Patents Examined by Roberta Delisle
  • Connector
    Patent number: 8801348
    Abstract: A blind fastener for clamping together two components through which the fastener extends comprises a sleeve having a radially expandable first end, a threaded fastener for extending through the sleeve, an expansion head threadedly mounted on the threaded fastener whereby movement of the expansion head towards the second end of the sleeve expands the first end, a collar for engaging with the second end of the sleeve and having an aperture through which the threaded fastener extends, the threaded fastener having a head formation for rotation of the threaded when the collar is positioned between the head portion and the sleeve, and said second end of the sleeve and the confronting surface of the collar comprising inter-engaging formations which resist relative rotation of the sleeve and collar but permit their axial separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kee Safety Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Jordan, Paul Bowes
  • Push-pin cavity sealer
    Patent number: 8790058
    Abstract: A method for baffling and/or sealing a vehicle structure by providing a unitary structure including a sealing body with an integrated fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Quaderer, Eric N. White
  • Screw having an underhead bearing surface including lubricant pockets
    Patent number: 8784030
    Abstract: A screw (2) has a head (5) including an underhead bearing surface (12). Lubricant pockets (13) are arranged at least in a part of the underhead bearing surface (12). The lubricant pockets (13) serve to contain lubricant and to release the lubricant when tightening a screw joint (1) to prevent galling effects during multiple tightening processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: KAMAX Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Grobecker, Norbert Bietz, Gunther Hartmann
  • Bonding fastener with environmental seals
    Patent number: 8777538
    Abstract: A bonding fastener having two components which electrically bonds metallic surfaces through serrated metal teeth on the underside of the head of the first component and on the inside surface of the second component which embed into each metal surface as a fastener is tightened. In one embodiment, the fastener is a nut and bolt combination, and in another embodiment the fastener is a two-part rivet. A sealing material circumferentially outward from the teeth on both the first component and second component creates an air-tight and water-tight seal around the teeth, protecting the bonding location from air and water infiltration from the outside. The second component also has an internal seal, sealing around the shank of the first component to prevent axial infiltration of air or water along the shank and protecting the bonding locations from corrosion from contaminants entering along that route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Renewable Energy Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Strizki, Jason Snyder, James Strizki
  • Fastening devices for explosion-proof enclosures
    Patent number: 8777535
    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: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Blind fastener
    Patent number: 8777533
    Abstract: A blind fastener including a core bolt having a shank with a head and a threaded portion, and a sleeve having an elongated body with a head, an internal threaded portion, and a tapered notch formed within an exterior surface thereof and defined by a tapered portion having a slope and a frictional enhanced surface. The core bolt is installed within the sleeve such that its threaded portion engages threadedly the internal threaded portion of the sleeve. During installation of the fastener within the plurality of workpieces, a bulb is formed on the elongated body of the sleeve, the bulb defining a portion of a bulbed portion. When a selected axial force is reached, the bulbed portion separates from the elongated body and engages axially the tapered portion of the sleeve, increasing the diameter of the bulb which engages a blind side of one of the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo
  • Mobile electronic device having member rotatable between first and second positions
    Patent number: 8769772
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a mobile electronic device is provided with a linkage mechanism that couples first and second members of the device such that the device may be moved between a first position and a second position. The linkage mechanism includes a linkage intermediate the first and second members, the linkage having a fixed length. The linkage mechanism further includes a motion constraint mechanism that constrains movement of the first member with respect to the second member to a controlled motion. The linkage mechanism described herein may further provide that the top member rotates without increasing the length or width of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford, James William Reeves
  • Composite non-wood flooring threaded fastener
    Patent number: 8770904
    Abstract: A threaded fastener including a shank extending along an axis away from an enlarged head to a tip. A thread extends in a helix around the shank from the tip of the shank towards the enlarged head. A driving recess on a top surface of the enlarged head receives a tool for driving the fastener in a rotational manner around the axis of the shank. Cutter teeth are formed on a lower surface of the enlarged head. The fastener may be assembled with a hard composite non-wood material decking and a supporting metal I-beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Engineered Components Company
    Inventor: Arne Henriksen, Jr.
  • Thread-producing nut, blank for the fabrication of said nut, and bolted joint composed of said nut and a bolt
    Patent number: 8770903
    Abstract: A thread-producing nut for a screwed connection, wherein a core hole which is provided with thread turns is designed for positively locking, frictionally locking and releasable connection to an, in particular, cylindrical bolt or pin, in such a way that the thread turns have completely formed thread turns in certain sections when viewed in the circumferential direction and that free spaces with thread turns which are formed incompletely in terms of their height are provided between the completely formed sections of the thread turns. Furthermore, a blank for manufacturing the nut and a screwed connection composed of such a nut and a bolt are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baier & Michels GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Olaf Ambros
  • Riveting structure and riveting method for combining two workpieces
    Patent number: 8764363
    Abstract: A riveting structure includes a first workpiece defining a first fixing hole, a second workpiece defining a second fixing hole, a first riveting member and a second riveting member. The first riveting member includes a first head portion and a first riveting portion, the first riveting member defines a riveting hole on the first riveting portion, the first riveting portion extends into the second fixing hole and the first fixing hole. The second riveting member includes a second head portion and a second riveting portion. The second riveting portion extends into the riveting hole of the first riveting member in an interference fit, such that the first workpiece and the second workpiece are fixed together, a receiving chamber is formed between the second head portion and the first riveting portion. The present invention further discloses a riveting method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ren-Jun Yang
  • Ratchet nut assembly
    Patent number: 8764361
    Abstract: A ratchet nut assembly includes an inner member, an outer member, and a spring clip. The inner member includes an outwardly extending tooth. The outer member is positioned around a portion of the inner member and includes an inwardly extending pawl. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to rotate the inner member with the outer member in a first direction when a torque applied to the outer member is below a predetermined value and is operable to deflect outwardly to allow rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in the first direction when the torque applied to the outer member is above the predetermined value. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to prevent rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in a second direction. The spring clip is positioned around a portion of the outer member to limit deflection of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Seaman, Joseph Hand, Patrick J. Raymakers
  • Push-on bolt stabilizer
    Patent number: 8764362
    Abstract: The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: HCC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Siegal
  • Screw anchor and method for producing a screw anchor
    Patent number: 8764365
    Abstract: A screw anchor for insertion into concrete is disclosed. The screw anchor has an essentially cylindrical base body on whose outer lateral surface an external thread is provided and which has a receptacle arranged in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis originating from an axial end face. The receptacle has a load-bearing structure originating from the axial end face. A tool receptacle extending essentially in the direction of the cylinder longitudinal axis is provided in the receptacle, wherein the tool receptacle extends further into the receptacle than the load-bearing structure from the end face to the rotary drive of the screw anchor in the cylinder longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marcel Roessner
  • Hinge and method of assembling the same
    Patent number: 8756761
    Abstract: A hinge (100) including a first flange (102) having a first sleeve segment and a portioned sleeve segment is disclosed. The hinge also includes a second flange (104) having a second sleeve segment. The second flange is configured to mate with the first flange such that the first sleeve segment, the second sleeve segment, and the portioned sleeve segment are substantially aligned. A pin (106) is configured to be removably inserted into the first sleeve segment and the second sleeve segment. Also disclosed are a method for assembling a hinge and a container assembly including a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Oriol Agramont Barquet, Jose Maria Mednez Segui, Victor Lazaro Barranco, Miguel Angel Perez Gandara, Charl Du Plessis
  • Self counter-sinking fastener
    Patent number: 8757949
    Abstract: A self-countersinking fastener for engagement with wood or similar composite material, said fastener including a penetrating shaft, and a tool engaging head; wherein said tool engaging head is substantially frusto-conical in overall shape and provided with one or more indent regions into which said material may be pushed as the head is turned; wherein each of said indent regions include: a trench extending substantially vertically through the entirety of said head; and a tailing section extending through the entire height of the head and extending forward in the direction of turning from said trench such that the radius of the head in the corresponding section increases throughout said section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Craig Stanley Harvey
  • Aircraft cabin curtain rail assembly kit, aircraft cabin curtain rail and aircraft with an aircraft cabin having a curtain supported on such an aircraft cabin curtain rail
    Patent number: 8756760
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin curtain rail assembly kit includes a plurality of curtain rail components with linear curtain rail sections and curved curtain rail sections with an angle of curvature in a range of 0-90°. Each curtain rail component has a first end and a second end. On the first end, a recess for receiving a fixation protrusion of another curtain rail component is arranged and, on the second end, a fixation protrusion for inserting into a recess of another curtain rail component is present. The recess and the fixation protrusion include a fastening means for fixating the recess and the fixation protrusion relative to each other. Each curtain rail component includes a holder slit for attaching the respective curtain rail component to an object and a curtain slit for guiding curtain rail guiding means in the curtain rail component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Jovan Ulbrich-Gasparevic, Michael Mosler, Holger Warner
  • Fastener for securing together two panels
    Patent number: 8757952
    Abstract: A fastener comprises an adjustable insert that disposed in a receptacle having a first end facing a grommet and the insert is connected to the receptacle for movement relative to the receptacle. The insert has a central opening and diametrically opposed cam and locking surfaces open to said central opening. A bore in the insert is radially disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert. An engagement member disposed within the bore is moveable therein laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert toward and against the receptacle to fix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle. The engagement member is moveable laterally relative to and toward the central opening of the insert to allow movement of the insert relative to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Ned C. Bowers
  • Finger-safe door
    Patent number: 8752245
    Abstract: A finger-safe door-hinge combination looks and feels like a conventional residential door. Finger protection is achieved through the use of soft, deformable materials on the hinge-side edge in combination with specialized hinges. The deformable materials are shaped to give the appearance of a traditional door yet provide clamping injury protection by yielding to fingers. The specialized hinges provide structural support across the deformable materials in a finger-safe manner such that hinge leaves do not cause clamping injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Niall J. Duffy
  • Hollow element for attachment to a component comprising a composite material
    Patent number: 8753054
    Abstract: A hollow element such as a hollow rivet or a nut element for attachment to a component consisting of a composite material such as a fiber reinforced plastic part or a fabric reinforced plastic part is presented. The element has a flange part and a shaft part extending away from the flange part and/or a rivet section, wherein the rivet section, is present, can also be formed at the free end of the shaft part, with the a hollow element furthermore having a central passage, which is optionally provided with a thread cylinder. The hollow element is used in combination with an auxiliary tip which is either inserted from the flange side of the element through the passage, or from the side of the free end of the shaft part of the rivet section into the passage, such that a conically converging region of the auxiliary tip projects from the free end of the shaft part or of the rivet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Diehl, Richard Humpert, Andreas Lembach, Christian Sowa
  • Screw assembly element
    Patent number: 8747040
    Abstract: A screw assembly element in a first part is provided for use when attaching the first part to a second part using a screw. The assembly element comprises a sleeve arranged in a hole in the first part, the sleeve being cylindrical. At least a portion of the first part extends into the inside of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Niklas Sjoeholm, Anders Petren