Patents Examined by Roberta Delisle
  • Bolt mount system
    Patent number: 9239070
    Abstract: A mount apparatus for a frame member is provided. The mount apparatus includes a bolt and a retainer. The bolt includes a head, a shank extending from the head, and a tang extending radially from the head. The retainer includes a reactive plate fixing the retainer against rotation relative to the frame member and an engagement slot defined by the retainer having a first wall disposed to prevent positive rotation of the tang.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Trevor J. Wiffen
  • Cap for forming sealed cavity around fastener
    Patent number: 9228604
    Abstract: A joint comprising: a structure; and a fastener passing through the structure. The cap has a body portion with an annular base terminating at an edge, the body portion forming an enclosure around an end of the fastener. The cap also has an annular flange which extends outwardly from the body portion and is set back from the edge of the base so as to define a pocket between the flange and the base. A sealant is provided in the pocket between the flange and the base, the sealant bonding the cap to the structure via a sealant/cap interface with the cap and a sealant/structure interface with the structure. The surface area of the sealant/cap interface is greater than the surface area of the sealant/structure interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Dobbin
  • Connector assembly
    Patent number: 9228602
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector assembly, which includes a metal base which defines a housing cavity arranged to receive the end of a male connector, a resilient interface element inside the housing cavity, and a metal clip inside the housing cavity by the resilient interface element. The metal clip engages removably with the end of the male connector inserted into the housing cavity to connect the metal base to the male connector. Also disclosed is a resilient interface element providing an interface between a male connector and a metal base defining a housing cavity to receive the end of a male connector, as well as a kit of parts. Such kit contains a metal base defining a housing cavity receiving the end of a male connector, a metal clip arranged to be capable of engaging removably with the end of the end of the male connector, and a resilient interface element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: FASTMOUNT LIMITED
    Inventors: Gregory John Kelly, Ronald Hanley
  • Self-piercing nut element and component assembly comprising the nut element and a sheet metal part
    Patent number: 9222502
    Abstract: A self-piercing nut element having a strength in the range between 700 and 900 MPa is designed for press fitting into a sheet metal part, for the self-piercing attachment of the nut element into a higher strength sheet metal part, such that the piercing section merges directly into the sheet metal contact surface and such that the piercing section has a piercing edge at its free end face, with the piercing edge being spaced apart from the sheet metal contact surface by a peripheral surface having an axial height which corresponds to at least 30%, and preferably at least 50%, of the sheet metal thickness. The radial wall thickness of the piercing section in the region of its free end face from the outer side up to the nominal diameter of the thread corresponds to a thickness between 1.2 times, to 1.8 times, the provided sheet metal thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Christian Sowa, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Protective shield for hand-held tools
    Patent number: 9221166
    Abstract: A protective device for a hand-held tool includes a protective shield having a first end and an opposing second end, a first clamp portion attached to the first end of the protective shield, and a second clamp portion removably attached to the first clamp portion. The first and second clamp portions are configured to securely fix a portion of the handle of the hand-held tool therebetween when the second clamp portion is attached to the first clamp portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald Jacobs, Mark Gardner, John Randolph Fisher
  • Fastening devices for explosion-proof enclosures
    Patent number: 9217460
    Abstract: A system for fastening a cover to a body of an explosion-proof enclosure using a plurality of fastening devices. Each fastening device can include a first load distributing member disposed on a body flange of a body of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can also include a second load distributing member disposed on a cover flange of a cover of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can further include a fastener positioned atop the first load distributing member, where the fastener traverses the first load distributing member, the cover flange, and the body flange. Each fastening device can also include a fastener receiver positioned under the second load distributing member and mechanically coupled to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Quick adjusting nut, especially for attaching a vehicle wheel to the mounting shaft of a balancing machine
    Patent number: 9217457
    Abstract: A quick adjusting nut (1) made especially for attaching a vehicle wheel to the mounting shaft of a balancing machine, with a housing part (2) and with at least two radially movable thread segments (3) arranged in the housing part (2) and with an actuator (4) for radial movement of the thread segments (3), each thread segment (3) having an inside thread section (3a) and the thread segments (3) being radially movable along guide surfaces (7) of the housing part (2) from an engagement position outward into a disengagement position. The guide surfaces (7) for the thread segments (3) slant upward in the radial outward direction and interact with complementary slanted guide surfaces of the thread segments (3) during movement in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Haweka AG
    Inventor: Dirk Warkotsch
  • Fastening devices for explosion-proof enclosures
    Patent number: 9217459
    Abstract: A system for fastening a cover to a body of an explosion-proof enclosure using a plurality of fastening devices. Each fastening device can include a first load distributing member disposed on a body flange of a body of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can also include a second load distributing member disposed on a cover flange of a cover of the explosion-proof enclosure. Each fastening device can further include a fastener positioned atop the first load distributing member, where the fastener traverses the first load distributing member, the cover flange, and the body flange. Each fastening device can also include a fastener receiver positioned under the second load distributing member and mechanically coupled to the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Splined fastener
    Patent number: 9217454
    Abstract: A fastener (2) for securing a workpiece comprising a plurality of workpiece members, said fastener comprising a shank (4) and a radially enlarged head (6), wherein the fastener further comprises axial voids (40) and splines (18) provided on the internal wall of the bore of the fastener, such that when the fastener is installed into a workpiece by a mandrel, breakstem or pin, once the shank of the fastener has contacted with the walls of the workpiece apertures, the crests of the splines are deformed by the mandrel, breakstem or pin, and material of the crests is displaced into the voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Infastech Intellectual Properties Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Joseph Tyson, Roger Andrew Williams
  • Wheel mounting bolt and wheel mounting structure
    Patent number: 9216615
    Abstract: A wheel mounting bolt includes a male thread portion, a collar portion, an engagement portion, and a protruding shaft portion. The male thread portion has a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in an axial direction of the male thread portion to be threadedly engaged, from the first end portion, with a female thread portion of a hub. The collar portion is provided between the first end portion and the second end portion of the male thread portion to fit into a bolt insertion hole of a wheel. The engagement portion is provided at the second end portion of the male thread portion integrally with the male thread portion to be gripped by a fastening tool. The protruding shaft portion protrudes from the engagement portion toward a direction opposite to the first end portion and is provided with male threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: KYO-EI INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisaku Kishida
  • Systems and methods for preloading a bearing and aligning a lock nut
    Patent number: 9217461
    Abstract: A lock nut system includes a nut, a keeper engagement with the nut to inhibit movement of the keeper relative to the nut, and a keeper retaining member. The keeper has a radially inner side configured to engage a shaft to inhibit rotational movement of the nut relative to the shaft when the keeper engages the nut and a radially inner side engages the shaft. The keeper retaining member is secured to the keeper and is engageable with the nut to hold a keeper axially such that keeper is engaged with the nut. A cover member is located on an opposite side of the keeper retaining member relative to the nut and engaged to the keeper retaining member to inhibit a separation of the cover member from the keeper retaining member in such that that the separation of the cover member from the keeper retaining member provides a visual indication to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: TEMPER AXLE PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Rode, Sean E. Strait, Ronald George Wilson
  • Fastener and method of installing same
    Patent number: 9212678
    Abstract: A fastener includes a body having a cylindrical passage formed through a central portion of the body and a tapered ramp disposed at an end of the body and a corebolt disposed within the passage formed by the body. The fastener further includes a sleeve movably disposed over the corebolt and adjacent the tapered ramp of the body. The sleeve includes a bore extending between first and second ends of the sleeve and a taper extending inwardly from the second end of the sleeve toward the first end of the sleeve, the second end of the sleeve being adjacent the tapered ramp of the body. The sleeve further includes a weakened interior region disposed between the taper and the first end of the sleeve, the weakened interior region being adapted to bulb outwardly when the sleeve is compressed against a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Twist lock flat thrust washer assembly
    Patent number: 9212687
    Abstract: A thrust washer assembly including a washer and a ring is provided. The washer includes a circumferential outer surface that varies radially from an axis of the washer to define a plurality of ramps. The ring includes a plurality of axial protrusions that each includes an inner radial surface that, via a relative rotation of the washer to the ring, engages a radially outer surface of the plurality of ramps to connect the washer and the ring by a friction-fit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Daniel Sayre
  • High shear capability interface
    Patent number: 9212679
    Abstract: A connection between a first component and a second component is provided including a first hole formed in a portion of the first component and a second hole formed in a portion of the second component. The second hole is aligned with the first hole. A pin includes a through hole having a pin hole diameter. The pin extends through a portion of the first hole and into a first portion of the second hole. The pin is configured to absorb a shear load applied to the connection. A bolt extends through the second hole and the pin such that a clearance fit is formed between the bolt and the pin. The bolt is configured to absorb an axial load applied to the connection. A nut connected to the free end of the bolt limits movement of the bolt relative to the first and second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuriy Gmirya, Matthew J. Karlak, John H. Meeson, Jr.
  • Rivet nut unit
    Patent number: 9212684
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rivet nut unit. The rivet nut unit may comprise a rivet nut including a flange of which a lower surface is supported by a upper surface of a plate while riveting the plate by a riveter, a body part of which the inside of a lower part is worked to have screw threads and which is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape with a lower portion of the flange, and a hole-making head which is disengageably located on a lower end of the body part to rotate together with the rivet nut and bore an insertion hole in the plate while the riveter rotates in order to insert the body part into the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SUNGWOO HITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mun Yong Lee, Deok Hyun Kim
  • Prevailing torque nut
    Patent number: 9212686
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a prevailing torque nut (10) comprising a body (12) having a longitudinal opening (14) extending therethrough. The body has a hexagonal outer surface (16) and an inner surface (18) defining the opening (14). A female thread (20) is formed on the inner surface and extends from one longitudinal end to an opposite longitudinal end of the opening (14). The thread (20) has a constant depth along its entire length, is of helical configuration along its entire length, and tapers radially inwardly in diameter at one end of the opening (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ACTEURO LIMITED
    Inventor: Peter Howard
  • Dual pitch thread
    Patent number: 9206831
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an object that has two threads of different pitches. The two threads overlap and may have a common starting point. The object may be any type of threaded insert, including those commonly referred to as a type of nut or rivet such as a clinch-nut, a weld-nut and a rivet-nut. Also disclosed is a system having a part and the disclosed insert installed onto it. Embodiments of the invention reduce the likelihood of damage when a screw is miss-matched with a similarly sized but different threaded hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventors: Itzhak Pomerantz, Uriel Pomerantz
  • Connection node and method of use
    Patent number: 9206832
    Abstract: A connection node comprising a base member and plug member. The plug member retracts into, and extends out of, the base member which can be installed in a floor, wall and/or ceiling. When the plug member is retracted, a cap may be used to conceal the base unit and plug member within the floor, wall and/or ceiling. The base member and plug member may be cylindrical whereby the plug member has a threaded exterior surface which mates with a threaded interior cavity of the base member. In such a configuration, the plug member may be removed from or inserted into said base member allowing a connection member (e.g., eye-hook) to be inserted. A series of connection nodes may be installed within the floor, walls and/or ceiling of a subject environment to create a system for connecting articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: APA SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Maddux
  • Retaining pin assembly for a lifting system
    Patent number: 9206829
    Abstract: A retaining pin assembly for a lifting system which includes a hook prong and a hook cam. The retaining pin assembly includes at least one lock arm assembly having a first end with at least one aperture which aligns with an opening through the hook cam and having an opposed second end with at least one aperture which aligns with an opening through the hook prong. A hook cam retaining pin has a head and has a shaft passing through the hook cam opening and the lock arm first end aperture, wherein the shaft has at least one groove therein parallel to the axis of the shaft. A retaining ring surrounds the hook cam shaft, the retaining ring having at least one inwardly extending tab received in the shaft groove in order to retain the pin in the lock arm. A recess in the lock arm receives the retaining ring therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: THE CROSBY GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Roger Ohman, III, Larry Postelwait
  • Lock nut system
    Patent number: 9200673
    Abstract: A lock nut system includes a molded nut having a plurality of teeth and a molded keeper having a plurality of keeper teeth engageable with the plurality of teeth to inhibit movement of the keeper relative to the nut when the plurality of teeth engages the plurality of keeper teeth. The keeper has a radially inner side configured to engage a shaft to inhibit rotational movement of the nut relative to the shaft when the plurality of teeth engages the plurality of keeper teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: John E. Rode