Patents Examined by David Upchurch
  • Patent number: 9776770
    Abstract: A child resistant zipper closure for a plastic bag includes a double slider, including a first slider and second slider. The first and second sliders are oriented on the zipper closure such that when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction toward the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is interlocking; and when at least one of the first slider and second slider is moving in a direction away from the other of the first slider and second slider, the zipper is unlocking. The first and second sliders can be realeasably connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Reynolds Presto Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Petkovsek, Roger E. Dowler, Gregg Thompson, Samuel D. Aversa
  • Patent number: 9771963
    Abstract: An improved fastener with an annular sealing flange disposed above a lead-in base clip portion adapted for insertion into an acceptance opening in a panel or other structure. A heat-shrunk seal is disposed about the perimeter of the annular sealing flange in partial covering relation to upper and lower surfaces of the annular sealing flange to provide an enhanced sealing relation between the sealing flange and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 9772025
    Abstract: A rope control device a main body defining a central opening and first and second side portions, projections extending from the main body, an end recess defined by the first and second projections, an end friction surface formed at a juncture of a projection and the main body, and a bar. With the bar in a first position, the first rope portion is extended through the central opening and at least partly around the bar. With the bar in a second position, the main body and the bar define first and second opening portions of the central opening and the first rope portion is extended through the first and second opening portions and at least partly around the bar. The second rope portion is arranged within the first end recess such that, when the rope is under tension, the second rope portion frictionally engages the first end friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Conterra, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Lipke
  • Patent number: 9770070
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of assembling a reel includes coupling a drive component with a tightening component and coupling the tightening component with a top end of a housing. A spool component is then inserted within a bottom end of the housing so that the spool component is positioned within the housing's interior region and faces a bottom surface of the drive component. An attachment component is then coupled with the bottom end of the housing. The attachment component includes a coupling member that couples with the drive component. Coupling of the coupling member with the drive component operationally couples the drive component and the spool component so that operation of the tightening component causes the spool component to rotate within the housing in a first direction while preventing rotation of the spool component in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Cotterman, Eric Irwin, Randon Kruse, William O'Dell, Thomas Pollack
  • Patent number: 9751670
    Abstract: An improved twist off cable tie fastener having an elongate flexible strap defining a plurality of parallel adjacent transverse teeth. First end portion of elongate strap is tapered to a rounded tip for insertion through a channel defined in a dimensionally larger head portion carried at opposing end of the elongate strap. At least one angulated tooth carried by a flexing arm within the channel irremovably engages with the transverse teeth defined in the elongate strap. The head portion has two opposing and spaced apart wings to facilitate grasping and rotation by a user about a minor transverse axis of the elongate strap. Partial rotation of the wings concentrates strap fracturing forces at a position immediately adjacent to the head portion causing destruction of the cable tie fastener and allowing removal thereof without tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: F. Balwyker Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kent Williams, Kenneth Garnet Fry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9743777
    Abstract: A drawn instrument for securely attaching a cover includes a tape member having left and right surfaces and attachable to a cover, and a drawn portion provided at the end of the tape member and projected from the left and right surfaces of the tape member, the drawn portion extending along the end of the tape member. The drawn portion includes a plurality of attached portions for clip attachment that are separated along the longitudinal direction of the drawn portion and are recessed at both left and right sides, and a plurality of walls separated along the longitudinal direction of the drawn portion and projected at both left and right sides. At both left and right sides each wall is provided adjacent to the attached portion and positioned inwardly of the tape member relative to the attached portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Saiga, Tetsuya Yoshino, Yoshitomo Iyoda
  • Patent number: 9743723
    Abstract: A zipper puller (110) has a one piece structure including a molded plastic body (112) and an integral molded looped tether (114). The looped tether is molded in a first size and shape, and after molding the looped tether is permanently deformed to a second size and second shape by aligning the crystalline structure of the looped tether material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chwan Huey Lim Chang, David A. Shereyk, John S. Pontaoe, Tun-Jen Chu, Timothy P. Coffield
  • Patent number: 9743713
    Abstract: A shoelace fastening device comprises a first buckle having a first through-hole and a second through-hole separated from the first through-hole. One shoelace of a shoe enters the shoelace fastening device from the first through-hole and extends out of the shoelace fastening device from the second through-hole, while the other shoelace enters the shoelace fastening device from the second through-hole and extends out of the shoelace fastening device from the first through-hole. The shoelace fastening device further includes a second buckle having a first pressing portion adapted to the first through-hole and a second pressing portion adapted to the second through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Products Company Limited
    Inventor: Chung Yin Lam
  • Patent number: 9717293
    Abstract: A magnetic fastener is provided that permits existing garment buttons to be retrofitted for use by persons having diminished motor abilities. The magnetic button system comprises a button cover received over an existing button and having a magnet housed therein. The magnet is attracted to a magnetic or ferromagnetic element on a button hole engagement member received in a button hole of an existing garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Michelle P. Lim
  • Patent number: 9717308
    Abstract: A clasp including a protrusion portion with a protrusion, and a receiving portion defining a receiving cavity configured to receive the protrusion portion is described. The protrusion is securable in the cavity via frictional fitting of the protrusion into the cavity. The frictional fitting of the protrusion into the cavity creates a secure association between the receiving portion and the protrusion portion, and the receiving portion includes a first arm and a second arm extending from a receiving portion base. The first arm includes a first arcuate recess and the second arm includes a second arcuate recess opposing the first arcuate recess, and the first arcuate recess and the second arcuate recess define adjustable width of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: James Patrick Bowerman
  • Patent number: 9677583
    Abstract: A holder for a seamless control cord of a curtain for quickly fixing the seamless control cord or a bead chain is composed of a base seat, an outer cover and elastic members and fixed on a wall face by fixing members. The base seat and the outer cover are respectively formed with two perforations. Each perforation has a cord passage formed on the same axis. When holding the control cord, the seamless control cord is directly passed through the cord passage of the outer cover into the perforation and then passed through the cord passage of the base seat into the perforation. Then, the elastic members push the outer cover to misalign the two perforations so as to hold the control cord and fully fix the control cord. Under such circumstance, the control cord is prevented from swinging or a child cannot play the control cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Ming Lu Wong
  • Patent number: 9668560
    Abstract: Magnetic interlocking closure device made of two main components different one another and frontally-interpenetrating, one “male” and the other “female”, in which shapes with complex outlines, such as those of a logo or of the customizable initials of a name, give shape to the “male” and, by subtraction, to the “female”, which allows to reversibly hold together two overlapping openable surfaces of materials such as fabric, leather, leather-imitation, cardboard, wood, other materials such as metallic, organic, minerals, ceramics, glass, composites, or a combination of them, which, by way of example, but not as a limitation, may be those of bags, handbags or of other containers such as purses, boxes, sheaths, cases, protective cases, or of pieces of apparel such as jackets, coats, raincoats, trousers, skirts, belts, necklaces, bracelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Ruggero Lenci, Giancarlo Lenci
  • Patent number: 9663007
    Abstract: There is provided a cover material fastening clip for attaching a cover material to a cushion material. The clip is provided with a locking portion, a hook portion and a guide portion. The hook portion is provided with an extending portion that extends downward from the locking portion, a first hook piece a second hook portion. The guide portion is formed in the locking portion or the extending portion and is located above the first and second hook pieces. A space between a leading end portion of the first hook piece and the guide portion serves as a first insertion opening with a predetermined gap into which the wire is inserted. A space between a leading end portion of the second hook piece and the guide portion serves as a second insertion opening with a predetermined gap into which the wire is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Genta Matsumura, Tomonari Yoshida, Yoshitomo Iyoda, Shinsuke Saiga
  • Patent number: 9663686
    Abstract: A reusable, liner-free attachment system is described herein. The attachment system is compatible with the surfaces of a variety of materials, regardless of composition or physical characteristics. The system contains an anchoring site and a detachable article that binds specifically to the anchoring site. When bound together, the system provides anisotropic resistance to applied forces. The system is highly resistant to shear stress, but is easily detached by applying a pull-off force. The article typically contains a part A coating on the side or portion of the article that attaches to the anchoring site. The system can be used with a variety of articles, such as hooks, carpet tiles, medical devices, such as blood pressure cuff; climbing equipment, such as gloves, shoes or handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: NuLabel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley M. Mudd, Heidi M. Munnelly, Benjamin D. Lux
  • Patent number: 9656591
    Abstract: A securing strap having at least two strap securing interfaces that functions in combination with a ratcheting device. The strap has a first end, a second end, an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge, and a lower edge. The first end of the strap is looped around a strap attachment rod on the ratcheting device and extends back over a section of the strap allowing the two strap sections to be attached. At intervals along the two attached strap sections, attachment means are used to create openings, into which the at least two strap securing intervals and at least one strap securing member are inserted when securing an object. Once the strap is inserted through the ratcheting device, the two securing interfaces and the at least one securing member, the strap remains in place securing the object even if the ratcheting device fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jayson Dumenigo, Joseph Ross
  • Patent number: 9655413
    Abstract: A system of attachment surface structures that find their best use in the form of repeatedly removable straps and bands for securing one object to another. The surfaces are preferably constructed of narrow sheets of flexible polymer plastic materials having generally high tensile strength. A first embodiment includes shaped parallel ridges on one surface that interlock with mating parallel ridges on an opposing surface. These parallel ridges may be double sided (interlocking on both sides of each shaped ridge with the next shaped ridge on either side) or single sided (interlocking with a single ridge oriented 180 degrees from the first). Further embodiments include an array of shaped posts of various regular geometric shapes that interlock with an opposing array of identical posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas M. Adams, James D. Benner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9644656
    Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to secure a coiled portion of an electrical cord, a cable, or a rope. An exemplary embodiment has a coil securing portion with an interior surface, a collapsing portion joined with the coil securing portion, and a means for securing the coil retainer in a collapsed position. The coil securing portion and the collapsing portion cooperatively define a substantially tubular interior region and an opening, wherein the interior region is configured to receive a coil portion inserted through the opening when the coil retainer is in an open position. The coiled portion is frictionally secured by the interior surface of the coil securing portion when the coil retainer is secured in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Cord Controller, LLC
    Inventors: Karen J. Mask, Duane M. Mask
  • Patent number: 9642419
    Abstract: A shoelace securing apparatus including a clamping member having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion. A pair of parallel grooves is disposed within an interior surface of the middle portion. Each of a right pair of lips and a left pair of lips of a plurality of a pair of convexly curved lips is disposed on the interior surface of the middle portion proximal each of a right edge and a left edge, respectively, of the middle portion. A plurality of teeth members is disposed on each of the right pair of lips and the left pair of lips. Each of a right end portion of a shoelace and a left end portion of the shoelace is disposed within each of the pair of parallel grooves and engaged between one of a pair of adjacent teeth members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Jasmyn Marrale
  • Patent number: 9643765
    Abstract: Car seat harness buckle retract system which by encircling the harness buckle that includes a cord lock with a length of elastic cord, where both ends pass through the cord lock to present a loop to encircle the harness buckle at the base wherein the loop is adjusted to secure the harness buckle. The other end is attached to the material or the like near the harness adjust opening of the car seat. This is then adjusted by releasing and adjusting the cord lock device to prevent the harness buckle from resting in the bottom of car seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Troy Pivonka
  • Patent number: 9638233
    Abstract: A fastener system that includes a female fastener assembly with a housing having a channel defined therein and a switch member movable within the channel between removing and fastening positions. The switch member includes a receiver portion having a post opening defined therein and a switch portion. The housing includes a lower opening. The post opening includes a removing portion that is aligned with the lower opening when the switch member is in the removing position and a fastening portion that is aligned with the post opening when the switch member is in the fastening position. The system also includes a male fastener assembly having a post with a slot therein. The post is received through the lower opening in the housing and the post opening so that the slot is aligned with the channel. The slot receives a portion of the receiver portion when the switch member is in the fastening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: C&D ZODIAC, INC.
    Inventor: Richard McClure