Patents Examined by Robert J. Sandy
  • Patent number: 9562321
    Abstract: An end fixing structure of a composite wire rod includes a composite wire rod, a wedge body formed in a cylindrical shape, whose outside diameter expands from a tip portion subject to a tensile force toward a back end portion on a fixed side, to whose inner wall surface an outer surface of the composite wire rod is transferred, and in which the inner wall surface engaging with the outer surface of the composite wire rod is formed, and a sleeve provided on an outer circumferential side of the wedge body and having an internal structure of a conical hollow whose diameter expands toward the back end portion on the fixed side, wherein the wedge body is formed from a plurality of divided wedge bodies and the inner wall surface is formed from a fine irregularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ROPE MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Manabe, Shunji Hachisuka, Hiroshi Kimura, Yoshihiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 9198480
    Abstract: A button cover providing a decorative covering for buttons on clothing, accessories, and other button substrates. The button cover is configured to slidably engaged over a button and button substrate, and may include: a cover face; a first clip arm connected to the cover face; a second clip arm connected to the cover face; a clip channel located between the first clip arm and the second clip arm; a cover channel located parallel to the clip channel; and a button cavity positioned above the clip channel below the cover face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Kathy Eleanor Junge
  • Patent number: 8898867
    Abstract: A mounting device with one metallic base plate, from which a plurality of mounting eyelets protrude. The mounting device is obtainable by incising a plurality of arc-shaped eyelet blanks while leaving two connection sections per eyelet blank into the surface of the base plate and production of the mounting eyelets by bending the eyelet blanks out of the base plate around a bending edge in the area of the connection sections. At least part of the eyelet blanks are arranged as groups of eyelet blanks with the latter being nested to each other. Preferably, the groups of eyelet blanks are arranged rotated relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Hoelzel Stanz-und Feinwerktechnik GmbH & Co. Kg, Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Braun, Gabi Carle, Kurt Hoehe, Bernd Ruess, Matthias Laske
  • Patent number: 8661628
    Abstract: A slide fastener includes a pair of first and second fastener stringers, a box pin, an insert pin, and a pair of first and second sliders. The box pin has a box pin body, a stopper portion arranged at a front end side of the box pin body, and suppressing portions projected on at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the box pin body to suppress sliding of the second slider. Further, the box pin body has a body region, and a notched region arranged at an element-row-side base end portion and having excluded a side surface portion at a side facing the insert pin. The suppressing portions are projected in only the notched region. With this arrangement, the second slider can be stably held at an insert-pin inserting position, and a subsequent insert operation or extract operation of the insert pin can be smoothly performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Keyaki, Takanori Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8516667
    Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a first plate and a second plate defining a gap therebetween. A button assembly defines a slot aligned with the gap, and is coupled to the first plate and the second plate for movement along a longitudinal axis of the first plate. The button assembly includes a door transversely moveable relative to the longitudinal axis between a closed position covering the slot and a retracted position spaced from the slot. The door includes an angled ledge, that directs fluid through at least one aperture in a sidewall of the button assembly when the door is in the closed position. A block is disposed within the gap. The first plate and the second plate define undulations extending along the longitudinal axis and into the gap. The block mates with the undulation in the first plate and the second plate to fill the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Octavio Morones Virgen
  • Patent number: 8272108
    Abstract: An adjustable link assembly for use with a flat cross-section shock cord or other strap formed of elastomeric material. The adjustable link attaches the cord to a load-bearing member, such as a hook or other fitting, which may be formed integrally therewith. The link assembly includes a body member having an entrance/exit passage for the strap, and a sliding crossbar over which the free end of the strap is routed. When the main leg of the strap is tensioned, the crossbar is drawn against a stationary bridge piece of the body member, the crossbar and bridge piece having cooperating sloped surfaces that are angled in a reverse direction from a straight line path from the top of the crossbar to the opening of the entrance/exit passage. The cooperating faces thus force the strap into a reverse bend or kink, which locks the strap in position so long as the main leg of the strap is subjected to tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth George Langtry, Michael Alan Langtry
  • Patent number: 8234761
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an improved wire-gate carabiner system including a frame, gate, and gate biasing system. The gate is pivotably coupled to the frame across an opening to form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration. The gate may be referred to as a wire-type gate in that it includes an arch and two ends. The arch is looped over a hook disposed on the keyed region of the frame in the closed configuration. The two ends are pivotably coupled to the frame at two independent gate coupling points on the pivot region so as to utilize the torsional rigidity of the gate structure as the gate biasing system. The keyed region of the frame includes a hook and a cover. The cover is oriented and shaped to laterally shield the arch and hook from undesirable couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Black Diamond Equipment Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter T. Gompert, Jacob Hall, Paul Terry, Benjamin Walker, Bill Belcourt
  • Patent number: 8141213
    Abstract: A belt type clamp is provided which rapidly achieves a coupling operation of a band by snap connection between snap protrusions and snap depressions to prevent assembly defects and maximize workability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Seong Hwan Yoon
  • Patent number: 7966704
    Abstract: A clasp which is lockable in both an open and a closed position includes a body having a first opening, a second opening, and an internal space; a connector fixed to the body for linking to a chain; a first spring; and a moveable connector. The movable connector, inseparable from the body, is movable to a locked closed position by the first spring and movable to a locked open position by an external force. The movable connector includes a first latch piece within the internal space of the body, and extends through the first opening. A button extends through the second opening. The button includes a second spring and a second latch piece that interfaces with the first latch piece. In a first position of the button, the second latch piece locks with the first latch piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Yurman Studio Inc.
    Inventors: David Yurman, John Berg
  • Patent number: 7963010
    Abstract: A molded, semi ridged device for the purpose of securing a length of fabric or towel wrapped around the body of a person of the type having a straight flat base (10) connected to the face (12) by the top section (21). The base can be offset from the face to the left (7), right (13), and bottom (9) making the device easy to install beneath the bottom layer of the towel or fabric. The face of the device is inclined toward the base a few degree's from parallel till the beginning of the raised lip (14) which than is raised away from the base a few degree's from parallel to help facilitate the installation process. The towel/fabric clip has raise rails (15) (16) running vertically under the face, and raised rails (17) (18) running vertically under the base of the device to insure horizontal and vertical pressure on the towel/fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Alfred B Levesque
  • Patent number: 7856805
    Abstract: The invention concerns a non-extending hinged bracelet including a plurality of links (6, 6?) hinged one after the other, each of the links including on one side a male hinge element and on the other side a female hinge element, the male hinge element of one link (6) being inserted in the female hinge element of the next link (6?) to form a hinge (1), said hinge elements being traversed by a pin forming the articulation of the hinge (1), a U-shaped part (14) which covers said hinge (1) including branches (16) which are engaged on either side of the hinge (1) and which have holes (18) in which the ends of the pin are engaged, said bracelet being characterized in that a cover (12) extending between two adjacent links (6, 6?) is arranged between the hinge (1) and the U-shaped part (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Sébastien Hostettler, Philippe Loetscher
  • Patent number: 7621060
    Abstract: A table-top advertising support with illuminated magnifier includes a taller section containing a fresnel lens and a lamp-switch-battery assembly in a lower portion and an upper portion having vertically aligned elongated slots formed by cooperation of staggered opposing tabs. The taller section is attached to a shorter section containing a second fresnel lens disposed within a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: William H. Waterhouse
  • Patent number: 7523529
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an engagement mechanism employed in a first assembly part and a cooperating second assembly part. The engagement mechanism comprises a pivot member assembled in the first assembly part; and an elastic member having a double-wedged surface at an endmost portion thereof which extends outwardly from the projecting portion of the first assembly part. The elastic member is employed to provide an elastic force of maintaining the projecting portion extending outwardly from the first assembly part to engage with the second assembly part. The present invention, via the design of the double-wedged surface of the projecting portion, facilitates easy engagement or disengagement of the engagement mechanism, and overcomes the problem of having to provide extra disengagement arrangement in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Chi Yang, Yue-Jun Hu, Mike Cai, Li-Ming Le
  • Patent number: 7520023
    Abstract: A hinge for connecting a first folding element to a second folding element. The hinge includes a fixing element which comprises a first fixing face by means of which the fixing element is contactingly fixable to the second folding element; a first arm connected to the fixing element so as to be pivotable around a first pivot axis between a first position and a second position; a second arm having a fixing device by which the second arm can be fixed to the second folding element, and is connected to the first arm so as to be pivotable around a second pivot axis extending parallel to the first pivot axis between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first arm encloses a smallest angle relative to the fixing face and, in the second position, encloses a greatest angle relative to the fixing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Huwil-Werke GmbH Mobelschloss und Beschlagfabriken
    Inventor: Artur Hirtsiefer
  • Patent number: 7516512
    Abstract: A castor includes a main body, two rollers each rotatably mounted on the main body, a stop member movable in the main body between a first position where the stop member is located at a height higher than that of each of the two rollers and a second position where the stop member is located at a height lower than that of each of the two rollers, a slide slidably mounted in the main body to move the stop member, and a control member pivotally mounted on the main body to move the slide. Thus, when the stop member is movable downward to rest on the ground, the two rollers are suspended in the air, so that the castor is locked exactly without slipping or moving on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Po-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 7491007
    Abstract: The turret of a military vehicle such as a tank is locked in a predetermined position released from this position for installation in another position. The turret has a plurality of holes formed therein arranged in a circular configuration. A pair of lock pins are removably fitted within an adjacent pair of the holes. A single rod is pivotally connected to the lock pins with an operating handle pivotally attached to the rod. Retaining rings are installed on the ends of the rod to retain the lock pins on the rod. The lock pins are angled away from each other and slide on the rod to permit their free entry into adjacent holes. Movement of the handle in a first direction drives the lock pins into adjacent turret holes while movement in the opposite direction withdraws the lock pins from the holes for installation in another pair of holes to change the positioning of the turret.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ancra International, LLC.
    Inventor: Ward C. Burrows
  • Patent number: 7452153
    Abstract: A fitting for transverse joining of two L-shaped sections is provided, each L-shaped section with a web part and a foot part. The sections are disposed with the web part back-to-back, being peculiar in that the fitting substantially includes a first flange and a second flange which are J-shaped and which in mutual contact are slidingly connected with a connection for constituting a largely C-shaped fitting with a gap of variable length for accommodating the two foot parts of the L-shaped sections. The fitting includes means for mutual fixation of the two flanges for retaining the length of the C-shaped fitting after receiving both foot parts in the C-shaped fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: PF Management Holding ApS
    Inventor: Jan Mong Lund Jensen
  • Patent number: 7438491
    Abstract: A structure for a ball-and-socket joint connector is provided, including a connecting element, an encasing unit and a fastening unit. The connecting unit includes a ball-shaped connecting element at one end. The connecting element is placed inside the encasing unit to form a ball-and-socket joint structure. The fastening unit is engaged to the outer circumference of the top of the encasing unit to fasten the connecting unit and the encasing unit after the adjustment. The connecting element includes two layers of materials with different hardness. The outer layer is softer than the inner layer so as to increase the friction between the connecting element and the encasing unit after the fastening unit is applied to fasten the connecting unit and the encasing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 7428769
    Abstract: A simple and inexpensive device for a reliable tie down tensioning which device enables the tie-down to be quickly and easily applied and the flexible element tensioned and just as quickly and easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Tie Boss LLC
    Inventors: Norston Fontaine, Paul Maire
  • Patent number: 7428770
    Abstract: A spring fastener, which comprises two engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement portion comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio when the engagement portion does not have the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion into, with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickenson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Paul Lester Clements