Patents Examined by James R. Brittain
  • Patent number: 7765651
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming preferably a unitary polymeric hook fastener comprising a flexible backing, and a multiplicity of spaced hook members projecting from the upper surface of the unitary backing wherein each hook member comprises a multiplicity of hook head elements projecting in substantially the same direction. The hook members each comprise a stem portion attached at one end to the backing, and a head portion at the end of the stem portion opposite the backing. The head portion can also extend from a side of a stem portion or be omitted entirely to form alternative projections which can be other forms than a hook member. The head portion preferably projects past the stem portion on at least one of two opposite sides. At least the hook head portions have two or more hook head elements on at least one of the two opposing sides of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jayshree Seth, Ronald W. Ausen, Janet A. Venne
  • Patent number: 7761960
    Abstract: An insert tongue (10) for a safety belt buckle includes an insert section (12) which is intended to be inserted into the belt buckle and a safety belt section (14) which has a slot for receiving the safety belt (5). The safety belt section (14) generally extends in the extension of the insert section (12) and the slot extends at an angle of less than 25° relative to a plane defined by the insert section (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Feile
  • Patent number: 7761962
    Abstract: A hose clamp includes a clamping band, a tensioning device and a positioning arrangement for positioning the hose clamp on a hose. The positioning arrangement includes at least two positioners. The two positioners may be arranged at a distance from each other in a circumferential direction of at least 120°. Axial stops may be arranged on both sides in a circumferential direction of at least one of the positioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Norma Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Krauss, Stephan Mann, Gunter Röder, Ewald Krieger
  • Patent number: 7752721
    Abstract: A swivel hook assembly includes a hook holder, a hook, which has a hook shank rotatably connected to the hook holder and a hook head for hooking, a barrel sleeved onto the hook holder and movable relative to the hook holder between a first position to close the hook head of the hook and a second position to open the hook head of the hook for hooking, and a spring member connected between the hook holder and the barrel to support the barrel in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Han Lien International Corp.
    Inventor: Ralph Lin
  • Patent number: 7752717
    Abstract: A tensioning device is configured to wind a threadable tensioning line, particularly a belt or a web, the proximal end of which is threaded through a first end of the device and attached to an opposite end of the device. A frame of the tensioning device can be fastened to a support surface. A ratcheting system included in the device winds the proximal end of the threadable tensioning line by means of a pivot handle. The threadable tensioning line is tightened when the handle is pivoted in a drive stroke. An embodiment of the tensioning device includes a ratcheting system that drives the tensioning device when the pivot handle is pulled toward the user in a drive stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Burton W. Hanson
  • Patent number: 7748087
    Abstract: Clasp with unfolding buckle for wristlet, having: an inside blade (3), two outside blades (1) forming an articulated shank with the inside blade, two push-pieces (7) capable of being actuated transversely against the action of an elastic element (9) for unlocking the clasp, at least one stopping (11) connected removably to said push-piece (7) for limiting the amplitude of displacement of said push-piece along at least one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
    Inventors: Antoine Dubois, Laurent Taton
  • Patent number: 7748090
    Abstract: The present invention concerns breathable fasteners for use with hook fastener systems. The breathable fastening system comprises a first breathable mechanical fastener surface, which is generally a loop or fibrous type surface that can optionally be joined to a breathable backing loop, and a recon large area breathable hook type fastener. The hook type fastener generally has an integral film backing which film backing has a porosity of from 0.0001 to 0.005 cm3, a backing thickness of from 25 to 200 ?m, a stiffness of from 10 to 2000 Gurley units and a hook or projection containing surface area of at least 10 cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jayshree Seth, Ronald W. Ausen, James S. Mrozinski, Janet A. Venne
  • Patent number: 7748088
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a pair of trousers about a torso includes a face plate and a flexible member that is attached along three perimeter sides of the flexible member to a rear surface of the face plate. A conventional type of a fastener assembly for a belt is attached to the flexible member. A first end of the belt is attached to a rear of the fastener assembly and a second end of the belt engages with a hook, the hook being attached to an opposite end of the fastener assembly. An opening between the face plate and the flexible member along a side of the flexible member that is not attached to the face plate is provided on the remaining side of the flexible member into which a credit card and a picture-identification card, such as a driver's license can be inserted or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Trevor Jamison Johnston
  • Patent number: 7743474
    Abstract: A zipper closure for a polymeric package includes a plurality of profile members on a first polymeric surface, where one and not more than one of these plurality of profile members is colored differently from the remaining profile members on the same polymeric surface. The differently colored profile members provide a visual reference for properly orienting the zipper closure to the polymeric packaging during manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy James May
  • Patent number: 7743471
    Abstract: An attaching device for removably attaching various types of display objects to a hat. The attaching device has a fastener for engaging with the display object and a spring member for retaining the fastener therein and attaching to a button of the hat. The fastener is in the form of a plastic ring with a plurality of tabs projecting from a bottom rim thereof. The spring member has an upper spring portion, a lower spring portion and a joint spring portion connecting the upper and lower spring portions. The upper spring portion has an inner perimeter substantially the same as the maximum radial extent of the tabs, such that the plastic ring can be inserted therein. A plurality of protrusions is formed to extend inwardly from the inner perimeter of the upper spring portion. The protrusions are outline with a profile mating that of the tabs, such that the plastic ring can be secured interlocked with the spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Namkung Promotions Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7743472
    Abstract: A boot-band that (a) does not excessively clamp a boot, (b) can prevent leakage of grease from the boot and the boot-band, and (c) uniformly produces a tight contact force on the boot without deteriorating the contact force on the boot. This boot-band includes a metallic belt-shaped member (2), and its clamping force, which is generated in the direction that shortens the circumference of the metallic belt-shaped member (2), is exercised under a ring-shaped condition in such a way that one end of the metallic belt-shaped member overlaps the other end thereof, and in such a way that both ends are wound around the outer periphery of the boot. A smaller-cross-sectional area (5a) is formed in a part of the belt-shaped member (2); the smaller-cross-sectional area (5a) and the general part (8), whose cross-sectional area is not reduced, are elongated due to plastic deformation caused by the clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Ogino
  • Patent number: 7725994
    Abstract: A plug (20) has a guide bar (24) to be inserter in a socket (30). The guide bar (24) has a to-be-held section (241) at a tip end thereof, a dent (244) at a middle portion thereof, and a sub to-be-held section (242) at a base end thereof. When making an engagement, the plug (20) is slanted relative to the socket (30), so that the guide bar (24) contacts contact points (P1), P2). When the plug has been inserted into a depth end of the socket, the to-be-held section (241) and the sub to-be-held section (242) are held by a holding section (342) and a sub holding section (343) of the socket (30), thereby stabilizing engagement posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuaki Funo, Yasutaka Nishida, Toshihiko Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7721392
    Abstract: A portable securement system for securing implements such as eyewear and pens to a user's garment for safekeeping. The system includes a device usually hidden in use, and formed as a pendant construction to be mounted on button threads behind a garment placard. There it is anchored while a magnet secured at the device's lower part secures implements for easy retrieval. The device includes an opening which may be placed over the button, with a narrowed portion of the opening engaging the threads and serving as an anchoring trap to hold the device in place. In an alternative arrangement, wire-like segments define the device's central opening and terminate at opposed wire ends at an upper part of the device to form a releasable clip. This clip may be utilized to anchor the device to an inner seam or other garment parts where it can be utilized without being outwardly visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Scott Avery
  • Patent number: 7721393
    Abstract: An open-type hose clamp which comprises a plastically deformable “Oetiker” ear as tightening device that requires a predetermined minimum plastic deformation for desired operation. Proper operation of the “Oetiker” ear is assured by a lost motion connection. The lost motion connection which also forms the mechanical connection between overlapping band portions includes at least one outwardly extending member extending outwardly from the inner band portion and adapted to engage in a corresponding aperture in the outer band portion, whereby the mechanical connection is such as to prevent use of an undersize clamp with a given hose and to assure a lock up of the mechanical connection upon engagement of the outwardly extending member in the aperture during tightening of the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Paul M. Craig, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7712194
    Abstract: A belt tongue for a safety belt having a connecting plate for connecting the belt tongue with a buckle, a tongue main body being rigidly connected to the belt tongue and a clamping element with a bending edge. The clamping element is mounted in the tongue main body in such a way that it rotates in relation to the tongue main body if the force in the belt exceeds a defined force. The clamping element forms a concave outer surface. In order to be able to achieve a low weight of the belt tongue and in particular of the bending element, the clamping element is supported on the tongue main body by means of its outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Fyhr
  • Patent number: 7712191
    Abstract: A secure fastener includes a fastening device and a security device. The fastening device includes a base, a handle pivotally installed on the base between a slackening position and a fastening position and a latch movably installed on the handle for engagement with the base in the fastening position. A first crossbar is installed on the base so that a first belt can be attached to the first crossbar. Second and third crossbars are installed on the handle so that a second belt can be directed past the third crossbar, wound around the second crossbar and directed past the third crossbar again. The security device is installed on the base and moveably urged by the handle so that the security device can be moved to push the second belt against the third crossbar in the fastening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Chi-San Huang
  • Patent number: 7707694
    Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning mechanism (1) for releasably fixing at least one position of a positioning means (3) which can be displaced more or less linearly relative to positioning means (2) fixedly connected to a structure (45), e.g. a shoe, which provides a mount for at least one displaceable coupling means (9) which engages under the action of a spring system (39) in a female coupling part (20) of the positioning means (2) connected to the structure (45) in a position which fixes the position of the positioning means (2, 3) relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: ATOMIC Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Holzer, Gerhard Trinkaus, Jason Roe
  • Patent number: 7707697
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved splicing nut of the type having a threaded nut portion and a core that is capable of being threaded into the nut portion, the nut portion and the core cooperating to receive and firmly retain a line therein. In the first embodiment of the invention, a visualization port is included in the core for providing visual access to at least a portion of the area between the nut portion and the core so that a user may quickly ascertain by looking through the visualization port whether or not a line is fully engaged with the splicing nut. Additional provision is made to cause the line to be compressed when the core is threaded into the nut portion and tightened. As a result, line slippage within the splicing nut is prevented. The invention further includes a fastening portion of the core that is exposed when the nut portion is firmly tightened onto the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Brennan
  • Patent number: 7703735
    Abstract: A hanger system includes a first part and a second part, which is connected to the first part in different directions. The first part has a first body and a round first hanger and a first housing connected to the first body. The first housing has a first polygonal tapered recess. The second part has a second body with a round second hook, a polygonal tapered end piece, which can be inserted into the first polygonal tapered recess in a desired direction so as to meet different needs in practical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Kevan Fryer, James Houston
  • Patent number: 7703182
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed zip fastener includes two rows of facing teeth mounted on two strips of compressively elastic material, the teeth being joined and disengaged by a movable slider which can be displaced by gripping its outwardly projecting gripping member. On opposite sides of the strips, the slider has first and second concave capsules, substantially mirror-images of each other, arranged with the perimetral edges of their concavities opposite and facing each other, the first capsule having directed upwards a pin perpendicular thereto and able to slide perpendicularly through a cavity inside the slider and through a hole in the second capsule. The gripping member, when actuated, causes simultaneous displacement of the first towards the second capsule and of the second towards the first capsule perpendicular to the plane of the zip fastener, moving end parts of their perimetral edges together sufficient to grip between them, with desired pressure, the strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Riri Group SA
    Inventor: Benedetto Bonaglia