Patents Examined by Neill Wilson
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Patent number: 6672810Abstract: A fitting for connecting two structural components, particularly plates, includes a clamping device mounted in the first structural component and an expanding sleeve which can be secured to the second structural component. A bolt is arranged in the expanding sleeve so as to be longitudinally movable by the clamping device for expanding the expanding sleeve using a conical portion of the bolt. The conical portion of the bolt is an approximately cone-shaped projection whose longitudinal axis is laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the bolt.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Häfele GmbH & Co.Inventors: Georg Häsler, Karl Kuppler, Reinhold Oettl
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Patent number: 6669424Abstract: A screwed connection has a first connecting means with an external thread and a second connecting means with an internal thread. In order to avoid self-slackening of the screwed connection, the external thread has a denticulation (14-16) which interacts with a mating denticulation of the internal thread.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Baier & Michels GmbH & Co. KG.Inventor: Roland Bauer
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Patent number: 6669419Abstract: A probe locking washer (10) for substantially preventing unwanted loosening of a probe mounted on a receiver unit of an animal training device in which the receiver unit is mounted on an animal collar. The probe locking washer (10) of the present invention includes a disk member (25) having an upper surface (30) and a lower surface (35) and a centrally disposed hole member (40) which allows the probe locking washer (10) to be mounted on the mounting post (20). The probe locking washer (10) also includes a countersink member (45) disposed in the lower surface (35) of the disk member (25) and which includes a plurality of internal radial spline teeth (50) for providing radial resistance to any untightening force caused by vibration or other untightening force.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Radio Systems CorporationInventor: Stephen W. Fleetwood
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Patent number: 6669426Abstract: A fastener having a head and a cylindrical shank, the shank having a first set of opposed wings extending from two opposed longitudinally extending segments and a second set of opposed wings extending from the two other opposed longitudinally extending segments. Wings in opposing segments are identical. Wings in the first set have a larger radial diameter than wings in the second set. Wings in adjacent segments are offset a distance longitudinally. There is a longitudinally extending spacing between one radial edge of each wing in the first set and one radial edge of each wing in the second set. Each of the wings in the second set has a flattened portion on a distal edge that extends to a radial edge. The fastener is particularly useful for maintaining a high ratio of disengage force to engage force over a range of aperture sizes, shapes, and panel thicknesses.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gary C. Detter, David R. Peterson
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Patent number: 6669421Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting element which comprises a bolt element with a head and a shank adjoining the latter. The head is formed from a means of engagement for a tool, which is arranged concentrically in relation to a longitudinal bolt axis, and a first eccentric disk, which is arranged eccentrically in relation to the longitudinal bolt axis. At least one second eccentric disk (22), which has a circumferential punching burr, can be pushed onto the shank by way of an eccentrically arranged push-on opening (24). According to the invention, the shank and the second eccentric disk can only be pushed onto the shank in the correct position, such that the circumferential punching burr is oriented away from the head.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Altenloh, Brinck & Co. GmbH & Co.Inventor: Manfred Hofschneider
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Patent number: 6669427Abstract: A fastening element for fastening one or more parts to one another, the fastening element including a head, a shank depending form the head, and a flexible pull cord coupled to an end surface of the shank.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Inventor: Albert Santelli, Jr.
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Patent number: 6669422Abstract: A device for assembling two components (1,2) includes a lateral positioning set (3). The device includes a fixing screw (10), in particular threaded on the right, and capable of moving freely in a smooth through hole (13) provided in the first component (1), a spacer (20) bearing an external thread (23), in particular on the left, capable of co-operating with a tapped through hole (23), in particular on the left, provided on the second component (2) and an internal tapping (21), in particular on the right capable of co-operating with the fixing screw (10), the screw (10)/spacer (20) friction coefficient, directly or indirectly, being greater than the spacer (20)/tapped hole (23) friction coefficient, directly or indirectly.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignees: Valeo, Visteon Systemes InterieursInventor: Christophe Sterle
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Patent number: 6666639Abstract: The present invention provides a threaded fastening device assembly including an outer member having an upwardly extending and circumferentially disposed body with a non-threaded inner and outer surface, at least two inner members, each inner member having an internal surface which is threaded and an outer surface that is complimentary in shape to said inner surface of said outer member, wherein, said outer member is adapted to be slideably engageable with said inner members and wherein in use, said fastening assembly is rotatable and engageable with a complimentary threaded fastening shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Inventor: Jason Peter Van Gent
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Patent number: 6666640Abstract: A fastener for a heat-radiator on a chip has a leg with a lower end and an upper end. A cone-shaped foot of which a maximum diameter is larger than that of the leg is formed at the lower end of the leg. A head is formed at an upper end of the leg. Two flexible bow arms are oppositely formed at two sides of the leg, each with a first end fixed on a bottom face of the head. A ring is formed on second ends of the bow arms. An opening is defined in the ring for the leg extending therethrough. A resilient member is provided outside the leg and extends through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Inventor: Hsin-Mao Hsieh
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Patent number: 6666637Abstract: An internally threaded, segmented nut and conical bore for a pressure vessel are used to make removal of studs securing covers over openings through the pressure vessel wall. The segmented nut has a conical upper surface to mate with a corresponding surface of the conical bore when the stud is threaded through the internal thread of the nut and a load is applied. The segmented nut is easily replaced and the stud is easily removable due to the shape of the nut and bore. The segmented nut eliminates drilling and rethreading the bore to repair damaged threads.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.Inventor: Nansheng Sun
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Patent number: 6665922Abstract: A fastener for installation into a workpiece which may be installed by either a swaging operation or a torquing operation. The fastener includes an enlarged protruding head which is proximal to a substantially cylindrical smooth shank portion. A threaded shank portion positioned distal to the smooth shank portion includes a male thread which is sufficiently strong to have a swage collar swaged onto it. Distal to the threaded shank portion is a pin tail portion having a surface which is configured to engage a tool. Positioned between the threaded shank portion and the pin tail portion is a breakneck groove having a lower tensile strength than any other portion of the fastener. The tensile strength of the breakneck groove is controlled such that the fastener severs within the breakneck groove when a preset range of tension is applied to the pin tail portion by the tool.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Hi-Shear CorporationInventor: Dennis Schultz
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Patent number: 6663330Abstract: A compression limiter formed by a roll forming process includes a substantially cylindrical body portion and a plurality of feet. A plurality of notches are stamped along a lower edge of a flat sheet of stock and bent to form the plurality of feet. The flat sheet of stock is then rolled to form the compression limiter. In the preferred embodiment, the compression limiter is formed of a high carbon steel. The plurality of feet of the compression limiter transmit the bolt load of a fastener attaching a plastic intake manifold to a component. In an alternative embodiment, an angled portion attaches each foot to the body of the compression limiter which accommodates for variations in the height of the plastic intake manifold.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive, Inc.Inventor: Jeff Powell
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Patent number: 6659701Abstract: A panel fastener for assembling a panel structure to a substructure is herein disclosed. The fastener comprises a body having a pair of offset flanges connected by a hollow support structure having a bore formed therethrough that is connected to a head having a third flange and a shank extending therefrom, by at least one flexible member that is connected between the body and the head of the fastener. The shaft of the head further having at least one retaining mechanism formed therein such that when the shaft of the head is inserted through the bore formed through the hollow support structure of the body of the fastener, the retaining mechanism can engage a bore formed through the substructure so as to secure the panel structure thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Marc R. Risdale
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Patent number: 6659698Abstract: A grommet having a body formed of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve wherein the inner sleeve may be made to spin within the outer sleeve upon the application of a torqueing force that exceeds a predetermined release torque is herein disclosed. The grommet has a head attached to the body thereof to limit the insertion of a shank of the grommet into an aperture formed in a primary panel and a retaining structure formed into the outer surface of the shank to permit the grommet to be pre-assembled with the primary panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James T. Kirchen, Steve Everard
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Patent number: 6659699Abstract: A lockbolt includes a bolt head, a shank, a locking portion, a predetermined breaking point, and a break-away portion. The locking portion includes a knurled surface having knurling peaks between intersecting knurling grooves that extend in a direction with an axial component, e.g. spiraling helically. A sealant on two workpieces smears onto the knurled surface when the bolt is inserted in a hole therein, but does not need to be removed. A locking collar is swaged onto the locking portion to secure the workpieces between the head and the collar. The sealant is distributed as a thin layer to provide a seal and an adhesive bond between the collar and the knurled surface. Excess sealant is squeezed-out axially, without forming encapsulated pressurized sealant pockets and without hindering the swaged engagement of the locking collar onto the knurling. Then the break-away portion is broken-off at the breaking point.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Udo-Henning Stoewer, Gerhard Turlach
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Patent number: 6659702Abstract: The present invention provides a bolting structure for a magnesium alloy member, having a non-magnesium alloy and conventional member 12 disposed on the magnesium alloy member 15, the magnesium alloy member 15 being covered with an insulator 14, and a bolt 18 initially inserted through the magnesium alloy member 15 and then into the conventional member 12, thereby permitting the conventional member 12 and the magnesium alloy member 15 to be bolted together, comprising: a washer 17 disposed between a head 18a of the bolt 18 and the magnesium alloy member 15, the washer 17 having a boss 16 disposed thereon, wherein the magnesium alloy member 15 is formed with a through-hole 13 that is greater in diameter than a bolthole 19 of the washer 17. The above boss 16 and through-hole 13 eliminate a chance that the bolt 18 contacts the through-hole 13. The insulator 14 remains intact because of non-contact of the bolt 18 with the through-hole 13 so that no stray current corrosion occurs.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Katsutoshi Ando, Yoichiro Inaba, Kozo Kusumoto, Eiji Suzuki
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Patent number: 6655889Abstract: A substantially cylindrical washer having two arch-shaped channels 7, on a face on the bore hole side of the washer, wherein said channels connect an opening 2 with a through passage 3. The opening 2 is configured for the passage of an anchor rod and the through passage 3 is configured for filling a mortar mass into the bore hole. The channels 7 open relative to the bore hole and include a substantially semi-circular cross-section to assure the high tensile strength of the washer.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Ludwig, Erich Leibhard
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Patent number: 6655888Abstract: A drive socket for a male threaded fastener includes three rounded lobes of equal radius which are located equidistant from the center of the fastener and 120° apart from each other. The drive socket also includes three flat surfaces, each flat surface being located opposite one of the lobes and equidistant from the center of the fastener. Another embodiment of a drive socket includes a first set of three lobes and a second set of three lobes, each lobe being of equal radius and equidistant from the center of the fastener. The lobes of the first set are 120° apart and the lobes of the second set are also 120° apart and 60° apart from the lobes of the first set. Each of the lobes of the first set includes a flat surface which is adjacent and tangential to the radius portion of the lobe.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Hi-Shear CorporationInventor: Dennis Schultz
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Patent number: 6652206Abstract: A rivet-type fastener is disclosed, suitable for panel fasteners and other applications in which retention in a hole is required. The act of inserting the fastener expands fastener arms to secure the fastener in the hole, and positions locking protrusions of a post within notches of the arms, to lock the fastener within the hole. In some embodiments the fastener can be released, for removal and re-use.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Chad E. Heflin, George Siragusa
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Patent number: 6644903Abstract: A captive fastener for press-in installation in panels has a ferrule capable of being crimped to provide a positive engagement with a screw element of the captive fastener. The ferrule has a hardness gradient such that a penetration tip of the ferrule has a hardness greater that exceeds the hardness of the panel, and an upper rim of the ferrule is deformable to limit movement of the ferrule relative to the screw element by interference. Typically, the penetration tip has a hardness greater than about Rockwell B60 to permit the press-in installation to the panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Matdan America Corp.Inventor: David W. Arand