Patents Examined by Neill Wilson
  • Patent number: 6979161
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a bolt structure for use with a magnesium alloy member that can insulate between magnesium alloy members and steel or other bolts without lowering the bolt shaft power, and prevent occurrence of electrolytic corrosion with an electrolyte such as water. A cationic electrodeposition coating is also provided for the bolts structure, said coating having a film thickness of 15 ?m or more is provided at least on the surface of the magnesium alloy member contacting with a bolt head, a powder coating having a film thickness of 40 to 150 ?m is provided on the surface of the cationic electrodeposition coating, zinc-nickel plating and then cosmer treatment are carried out on the bolt, and an alumite-treated aluminum washer is interposed between the bolt head and the magnesium alloy member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Ando, Eiji Suzuki, Kenichi Kitayama, Yoichiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 6887022
    Abstract: A fall arrest anchorage system for use with a female retaining receiver having grooves or side apertures for engaging connector. The system uses an elongated male connector having a first end and a second end that extend along a connector axis, and a first section of a first dimension and a second section of a second dimension. The first dimension is larger than the second dimension, and the first section will be positioned closer to the first end than the second section. The male connector also includes at least one of a first retractable protrusion on the first section and at least one of a second retractable protrusion on the second section, the first retractable protrusion being positioned along the male portion such that the first retractable protrusion will cooperate with the first groove in the receiver when the second retractable protrusion engages the first groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 6884014
    Abstract: The invention comprises a tolerance compensating mounting device comprising a bushing having an internal and external thread. The bushing is threaded into a part to be mounted to a surface. A bolt is then threaded into a bushing bore using the internal threads. The internal threads cause an interference fit between the bolt shank and the threads, temporarily preventing further insertion of the bolt. The bolt is then turned further, thereby turning the bushing and causing the bushing to unscrew from the part toward the mounting surface until the bushing seats on the mounting surface, thereby completely compensating for a tolerance gap. As the bolt is turned further, at a relatively low torque the sacrificial internal threads are stripped allowing the bolt to be fully torqued into the mounting surface hole, thereby simultaneously connecting the components with a properly torqued connection while compensating for a tolerance gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Stone, Brian Russell Knight
  • Patent number: 6854942
    Abstract: A screw having a primary thread extending along its shank and terminating at the screw head is formed with a supplemental thread extending between adjacent convolutions of the primary thread and also terminating at the head of the screw. The spaced termini of the two threads maintain a washer at the head in a position perpendicular to the axis of the shank of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hargis Industries, L.P.
    Inventor: Joe A. Hargis
  • Patent number: 6843627
    Abstract: A wrenchless clamp assembly is provided to secure a tool disc, such as a circular saw blade, to a shaft of a power tool. The blade clamp assembly includes an outer flange positionable against an outer side of the blade and a manually tightenable click bolt that includes a movable click member operable to selectively engage the outer flange for rotationally locking or unlocking the bolt. In an embodiment, the click member moves alternatingly between axially engaged and disengaged positions according to sequential rotational increments of the click member relative to the bolt body. Accordingly, the click bolt can be installed by hand and rotationally locked without a need for high torque, and the click bolt can be easily removed by hand when the click member is moved to the disengaged position, axially free from the outer flange. In an embodiment, the click bolt permits limited torque applied during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Credo Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel K. Childs, Jan Peter Houben, Michael Holzer, Leon Bujalski
  • Patent number: 6837658
    Abstract: A plug for fixing to hollow and to solid building materials has a plug body having a plurality of longitudinally extending expansible limbs that are expansible by screwing in of an expansion screw, the expansible limbs having a rear end and a leading end, a sleeve-shaped plug end which joins the expansible limbs with one another at the rear end and is formed so that the expansion screw is insertable through the plug end, a sleeve-shaped plug tip which joins the expansible sleeves with one another at the leading end and which is formed so that the expansion screw is screwable into the plug tip, and a stretchable material which joins the expansible limbs with one another circumferentially and which is pierced by several helically arranged slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Nehl
  • Patent number: 6837661
    Abstract: A detachable insert connection arrangement adapted to be connected to a retaining channel having a slot-like opening between two retaining edges and method of connecting a component to a retaining channel. The connection arrangement includes a holder having a push-in part that includes a locking element. The push-in part is capable of being pushed into the retaining channel. A rotation pin is coupled to the locking element. The locking element is at least partially rotatable in two directions. A spring biases the locking element towards a locking position such that when the locking element is arranged in the retaining channel, the locking element bridges the slot and engages an inside of the two retaining edges. The locking element is movable, upon movement of the rotation pin against a biasing force of the spring, to a non-locking position, whereby the push-in part can be removed from the retaining channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Schwarz Verbindungs-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Schwarz, Bernhard Homner
  • Patent number: 6837659
    Abstract: A method and fastener for distributing an anchoring material and securing abutting honeycombed panels in a generally perpendicular alignment. The fastener is provided with a pointed tip to penetrate into undrilled portion of the inner cellular structure of one of the panels. The hollow fastener allows for the injection and distribution of an anchoring material into the ruptured cell core and into predrilled bores in the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Hermann Oberkofler
  • Patent number: 6832881
    Abstract: The invention proposes a connecting element (5) with an elongated shaft (19), in particular a screw or bolt, for connecting two bodies, wherein at least part of the shaft (19) has a slot (14) and a recess (13). The invention also proposes that a component (10) that generates a magnetic field, and spaced apart from it, a magnetically sensitive element (11) be disposed in the vicinity of the recess (13). The proposed connecting element is particularly suitable for detecting a force or mechanical strain acting on the seat of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Dukart, Klaus Marx
  • Patent number: 6827538
    Abstract: A torque prevailing stud having a male component made of a shank with an outer wall that is threaded, a gripping component formed on the shank, and a wedge ramp rolled in a portion of the threaded outer wall. A female component having a body with a threaded bore that is used for engaging the male component. The threaded bore of the female component matingly engages a portion of the threaded outer wall and the wedge ramp when screwed thereon. The wedge ramp forces the threaded bore to conform to the shape of the wedge ramp thereby securing the male and female components together in a torque prevailing fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: HTG-Wyandotte, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Doppke, Bruce D. Whitman, Robert Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6824342
    Abstract: A fastening element which is designed for driving-in a constructional component, includes a stem (11) adjoined, at it's opposite sides, by a load application section (13) and a tip (12) facing in the setting direction of the fastening element, and a prestress member (20) having a force-introducing section (21) engaging the stem (11) and/or the tip (12), and a bearing surface (22) remote from the load application section (13) and provided with an elastic layer (17) having an opening (18) a wall (19) of which is radially spaced from an axial projection of the stem (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst-Detlef Gassmann, Michael Mergenbaum, Werner Wanger
  • Patent number: 6821070
    Abstract: A split nut having movable pieces that can be disengaged to expose an interior space of the thread so that the nut can be mounted on, and secured to, a threaded rod, without threading the split nut over an end of the threaded rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: William J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6814530
    Abstract: A two-piece panel fastener includes a barrel-shaped metal retainer which holds a screw. The screw includes a threaded shaft and a plastic cap which has longitudinally-extending resilient fingers which engage the outer surface of the retainer to captivate the screw. The retainer has a chamfered top flange along its top edge, a circumferential bulge area around its outer surface approximately in the middle of its length, and a base at the bottom. Two circumferential valley regions of reduced diameter are located along the outer surface of the retainer. The first valley region is located between the chamfered top flange and the bulge area and the second is located between the bulge area and the base. When the fingers occupy either of the valley regions, the screw is captively held at either of two stable positions of retraction or extension. The retainer is preferably rigidly affixed to a circuit board by soldering a base flange at the bottom of the retainer to the top surface of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: PEM Management, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Franco, William P. McDonough
  • Patent number: 6814531
    Abstract: The present invention is a self-piercing rivet wherein the hollow shell has an external axial asymmetry wherein the asymmetry is with respect to the axis of rotation of the hollow shell. Once installed in a stack of sheets, the asymmetric self-piercing rivet prevents relative sheet rotation of the sheets relative to the axis because of rotational interference caused by the external axial asymmetry of the hollow shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Stevenson, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 6811363
    Abstract: A floating and captured cage nut assembly includes a structural member that is U-shaped with a pair of rolled sides defining mounting legs and a rolled front end defining an anti-rotation flange. The rolled sides of the structural member are positioned on the component and are welded or otherwise secured thereto over the opening during manufacture. The floating and captured cage nut assembly further includes an anti-rotation plate having a hexagonal opening to receive a flange nut and a locking window. The anti-rotation plate and the flange nut are inserted within the structural member and the anti-rotation flange is received within the locking window with clearance to loosely secure the components together. The flange nut is retained on the component, and the anti-rotation plate prevents its rotation. The clearance between the anti-rotation flange and the locking window facilitates the threading of the fastener into the nut within a predetermined tolerance zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Kerry S. Minnich
  • Patent number: 6808349
    Abstract: A fastener mechanism operable between an unlocked position and a locked position to securely fasten items of various sizes and shapes includes a first member and a second member each having a sidewall, a front wall, a rear wall and a receiving chamber disposed adjacent the front wall of each member. The second member contains a hollow interior and is slightly larger than the first member so that the first member can be inserted inside the hollow interior. The receiving chambers extend axially along each member and contain an opening and angularly disposed sidewalls forming an apex. To securely fasten the item, the first member is co-axially aligned with the second member so that the receiving chamber openings are oriented to form an aperture to receive the item. The first member is then slideably inserted into the second member hollow interior. As the first member is inserted inside the second member, the aperture reduces in size to grip and securely fasten the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: David C. Boling
  • Patent number: 6808347
    Abstract: A tensioning nut to secure a disk-shaped tool is threadable onto the threaded spindle of an electric tool, particularly an electric hand tool with run-out brake such as a right-angle grinder. The nut includes a nut body provided with a corresponding thread, with a coaxially-positioned pressure ring that may be tensioned with the disk-shaped tool. An axial bearing is positioned between the ring and the nut body. The nut further includes a disk member within the nut body for preventing rotation of the pressure ring. At least one engagement device is positioned between the disk member and the surrounding wall of the nut body. This blocking mechanism forms a uni-directional coupling, whereby a disengagement exists between the nut body in its tensioning direction and the disk member, and locking occurs between both of them in the opposing direction of the nut body relative to the disk member. Thus, loosening of the tensioning nut is prevented particularly during run-out of the rotating, disk-shaped tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Metabowerke GmbH
    Inventor: Ralph Liersch
  • Patent number: 6808350
    Abstract: An anchor bolt cap for the top ends of anchor bolts that extend upwardly out of a base foundation onto which is mounted the tower base of a wind generator that produces electricity by rotation of the blades of the wind generator. The bottom end of the tower base of the wind generator has an outer annular flange and an inner annular flange each having a plurality of apertures spaced from each around the entire periphery of the respective flanges. The anchor bolts pass upwardly through these respective apertures and have a washer and nut threaded onto each of the respective anchor bolts for locking the tower base to the top of the base foundation. The anchor bolt caps are installed over the top ends of the respective anchor bolts and prevent moisture from attacking the anchor bolts and thereby prevent corrosion of the anchor bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Norman L. Tooman, Anthony Carvalho
  • Patent number: 6808348
    Abstract: A threaded locking beam nut having a plurality of locking beams configured such that the inside edge surface of each locking beam has a radially inwardly angled surface thereby forming substantially a V-shaped channel between adjacent beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon Global Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Cosenza, Luke L. Haylock
  • Patent number: 6802680
    Abstract: A torque limiting fastener includes a fastener body and a fastener head insert configured to fit within the fastener body and to transfer a limited amount of torque to the body. The fastener body has a head with a bore formed therein and having a first set of protrusions. The fastener head insert has a tool interface for accepting a mounting tool and a perimeter edge onto which a second set of protrusions are disposed. A torque applied to the tool interface region will rotate the fastener head insert within the bore and cause the second set of protrusions to engage with the first set of protrusions to transfer torque to the fastener body. If the applied torque exceeds a limiting value, the second set of protrusions will fail to maintain engagement with the first set of protrusions and the fastener head insert will rotate without transferring the excessive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Brandon Aaron Rubenstein