Patents Examined by Daniel J Wiley
  • Patent number: 11512721
    Abstract: A gravity-orientation coupler is shown and described. The gravity-orientation coupler includes a first coupler half and a second coupler half, wherein the coupler halves are shaped to fit flush together. Each coupler half is comprised of a tongue having a ball chamber which is located within one end of the tongue. The ball chamber movably houses a ball. The ball chamber has an opening located at one side. The tongue of one coupler half is configured to align with and fit flush against the other coupler half. The ball and ball chamber are configured such that when the coupler halves are fitted together the ball in at least one of the ball chambers will apply pressure to the respective tongue securing it therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Ewing-Foley, INC
    Inventor: Michael J. Maloney
  • Patent number: 11499581
    Abstract: A dimpled substrate for use in an assembly having joined substrates is provided that defines at least one preformed interior cavity, at least one preformed exterior profile adjacent the interior cavity and defining a wall therebetween, and at least one locating feature configured to identify a location of the at least one preformed exterior profile. In one form, the locating feature is disposed in the preformed exterior profile or adjacent to the preformed exterior profile. Alternatively, the locating feature is a notch formed into the dimpled substrate away from the preformed exterior profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrey Ilinich, Amanda Freis, Garret Huff
  • Patent number: 11486429
    Abstract: The connector assembly joins first and second hollow tubular elements. The connector assembly includes an anchor plug inserted into the first hollow tubular element, and having a second anchor plug opening that is elongated. A connector fitting is inserted into an end of the second hollow tubular element, and has a receiving portion to receive an exterior surface of the first hollow tubular element. The connector fitting includes an elongated-shaped receiver extending inward from the receiving portion, and includes a fastener receiver at a bottom of the elongated-shaped receiver. A torsion bar is configured to extend between the anchor plug and the connector fitting, and includes a tapered top defining a wedge. In operation, when a fastener is positioned and tightened, the bottom of the torsion bar is rigidly secured within the elongated-shaped receiver of the connector fitting, and the tapered top of the torsion bar is rigidly secured within the anchor plug via the second anchor plug opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Henderson
  • Patent number: 11479314
    Abstract: A dropper post assembly for supporting a bicycle seat can include an outer tube and an inner tube telescopically receivable in the outer tube and slidable within the outer tube between a retracted position in which a lower end of the inner tube is proximate a lower end of the outer tube and an extended position in which the lower end of the inner tube is axially spaced from the lower end of the outer tube. An actuator assembly may include an actuator body having a mounting portion connected to the lower end of the outer tube and a cartridge rod receiving portion, and may be configured so that when the inner tube is in the retracted position at least the upper surface of the cartridge rod receiving portion is nested within the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: D3 Innovation Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Staples
  • Patent number: 11466727
    Abstract: A ball socket assembly, dust boot assembly therefor, and method of construction thereof are provided. The ball socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore extending along a central axis. A bearing is disposed in the inner bore. A ball portion of a ball stud is disposed in sliding engagement with the bearing and a shank portion extends outwardly from the housing. A dust boot assembly having a tubular wall extends along the central axis between a distal end disposed about the shank portion and a proximal end in sealed engagement with the housing. The dust boot proximal end has an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the central axis. The annular flange has a cylindrical outer surface, a lower surface and an upper shoulder. An annular metal ring is disposed about and substantially encapsulates the cylindrical outer surface, lower surface and upper shoulder of the annular flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventors: Andrew L. Auquier, James J. Elterman
  • Patent number: 11466716
    Abstract: In a first aspect there is disclosed a load coupling (10). The load coupling (10) comprises a first coupling member (12) operatively associated with an actuator. The first coupling member has a first coupling formation (16). The load coupling (10) further comprises a second coupling member (14) adapted for operative coupling with the first coupling member (12). The second coupling member (14) includes an attachment formation (15) operatively adapted to attach the second coupling member (14) to a target component to which force generated by the actuator is to be transferred. The second coupling member (14) defines a second coupling formation (24) operatively associated with the first coupling formation (16) of the first coupling member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Peter Milekovic
  • Patent number: 11460068
    Abstract: An axial ball joint is provided with: a ball stud including a stud section and a ball section; a metallic housing which rotatably supports the ball section of the ball stud; and a resin-made ball seat which is provided to be interposed between the ball section and the housing. The housing is formed into a bottomed cylinder shape by pressing. The thickness of a bottom wall and the thickness of a circumferential side wall of the housing are set to be equal to each other. A plurality of bead sections are formed on the inner bottom of the housing by press-molding or forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 11460062
    Abstract: A lockable relative rotation device can comprise a first body including an outwardly extending inner flange having a first side, and a first interface feature associated with the first side of the inner flange. The lockable relative rotation device can also comprise a second body operable to rotate relative to the first body about an axis and to translate relative to the first body in first and second directions parallel to the axis. The second body can include an inwardly extending outer flange disposed proximate the first side of the inner flange, and a second interface feature associated with the outer flange. The first and second interface features can be operable to selectively engage and disengage one another upon relative translation of the first and second bodies in the first and second directions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Western Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kralik, Lyal Christensen
  • Patent number: 11454275
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bearing arrangement for a bearing end of a fastening shackle in a vehicle body of a vehicle that includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve and a sleeve-shaped plastic sliding bearing. The inner sleeve is mounted in the outer sleeve so that the inner sleeve is able to slide. The sleeve-shaped plastic sliding bearing surrounds the inner sleeve and is connected to the inner sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner. The sleeve-shaped plastic sliding bearing is also longer than the outer sleeve and is delimited by a first sleeve rim that protrudes beyond the outer sleeve, where the first sleeve rim is configurable to be form-locked and to resist rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Rodscha Drabon, Dirk Rochell
  • Patent number: 11448502
    Abstract: A wheel clamp attaches to a vehicle wheel for performing a wheel alignment on the vehicle. The wheel clamp has a mechanism to mount on the studs of the wheel and to securely mount on the flat surface of the rim. The wheel clamp may have a retractable mechanism that while mounted on the wheel's stud, can slide along the length of the stud without the need to turn it using the threads of the stud. Different methods may be used to attach to the stud, such as by means of treading a device, using a contraction mechanism or magnetic attraction. The wheel clamp has a crossbar and mechanism for supporting a measuring sensor, head or target and can be accommodated to different sizes, shapes and patterns of wheels and studs in the automotive industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventors: Emilio Banchs, Oscar Ferreyra, Travis Gest, Donovan Mann
  • Patent number: 11420300
    Abstract: A component fitting structure includes: a first component including an elastic column provided with an engaging piece; and a second component including a cutout capable of being engaged by the engaging piece, in which the engaging piece includes a first protrusion protruding laterally from the elastic column and a second protrusion protruding in a direction opposite to a protrusion direction of the first protrusion, and the cutout includes a first edge configured to oppose the first protrusion and a second edge configured to oppose a part of the second protrusion and open a remainder of the second protrusion, after the first component and the second component are assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuuma Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 11414885
    Abstract: A railing assembly may include a first railing portion including a first channel and a second channel. The railing assembly may include a first retaining element disposed at least partially in the first channel. A second retaining element may be disposed at least partially in the second channel. A baluster may be disposed at least partially in the first railing portion. The first retaining element and the second retaining element may be configured to retain the baluster relative to the first railing portion. The railing assembly may include a second railing portion, and the baluster may be disposed at least partially in the second railing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: UFP Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell H. Springborn
  • Patent number: 11383780
    Abstract: A saddle clamp for a bicycle includes a rail clamp, and a first and a second post clamp. The rail clamp includes a first rail clamp body configured to engage at least a portion of a first rail of a bicycle saddle, and a second rail clamp body configured to engage at least a portion of a second rail of the bicycle saddle, wherein the first and second rail clamp bodies are configured to cooperate to urge the first and second rails towards each other. Each post clamp is configured to engage a bicycle seat post, with the first and second post clamps disposed between the first and second rail clamp bodies, wherein the first and second post clamps are configured to exert a compressive force on the bicycle seat post in response to the first and second rail clamp bodies urging the first and second rails towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Wolf Tooth Components, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Jordan
  • Patent number: 11384898
    Abstract: A kit of portable modular components for use in demountably configuring a variety of structural assemblies. The kit comprises three types of elongate structural support components wherein the first type has a pair of opposed male ends, the second type has a male end and an opposed female end, and the third type has a pair of opposed female ends, wherein the male ends are configured for demountable engagement with the female ends. Each of the male ends comprises a cylindrical body with at least one linear set of two spaced-apart prongs around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical body. Each of the female ends has a cylindrical receptacle with one or more linear channels for receiving therein the cylindrical body and the at least one linear set of prongs. The female ends are provided with locking assemblies for releasable engagement the male ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ARCHI ENTERPRISES INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Leblanc
  • Patent number: 11384796
    Abstract: A coupling includes a shaft at least partially inserted into a hollow shaft and a ring part, in particular of a clamping ring, slipped onto the hollow shaft. The ring part is axially restricted by a collar provided on the shaft, in particular a radially projecting collar, and/or the ring part is resting against a collar, or the collar, of the shaft, in particular against a collar provided on the shaft, in particular a radially projecting collar. The hollow shaft has slots, in particular axial slots, which are set apart from the collar. The ring part has a chamfer, in particular on its inner side and/or at its ring opening and/or in particular in its axial end region facing the collar, so that the inner diameter of the ring part in the axial region covered by the chamfer is greater than the inner diameter in the particular axial region in which the ring part is in contact with the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Haller, Jens Schillinger, Max Denkhaus
  • Patent number: 11378115
    Abstract: A piece of furniture includes: a first and a second resilient section (100A, 100B) mutually displaced from each other forming a gap (G) there between; a cross-member (200) configured to connect with the first section and the second section thereby bridging the gap; and a first and a second joint arrangement (300A, 300B) configured to attach the cross-member to the first and second section, respectively; wherein each of the first and second joint arrangements comprises a pair of: a male part (320) formed by a dowel (321) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a free end (322) facing away from a surface (101A, 101B) of the respective section or away from the surface of the cross-member; and a female part (330) formed by a recess (331) in the surface of the cross-member or in the surface of the respective section, the recess having a recess extent with an insertion portion (332), an intermediate portion (333), and a locking portion (335); wherein as the respective dowel passes a section biasing port
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: IKEA Supply AG
    Inventors: Goran Sjostedt, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 11375683
    Abstract: A barrier component is disclosed for an animal stall, comprising a curved, elongated body member of elastomeric material such as rubber. This body member has first and second end sections each adapted for engagement within a respective hollow pipe. Together the two hollow pipes and the barrier component provide a stall divider when mounted on a suitable set of brackets, poles or supports at the head end of a stall. The component has a collar formation at each end which defines an annular recess for receiving a hollow pipe end and shielding the end of the pipe from the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Earls
  • Patent number: 11377871
    Abstract: An anchoring system for a fence attaches to a portion of the fence and secures the fence to a subsurface to anchor the fence and thereby inhibit unwanted movement of the fence due to winds or other outside forces. The anchoring system has a stand that forms a base and a rigid pole extending upwardly from the stand. A top connector removably attaches the rigid pole to a portion of the fence and at least one in-ground anchor secures the stand to a subsurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TransGard LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Escure, William Reichard
  • Patent number: 11358709
    Abstract: A rotorcraft and a connecting structure for an arm and an airframe of a rotorcraft are provided. The connecting structure includes: a fixed sleeve pipe configured to extend out from a circumferential edge of the airframe; an insertion head configured to be disposed to the first end of the arm and configured to be inserted into the fixed sleeve pipe; a lock sleeve configured to be fitted over the arm and having an insertion portion configured to be embedded into the insertion groove; and a lock nut configured to be fitted over the arm and configured for being in threaded connection with the fixed sleeve pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU XAIRCRAFT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bin Peng, Dingfeng Xiao
  • Patent number: 11346473
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sleeve for sleeving on an object, which includes: a first body portion, a second body portion, and a first groove. The first body portion has a first reception portion, and the first reception portion has a first notch, and the first notch is provided with a first fastening member. The second body portion is coupled to the first body portion. One end of the first groove is disposed at an adjacent position between the first notch and the second body portion, and the other end of the first groove extends to an appropriate position along an outer edge of a connection between the first body portion and the second body portion. The first groove is separated from the first reception portion by a first thin wall. One end of the object penetrates through the first reception portion, and the first notch is pressed by the first fastening member so that the first groove is broken along the first thin wall to form a first broken opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Chien-Ting Lin