Patents Examined by Robert Sandy
  • Patent number: 11846310
    Abstract: A bolt comprises a first shank segment axially comprising an externally threaded segment at a proximate axial end of the bolt. The bolt also includes a second shank segment, a flange extending perpendicularly a first distance from the first shank segment and axially located between a distal axial end of the first shank segment and a proximate axial end of the second shank segment, and a head axially adjacent to a distal axial end of the second shank segment, where the head is longer than the flange in a first direction perpendicular to the first shank segment but shorter than the flange in a second direction perpendicular to the first shank segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: GAMECHANGE SOLAR CORP.
    Inventor: Andrew Barron Worden
  • Patent number: 11844436
    Abstract: A cover-material fixing clip includes: a chuck having a base portion, a first holding piece and a second holding piece; a hook configured to be engaged with a wire to be located in a groove of a cushion material; and an engagement opening defined between the chuck and a leading end of the hook. The base portion, the first holding piece and the second holding piece define a retention groove for holding the held body attached to the cover material. The engagement opening has an opening dimension in a range from 50% to 80% of a width of the retention groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Madoka Nanbu, Wanli Zhang, Kenji Dono, Seiichiro Yonezawa, Genta Matsumura, Tetsuya Yoshino, Tsutomu Yamada
  • Patent number: 11839264
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having an enclosure including an adjustment region extending from a first edge to a second edge formed on an opposite side of the adjustment region from the first edge. The upper further includes a cable tensioning guide attached to the enclosure adjacent to the first edge of the adjustment region. The cable tensioning guide includes a first conduit and a second conduit. A cable of the upper includes a tensioning element having a first tensioning segment extending across the adjustment region from the first conduit and a second tensioning segment extending across the adjustment region from the second conduit. The cable further includes a control element having a first control segment connected to the first tensioning segment at the first conduit, and a second control segment connected to the second tensioning segment at the second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Tobie D. Hatfield, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Andrew A. Owings, Brandon J. Wilen
  • Patent number: 11839271
    Abstract: In at least a part of a movable range of a slider, a slider upper portion is positioned adjacent to a wall upper portion, and a slider lower portion is positioned adjacent to a wall lower portion. This prevents jamming of a cloth in the slider at both sides of the tape upper and lower surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Takayuki Inukai, Aoi Takekawa, Yutian Long, Yuko Fukuda, Mitsuo Tsuzuyama
  • Patent number: 11839269
    Abstract: An adjustment system is configured to adjust the length of a first strap. The adjustment system includes a ring defining a first through hole in a first direction. A pin is fitted movable with respect to the ring. The pin partially obstructs the ring in the first direction so as to divide the first through hole into a second through hole and a third through hole separated from the second through hole by the pin. The adjustment system includes a tab at least partially blanking off the first through hole in the first direction. The tab is arranged at a distance from the pin to define a space for the first strap to pass between the pin and the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventor: Benoît Bouquier
  • Patent number: 11840037
    Abstract: A fluid-impervious slide fastener is disposed; an covering abutting member is formed in a central slit of a pair of support tapes, the covering abutting member has a first covering body having a covering layer and a second covering body having a covering layer; when the fluid-impervious slide fastener is in a coupled status, the first covering body and the second covering body are able to elastically abut against each other so as to form a tightening deformation, thus the central slit is provided with a fluid-impervious function against a fluid, for example a liquid, of capable of bearing a hydrostatic pressure of 30 gf/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Chao-Mu Chou, Shiu-Yin Cheng
  • Patent number: 11839272
    Abstract: In just one separate fastener stringer, a slider stops turning due to collision between a flange of the slider and a fastener element after turning in a direction a connecting pillar of the slider moves away from the fastener element provided in the just one separate fastener stringer. At this time point, an opposed tape side extending toward the flange forms an angle of less than or equal to 45° with respect to a center line of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Yabuya, Norio Uozumi
  • Patent number: 11825911
    Abstract: A fastening device includes a case unit, a knob, an engaging unit and a spool. The case unit has an axial direction and includes a plurality of mounting teeth. The knob covers on the case unit along the axial direction. The engaging unit is coupled to the knob and includes an engaging portion. The spool is configured for a lace to wind therearound. The engaging unit is driven by the knob to switch between a first position and a second position along the axial direction. When the engaging unit is in the first position, the engaging unit prohibits the spool from releasing the lace. When the engaging unit is in the second position, the engaging portion is engaged with at least one of the mounting teeth, and the engaging unit does not prohibit the spool from releasing the lace. Therefore, the reliability can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Chin-Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 11825920
    Abstract: New forms of fasteners are disclosed. In some embodiments, some such fasteners include a new form of magnetic zipper or other track fastener, with two tracks of interlocking pieces moved together by magnetic force. In some embodiments, at least one of the interlocking pieces, of one of the zipper tracks, includes at least one exterior edge, interlocking with a complementary edge of another interlocking piece included in the other zipper track, when the interlocking pieces are moved into place by magnetic force. The techniques of the invention are applicable to a wide variety of applications, incorporating many different materials. For example, in some contexts, some embodiments allow rapid closing of articles, such as gym bags or sports apparel, with minimum effort, and leading to an extraordinary custom-fit to a user's preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher V. Beckman
  • Patent number: 11825919
    Abstract: A pull tab includes a pull tab main portion. A first base is sandwiched between a second base and the pull tab main portion to form a stack in which the second base, the first base and the pull tab main portion are stacked in this order. The pull tab main portion and the first base are configured such that the pull tab main portion moves rearward to cause rearward movement of the slider body as the stack is sandwiched by human fingers in its stack direction while the first insert has been not fully inserted inside the slider body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Yasuhito Naka, Rito Kobayashi, Leona Saito
  • Patent number: 11828347
    Abstract: A button is provided, for use in a soft shackle in a rope. The button is made of a material equal to or exceeding the strength of the rope. The button has a notch and an oval. The notch and oval form a bar. The bar is dimensioned in size to not deform when the button is under a load equal to the strength of the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Edward J. Herman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11825918
    Abstract: A coupling device for releasably coupling two parts with one another includes first and second coupling members having magnets for holding the members with a magnetic holding force to self-center the members in an intermediate position. The coupling members are slidable to a locked condition in which mutual interlock portions engage and slidable to an unlocked position in which mutual unlock portions engage. The coupling members are uncoupled by sliding the members along a first unlocking path to the unlocked position and further moving the members along a directionally different separation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Jacob Stearns, Robert L. Stearns
  • Patent number: 11826053
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to first aid articles and more specifically tourniquets suitable for one handed application. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a tourniquet having a base defining first and second ends. A constricting band is attached to and extends from the first end of the base. A windlass handle is engaged with the constricting band. The constricting band is threaded through a self cinching stepped buckle. A buckle connector includes a hook member that engages the stepped buckle and is partly held in place through urging against a loop of the constriction band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Tactical Medical Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Ross A. Johnson, Richard A. Hester, John Morris
  • Patent number: 11828314
    Abstract: A clamping device and a clamping system using the same are disclosed herein. The clamping device includes a first clamp component formed from bent wire configured to partially circumscribe a pole, and including at least one offset portion for defining an accessory receiving space between the first clamp component and a sidewall of the pole; a second clamp component rotatably coupled to the first clamp component, formed from bent wire, and configured to partially circumscribe the pole; and a handle component configured to couple the second clamp component to the first clamp component. When the handle component is rotated in a first tightening direction, the first clamp component and the second clamp component are brought into secure engagement about the circumference of the pole. When the handle component is rotated in a second loosening direction, the clamping device is capable of being disengaged from the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Frank Richard Markusic
  • Patent number: 11828348
    Abstract: A tensioning device includes a housing, a drive member, an inner sleeve, a driven member, and a clutch assembly. The housing includes an attachment feature. The drive member is rotatably coupled with the housing. The inner sleeve is disposed in the housing and is coupled with the drive member. The inner sleeve is rotatable together with the drive member relative to the housing. The driven member is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled with the drive member. The clutch assembly facilitates selective coupling between the drive member and the inner sleeve. A second attachment feature is coupled with the driven member. The driven member is slidably coupled with the inner sleeve such that the driven member and the second attachment feature are translatable together between a retracted position and an extended position in response to rotation of the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy P. Squires, Ronald J. Hanna, Kenneth J. Lamb, Joseph Krumme Bullard
  • Patent number: 11825910
    Abstract: A detachable lace tightening system for existing footwear is disclosed. The footwear includes a boot having first and second opposing sides with a plurality of eyelets and a tongue arranged between the opposing sides. The system includes a rotatable spool detachably secured to the tongue and a tightening control knob. A cable is insertable into the eyelets such that the first and second ends of the cable extend outwardly from the eyelets at the upper end of the footwear, the ends being removably secured to the spool such that rotation of the control knob in a first direction winds the cable around the spool placing the cable in tension and pulling the opposing sides together. A releasable lock prevents rotation of the spool in a second direction. Release of the lock permits the spool to rotate in the second direction releasing the tension thereby allowing removal of the footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Dillon Cappell, Alessandro Cunsolo
  • Patent number: 11827138
    Abstract: In one embodiment a clasp assembly includes a main body with a receptacle formed in therein and adapted to receive a flexible element and a bail rotatably coupled to the main body. The bail includes a cam portion configured to engage the flexible element in a first rotational configuration, a lock assembly configured to releasably engage the main body to secure the cam portion in the first rotational configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hoch Brands LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A Hoch, Charles V. Hoch
  • Patent number: 11821451
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a fastening system. The fastening system comprises fastener, a doghouse structure, and a seal assembly. The fastener includes a head assembly coupled to a collar. The head assembly is configured to engage a doghouse structure positioned on the first panel and the collar is configured to pass through and to retain the second panel via an opening formed in the second panel. The seal assembly includes a seal and a seal carrier. The seal carrier is coupled to the fastener via a frangible connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11821490
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accessory connector device and to a connection system comprising said device, for connecting and locking at least one accessory to at least one cable, wherein the connector device comprises at least one spiral curved wire whose pitch is between 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Anibal Schurter
  • Patent number: 11819092
    Abstract: In a buckle device, when a belt starts to be allowed to be drawn, a fracture portion is deformed by a side surface of a connection hole of a spool, so that the fracture portion allows a rotation of the spool and allows drawing of the belt. Then, the fracture portion is fractured by the side surface of the connection hole. Therefore, a drawing allowance load of the belt when the belt starts to be allowed to be drawn can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Ryuji Yamaguchi, Yoshio Mizuno, Yutaka Hirako