Patents Examined by Gary W. Estremsky
  • Patent number: 11156248
    Abstract: A thread-forming screw which is provided in particular for thin, perforated sheet metal contains a threaded shank which below the screw head is initially configured so as to be cylindrical and then continues to a conical forming portion. The screw shank within the forming portion has a rib forming an incomplete counter thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Georg Vogel, Jan Büchle
  • Patent number: 11149776
    Abstract: A screw structure is disclosed herein. It comprises a head; a rod body integrally extended from the head and having a flat shank part and a tapered tip at a terminal of the flat shank part; a first screw thread disposed on the rod body and having a positioning tooth at a terminal thereof, a plurality of cutting units and a plurality of shaving collection spaces; a plurality of second screw threads disposed on the rod body; and a reamer thread disposed at an upper end of the rod body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Chen Nan Iron Wire Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-An Hu
  • Patent number: 11137013
    Abstract: A power supply and signal transmitting device for a sensing bolt and sensing bolt device is provided. The power supply and signal transmitting device, which is applied to the sensing bolt including a first contact set, includes a cap module and a supply module. The cap module caps one end of the sensing bolt and includes a cap circuit board module. A second contact set of the cap circuit board module contacts the first contact set for electrically connecting the sensing bolt. The supply module is interposed into the cap module for supplying an external power to the sensing bolt or accessing the data stored in the sensing bolt by electrically connecting a third contact set of the cap circuit board module with a fourth contact set of the supply module. Thereby, the power duration of the sensing bolt may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: China Pneumatic Corporation
    Inventor: Hsiu-Feng Chu
  • Patent number: 11125262
    Abstract: A combined thread forming and thread locking fastener is disclosed. A fastener includes three thread zones. A first thread zone utilizes a first thread forming thread profile with an increasing outer diameter. A second thread zone extends from the end of the first zone utilizing the first thread forming thread profile and continues with a constant diameter. The third thread zone utilizes a thread locking thread profile continuing along substantially the remainder of the shaft of a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Research Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund A. Hebert, Kenneth J. Gomes, Dennis O. Boyer, John R. Reynolds, Bobby L. Budziszek
  • Patent number: 11118478
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine component assembly having one or more fastener retention apparatuses. In one example, a system may include each of the one or more fastener retention apparatuses including a rigid limiter and an integrated fastener retention feature adhered to an inner surface of an interior passage of the rigid limiter. Further, one or more fasteners may be held captive by each of the one or more fastener retention apparatuses capturing one fastener of the one or more fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: JonCarlo Mancini, Richard Anton, Mark Murphy, Ryan Scott Gray
  • Patent number: 11111945
    Abstract: A bolt includes a threaded shaft and a bolt head. The threaded shaft has a first end, a second opposing end, and an external thread. The first end includes a flared protrusion and the external thread is wrapped about the shaft and extends from the second opposing end to the flared protrusion. The bolt head includes an interior threaded bore for threadingly engaging the external thread of the threaded shaft, a front surface, and an opposing back surface having a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the flared protrusion of the threaded shaft therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CRUSHLOCK, INC.
    Inventors: Arnold R. Limatoc, Joel S. Peck, James P. Karins
  • Patent number: 11111949
    Abstract: A system includes an attachment part and a holding element for holding the attachment part on a carrier part, the holding element having a threaded part connected to the attachment part and an internal thread for a holding screw, and a spacer part, the spacer part and the threaded part having interacting threads, the spacer part having a through opening flush with the internal thread of the threaded part when the spacer part is screwed to the threaded part, with the result that the carrier part can be held between a head of the holding screw and the spacer part, the threaded part having a holding section for holding the attachment part, the holding section having at least one latching element which interacts with at least one corresponding latching element of the attachment part for releasably latching the attachment part on the threaded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Martina Bräutigam, Matthias Wolf
  • Patent number: 11105362
    Abstract: A threaded fastener includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end, a first portion comprising a first helical thread, with the first helical thread including a crest, a root, and flank portions, and a second, tapered portion including a second helical thread. The second helical thread includes a crest, a root, a leading flank portion, and trailing flank portion, with the leading flank portion positioned closer to the second end of the elongated body than the trailing flank portion. A thread angle of the second helical thread is larger than a thread angle of the first helical thread, and the root of the second helical thread includes a root apex formed by the intersection of the trailing flank portion and the leading flank portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Triangle Fastener Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Edward Stager
  • Patent number: 11105363
    Abstract: Threaded mechanical fastening systems and methods are provided that allow the simple deflection of a washer to indicate that a desired minimum torque has been reached or that a desired maximum torque has been exceeded. The method includes providing a threaded connection having a washer, installing the threaded connection so that the washer is supported as a simple beam over a gap, and using an amount of deflection of the washer as a result of torque applied by the threaded connection as an indicator. The torque indicating threaded mechanical fastening system includes a threaded connection and a washer supported as a simple beam over a gap so that the threaded connection, when tightened to a predetermined torque, deflects, in bending, the washer into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert Victor De France, Daniel David Dobrinski, Jefferson Robert Hall
  • Patent number: 11098739
    Abstract: A bushing assembly for tubular structures is disclosed. The bushing assembly includes a body having a substantially flat configuration and defining a planar surface and an outer edge; and a plurality of projections extending from the outer edge and traverse to the planar surface, each projection defining a longitudinal axis, each projection including at least one ridge extending at least partially along a surface of the projection and along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventors: Clifford Struhl, Raymond M. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11098747
    Abstract: A self-sealing fastener for reducing leaks between the self-sealing fastener and a substrate. The self-sealing fastener includes a shank that extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The shank has an outer surface. The self-sealing fastener also includes a head that extends radially outwardly from the first end of the shank. The head has an underside surface that is adjacent to the first end of the shank and a topside surface opposite the underside surface. A mastic sealant is disposed on at least one of the outer surface of the shank and the underside surface of the head to provide a water-tight seal between the self-sealing fastener and the substrate after the self-sealing fastener is installed in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SR Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Zimmerman, Scott Drummond, Van T. Walworth
  • Patent number: 11098743
    Abstract: Screws are provided which have a longitudinal axis and include a threaded shank and a head wherein a socket is formed to be engaged by a wrench and having a pluri-lobed outer profile comprising a series of lobes circumferentially offset and separated by a series of circumferentially offset protrusions of the head. Each protrusion is delimited by two flanks and a front length joining the radially inner ends of the flanks and is convex and symmetrical with respect to a center axis radially oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis. The front length is formed by a center face and two inclined side faces each of which joins the radially inner end of the respective flank with a respective end of the center face, which is oriented orthogonally with respect to the center axis of the protrusion. Pluri-lobed wrenches adapted for use with such screws are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: FONTANA FASTENERS R.D. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Francesco Perego
  • Patent number: 11098742
    Abstract: A blind tacking rivet includes a stem and a sleeve. The stem includes a body and a stem head. The stem head is removable from the body. The stem head deforms a portion of the sleeve during removal of the stem head. The stem head may be discarded or may be embedded within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ALLFAST FASTENING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Gregory Athas, Omar Emil Honegger
  • Patent number: 11092188
    Abstract: An anti-loosening fastener, including a key-bolt-receiving bolt, including a head section to receive at least one tool thereon, a rear cylindrical section disposed on at least a portion of the head section to extend a predetermined distance away from the head section, the rear cylindrical section including a key-bolt-receiving aperture disposed within at least a portion of the rear cylindrical section to receive an external fastener therein, and an internal thread section circumferentially disposed on an inner surface within the key-bolt-receiving aperture, and a key bolt to removably connect to at least a portion of the key-bolt-receiving bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Richard C. Sicard
  • Patent number: 11092182
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drive screw for connecting a carrier formed of foamed material to a part to be affixed to the carrier. In one implementation, the drive screw includes a threaded pin with a first end having shaped elements configured to connect to a tool that transfers torque and a second end configured to penetrate into the carrier. In addition, the first end of the threaded pin may be surrounded by and connected to an interlock component, and the part to be affixed may have an interlock receiving space corresponding to the interlock component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: LISA DRÄXLMAIER GMBH
    Inventors: Johann Petermaier, Leonard Dobos
  • Patent number: 11092181
    Abstract: Fasteners and related systems according to the invention include a collet body having a first part of a two part anti-rotation arrangement and a cylinder body having a second part of the two part anti-rotation arrangement wherein the collet body and the cylinder body are mateably axially translatable with respect to each other, and have the same or similar outer diameter in some embodiments or not in others. A threaded member rotationally engages the collet body and compressively contacts the cylinder body during operation of the fastener to creating a clamping effect. Rotational interference between the first and second parts of the anti-rotation arrangement preferably occurs at sectional face portions of at least the collet body. Resistance to induced rotation of the cylinder body relative to a work piece rotation of the threaded member is preferably provided by a tool engaging a tool interface present on the cylinder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: CENTRIX INC.
    Inventor: Travis McClure
  • Patent number: 11085481
    Abstract: The invention relates to an insert for connecting an electrical connector to a wall (9) and to a corresponding method. The insert comprises an electrically conductive bolt (1) having a head (3), which extends along a first longitudinal axis (I), and a shaft (4), which is provided with at least one connecting means (5), and a ring (2), which has a through-opening (7) and extends along a second longitudinal axis (II). The head (3) comprises an outer contour which, at least in regions, is produced by the rotation about the first longitudinal axis (I) of a first line (L1), which is curved with a first radius (R1) and spaced apart from the first longitudinal axis (1). The through-opening (7) comprises an inner contour which, at least in regions, is produced by the rotation about the second longitudinal axis (II) of a second line (L2), which is curved with a second radius (R2) and spaced apart from the second longitudinal axis (II).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD FASTENERS EUROPE - CAMLOC GMBH
    Inventors: Nikolas Raschke, Philipp Scholz
  • Patent number: 11078951
    Abstract: An assembly for a coupling together rotatable components according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a rotor shaft extending along a centerline axis, the rotor shaft defining an inner bore extending from an axial end of the rotor shaft, a gear mounted on an outer diameter of the rotor shaft, a lock nut threadedly engaged with the outer diameter of the rotor shaft such that the lock nut abuts against an axial end face of the gear, and a retainer including a step portion extending from a head portion and including a projection portion extending from the step portion. The projection portion is insertable into the inner bore to bias the lock nut against the axial end face of the gear, and the step portion is dimensioned to establish an interference fit with the rotor shaft along the inner bore. A starter assembly and a method of assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yiwei Jiang, Michael R. Blewett, Edward W. Goy
  • Patent number: 11078943
    Abstract: A fastener assembly according to the present disclosure includes a fastener head, a shank depending from the fastener head, and at least one wing member pivotably coupled to the shank. The shank extends along a central axis, and the wing member is pivotable about a pivot axis extending parallel to the central axis. The wing member is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The wing member has a fork configured to receive a workpiece therein when in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Hector Alberto Martinez Vite
  • Patent number: 11078946
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a toolless screw including a body portion which comprises a shaft portion and a screw portion which includes a shank portion and a tip portion. The shank portion includes at least two helical threads which extend off the shank either at different angles, different distances, or a combination thereof. The tip portion is positioned at an end of the shank portion and has a diameter which is less than the diameter of the shank portion and extends to a point. The body portion is integrated with a screw portion at the end of the shank portion which is opposite the end where the tip portion is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Levine