Patents Examined by Victor N. Sakran
  • Patent number: 6094787
    Abstract: A fastening device for repeatedly loosenably fastening a lace without detachment, including a panel body and at least one engaging block. Two ends of the panel body are formed with cut sections each having a locating shaft. The locating shaft is formed with a concave. The central portion of the panel body is formed with multiple lace holes through which the lace is passed. The engaging block is formed with a central recess in which the locating shaft is fitted to define a lace access gap. The wall of the recess of the engaging block is formed with stopper projections. A resilient tongue plate is formed on outer edge of the recess. When the engaging block is forcedly outward turned by a lace passing through the gap, the tongue plate and the stopper projections provide resilient restoring pressure due to the change of distance between the centers of the locating shaft and the recess. The restoring pressure acts as a clasping force for clamping and tightening the lace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Chun-Hsiung Chang
  • Patent number: 6092266
    Abstract: A double-layer water-proof zipper in which the slide has an additional second interlocking unit moved with the slide to close a water-proof layer so as not to let rain pass through the interlocked teeth of the zipper tape unit of the zipper. The water-proof layer includes two water-proof tapes, the water-proof tapes each having two longitudinally extended parallel grooves and two longitudinally extended protruding portions respectively raised along said parallel grooves at one side for interlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Xiang Good Inc. Corp. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Leif Lee
  • Patent number: 6092265
    Abstract: A buckle, for example a seat belt buckle, is disclosed for guiding two belt runs. The buckle 40 comprises a first passage for a first belt and a second passage for a second belt, the two passages meeting at a meeting region. The second passage has its width from side to side greater than its thickness from top to bottom and is provided with an opening 41 through which the second belt may be easily inserted into or removed from the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Peter Sesay
  • Patent number: 6088887
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bag having complementary closure strips (30, 40) actuated by cursor (50), the bag being characterized by the fact that it comprises means (60) adapted to ensure sealing between the inside walls of the bag when the bag is in its closed position, said means being in the zone of the bag underlying the strips (30, 40) at their end that receives the cursor (50) in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Flexico-France
    Inventor: Henri Georges Bois
  • Patent number: 6088885
    Abstract: The device is a strap retainer having a generally arcuate retainer body 10 and a generally straight, cylindrical post 11. One end of retainer body 10 is integrally connected to one end of post 11. Two catch arms 12a&b are located on the free end of retainer body 10, and a post catch element 13 is located on the free end of post 11. Catch arms 12a&b and post catch element 13 correspond with one another, and adapt the free ends of retainer body 10 and post 11 for closure. To install the retainer, a strap loop is first placed over post 11. The object that will serve to anchor the strap, such as a post or a portion of a shopping cart frame, is passed between the open ends of retainer body 10 and post 11. The open end of post 11 is then urged toward the open end of retainer body 10 until post catch element 13 contacts catch arms 12a&b. Post catch element 13 urges catch arms 12a&b outward, and then post catch element 13 passes between and is retained by catch arms 12a&b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: John Alexander Galbreath
  • Patent number: 6088883
    Abstract: This invention relates to a clip with which sheets can be fastened without being pricked. A plurality of long-and-narrow rectangular plate-like clips to be used in a clipping apparatus are arranged to be spaced away from the neighboring clips in parallel. The plurality of plate-like clips are connected by connecting members, and the connected unit of the clips is wound into a roll so that the connecting members are positioned outside the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Yoshie, Toshiya Ishida, Takuya Satou
  • Patent number: 6079084
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal and replacement of a wiper blade assembly in a toner cartridge wherein a first end of the wiper blade includes a projection or "tab" that is captured in a slot formed in the sidewall of the toner cartridge housing. The slot in the sidewall has a forward edge, a rear edge, an upper region, and a lower region. The method includes forming a first cut through the cartridge sidewall from a forward edge of the sidewall to the upper region of the slot. A second cut is made through the sidewall from the forward edge to the lower region of the slot. A waste section of the sidewall defined by the first and second cuts, the sidewall forward edge, and the slot is removed and discarded. The first end of the wiper blade assembly is moved forward, away from slot rear edge, and is pulled upwardly and out of the waste toner hopper region of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Nu-kote International, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond L. Gwynn
  • Patent number: 6076235
    Abstract: A ball/roller-lock cable tie for holding an article or group of articles together in a bundle including a elongate strap body capable of being deformed to encompass the article or group of articles; a locking head disposed adjacent one end of the strap body for receiving a second end of the strap body; and a ball or cylindrical pin, positioned within the locking head, for lockingly engaging the second end of the strap body. The tie further includes a strap body extension attached to and extending from the locking head such that the extension is sandwiched between the article or articles being bundled and the second end of the strap body upon insertion into the locking head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc
    Inventor: Wasim Khokhar
  • Patent number: 6076234
    Abstract: A cable tie includes an elongate generally planar strap and a head. The head includes a tapering entrance into a passageway therethrough for inserting the strap and a flexibly hinged locking pawl adjacent the passageway. The head also includes a fixed locking tooth adjacent the entry end of the passageway for engaging the strap after full securing an article or articles to be bundled. The fixed locking tooth of the present invention is desirably positioned to allow unobstructed insertion of the tail through the head. The present invention is able to minimize the stretching of the strap body when adjacent to the locking pawl by providing an edge which frictionally engages the strap body as the strap body egresses from the passageway of the head. Furthermore, the present invention may include a pair of counter-rotatable locking elements positioned to one side of the passageway through the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Wasim Khokhar, Mark A. Bailey, Peter M. Wells, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6076239
    Abstract: A belt lock for a safety belt has a frame (10), a latching element (14) for the latching of the belt tongue (18) and a securing element (16), which secures the latching element (14) in the latched state. Furthermore, a detector device (24, 26, 28) is provided at the belt lock which detects the position of the securing element (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Takata (Europe) Vehicle Safety Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Kopetzky, Frank Pietschmann, Thomas Steidle, Matthias Pleyer
  • Patent number: 6073319
    Abstract: A connector, primarily for lacing up footwear, having a finger grip which houses opposite ends of a closed loop of elastic disposed on opposite sides of a wall in the finger grip housing, and a crank pivotal into contact with one elastic loop end to hold this end and to push the wall against the other elastic loop end, so that the elastic is held as a closed loop during footwear lacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Howard Silagy
  • Patent number: 6073318
    Abstract: A clip is disclosed for securing a device to a support structure. The clip assembly includes a clip for pivoting about a pivoting axis, wherein the clip includes a securing end for engaging the support structure. A base is attached to the device, for receiving the clip. A biasing member is received between the base and the clip, for biasing the securing end of the clip toward the base, to secure the support structure therebetween. The clip assembly includes a first mating structure, formed on the clip, for attaching to a second mating structure formed on the base. The first and second mating structures are attached by sliding into engagement along the direction of the pivoting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventor: Robert W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6070307
    Abstract: Provided is an edge cover capable of covering the edge of an opening and clamping a wire passing through the opening by comprising a clamping portion connected to a covering portion to clamp the wires drawn from the opening. The edge cover has covering portion for covering edge of opening. The edge cover has clamping portion that is connected to covering portion in such a way that clamping portion can be bent with respect to covering portion to cover opening and clamp wire that passes through opening. As consequence, wire can be protected from edge of opening 11 and meanwhile disposed securely along wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuichi Kawanabe
  • Patent number: 6070306
    Abstract: A top stop and zipper teeth arrangement for a zipper in which the top stop has a sloping bottom edge smoothly curved inwards and sloping downwardly backwards and terminating in a downward bottom projection, the sloping bottom edge defining with the topmost edge of the first tooth of the row of teeth on the longitudinal side rib of the zipper tape a gap through which the slide of the zipper is insert into engagement with the zipper tape; the first tooth having a stop wall portion at a top side of a neck thereof for preventing an inside partition wall of the slide from being moved into engagement with the neck of the first tooth when the slide is pulled downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Wallace Wang
  • Patent number: 6067694
    Abstract: A press-stud comprising a female part (11; 317) to which one end (14; 318) of a male part (15; 330) is anchored in the closed configuration by forcing with elastic deformation of a ring (12; 100; 200; 311; 411) that is accommodated in a circumferential groove (13; 316) formed inside the female part (11; 317), the ring being closed, being made of elastomeric material, and being accommodated in the groove (13; 316).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Cobra Trade S.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Candotti
  • Patent number: 6061884
    Abstract: A tray section is constructed of longitudinal and transverse wire members. The tray sections may be configured or joined by interlocking clips, each of which features two pairs of opposing tabs separated by a pair of opposing notches. The opposing notches feature an arcuate portion and each is sized to receive a single longitudinal wire member. Each interlocking clip also features a back portion that is integral with the opposing tabs and notches. The back portion and opposing tabs are sized so that they surround a pair of adjacent transverse wire members when the opposing tabs are crimped. A crimping tool is used to install the interlocking clips and features pivotally connected opposing jaw portions with arcuate indentations. The arcuate indentations are sized to cooperatively surround the back and opposing tabs of the interlocking clip with the pair of adjacent transverse wire members received therein. Wire mesh floor pans that do not obstruct air flow may be used to support the tray sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: GS Metal Corp.
    Inventors: Donald Ohms, Terry McCrary, Steve Hagene, Brad Noward
  • Patent number: 6061880
    Abstract: A fastener is provided for securing one or more water supply lines to a pipe, such as a drain or vent pipe. The fastener includes a first resilient clamping element for engaging the pipe and a second resilient clamping element for engaging the water line. The second resilient clamping elements may be unitary with the first resilient clamping elements or selectively connected together by means of a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Plastic Productions A LLC
    Inventor: Ralph B. Senninger
  • Patent number: 6061882
    Abstract: The invention concerns a clamping device for sheet products and an associated holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Padis Preisauszeichnung + Display Systeme GmbH & Co. Vertriebs-K.G.
    Inventor: Klaus Otte-Wiese
  • Patent number: 6061883
    Abstract: The present invention provides a buckle having a simple structure to increase efficiency of an assembling operation and desirable operability wherein engagements of plugs with a socket are reliably carried out. The buckle comprises a pair of plugs and a socket. Each the plug has a strap attaching portion, a tongue formed to project from the strap attaching portion to be inserted into the socket, and an engaging portion. The socket is formed with inserting portions into which the tongues are inserted respectively, and fixed engaged portions with which the engaging portions are engaged. An operating portion is formed separately from the socket between the engaged portions for displacing the engaging portions to-disengage engagements of the engaging portions with the engaged portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: RE36779
    Abstract: A molded surface fastener comprises a substrate sheet and a multiplicity of engaging elements molded in rows on one surface of the substrate sheet. Each of the engaging elements has a stem standing from the one surface of the substrate sheet, and a pair of hooks extending in opposite directions from a distal end of the stem. And a multiplicity of parting guide members stand from the one surface of the substrate sheet, each of which is situated centrally between adjacent engaging elements for parting loops of a companion surface fastener toward the engaging elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takizawa, Ryuichi Murasaki