Patents Examined by Gary Estremsky
  • Patent number: 9527273
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an infusion bolt and methods of manufacturing such a bolt. In one embodiment an infusion bolt includes: a head having an axially accessible opening extending therethrough; and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft having: an inner cavity fluidly connected with the axially accessible opening of the head; a radially outer surface surrounding the inner cavity; and a set of axially extending apertures along the radially outer surface, the set of axially extending apertures fluidly connected with the inner cavity and the axially accessible opening in the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Moors
  • Patent number: 9528541
    Abstract: A holder in particular for fastening a lining, for at least partially casting into a concrete element which is cast using a formwork, wherein the holder is aligned by an outer surface with the surface of the concrete element pointing towards the formwork, in particular for use in tunnel-building and engineering construction. The holder for casting into a concrete element is made available which can be handled simply for preparation purposes and during the concreting operation and using which a lining can be fastened simply to the concrete element. This is achieved in that a fastening device for releasably fastening the holder to the formwork is provided, wherein the fastening device has a holding part interacting with the formwork and a clamping element arranged on the outer surface of the holder, wherein the clamping element interacts with the holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: MEESE GMBH
    Inventor: Ludwig Meese
  • Patent number: 9506495
    Abstract: A self-locking insert and a linear actuator having a self-locking insert are provided. The self-locking insert includes an insert body having an outer surface, a bore extending through the insert body, the bore defining an inner surface, a self-locking feature configured to engage a holder to retain the self-locking insert in a predetermined position, and a de-lashing feature configured to interference fittingly engage the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Shawn A. Haring
  • Patent number: 9500218
    Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured to secure to a component. The fastener assembly may include a fastener having a shaft integrally connected to an engagement head, and an anchoring bushing that retains the fastener. The anchoring bushing may include a main body defining a fastener passage that retains the shaft, and at least one anchoring member extending from a portion of the main body. The anchoring member(s) is configured to securely anchor into at least a portion of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Owens, II, John D. Bisset, Jason D. Holt, Jeremy R. D. Tuttle, Glenn G. Heavens
  • Patent number: 9492837
    Abstract: A coating system component which may be used to be wetted and/or flown through at least in some sections by a coating agent. The component may include a fastening base and at least one holding part which is arranged on the fastening base for being fastened to or in a coating system device. The holding part may be an external thread having a special configuration in order to meet the special requirements of painting facilities, according to various exemplary illustrations. Furthermore, a corresponding coating system device may be provided, to which the coating system component can be fastened in a detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Duerr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Joachim Hering, Rainer Melcher, Thomas Buck, Michael Baumann, Bernhard Seiz, Manfred Michelfelder
  • Patent number: 9488206
    Abstract: A rivet includes a pin member having a head and a lock groove, and a lock ring having a flange. The flange of the lock ring is swaged into the lock groove of the pin member and transformed to a bead that engages the lock groove, and a portion of an outer surface of the lock ring deforms and is rotated inwardly. The rivet is installed within a structure such that the head of the pin member is flush with an outer surface of a panel and the portion of the outer surface of the lock ring is flush with an outer surface of another panel. The pin member includes a frangible portion that breaks off when the rivet is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Brennetot, Arnoldo Gutierrez, Gilbert Lee, Gerhart Hufnagl, Randy Torrence
  • Patent number: 9482263
    Abstract: A variety of fasteners and guide assembly devices are disclosed. The fasteners in various forms include a guide member that protrudes from the fastener to facilitate guiding of the fastener into a hole, passage, opening, etc. or corresponding fastener component such as a nut. The guide member may be substantially rigid or substantially flexible. The guide member may be permanently or temporarily attached to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Jordan CreativeWorks, LLC
    Inventor: Jordan S. Bernhard
  • Patent number: 9482258
    Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. A first helical thread region is formed at the first end adjacent to the point and has having a first helical thread having a first effective diameter. A sub-region of a second helical thread formed within the first helical thread region adjacent to the first end. A head at the second end includes a cutting structure, the cutting structure positioned to intersect a bottom surface of the disk and the shank, the cutting structure has a square cross-section formed by four walls intersecting the disk. A third helical thread region may be provided between the first region and the head. The shank diameter in the sub-region and the first region is smaller than the other regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SIMPSON STRONG-TIE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Jeremy Scott Park
  • Patent number: 9464657
    Abstract: A retainer can couple at least two components together and includes a retainer body defining a body opening and at least one leg extending from the retainer body. The leg can bend relative to the retainer body between a first position and a second position upon application of an external force. The leg includes a connection portion coupled to the retainer body, a support portion coupled to the connection portion, and a bendable portion interconnecting the connection portion and the support portion. The bendable portion can bend such that the leg can move relative to the retainer body between the first and second positions. When the leg is in the first position, the support portion is obliquely angled relative to the retainer body. When the leg is in the second position, the support portion is substantially parallel to the retainer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Alpha Stamping Company
    Inventors: Diego Fernando Rosas Roman, Robert Stewart
  • Patent number: 9468113
    Abstract: One or more fastenings can be used to fasten components together, such as housing components on a computing device. Each fastening can include a first opening associated with a first component, a second opening associated with a second component, a floating fastener, and a screw. The floating fastener is inserted into the first opening and/or second opening, and includes a threaded opening therein having a primary axis therethrough. The screw is inserted through first and/or second openings and into the threaded opening in the floating fastener. The screw and threaded opening combination is defined by contact between the screw and threaded opening about a thread surface that is substantially perpendicular to the primary axis, a screw thread return angle of 45 degrees or less, and a thread depth that is less than about triple the float between the major diameters of the screw and the threaded opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Houtan R. Farahani, Ron A. Hopkinson, William F. Leggett
  • Patent number: 9458766
    Abstract: A blind installation pin assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a pin that defines a bore. A paddle mounted to an end of the pin to pivot about a paddle axis between an install position and a lock position. A T-bolt that passes through the bore, a crosspiece of the T-bolt selectively engageable with the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph P. Foster
  • Patent number: 9458875
    Abstract: The invention relates to an expansion anchor (10) comprising an expansion sleeve (12) which is divided into expansions (18) by means of longitudinal slots (14) arranged in the front section in the direction of placement (16) of the expansion sleeve (12) and also has an inner thread (20) in the rear section in the direction of placement (16). The expansion anchor (10) further comprises an expansion body (22), which preferably has the shape of a cone stump that tapers conically in the direction of placement (18), the conical stump being arranged in the front section in the direction of placement (16) of the expansion sleeve and inside the expansion sleeve (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Eugen Schnarr
  • Patent number: 9453524
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a body, a cup and a faceplate. The fastener assembly is a long thin shape for insertion into an opening in a substrate prior to actuation. Once inserted in the substrate, the fastener assembly may be actuated by the insertion of a bolt into a central aperture in the assembly and the tightening of the bolt against the cup. The actuation of the assembly causes the body of the assembly to fold at four points and to thereby secure the assembly to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: WINGIT INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Salvatore Sisto
  • Patent number: 9447812
    Abstract: A locking member has a first surface, a first mounting opening and a second mounting opening. Each first mounting opening and second mounting opening is dimensioned to receive the shank portion of a corresponding rotatable member therethrough so that a bottom surface of a head portion of the rotatable member faces toward the first surface of the locking member. A first extending member extends elastically relative to the first surface, wherein the first extending member is disposed in close proximity to the first mounting opening. When the rotatable member is in a mounting position in the first mounting opening, the first extending member contacts the head portion of the rotatable member to inhibit the rotatable member from rotating in a first direction, and the first extending member deflects elastically when the rotatable member rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masashi Goto
  • Patent number: 9447809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metal fastener that makes it possible to ensure an electrically conductive surface along the entire thickness of structural elements to be assembled. The fastener thereby comprises a head and a smooth shank extending along an axis of revolution, characterized in that the shank comprises at least one conductive portion and one lubricating portion disposed along the axis of revolution of the fastener along at least one length of the shank. The inventive fastener makes it possible to ensure a conductive surface in the entire thickness of the structure in which it is installed. The inventive fastener is particularly intended for aeronautical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: LISI AEROSPACE
    Inventors: Benoit Regnard, Julien Goyer, Martial Broucke
  • Patent number: 9447807
    Abstract: A fastener (2) for securing a workpiece comprising a plurality of workpiece members, said fastener comprising a shank (4) and a radially enlarged head (6) wherein the fastener further comprises axial voids (40) and splines (18), such that when the fastener is installed into a workpiece by a mandrel, breakstem or pin, the shank of the fastener is expanded such that the crests of the splines are caused to mechanically engage with the internal walls of the fastener apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Brewer
  • Patent number: 9441661
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide threaded elements alone, in mating pairs, or in conjunction with other elements. Embodiments of the invention also provide for design and fabrication of such threaded elements without violating minimum feature size design rules or causing other interference issues that may result from the fabrication of such thread elements using a multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Uri Frodis, Adam L. Cohen, Christopher R. Folk
  • Patent number: 9435368
    Abstract: Indicating washers may include bumps and underlying dimples configured to control compression of the indicating washer during installation. Each bump may include a tapered triangular shape and may be asymmetrical with respect to each underlying dimple. Methods of operating an indicating washer system may include providing progressive compression along trailing, top, and leading ramp surfaces. Methods of manufacturing may include forming a washer from a metal sheet with a tool having an inner cutting edge, an outer cutting edge, a triangular punch, and a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 9435362
    Abstract: A fastener has a head with an exterior end surface and a compression ledge. A projection extends from the compression ledge and a contact shoulder is formed at an intersection of the projection and the compression ledge. The shoulder has a thickness measured axially from the compression ledge and extends radially outward from the projection to the intersection of the shoulder and the compression ledge. A compressible sealing component encapsulates the exterior end surface of the head and partially overlaps an area entirely around the compression ledge. The compressible sealing component at the area of the compression ledge has an uncompressed axial thickness greater than the shoulder thickness measured from the compression ledge. A rotation preventer is formed on the projection and is configured to allow axial movement of the projection into a hole and to restrict rotation of the fastener when the projection extends into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Morgan Truck Body, LLC
    Inventor: William Hurst
  • Patent number: 9422967
    Abstract: A wheel stud includes a fixing segment, which has a first external thread, and a receiving segment, which has a second external thread. Here, the first external thread runs opposite in direction to the second external thread. More particularly, the wheel stud is configured to be connected to a wheel hub through the fixing segment, where the wheel hub includes at least one receiver bore having an internal thread corresponding to the first external thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul-Uwe Koenig, Gerd Bruessler, Michael Bartel, Hubertus von Chappuis