Patents Examined by Amit Singh Dhillon
  • Patent number: 11098744
    Abstract: A torque limiting fastener comprises a body. The body defines a first body portion and a second body portion that extend from a first end of the body to a second end of the body. The body comprises an inner surface extending from the first end of the body to the second end of the body. The body further comprises an outer surface extending from the first end of the body to the second end of the body. The body yet further comprises an inner threadform extending substantially along a length of the inner surface of the second body portion and a controlled break region. The controlled break region is disposed at an intersection of the first body portion and the second body portion. The controlled break region includes an outer surface break point formed into the outer surface and an inner surface break point formed into the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Classic Connectors, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Russel Tamm, Randy L. Wolf
  • Patent number: 11078944
    Abstract: A clip assembly is configured to adjustably secure to a first component and a second component. The clip assembly includes a rail member that is configured to connect to the first component, and an attachment member that is configured to connect to the second component. The rail member is linearly adjustable in relation to the attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Owen Lepper, Eric David Kendall
  • Patent number: 11072438
    Abstract: A fastening system has a fastening element and at least one fastening device having a flanged housing, a closure element, a hollow-sphere element and a spherical insert. The hollow-sphere element pivots about a first pivoting axis relative to the flanged housing, while the spherical insert pivots about a second pivoting axis in the hollow-sphere element. First engagement means in an opening of the spherical insert are of complementary design to second engagement means of the fastening element. The first and second engagement means are designed such that, in a first rotational position, the fastening element can be inserted freely into the opening and, in a second rotational position, the first and second engagement means engage in one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Benthien, Andreas Poppe
  • Patent number: 11047417
    Abstract: A fastening assembly includes a panel, a fastener and a primary anode insert. The panel defines an aperture and the fastener includes a shaft portion disposed within the aperture. The primary anode insert may be disposed adjacent to a reaction region of the fastener. Alternatively, the fastening assembly may include a fastener and a primary anode insert. The fastener includes a shaft portion which is configured to be disposed within at least two aligned component apertures. The primary anode insert may be also be disposed adjacent to a reaction region of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Bradley J. Blaski, Steven Cipriano, Mark O. Vann
  • Patent number: 11015630
    Abstract: A nut is caulked and fixed to a plate material and a protrusion at an end of a collar is press-fitted into a recessed groove generated on the opposite surface of the plate material at the time of the caulking fixation, thereby fixing the nut and the collar to both surfaces of the plate material, respectively. The plate material is, for example, a metal panel, and the nut is, for example, a pierce nut. Since the collar is caulked and fixed, thermal strain is not generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignees: Aoyama Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Fufaba Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukinori Fujimoto, Kazuhiro Koga, Keiichiro Masui, Yuusuke Asai, Masatoshi Tanabe, Hirotaka Niinomi
  • Patent number: 10989244
    Abstract: A cap assembly for enclosing a metallic fastener which extends through a structure. The assembly includes a housing having an inner wall and an outer wall which extends about and is spaced apart from the inner wall defining a space positioned between the inner wall and outer wall. The assembly further includes a plunger member with a side wall portion secured to an end wall portion. The side wall portion of the plunger member has a thickness dimension smaller than a distance between the inner wall and the outer wall to position the sidewall portion of the plunger member within the space. With the side wall portion positioned within the space, the end wall portion is positioned in alignment with the inner wall and with an opening defined by and through the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean Auffinger, Bart Stevens
  • Patent number: 10989246
    Abstract: An anti-vibration fastener, including a square flange bolt to affix a first object to a second object, the square flange bolt including a first threaded portion disposed at a front end of the square flange bolt, and a second threaded portion disposed at a rear end of the square flange bolt having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first threaded portion, and a forward nut to encapsulate at least a portion of the square flange bolt such that the first object and the second object are disposed between the forward nut and the front end of the square flange bolt, and an aft nut to encapsulate at least a portion of the square flange bolt and the forward nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Richard C. Sicard
  • Patent number: 10982702
    Abstract: A fastener includes a self-locking pin washer and at least one elongate projection mounted on the self-locking pin washer, where the self-locking pin washer is arranged to be a resistance fit to a projection mounted on a structure or vehicle. A method of fastening a panel to a substrate includes attaching a fastener to a projection of a substrate, wherein the fastener includes an elongate projection that is longer than the projection. The method further includes attaching a panel onto the elongate projection of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Owens, Russell William Peters, Alan Thomas Harris
  • Patent number: 10982706
    Abstract: A lock nut system includes a nut having a retaining member which includes a slot therein and a protrusion configured to fit within a recess of a shaft. A keeper includes a section receivable within the slot of the retaining member so when the nut is threadably engaged to the shaft to a desired torque the nut the keeper is slideable within the slot of the retaining member to allow the lock nut to be locked into position on the shaft without further rotation or other adjustment of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: TEMPER AXLE PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: John E Rode
  • Patent number: 10968942
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant threaded fastener including a circular head having a slot formed in the head transverse to the longitudinal axis, the slot having an enlarged region intermediate an apex and a base of the slot. A cap member includes a head having a drive feature formed therein, the head extending to a first shank portion, extending to an enlarged second shank portion, extending to a foot. The cap member is insertable in the slot only from a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. During rotational installation of the fastener and cap member in a threaded counterbored opening for securing a barrier for protecting an asset, the foot shears inside the slot at a predetermined rotational drive force, the cap member being rotatable in the opening and protectively covering the fastener head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Neidigk, Zachary Medaris Wilson
  • Patent number: 10954977
    Abstract: A two-part fastener with an insert and a compression sleeve. The insert is an internally-threaded fastener intended to be installed into a hole of a very hard panel. The insert itself is relatively hard with a knurled outer barrel portion and a flange at the bottom. A compression sleeve is made of relatively soft material and is preassembled around the barrel of the insert by friction fit. Upon installation into a panel with a blind hole having parallel sides, the compression sleeve is pressed into the panel and deforms outwardly between the insert and the side wall of the hole. Friction between the compression sleeve and the wall of the hole prevents torque out and pull out of the fastener from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Penn Engineering & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Michael J. Maloney, Brian G. Bentrim
  • Patent number: 10954989
    Abstract: A screw includes a shank having a head, a point, a threaded section and a knurling section. The threaded section is located between the head and the point. The knurling section is located between the head and the threaded section. The knurling section includes a first set of grooves consisting of a plurality of first grooves and a second set of grooves consisting of a plurality of second grooves. The plurality of first grooves extends in a first angle relative to an axis of the shank. The plurality of second grooves extends in a second angle relative to the axis of the shank not parallel to the first angle. The first angle is equal to or larger than 0 degrees. The first grooves have unequal spacing. The first grooves intersect with the second grooves to form a plurality of intersecting zones with peaks and ridges of different sizes and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SHEH FUNG SCREWS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: William Richard Lucas
  • Patent number: 10941801
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for insertion in a panel aperture in a receiving panel has a flange. The flange has an engagement surface locatable on a first side of the receiving panel. A plurality of resilient arms project from the engagement surface and are insertable in the panel aperture. At least two of the plurality of resilient arms define a channel therebetween for receiving a threaded fastener. The channel is sized to limit inward deflection of the at least two of the plurality of resilient arms when the threaded fastener extends within the channel. A threaded surface is located in the flange and forms at least in part an anchor aperture for alignment with the panel aperture. The channel is aligned with the anchor aperture. The threaded surface is located between the plurality of resilient arms and is adapted for threadingly engaging the threaded fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Roy, Maxime Valence
  • Patent number: 10935064
    Abstract: Dowels harvested from wood including portions from adjacent growth rings that are oriented so that the dowels expand in a horizontal direction, relative to its longitudinal axis, when exposed to moisture. Assembly systems can incorporate the dowels as fasteners, dowels and the assembly systems marked to allow for orienting the dowels for expansion in a predetermined direction relative to the assembly system. Wall systems made of contiguous wall panels assembled with dowels, where the dowel paths are arranged in configurations for stabilizing the assembled wall system. The wall panel tops can include pairs of dowel paths angled toward each other. The central wall panel bottoms can include a dowel path along a longitudinal axis, while the flanking wall panel bottoms can include dowel paths extending toward the central wall panel. The wall system can include the markings for orienting marked and directionally-expanding dowels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MILLER DOWEL COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael R. Miller
  • Patent number: 10933817
    Abstract: A device for securing a first unit to a second unit includes a first component having a body and a head. The body is configured to be inserted in at least one of a first orifice of the first unit and a second orifice of the second unit. The first component includes a retainer at a lower longitudinal end of the body. A second component is configured to couple to the first component. At least one of the first and second components includes at least one cam surface and the other of the first and second components includes at least one follower configured to cooperate with the at least one cam surface, and to transform a rotational movement of the first component into a longitudinal translation movement of the first component in relation to the second component so that the retainer bears on the lower surface of the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Leverger, Fulvio Yon, James S. Tisol, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10927871
    Abstract: The affixing device for pieces includes an affixing element (1) that can be positioned through an opening (6) in each one of the pieces (7, 8) that are affixed to each other, that also comprises a first and second retaining elements (2, 3), which, when they are in their affixing positions, are in contact with the pieces (7, 8) that are affixed to each other, with the affixing element (1) passing through the first and second retaining elements (2, 3), and with the first retaining element (2) including an accommodation space for a tool. This configuration allows for faster and simpler assembly of the affixing device, also avoiding problems of misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Francisco Criado del Pino, Jorge Gustavo Barcelo, Javier Arteta Unanua
  • Patent number: 10927876
    Abstract: A rivet nut fastener has a cylindrical nut having a length that extends from a proximal end having an outwardly extending flange, through a central portion, to a distal end; a bore that extends into the nut accessible through an opening at the proximal end to an internally threaded portion of the bore adjacent the distal end of the nut; and a spiral structure mounted on an exterior portion the distal end of the nut. The nut is shaped to be inserted through the aperture, along with the spiral structure, such that the central portion may be compressed so that the length of the nut is reduced, thereby compressing the spiral structure to form a support structure, such that the support structure and the flange together clamp the wall therebetween so that the rivet nut fastener is securely mounted on the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Rosebrugh
  • Patent number: 10920817
    Abstract: A threaded fastener having a thread defined by a crest portion, a leading flank, a first root portion, a second root portion, and a trailing flank, configured to engage an externally threaded trapezoidal threadform. The thread may alternatively be defined by a foot portion, a leading flank, a first crest portion, a second crest portion, and a trailing flank, configured to engage an internally threaded trapezoidal threadform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: INFASTECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Ryan Bostick, Kevin Peacock
  • Patent number: 10851827
    Abstract: A vehicle component fastener for fastening a first component to a second component of a vehicle, including a first part having a pin socket for receiving a head of a pin of the second component, and a second part having a fastening structure for fastening of the first component. The first part and the second part are connected to each other via a preassembly locking device in a preassembly position from which axial displacement into a final assembly position can occur. The preassembly locking device is releasable by introduction of the head of the ball pin or T pin into the pin socket such that the axial displacement into the final assembly position a) can be carried out with less effort than when the head of the ball pin or T pin is not introduced into the pin socket, or b) can be carried out at all.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Marina Bohl, Thiemo Ammann, Markus Elsner