Patents Examined by Matthew Sullivan
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Patent number: 9254949Abstract: A cable tie includes a band having a first end and a second end a housing, affixed to the band near the second end, with a first opening to receive the first end of the band. The housing comprises a first mass near the first opening and one side of the housing, a stop mass near a second side of the housing, and a second mass between the first mass and the stop mass. When the first end is inserted into the housing, the second mass prevents the first mass from moving a first distance occupied by the second mass, toward the stop mass. When the first end in the housing is being pulled out of the housing, the first mass locks the first end in the housing and prevents the first end from slipping over a second distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Cong T. Dinh, Andrew C. Cole, Mark R. Drane
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Patent number: 9247777Abstract: A device for gathering and containing a portion of fabric of a garment, such as a T-shirt and maintaining the gathered configuration of the fabric while providing a tighter fit of the garment. The device comprises a four sided outer frame having a semicircular lower side member, an upper side member, two upright members, and two internal crossbars providing three openings through which the fabric is passed to form the gathered configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Inventors: Deborah Sullivan, Kaelyn Kelly Sullivan, Camryn Collins Sullivan
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Patent number: 9244497Abstract: A hinge module is disposed between a first body and a second body. A first bracket is fixed on the first body to fix a shaft. A second bracket is fixed on the second body and passed through by the shaft, so that the second bracket can be rotated relative to the first bracket. An electromagnet is installed on the shaft. A magnetic element is installed on the shaft, and capable of being attracted or repelled with the electromagnet. At least one of the electromagnet and the magnetic element is capable of being moved along the shaft axially but substantially incapable of being rotated with the shaft as an axis. When the electromagnet is activated, at least one of the electromagnet and the magnetic element is axially moved to press the second bracket to increase a torque of a rotation of the second bracket relative to the first bracket.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventor: Shao-Huai Tsai
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Patent number: 9237775Abstract: A clasp comprising a securing rail and a clasp body. The securing rail comprises an elongate rail comprising a rail top, a pair of opposing clasping flanges extending lengthwise of the rail and a plurality of locking teeth spaced and extending lengthwise of the rail. The clasp body is configured to receive the clasping flanges of the elongate rail and to secure the clasp body to the rail against radial movement relative to the rail. At least one engaging tooth is operatively associated with the clasp body to engage the first plurality of locking teeth to secure the clasp body against movement in at least one axial direction lengthwise of the elongate rail with the clasping flanges received in the clasp body.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Magpul Industries CorporationInventors: Grady Barfoot, Michael T. Mayberry, Richard Fitzpatrick, Brian Nakayama, Eric Nakayama
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Patent number: 9232835Abstract: A zipper pull attachment includes a flexible ring having a hole sized to fit snugly around a button on jeans. A base is attached to the ring and configured to be used as a grip. A support cord is attached to the base opposite the ring. The support cord forms a loop and is sized to fit through and attach to an eye of a zipper pull tab. In another embodiment, the zipper pull attachment includes a fastener expansion cord that is attached to the base.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: KEVEL INCORPORATEDInventor: Rachel Kearl
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Patent number: 9233742Abstract: A fastening buckle for fastening a snorkel to swimming goggles includes a strip-holding member and a snorkel-holding member. The strip-holding member has a resiliently depressible hanging section and has an outer surface formed with an inclined plane. The snorkel-holding member has a gripping portion laterally formed with a socket for receiving the hanging section of the strip-holding member. The socket has an outer wall formed with a cut-away section for abutting against a bottom edge of the hanging section. The socket further has a resiliently depressible pressing button extending downward from a top thereof to hang over the cut-away section and abut against the inclined plane of the hanging section. When pressed, the pressing button presses the inclined plane to expel the hanging section downward from the cut-away section, allowing convenient disengagement between the snorkel-holding member and the strip-holding member.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Shine Ball Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yen-Ting Kuo
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Patent number: 9232834Abstract: A slider for a slide fastener with an automatic stopper, includes a body forming an element guide passage into which fastener elements are insertable, a locking member swingably supported in the body by a pin and having a locking claw which is protrudable from a locking window hole formed in the body to the element guide passage and an urging member configured to urge the locking member so that the locking claw protrudes from the locking window hole to the element guide passage. A pair of lateral plate portions of the cover, which are disposed at both end portions of the pin are respectively provided with crimping protrusions which are abuttable against end faces of the pin and which are arranged at peripheral portions of a through-hole of the pair of lateral plate portions through which the pin penetrates.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: YKK CorporationInventors: Keiichi Keyaki, Koji Yamagishi, Shinya Honda
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Patent number: 9227550Abstract: A multi-stage transmission tensioning device for automobile safety comprises a base group (1), a handle group (2) and a multi-stage transmission group (3); the multi-stage transmission group (3) comprises a transmission shaft (25) for pivoting both with the base of the base group (1) and the handle of the handle group (2), a main rotating shaft (28) used for winding a long strap (31), and a transmission wheel fixed on the transmission shaft (25). A fairly large binding force on the straps ultimately can be achieved from a small force applied to the handle by multiple conversions. Different binding forces in the case of applying the same handle force may be got via the increase or decrease of the transmission stages and the change of the transmission ratio of the transmission at all stages.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: NINGBO XULI METAL PRODUCTS CO., LTD.Inventors: Weiguo Chen, Wei Deng, Jianbiao Li
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Patent number: 9226592Abstract: A fixing device includes an encircle element having lateral sides and two flap portions extending outwardly from the lateral sides and formed with a through hole; a positioning element fixed securely to the encircle element and having lateral sides extending parallel to the lateral sides of the encircle element so as to define restriction chambers, wherein one lateral side of the positioning element has a longitudinal length greater than the lateral sides of the encircle element and is formed with an upward notch; and a locking plate having a first end connected pivotally to the through hole in the encircle element and a second end formed with a downward notch such that the locking plate is pivotable relative to the encircle element between an unlocked position, in which the notches disengage relative to each other and a locking position, in which the notches engages relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: SPEC SEATS TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Mei Chuen Lin
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Patent number: 9220241Abstract: A collar strap attachment mechanism. One embodiment of collar strap attachment mechanism utilizes a rotatable clasping system with a locking mechanism. The collar strap attachment mechanism is compatible with collars of various widths and thickness. This collar strap attachment mechanism does not require the strap to be looped through any openings so removing the clasp of the strap is unnecessary. The collar strap attachment mechanism includes a rotatable clasp with a plurality of fingers configured to close around the collar strap. The user places the collar strap attachment mechanism on the strap and rotates the two parts until the strap is captured. Once closed around the collar strap, a lock prevents the collar strap attachment mechanism from rotating back to the open position unless unlocked.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Inventor: Kevin M. Sayers
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Patent number: 9212677Abstract: An anchor, cable tie combination having a barrel with slatted sections for insertion into the hole, a flange positioned on a first rearward end of the barrel for setting the depth the barrel may be inserted into the hole, at least one locking buckle positioned approximate the flange having a channel and a locking pawl located within the locking buckle, an elongated strap having a stopper positioned on a first end of the strap, and wherein one or more cross-bars are formed crosswise on the strap and, wherein the second end of the strap is inserted through the second forward end of the barrel, the first rearward end of the barrel, the flange and the channel of the locking buckle, wherein the locking pawl of the channel engages the cross-bars formed on the strap, until the stopper of the strap contacts a second forward end of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Thomas Dale Owen
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Patent number: 9195274Abstract: The present invention relates to a lock device, which comprises a first lever and a third lever pivoted on a frame, and the first lever is pivoted with a second lever. When a first machine body inserted in the insertion device is desired to be removed, the third lever can buckle an unlocked lock member thereby preventing returning and allowing the first machine body to be easily removed; when the first machine body is inserted, the second lever drives the third lever to release the lock member for buckling and fastening the first machine body, then the third lever can be released and recovered through the second lever thereby allowing another cycle of buckling the unlocked lock member to be processed; as such, through continuously releasing of the levers in cycle, operations of inserting and removing the first machine body are more smooth and simplified.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: JARLLYTEC CO., LTD.Inventor: Hsiao-Ting Chen
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Patent number: 9194493Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a clamp lock to secure a clamp around a pressure vessel, such as a split tank pool filter. The clamp lock includes a drive rack with at least one notch, and a housing with a rotatable drive gear, a locking pawl, and a receiving hole. The rotatable drive gear is capable of laterally moving the drive rack through the receiving hole, and the locking pawl is capable of engaging the at least one notch when the drive rack has been inserted a distance into the receiving hole. The distance correlates to a diameter of the clamp sufficient to secure the clamp around the pressure vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.Inventors: Leonard Richiuso, Paul Hopfer
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Patent number: 9174773Abstract: A closure clip is provided for closing tubular or bag-shaped packaging for bulk produce such as fruit or vegetables. The closure clip includes a first arm and a second arm extending substantially in a plane and aligned at least approximately parallel to each other, with the arms each having first and second ends and a base portion extending in the center plane defined by the arms and having an inner and an outer surface, with the base portion connecting the first and second arms at their first ends and forming an approximately U-shaped closure clip. The closure clip further includes a first spike having a first end and a second end, extending from the inner surface of the base portion between the arms and parallel thereto, and connected with its first end to the base portion. The closure clip further has at least one second spike having first and second ends.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Heiko Schleucher, Uwe Melchert
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Patent number: 9168689Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hubless caster that is at least as aesthetically pleasing as prior art hubless casters but that is significantly more durable. In one aspect, a hubless caster is provided that includes a frame member having two opposed sides. A generally ring-shaped mount portion projects from at least one of the two opposed sides of the frame member. In some embodiments, the hubless caster has the following three components mounted on the mount portion, in sequence moving radially outwardly from the mount portion: a) an annular backbone member defining an inner bearing race, b) a rolling element, and c) a wheel defining an outer bearing race.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: NGS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLCInventor: Kyle C. Stoehr
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Patent number: 9131739Abstract: An article including a first section of material, a second section of material, and a magnetic button assembly comprising a first component and a second component. The first component has a ring magnet and a body portion with the body portion having a fastening region with a first thread disposed therethrough for coupling the first component to the first section. A second thread passes though the second component for coupling the second component to the second section, and comprises at least one of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material to couple the second component to the first component thereby coupling the second section to the first section. The fastening region is formed of a polymeric material to minimize frictional wear of the first thread to prevent separation of the first component from the first section.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: CJM2, INCInventor: Clarisse Sjoquist
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Patent number: 9127698Abstract: An anchoring device for a deck or dock or similar structure comprising an anchoring member, a holding plate, and a fastener. First, the fastener is threaded through the holding plate and ring assembly. Then, the holding plate and fastener is inserted through an opening in the support structure, e.g., a narrow slot between the boards on the deck or patio, and, finally, the fastener is pulled outward in relation to the anchoring member to securely affix the anchoring member and the holding plate against two opposing sides of the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Inventors: Richard Brull, Brian Allen Hager, Robert Michael Coulston, Curtis Robert McMillan, Stanton Wayne Fernald, Dale J. Crook
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Patent number: 9122454Abstract: A hinge module connected between a first body and a second body of an electronic device is provided. The hinge module includes a hinge connecting the first and the second bodies, a linking rod, and a sleeve pivoted to the second body. The linking rod has a first end connected to the first body and a second end slidably coupled into the sleeve. When the first and the second bodies are rotated by the hinge module, the first body drives the linking rod such that the second end slides in the sleeve and drives the sleeve to rotate relative to the second body. Inner wall of the sleeve has at least one interfering section. When the second end moves onto the interfering section, the linking rod is interfered to the sleeve, such that the first body is supported by the hinge module and opened relative to the second body.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Acer IncorporatedInventors: Hsien-Wei Chen, Cheng-Nan Ling, Yi-Ta Huang
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Patent number: 9121211Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a lever arm and a channel connected to the lever arm. The channel is adapted to be connected to an associated appliance door. A control link is pivotally connected to the lever arm. A slide body includes an inner end connected to the control link. The slide body is adapted for sliding movement in response to pivoting movement of the channel relative to the lever arm between a first (door-closed) position and a second (door-opened) position. A spring resiliently biases the channel toward the first position. A snubber system includes at least one snubber with a piston that is biased to an extended position and moveable to a retracted position against a fluid or other damping resistance during movement of the slide body away when the channel moves from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian White, James Collene
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Patent number: 9115533Abstract: A pull clip for the bottom bar of a window shade, the pull clip comprising a pair of arms joined by a bridge portion, the arms flexibly biased toward a rest position when displaced therefrom, at least a portion of the arms releasably receivable within one or more channels on the bottom bar, at least one of the arms or the bridge portion including an engagement member, the engagement member frictionally engaging the bottom bar when the arms are received within the one or more channels to restrain the movement of the pull clip along the one or more channels, the pull clip including a receiver, the receiver facilitating the attachment of a cord or wand to the pull clip.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Inventor: Philip Ng