Patents Examined by Roberta S Delisle
  • Patent number: 10928072
    Abstract: An appliance hinge includes a control link subassembly operably connected between a base and a door mounting arm. The control link subassembly includes a control link with a first end pivotally connected to the door mounting arm and a second end spaced from the first end. The control link subassembly also includes a spring-arm including an outer end pivotally connected to the second end of the control link and an inner end engaged with the base and adapted for both pivoting and sliding movement relative to the base. The control link subassembly also includes a spring engaged with the spring-arm and exerting a biasing force on the spring-arm that urges said spring-arm toward its extended position. The spring-arm selectively moveable toward a retracted position. The hinge assembly further includes a link controller connected to the base. The spring biases the control link into abutment with the link controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas R. SirLouis
  • Patent number: 10920818
    Abstract: A cap system for enclosing a metallic fastener assembly extending through a structure includes a first securement mechanism positioned about a periphery of a washer of the metallic fastener assembly wherein the first securement mechanism includes threads. The cap system further includes a cap member including a sidewall having an inner surface which defines a cavity dimensioned to receive the washer and defines a second securement mechanism complementary configured to engage the first securement mechanism positioned about the periphery of the washer. An end of the sidewall of the cap member defines an opening which provides the washer to have access into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel J. Cowan, Bart Stevens, Sean Auffinger, Brandon Mulligan, Carl A. Weeks
  • Patent number: 10907680
    Abstract: A through bolted connection hardware includes a bolt having an at least partially threaded shaft and a head. At least one nut connector defines a shaft hole and a head hole that is coaxial with the shaft hole, and the shaft hole is sized to receive the shaft of the bolt and not to allow the head to fit through the shaft hole. An outer surface of the at least one nut connector has a hexagonal shape. A tube defines an axially extending threaded bore that is configured to matingly receive the shaft at a first end of the threaded bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 10894570
    Abstract: A pin retention device comprises a fastener defining a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end along the longitudinal axis, a head at the first end and a threaded portion at the second end, a tubular spacer defining a thru-hole configured to receive the fastener, and a nut defining a threaded hold configured to mate with the threaded portion of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jose Gerardo De La Torre
  • Patent number: 10883530
    Abstract: In a fastening structure for fastening a member to be fastened to a target member by use of a fastening bolt and a nut, the target member has a nut pocket that communicates with a second fastening hole, at least one of a distal end of a male screw part of the fastening bolt and a proximal end of a female screw part is formed with a tapered surface that guides the nut to a coaxial position with the fastening bolt, the nut pocket is formed with abutting surfaces that is gradient surfaces which abut a part of the nut, and the nut is formed with surfaces to be abutted that abut on the abutting surfaces, and are gradient surfaces substantially parallel to the abutting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taisuke Satoi
  • Patent number: 10876556
    Abstract: A double ended dual attached fastener includes a first portion having a stud bolt, a second portion configured to anchor to a panel member, and a flange nut partitioning the first end and the second end. The flange nut includes a flat interior annular surface facing the second portion. The flange nut includes a plurality of radially spaced weld projections extending toward the second portion. The weld projection includes a material that amendable to form a weld joining the flange nut to a panel member through which the second portion is inserted. The second portion defines a fastener selected from a group consisting of a self-tapping friction screw, a self-piercing rivet, and a swage bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven Cipriano, Bradley J. Blaski, Richard C. Janis, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 10876569
    Abstract: An improved locking nut and sealing washer for use with a threaded bolt. The locking nut has a flange. The sealing washer is attached to an elastomer and has retaining means provided therein. When the locking nut is seated on the sealing washer, a removable retaining insert may be manipulated to be received within the retaining means. Thereafter, when force is applied to the locking nut to move the locking nut in a first direction along the threaded bolt, the flange pushes against the sealing washer to push the sealing washer in the same direction and, when force is applied to the locking nut in an opposing direction along the threaded bolt, the flange pushes against the retaining insert to push the sealing washer in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Kenneth Maxwell Archer
  • Patent number: 10876568
    Abstract: A fastener assembly is provided. The fastener assembly includes an insert having a radial circumference. An annulus extends from the insert and defines an annular end distal from the insert. The annulus further defines a radial cutout section along a length thereof for providing a flex point. The annulus is configured for being radially compressed by a blind hole of a working surface upon tightening of a nut. A nut is positioned adjacent the insert on an end distal the annulus, and a threaded bolt extends from the nut and through the annulus, wherein the bolt is configured to be accepted by the blind hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Duraforce Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Pierre A. Dionne
  • Patent number: 10865825
    Abstract: A multi sectioned nut is operable to attach to a threaded fastener. The multi sectioned nut includes a plurality of multi sectioned threaded nut sections and a turn-lock formed on at least one end of the plurality of threaded nut sections. A cage is detachably coupled to the plurality of nut sections operable to spring open on a side opposite the cage to allow the threaded fastener to pass through. The turn-lock is inserted into a strut slot and rotated to removably attach to the strut slot. According to one embodiment, the multi sectioned nut may include at least two sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: MAG DADDY LLC
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Patent number: 10859854
    Abstract: A screw part has a shank with a threaded portion having at least one external thread turn, and a sleeve that surrounds the shank in a circumferential direction around more than three-fourths of the circumference. The sleeve extends along a sleeve portion in a longitudinal direction of the shank. The sleeve has at least one radial elevation structure on an outer circumferential face. The at least one radial elevation structure has at least one structural element that has an elastic design in the radial direction. The at least one radial elevation structure has an extent, on the outer circumferential face of the sleeve along the longitudinal direction, that is greater than a width of the at least one structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: OBE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Bertsch
  • Patent number: 10858117
    Abstract: A lightning protective seal cap comprising a seal cap that defines an interior, and a quantity of an uncured sealant that is curable by the application of actinic radiation so as to bind the seal cap to a fastener. The interior of the seal cap contains the quantity of uncured sealant, the seal cap is positionable over the fastener such that at least a portion of the fastener resides in the interior of the seal cap, and when the seal cap is in position over the fastener, the sealant containing seal cap prevents electrical arcing to the fastener from a lightning strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Zook, Larry S. Hebert, Michael D. Swan, Sheng Ye, Susan E. DeMoss, Robin E. Wright
  • Patent number: 10851824
    Abstract: A thread element mode of plastic, a connection assembly consisting of a support part made of plastic into which the thread element made of plastic has been screwed by creating a counter-thread, a method for manufacturing the connection as well as a method for manufacturing the thread element. The thread element is characterized by an axial piece on which the circumferential windings of a thread turn are interrupted by at least two chip flutes. The resulting winding areas form a cutting web and an inhibition web, whereby the cutting web extends radially beyond the inhibition web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Vorderwisch
  • Patent number: 10843642
    Abstract: A hardware hider cap assembly is provided for covering a fastener, and more specifically, covering a fastener head. The hider cap assembly can include a base member with an opening for receiving the fastener and a cap member releasably coupled to the base member via a threaded engagement. The cap member can include a tab or protrusion configured to engage with a notch in the base member, thereby preventing overtightening of the cap member onto the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Camisasca Automotive Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry P. Camisasca, Colin Camisasca
  • Patent number: 10837483
    Abstract: A self-locking plug assembly includes ratchet ring circumscribing body having centerline and shank having a threaded top portion. Flexible fingers spiral away from periphery of ratchet ring to engage polygonal sides of polygonal sided ring attached to body. Hooks may extend radially outwardly and downwardly from periphery of ratchet ring. Spring around polygonal portion of body rests on ratchet ring. Annular retaining ring snapped into annular groove in body compresses spring. Hooks may engage notches in the upper wall. Alternatively, hooks may include paws extending inwardly from downwardly extending legs of hooks and into the pockets and engaging upper pocket walls to axially secure the ratchet ring. Body may be borescope plug with a lower end of shank conforming to lower port opening in upper wall. Alternatively, flexible fingers extend outwardly from radially outer rim of ratchet ring and engage polygonal sides of inner side of polygonal sided ring circumscribing ratchet ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Marek Chilinski
  • Patent number: 10837484
    Abstract: A bolt includes a head portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion includes an ordinary screw portion that meshes with a nut, and a guide screw portion that is provided on a distal end side of the ordinary screw portion and has a screw thread having a diameter smaller than that of a screw thread of the ordinary screw portion. A protective portion having a diameter larger than a minor diameter of the ordinary screw portion is formed continuously from the guide screw portion at a distal end of the guide screw portion. A pressure flank surface is formed at a distal end of the screw thread of the guide screw portion, but a clearance flank surface is not formed thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: IWATA BOLT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masanao Kageyama
  • Patent number: 10830272
    Abstract: A clamp-action ratchet fastening nut assembly comprising, a body having a proximal end and a distal end, a hollow cap connected to the body, an annular collar within the cap and defining an interior camming surface, a plurality of threaded axial nut sections disposed in the hollow cap in engagement with the annular collar, and configured for movement between a radially closed position in which the plurality of threaded axial nut sections form an axial bore having a continuous internal thread, and a radially open position, and a spring positioned in the hollow cap and configured to bias the plurality of threaded axial nut sections proximally against the interior camming surface of the annular collar, whereby the plurality of threaded axial nut sections is urged from the radially open position to the radially closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Hampton Products International Corporation
    Inventors: Jason L. Quinn, Lucas J. Stanton
  • Patent number: 10823219
    Abstract: A thread-forming screw has a shank which, in a front region of the shank, has a tip for insertion into a bore in a substrate, and in a rear region of the shank, has a drive for transmitting a torque to the shank. The shank has a spiral-shaped groove and a thread spiral which is inserted into the spiral-shaped groove. The spiral-shaped groove has a front flank and a rear flank disposed opposite the front flank. The front flank, at least regionally, has a different part flank angle than the rear flank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph Hakenholt, Bernhard Winkler, Roland Schneider, Robert Spring, Huu Toan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10823216
    Abstract: An expansion anchor includes a bolt as a first element and an expansion part as a second element. One of the two elements has a first rib running longitudinally along the bolt and the other of the two elements has a first groove running longitudinally along the bolt, where the first rib engages in the first groove. The one of the two elements has a second rib running longitudinally along the bolt and the other of the two elements has a second groove running longitudinally along the bolt, where the second rib engages in the second groove. A first catch of a snap connection is formed between the first rib and the first groove and a second catch of the snap connection is formed between the second rib and the second groove, where the first catch and the second catch hold the expansion part radially to the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hideki Shimahara, Christian Wachter
  • Patent number: 10823221
    Abstract: A bonding washer for making electrical connection between two metal pieces that are to be mechanically fastened together. The washer, to be interposed between the two metal pieces, may be constructed so as to fasten to one of the pieces before the two pieces are joined. Teeth on the washer, positioned at right angles to the plane of the washer, are forced into each of the two metal pieces when the fastener is tightened, making electrical connection between the two metal pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Wiley, Palvin Chee Leong Chan
  • Patent number: 10823211
    Abstract: A floating fastener includes a socket fastened to a first board member, a locking device axially slidably mounted in the socket and adapted for locking the socket and the first board member to a second board member, and an insulative barrel including a flexible barrel body attached onto the socket, a cap for capping on the barrel body to shield the locking device in the socket and to protect the socket and the locking device against corrosion and a flexible connecting strip connected between the barrel body and the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hanwit Precision Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-De Wu, Chih-Yuan Chen