Patents Examined by James Brittain
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Patent number: 8661628Abstract: A slide fastener includes a pair of first and second fastener stringers, a box pin, an insert pin, and a pair of first and second sliders. The box pin has a box pin body, a stopper portion arranged at a front end side of the box pin body, and suppressing portions projected on at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the box pin body to suppress sliding of the second slider. Further, the box pin body has a body region, and a notched region arranged at an element-row-side base end portion and having excluded a side surface portion at a side facing the insert pin. The suppressing portions are projected in only the notched region. With this arrangement, the second slider can be stably held at an insert-pin inserting position, and a subsequent insert operation or extract operation of the insert pin can be smoothly performed.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: YKK CorporationInventors: Keiichi Keyaki, Takanori Ozawa
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Patent number: 8627552Abstract: A fastener clip includes a base plate and a pair of laterally offset arms extending from the base plate. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into a hole (slot) defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis. At least four wings extend from the arms. Each wing includes at least one engagement portion including a depressed portion formed on each wing, wherein each depressed portion is operative to engage a portion of the hole. According to one embodiment, each arm is coupled to at least one wing at a distal end of each arm (i.e., a long arm), so that each wing extends inwardly towards the base plate. According to an alternative embodiment, each arm (i.e., a short arm) is coupled to the at least one wing, so that each wing extends outwardly away from the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Termax CorporationInventors: Michael Walter Smith, Mark Fleydervish, Michael Anthony Giugliano, Edward Sacha, Daniel James Dickinson
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Patent number: 8621727Abstract: A clip to secure trays in a stack including a platform, rails coupled to the platform to mate with tabs of at least bookending trays in the tray stack when the platform occupies a brake position thereof relative to the stack and an elastic brake element coupled to the platform and configured to be biased against the stack when the platform occupies the brake position to increase a mating friction between the rails and the tabs, the elastic brake element being actuatable against the bias to permit selective movement of the platform to and from the brake position, the selective movement solely actuating the elastic brake element.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alain Blais, Julie Croteau, Michel Robert, Christian Bedard
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Patent number: 8615849Abstract: A cord management system includes a case and a strap. The strap has a first attachment point at a first location on the strap and a second attachment point a second location on the strap. The strap also includes at least two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the first attachment point is attached to the second attachment point so that a first segment of the strap located between the first attachment point and the second attachment point forms a loop configured to secure a cord that is wrapped around the case. In a second mode of operation, the first attachment point is detached from the second attachment point so that the first segment no longer forms the loop. In some embodiments, the strap is permanently attached to the case, while in other embodiments the strap is semi-permanently attached to the case.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: CJD LLCInventors: Wayne Philip Rothbaum, Allison S. Conner, Robert B. Curtis, Jonas K. Damon, Daniel A. Sanchez
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Patent number: 8590118Abstract: A closure arrangement comprises a first side with a first plurality of closure elements and a second side with a second plurality of closure elements. A slider is moveably positioned on the first side and an insertion pin assembly is positioned on the second side. The insertion pin assembly includes a mouth defined between an inner jaw and an outer jaw and an insertion pin positioned within the mouth. The mouth is configured to receive the slider and the insertion pin is configured for insertion into the slider.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: UnderArmour, Inc.Inventors: Peter Michaelian, Gregory Daniel Louis Germe, Kajsa Cornelia Anna Maria Westman, Jonas K. Damon, Jinseok Hwang, Allison S. Conner
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Patent number: 8584323Abstract: The invention provides a device for securing resilient cord and a method for using the same. The devise comprising a channel for housing a cord whereby the channel has a wall and is curved to provide a path for the cord that is neither straight nor constricting such that when the device is used to secure the cord the wall of the channel provides a frictional force on the cord under tension.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Inventor: Ah San Pang
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Patent number: 8578567Abstract: A clamp collar of the annular band type is provided, and includes a connecting mechanism for connecting at least one pair of adjacent ends of the band, and to a run-flat device intended to be fitted to a motor vehicle mounted assembly incorporating same. This clamp collar includes a band, preferably made of metal, having at least one pair of ends spaced apart in the circumferential direction, connecting mechanism for connecting the or each pair of ends together with adjustable tightening in this direction and a locking member for locking the connecting mechanism. The locking member is mounted solid with one of these ends being able to occupy an unlocked position in which it is disengaged from the connecting mechanism for tightening and loosening the collar and a locked position in which it engages with them to oppose this loosening.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: HutchinsonInventors: Olivier Marsaly, Stéphane Auvray
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Patent number: 8578568Abstract: In a clip for fastening to a strip or rib, in particular on a motor vehicle, having a single-piece body made of plastic that has a retaining region, the retaining region has a receiving slot with an insertion opening and a locking finger. The locking finger is attached to a first guide section and extends from its fastening end in the insertion direction and in the direction of a second guide section. The locking finger has an insert that forms a tongue projecting from the free end of the locking finger.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Karin Wimmer, Jens Albach, Hans-Peter Seng, Wolfgang Gerlach, Bastian Stau, Michael Schmidt
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Patent number: 8578569Abstract: A mechanical coupler that separates at a pre-determined ambient pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Stephen Ray Karnoski, Dennis Michael How, James F. Jenkins
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Patent number: 8578572Abstract: An elongate resealable closure mechanism that includes a first base member and a second base member. Each of the first and second base members extends longitudinally between opposite ends thereof. First and second parallel spaced apart pairs of opposing interlocking members extend longitudinally between opposite ends and project from opposing interior surfaces of the first and second base members. The first and second parallel spaced pairs of opposing interlocking members have a constant profile between the opposite ends. A plurality of partial indentations extends longitudinally along an exterior surface of the first base member between the first and second pairs of opposing interlocking members.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Bryan L Ackerman, James C. Pawloski
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Patent number: 8578571Abstract: A plastic clip for fastening an article in the region of an end face of a flat workpiece comprises a base section, including a first and a second leg extending from the base section to form a U shape, and a fastening section connected to the base section and operable to fasten the article to the clip. The base section and the legs are made of a relatively hard plastic material and the legs can be elastically expanded relative to one another in order to accommodate the workpiece between their inner sides. An anti-slip section made of a relatively soft plastic material is provided on at least one of the inner sides.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Thomas Schmidt, Johann Reindl
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Patent number: 8572813Abstract: A fixed-loop key ring having an elongated filament with a barrel-shaped head at one end and a locking element at the opposite. Engagement of the locking element in the head forms a nearly circular loop for retaining one or more objects through their eyelets. The barrel-shaped head has a longitudinal bore of decreasing width that intersects a lateral channel entering from the top of the barrel, creating a step at the bore-channel interface. The locking element may be a bifurcated tip with a tapered distal end defined by opposing steps flanking a notch, the notch/steps compressing when inserted into the bore to permit the tapered portion to pass through and into the lateral channel, yet inhibiting withdrawal when engaged to the step inside the barrel-shaped head. A flat-bladed tool may plastically deform the locking element for permanent engagement via insertion between the bifurcations through the lateral channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Inventor: William Monaco
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Patent number: 8567021Abstract: A method for constructing a product comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of component parts fashioned from a flexible substrate material and having a flat profile when disassembled; forming apertures in the component parts to establish fastening points for facilitating product assembly, where each aperture has a single-component snap fastener mounted therein; integrally molding each snap fastener to include a female section and a male section; assembling the component parts by removably stackably affixing the fastener male sections of a first component part to the fastener female sections of a second component part, to form a self-supporting, three-dimensional product exoskeleton having flexibly curved surfaces; and returning the component parts to a flat profile upon disengaging the snap fasteners from the product.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Inventor: Stephen O. McCabe
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Patent number: 8561266Abstract: In a holder arrangement of an aircraft or spacecraft comprising a structural member, a holder comprising at least one lower part and at least one upper part is provided, and these are formed so as to be able to be clamped together to be attached with a non-positive fit to a fastening portion of the structural member. The fastening portion can be clamped between the lower part and the upper part. The holder arrangement is characterised by at least one fixing strip which can be connected to the fastening portion of the structural member in the longitudinal direction thereof and which comprises a fixing profile for fixing the holder to the structural member in the longitudinal direction of the structural member with a positive fit. An aircraft or spacecraft has at least one holder arrangement of this type.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Cihangir Sayilgan
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Patent number: 8561263Abstract: A bracelet clasp with an unfolding buckle includes a lever (2) pivotably mounted on a cap (1) by a first hinge (3a), the lever controlling a bolt (4) which is in turn mounted on the cap (1) by a second hinge (3b) distinct from the first. The bolt (4) is arranged to cooperate with a hook (22) fitted to the first arm (8) of the clasp. Elastic mechanism (5) is arranged for keeping the lever (2) in a non-raised position and the bolt (4) engaged with the hook (22) when the lever is not manually activated.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Omega SAInventor: Rocco Catanese
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Patent number: 8549714Abstract: A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: William H. Shepard, William P. Clune
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Patent number: 8544154Abstract: A clamp assembly selectively grips material. The clamp assembly is connectable to an object, and includes a housing and a gripping assembly. The housing has a first end, a second end, a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions cooperate to define a material receiving slot. The first portion of the housing has an angular disposed channel and an angular disposed recessed portion. The second portion of the housing has a gripping surface. The gripping assembly is slidably disposed within the channel such that the recessed portion cooperates with the channel to define a travel path so that the gripping assembly can be selectively movable between a biased first position and a second position. In the biased first position, the gripping assembly extends into the material receiving slot. In the second position the gripping assembly is withdrawn from the material receiving slot.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Get a Grip, Inc.Inventor: John W. Lewis
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Patent number: 8539652Abstract: Latching fastener with male and female parts configured to separatably latch. Several embodiments described, including one where the male part has a latch coupler, the female part has a bistable actuator and a plurality of latches with lower latch levers. To fasten, the latching fastener is configured so that when the female part is pressed down over the male part, the lower latch levers contact the latch coupler, the latch coupler pushes up the lower latch levers, causing rotation of the latches into a latched position. To separate, the latching fastener is configured so that in response to an actuator member of the bistable actuator moving from an upper to a lower stable position, the actuator member pushes down the lower latch levers, the lower latch levers rotate the latches to an unlatched position, and the lower latch levers push down the latch coupler, separating the male and female parts.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Inventor: Ralph Robin Richardson
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Patent number: 8539647Abstract: A limited durability fastening for a garment. The garment is provided with fastening members which engage to close the fastening and the fastening members are provided with means for controlling the degradation of the closure strength of the fastening as it is opened and closed and thus the number of permissible closures of the fastening having a pre-determined closure strength. The garment is particularly useful when fitted to a foot where short life is desirable at low cost or to a garment where re-use is to be discouraged for either clinical or commercial reasons.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Covidien AGInventors: Gordon J. Cook, David Portsmouth
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Patent number: RE44934Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more to spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Reynolds Presto Products Inc.Inventors: Alexander R. Provan, Thomas L. Coomber, Ian J. Barclay, David V. Dobreski, Toby R. Thomas