Patents Examined by Gary Estremsky
  • Bolt for gas turbine engine rotor
    Patent number: 9175713
    Abstract: The bolt has, in sequence along a bolt axis: a threaded portion, a thread run-out portion, a shank, and a head, the threaded portion having a thread with a given root radius and a given depth, the thread run-out portion connected to the shank via a thread run-out fillet having a thread run-out fillet radius, the thread run-out fillet radius being between two and six times the thread root radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Raman Warikoo, Sergey Platonov
  • Screw
    Patent number: 9175708
    Abstract: A screw with a polygonal cross section comprises a threaded section and a non-threaded section that extends from the threaded section to a front, rounded screw tip. The sideline of the non-threaded section runs smoothly and without interruption from the threaded section to the tip at a constant curvature. The screw is used to attach an element to a panel component, wherein the screw itself produces the hole in the panel component and forms the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Arnold Umformtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Werthwein
  • Functional element, a component assembly consisting of a functional element and a sheet metal part and also a method for the attachment of the functional element to a sheet metal part
    Patent number: 9175716
    Abstract: A functional element having a functional portion, a generally tubular rivet portion and a ring-like sheet metal contact surface is characterized in that features of shape are provided at the rivet portion for co-movement of the sheet metal part during the formation of the rivet bead, in particular at the free end of the rivet portion and/or at the radially outer side of the rivet portion, at least in the region adjacent the free end of the rivet portion. A component assembly comprising a functional element and a sheet metal part as well as a method for the attachment of a functional element to the sheet metal part are also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert
  • Mounting assembly
    Patent number: 9175730
    Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided for, for example, joining a cardan shaft to an axle drive of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a nut housing having a continuous opening arranged to receive an insert nut having a continuous internal thread, a nut having a continuous internal thread, and at least one securing element which interacts with the nut housing and the nut to constrain relative axial movement between the nut housing and the nut. The insert nut and the nut housing may be rotationally fixed relative to one another, for example using complementary polygonal outer and inner surfaces, respectively. A retainer may be provided in the interior space of the nut housing to constrain axial movement of the insert nut within the nut housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Amtek Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Haas, Martin Lehmann, Christoph Karl
  • Fixing mechanism
    Patent number: 9163653
    Abstract: A fixing mechanism disclosed in the present invention includes a body, a contact portion and an airtight sealing component. The body has a hollow structure and a first end and a second end. The first end is opposite to the second end. The first end passes through an open hole formed on a first object to insert into a positioning portion disposed on a second object, and an outer surface of the body is engaged with an inner surface of the positioning portion in a linear contacting manner. The contact portion is disposed on the second end. The contact portion contacts against a side of the first object opposite to the second object when the body passes through the first object and the second object. The airtight sealing component is disposed on the second end to seal the hollow structure, to prevent external gas from flowing into the hollow structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Jyun-Shuo Liang
  • Lightning protection fastener and cap for lightning protection fastener
    Patent number: 9163656
    Abstract: To provide a lightning protection fastener or the like, that can reliably seal an arc between the cap and a member such as a wing panel. An end part 30A of a cap 30 on an opening side, the end part 30 A facing a member 22 (or member 21), includes a plane 30d orthogonal to an axis line of the cap 30A and a tapered face 30c formed on an outer circumferential side of the plane 30d. A sealant 34 that spills out of the cap 30A upon mounting the cap 30A is present between the tapered face 30c and a surface 22f of the member 22 (sealant 34S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Asahara, Hideo Yamakoshi, Atsuhiro Iyomasa, Takeyasu Tarumi, Wataru Nishimura, Yasunori Watanabe, Toru Hashigami, Hiroshi Rikukawa, Hideo Imamura, Naoki Taniguchi
  • Apparatus for covering a fastener system
    Patent number: 9140291
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering a fastener system. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a cover. The cover is configured to be placed over a fastener system at a surface of an object in which the fastener system is installed. The cover is comprised of a number of composite materials selected such that the cover is configured to reduce an effect of an electrical discharge, which occurs around the fastener system, on an environment outside the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ilsop Steven Yoon, Jeffrey D. Eichinger, Kevin Darrell Pate
  • Latch to the core fastener
    Patent number: 9140280
    Abstract: A latching system includes a hub with one or more openings defined in the hub. Each opening includes a latching feature to which a fastener is releasably coupled. The latching feature may be configured to couple to only a single fastener provided from one side of the hub. Alternately, the latching feature may be configured to couple to two fasteners, one from each side of the hub, at the same time. The fastener includes prongs that are configured to be sufficiently separated from one another, when a removal tool is inserted between them, to facilitate the release of the fastener from the latching feature and the removal of the fastener from the opening. A flange may be held in place between the hub and a portion of the coupled fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Interplex Nascal, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Martellotti
  • Fastener with radial loading
    Patent number: 9133868
    Abstract: A fastener is provided including a bolt having at least one threaded end, a first sleeve configured to fit over the bolt, and a second sleeve configured to fit over the first sleeve. At least one nut is configured to cooperate with threads in the threaded ends of the bolt. The first and second sleeves are configured to impart an outwardly radial load when the nuts are tightened on the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fernando Jorge Casanova, Rajesh Kumar, Madhumita Roy
  • Tubeless tire puncture repair tool
    Patent number: 9126373
    Abstract: A tire puncture repair apparatus may include a handle, a puncture repair screw, and an integral neck between the handle and the puncture repair screw. The puncture repair screw may include a screw head, a cylindrical shaft extending from the screw head opposite the neck, a partially threaded and solid cone that uniformly narrows from the shaft to a tip opposite the shaft, and a conic-helical thread coiled about the cone between the tip and the shaft. The diameter of the shaft may be approximately equal to the diameter of the cone at the widest point of the cone. The thread on the cone may include an angled ridge and may be coiled around the cone from the intersection of the shaft and the cone to before tip of the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Kwai Kong, Patrick L. Ohm, Silas Veloz, Randy Lee
  • One way slip mounting apparatus
    Patent number: 9127706
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a bolt and a nut. The nut includes an inner member having a first engagement feature and a threaded opening, the threaded opening configured to receive the bolt, and an outer member having a second engagement feature. The inner member is axially coupled to the outer member via a snap fit. The inner member is configured to rotationally lock with the outer member through the interaction of the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature via an application of a threshold torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Leibfried, Kurt W. Leibfried
  • Anchoring means
    Patent number: 9127890
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring means for providing a fireproof and/or wear resistant lining on an object made of metal, wherein the build-up of a polygonal folded base portion is intended to be fixed to the object by means of a to the object welded pin, which is provided with an anchoring thread for receiving a part attached to a polygonal mid section of the anchoring means, comprising an internal thread, wherein lips which extend transversely to said polygonal base portion, join the edges of said base portion, which lips are bended over an angle with respect to said mid section and having mutually enclosing bending lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Wouter Garot
    Inventor: Wouter Garot
  • Anti-rotation device for a large size nut
    Patent number: 9121435
    Abstract: An anti-rotation device for a nut in tightened position on a male part, includes a plurality of upper notches provided on one end of the nut, the upper notches extending along a longitudinal axis of the nut, a plurality of lower notches provided in one peripheral zone of the male part, the lower notches extending along a longitudinal axis of the male part, and the lower and higher notches at least partially overlapping when the nut is in tightened position on the male part, a ring including at least one locking component accommodated both in one of the lower notches of the male part and in one of the higher notches of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Hervé Gignoux, Philippe Gérard Edmond Joly, Romain Jean-Louis Robert Thory
  • Captive fastener with engaging and locking mechanism
    Patent number: 9115744
    Abstract: A fastener comprises a body having a first portion and a second portion. At least one moveable flange is arranged on the first portion of the body, and is moveable between a first unlocked position, and a second locked position. A second flange is arranged on the second portion of the body. The first and second body portions are adjustably connected such that the distance between the at least one moveable flange and the second flange along the longitudinal axis of the body is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Bulow
  • Modular nut plates with closed nut assemblies
    Patent number: 9114449
    Abstract: A nut plate assembly includes a nut retainer and a bushing for expanding a tubular body of the retainer. The retainer assembly is used to cold work an opening of a workpiece in order to fix the nut retainer assembly relative to the workpiece. A nut can be snapped into the retainer. A method of installation includes passing a mandrel through the bushing to radially expand the bushing into a tubular body of the retainer. The tubular body is compressed between the workpiece and bushing as the bushing is displaced radially causing corresponding radial displacement of the tubular body. The expanded bushing applies pressure to the tubular body for a desired fit between the nut retainer and workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ryunoshin Ross, Timothy Howard Johnson, Scott Harlow Gulick
  • Strut-channel nut
    Patent number: 9103365
    Abstract: A nut for a channel of a strut is disclosed. In one embodiment, the length of the nut is greater than the width of the nut. In one embodiment, the first end surface of the nut meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and the second end surface meets the second side surface of the nut at a second rounded corner (opposite the first rounded corner). In one embodiment, the first side surface includes a first protrusion at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner and the second side surface includes a second protrusion at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner. In one embodiment, the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in a channel of a strut. In one embodiment, the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the channel of the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Whipple, Roger Pyron
  • Two-piece clip assembly
    Patent number: 9103363
    Abstract: An engagement convex portion is formed in a grommet of a two-piece clip, and a head portion-side engagement concave portion is formed in a pin of the two-piece clip. When the pin is pushed into the grommet to a maximum push-in position, an inner end of the engagement convex portion of the grommet abuts against a middle of a tip-side concave portion wall surface of the head portion-side engagement concave portion. Thus, in the maximum push-in position, when a tip portion of the pin is pushed back in an extracting direction, the tip-side concave portion wall surface of the head portion-side engagement concave portion of the pin slides against the inner end of the engagement convex portion of the grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Kensuke Fujiwara
  • Screws with function of screwdriver
    Patent number: 9097274
    Abstract: A set of screws with function of screwdriver each comprises a circular head with a torque slot across the top thereof. The torque slot has two opposite semi-moon shaped sides, a curved bottom, and a width about the same as the height of the circular head. One of the screws acts as the fastener, and another one of the screws acts as the screwdriver by that the circular head of the screwdriver is inserted to the torque slot, and the screw body thereof is perpendicular to the fastener to form an arm for being exerted a force to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Chi Tien Lin
  • Self-aligning telescoping internally threaded fastener
    Patent number: 9097273
    Abstract: A telescoping, self-aligning, fastener comprising a telescoping nut assembly flexibly connected to a companion sleeve, wherein said telescoping nut assembly comprises a nut and two or more extensions depending from said nut; said nut comprises a head and an internally threaded portion; said extensions are configured such that at least one slot is formed between each extension; said companion sleeve comprises an opening at one end configured to couple to a telescoping nut assembly, an opening at the opposite end configured to accept a male fastener portion, and said openings are connected by an interior cavity; and said telescoping nut assembly is able to rotate and translate relative to the companion sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventors: Lin E. Branning, Julie A. Hartmus, Eddie J. Hollenbaugh, Patrick F. Sloan, C. Jean Williams, Jerod D. Williams
  • Fixing device and plate assembly using the same
    Patent number: 9101069
    Abstract: An exemplary fixing device includes an elastically deformable sleeve and a screw extendable through the sleeve. The sleeve includes a hollow column and multiple flanges extending outwardly from an outer circumferential face of the column. A plate assembly incorporating the fixing device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chun Tsai, Ming-Chien Chiu