Patents Examined by Louis Mercado
  • Patent number: 11291274
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a pair of magnetic mating buckles including a first buckle (205) and second buckle (210), the first buckle extending beyond the second buckle's outer perimeter forming an extended lip. In an illustrative example, the lip may be manually manipulated to separate the first buckle from the second buckle when the pair of magnetic mating buckles are in a substantially planar magnetic engagement. In some examples, one or more magnets may be fixedly coupled to the first buckle, and/or the second buckle. In some examples, the buckles may be coupled to various webbings. In an engagement example, the first buckle may be inserted through a coupling aperture (215) in the second buckle. The coupling aperture may include one or more corner notches, for example. Various pairs of magnetic mating buckles with overhanging lips may advantageously provide leverage to manually separate the buckles without tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Michael Seman
  • Patent number: 11293479
    Abstract: A clipping apparatus is disclosed. The clipping apparatus connects on the Z-axis but can be activated for release on either the X or Y-axis. The system also has a self-locking mechanism on the handle to create a secure connection along the Z-axis. It is includes a first member that includes a first cavity and a first handle and a second member that includes a second cavity and a second handle. The first member and second member are mated to a spring connection mechanism and a base plate, thereby forming an opening. When the first handle and the second handle are pushed inwards, a male fitting is accepted into the opening and locked into the opening when the first handle and the second handle are released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Bowerbags LLC
    Inventor: James Patrick Bowerman
  • Patent number: 11284677
    Abstract: A device for opening/closing an article includes an assembly button and a clasp casing with a mechanism including a housing, locking member and latch; the mechanism structured so with the housing in a first position and the button is inserted into the casing, the locking member immobilizes the button at least with respect to translation, when the housing is made to rotate and passes from its first to a second position, the member is moved until the button is released and the latch is driven with translational movement into the casing until the button is pushed out of the casing and the housing and the member are immobilized, when the button is reinserted into the casing, it pushes the latch which releases the housing, which is rotated and passes from its second to first position and the member is moved until the button is immobilized with respect to translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: HERMES SELLIER
    Inventors: Truong Vu Doan, Camille Rouzaud
  • Patent number: 11274690
    Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured to securely couple to one or more components. The fastener assembly includes a retaining clip, and a fluid-tight housing coupled to the retaining clip. The fluid-tight housing is configured to provide fluid-tight interfaces with the retaining clip and the one or more components. The fluid tight housing includes an outer cap and an outwardly-flared skirt extending from the outer cap. The fluid-tight housing further includes couplers extending downwardly from the fluid-tight housing on opposite sides of the fluid-tight housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Leverger, Laurent Huet
  • Patent number: 11259582
    Abstract: A clothing accessory for holding folds/pull-ups/roll-ups in wearable clothes worn by clothing wearer. The clothing accessory having a single loop body that includes a top arm portion and a case arm portion. The top arm portion include a flat and straight configuration. The base arm portion includes a partially straight configuration, and a partially inclined configuration extending from the partially straight configuration and bends towards the top arm portion. The single loop body include a curved profile that seamlessly joins the top arm portion and the base arm portion to each other. The single loop body also include a tongue portion and a jaw profile. The tongue portion may extend from the partially inclined configuration from the base arm portion. The jaw profile extend upwardly from an underside of the top arm portion to engage with the tongue portion along a proximal end portion of the top arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Eliahu Efrat
  • Patent number: 11253032
    Abstract: A slide fastener tape is provided. The slide fastener tape extends in a longitudinal direction. The slide fastener includes a weave structure formed with warp threads arranged in the longitudinal direction, and weft threads arranged along a transversal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The slide fastener tape includes a cord arranged along one side edge portion of the fastener tape. The weft threads are made from filament yarns and the warp threads comprise a plurality of threads made from spun yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Pier Marco Gabutti, Giovanni La Rocca, Yusuke Meiwa
  • Patent number: 11246383
    Abstract: New forms of fasteners are disclosed. Some such fasteners include a new form of zipper with magnetic actuation, initiated by bringing one end of a linear array of magnets into closer proximity with another end of a linear array of magnets. Some such fasteners include structural locking, driven by magnetic force. Some such fasteners include elastic subunits incorporated in a common semi-flexible substrate. The techniques set forth are applicable to a wide variety of applications, incorporating many different materials. For example, in some contexts, some fastening techniques allow rapid closing of articles, such as gym bags or sports apparel, with minimum effort, leading to an extraordinary custom-fit to a user's preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher V. Beckman
  • Patent number: 11231086
    Abstract: An improved agricultural sheeting fastening component for use in anchoring agricultural sheet material includes two arms, each including one or more prongs having a tip adapted to pierce the sheet material to connect the fastening component to the sheet material, wherein a terminating portion of the prong(s) extends in a direction away from a junction of the prong to the arm and at an angle between the arm and the terminating portion of the prong of between about ?25 and about 45 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: NINE IP LIMITED
    Inventor: Jonathan Dallas Toye
  • Patent number: 11202487
    Abstract: A first stop member includes a first base and a first insert that is positioned between the first base and a first fastener element and is inserted into the slider via a rear mouth of a slider. A second stop member includes a second base and a second insert that is positioned between the second base and a second fastener element and is inserted into the slider via a second slit of the slider. The second insert moves toward the second slit of the slider in accordance with at least one or respective rotations of the first and second bases. A rotational axis with respect to the at least one or respective rotations of the first and second bases is positioned between the first tape region and the second tape region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: YKK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Chen Tung, Jiro Nozaki, Shigeyoshi Takazawa, Yoshinori Kojima, Shigeki Annaka
  • Patent number: 11191324
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toggle lever closure, including a first closure element, a second closure element which is pivotable about a first pivot axis with respect to the first closure element in order to close the toggle lever closure, and a tensioning element which is connected in an articulated manner to the second closure element about a second pivot axis spaced apart from the first pivot axis. At least one magnetic device acts between the first closure element and the second closure element and/or between the first closure element and the tensioning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Fidlock GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Fiedler
  • Patent number: 11191345
    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: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: 5.11, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Noble
  • Patent number: 11185120
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for allowing a user to adjust a length of a headband includes a stationary case, a clutch, and a knob. The stationary case defines an opening and a circular recess. The clutch includes a cam arranged within the circular recess and a pinion extending axially from the cam such that the pinion is positioned outside the case via the opening to engage with the headband. The clutch also includes a roller located adjacent to a first cam portion of the cam. The knob has an actuating element arranged between the roller and a tab of the cam. The knob is rotatable in a first direction for allowing the user to shorten the length of the headband. The knob is rotatable in a second direction allowing the user to increase the length of the headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Varjo Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Jukka Manni
  • Patent number: 11185133
    Abstract: A slider for a waterproof slide fastener includes an upper blade and a lower blade opposing each other in an up-down direction, and a connecting post connecting the upper blade with the lower blade. Each of opposing surfaces includes a close-contact surface for sandwiching and close-contacting with a first stop in the up-down direction. At least one of the opposing surfaces includes right and left inclined surfaces provided respectively on right and left sides at a front sides of the close-contact surface and inclined in a direction widening a gap between the upper blade and the lower blade as the right and left inclined surfaces go forward. The at least one of the opposing surfaces includes an extended close-contact surface provided between the right and left inclined surfaces and extending forward from the close-contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Kayahara, Mineto Terada, Ryo Mikuma
  • Patent number: 11178940
    Abstract: A slider for a slide fastener useable with a slider with an automatic stop function to secure a tab to enable automatic engagement and prevent swinging of the tab, regardless of the type of tab, when the tab is tilted to an engaged portion side. An engaging portion is formed in an attachment hole of the tab. An engaged portion is formed in the slider body or the tab attachment part. When the tab is tilted to be almost parallel to an upper blade on the engaged portion side of the tab attachment part, due to a biasing force of the spring member, the lock pin moves the shaft portion of the tab downward and to an opposite side of a tilted direction, and a tip portion of the engaging portion of the tab is pulled into to be engaged with the engaged portion side of the tab attachment part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hsien Hsiang Hsu, Shinya Honda
  • Patent number: 11172736
    Abstract: A locking device includes a sleeve, an actuator, and a stopper. The sleeve defines a receiving cavity and an outlet communicating with the receiving cavity. An inner wall of the receiving cavity defines a sliding groove and a stopping groove. The actuator is provided in the receiving cavity. One end of the actuator is inserted in the outlet, and another end of the actuator extends out of the receiving cavity. The stopper is provided on the actuator. The actuator is configured to be rotated to switch the stopper between the sliding groove and the stopping groove. When the stopper resists in the stopping groove, the actuator is fixed in the sleeve. When the stopper is switched to the sliding groove, the actuator is pressed to slide along the sliding groove and extend out of the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: HONGFUJIN PRECISION ELECTRONICS (ZHENGZHOU) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yan-Lei Cao, Luo Gong
  • Patent number: 11174914
    Abstract: A suspension device for hanging chairs and hammocks, the suspension device including a basic body and the basic body having defined therein apertures arranged for receiving and guiding a suspension rope. The basic body including at least two halves which are configured pivotably in respect of one another about a common connection axis, the connection axis forming a lower part of the suspension device and simultaneously a support for a holding loop of a hanging chair or a hammock, and the apertures for a length-adjustable arrangement of the suspension rope run in an upper part of the suspension device formed from both halves of the basic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: LA SIESTA GMBH
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Meillan
  • Patent number: 11172737
    Abstract: A slider having a tab connecting part provided on a surface of the upper blade of the slider body. The tab connecting part has a cantilevered tab connecting post, with one end portion fixed to the surface of the upper blade at one end and the other end portion is separated from the surface at the other end in the longitudinal direction; and a closing member attached between the other end portion of the tab connecting post and the surface of the upper blade. The slider body includes a fixing portion provided on the surface of the upper blade. The closing member includes an outside portion defining a surface facing opposite to the one end portion, where the closing member is attached to the surface of the upper blade, and an engaging portion, provided on the one end portion-side of the outside portion and engageable with the fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: YKK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki Hosoe
  • Patent number: 11166528
    Abstract: A slider includes a resin-made slider body, a pull tab, and a metallic connecting pin. Lateral walls of the slider body and the pull tab are provided with shaft holes in which the connecting pin is inserted. The shaft holes of the lateral walls are opened on outer side surfaces of the lateral walls to define openings, a bottom edge point of each of the openings being located at a position outer in a Y-axis direction than a top edge point above the bottom edge point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Ozawa, Takayuki Inukai
  • Patent number: 11160330
    Abstract: A buckle assembly has a first buckle portion that cooperates with a second buckle portion. Each of the buckle portions has a base body with exterior surfaces, interior surfaces that extend from a central circular flat, a fastening hook on one longitudinal end and a fastening opening with a first fastening wedge on another longitudinal end on an opposite side of the circular flat from the fastening hook, and a magnet under the circular flat. Placing the interior surfaces of the first buckle portion against the interior surfaces of the second buckle portion causes the magnets to engage each other and the fastening hooks of each buckle portion to enter the fastening openings of the other buckle portion, to lock the two buckle portions together and prevent disengagement under tension in opposing directions parallel to a longitudinal extent of the buckle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Duraflex Hong Kong Limited
    Inventor: Ming Yen Tseng
  • Patent number: 11156315
    Abstract: A pre-positioner for a profiled clamp being formed in two parts with a first element and a second element, wherein the first element can be fastened to a line end and the second element can be fastened to the profiled clamp. The disclosure further relates to a connecting arrangement having such a pre-positioner. To allow a simple mounting of the pre-positioner, the first element is designed to be stirrup-shaped with a foot portion which can be secured to the line end and with a holding portion which is offset radially outwards with respect to the foot portion. The holding portion has a cutout, wherein the second element has a pin which extends in the radial direction and which can be inserted into the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Norma Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Stephen Paes, Manuel Baudoin, Erkan Kayacik, Ben Cottle