Patents Examined by Matthew Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9593701
    Abstract: A fastening clip assembly is configured to securely connect a first panel to a second panel. The fastening clip assembly may include a collar, a securing support extending from the collar, and deflectable beams connected to the securing support. The deflectable beams are configured to move in first and second directions when the deflectable beams are mated with one or both of the first and second panels. The first direction differs from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brock T. Cooley, Marc R. Risdale
  • Patent number: 9567785
    Abstract: A hinge has a pivot assembly and a holding assembly. The pivot assembly has a securing panel, a connecting seat, a pivot shaft, and two positioning sets. Each of the positioning sets has a positioning ball and a silencing positioning element filled with lubricating grease. The holding assembly has two holding sheets holding the pivot shaft. With the holding sheets and the pivot shaft abutting each other with tooth or embossed surfaces, friction between the holding sheets and the pivot shaft is increased. Thus, the pivot shaft and the holding sheets do not pivot relative to each other easily. The lubricating grease in the silencing positioning elements can be smeared on the positioning balls, such that the positioning balls can smoothly roll on the pivot shaft without abrasion and no noise will occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Dinmex Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Grace Wang, Jackie Wu, Jennifer Wu, Andy Wu
  • Patent number: 9565941
    Abstract: A hinge is provided, including a base plate, a hinge arm movably associated with the base plate, an adjustment cam for adjusting a displacement of the hinge arm relative to the base plate, and a locking member for preventing the hinge arm from fully disassociating with the base plate, located immediately adjacent the adjustment cam, and adapted to connect the base plate to the hinge arm in a manner that does not interfere with a range of motion provided by the adjustment cam if the adjustment cam device experiences uncontrolled displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Grass America, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Peer, Cheng Jiang, Georg Domenig
  • Patent number: 9565884
    Abstract: Apparatus for holding an article against a fabric panel, for instance on an article of clothing, including a base having a top side and a generally planar bottom side, a plurality of fabric penetrating elements extending from the bottom side, and a resilient retaining loop disposed on the top side, the resilient loop having an article engaging through slot configured to accept and releasably capture an elongate element of an article inserted through the through slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: BLOB PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Karl A. Grame, Arthur L. Cohen, Robert L. Fullerton
  • Patent number: 9534419
    Abstract: A decorative door handle comprising a flexible material configured in the shape of a door handle and a malleable stiffener material to maintain the handle in a desired useful looking configuration. In one aspect the flexible material is a magnetic vinyl. In another aspect, a decorative door handle comprising molded resin having at least one magnetic insert in the back surface. In another aspect, a decorative hinge element comprising molded resin having at least one magnetic insert in the back surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Schrader
  • Patent number: 9526305
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the length of a bracelet comprises a frame carrying an adjusting element capable of sliding in the longitudinal direction of the bracelet, and an element for fastening the bracelet, mechanically connected to the frame. The device comprises a jaw which can move in response to an action by a user on a control element, and is designed to lock the adjusting element or leave it free, to define several adjustment positions. The device has an automatic conversion mechanism designed to convert an action on the control element into a sliding movement by one increment of the adjusting element, to adjust the length of the bracelet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: DEXEL S.A.
    Inventor: Elio Granito
  • Patent number: 9526366
    Abstract: A bag clamp having at least two coaxial retention arms, capable of rotating about a pivoting axis between an open and closed position. The retention arms are connected to a mechanism housing that has an ability to lock and release the retention arms at various degrees of rotation about the pivoting axis. The arms have a shape such that there are only two possible points of contact between the arms to create an open receiving space. The open receiving space allows the bag clamp to receive a rigid structure to clamp onto while also receiving a bag's straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventors: Scott R. Kempshall, Tina L. Dyer
  • Patent number: 9523230
    Abstract: A door closer comprises a piston cooperating with a rotating pinion. Upon rotation of the pinion in the door opening direction, the piston moves toward the second end of the housing forcing fluid from a second variable volume chamber through a passage to a first variable volume chamber and compressing a spring assembly for storing energy. The spring assembly urges the piston toward the first end of the housing for forcing fluid from the first variable volume chamber to the second variable volume chamber and rotating the pinion in the door closing direction. A controller controls the position of a valve in the passage based on the sensed angular position of a door and the position of the valve for determining the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Burris, Robert L. Tadlock, Jr., John White, Jason Scott Gurley, Steven Michael Faes, Joseph McGinty, Wade Patterson
  • Patent number: 9510648
    Abstract: The invention relates to the joining together of laces and laces with detachable applications and, in particular, to lace systems (100) for exchanging laces, joining parts especially suitable for this purpose and the attachment of applications to such an exchangeable lace. Such a lace system allows guided laces to be exchanged and comprises a device (110) with a lace guide (112), wherein the device is at least part of a shoe (182), a garment (184), a rucksack (186) or a bag (188). Furthermore, such a lace system comprises a first lace (120), which is guided in the lace guide and has a joining part (122), and a second lace (140), which has a joining part (142), wherein the first and second laces can be joined by means of the joining parts and the joining parts have a diameter that is not substantially any greater than the diameter of the first lace or the lace guide, such that the laces joined by means of the joining parts can be pulled through the lace guide together with the joined joining parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sigrun Schneider
    Inventor: Alexander Moreno-Stolz
  • Patent number: 9506281
    Abstract: A load bearing rotation lock mechanism including disks or cylinders with teeth or a combination of both that interlock radially between their inner and outer surface areas, or frontal areas, or both, where one of the disks or cylinders is attached to a fixed surface area and the other disk or cylinder is attached to a pivoting arm, plate, or other kind of load bearing support element, and where one of the disks or cylinders is able to mesh (lock) and un-mesh (unlock) from the other disk or cylinder by protruding, retracting, or sliding laterally over a common, continuous or divided axis, shaft, or channel thereby freezing the angular position of the pivoting arm, plate, or other kind of load bearing support element with respect to the fixed surface area at the time the disks, cylinders, or a combination of both, mesh (lock) with each other and unfreezing the pivoting arm, plate, or other kind of load bearing support element to pivot freely with respect to the fixed surface area when the disks, cylinders, or c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Zaloom
  • Patent number: 9507387
    Abstract: A pivot mechanism rotatably coupes a cover to a base of a foldable electronic device. The pivot mechanism includes a connector, a first rotation assembly, and a second rotation assembly. The first rotation assembly is rotatably coupled to the base and fixedly attached to the connector. The second rotation assembly is fixedly coupled to the cover and rotatably coupled to the connector. The first rotation assembly rotates relative to the base and the second rotation assembly remains fixed relative to the connector as the cover is rotated open to a first angle. The second rotation assembly rotates relative to the connector as the cover is rotated further to a second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tai-An Tsao, Ting-Yu Wang, Lei Han, Hsieh-Chih Chiang, Hung-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 9491990
    Abstract: Apparatuses and system are provided for securing loads. In one embodiment, a buckle system is provided that includes two buckle portions that are adapted to interlock with each other. Each of the buckle portions includes a spine, two longitudinal/long member connected to the spine, a neck connected to the spine and a V-shaped member, and two horizontal members connected to the V-shaped member. Each of the two buckle portions has a plurality of bends on its top surface. The plurality of bends one buckle portion corresponds with the plurality of bends on the other buckle portion. In various embodiments, each spine has at least one portion that has greater dimensions than at least one other portion on the spine, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: James E. Sadeck
  • Patent number: 9483083
    Abstract: For information display devices and other uses, a mechanism for unlocking and locking the rotation of a load-bearing hinge at multiple specific angles with the press and release of a push button—with an option for a default angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph A. Zaloom
  • Patent number: 9481285
    Abstract: A protective hook cover configured for use in association with a hook member having a base and a leg joined together about a bend region so as to define a retention channel therebetween. The protective hook cover comprises a base region cover portion, a leg region cover portion and a connecting cover portion therebetween. The connecting cover portion including a plurality of nub bumper members extending outwardly from the outer base surface. A combination protective hook cover and hook member is also disclosed, as is the inclusion of a strap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Samuel Lindberg
  • Patent number: 9474335
    Abstract: A key ring including a continuous loop of material including a first section extending for the majority of the circumference of the continuous loop of material having a thickness of D1, and a indented second section extending for the remainder of the circumference of the continuous loop having a thickness D2 less than D1. The key ring also includes a securing device slidable about the continuous loop to cover and uncover the indented second section. One or more spring clips including a moveable arm having a tip end and a fixed member to which the movable arm is attached, the moveable arm moving between an opened position and a closed position, wherein a distance D3 is provided between the tip end of the moveable arm and a hook end of the fixed member when the moveable arm is in the opened position abutting the fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Brian Heller
  • Patent number: 9464649
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (10) for attachment of a component of a motor vehicle, in particular for attachment of a lining part (35) to a carrier (20), having a first holding part (12) and a second holding part (14), the first holding part (12) having at least one abutment (26) and the second holding part (14) having at least one detent hook (36), and having a locking bar (15) which can be moved between a release position, in which the detent hook (36) can move behind, and be released from, the abutment (26), and a locking position, in which the detent hook (36) is locked behind the abutment (26), the locking bar (15) automatically moving from the release position to the locking position. The invention further relates to a method of mounting and of dismounting said assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ITW Fastener Products GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Demerath, Vitali Leidner
  • Patent number: 9462854
    Abstract: A fastener stringer is provided with a fixing section in which at least one of a first and second half sections is fixed to a fastener tape and a tapered extending section which extends from the fixing section toward the outside of the tape. A first side face and a second side face in the tape length direction in the fixing section have concave surfaces which curve in a concave shape so as to gradually increase from an element surface of a fastener element toward the fastener tape. Accordingly, each fastener element can exhibit an appearance close to a metallic fastener element and a locking mechanism of a slider can be made to function stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kojima, Aya Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 9439509
    Abstract: A glide foot for outdoor furniture is removably attachable to a bottom surface of a piece of outdoor furniture to protect the bottom surface of the furniture from being scratched or otherwise damaged from abrasive outdoor surfaces, for example a patio surface. The glide foot also adjustably adds weight to the furniture to stabilize the furniture in windy conditions without detracting from the aesthetic appearance of the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CNC Commercial Group, LLC
    Inventor: Christy Cammarata
  • Patent number: 9441665
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching items includes a body, first hook, and second hook oriented on a first side and a second side of the body. The apparatus further includes a first gate and a second gate, the first gate attached to the body and oriented to close the first hook, and the second gate attached to the body and oriented to close the second hook. The apparatus further includes a first sliding lock and a second sliding lock, the first and second sliding locks oriented on the first and second gates, respectively; the first and second sliding locks having a first position, being a locked position, where the sliding lock is positioned in a first notch and a second notch in the body, and a second position, being an unlocked position, where the first and second sliding locks are distal from the first and second notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Liang, Bowden Ormsbee, Richard N. Case, Rex W. Stevens
  • Patent number: 9435152
    Abstract: In a combined acceleration and deceleration arrangement with a support and guide structure supporting a carrier element movable between a park position and an end position and an energy store which is charged when the carrier element is in the park position and discharged when it is in the end position, the carrier element has a guide part and a securing part and each has an engagement stop, the energy store being connected to the securing part and an operating element being connected to the guide part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventors: Guenther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer