Patents Examined by Robert J. Sandy
  • Patent number: 9770075
    Abstract: There is provided an opener of a slide fastener. A separable pin accommodation part of a retainer has upper and lower walls facing each other, a pair of wall parts protruding from the upper and lower walls in a direction of narrowing an interval therebetween, and a bottom wall configured to join the upper and lower walls at the rear of the pair of wall parts. The pair of wall parts extend toward the bottom wall from a rear side relative to front ends of the upper and lower walls. A pair of restriction parts are configured to collide with each other so as to restrict a position of a rearmost end of a separable pin to be inserted into a separable pin hole to a position between the bottom wall and front ends of the pair of wall parts are separately provided for the retainer and the separable pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Sato
  • Patent number: 9770073
    Abstract: A buckle for tightening or loosening a band, including: a buckle body having a pair of hinge holes; a plate spring arranged in the buckle body with a leading part positioned in a sliding path of the band, the leading part being shaped to slope with a leading end contacting a back side of the band so as to be caught by a catch projection of the band; and a buckle switch having a pivot pressure piece with hinge projections, and an operation lever connected to a pivot pressure piece so as to be exposed to one side of the buckle body. The leading end of the plate spring is separated from the band so as to make the band slide in a loosening direction when the plate spring is pressed by the pivot pressure piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Yang-Seog Ryou
  • Patent number: 9764883
    Abstract: A hose clamp includes a clamp body formed by bending a plate spring into an annular shape while two ends of the plate spring are caused to cross, grip tabs formed to be raised radially outward from both ends of the clamp body, respectively and an expanded-diameter state retainer formed integrally on the clamp body or the tabs and capable of retaining an expanded-diameter state of the clamp body and releasing the clamp body from the expanded-diameter state by relative movement of both tabs in an axial direction of the clamp body with a gripping operation applied to both tabs. The tabs have respective distal ends, one of which has a larger width than the other. The distal ends are bent circumferentially outward into bent portions spaced from each other. The bent portions are insertable into positioning recesses formed in opposite surfaces of a gripping tool, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOGO SEISAKUSYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9763499
    Abstract: There is provided a slider for a slide fastener. The slider includes a slider body, an elastic body and a pull tab. The pull tab includes a shaft, a pull tab main body and a cam. The cam is configured to elastically deform the elastic body when the pull tab is laid down. The slider body includes an upper blade and a pair of pull tab attaching posts. The upper blade includes a recess portion and a crimping portion. The recess portion includes a pair of lateral recess portions and a center recess portion. The crimping portion protrudes from at least one of the lateral recess portions at a protruding location located at a center side relative to both front and rear ends of the center recess portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Ozawa, Mingsi Wang, Yuki Chayahara, Keiichi Keyaki
  • Patent number: 9758924
    Abstract: A garment holding device for washing or drying garments in an organized manner so as to prevent pairs of garment from becoming separated. The garment holding device includes an elongated cable disposed in a loop configuration, wherein the cable includes a first end removably secured to a second end. A plurality of clips are removably secured to the cable, wherein each clip can hold a pair of socks, gloves, or other paired garments for the purpose of keeping the garments together while being washed or dried. Each clip includes an aperture that is able to receive the elongated cable therethrough and a plurality of teeth that prevent the paired garments from becoming removed therefrom while in the washer or dryer. A clip, along with a clean pair of garments thereon, can be removed from the elongated cable in order to store the pair of garments together in a drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald Struminger
  • Patent number: 9756930
    Abstract: A coupler for removable coupling an object to a support. The coupler includes a cover, a ring, and a base. The cover couples to the support. The ring includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a fourth arm, a first stop, and a second stop. Each arm of the ring is formed of a resilient material. The ring is positioned in a cavity of the cover. The base couples to the accessory. The base cooperates with the cover and the ring to couple to the cover and to rotate from a decoupled position to an intermediate position and further to a clocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Hanchett, John W. Wilson, Nathan A. Patulski, William J. Soper
  • Patent number: 9756907
    Abstract: A quick lock device for wristwatch bands comprising: (i) a frame having a pair of overlaps defining a sliding cavity of which cavity is suitable for a sliding movement, one end of the frame being an extension to form an elongated hooking member having a groove along the axis thereof and a latch being formed on the surface of the guiding cavity; and (ii) a sliding member adapted to slide within the cavity being provided with a tongue section at one end of the member and a slide handle to facilitate the sliding movement of the sliding member within the frame, and a latching recess along the axis of the slide, thereby the tongue of the sliding member locks a pin member of a wristwatch being positioned within the groove of the hooking member by sliding the slide handle towards the body of the wristwatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Stephan Hugo Frei
  • Patent number: 9756918
    Abstract: A shoulder strap clip for a shoulder bag having a first strap and a second strap. The shoulder strap clip includes a shoulder padding configured to rest on a shoulder of a user; a spring-loaded clip rigidly attached to the shoulder padding at one end and configured to extend over a top surface of the shoulder padding. The spring-loaded clip includes a first contoured slot configured to receive the first strap of the shoulder bag; and a second contoured slot configured to receive the second strap of the shoulder bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Isabel Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9750293
    Abstract: A waistband tightening device has a generally horizontal crank arm with a first and second leg at one end extending vertically therefrom in parallel spaced relation defining a vertical slot therebetween, and a fastener element at the opposed end disposed in outwardly spaced relation to the legs. The device is installed downward onto the waistband with the legs straddling the waistband, and the crank arm and fastener element are rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction with the slot being the center of rotation such that the waistband becomes looped partially around the first and second legs and upon further rotation becomes wound around both of the legs to reduce the circumference of the waistband and thereafter the fastener element is engaged on an inner or outer facing surface of the waistband to prevent unwinding and maintain the waistband in a tightened condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Harold C. Lang
  • Patent number: 9751450
    Abstract: A tie down apparatus wherein a center leg of each of a pair of load springs is mounted in a space between a pair of drum pins, which space receives and holds a tied down strap. Each load spring is fixedly attached to a respective one of first and second ratchet wheels and has a tab having an outer end positioned in a respective arcuate slot of a respective circular plate, each circular plate being mounted to rotate with the drum pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Wesley Zhou
  • Patent number: 9751489
    Abstract: A clip and a tether clip of a pillar garnish fixing structure includes a shaft and a pair of engagement hooks opposing each other. Each engagement hook is connected to the shaft at a hook connecting portion. A deformation promoting portion is formed at each of a pair of shaft wall portions opposing each other in a diametrical direction perpendicular to a direction in which the pair of engagement hooks are opposed. Even when a thickness of the hook connecting portion is increased thereby increasing a strength of the engagement hook, the hook connecting portion is deformed so as to approach a center axis line so that the engagement hook can pass through a clip fixing aperture. As a result, both the strength of the engagement hook and a serviceability can be satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhito Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9750328
    Abstract: An adjustable-length tensile member, for example, a strap for a wearable pack, can include a fastener member defining first and second apertures and a cross-member positioned therebetween. A strap can extend through the first aperture in a first direction, over the cross-member and through the second aperture in a direction opposite to the first direction. A cover plate can matingly engage with the fastener member to obscure a segment of the strap from view. Wearable packs can incorporate such adjustable-length tensile members. Methods for assembling such adjustable-length tensile members are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: THE NORTH FACE APPAREL CORP.
    Inventors: Andrew Coutant, Matthew Edward Paduano, Christopher Tagumi, Gregory Dailey
  • Patent number: 9750308
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a rope includes a device body having a first width, a first length, and a first height, the first width substantially greater than each of the first height and the first length, the device body having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends at opposing ends of the first width of the device body. The apparatus includes a first rope notch, the first rope notch located at the first end of the device body, the first rope notch extending in a first direction parallel to the first height away from the central body. The apparatus includes a second rope notch, the second rope notch located at the second end of the device body, the second rope notch extending in a second direction parallel to the first height away from the device body, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NITE IZE, INC.
    Inventor: Rex Seader
  • Patent number: 9750311
    Abstract: Systems and methods for joining two or more pieces of hook fastener tape. In some embodiments, the two or more pieces of tape are spliced together using ultrasonic welding. At least one of the splicing components used to splice the tapes together may be configured so that the component influences the profile of a connecting portion along which the two tapes are welded together. In some cases, at least one of the splicing components may be configured to minimize deformation of the tapes as they are welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nozaka, Yoshifumi Nakata, Chieko Dokyu, John Rene Hawkins, III, Howard Joseph Pfeuffer, Eric Tham Rice
  • Patent number: 9752613
    Abstract: A hook assembly includes a substrate having three tabs arranged in a triangular configuration, a hook including a pair of opposing side flaps, and a tripod mounting member configured to couple the hook to the substrate. The tripod mounting member includes three legs arranged in a triangular configuration, a pair of opposing side plates extending from two rear legs of the three legs, and a stopper groove. The three legs of the tripod mounting member correspond to the three tabs of the substrate. The hook assembly also includes a torsion spring having a pair of arms extending from opposite ends of the torsion spring, a first fastener configured to couple the tripod mounting member to the substrate, and a second fastener configured to extend through the side plates of the tripod mounting member and the side flaps of the hook to rotatably couple the hook to the tripod mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Gardenia Industrial Limited
    Inventor: Qiang Ye Wen
  • Patent number: 9750312
    Abstract: A fastener member 10 is provided with a base portion 11 having a main surface 15, and a plurality of engaging members 12 provided upright on the main surface 15, in which mechanical coupling with a loop member 30 is achieved by causing the engaging members 12 to engage the loop member 30. The fastener member 10 is provided with an arm portion 13 disposed on the base portion 11 via a base connection portion 13a such that a tip side can pivot in a direction so as to approach the main surface 15, a claw portion 18 that is provided to the arm portion 13, and a hook-shaped protruding portion 14 provided to the base portion 11. The claw portion 18 and the hook-shaped protruding portion 14 latch onto one another when the fastener member 10 and the loop member 30 are coupled. The tip side of the arm portion 13 is positioned to a position opposite the main surface 15 away from the tips of the engaging portions 12 when the fastener member 10 and the loop member 30 are not coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Shuhei Nisogi
  • Patent number: 9751449
    Abstract: A ratchet strap apparatus includes a tensioning strap adapted to be selectively tensioned and a cargo strap adapted to be secured to the apparatus using an inboard pin and an outboard pin and bending the cargo strap into a loop. In one embodiment, the outboard pin is secured to a side wall and an opening is provided between the outboard pin and another side wall whereby the outboard pin may be inserted into a cargo strap loop. In another embodiment, the outboard pin is slidingly received through a hole in one side wall and is selectively unseated from a saddle on the other side wall for insertion into the cargo strap loop. In yet another embodiment, the outboard pin is secured between two side walls and the inboard pin is selectively removable from and seated on saddles in each of the walls whereby the inboard pin extends therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Steven P Bermes
  • Patent number: 9750316
    Abstract: A buckle apparatus for a wearable device may include a main body of the wearable device; a band for wearing the main body on a user's wrist; and a buckle assembly including a cover part to which a first end of the band is coupled and a coupling part in which a second end of the band is inserted into and maintained. The cover part includes upper and lower covers coupled to each other to form rails, and the coupling part includes first and second link pieces hingedly coupled to each other and is assembled to the lower portion of the cover part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sangin Baek
  • Patent number: 9743717
    Abstract: An exchangeable belt buckle that allows the user to change the belt configuration as well as belt color. It also allows for the buckle to be interchangeable. The ability to reconfigure the belt and the buckle gives the user nearly unlimited fashionable appearances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: James Robert Custer
  • Patent number: 9743721
    Abstract: A locking slider assembly includes a rail having a travel direction and a cross-sectional dimension, the rail switchable between a first state in which the cross-sectional dimension has a first value and a second state in which the cross-sectional dimension has a second value, the second value greater than the first value and a slider having a slot that fits over the rail, the slot having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and second surface separated by a distance aligned with the cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the first value of the cross-sectional dimension and less than or equal to the second value of the cross-sectional dimension, so that the slot can slide over the rail when the rail is in the first state, and the slot cannot slide over the rail when the rail is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Boban Jose