Patents Examined by Jonathan P Masinick
  • Patent number: 10668555
    Abstract: A welding tip (20) for spot welding a first part (22) formed of conductive metal, for example aluminum, to a second part (24) formed of aluminum or another conductive metal, such as steel, is provided. The welding tip (20) includes a notch (30) at a distal end (38) and a convex contact surface (28) extending radially outwardly and upwardly from the notch (30) for engaging a surface of the first part (22). The rotating welding tip (20) forms a depression (32) on the surface of the first part (22) during the welding process. The notch (30) creates a pin (34) in the center of the depression (32) which provides a fixed axis of rotation for the rotating welding tip (20) and prevents the welding tip (20) from moving radially relative to the fixed axis, thereby improving the quality of the final spot weld (36) and reducing process time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John Edward Hill, Terence Anthony Devers
  • Patent number: 10662669
    Abstract: A fence having a plurality of fence posts supported in the ground at spaced apart locations along the fenced boundary and fencing material joined to the fence posts under tension, further includes an anchor fence post assembly at a corner of the fence. The anchor fence post assembly has an anchor post for coupling the fencing material thereon. An anchor pin is penetrated into the ground such that the anchor pin extends along a post axis at an upward and outward slope which is offset from vertical away from a direction of tension of the fencing material. The anchor post that couples the fencing material thereon is slidable along the post axis relative to the anchor pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Kenneth Curt Anderson
  • Patent number: 10662701
    Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a fence gate during installation of the fence gate. The apparatus includes at least one support member and a brace bar. The at least one support member is mounted to the fence gate. The brace bar has a first end, a second end and a brace portion extending therebetween. A first portion of the brace bar is connectable to the fence gate and a second portion of the brace bar is adjustably connectable to the at least one support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Levi Penner
  • Patent number: 10653108
    Abstract: An automatic locking joint for use with a reconfigurable device to permit the device to be selectively reconfigurable between various configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Adjustajoints LLC
    Inventors: Shane Nelson, Gary Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10654136
    Abstract: A component connection includes a first component, which is made of a material attractable by a magnet, and a second component which lies directly or indirectly adjacent to the first component and which has a hole. A magnetic element is provided which covers the hole and attracts the first component such that both components are clamped together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Maik Hammer, Johann Van Niekerk
  • Patent number: 10648498
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a first furniture part adapted to be assembled with a second furniture part. The first furniture part comprises recess and the second furniture part comprises a pin. The recess and the pin has a width which varies along the longitudinal direction (L), thereby forming insertion portions of the recess and core portions of the pin, and respective locking portions. The locking portions are provided with grooves and protrusions. The disclosure further relates to a second furniture part comprising a male part of the joint and to a method of forming a furniture part with a female part of a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: IKEA Supply AG
    Inventors: Göran Sjöstedt, Anders Paul Eriksson
  • Patent number: 10646942
    Abstract: A brazing method for assembling two elements includes selecting two brazing materials that can generate, when they are heated and melted, an intermetallic compound having a melting temperature which is higher than the melting temperature of each of the selected brazing materials taken individually, positioning the two selected brazing materials between the two elements, heating and melting the two selected brazing materials in order to substantially reach the melting temperature of each of the selected brazing materials so as to achieve the precipitation of an intermetallic compound having a melting temperature which is higher than the melting temperature of each of the selected brazing materials taken individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER
    Inventor: Mathieu Charlas
  • Patent number: 10648142
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spacer for a road safety barrier. The spacer includes a post and a rail connected to the post via an intermediary of the spacer and a connector. The spacer includes a rail support having a front face intended to be fastened to a rail, a rear face intended to be fastened to a post and a flange that connects the front face to the rear face. The front face includes a notch emerging on the upper edge of the front face, the notch includes a connector housing, located in the lower portion of the notch and two convergent lateral edges connecting the connector housing to the upper edge of the front face. The present invention also provides a safety barrier including a spacer and a fabrication kit for a safety barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ArcelorMittal
    Inventor: Michaël Gremling
  • Patent number: 10648502
    Abstract: A trunnion assembly, comprising at least two pivot-engagement sides located opposite each other, each of the at least two pivot-engagement sides including an attachment hole, each attachment hole including a threaded area and a counterbore, the at least two attachment holes being generally coaxially located relative to each other; and at least one through-hole perpendicular to and midway between the two attachment holes of the pivot-engagement sides; a fastener releasably attached to each of the at least two attachment holes, the fastener including a head and an at least partially-threaded shaft, and a pivot tube disposed around each of the fasteners between the head and the attachment hole, the pivot tube including an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the shaft and an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of a circumscribed circle of the head of the fastener and smaller than the diameter of the counterbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Blunier, Gaylen J. Kromminga
  • Patent number: 10640194
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting an element to a surface includes a mounting post having a base configured for mounting to a surface. The mounting post is threaded on an outer surface. A mounting plate is configured for being secured to the element to be mounted and has a center opening for receiving the mounting post so that the mounting plate is freely movable along the mounting post. An adjustment plate includes a threaded opening to receive the mounting post. The adjustment plate is configured to incrementally rotate on the threaded mounting post for adjusting the position of the adjustment plate along the mounting post and with respect to the surface. The adjustment plate is configured for being fixed to the mounting plate at a plurality of incremental positions of the adjustment plate to secure the mounting plate at a selected position along the mounting post and thereby adjust the distance between the surface and mounted element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10639119
    Abstract: An instrument sterile adapter for coupling a surgical instrument and an instrument carriage includes an adapter control surface that extends control features of a control surface of the instrument carriage and receives an instrument control surface of the surgical instrument. A curved surface extends from the adapter control surface. The curved surface receives a corresponding curved surface on the instrument control surface. A bullet portion on the curved surface may engage a bullet receiving feature in the corresponding curved surface on the instrument control surface. A locating pin or slot on the adapter control surface may engage a locating slot or pin on the instrument control surface. The instrument control surface may be supported by landing pads on the adapter control surface. Latch arms on the adapter control surface may engage latch receptacles on the instrument control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Dachs, II, Bruce Michael Schena
  • Patent number: 10640193
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting an element to a surface includes a mounting element having a base and a threaded shaft extending from the base along an axis. The base is configured for mounting to a surface. An incremental nut rotates on the threaded shaft and moves up and down on the shaft. A fitting is coupled with the incremental nut and the fitting is further configured for coupling with an element to mount the element to a surface at a selected height above the surface. Apertures are formed in the incremental nut and fitting and the apertures of the incremental nut aperture and fitting are aligned at a plurality of rotational positions of the incremental nut along the threaded shaft for adjusting the height of the nut and fitting. In one embodiment the threaded shaft includes an aperture that is aligned with the incremental nut apertures for locking the nut at a selected height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10641301
    Abstract: A device and method for mounting a bicycle to a bicycle rack. The device includes an attachment member and a mount rail. The attachment member is used to attach the device to a seat post or frame of the bicycle. The attachment member has a securing section and a mount rail receiving section, with the securing section securing the attachment member to the seat post or frame. The mount rail has a bicycle rack mounting section and an attaching section. The mounting section is configured to cooperate with a bicycle rack and the attaching section is configured to cooperate with the mount rail receiving section to removably and pivotally secure the mount rail to the mount rail receiving section of the attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Woelfling
  • Patent number: 10632517
    Abstract: Provided is a crimp structure in which an inner member and an outer member that is arranged outside the inner member are joined to each other. The inner member includes: an insertion portion having a columnar surface-like outer circumferential surface; and a recessed portion provided in the outer circumferential surface. The outer member includes: a cylindrical portion that forms an opening into which the insertion portion is inserted; a reduced-diameter portion that is formed in the cylindrical portion, and has a plastically deformed shape such that a diameter of the cylindrical portion is reduced annularly inward in a radial direction; and a protruding portion that has a plastically deformed shape such that a part, in a circumferential direction, of the reduced-diameter portion has entered the recessed portion. Relative rotation of the inner member and the outer member can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Teramoto, Tomoyuki Hakata, Hitoshi Nakano, Kazuyoshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10633851
    Abstract: An assembled self-recovery circular concrete-filled steel-tube composite joint includes a circular steel-tube column and H-shaped steel beams, where steel bars penetrate through the circular steel-tube column; the circular steel-tube column includes an upper steel-tube column section, a central inserted-connection column section and a lower steel-tube column section; the upper steel-tube column section is connected to the central inserted-connection column section through an upper sleeve connector, and the central inserted-connection column section is connected to the lower steel-tube column section through a lower sleeve connector; and the H-shaped steel beams are connected to the circular steel-tube column through the upper sleeve connector and the lower sleeve connector. According to the assembled self-recovery circular concrete-filled steel-tube composite joint, all members are machined in a factory and are connected on site through bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: QINGDAO UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ben Mou, Peng Feng, Xi Li
  • Patent number: 10634194
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a clip for restricting the axial movement of at least one of an inner shaft or an outer shaft relative to the other shaft includes a first free end, a second free end, an opening defining an open end of the clip between the first free end and the second free end, a closed end opposite the open end, at least three control zones, and a plurality of intermediate zones. Each intermediate zone has a varying width and each is disposed adjacent to at least one of the at least three control zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Oram, Crittenden A. Bittick, Tony N. Arden
  • Patent number: 10624332
    Abstract: A protective screen against aggressive animals, including a structure formed by frames provided with pointed elements which are installed for the purpose of creating secure zones that are protected against possible attacks from dangerous animals. A series of elemental modules having a square or rectangular tubular frame in polyethylene or hard plastic having four lances directed towards the centre but forming an angle “?” with the plane defined by the frame. Each lance has a shaft of the same material as the frame and a steel metal lance point that is protected against corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventors: Gerard Maiquez Ferrer, Antonio Sánchez Gallardo
  • Patent number: 10619665
    Abstract: The invention relates to fastening elements for connecting transmission means such as tie rods, Bowden cables or the like to lever elements, in particular for motor vehicle locks, and to connecting arrangements equipped with such fastening elements. In order to allow reliable mounting and a structurally simple manufacture of the fastening elements, the fastening element is provided with a bayonet contour in such a manner that the fastening element, when mounted, is hinged to the lever element so as to be swiveled about a swivel axis. Owing to the swivelability and secure fastening to the lever element, the fastening element is particularly suitable for use in an actuation-force transmission chain between a motor vehicle lock and an actuating element for actuating said motor vehicle lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Heide, Armin Kleinmann, Martin Lindmayer
  • Patent number: 10618185
    Abstract: A connection structure in which a robot link member including a first wall, a second wall facing the first wall with an interval, and a connecting wall connecting the first wall and the second wall is connected with a member to be connected contacting a surface of the first wall of the link member, which does not face the second wall, the connection structure includes a bolt penetrating the first and second walls and including a head part contacting the second wall and a screw part screwed into the member to be connected, and a deformation preventing member sandwiched between the first and second walls by tightening the bolt to prevent or reduce deformation of the walls in a direction in which the walls become closer to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutaka Nakayama, Kenichirou Abe, Masahiro Morioka
  • Patent number: 10605309
    Abstract: A self-aligning rotating joint, for mounting in a first component and connecting to a second component, the rotating joint comprising: a housing having: an external mounting surface; an internal chamber with an internal surface forming a spherical segment symmetric about a center point; a base end with an assembly opening; and an aperture in a cap end opposite the base end; a stud having: a longitudinal axis passing through the center point; a proximal stud end housed within the internal chamber; and a distal connecting end extending through the aperture, the proximal end having a cylindrical surface and a head laterally extending from the cylindrical surface; and a longitudinally split bearing having: an external bearing surface matching the internal surface of the housing; an internal bearing surface matching the cylindrical surface of the stud; and a longitudinal channel extending radially from the internal bearing surface to the external bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MEVOTECH LP
    Inventors: Simon Winter, Jack McVeigh, Tyler Kearns, Rosan Luiz