Patents Examined by Robert J. Sandy
  • Unit for fastening a component of a vehicle
    Patent number: 9464649
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (10) for attachment of a component of a motor vehicle, in particular for attachment of a lining part (35) to a carrier (20), having a first holding part (12) and a second holding part (14), the first holding part (12) having at least one abutment (26) and the second holding part (14) having at least one detent hook (36), and having a locking bar (15) which can be moved between a release position, in which the detent hook (36) can move behind, and be released from, the abutment (26), and a locking position, in which the detent hook (36) is locked behind the abutment (26), the locking bar (15) automatically moving from the release position to the locking position. The invention further relates to a method of mounting and of dismounting said assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ITW Fastener Products GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Demerath, Vitali Leidner
  • Fastener stringer
    Patent number: 9462854
    Abstract: A fastener stringer is provided with a fixing section in which at least one of a first and second half sections is fixed to a fastener tape and a tapered extending section which extends from the fixing section toward the outside of the tape. A first side face and a second side face in the tape length direction in the fixing section have concave surfaces which curve in a concave shape so as to gradually increase from an element surface of a fastener element toward the fastener tape. Accordingly, each fastener element can exhibit an appearance close to a metallic fastener element and a locking mechanism of a slider can be made to function stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kojima, Aya Shigematsu
  • Continuously adaptive fastener clip
    Patent number: 9457734
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a base plate and a first and second pair of laterally offset legs extending from the base plate. At least one first wing extends from the first pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one first wing has an engagement region. At least one second wing extends from the second pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one second wing also has an engagement region. The engagement regions include a depressed portion operable to adapt to variations or movement of a slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickenson
  • Extended support clip for a metal locking tie
    Patent number: 9457942
    Abstract: A metal locking tie and support clip for securing a bundle are disclosed. The metal locking tie is positioned within the support clip. The metal locking tie has a tie head and a tie body. The tie head includes a locking ball and a bottom with an opening. The tie body includes a first end and a second end with cut-off edges. The support clip supports the bottom of the tie head and encapsulates the cut-off edges of the second end of the tie body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Michael Mayo, Rodney G. Rouleau
  • Adjustment device for a portable element comprising wire-shaped elements
    Patent number: 9456666
    Abstract: The adjustment device for a portable element includes: a first and second pair of first and second wire-shaped elements; a first adjustment unit mounted mobile on the first pair of wire-shaped elements and configured to: define two deviation paths of the first pair of wire-shaped elements and to separate the first and second wire-shaped elements of the first pair by a first distance X1, and define a first mechanical coupling means with the second pair of wire-shaped elements; and a second adjustment unit mounted mobile on the second pair of wire-shaped elements and configured to: define two deviation paths of the second pair of wire-shaped elements and to separate the first and second wire-shaped elements of the second pair by a second distance X2, and define a first mechanical coupling means with the first pair of wire-shaped elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventors: Eric Girault, Grégory Martin
  • Folded clothing clip holder
    Patent number: 9456665
    Abstract: The invention is a clip holder that can be applied to fabric or clothing, specifically shirts or underwear, designed to aid in maintaining the folded status of the garment. The holder has two horizontal, parallel posts with space between them on one side, which descend or curve down on the same end and then converge to form a single post in the center, which then turns horizontally in the same direction as the two posts above and is almost parallel to the two posts. From a side view, the shape of the holder appears as a “U” shape, which narrows at the opening compared to the interior of the holder. It is this narrowing that enhances the gripping ability of the holder on the folded garment. Because the single post fits between the top posts, two folded garments with this invention applied become easily stackable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventor: Oliver Eugene Stubblefield
  • Cramping fastener device
    Patent number: 9453523
    Abstract: A cramping fastener device for assembling a part (7) to a support portion (18) is provided. The cramping fastener device includes a fastener clip which includes a deformable catch element that defines a cramping face (12). The catch element is designed to be pushed through the part and through the support portion and is designed to have a cramping face that is resiliently retractable into the clip. The cramping fastener device further includes a proper-assembly indicator (4) for checking that the clip is properly assembled in the cramping position. The proper-assembly indicator is in the form of a sort of stud that is constrained to retract under the effect of the cramping face retracting so as to be able to start being pushed into the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventors: Kevin Maschat, Sven Binkert
  • Multi-function hook and carabineer
    Patent number: 9453527
    Abstract: A hook is attached to a carabineer via a mechanism which allows the hook to be deployed to function as a hook or stowed in a compact configuration. The combined carabineer-hook can be used to clip together more than one item or the hook can be deployed, the carabineer portion can be clipped to one item, the hook can be engaged with a surface, and the item can then be hung off of the hook. In addition, the hook can be deployed to hold one or more items while the carabineer is used to clip to another item (such as a ring, cable, rope, rail, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Mina Yoo
  • Ratchet chain binder
    Patent number: 9453557
    Abstract: The chain binder includes a main tube and two links separately screwed to the main tube. A U-shaped seat has two parallel side plates and a hollow portion and is pivoted by the main tube. A gear is fastened to the main tube and received in the hollow portion. A claw with two pairs of claw teeth and handle teeth is rotatably disposed between the two side plates. The claw and the gear compose a ratchet mechanism. A claw positioner is disposed on seat and is selectably inserted into a positioning hole of the claw. A lever set is rotatably and elastically connected to a U-shaped frame attached on the seat. The lever set will be rotatable when it is pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: STRONG YUN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeh-Chien Chou
  • Rope connecting support for use in crane vehicle when hoist rope is stretched
    Patent number: 9453556
    Abstract: A rope connecting support includes: a base having a predetermined dimension; a hoist rope locking part that removably locks a rod part provided on the front end of the hoist rope onto an upper surface of the base in one end side of the base; and an auxiliary rope connecting part that connects one end of an auxiliary rope to the upper surface of the base in the other side of the base, wherein the base includes an uphill part formed by upwardly inclining an lower surface of the one end side of the base, and the auxiliary rope connecting part includes an upright plate used to pin the one end of the auxiliary rope. By this means, the rod part is positioned on right and left sides thereof by the hoist rope locking part, and also positioned with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rod part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Fuke
  • Bracelet clasp
    Patent number: 9451812
    Abstract: A bracelet clasp includes three strips, and a cover hinged to one of the strips. The clasp is provided with first and second push-pieces and with a safety device preventing lateral movement of the cover causing the clasp to unlock when pressure is simultaneously exerted both on a push-piece and on a flap of the cover opposite said push-piece. The safety device includes a spacer being received between the cover flaps, the ends of the spacer abutting against the cover flaps so as to prevent lateral movement of the cover causing the clasp to unlock when pressure is simultaneously exerted both on a push-piece and on a flap of the cover opposite the push-piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Cedric Kaltenrieder, Jean-Marc Von Allmen
  • Saddle mounting assembly for a grave marker
    Patent number: 9445548
    Abstract: A saddle mounting assembly for a grave marker allows a person to attach a headstone saddle to a grave marker without causing damage to the grave marker. The assembly includes a mounting member configured for attaching to a grave marker. The mounting member includes an upper section and a lower section. An outer surface of the lower section is grooved. A coupler is attached to the upper section. The coupler is configured to releasably couple the mounting member to a grave marker saddle to attach the grave marker saddle to a top surface of the grave marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher P. Hicks
  • Cord management system
    Patent number: 9445178
    Abstract: A cord management system includes a case and a strap. The strap has a first attachment point at a first location on the strap and a second attachment point a second location on the strap. The strap also includes at least two modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the first attachment point is attached to the second attachment point so that a first segment of the strap located between the first attachment point and the second attachment point forms a loop configured to secure a cord that is wrapped around the case. In a second mode of operation, the first attachment point is detached from the second attachment point so that the first segment no longer forms the loop. In some embodiments, the strap is permanently attached to the case, while in other embodiments the strap is semi-permanently attached to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CJD LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Philip Rothbaum, Allison S. Conner, Robert B. Curtis, Jonas K. Damon, Daniel A. Sanchez
  • Systems and methods for a locking carabineer
    Patent number: 9441665
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching items includes a body, first hook, and second hook oriented on a first side and a second side of the body. The apparatus further includes a first gate and a second gate, the first gate attached to the body and oriented to close the first hook, and the second gate attached to the body and oriented to close the second hook. The apparatus further includes a first sliding lock and a second sliding lock, the first and second sliding locks oriented on the first and second gates, respectively; the first and second sliding locks having a first position, being a locked position, where the sliding lock is positioned in a first notch and a second notch in the body, and a second position, being an unlocked position, where the first and second sliding locks are distal from the first and second notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Liang, Bowden Ormsbee, Richard N. Case, Rex W. Stevens
  • Lace fixation assembly and system
    Patent number: 9439477
    Abstract: A lace closure system may include a low friction guide that defines the turning radius and direction of a lace which, though tension, pulls two or more panels toward each other. The lace closure system may include a fixator that defines a slot into which the lace is led, containing multiple engagement surfaces that, when the lace is wrapped into the slot, serve to engage the lace preventing unwanted loosening. The lace closure system may include a ring onto which the lace is attached, to assist in applying manual tension to the lace. The ring may be shaped and sized to removably attach to an outer perimeter of the fixator after excess lace has been wrapped into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Roger T. Neiley
  • Strap adjuster and keeper
    Patent number: 9433258
    Abstract: An apparatus including a combined strap-length adjuster and strap keeper is disclosed for use with multiple embodiments of a strap-length adjuster. A tether is used in combination with the strap keeper. The arrangement allows the tether to not interfere with the positioning or movement of the straps and maintains the straps close to the strap-length adjuster and prevents slippage of the strap through the strap-length adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Fitness Anywhere, LLC
    Inventors: Randal Hetrick, Jordan Edward MacDonald, Stephanie Russo, Andrew Siu, Yuen Kwok Wing
  • Method of fitting an attachment onto a profiled strip, intermediate fastening device for fastening an attachment onto a profiled strip, glazing pane and use of said device
    Patent number: 9434323
    Abstract: A method of fitting an attachment, or a trim, onto a portion of a profiled strip, or onto a portion of a profiled strip fastened to a periphery of a glazing pane, a fitting operation being carried out by an intermediate fastening device. The intermediate fastening device includes at least one clip including having at least one upstream cooperating part configured to cooperate with the profiled strip and a downstream cooperating part configured to cooperate with the attachment. The method includes fastening the intermediate fastening device onto the profiled strip. The intermediate fastening device includes an upstream cooperating part having a plurality of deformable catching tabs, the tabs being deformed by applying a force to the ends of the tabs toward the material of the profiled strip in two opposed directions so as to penetrate the material of the profiled strip during the fastening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Gerard Huchet, Ricardo Garcia
  • Magnetic attachment device for releasably attaching an article to a button
    Patent number: 9433257
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment device for releasably attaching an article to a button on shirts, blouses, and the like. The magnetic attachment device contains: (a) a button cover for a button secured to an article, the cover contains a cap having an unobstructed interior and an open side for receiving a button therein, and a closure plate rotatably attached to the cap about a rotational axis between an opened and closed position with respect to the open side of the cap, wherein the button cover contains a magnetic member; and (b) an article containing a magnetic member, wherein upon contacting the magnetic member of the article and the magnetic member of the button cover provides a magnetically attractive force which is sufficient to attach the article to the button cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Roy S. Taetzsch
  • Tie down system
    Patent number: 9433261
    Abstract: A tie down system includes at least one device hook having a hook base; at least one hook opening in the hook base; a generally elongated hook shaft extending from the hook base; a curved hook finger extending from the hook shaft; a hook base extension extending from the hook base in spaced-apart relationship to the hook shaft; and a hook slot between the hook shaft and the hook base extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin J. Miles
  • Slider for slide fastener
    Patent number: 9427051
    Abstract: A slider is structured such that a tab attaching rod is integrally formed in a cantilevered state in an upper blade of a slider body, and a blocking member blocking an insertion gap which is formed between the upper blade and a free end portion of the tab attaching rod is engaged with a mounting portion of the slider body so as to be immovably fixed, and is provided with an occlusion retaining structure which retains a blocked state of the insertion gap at a time of fixing the blocking member and can prevent the other member from intruding into the insertion gap. Accordingly, the slider can easily attach a tab afterward to the tab attaching rod. Further, it is possible to securely prevent the other member from intruding between the upper blade and the free end portion of the tab attaching rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hsien Hsiang Hsu, Morimasa Yoneoka