Patents Examined by Rowland D Do
  • Patent number: 8567018
    Abstract: A linkable loop rope system that includes at least two loop rope assemblies fastened together by a coupling mechanism operable to releaseably couple the rope assemblies for use in securing large and/or irregular shaped objects on a transport vehicle or a tarp or cover on such objects during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffery Dahl, Daniel Paul Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8555469
    Abstract: A clip may include an anchor portion having a plurality of flexible strips and at least one support strip. Each of the flexible strips is integrally connected to the at least one support strip only via a connecting portion corresponding to a distal end portion of the anchor portion and a connecting portion corresponding to a proximal end portion of the anchor portion. When the anchor portion is pushed into an insertion hole formed in a subject member, the anchor portion is inserted into the insertion hole while each of the flexible strips are flexed toward a longitudinal axis of the anchor portion. Each of the flexible strips is formed such that the difference between a second moment of area of the anchor distal end side connecting portion and a second moment of area of the anchor proximal end side connecting portion is 0-15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Iwahara, Kazuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 8533917
    Abstract: A rope crossing secures rope lines on each other as well as rope play equipment which has at least one rope crossing. The rope crossing includes at least two crossing rope lines and a ring, wherein the ring has an inner opening with twice the number of essentially radially extending receiving regions in relation to the number of rope lines to be secured. A corresponding line segment of a rope line forming a bulge is received in two corresponding receiving regions that face one another, so that the bulges of crossing rope lines are arranged on respective opposite sides of the ring. The ratio of the unobstructed width LW of a receiving region to the diameter of the rope line D, which forms the bulge in this receiving region, is LW/D=0.8 to 0.98.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Berlinder Seifabrik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Karl Heinz Köhler
  • Patent number: 8533919
    Abstract: A holding element for fastening in a hole of a carrier part has a central shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a supporting part fastened to the far end of the shaft and projecting laterally, and at least one arm, a fastening end of which is fastened movable to the shaft. The arm extends transverse to the longitudinal axis and for some distance from the shaft and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis is supportable on the supporting part and in the opposite direction is supportable on a guide part fastened to the front end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Lothar Schliessner
  • Patent number: 8522404
    Abstract: A button assembly including a button head operable to rotate in three-dimensional space. The button assembly having a mounting portion and an elongated shaft attached to a base is provided. The button assembly includes a bearing member disposed on one end of the shaft. The bearing member is configured to fittingly engage the mounting portion of the button head so as to pivotably attach the button head to the shaft. The base may be inserted into an article of clothing in alignment with a corresponding buttonhole. Accordingly the user is able to rotate and pivot the button head about the bearing member of the shaft so as to facilitate the insertion of the button head into the buttonhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Danny Matei
  • Patent number: 8505173
    Abstract: A socket device (10) for securing an end of a load bearing member (22) includes first socket members (26a and 26b) and second socket members (28a and 28b) that are distinct, separate pieces of material. The second socket members (28a and 28b) are spaced apart from each other at a desired angle and rigidly secured on one side to one of the first socket members (26a) and on another side to the other first socket member (26b) to form the socket (24). A disclosed example includes cooperating tabs (38) and recesses or openings (34) for securing the socket members together in a rigidly fixed alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: John T. Pitts, Boris G. Traktovenko, Kotur Srinivasan Raghavan, Vijal Mohan Veeramalla, Laxmipathi Chilaveni, Kandi Puroshotham Pavan Kumar, Shailendra Singh, Saravana Kumar Kandasami
  • Patent number: 8499421
    Abstract: A restraining device for restricting mobility an individual is provided. The restraining device includes an elongated strap having first and second ends. An attaching member, having first and second portions, is secured to the elongated strap, where the first portion is attached to the first end and the second portion is slidably attached to the second end creating a retaining loop for tightly wrapping around an individual's legs. The second end of the elongated strap is extended out a car door leaving the second end hanging outside the car. A retaining strap, defining a series of loops, is attached to a side of the second end of the elongated strap between the second portion of the attaching member and a ring which is attached to the second end of the elongated strap. A fastening member is attached to the ring and is used to adjust the length of the second end hanging outside the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Edward Espinosa
  • Patent number: 8490255
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing an article to an external object includes at least one cuff member. The at least one cuff member may be adapted to receive a portion of the article. Further, the at least one cuff member may include a strap member extending from an outer surface thereof. The strap member is adapted to be adjustably wrapped and secured around the at least one cuff member and a portion of the external object for securing the article to the external object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventors: Theresa L. Alhanati, Joe E. Alhanati
  • Patent number: 8474105
    Abstract: A detachable synthetic rope connector with connector body, bale, main load pin sub assembly, and a restraining load sub assembly that permits the use of large diameter synthetic and other mooring components such as cable and chain on offshore work vessels without specialized deck equipment. The inventive connector allows for safe and redundant restraint of a mooring segment in order to provide transfer of the tension load while providing connection features that simplify separation and the reduction of safety risks to vessel working personnel and the environment, and the features allow for the connector to be separated easily while the portion holding the rope is restrained while the bale can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew Naquin, Richard D. Halin, Richard E. Hall, Peter L. Kazunas
  • Patent number: 8474107
    Abstract: An attachment arrangement is provided. The attachment arrangement includes a mounting structure having an opening, an attachment element to be inserted into the opening for attaching a part to the mounting structure, and a locking element of the attachment element for locking the attachment element to the mounting structure. The locking element is inserted as a part of the attachment element along an insertion direction into the opening in the mounting structure up to an end position and engages behind the opening in the end position such that it prevents removal of the attachment element from the opening and thus locks the attachment element to the mounting structure. The locking element has at least a first section and a second section that rest against the edge of the opening in succession when the attachment element is inserted through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Peter Baumgartner, Bernd Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8468660
    Abstract: A rotary buckle assembly for a harness. The assembly is adapted to selectively secure or eject the tongue plates for the straps of the harness. Although the invention finds particular application for use with a five point harness, it can be adapted for use with other harness arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Holler
  • Patent number: 8464402
    Abstract: A clamping lock for a tensioning means with a housing comprising two cheek parts arranged at a distance from each other, a stop web extending between the cheek parts and a pivot spindle likewise extending between the cheek parts and a comb element pivotably mounted on the pivot spindle of the housing. The clamping lock can be manufactured in a simple manner and at the same time has a compact, easily manageable design because there is a reinforcing insert at least in the region of the cheek parts of the stop web and of the pivot spindle of the housing, said reinforcing insert being surrounded by a plastics material casing and comprises a material which is firmer than the plastics material casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Spanset Inter AG
    Inventor: André Mamié
  • Patent number: 8453301
    Abstract: A zipper pull tab retention device includes a pull tab cover and a fastening means. The pull tab cover comprises a durable friction fit cover which slides over an existing zipper pull tab. The fastening means includes a metal pin which is integrally attached to the pull tab cover. The pin is located on a surface of the pull tab cover which faces a user's chest. The pin engages the teeth of a zipper, thus allowing a user to press the pull tab cover against the zipper and prevent movement of a zipper pull tab until the pull tab cover is pulled away from the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Patty McCoy
  • Patent number: 8448303
    Abstract: A belt adjustment mechanism incorporated into a belt that allows an individual to adjust the overall length of the belt, which includes a primary component and an adjustable component that slides within the primary component. Both the primary component and the adjustable component have a pair of tracks and number of holes A hook on each side of the belt adjustment mechanism is placed through tracks of both components and a hole on each of the components to temporarily place the adjustable component into a fixed position in relation to the primary component. A belt is attached to both the primary component and the adjustable component, allowing the actual waist size of the belt to be varied slightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Henry Wall
  • Patent number: 8448305
    Abstract: A molded area fastener product, such as a self-engaging fastener, has a strip-form base of resin with a broad surface from which an array of discrete fastener elements extends. The fastener elements each include a molded stem extending from the broad surface of the base to a curved head that extends toward a front side of the fastener element, forms a crook and ends in a distal tip. In some examples the curved head protrudes beyond the stem on the back side of the fastener element to form an overhang defined by an overhang surface of the head directed toward the base, and the crook is defined in part by an underside head surface that overhangs a lower portion of the stem. In some examples the fastener elements are arranged to provide a high distension overlap when mated with an identical fastener product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Valero Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Gallant, Mark A. Clarner, Clinton Dowd
  • Patent number: 8438706
    Abstract: A vacuum press fit zipper assembly designed for watersports apparel and gear and other water related applications. Overmolding construction forms an effective seal around the entire perimeter of the fastener assembly, and a vacuum fit is created between the two mating portions of the zipper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Subzipper, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Harrison Brightman
  • Patent number: 8424171
    Abstract: A length of flanged zipper material for reclosable packages or bags is provided with inverted T-shape endstops wherein the zipper profiles are crushed and the flanges are fused together. The reclosable packages or bags are separated at the mid-point of the inverted T-shaped endstops thereby forming L-shaped and reversed L-shaped endstops. The zipper flanges are fused together in the lower cross elements of the endstop thereby providing an area for the slider to be placed wherein the forces from distension of the package or bag walls are unlikely to exert forces to separate the slider from the zipper. This is particularly applicable to slider zippers wherein the flanges are attached to or substantially co-planar with the exterior sidewalls of the interlocking elements of the zipper profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny E. McCracken, David C. Wallace, Eric P. Plourde
  • Patent number: 8407862
    Abstract: A bi-directional releasable connector includes a connecting link defining a main tension leg and a pair of looped ends, the connecting link engaging a pair of spring-biased plungers axially movable independently of one another inside an outer housing. Axially outward movement of the plungers under the bias of the spring is limited by stops in the housing engaged by the plungers. Either end may be selectively opened and, in the static position with both ends closed, oppositely directed axial loads on the ends of the connector link are borne by the tension leg which is preferably made of steel or other high tensile strength material. Axial loads on the connector impose no loads or forces on the remaining components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Worth Company
    Inventor: Conrad Bluma
  • Patent number: 8402617
    Abstract: A sand-removing seat belt buckle has a housing and a latching assembly. The housing has a chamber, a first opening and a second opening formed through two ends of the housing, at least one sand cavity formed through a bottom of the housing and being adjacent to the second opening, and at least one support bump formed on an inner bottom of the housing. The latching assembly serves to latch and unlatch an insertion member, and is securely mounted in the housing and on top of the at least one support bump, so that a space is formed between the insertion member and the inner bottom of the housing and communicates with the first opening, the second opening and the sand cavity. Sand, mud and crushed pebbles entering from the first opening can be removed from the sand cavity and the second opening through the space without being deposited inside the seat belt buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Liang-Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 8397356
    Abstract: A clamp with a bottom clamp bar that has a planar upper surface is provided. The clamp may also include a top clamp bar connected to the bottom clamp bar, and a pressure distribution bar between the top clamp bar and the bottom clamp bar. The pressure distribution bar may have a planar lower surface in facing relation to the upper surface of the bottom clamp bar. An object is capable of being disposed in a clamping region between the upper surface and the lower surface. The width of the planar lower surface may be less than the width of the upper surface within the clamping region. Also, the pressure distribution bar may be capable of being urged away from the top clamp bar and towards the bottom clamp bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Donald J. Pak, Samantha A. Hawkins, John E. Young