Patents Examined by Flemming Saether
  • Patent number: 11732464
    Abstract: A securing assembly (10) for use in suspending an article, the securing assembly comprising an insertion arrangement (14) for insertion into the article, and an attaching arrangement (12) for attaching the insertion arrangement to a connector (104). The connector is configured to connect the securing assembly (10) to an elongate suspending member (100). Each of the insertion arrangement (14) and the attaching arrangement (12) define a respective through passage (46, 48) to allow the suspending member (100) to be inserted through the securing assembly (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Francis Fisher
  • Patent number: 11719271
    Abstract: A fastener structure includes a head portion, a body portion and an elastic element. The head portion has a shaft section, a press section and a hold-down section. The body portion has a corresponding press section, which is movably assembled to the press section. The elastic element has an end pressed against the press section and another end against the body section, allowing the head portion to move elastically. The body portion can be engaged with an object, and the hold-down section of the head portion can elastically hold down a workpiece against the object or be elastically removed from the workpiece, so as to complete the connection and disconnection of at least two objects to and from one another in a quick and repeatable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: FIVETECH TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Ting-Jui Wang
  • Patent number: 11703074
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screw (1), having a shank (3) which is provided with a thread (2) with at least one asymmetrical thread turn (4) with a plurality of windings, wherein the thread has an external diameter (Da), a core diameter (Dk) and a thread pitch (P), wherein the thread turn (4) has thread flanks (7, 8) with a flank angle (phi), wherein the thread flanks (7, 8) have a load-bearing flank (7) and a counter-flank (8) which abut one another directly or indirectly in a thread bottom (9) and at a thread tip (10), and wherein a flank angle (phiL) of the load-bearing flank (7) is smaller than a flank angle (phiG) of the counter-flank (8). The flank angle (phiL) of the load-bearing flank is at least 25°, preferably from 25° to 35°, in particular 30°, and the flank angle (phiG) of the counter-flank is at least 40°, preferably from 40° to 60°, in particular 50°, wherein the flank angle (phi) is from at least 65° to at most 95°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: BAIER & MICHELS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Olaf Ambros
  • Patent number: 11698096
    Abstract: A T-Nut comprising a tubular body attached to a flanged head is provided. The tubular body includes a bottom portion of constant diameter and an upper neck portion with a neck diameter that gradually increases as it approaches the flange head. Additionally, the bottom surface of flange head of the T-Nut may be recessed inwardly towards the top surface of the flange head to create circumferential concave cavity underneath the flange head, which will allow the flange head to envelope any portions of a washer or casing that may be above the surface of the material being joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Edge-Works Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Scott V. Evans, Nicholas Tomczak
  • Patent number: 11692583
    Abstract: A locking device (11), e.g. a lock washer, for use with a screw threaded fastener (71), said locking device comprising at least a first disc-like body (12) comprising an annular portion (13) with at least one aperture (15) therein and a central through-hole (14) e.g. a washer having notches (15) open to the outer periphery and at least one further body (25) held in said one aperture (15). The further body may be shim (22) also having a central hole (24) and at least one tab (25) which extends through the notch (15) and has an end portion which juts above adjacent surface of the washer to engage an adjacent surface on the fastener when compressed, on tightening of the fastener deflects within the void of the aperture in which it is located under the influence of the tightening of the engaging surface such that under any tendency to loosen, the tab jams against the opposing surfaces and resist loosening of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Peter McLoughlin, John McLoughlin
  • Patent number: 11692578
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a post-to-beam fastener including a head, a tip, and a threaded shank connected to the head at a first end and the tip and a second end. In various embodiments, threaded shank includes a longitudinal axis extending from the head to the tip, and the tip includes a recess operable to removably receive a drill bit to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Dill, Daniel J. Stemper, Brent A. Studenroth, Anthony M. Versino
  • Patent number: 11686338
    Abstract: A blind rivet insert having a head forming an annular flange and a shank extending from an underside of the head, and having a head end, a foot end and a bore extending from the head end to the foot end. The insert has a first bore segment near the foot end, provided with an internal thread, and a second bore segment near the head end whose diameter is greater than that of the first bore segment. The underside of the head includes an annular groove adapted for receiving a sealing ring in a mounted condition of the blind rivet insert. An annular retaining shank groove extends circumferentially around the shank, is arranged adjacent to the underside of the head, and retains the sealing ring in a preloaded position before mounting the blind rivet insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Bollhoff Otalu S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Rousseaux, Norbert Perroud, Bastien Billiemaz, Jean-Louis Frison, Emmanuelle Berlire
  • Patent number: 11686336
    Abstract: A semi-hollow punch rivet by which a joint is establishable. The rivet includes: a rivet head having a rivet shaft, which comprises a lateral surface, a rivet foot having a foot front surface is provided at an end of the rivet shaft facing away from the rivet head, the foot front surface is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis LA of the rivet shaft, and a bell-like shaft cavity extends into the rivet shaft beginning at the end facing away from the head. The shaft cavity is formed by: an inlet portion beginning at a radial inner side of the foot front surface and extending arc-shaped with an inlet radius RS in the direction of the rivet head, a linearly extending continuation portion into which the inlet portion transitions tangentially and which is arranged in an acute angle with respect to the lateral surface, and a final dome portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Sergej Erbis, Dennis Henke, Franz Ferdinand Menne
  • Patent number: 11674541
    Abstract: A locking pin with a locking mechanism (8, 27, 28) that has a guide sleeve (3) that can be attached to a machine part, and a pin (2) connected to an actuator button (6), which passes through a central bore (14) in the actuator button (6), and which can be axially displaced and secured in a hole in the guide sleeve (3) counter to and by means of the force of a compression spring (7) by actuating the actuator button (6), wherein the pin (2) can be brought into at least two locking positions in the guide sleeve (3) by means of the locking mechanism (8, 27, 28) located in the central bore (17), wherein the locking mechanism (8, 27, 28) is sealed in the central bore (14) of the actuator button (6) in the region of a second guide sleeve (12) that is coaxial to the first guide sleeve (3) and connected thereto, and is composed of a locking sleeve (8) secured to the actuator button (6), the sleeve extension (15) of which forms a locking contour (28) in conjunction with a locking recess (27) located in the region of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: OTTO GANTER GMBH & CO. KG NORMTEILEFABRIK
    Inventor: Stefan Ganter
  • Patent number: 11668337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for compensating tolerances between a first component and a second component to be screwed to it by means of a connecting screw, comprising a base element and a compensation element that is in thread engagement with the base element, the thread engagement being non-self-locking in such a way that the compensation element moves out of the base element when the connecting screw exerts an axial force on the compensation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: WITTE Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Mosch, Klaus Spickenheier, Vladimir Radanovic
  • Patent number: 11655837
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for wall installation includes a toggle body that is elongated along an axis, and a strap connected to and extending from the toggle body, wherein the strap includes a main segment that extends in a first direction away from an axis of the toggle body when the strap and toggle body are in an unstressed state, and the main segment is bendable down toward the toggle body such that the main segment extends in a second direction, where the second direction runs more closely to parallel with the axis than does the first direction. A locking sleeve mounted for movement along the strap toward the toggle body. The strap is substantially L-shaped and includes a small segment extending laterally relative to the main segment, wherein the small segment is seated within a recess on the toggle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Tlie Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Beesham Mahadeo, Michael Martin Hicks
  • Patent number: 11649846
    Abstract: A segmented nut has inner segments and an outer sleeve. Part of the sleeve interface portion and part of the segment interface portion engage when the sleeve rotates relative to the inner nut during release of the segmented nut with part of the segment interface portion at a greater distance from a central axis of the segmented nut than a minimum distance of the at least part of the sleeve interface portion from the central axis. One or more of the segments can include a retainer preventing the sleeve moving toward a free face of the segment(s). One or more of the segments can have a flange portion providing an increased working (compression) face relative to a plain segmented nut. An assembled segmented nut can include some radial freeplay for the segments to move radially whilst being retained within the sleeve prior to application of the segmented nut to a threaded bolt, stud or rod such that threading of the segmented nut onto the thread of the bolt, stud or rod removes the freeplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Segnut Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Brian Eric Bradshaw, Tom Peter Baskovich, Sam William Turnbull
  • Patent number: 11644059
    Abstract: A nut has two parts, each having a section of an internal thread which is radially slidable onto an external thread. The nut parts have cooperating connecting elements which permit relative displacement in a direction extending radially with respect to the axis of the internal thread until reaching a use position in which the internal thread of the nut engages around the external thread with a small clearance. The connecting elements have guide surfaces which guide the nut parts in a rotational movement about an axis of rotation extending transversely to the axis of the internal thread when displaced into the use position. Each nut part has at least one first locking arm which has on one side a guide surface which induces the rotational movement when the nut parts are displaced and bears against a complementary guide surface on a second locking arm of the other nut part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Dietmar Schnier
  • Patent number: 11644060
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a threaded nut. The threaded nut comprises a body, a plurality of threaded blocks, and a pushing cover. The body comprises a first through hole and a mounting cavity connected to the first through hole. The plurality of threaded blocks is configured to move in the mounting cavity in a radial direction. An inner wall of each of the plurality of threaded blocks is disposed with an internal thread, and an outer wall of each of the plurality of threaded blocks is disposed with a first inclined surface and a first straight surface. The pushing cover is disposed with a second through hole, at least one second straight surface, and at least one second inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Xiamen Lota International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qingshui Ma, Huosheng Zhan, Dezheng Yu, Chuanbao Zhu
  • Patent number: 11639734
    Abstract: Fastener embodiments of the invention comprise a freely translatable collet body, which at least partially translates within an auxiliary structure, and further comprise a captive threaded screw for rotationally engaging with the collet body to transform rotational movement into translational movement through substantial arresting of collet body rotation by way of an anti-rotation means. The screw comprises a free-spin feature that functionally, but not physically, decouples a drive tool from the collet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Centrix Inc.
    Inventor: Travis McClure
  • Patent number: 11629744
    Abstract: A fastener is provided, including: a driven end including an engaging hole which includes three slots recessed radially and angularly arranged in intervals, each of the three slots being formed as a part of a rectangle and including two right angles, every adjacent two of the three slots defining a rib therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Ying-Mo Lin
  • Patent number: 11629742
    Abstract: A first example box nut retainer includes a support, a fastener sleeve, and a resilient arm. The fastener sleeve defines an opening and extends downwardly from the support. The resilient arm extends upwardly and outwardly relative to the fastener sleeve toward the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Buczynski, Clinton Pitt
  • Patent number: 11629743
    Abstract: A fastener for attaching together layers of a substrate. The fastener includes a slide body, a bolt, a conical spring, and a toggle having a pivot coupled with one end of the slide body. The conical spring is disposed over a shaft of the bolt and the shaft is engaged within the slide body. The slide body and toggle are inserted into an aperture through the layers of substrate in a first configuration until the conical spring contacts a front face of the layers of substrate. Compression of the conical spring against the front face advances the toggle a clearance length out of the aperture on a back face of the layers of a substrate such that the toggle can switch to a second configuration that prevents retraction through the aperture. Extension of the conical spring automatically engages the toggle with the back face of the substrate to prevent rotation of the slide body within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Lee Kunken
  • Patent number: 11614116
    Abstract: A safety shear bolt includes a main bolt portion and a torque head portion connected to the main bolt portion. The torque head portion includes an extended head portion, a stem portion rigidly connecting the main bolt portion to the torque head portion, and a coupling mechanism rotatably connecting the extended head portion to the main bolt portion. The stem portion is configured to shear when a predetermined torque is applied to the extended head portion, while the coupling mechanism prevents the extended head portion from dropping after shearing off from the main bolt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Richards Mfg. Co., A New Jersey Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Bruce Bier
  • Patent number: 11608847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part. It comprises a head part forming a flange and having a contact surface for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the functional element. The punching section has a peripheral punching edge at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity in a peripheral direction, said cavity having an opening defined by the punching edge. An inner wall of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Diehl, Tobias Jene, Amer Mahlme, Christian Sowa, Richard Humpert