Patents Examined by James R. Brittain
  • Patent number: 7320195
    Abstract: The specification discloses a picture display device comprising a pair of transparent plates interconnected and supported for viewing by a single integral fastener. The fastener is able to integrally engage a variety of optional embellishing elements to be chosen and added by the end user. The frame is of knockdown construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Roy Kushner
  • Patent number: 7320157
    Abstract: A resilient clip with a plurality of twisted wings for engaging a first structure. The twisted wings provide the clip with a low ratio of insertion force to pull-out force, rendering the clip relatively easy to install yet difficult to pull out. In one embodiment, the resilient clip includes at least three wing members that cooperate to prevent the resilient clip from rotating relative to the first structure. In another embodiment, the resilient clip includes an engagement portion having a plurality of teeth for engaging a tab formed into a second structure. The teeth of the engagement portion engage the tab, permitting the resilient clip to be coupled to the second structure. When the resilient clip is engaged to the first structure, the teeth of the engagement portion cannot disengage the tab, rendering the resilient clip non-removably coupling the resilient clip to the first and second structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J Lubera, Jacob A Siudym, II, Robert Osterland
  • Patent number: 7320156
    Abstract: A bib holder is provided that is useful for securing a bib in place. In one embodiment, the bib holder includes a strap and at least one fastener that is useful for retaining the bib, in addition to at least one compartment that is capable of storing an item of suitable size and weight. The compartment can be attached to the strap, or be a part of the fastener. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the compartment is reflective. Additionally, the compartment of the bib holder can optionally include indicia thereon. In certain embodiments of the invention, moreover, the compartment includes a plurality of sub-compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Emily Slayton
  • Patent number: 7318257
    Abstract: A zipper (10) for application to a film or web using cross-web techniques comprises two interengageable elements (12, 14), each having engageable hooks (20, 22), and each having an upstanding post (24) at the margin of the fastener which is engageable with a heel (28) at the opposing margin of the other element, with the respective posts (24) and heels (28) being complementarily angled (26) at their respective contact surfaces. This enables the closure more easily to resist pressure without distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin John Charles Offa-Jones
  • Patent number: 7318256
    Abstract: A resilient clip with a plurality of twisted wings for engaging a first structure. The twisted wings provide the clip with a low ratio of insertion force to pull-out force, rendering the clip relatively easy to install yet difficult to pull out. In one embodiment, the resilient clip includes at least three wing members that cooperate to prevent the resilient clip from rotating relative to the first structure. In another embodiment, the resilient clip includes an engagement portion having a plurality of teeth for engaging a tab formed into a second structure. The teeth of the engagement portion engage the tab, permitting the resilient clip to be coupled to the second structure. When the resilient clip is engaged to the first structure, the teeth of the engagement portion cannot disengage the tab, rendering the resilient clip non-removably coupling the resilient clip to the first and second structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J Lubera, Jacob A Siudym, II, Robert Osterland
  • Patent number: 7313848
    Abstract: A dual action canopy release for releasably holding a parachute harness securement strap in a buckle. The canopy release may be activated by a forward movement of a lever arm or a rearward movement of the lever arm. The lever arm cooperates with an actuating lever having a first position, wherein the actuating lever holds a latch in a locked position, and a second position, wherein the actuating lever releases the latch thereby allowing the latch to move to an unlocked position. Either the forward movement or the rearward movement of the lever arm causes the actuating lever to move to the second position. In the unlocked position, the latch allows parachute harness securement strap to be withdrawn from the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: H. Koch & Sons, Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Forster, Joseph Martin
  • Patent number: 7308739
    Abstract: An adjustable clip for gripping a tarp or the like. There are first and second jaw portions having first ends that are joined by a hinge and second ends that are spread apart to form a receiving area. A finger-operated screw or threaded knob is mounted to the jaw portions at a location between the first and second ends, so that the jaw portions are urged together in response to tightening of the screw or knob. The hinge may be a live hinge for resiliently biasing the jaw portions apart, and the jaw portions and live hinge may be formed as a unitarily molded structure. An attachment portion extends from the hinge and has at least one opening for receiving a rope or other cord therein. The jaw portions are provided with surface contouring for securely gripping the sheet material of the tarp while minimizing damage thereto. The grip force of the assembly can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the threaded knob or screw as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventors: Todd D Andersen, Robert M Cameron
  • Patent number: 7305741
    Abstract: A binder clip, having a structure that removably binds several sheets of documents rotating and pressing hinged pressing levers that function to open or close the mouth of a clip body, thereby binding the documents prior to keeping them in a desired place, is disclosed. The binder clip has a clip body. A coupling guide, formed as a U-shaped frame body, is placed outside each of upper and lower surfaces of the clip body, with a locking projection provided at each end of the U-shaped coupling guide in order to be seated in the pocket. A pair of hinge holes is formed on opposite positions of the inner surface of the coupling guide. A plate-type pressing lever is formed as a plate-shaped body having a hinge hole so that the pressing lever is hinged to the hinge holes of the coupling guide using a hinge pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Yeong-Gi Joe
  • Patent number: 7305740
    Abstract: A self-locking clamp (1, 1?) is described, which comprises a body (9) formed by a profile bent so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with a first end (6) and a second end (2), substantially overlapping each other in the region of the opening (10) substantially longitudinal, and screwable, the longitudinal opening (10) being substantially adjacent the second end (2), the second end (2) having at least one locking element (4), the second end (2) being substantially concurrent to the plane defined by the body in the region substantially adjacent to the second end (2) and comprising a second locking recess-shaped element (7), located in a region (5) substantially adjacent to the first end (6), the second locking element (7) being inserted into the plane defined by this region (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Progeral Industria De Artefatos Plasticos LTDA.
    Inventor: Antonio Carlos Pina
  • Patent number: 7305742
    Abstract: The present invention provides a recloseable bag, the bag having a mouth and including a closure at the mouth, the closure having a first end and a second end. The recloseable bag also includes a first crushed section at the first end of the closure, the closure further including an intact portion. It also includes a first transition area between the first crushed section and the intact portion, and a sealing material in the first transition area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: CTI Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Brent Anderson
  • Patent number: 7302739
    Abstract: A device is for fastening emergency equipment to a ship's deck or to a structure on a ship's deck. The device includes a first and a second fastening facility for, respectively, a first external and a second external fastening device having, respectively, a first and a second tensile strength. The device further includes a third fastening facility for a third external fastening device having a third tensile strength. When the device is in operation, the second and the third fastening facility are mutually connected both by a connecting device incorporated in the device and by the first external fastening device. The connecting device incorporated in the device absorbs load between the second and the third fastening facility if the first external fastening device stops working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: C M Hammar Utveckling AB
    Inventor: Tor Christiansson
  • Patent number: 7299851
    Abstract: A cord connector for use in a covering for an architectural opening, the connector being designed to interconnect a plurality of operating cords with a single pull cord and wherein the connector includes two interconnectable members that when interconnected define an interior space in which a retainer can be positioned. The retainer anchors the ends of the operating cords and is releasable from confinement by the two members when the two members are separated so that the operating cords can also be separated from the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventor: Nicolaas Dekker
  • Patent number: 7299524
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a hollow housing (100), a shaft (300), an urging mechanism (400), a cam (500), and a cylindrical follower (700). The housing includes an open end, and a hole (104) in an opposite second end. A peripheral wall of the housing at the open end defines a pair of pinholes (112). The shaft 300 includes a fixing portion. The urging mechanism is received in the housing and located around the shaft. The cam defines a cam hole (506) therethrough, and includes a cam portion (502) received in the housing. One end of the cam portion has a cam surface (508). The cam hole engagingly receives the shaft, so that the cam rotates with the shaft. The opposite end of the urging mechanism biases the cam. The follower is retained in the pinholes. The follower rotates relative to the shaft and is movably engaged with the cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pu Luo
  • Patent number: 7296327
    Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a clip configured to be secured to a structure, a strap frame rotatably secured to the clip, and a spring member. The strap frame may be rotated with respect to the clip. The spring member exerts a constant force into the strap frame, wherein the constant force maintains the strap frame in an aligned orientation with respect to the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Anderson, Ryan T. Jump
  • Patent number: 7296326
    Abstract: A cargo tightener and strap collector is shown having a rotatable shaft provided on the lever portion of the cargo tightener and strap collector. A slot is provided in the shaft so that the free end of a strap may be inserted in the slot and wound on the shaft to secure the strap and prevent its fluttering in the wind or trailing on the ground while in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ratchet Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Madachy, John Scott Yoder
  • Patent number: 7293333
    Abstract: A water repellent slide fastener includes a pair of zipper tapes (25, 26), to which are secured fastening elements (21, 22) which are unfastenable and fastenable through the intermediary of a zipper slide (30), said zipper tapes (25, 26) being water repellent. One zipper tape (25) extends, in the form of an extension (25X), over the other zipper tape (26) to overlap a part of the other zipper tape (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Turo Stenhäll
  • Patent number: 7293335
    Abstract: A slider for a slide fastener having a cover member capable of rotating between a first position at which a pull tag is concealed in an immobile state and a second position at which the pull tag is exposed, wherein engaging/disengaging means for engaging with/disengaging from each other when the cover member is located at the first position is provided at a portion on first end portions side apart from respective rotating portions of second end portions, the second end portion having the rotating portions in which the pull tag and the cover member are coupled so as to be able to rotate relatively, thereby providing the slider a simple structure and costing low, being capable of achieving a pull tag holding performance stable and excellent over a long period and preventing deflections between respective components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Fa wen Tseng, Hideyuki Matsushima, Hisashi Yoneshima
  • Patent number: 7293332
    Abstract: The fastening device comprises a housing having a joint for connecting to the link, and two coaxial pins for joining it to the object, of which at least one is mounted in a manner that enables it to slide between two positions, one being retracted from the wall of the housing and the other projecting from the wall of the housing for engaging inside an opening of the object, coaxial to a second opening for accommodating the other of these pins. The fastening device also comprises an elastic device for attempting to constantly hold the sliding pin in the retracted position and an activating element associated with a cam for displacing the sliding pin into the other position. When the sliding pin is in the retracted position, the internal extremities of the pins abut against one another, their respective surfaces being adapted for providing a space at the periphery thereof capable of receiving the extremity of a position of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Frederic Maillard
  • Patent number: 7290312
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing at least one securing means in conjunction with one of a male and a female portion of a snap already in place, the apparatus comprises a first member having an opposite one a male and a female portion of a snap for engagement with such one of a male and a female portion of such snap already in place. There is an intermediate segment engageable with an inner part of such one of such male and female portion of the first member, the intermediate segment having a projection extending outwardly therefrom. There is a strap like connector having a first aperture in a first end engageable with the projection of the intermediate segment, the strap like connector extending outwardly therefrom and a second member having an opposite one of a male and a female portion of a snap as such first member, such second member secured to an end of the projection of the intermediate segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen J. Kawensky
  • Patent number: 7287303
    Abstract: An easy-type unidirectional locking device is primarily composed of a base and a lid, and is interiorly provided with a roller and an axle base which is provided at two sides with respective barriers, being controlled by a control knob installed outside of the lid. The axle base is resilience-retrievable via a spring connected with the control knob. A rope enters the entrance on the bottom of the locking device, passes by one barrier at one side of the axle base, goes around the roller, and then passes by the other barrier, and finally goes out of the exit. When the rope is drawn clockwise, the barriers at the axle base will clamp the rope, thereby accomplishing a unidirectional locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Formosa Saint Jose Corp.
    Inventor: Ming-Shun Yang