Patents Examined by Amit Singh Dhillon
  • Patent number: 11261894
    Abstract: An anchor having a sleeve, a bolt which passes through the sleeve and at least one expansion element that is positioned in front of the sleeve and that is axially supported on the sleeve, whereby the bolt has an expansion area for the expansion element, is provided. According to the invention, it is provided for the sleeve to have a wavy shape with axial wave peaks in which the outer radius of the sleeve as well as the inner radius of the sleeve each have a maximum, and with wave valleys in which the outer radius of the sleeve as well as the inner radius of the sleeve each have a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Velten, Marc Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 11254443
    Abstract: A spark containment cap for forming a sealed cavity around an end of a fastener protruding from a structure is disclosed having a cap body with an annular base terminating at a rim which surrounds an opening into an air cavity arranged to enclose the end of the fastener. An annular sealing volume extends around the rim arranged to receive an annular bead of a curable sealing material around the opening into the cavity to provide a seal between the cap body and the structure to seal a volume of gas within the cavity. An engaging feature is configured to engage with the end of the fastener to prevent rotation of the fastener relative to the cap when the end of the fastener is received by the cap. A fastening system, a joint, an aircraft and a method of securing a fastener and a spark containment cap to a structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Dobbin
  • Patent number: 11225994
    Abstract: A screw fastener arrangement comprising a screw fastener, with a head and a shank, and at least one washer on the shank. A coupling sleeve is in the washer opening through which the shank passes, the coupling sleeve having a U-shaped profile which opens radially outward and is formed by two flanges spaced from each other and protruding radially outward, the coupling sleeve being held interlockingly with the at least one washer by the flange in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the washer opening. The coupling sleeve has clamping catches projecting radially inward and elastically adjustable in the direction of their longitudinal axis against the interior wall of the coupling sleeve, which, using their free end, engage in an undercut of the screw fastener, acting in a longitudinally axial direction to the coupling sleeve. Also disclosed is a washer assembly for such an arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: HEICO BEFESTIGUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Lutter
  • Patent number: 11209032
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a fastening assembly. In one example, the fastening assembly includes a vibration dampening element, a two-piece insert, a lower portion, and a fastener configured to engage with the two-piece insert and the lower portion of the assembly. The fastening assembly may be at least partially assembled during manufacture of components to be coupled via the fastening assembly, allowing the components to be readily coupled during final installation of the fastening assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Katherine Jane Brewer, Sandra Osip, Ramon Michael Lee, Joshua D. Simon, Christopher Newman, Erzabeth Holcombe
  • Nut
    Patent number: 11204056
    Abstract: A layered nut (10) comprises a plurality of thin nuts (12) formed with through-holes (16) having almost the same diameter. On the inner peripheral surface of each thin nut (12), a plurality of screw threads (18, 38) are formed at predetermined angular spacing so as to protrude toward the inside of the through-hole (16). In this case, the thin nuts (12) are layered along the direction of the central axis (14) so that the through-holes (16) become approximately coaxial. The outer peripheral surfaces of the layered thin nuts (12) are subjected to laser welding or the like, thereby joining the thin nuts (12) and completing the layered nut (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Nakayama, Ryuichi Masui, Naohiro Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 11204055
    Abstract: A sheet metal screw includes one or more of a tapered self-drilling tip, an asymmetric thread angle and/or a trilobular thread edge profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein, Shreenivas Iyer, Hamid Faghidi
  • Patent number: 11199215
    Abstract: A nut clip is disclosed. The nut clip may have a nut and a clip. The clip may have a forward reaction wall and an aft reaction wall structured to react tightening and loosening forces associated with the nut and to facilitate caging of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Novaria Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Jimmy Wayne Mahaffey
  • Patent number: 11193521
    Abstract: A kit of parts includes a ceramic element comprising a cylindrical bore having at least one recess, and a rod comprising an outer tube comprising a jutting portion adjacent to an insert portion. An outer tube wall mates with the cylindrical ceramic bore. An outer tube bore comprises a cylindrical portion. An outer tube projecting member is insertable into a recess in the cylindrical bore. An inner mandrel insertable into the outer bore stabilizes a projecting member in a recess to couple the rod to the ceramic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: VESUVIUS FRANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent DuBois, Etienne Schabaillie
  • Patent number: 11174886
    Abstract: A fastening system for fastening in a receptacle of a carrier component includes a fastening element with a guide portion insertable into the receptacle along a direction of insertion, and a clip element which is plugged onto the guide portion and which, to hold the fastening element and clip element in the receptacle, has retaining edges which interact with an inner surface of the receptacle, wherein the guide portion and clip element have interacting latching portions formed in such a way that an axial pulling force to release the fastening element and clip element from the receptacle produces a radially outwardly acting force on the retaining edges of the clip element, wherein the fastening element and the clip element further have interacting stop portions which counteract release of the clip element from the fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Roland Classen, Thiemo Ammann
  • Patent number: 11149777
    Abstract: An intelligent bolt includes a head region and a threaded region. The head region includes a bolt cavity. A distance between the head region and a bottom end of the cavity changes in operation as a function of longitudinal stress applied between the threaded region and the head region, and the bolt includes a sensor arrangement for measuring changes in the distance. A distal end of the sensor arrangement is disposed adjacent to the bottom end, wherein changes in spatial position of the bottom end relative to the distal end occur as a function of changes in the stress applied to the bolt to define a gap ā€œGā€ whose size varies depending upon the stress. Interrogating radiation transmission in operation via the gap ā€œGā€ from a source to a corresponding radiation sensor of the arrangement generates a stress measurement signal that is processed for wireless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Strain Labs AB
    Inventors: Csaba Madru, Matts Lilja
  • Patent number: 11149779
    Abstract: A nut fastening clip comprises a substrate, and a sleeve. The substrate has an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side. The substrate defines an upper opening. The first lateral side is opposite the second lateral side. The sleeve extends from the substrate. The sleeve defines a lower opening in communication with the upper opening. The sleeve has an outer face and a first anti-rotation plane disposed on the outer side face, adjacent to the first lateral side, and connected to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Zhilin Li, Bo Li
  • Patent number: 11143228
    Abstract: A locator guide extension connected to a locator on a host component by at least one retention barb or like feature. The locator guide extension effectively extends the length of the locator to assists an operator in the initial alignment of the host component part to the assembly. An operator locates apertures in the assembly with the locator guide extension prior to inserting attachment clips of the host component. Once initially aligned, the operator pushes the locator guide extension and locator into the aperture, where the locator provides the final fit/finish location. The attachment clip connects the host component to the final assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Feyers, Theodore J. Bachelder, Ronald J. Andor
  • Patent number: 11143226
    Abstract: A blind fastener for connecting panels includes a bolt and nut. The bolt includes a shaft, bolt head, and lug. The bolt head is between the shaft and lug. The shaft defines external threads opposite the bolt head. The lug includes a first tool engagement portion and first frangible portion that connects the lug and bolt head. The nut includes a sleeve, nut head, and handling member. A central bore of the sleeve receives the shaft and defines internal threads mated with the external threads. The nut head is between the handling member and sleeve. The nut head extends radially from the sleeve and defines a recess that receives the bolt head. The handling member surrounds a portion of the lug. The handling member includes a second frangible portion and a second tool engagement portion. The second frangible portion couples the second tool engagement portion to the nut head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Terry Vovan
  • Patent number: 11137011
    Abstract: A fastening system for fastening a first component variably spaced on a second component has a main body, a slide, and an elongate locking element. The main body has a mounting surface for mounting on the first component and a locating surface, through which an elongate depression passes, for fastening to the second component. The main body has a slideway to movably support the slide along the depression and the locating surface. Facing sides of the slide and the depression each have a first tooth system. The locking element fits into the elongate depression and has a second tooth system on two mutually opposite longitudinal sides and engages between the depression first tooth system and the locking element and between the slide and the locking element in a first alignment within the depression and releases it in a second alignment. The mounting surface and locating surfaces are not parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Niklas Lehmensieck, Hermann Benthien
  • Patent number: 11137008
    Abstract: A self-drilling anchor assembly including a drill bit and an anchor positioned over and attached to the drill bit. In various embodiments, the drill bit includes a shank, a drill head integrally connected to one end of the shank, and a threaded tail integrally connected to an opposite end of the shank. The tail includes a mechanical engaging structure that is engageable by a tool to rotate the drill bit, and a helical thread formation to facilitate attachment of a securing device such as nut and washer to the tail of the drill bit. The anchor includes an elongated generally tubular body including an inner surface defining a longitudinally extending inner channel, and a head integrally connected to and extending from a first end of the body. The drill bit is configured to remain in the anchor and in the substrate after installation of the anchor assembly in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dill, Miguel E. Mendez Jaquez, Anthony Versino
  • Patent number: 11125261
    Abstract: A rivet fastener assembly is configured to securely clamp onto one or more components. The rivet fastener assembly includes a grommet including a collar and a column extending from the collar. A passage is defined through the collar and the column. The column includes component-engaging legs that are configured to fold and directly contact the component(s) when folded, and reinforcing legs that are configured to fold and reinforce the component-engaging legs when folded as the component-engaging legs directly contact the components).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11125264
    Abstract: A stud clip is configured to securely couple a fastener to a component. The stud clip includes a first portion, a second portion that is configured to retain a portion of a fastener, and a flexible tether that integrally connects the first portion to the second portion. The first portion is configured to fold relative to the second portion via the flexible tether into a folded state. The stud clip is moveable between the folded state and an extended state in which the second portion is distally located from the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Liebelt, Sean A. Tomaselli
  • Patent number: 11118619
    Abstract: A connection assembly with at least one receiving module for receiving a securing element. The at least one receiving module has a chamber for receiving the respective securing element, the chamber being delimited by an inner wall, and has a first opening as well as a second opening. The two openings delimit a passage channel within the chamber, and the inner wall has at least one latching module to which the securing element is to be latched within the chamber at least temporarily after guiding the securing element along a longitudinal direction of the passage channel into the chamber through the first opening. The latched securing element is to be received completely within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Alexander Eichhorn, Ralf Maisch, Heiner Fees
  • Patent number: 11103094
    Abstract: An aesthetic fastener is an innovated fastener that can accept an aesthetic cap or cover on the head of the fastener. The aesthetic fastener is similar to a regular screw but with a thicker and threaded head to receive the aesthetic cap or cover. Additionally, the aesthetic fastener comprises an attachment that allows the fastener to accept aesthetic caps or covers that are larger in diameter than the diameter of the head of the aesthetic fastener. Further, the aesthetic fastener includes an attachment that allows a user to easily hang items on to the aesthetic fastener with the aesthetic cap or cover on the aesthetic fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Jonathan Henry Carmona
  • Patent number: 11105361
    Abstract: A screw includes: a head end, a shank and a tapered end, the head end including a tool engaging part, the head end located at one end of the shank and the tapered end located at an opposite end of the shank, wherein a thread is formed along the shank, the thread begins on the tapered end, extends onto the shank and terminates at a set location short of the head end, the thread being a right-hand thread and having a peripheral edge, at least a first helical portion of the peripheral edge includes a plurality of notches and a second helical portion of the thread lacks any notches, wherein the first helical portion is closer to the tapered end than the second helical portion, wherein the head includes an underside formed by a frustoconical part with a plurality of nibs. The head may also include an outer ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein, Beesham Mahadeo