Patents Examined by Robert J. Sandy
  • Patent number: 9599134
    Abstract: A profile clamp is disclosed having an annular clamping band that comprises two circumferential ends having respectively one tensioning head (6) and, at its axial ends, flanks sloped radially inwards, wherein the tensioning heads (6) are connected to one another by a tensioning device and at least one tensioning head (6) comprises a head contact tab (10). The object is to reduce the requirements for precision during installation. For this purpose, it is provided that the head contact tab (10) projects past the tensioning head (6) on at least one side in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NORMA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Manuel Baudoin, Linda Breideband, Gerrit von Breitenbach, Helmut Geppert, Thomas Legel
  • Patent number: 9599145
    Abstract: A magnetic clasp animal leash assembly for connecting to an animal collar having at least one metallic leash attachment ring defining an aperture. The assembly having a first member and a second member moveable with respect to one another between a closed position and an open position. The two members have an internal surface creating an aperture in a closed state. Outer ends of the two members are spaced from one another creating a clear passage with respect to the internal surface defining the aperture in an opened state. A magnet is located opposite from the clear passage proximate to the internal surface of the aperture. An actuator assembly is engageable with the two members to drive the two members toward the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Jason Durfee
  • Patent number: 9602640
    Abstract: The adhesive hooks for releasably securing an earpiece to a mobile phone includes a set of self-adhering hooks that are each configured to selectively secure an earpiece to a mobile phone or smart phone when said earpiece is not in use. The set of self-adhering hooks are each further defined with a first hoop member and a second locking hoop member. Both the first hoop member and the second locking hoop member are affixed to a base. The base is further defined with an outer surface that includes a layer of adhesive thereon. The second locking hoop member is selectively secured to the first hoop member in order to secure said earpiece to the smart phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Donald Matt Ham
  • Patent number: 9596924
    Abstract: A wearable lanyard for securing and displaying an object, such as one or more mini-figs. A bottom fastener such as a ring can be provided at the bottom. A majority of the length on at least one side of the lanyard can be used as an object attachment area and provided with the connector mechanism. In one embodiment, the connector mechanisms can be raised studs. The lanyard can be worn as a decorative three-dimensional ornament around the wearer's neck and used to store and display mini-figs that are adhered or secured to the raised studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Ivette Fully
  • Patent number: 9591898
    Abstract: A reusable zipper system for allowing a zipper to be installed and removed onto different objects interchangeably. The reusable zipper system generally includes an inner member and an outer member. The inner member is removably secured to an object via adhesive around an opening to be fitted with the present invention. The outer member is removably secured over the inner member. After cutting a slit through the inner member, a zipper assembly which includes zipper tracks and a zipper head may be used to selectively open or close the flaps. When desired, the inner and outer members may be removed from the object to be used elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Re-U-Zip, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Edgar Burkhart-Day
  • Patent number: 9591897
    Abstract: Slide fasteners configured such that opposing elements engage with one another in a non-planar relationship. The elements may engage one another, for example but not limited to, at an angle between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 179 degrees. In some embodiments, each element includes a head and at least one shoulder with angle keeping surfaces and engagement surfaces that abut corresponding surfaces when engaging with a corresponding element to interlock the heads and shoulders of opposing elements. Slide fasteners of the invention may be well suited for use with curved surfaces, corners, ridge lines, edges, or the like of an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Suguru Ogura
  • Patent number: 9593788
    Abstract: The collar has a metal belt (10), a pair of projecting lugs (12, 14), a tightening rod (16) disposed in holes in the lugs, and tightening members (16A, 16B) co-operating with the rod and with bearing portions of the lugs. At least one of the lugs in the pair is a lug (14) having an extension, the bearing portion of which lug is formed in an extension (17) of the lug, which extension is folded over towards the rear of the lug, and is provided with a hole for the tightening rod. The extension (17) and the front portion (15) of the lug (14) having an extension are interconnected via a strip portion (20) forming a link loop defining an axial tunnel having its two axial ends open, the tunnel being shaped so that the angle of inclination between the extension (17) and the front portion (15) of the lug can change when the collar is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Etablissements Caillau
    Inventors: Nicolas Rigollet, Fabrice Prevot
  • Patent number: 9591894
    Abstract: A latching device secures a strap to a piece of sports equipment. The latching device includes a buckle and a base. The buckle has a main body portion. The main body portion has an integrally formed collet and has a first slot and a second slot. The first and second slots each having a plurality of teeth shaped members that are configured to secure the strap to the buckle. The base is attached to the piece of sports equipment. The base has a first shaft and an annular ring. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. A ball shaped member is attached to the first end of the first shaft. The annular ring is formed on a periphery of the base surrounding the first shaft. The ball shaped member is releasably received in the collet to releasably engage the buckle with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HOME TEAM SPORTS, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce James Mitchell, Jr., Joseph Albert Simon
  • Patent number: 9591912
    Abstract: A holder for securing eyeglasses, sunglasses or other personal items that may be securely incorporated into an article of clothing or accessory at the time of manufacture. The holder includes a base member that can be inserted into or attached to the article of clothing or accessory. A hanger is connected to the base member and includes a loop connected to a support base. One or more openings can be provided on the base member. The support base and base member can be integrally formed. The support base can be formed from part of the article of clothing or accessory. The holder allows a wearer to insert a piece of a pair of eyeglasses, or a part of another personal item, through the loop and allows the item to assume a secure and relatively flat position. The holder may also include an RFID tag and/or a covered loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HANG ON HOLDER, LLC
    Inventors: Janice Lee-Holowka, Patricia Lee, Marc Lester, Mary Kate Buckley
  • Patent number: 9585445
    Abstract: A clasp for securing a first strap with a second strap includes a first clasp portion having a first frame member and a first set of magnets movable from a first to a second position, the first clasp portion adapted to be attached with the first strap; and a second clasp portion adapted to selectively connect with the first clasp portion, the second frame clasp portion having second frame member and a second set of magnets positioned in a fixed location within the second clasp portion, the second set of magnets positioned adjacent the first set of magnets when the second clasp portion is connected with the first clasp portion, the second clasp portion adapted to be attached with the second strap. When the first and second set of magnets create an attractive magnetic force therebetween in the first position and a repulsive magnetic force therebetween in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Qian, Bartley K. Andre
  • Patent number: 9585441
    Abstract: A buckle including a male member; and a female member into which the male member can be inserted for engagement, when an external force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction is exerted on the male member after an engaging face of the male member and an engaged face of the female member being engaged, an engagement width between the engaging face and the engaged face becomes larger than an engagement width before the external force being exerted due to the elastic deformation of legs of the male member exposed through openings in an opposite direction to a side on which the legs faces each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9578930
    Abstract: A buckle having an excellent design property is provided. [Solution] In a buckle for a belt in which a socket member and a plug member engage with each other, a buckle 10 is formed by forming the socket member including a front face portion 25 having an approximately flat surface; a back face portion 26 provided in such a way as to face a reverse face of the front face portion 25, and forming an engagement hole 21 with which the plug member engages between the back face portion 26 and the front face portion 25; a pressing piece 28 formed in the front face portion 25 by being divided by a slit 31 formed in the front face portion 25 and pressed for releasing an engagement with the plug member inserted into the engagement hole 21 to be engaged therewith; and a hinge portion 29 formed to be thinner than the pressing piece 28, connecting the pressing piece 28 to the same surface as the surface of the front face portion 25, and serving as a base point for a displacement when the pressing piece 28 is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Namiko Koreishi
  • Patent number: 9578931
    Abstract: A buckle arrangement has a first buckle and a second buckle connectable to the first buckle. The first buckle has a first locking device and a first locking hook, and the second buckle has a second locking device and a second locking hook. The first locking device and the second locking device are formed such that, when the first buckle is connected to the second buckle, the first locking device locks the second locking hook and the second locking device locks the first locking hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SKYLOTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Osterberg, Peter Fust
  • Patent number: 9580211
    Abstract: A container sealing system and a container feature are disclosed. The container sealing system includes one or more seals encompassing a container opening, wherein the one or more seals are interlockable or otherwise engageable to seal the container when activated; a first slider head including a male fitting coupled to the one or more seals; and a second slider head coupled to the one or more seals and opposing the first slider head, and including a female fitting for receiving and coupling the male fitting. Actuation of at least one of the slider heads such that the male fitting contacts the female fitting couples the one or more seals encompassing the container opening, sealing the container. The container sealing system may be child-resistant, may be resealable, and/or may include a tamper-indicating feature. The container including the container sealing system may be used for containing, storing, or transporting materials that are not suitable for handling or consumption by a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Ross Kirsh
  • Patent number: 9578933
    Abstract: A closure system for an article has a zipper, a slider, as well as a zipper pull tab, in which, in the closed position of the zipper, the zipper pull tab is passed, at least in part, through a closure piece configured or disposed on the article. The slider is held positioned on the article in this closed position. Furthermore, at least in the closed position of the zipper, at least one plate is disposed in the region of the closure piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Zipp It GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Christian Weller
  • Patent number: 9578929
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle, which includes a buckle member, a hook, a stop member, a latch member and a release button, wherein the latch member has a tongue plate which enters a chamber of the buckle member through a lateral opening of the buckle member, and pushes the stop member to a predetermined position; when the stop member stays at the predetermined position, the hook is restricted by the stop member, and stopped at another predetermined position to engage the tongue plate, which makes the latch member unable to separate from the buckle member. By pushing the release button connected to the stop member, the hook can pivot unrestrictedly, therefore the tongue plate is no longer engaged by the hook, and the latch member and the buckle member can separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: YOKE INDUSTRIAL CORP.
    Inventor: Wei-Chieh Hung
  • Patent number: 9572405
    Abstract: A securing device for attaching hockey skates to a foot. The device includes a series of fastening mechanisms distributed about the shoe along the length of the tongue. The series of fastening mechanisms provides protection and mobility for the foot. Each fastening mechanism includes a buckle, a receiving lip, an insertion lip, a pivot plate, a mounting plate, and an engagement strip. The mounting plate and the engagement strip are integrated into the shoe. The buckle is attached to the mounting plate through the pivot plate and includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a first cavity, a first plurality of teeth, and a locking hook. The buckle may be affixed to the engagement strip through the engagement of the first plurality of teeth and the engagement strip. The buckle may be secured into a locked configuration with the positioning of the locking hook into the keeper indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: David Gerard Saris
  • Patent number: 9572406
    Abstract: A waterproof slide fastener where first and second through-holes are drilled in a tape side edge portion of a waterproof tape at specific intervals from one another, and first and second halves of a fastener element are integrally connected to each other through first through-holes. A stopper includes a body portion and an extension portion extending from the body portion. First and second halves of the stopper straddle a pair of waterproof tapes and are integrally connected to each other through second through-holes. According to the waterproof slide fastener, a manufacturing step thereof can be simplified, and it is possible to effectively prevent water from entering the waterproof slide fastener even if it receives a lateral pulling force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Tanaka, Makoto Takayama, Masamichi Hasegawa, Ryo Mikuma
  • Patent number: 9572407
    Abstract: A jewelry clasp having a male connector, a female connector, a locking sleeve, chain connectors and locking cylinders. The chain connectors are connected to outer end surfaces of the male connector and the female connector. The locking cylinders are sleeved onto outer ends of the male connector and the female connector. Positioning locking devices which allow the chain connectors, the male connector and the female connector to be connected together are provided between the locking cylinders and the chain connectors. The female connector is sleeved into one end of the locking sleeve, and a locking device is provided between the female connector and the locking sleeve. The male connector is sleeved into another end of the locking sleeve; an inner end of the male connector is coupled with an inner end of the female connector; another locking device is provided between the male connector and the locking sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Pak Hei Ng
  • Patent number: 9565905
    Abstract: A lower stop assembly for slide fasteners comprises a left stop member and a right stop member. The inside of the right stop member is provided with a right slot and an annular orifice both extending in the direction of the inside, the annular orifice being located at the front end of the right slot and in direct communication with an opening of the right slot. The left stop member can be movably inserted into the opening of the right slot and then released from lateral notches of the right slot. As the left stop member can be released from the lateral notches of the right slot, when the left stop member needs to retreat from the right slot, the left stop member may rotate around the outer lateral wall of the annular orifice under the drive of the left slide fastener belt to come out from the right slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: KEE (GUANGDONG) GARMENT ACCESSORIES LTD.
    Inventors: Shengchang Huang, Jerry Wang