Patents Examined by David M Upchurch
  • Wire terminator device
    Patent number: 11555529
    Abstract: A wire terminator device for fences and barriers which has two bodies. The first body houses a wire retaining mechanism and the second body stems from the first body and includes an engagement element where the wire is retained in the usage position. The engagement element forming the second body is defined by a through passage in the direction of passage of the wire and a single inlet groove that is oblique with respect to the direction of passage of the wire. The single inlet groove is arranged in the same plane of the direction of passage of the wire in the usage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: SHINY WORKS, S.L.
    Inventors: Luis Portolés Griñán, Ricardo Verdú Álvaro, Luis Marín Mateos-Aparicio
  • Ergonomic fastener with snap-fitting leg and a compression collar
    Patent number: 11549541
    Abstract: A fastener for attaching an element to a support includes a fastening base intended to pass through an opening provided in the support by ways of an axial compression force, a head, and a frustoconical and elastically deformable compression collar. The collar, when compressed, is intended to bear against the support. The collar is connected to the head in a connection region. The compression collar has a first bending region, and at least a second bending region, the first and the second bending regions being configured to deform in a predetermined manner when the fastener is subjected to the axial compression force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventors: Virginie Pouzols, Grégory Paulin, Jimmy Voniez
  • Ratchet device
    Patent number: 11548429
    Abstract: A ratcheting device according to the solution comprises a rotatable cogwheel comprising a plurality of teeth, a spring-loaded primary pawl, a spring-loaded handle pawl, a handle comprising a handle pawl disengagement lever, a handle pawl disengagement plate and a primary pawl disengagement plate. The primary pawl disengagement plate is mechanically coupled to the handle such that the handle may be rotated around the cogwheel to a point that the primary pawl disengagement plate contacts the spring-loaded primary pawl and causes it to disengage from the cogwheel. At the same time that the primary pawl is disengaged from the cogwheel teeth by the primary pawl disengagement plate, the handle pawl is similarly disengaged from the cogwheel teeth via contact with a handle pawl disengagement plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cottrell Incorporated
    Inventors: Phillip Bryan Howes, Matt Rahm
  • Chain link adapter
    Patent number: 11548769
    Abstract: A system for providing safety to a hoist having a hook and a chain. The system includes a safety cable threaded through an opening of the hook or an object to be lifted. The system includes a connector connected to the safety cable and the chain such that when the hook and the chain of the hoist are disconnected, the object remains connected to the chain via the connector and safety cable. The connector includes a base portion having a chain opening configured to receive the chain, and a first cable opening configured to receive the safety cable. The connector includes a top portion configured to be coupled to the base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that the base portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at a substantially fixed position along the length of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mario E. Hernandez Ortiz
  • Belt buckle system
    Patent number: 11540597
    Abstract: A belt buckle system includes a belt buckle frame member having an internal shaft, a first elongated actuator member slidingly positioned within the internal shaft, and a first latch member positioned within the buckle frame. The latch member rotates between an extended position and a retracted position and has a latch portion that extends outward from the belt buckle frame when the first latch member is in the member extended position and wherein the latch portion of the first latch member is positioned within the frame when the latch member is in the retracted position. The first elongated actuator actuates to transition the first latch member between the extended position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TEAM NexBelt Operating, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Rowland, Tom Hunsucker
  • Male snap button and female snap button
    Patent number: 11528967
    Abstract: Provided is a male snap button (10) including a metal male snap body (20), and a fixing member (30) for fixing the male snap body (20) to a fabric (1). The male snap body (20) includes: a male-side engagement part (21) in annular shape capable of being removably engaged with a female-side engagement part (60) of a female snap button (40); and multiple claws (27). The male-side engagement part (21) defines an opening (28) that exposes the fabric (1) inside in a radial direction thereof. A diameter (D1) of the opening (28) is greater than a length (W1) in the radial direction from an outside edge of the opening (28) in the radial direction to an outside edge of the male snap body (20) in the radial direction. The fixing member (30, 30a) includes claw accommodation parts (33) to receive the claws (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: YKK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota Kanno, Kazunori Somai, Daisuke Hayashi, Kohei Iwata, Nariko Kubota
  • Fastener
    Patent number: 11530715
    Abstract: A fastener includes a base member; a first member, on the base member and having a through bore; a second member, on the base member and spaced from the first member to form a receiving portion to receive a panel structure, including an aperture defining an internal surface, the internal surface including at least one stop member protruding radially inwardly, and a nut member, coaxially aligned within and frangibly connected to the internal surface, including at least one block member protruding radially outward from an outer surface of the nut member to stoppingly engage with the at least one stop member. During use, the nut member moves from a first position, where the nut is frangibly connected to the internal surface, to a second position, where the least one block member abuttingly engages with the at last one stop member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Javier Arteta Unanua
  • Tool holder
    Patent number: 11523675
    Abstract: A tool holder for a tool belt may include a flexible carrier sheet and at least one belt hanger. The at least one belt hanger may include a belt interface which may be configured to be connected to a tool belt and a carrier sheet connection interface which may be configured to be connected to the carrier sheet. The flexible carrier sheet may include a tool suspension interface which may be configured to connect to a tool or a tool receiver, and a hanger connection interface which may be configured to connect to the carrier sheet connection interface of the belt hanger. The carrier sheet may be configured to connect to the belt hanger by bending the hanger connection interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Carl Heinemark, Mikael Arvidsson
  • Watch strap
    Patent number: 11517079
    Abstract: A watch strap includes a substantially inflexible main portion, a flexible auxiliary portion coupled to the substantially inflexible main portion, and a tightener coupled to the flexible auxiliary portion. When in use, the tightener is configured to maintain a selected tightness, and the flexible auxiliary portion is configured to be elastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
    Inventors: Anna-Marja Suvilaakso, Olli Komulainen, Kaisa Lämsä, Katri Ervasti-Taskila, Marko Tuhkala, Seppo Korkala, Veli-Pekka Putila
  • Belt ratcheting device with hidden blade II
    Patent number: 11517077
    Abstract: The Belt Ratcheting Device with Hidden Blade II (HB-II) facilitates unidirectional belt fastening and fast release. The HB-II includes a turning gate rotatably installed diagonally in a channel. The turning gate has a hidden sharp blade front which operates below on the lower belt surface avoiding visible scratches. The turning gate is connected to a lever by a spring. The HB-II has two states: “active” and “inactive”. In the active state the device works as a belt ratchet i.e. allowing the belt to be pulled forwards but restricting any belt motion backwards. In the inactive state the ratcheting is disabled and the belt is released. The HB-II is controlled by the lever's position. After fastening, the belt remains fastened until the HB-II is switched manually into inactive state by moving the lever. The blade's smooth side and channel's smooth surfaces minimize belt wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventor: Jezekiel Ben-Arie
  • Magnetic button adapter system and method for manufacturing
    Patent number: 11517060
    Abstract: This invention features magnetic, laundry tolerant, no-sew button adapters that convert traditional shirt buttons into magnetic closures to help people with dexterity limitations. The adapters simply attach to any shirt to help make getting dressed easier and a restore a crucial activity of daily living. Users can simply push the lapels of a shirt together to engage magnetic force, activating the buttons to snap into place. The shirt can be opened easily by pulling the lapels apart to undress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: BUTTONS TO BUTTON, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gina Rae Adams
  • Coupling/uncoupling device
    Patent number: 11518550
    Abstract: A coupling/uncoupling device includes a columnar member configured by a divided pair of semicircular members, and a pair of coupling members forming a circular holding section that holds the columnar member. The circular holding section includes a circular inner surface section with which an outer circumferential surface of the columnar member is in slide contact, the circular inner surface section being formed from inner circumferential surfaces of a semicircular section in one coupling member and a semicircular section in the other coupling member. The columnar member is configured to be rotatable in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions along the circular inner surface section about a reference position where a contact surface of the pair of coupling members and a dividing surface of the columnar member are flush with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Beppu, Tsumori Sato, Ryota Fujikawa, Yoshifumi Okamoto, Yuki Morooka, Tomohiro Tomaru, Kanata Shirotori, Yusuke Akaike
  • Wearable device with simplified disassembly
    Patent number: 11517081
    Abstract: A wearable device is provided. The wearable device includes a housing. The housing includes a housing base, a housing hook extending from the housing base, and a locking pin extending from the housing base. The wearable device also includes a cover. The cover includes a cover base having an opening to receive the locking pin and a cover hook extending from the cover base. The cover hook is configured to engage the housing hook for latching the cover onto the housing. The wearable device also includes a strap. The strap includes a connector that has a through hole to receive the locking pin securing the strap to the housing and the cover when the housing and the cover are latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: AURA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Stanislav Gorbunov, Yury Galtykhin, Sergey Kalinin, Dmitrii Nagornyi
  • Dynamic lacing system
    Patent number: 11510460
    Abstract: A cable lock includes a housing having a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface. The cable lock also includes a locking member slideably disposed between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface and including a first lock element opposing the first engagement surface and a second lock element opposing the second engagement surface. The first lock element includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth arranged in parallel with the first series of teeth. The first lock element is operable to engage a first portion of a cable. The second lock element includes a first series of teeth and a second series of teeth arranged in parallel with the first series of teeth of the second lock element. The second lock element is operable to engage a second portion of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Hipp
  • Saddle that adjusts to a bundle diameter
    Patent number: 11505378
    Abstract: This document describes a saddle that adjusts to a bundle diameter. In some aspects, the saddle is a component of a cable-tie mounting assembly and forms a mounting surface, which is flexible to support a bundle. The saddle includes an aperture for receiving a cable tie. The saddle also includes at least one laterally-extending distal flexible tab that is flexible to conform to a bundle diameter based on a force applied by the cable tie disposed within the aperture and tensioned around the bundle to secure the bundle to the mounting surface of the saddle. The flexibility of the saddle surface to adjust into mating contact with the bundle (i) significantly reduces gaps created between the bundle, the cable tie, and the distal flexible tab and (ii) provides side support, preventing rotation and lateral movement of the secured bundle and reducing the likelihood of damage to the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: HellermannTyton Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard G. Geiger, Reese L. Vaughn
  • Rapid cord fastener
    Patent number: 11497280
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for securing a string and/or netting includes a cord fastener and a cord. The cord fastener includes a clasp defining a first opening and a second opening spaced apart from the clasp. The cord is detachably coupled to the cord fastener, and includes a first end extending through the second opening, and a second end insertable into the clasp. The clasp is configured to allow the cord to be pulled through the clasp in a first direction, and to substantially prevent the cord from being pulled in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. In some embodiments, the clasp includes a plurality of fingers that extend at an angle relative to a central axis of the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Overwatch LLC
    Inventor: Peter Kingwill
  • Fiber optic enclosure with retention clip for securing a perimeter seal
    Patent number: 11499578
    Abstract: One or more seal retention clips can be used to retain a perimeter seal within a perimeter groove defined by a fiber optic enclosure housing. Certain types of seal retention clips can include portions that embed or bite into the housing of the enclosure, and/or embed or bite into the perimeter seal. In certain examples, the seal retention clip includes tabs or teeth that assist in engaging the housing and the perimeter seal. In certain examples, the seal retention clip defines a channel for receiving the perimeter seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE CONNECTIVITY BELGIUM BVBA
    Inventors: Maarten Aerts, Olivier C. Roche, Christiaan Radelet, Joren Schurmans
  • Male snap button and female snap button
    Patent number: 11490695
    Abstract: Provided is a male snap button (10) including a metal male snap body (20), and a fixing member (30) for fixing the male snap body (20) to a fabric (1). The male snap body (20) includes: a male-side engagement part (21) in annular shape capable of being removably engaged with a female-side engagement part (60) of a female snap button (40); and multiple claws (27). The male-side engagement part (21) defines an opening (28) that exposes the fabric (1) inside in a radial direction thereof. A diameter (D1) of the opening (28) is greater than a length (W1) in the radial direction from an outside edge of the opening (28) in the radial direction to an outside edge of the male snap body (20) in the radial direction. The fixing member (30, 30a) includes claw accommodation parts (33) to receive the claws (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: YKK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota Kanno, Kazunori Somai, Daisuke Hayashi, Kohei Iwata, Nariko Kubota
  • Attachment apparatuses and associated methods of use and manufacture
    Patent number: 11480202
    Abstract: A system for carrying or using a device includes the device and at least one attachment apparatus. The device may include at least one attachment element. The attachment apparatus may include a length of material and at least one attachment point arranged on an end of the length of material. The at least one attachment point may include at least one magnetic feature configured to attach and detach the device and the length of material. The material can include but is not limited to cloth, metallic (magnetic and non-magnetic), fibrous material, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Russell-Clarke, M. Evans Hankey, Julian Hoenig, Matthew D. Rohrbach
  • Hose clamp with spring liner and method
    Patent number: 11466803
    Abstract: A hose clamp includes an annular band and a spring liner. The spring liner includes an annular body having a central axis. The annular body includes a first body section, a second body section, and a central body section connecting the first body section and the second body section. Various methods include applying the hose clamp to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ideal Clamp Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Bowater, Edwin T. Koehler