing a threadless positioning pin through a positioning hole so that a key rides along a keyway, and rotating the threadless positioning pin so that the key engages the keyway to trap the primary element between the threadless positioning pin and a threadless positioning retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Applicants: AlphaUSA, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Joseph L. Dillon, Leah Wagoner, Joseph J. Novack, Lawrence F. Liotino, Catherine Strumbos, Thomas Strangway, Brian Nau
  • Patent number: 12092143
    Abstract: A retainer comprises first and second legs extending away from a base wall. In one embodiment, the first leg includes a dimple array surrounding an aperture and projecting from an inboard surface of the first leg. In another embodiment, the first leg has a necked portion having a set of first shoulders extending away from a first base, and a first apertured portion extending away from the set of first shoulders. The second leg has a necked and stepped portion having a step extending away from a second base, and a shouldered portion extending away from the step and having a set of second shoulders extending laterally outwardly, and a second apertured portion extending away from the second shoulders. The retainer of either embodiment may be coupled to a nut to produce a retainer and nut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: AlphaUSA
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Gary A. Platukas, Bernard Schwarb, Rolland J. Spring
  • Patent number: 11841044
    Abstract: A retainer comprises first and second legs extending away from a base wall. In one embodiment, the first leg includes a dimple array surrounding an aperture and projecting from an inboard surface of the first leg. In another embodiment, the first leg has a necked portion having a set of first shoulders extending away from a first base, and a first apertured portion extending away from the set of first shoulders. The second leg has a necked and stepped portion having a step extending away from a second base, and a shouldered portion extending away from the step and having a set of second shoulders extending laterally outwardly, and a second apertured portion extending away from the second shoulders. The retainer of either embodiment may be coupled to a nut to produce a retainer and nut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: AlphaUSA
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Gary A. Platukas, Bernard Schwarb, Rolland J. Spring
  • Patent number: 11415164
    Abstract: A retainer comprises first and second legs extending away from a base wall. In one embodiment, the first leg includes a dimple array surrounding an aperture and projecting from an inboard surface of the first leg. In another embodiment, the first leg has a necked portion having a set of first shoulders extending away from a first base, and a first apertured portion extending away from the set of first shoulders. The second leg has a necked and stepped portion having a step extending away from a second base, and a shouldered portion extending away from the step and having a set of second shoulders extending laterally outwardly, and a second apertured portion extending away from the second shoulders. The retainer of either embodiment may be coupled to a nut to produce a retainer and nut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: AlphaUSA
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Gary A. Platukas, Bernard Schwarb, Rolland J. Spring