Patents Examined by Roberta Delisle
  • Patent number: 9051954
    Abstract: A tacking fastener for securing workpieces together to form a temporary assembly includes a stem and an elongated sleeve. The stem includes a head disposed at a proximal end portion, a tapered portion extending between the proximal end portion and a central portion, a break notch extending around a circumference of the proximal end portion between the head and the tapered portion, and a plurality of ridges and grooves disposed along a distal end portion. The elongated sleeve is disposed around the stem between the head and the plurality of ridges and grooves and configured to form a tacking rivet upon installation of the tacking fastener. The elongated sleeve is plastically deformed during installation to form a plurality of bulbs, thereby being capable of securing workpieces of varying grip length. The stem and the tacking rivet remain within the workpieces after the workpieces are secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Caleb Lemler
  • Patent number: 9051958
    Abstract: A bolt (1) includes a screw (3) and an insert (2) which can be inserted in the opening (19) of a wall (5). The insert (2) includes an insert head (6) and a shaft (7) including a recess (8), the insert head (6) and the recess (8) being configured such as to, after deforming the recess (8), crimp the insert (7) on the wall (5). The screw (3) includes a break ring (14) designed for engaging with the insert head (6), directly or indirectly, with a view to deforming the recess (8) by rotating the screw and thus to obtain the crimping, and designed such that, once crimping is complete, the ring breaks and releases the screw (3) from the insert head (6), thus making it possible to clamp an accessory (4) to the wall (5). The invention also includes an assembly method using a bolt (1) according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: G FORCE
    Inventors: Alex Grojean, Maxime Grojean, Eric Massebeuf
  • Patent number: 9044114
    Abstract: A product that can be used to repair curtain hangers and/or extend them and includes a bipedal attachment that affixes to a standard curtain hanger. In order to repair a broken or damaged hanger, simply slide the hanger parallel to the curtain slide and snap into position. Afterwards rotate the handle ninety degrees and the task is finished. The invention further contemplates a method for removing and replacing curtain hangers in an expeditious and safe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald L. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9038238
    Abstract: A bushing is for supporting a movable cylindrical body within a housing, the housing having a central axis, an inner circumferential surface and an annular groove formed in the surface. The bushing includes a plurality of generally arcuate tube segments disposable within the groove and alignable circumferentially about the housing axis so as to form a generally tubular body configured to slidably support the cylindrical body. Preferably, each tube segment is formed of a generally rigid metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Scott Michael Barth, David Afton Nelson
  • Patent number: 9033632
    Abstract: Panel fasteners, panel assemblies, methods of assembly and installation of panel assemblies and panel fasteners, anchor systems, anchor systems with captive fasteners and assemblies are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: THE MONADNOCK COMPANY
    Inventors: Igor Komsitsky, Javier Torres, Steve Misias, Florent Verdier
  • Patent number: 9033633
    Abstract: Decorative toilet bolt caps having and elongated tube positioned above an aperture are disclosed. The cap may be formed of a single unit of material. By virtue of having an elongated tube positioned above an aperture, the cap may cover a closet bolt having an unreduced length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: John A. Henry
  • Patent number: 9033636
    Abstract: A balanced snap ring and method of making a balanced snap ring is disclosed. The snap ring has a circular shape wherein the circular shape has a circumference. The snap ring has a body section and a protrusion extending axially from the body section. The protrusion is formed partially around the circumference. Additionally, a transmission with a balanced snap ring is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Boris Burgman, Jonathan Tyler Caulton
  • Patent number: 9033637
    Abstract: A threaded connector for securing a panel member to a structure and for adjusting the position of the panel member relative to the structure. The connector comprises an elongate one-piece stud, a first spacer, a threaded nut, a second spacer and a turning formation. The connector permits the panel member to be mounted on the stud and the stud to be rotated to adjust the position of the panel member relative to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Milan Mitrovic
  • Patent number: 9027206
    Abstract: A pole handle comprising a wrist strap formed of a strap connected to an insert, a body oriented along a longitudinal axis, the body comprising an insert housing adapted to receive the insert, the insert housing being arranged in the upper portion of the body, such that the insert can be inserted into the housing along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and a latching mechanism for retaining the insert in the insert housing, the unlatching of the latching mechanism being capable of being actuated directly by a displacement of the insert along the direction opposite that of insertion of the insert. The latching mechanism comprises a latch movable in relation to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventor: Alexis Guyoton
  • Patent number: 9028184
    Abstract: A protrusion anchor assembly is provided that utilizes a plurality of extendable pins to secure the anchor body within a bore in any hard material, such as concrete. The anchor body is rotated within the bore while the pins are simultaneously and gradually extended, carving out a groove or grooves within which the pins can sit. After installation, the device is secured within the bore by tightening a jamb nut against the surface of the concrete wall and in some embodiments placing a security plug within the anchor body to ensure that the pins are held in place. The pins prevent the anchor from being withdrawn because they act as protuberances that catch against the edges of the groove and cannot be drawn past that point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Dennis Bone
  • Patent number: 9028187
    Abstract: A system and method for positioning a tool. The system includes a base member configured to contact a first decking member and a second decking member; at least one base guide including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end coupled to the base member, the at least one base guide configured to position the base member relative to the first decking member and the second decking member; and an adjustable section coupled to the base member, the adjustable section configured to allow adjustment of at least one of a position and an angle of the tool relative to the base member. The system further includes a fastener configured to secure the first and/or second decking members to a joist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Glenn J. Tebo
  • Patent number: 9028188
    Abstract: An improved retention pin assembly and method of forming a pin assembly that uses a melt in a pocket without a metallurgical joint having been formed. The assembly can be generated by a method of forming a joint which includes providing a metal shaft and a member that is operable to receive the shaft. A pocket is formed within the member which operates to receive a melt pool. Next the shaft is inserted into apertures in the member. A welding or melting operation is then performed to create a melted portion that occupies the pocket. A joint is created using a retention pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Muskat
  • Patent number: 9022712
    Abstract: A fastener for attaching objects to channeled members wherein the objects have a hole extending therethrough and the channeled members have a longitudinal slot formed between projecting longitudinal walls. The fastener includes a button and a retainer. The button includes an abutment wall, an abutment surface and an axially extending slot. The retainer includes an engagement boss and a head at opposite ends of shaft. The retainer extends through the button slot. For attaching the object, the button extends through the object hole with the abutment wall adjacent the object and the abutment surface adjacent the channeled member. The retainer boss and part of the shaft extend through the longitudinal slot. The retainer is rotated for engaging the longitudinal walls with the boss. The longitudinal walls are sandwiched between the boss and the button abutment surface and the object is sandwiched between the channeled member and the button abutment wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: James W. Klopfenstein, II
  • Patent number: 9021663
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus that rests on a forearm of a user and supports a cargo handle is described. A longitudinal axis of the forearm extends in a first direction and the cargo handle extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The apparatus includes a base member that is positionable between the cargo handle and forearm. Additionally, an upper surface is defined by the base member where the upper surface includes a handle reception recess. Further, a lower surface is defined by the base member where the lower surface is curved about an axis that is substantially parallel to the first direction when engaged with the forearm of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Kirk Maudsley
  • Patent number: 9016991
    Abstract: A generator stator core through-bolt tensioning device that automatically tightens the nut on the through-bolts that hold together and compress laminate plates of the stator core in a high voltage generator. A controller receives a signal from a measuring device, such as a fiber Bragg grating that measures the strain on the bolt, and based on that signal determines whether the nut needs to be tightened. If the controller determines that tightening is necessary, it will cause the tensioning device to automatically tighten the nut while the generator is in service, and use the measuring device to provide feedback of the tensioning of the through-bolt to know when to stop the device from tightening the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Twerdochlib, Edward David Thompson, Evangelos V. Diatzikis
  • Patent number: 9016992
    Abstract: Bushing assemblies include a first tubular end portion, a second tubular end portion, and a middle tubular portion. The middle tubular portion has a longitudinal compressive strength that is less than that of the end portions. In some embodiments, the middle tubular portion is constructed of braided sleeving. Also disclosed are bushing assembly kits, apparatuses that include bushing assemblies, such as aircraft, and associated methods of utilizing bushing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Santiago Alvarado, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9016995
    Abstract: A fastener includes a cylindrical shaft, a screw head located at an uppermost portion of the cylindrical shaft and comprising a tool indentation therein, a threaded portion on the cylindrical shaft comprising a plurality of external threads, and a countersinking portion located between the threaded portion and the screw head and comprising a cutting section. The countersink portion is tapered from a first diameter equal to a diameter of the threaded portion to a second diameter that is equal to or larger than a diameter or a maximum width of the screw head. The countersinking portion is configured to form a countersink hole in a receiving material as the fastener is rotated and forced into the receiving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald John Janowicz, Sr., Karin Erika Mason
  • Patent number: 9016997
    Abstract: Safety apparatuses for objects having at least one nut are disclosed. Contemplated apparatuses comprise a base, one or more nut caps, and one or more electronic sensors configured to acquire data related to a corresponding nut, wheel or tire. In some embodiments, a physical nut rotation indicator that can readily be observed by an operator is included, and a retention wall disposed on the base can operate in conjunction with the physical nut rotation indicator to block a rotation of a nut. Apparatuses are preferably configured to remain stable in harsher environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Safety Trim Worldwide Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nicholas Dooner
  • Patent number: 9011062
    Abstract: An assembly comprising at least two non-metal components which are fixed to each other using at least one fixing system. The fixing system includes a fixing device with a fixing element which is provided with a head and a rod, and a crimping ring which is in contact with one of the components. A protection device is a part of the fixing system which delimits a cavity for confining gas around a portion of the device comprising the crimping ring. In order to improve the repeatability of the operation for positioning the protection device, a guiding device is provided which includes an assembly element on the portion of the fixing device, and an element for guiding the protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Airbus Operations SAS, Airbus Operations Ltd.
    Inventors: Clement Chirol, Philip Cresswell, Florian Dapot
  • Patent number: 9009916
    Abstract: A door arrangement includes a first part, in particular a door leaf, a second part, in particular a door frame, on which the first part is pivotably articulated about a pivot axis, a closing hinge, which connects the first part and the second part, for a closing movement of the first part relative to the second part and a damping hinge connecting the first part and the second part, to damp the closing movement. The door arrangement can be displaced between a closed position, in particular in which the first part rests in a closing manner on the second part, and an opened position, in which the first part is pivoted at a pivoting angle that differs from zero about the pivot axis in relation to the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Suspa GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Nagl, Florian Stephan, Helga Müller