Patents Examined by Louis Mercado
  • Patent number: 11723441
    Abstract: A material closure assembly including a material closure, such as zipper or a hook and loop fastener, having a first portion and a second portion that are configured to be releasably joined together; an electrical circuit that is configured to be closed when the first portion of the material closure is entirely joined with the second portion of the material closure; and an first indicator that is electrically connected to the electrical circuit and configured to indicate that the first portion of the material closure is entirely joined with the second portion of the material closure. The material closure assembly thus providing an active feedback system for closures on garments and personal protective equipment (PPE) to alert wearer of incomplete seals between interfaces on modular PPE which could result in the wearer of the PPE being exposed to the surrounding environment outside the PPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John M Landers, Cody C Kendig, Anne Y Walker, Daniel J Barker
  • Patent number: 11725712
    Abstract: A cord lock includes a cord lock main body as a case which houses the same. The cord lock main body is made such that locking on the cord is released by a pulling operation to reduce an insertion amount of a portion of a male member into an insertion passage. The case forms a cylindrical shape with openings on both ends through which the cord can pass and combines with the cord lock main body side in a manner allowing the case to be reciprocally moved along the cylinder axis direction. When the case is moved forward, the pulling action is made with a first engage-abutting portion of the case engaging an engage-abutted portion. When the case is moved backward, the pulling operation is made with a second engagement portion of the case engaging the engagement portion of the case engage-abutted portion of the male member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Xianyong Piao
  • Patent number: 11723444
    Abstract: A device for attaching a bracelet or strap to a watch case, the device including, on the one hand, a bar secured to the watch case by a horn, and on the other hand, an insert integral with the end of the bracelet, wherein the bar and the insert are complementary to interlock with each other forming a removable assembly to make the bracelet interchangeable. The insert includes a movable pivot mounted in the insert and arranged to engage in a corresponding hole of the horn, the device having handling device integral with the movable pivot in order to move from a first position, in which the pivot is free to move and the strand can be assembled and/or disassembled, to a second position, in which said pivot is stationary in translation and the bracelet strand is locked on the watch case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: OMEGA SA
    Inventor: Olivier Silvant
  • Patent number: 11718458
    Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate body defined by a first end, a second end, a first side portion, and a second side portion. The elongate body includes a plurality of discrete slits along at least the first side portion, and the plurality of slits extend at least partially into the elongate body of the fastener. The elongate body of the fastener includes a biodegradable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Benson, James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: 11712091
    Abstract: A water repellent product includes a water repellent fabric in which a non-fluorine-based water repellent agent is applied to a fabric formed of a fiber; and a resin component attached to the water repellent fabric. The water repellent product contains substantially no cross-linking agent for chemically bonding the non-fluorine-based water repellent agent and the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Jyogan, Takashi Saito
  • Patent number: 11712092
    Abstract: A spinning device attachable to a band, including a watch and with the spinning device rotatably mounted on a spin-able mount with a bearing and attached to a band, the band receivable onto a user's wrist or finger. The wrist-mounted, or alternatively finger-mounted spinner device includes a watch, mounted in a stationary position, or alternatively in a rotatable position above the spinner device. The spin-able mount includes a spinner bearing attached to a band, the spin-able mount rotatable about the spinner bearing mounted between a post nut and a base screw. The base screw of the spin-able mount receives a bottom band washer and a top band washer, with the top band washer firmly sandwiching the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: DELRA PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventor: Ralph Deleon
  • Patent number: 11707117
    Abstract: A magnetic apparel cinch apparatus for securely gathering or taking up slack or adjusting a hem in an article of clothing is provided. A magnetic first member and a magnetic second member coupled via a link strap are featured. A user may gather a portion of the article of clothing and secure said gathering by meeting the first member and the second member such that the portion of the article of clothing gathered by the user is secured in place by the link strap. The magnets in the apparel cinch clip are permanently secured in the first member and the second member to ensure best use, user safety, and to avoid damage to the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventor: Tara Meissner
  • Patent number: 11684127
    Abstract: A plastic product disposed on a strap is provided. The strap is a soft string type textile. The plastic product includes a first injection molding portion and a second injection molding portion. The second injection molding portion is combined with the first injection molding portion to form the plastic product. An end portion of the strap protrudes out of the first injection molding portion and is completely covered by the second injection molding portion. A length of the first injection molding portion along a longitudinal direction of the strap is less than a length of the plastic product along the longitudinal direction of the strap. A protruding length of the end portion of the strap protruding out of the first injection molding portion along the longitudinal direction of the strap is less than half of a thickness of the second injection molding portion along a radial direction of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Universal Trim Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Sheng Yang, Yen-Po Chuang
  • Patent number: 11679911
    Abstract: A slider for a closure assembly of a bag. The slider has a pair of finger pads extending from a top wall. Each pad has a surface with a curved portion running from a front end to a back end of the slider, a defined, first curved area extending from the curved portion to an end of the first curved area, and a defined, second curved area extending from the end of the first curved area to a midpoint of the curved portion. The first curved area and the second curved area are defined by different angles at which the respective curved area extends into the respective finger pad. Each finger pad includes a major axis dimension greater than a minor axis dimension to provide an area that fits an average finger size, and a lip region to guide a finger of a user into a finger pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Lawrence C. Stanos, Bryan L. Ackerman, Matthew N. Thurin, Christina J. Korinda
  • Patent number: 11673531
    Abstract: An ejector element with a trigger for a belt buckle sensor includes a plate-shaped ejector body and a trigger blade of a magnetic and/or metallic material for producing a change in a magnetic field of a Hall sensor or an inductive sensor. The ejector element is distinguished by the fact that the trigger blade is connected in one piece to the ejector body, wherein the one-piece connection between the trigger blade and the ejector body is produced by an injection-molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Marian Cristea, Eyüp Aslan, Jose-Luis Serrada
  • Patent number: 11672293
    Abstract: An ultra-slim fastener for a garment includes male and female parts engagable by inclining the male part while inserting a foot into a cavity of the female part, and pivoting the parts to a co-planar orientation. The female has a roof thickness, and the foot may be offset by at least the roof thickness. The male and female may include flanges which have a symmetrical appearance when engaged. The male and female may include a plurality of protrusions distributed throughout a weld region for welding the parts to a garment piece. Features of the fastener improve tensile strength, increase flexibility, and improve comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: DUBROSKY & TRACY PATENT SERVICE CORP.
    Inventors: Gerhard Fildan, Karl Wanzenböck
  • Patent number: 11672311
    Abstract: An adhesive fabric fastener for temporary securing two pieces of fabric or an object to a piece of fabric. In one embodiment, the fastener can be a snap assembly which can include ball and socket members each associated with adhesive for temporarily securing the ball and socket members to the fabric/objects. In one non-limiting use the fastener can be used to close or reduce the gap created between buttons on a buttoned shirt and such that the fastener is not seen in use. No modification or alteration to the piece of fabric or garment is required for securing the fastener. In another embodiment the fastener can be a cord secured at one end to adhesive tape and at its other end to another piece of adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Ann DesRuisseaux
  • Patent number: 11670192
    Abstract: A mobius zipper learning model is described. The learning model can include a device comprising two 3D printed, hard plastic, semi-circular halves connected by a plastic zipper, which could also be 3D printed, with top ends connected to the frame halves. The zipper can be twisted and then reconnected at the bottom of the frames using embedded fasteners (e.g., hook and eyelet, snaps, or hook and loop). The Mobius zipper permits topologists and others to explore and demonstrate Mobius properties without having to seek and size workable material (usually paper) and/or successfully slice the selected material. Further, use of the Mobius Zipper results in no waste of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Douglas O. Sanders, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11666123
    Abstract: A magnetic buckle, including a female buckle and a male buckle, the female buckle provided with a first magnetic member; the male buckle provided with a second magnetic member; the second magnetic member and the first magnetic member attract each other, characterized in that, the female buckle is provided with a locking member that can lock the male buckle so that the male buckle and the female buckle are locked and connected together, the locking member is provided with a third magnetic member, and the third magnetic member interacts with the second magnetic member and/or the first magnetic member through magnetic force so that it can actuate the locking member to lock the male buckle when the male buckle is mated with the female buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: LIAN YANG PLASTICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qiuzong Li
  • Patent number: 11659899
    Abstract: A touch fastener part has a first substrate tape (10) with hooking elements (12) arranged on one side and has a second substrate tape (16) connected to the first substrate tape (10). The second substrate tape (10) has a connectors (20) on its side facing away from the hooking elements (12) and is wider than the first substrate tape (10). At least one free lateral edge area (22) of the second substrate tape (16) projects beyond the adjacent longitudinal edge of the first substrate tape (10). The two substrate tapes (10, 16) can be bent along and transversely to their longitudinal orientation by at least one free side edge area (22) of the second substrate tape (16) being provided with a weakening of resistance (27) in such a way that bending the two substrate tapes (10, 16) transversely to their longitudinal orientation is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GOTTLIEB BINDER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Konstantinos Poulakis
  • Patent number: 11638474
    Abstract: An auxiliary strap assembly provides a simple, adjustable strap device for mounting objects to an underlying load bearing platform. In some implementations, the strap assembly includes an elongate anchor body that provides support to the object(s) being secured and/or to the underlying load bearing platform. The strap assembly can be adapted for connection to ladder webbing, such as Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) or HEXGRID® mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: 5.11, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Noble
  • Patent number: 11612204
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a clip to a wearable item with a receiver. The methods involve: receiving the clip's latch structure in the receiver's channel; sliding the latch structure's side members against a channel surface; sliding the latch structure's latch body against the channel's opening edge; bending the latch body by biasing the latch body towards the latch structure's common body portion as the latch body slides against the edge; inserting the latch body and the side members through the channel until at least the free end of the latch body no longer resides in the channel, the latch body automatically unbending when the free end of the latch body no longer resides in the channel; and preventing at least the free end of the latch body from re-entering the channel such that the clip is coupled to the wearable item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Abel Unlimited. Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Maltz
  • Patent number: 11607017
    Abstract: A fastening and/or connection device makes it possible to fasten jewellery and/or costume jewellery items. Each item includes a first free end and a second free end that are joined together. The device includes a first portion to connect to the first free end of the item and a second portion suited to be connected to the second free end of the item. The device includes a main body, first connection means suited to place the main body and the first portion in a disengaged operating configuration or in an engaged operating configuration. A second connection means places the main body and the second portion in a disengaged operating configuration or in an engaged operating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: COLPO & ZILIO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Peretto
  • Patent number: 11602198
    Abstract: A cable lock adapted to temporarily maintain a static position along a cable strung through an article of footwear or apparel includes a housing and a compliant insert. The housing defines an aperture and is formed from a first material. The aperture extends through a thickness of the housing to provide access to the cable. The insert is provided at least partially within the aperture and defining an opening, the insert formed from a second material that is softer than the first material, the insert includes a plurality of cable engaging features extending radially inward from a perimeter of the aperture, the plurality of cable engaging features being adapted to deflect away from a neutral, unstressed plane when a cable is drawn through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Althea R. Fyfe, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11603905
    Abstract: A cord lock for cords with a snap part. The cord lock device has a movable top part that forms a button that is pressed to release tension on a cord. When the button is released, the cord is held. The button has a pressing surface which is pressed to bring cord passing surfaces on first and second parts into communication with one another, to release tension on the cord passing through the cord passing surfaces. The pressing surface has a socket for a snap on device, which can be a decorative or useful snap in device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventors: Ray Perrier, Tess Lachance