Patents Examined by Victor Sakran
  • Patent number: 6715188
    Abstract: There is provided an improved tab member for a closure system comprising a tab portion and a slot member. The slot member includes a slit or a loop, with the slot located between an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The tab portion has a tab member having a length, an inner edge, an outer edge and at least one lip portion. The tab member outer edge is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least one lip portion of the tab member overlaps or catches the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member. The slot member outward portion is retained between the lip portion(s) and the underlying generally flexible tab carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Byron M. Jackson, Leigh E. Wood, Randall L. Alberg
  • Patent number: 6711786
    Abstract: A ratcheted lashing strap assembly is described. The assembly is formed of a lashing strap and a tightening device. The tightening device has a frame and a winding drum, rotatable in the frame, for winding up the lashing strap. A fixation end of the lashing strap, in the form of a loop, grips a retention strut that is parallel to the winding drum and is firmly attached to the frame. An eye of the loop is penetrated by a support strut, extending approximately parallel to the retention strut, that as a separate component from the tightening device protrudes by both ends from the loop eyelet and on the side opposite the winding drum from the cinching side is braced on the frame on the retention strut and assumes a variable distance from the retention strut. An end run, adjoining a loop foot, of the lashing strap is fixed in clamping fashion by the support strut between the loop and the lashing strap to be cinched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Spanset Inter AG
    Inventors: André Mamié, David Ehnimb
  • Patent number: 6711787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turn-lock fastener (2) for detachably adjusting and varying the effective length of at least one tensioning element (6) with a winding device which can be Actuated at least in a closing direction via a turning grip (13) that can be actuated around a central axis (2.1). The invenitve turn-lock fastener should be designed in such a way that it can be easily inserted into a base plate (1) and can be easily removed therefrom. To this end, the turn-lock fastener (2) and the base plate (1) are interconnected in an articulated manner via a turning joint (1.3, 1.4) in such a way that the turn-lock fastener (2) can be pivotally folded down like a flap to the base plate (1) and can thereby locked with the same or the turn-lock fastener can be foleded away from the base plate and can thereby be unlocked from the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Puma Aktiengesellschaft Rudolf Dassler Sport
    Inventors: Roland Jungkind, Theodor Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6708379
    Abstract: A fastening device comprising a pair of attachment pads, one pad having a surface from which stems project, a second pad formed with openings and receptacles, each opening and receptacle adapted to receive a stem, the pads becoming interlocked by the fit of the stems in the receptacles. A woven, knit or knotted material of open texture having holes, preferable evenly spaced holes such as those of a screen or net, is secured between the pads by passing the stems through the mesh and into the receptacles. The pads and mesh material, so arranged, are secured to a structure by a bracket or clamp that is fixed to the attachment pads and mesh material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Eric P. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6708378
    Abstract: A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Luis Parellada, Juan Sánchez
  • Patent number: 6708377
    Abstract: A clamp has two injection moulded tangs 1, 2 hinges together by a pin 3 and held closed by a wing nut 4 and a screw 5 having a cross-head 6. The tangs each have a tapered groove 7 running around inside them. In use, this groove engages flanges F on tubes T with a seal S therebetween to hold the tubes in sealing relationship with each other. The one tang 2 has a clevis 10 defined by two lugs 11. Each has an overhung recess 12 into which the cross-head 6 of the screw clips. A crossbar 14 connects the lugs remote from their tang, whereby the screw is limited in its angular displacement about the recesses 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The crossbar also stabilises the lugs against relative displacement under load when the nut is tightened. The other tang 1 has a part conical formation 21 on lugs 22 defining a clevis 23 similar to clevis 10. The nut has a complementary conical recess 24. Engagement of the formation 21 in the recess 24 restrains the lugs from separating under load as the nut is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Bio Pure Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Roy Peter Maunder
  • Patent number: 6708375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wallet in the form of a harness with an attached key ring for carry credit cards and folded paper, such as paper currency, together with keys. The harness comprises two loops of elasticized material attached to each other at opposing points such that one loop encircles the length of the credit cards and the other loop encircles the width of the credit cards. The loops may comprise a buckle and may be adjustable to accommodate more cards. The key ring may be used to facilitate opening and closing of the harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Maria Ward Johnson
  • Patent number: 6704973
    Abstract: A hand held device for facilitating the engagement of buttons on a garment particularly suited for use by older persons who have difficulty with manual manipulation. The device includes a hooklike terminal having an opening of varying width for engaging the interconnection between the button and the garment in the form of threads or a shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Milton Naham
  • Patent number: 6704976
    Abstract: A fastener for a heat-radiator is composed of a frame and two strips. The frame has two parallel first sides and two parallel second sides perpendicular to the first sides. Each first side has a bottom part and two bevel parts respectively extending outwards and upwards from two ends of the bottom part. Each second side has at least one aperture defined therethrough. The strips are respectively mounted on the second sides of the frame. By changing the strips, a heat-radiator can be installed on a Pentium® III processor or a Pentium® 4 processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Wan-Tien Chen
  • Patent number: 6701579
    Abstract: The disclosed device is intended to improve the cutting finish and reduce the time used to cut the remaining body portion after the standard cable tie has been finally tightened. It comprises adding a blade in the cable tie head in order to cut the remaining body portion as a result of the torsion of said body portion. It is applicable to any production process wherein the remaining body portion has to be removed by using a manual or automatic cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Emmanuel Garcia De La Pena Razquin
  • Patent number: 6701582
    Abstract: This invention relates to a trouser leg retaining device which is used for maintaining one's trouser legs in the proper position in relation to one's shoes. This invention includes an elongated elastic strap with a snap fastener device at one end and either a locking clip or an O-ring at the opposite end. The snap fastens onto one's trouser leg while the O-ring fastens onto one's shoe. The elastic strap has an adjuster positioned on it to adjust the length of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Vernon L. Milburn
  • Patent number: 6701588
    Abstract: A fastening mechanism comprising a pin having a shank coupled to the head at a first end of said shank. A metallic pin-lock is provided having a base portion coupled to a resilient pin-engaging portion. The shank has a circumferentially-formed notch at a second end, said notch being adapted to receive the resilient pin-engaging portion. A resilient member is coupled to the base portion of the metallic pin-lock and to a mobile phone housing. A retainer is provided for housing said fastening mechanism inside the mobile phone housing. Upon insertion of the pin into the pin-lock, the pin is adapted to move the resilient pin-engaging portion a predetermined distance until the resilient pin-engaging portion engages the circumferentially-formed notch. The pin-lock is adapted to be removed from the pin via a magnet attracting at least a portion of the pin-lock away from the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Magnus Andersson, Christian Trulsson
  • Patent number: 6701586
    Abstract: A sheet gripping assembly comprises an elongate member having a side defining inwardly extending wall portions defining confronting channels, and a gripping member of generally zigzag configuration manually manipulable to engage into said confronting channels to secure sheet material between the elongate members and the gripping member. The elongate member may have an elongated slot for positioning therealong a threaded fastener to secure the elongate member to a second structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: John L. Conley, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Conley, Howard L. Davis
  • Patent number: 6698069
    Abstract: A low profile cable tie, preferably a two-piece cable tie, has a low profile locking head with a lateral strap accepting channel and a strap preferably molded with a right angle bend that is retained in this state during non-use. The cable tie has a clean exterior appearance, including a top surface free of openings and a smooth lateral opening. With this cable tie, a strap accepting channel is provided in the locking head that is substantially parallel to a strap attachment axis. The strap accepting channel divides the locking head into a first part, which is secured to the strap, and a second part which contains a locking device. By providing the locking device on the second part, the first part can be made thinner, allowing the strap accepting channel to be closer to the cable bundle being tied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, Robert J. Krisel, James A. Brownlee
  • Patent number: 6698071
    Abstract: A clip for sheet materials comprising a clip member and a collar member. The clip member is made of resilient material such that the clip member may be deformed from a normally open configuration into a closed position. The clip member defines first and second finger portions that do not engage each other when the clip member is in the open configuration and engage each other when the clip member is in the closed position. The collar member defines at least one latch portion, a lever portion, and a housing interior. The collar member is made of resilient material such that applying a force to the lever portion causes the collar member to deform from a normally engaged configuration to a disengaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester R. Greer, Jr., Randal W. Hanson, Wilfred Joseph Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6694574
    Abstract: A snap hook assembly for a luggage includes a suspension member, and a hook member. The suspension member includes a first suspension block and a second suspension block. The hook member is mounted on the suspension member and includes a main body having an insertion pin and a hook. Thus, the first suspension block and the second suspension block are combined with each other rigidly and stably, thereby enhancing the structural strength of the snap hook assembly. In addition, when the hook member is subjected to a gravity load, the gravity load is evenly distributed on the first suspension block and the second suspension block, thereby increasing the lifetime of the snap hook assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Wang King Sheng
  • Patent number: 6694575
    Abstract: A sports glove holder for allowing a glove to be attached comfortably and securely to the belt of a player. The sports glove holder has loops for attaching the holder to the belt of the player. A hook and loop fastener allows the glove to be removably attached to the holder. The hook and loop fastener is attached to a machine-pressed indent in the main body using a material specific adhesive. This allows the device to withstand the repetitive removal of the glove without fear of the hook and loop fastener coming loose. The sports glove holder can be color coordinated with the uniform or outfit worn by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Martin
  • Patent number: 6694578
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle locking mechanism comprising a receiving buckle and an insertion buckle with spring-loaded safety locking bars and side-pins extending from each side of the insertion buckle. The receiving buckle has an internal spring-action latch rotatively attached to pivot pin and a spring-loaded main belt release button extending from the top of the buckle. The insertion buckle has a rectangular latching hole, which the receiving buckle's latch snaps into when the two buckles are coupled together. When the belt release button is pressed downward, the spring-action latch is rotated upward out of the mating rectangular latching hole, thereby releasing the belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Kimberly A. Nicoll
  • Patent number: 6691382
    Abstract: A retainer injection-molded from tough plastics for securing two wire meshed/grilled members together, for enabling the two secured members to be turned relative to each other between the operative position and the collapsed position. The retainer has two transverse through holes arranged in parallel, and two peripheral gaps through which the respective wire rods of the first and second wire meshed/grilled members are respectively set into the transverse through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Lien-Cheng Su
  • Patent number: 6691378
    Abstract: A buckle includes a body having a pressing portion, a clamping portion, and a bendable connecting portion between the pressing portion and the clamping portion. The pressing portion includes two sidewalls and a post fixed between the sidewalls. The clamping portion includes a clamping hole. The connecting portion is mounted around a mounting peg of a main body of a pair of swimming/diving goggles. An end of a head strap of the pair of swimming/diving goggles extends into the body, winds around the post, and extends out of the body. The end of the head strap is pullable to obtain a desired tightness, exerting a force to the post to press against retaining edges on two lateral sides delimiting the clamping hole, thereby reliably positioning the head strap in place. The pressing portion is manually movable to disengage the post from the retaining edges, allowing loosening of the head strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Terry Chou