Patents Examined by David M Upchurch
  • Patent number: 11825917
    Abstract: A multi-point buckle has a buckle, at least two latches and a plurality of dust jackets. The buckle has a plurality of tongue slots on a peripheral edge. Each of the latches has at least two tongues, and each tongue is capable of being inserted into one of the tongue slots of the buckle for locking. Each dust jacket has a through slot through two opposite ends for accepting one of the tongues. One of the two opposite ends of the dust jacket is a first abutting end, the first abutting end abutting an edge of the buckle when the one of the tongues and a corresponding tongue slot are locked together, and the first abutting end has a loop lip around an opening of the through slot for filling in between the tongue and the tongue slot and prevent dust from entering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN RACING PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 11826815
    Abstract: A tensioning apparatus for pulling together respective ends of a previously severed high-tension cable and, thus, repairing and restoring tension upon a unified cable includes a base member defining a pair of guide channels spaced apart along a common longitudinal axis. The tensioning apparatus includes a pair of tensioning arms positioned in the pair of guide channels, respectively, that is slidably movable between a relaxed configuration displaced from one another and a tensioned configuration proximate one another. Each tensioning arm includes a gripper member configured to clamp onto the respective ends of the severed cable. Hydraulic or pneumatic power is operatively coupled to the pair of tensioning arms for selectively actuating movement of the pair of tensioning arms along the guide channels between the relaxed and tensioned configurations. In other words, the ends of the severed cable are pulled tightly toward one another and joined together under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Benjamin Wickham
  • Patent number: 11819091
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener may include using, as a synthetic resin forming the molded surface fastener, a thermoplastic resin having a melt flow rate of 20 g/10 min or more and 60 g/10 min or less and a flexural modulus of 1000 MPa or more and 2300 MPa or less. Consequently, an engaging element in which a top end surface of an engaging head portion is flat, and at least a part of a back-side proximal end surface of the engaging head portion has an angle of 70° or more and 110° or less with respect to a height direction of the stem portion can be stably molded, and thus the molded surface fastener that has a high peel strength and a good texture can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Fukuhara, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Takahiro Fuse, Kyoichi Yuki, Ryosuke Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 11819089
    Abstract: A fastening structure of the present upper includes: an upper that defines a left eyelet row and a right eyelet row arranged along a longitudinal direction of a shoe; and a shoelace inserted through eyelets of the left and right eyelet rows, wherein: the left and right eyelet rows each at least include a first eyelet on a tip side, and a second eyelet, a third eyelet and a fourth eyelet that are arranged in this order from the first eyelet toward a posterior side; D1 is defined as a first average interval between eyelets; D2 is defined as a second average interval; D3 is defined as a third average interval; and Expressions (1) and (10) below are satisfied: D1>D2<D3??(1) 1.0*(D1+D2)>D1>0.6*(D1+D2)??(10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ASICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Genki Hatano, Shingo Takashima, Kenta Moriyasu, Satoru Abe, Hiroaki Nishimura, Tomoki Ishizashi
  • Patent number: 11820277
    Abstract: A strap tensioner includes a frame, a bridge bar, a stopper, a winding shaft, a gear assembly, a crank and an observation hole. The frame has two sidewalls. The bridge bar is fixed between the two sidewalls. The stopper is of an L-shape and extends from one of the sidewalls. The gear assembly is mounted on the other sidewall and has a worm and a worm gear. The worm gear is axially connected to the winding shaft. The worm is provided with a drive shaft. The crank includes a stem connected to the drive shaft, an arm pivotedly connected to the stem and being capable of being either expanded along the stem or folded over the stem, and a handle on the arm. The observation hole is formed in the sidewall. The handle is blocked by the stopper when the arm is folded over the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: STRONG YUN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeh-Chien Chou
  • Patent number: 11819620
    Abstract: A directional lock or a headgear or interface assembly comprising one or more directional locks that include a catch arrangement for initiating or assisting in movement of a lock member of the direction lock. In some configurations, the catch arrangement assists movement of the lock member in only a portion of a range of travel of the lock member. In some configurations, the directional lock comprises a housing and a sleeve and the catch arrangement comprises a catch arm carried by the sleeve. The catch arm includes a catch end that contacts the lock member, which can be a lock washer in some configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Jeroen Hammer, Vitaly Kapelevich
  • Patent number: 11815125
    Abstract: An example retaining device includes a retaining feature to retain an article, and a first arm. The first arm projects in a first direction and includes a first protrusion extending away from a first face of the first arm. The first protrusion is to engage another article to retain the retaining device relative to the other article. The first arm includes a second protrusion spaced apart from the first protrusion and extending away from the first face of the first arm. The width of the second protrusion increases in the first direction so as to provide a sloped surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alberto Borrego Lebrato, Marc Clotet Marti, Cesar Luis Coelho Morais de Serpa Rosa
  • Patent number: 11794968
    Abstract: A cable tie is provided, including: a locking head and a strap body. The locking head includes a plurality of first engaging teeth. The strap body is connected with the locking head. The strap body includes a first surface, a second surface and two lateral sides respectively connected between the first and second surfaces. The first surface includes a plurality of second engaging teeth and two protruding edges. The plurality of second engaging teeth are engageable with the plurality of first engaging teeth. The two protruding edges are disposed on two opposite sides of the plurality of second engaging teeth. A plurality of notched portions are disposed on the two lateral sides and interrupt the two protruding edges. Based on the first surface, a height of each of the two protruding edges is greater than a height of each of the plurality of second engaging teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Jung-Lang Hsu
  • Patent number: 11795992
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an apparatus, comprising a body. In some examples, the apparatus includes a gate rotatably coupled to the body, the gate including an arm, a middle portion, and a bend. According to some examples, the gate is configured to rest in an initial position. The gate may be configured to move from the initial position in response to a first force. In some examples, the arm moves a greater distance than the middle portion when the gate is moved from the initial position. According to some examples, a torque occurs in the bend when the gate is moved from the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Touching Design LLC
    Inventors: Haoyu Feng, Dan Xiong, Jinyao Feng
  • Patent number: 11788603
    Abstract: A ligature attachment device for use with a ligature is disclosed, the ligature attachment device comprising a proximal section comprising a loop retainer section, a distal section comprising a tool section, a central section comprising a central ligature spool section having a centrally located cinch aperture and the central ligature spool section is coupled to the loop retainer section and the tool section. The loop retainer section having a loop retainer profile configured to retain a loop of the ligature frictionally engaged with the central ligature spool section. The cinch aperture having an aperture shape configured to allow at least two sections of a ligature to be removably retained in the cinch aperture whereby the cinch aperture can removably retain the loop of the ligature. The tool section comprises a first tool for removably joining a second tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Gary Anthony Horgan
  • Patent number: 11779780
    Abstract: A variable speed controlled device used for ascending and descending along a rope such as used in mountain climbing, tree climbing, rescue operations and the like. A friction mechanism controls the speed of the movement of the device along a rope line. A person can quickly and freely ascend a steep slope along a rope line. A person can also descend a steep slope along a rope line and be confident that a friction mechanism will control the rate of descent. An optional e-brake mechanism can further ensure the device will lock and prevent further downward movement if the person begins a freefall. The device allows other persons (e.g., a teammate, guide or rescue agency) to safely lower an incapacitated or unconscious person down, for example, an alpine mountain, burning building, cliff or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: William Burke
  • Patent number: 11771167
    Abstract: A connector for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, comprising: an inner region comprising a first anchor point on a first side thereof, the first anchor point being configured to connect the connector to the first part of the apparatus; two, or more, arms extending outward from an edge of the inner region, the arms being formed from a deformable material and configured to connect the connector to the second part of the apparatus; and the inner region further comprising a sliding surface on a second side thereof, opposite the first side, the sliding surface being configured to provide a low friction interface between the inner region and an opposing surface of the second part of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Pietrzak
  • Patent number: 11771178
    Abstract: A shoelace is provided, including: a core material, defining an axial direction; and a cover layer, sleeved on the core material and being at least partially slidable axially relative to the core material, including a plurality of first strands and a plurality of meshes woven by the plurality of first strands, the core material partially exposed outwardly from the plurality of meshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: JHIH HUEI TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yung-Yu Wu
  • Patent number: 11771179
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a string adjuster that can adjust the length of a string by winding the string. A string adjuster of the present invention includes a fixed unit and a rotation unit, in which a knob of the rotation unit includes a first extension having a counter-anti-separator formed on the interior circumferential surface and preventing separation from a housing, a second extension having a winding determination protrusion formed on the interior circumferential surface and determining winding and releasing modes, and a spacing groove formed between the first extension and the second extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Sug Whan Kim
  • Patent number: 11771183
    Abstract: A zipper includes two rows of zipper teeth, in which at least one of the zipper teeth includes a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) foam material having a Poisson's ratio of between 0 and ?1, and a slider movably attached to one of the rows of the zipper teeth and configured to connect the two rows of zipper teeth when the slider is moved in a first direction and to disconnect the two rows of zipper teeth when the slider is moved in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Joon Bu Park
  • Patent number: 11766096
    Abstract: The kit comprises a fastening structure and an anchoring structure. The fastening structure includes two vertical poles which are connected at their top ends by a horizontal bar and are inserted into two apertures of the button. The lower ends of the poles are attached to terminal elements. The anchoring structure comprises two trapping mechanisms which are configured to trap the terminal elements and to prevent them from detachment once they reach their trapping spots. The user places the fastening structure with the button above the doth at the desired location and places the anchoring structure below the doth opposite to the terminal elements. Next, the user pushes the poles downwards pierces the doth and permanently traps the terminal elements by inserting them into the trapping mechanisms until they reach their trapping spots in which the resilient gates are released and occupy the cavities of the terminal elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Jezekiel Ben-Arie
  • Patent number: 11758990
    Abstract: A device releasably attachable to a zippered compartment so as to secure the compartment against unauthorized access is disclosed. The device includes an anchor for mounting the device to the zippered compartment, and a releasable lock for engaging the body of a slider head of the zippered compartment. The anchor includes a clamp, clip, and contact surfaces so as to engage a portion of the zippered closure of the zippered compartment. The releasable lock includes a latch that releasably engages the body of a standard slider head of the zippered closure. When the device is removed from the zippered compartment, the zippered closure is left in its original, unmodified condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: HIGHCROFT INC.
    Inventor: Michael Kenneth Matchett
  • Patent number: 11761473
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a carabiner that includes a carabiner body forming an opening and comprising a gate base, a gate rest, and a gate rest extension. In embodiments, at least one pivotable gate is coupled to the gate base at a pivotable point and adapted to contact the gate rest when in a closed position. In embodiments, the gate rest extension comprises a gate rest extension axis, and an angle between the gate rest extension and gate when in the closed position is approximately 35-61 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Adelman
  • Patent number: 11761469
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fastener for coupling a base component on which the fastener is deployed to a target component having an opening with which the fastener is configured to couple. The fastener has a core, a cap, and a plurality of prongs. Each prong has a shelf and may also have a ramp. The fastener is configured to couple with a variety of openings having different sizes, shapes, and dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ciby John, Kileean E. Bell
  • Patent number: 11758989
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a snap system including a mating component and a snap component that connect by means of a snap fit or otherwise. The mating component simplifies the assembly process by combining a structural component and an attachment point. The snap component is associated with a removable component that mates with the attachment point of the mating component. The snap system includes a mating component that combines a structural component to secure a material and an attachment point to secure a snap component. The design of the structural component allows the mating component to be used with a variety of materials having a variable thickness. The mating component is a versatile feature as the structural component self-adjusts to the thickness of the material provided. The snap system decreases the amount of components necessary for manufacturing, which may decrease the cost, as well as improve the visual appeal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Martell