Patents by Inventor Chad Michael Clark

Chad Michael Clark has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11795991
    Abstract: A compensating fastener assembly is configured to secure a fastener to a surface element. The compensating fastener assembly includes a compression limiter having a cylindrical main body and a flange, the cylindrical main body defining a channel and a longitudinal axis. The compensating fastener assembly further includes a spring defining a central passage. The central passage of the spring is configured to receive the main body of the compression limiter such that a first end of the spring is configured to be disposed adjacent the flange of the compression limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Michael Clark, Ronald C. Owens, II, Jason Paradis, Sean M. O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 11592050
    Abstract: A fastener assembly that is configured to securely couple to a component includes a bolt, a limiter, and a grommet. The bold has a head, a shaft, and a medial ridge disposed around a portion of the shaft. The limiter has a brim and a tube, with the tube extending away from the brim. A grommet has a central passage extending through a top section. The top section further includes a central wall and a bottom surface. At least one tab extends from the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Michael Clark, Ronald C. Owens, II
  • Publication number: 20220003264
    Abstract: A compensating fastener assembly is configured to secure a fastener to a surface element. The compensating fastener assembly includes a compression limiter having a cylindrical main body and a flange, the cylindrical main body defining a channel and a longitudinal axis. The compensating fastener assembly further includes a spring defining a central passage. The central passage of the spring is configured to receive the main body of the compression limiter such that a first end of the spring is configured to be disposed adjacent the flange of the compression limiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Chad Michael Clark, Ronald C. Owens, II, Jason Paradis, Sean M. O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 10941795
    Abstract: A bushing device includes a cap end shaped to engage a first surface of a first component having a first hole, and a slotted barrel body coupled with the cap end and elongated along a center axis. The slotted barrel body includes plural first cantilevered beam legs extending away from the cap end in directions that are parallel to the center axis. One or more of the first cantilevered beam legs has a hook at a distal end of the one or more first cantilevered beam legs. The slotted barrel body is shaped to fit inside the first hole in the first component and into a concentric second hole in a second component. The hook of the one or more first cantilevered beam legs is positioned to engage the second component to secure the first component and the second component together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn G. Heavens, Ronald Carter Owens, Chad Michael Clark
  • Publication number: 20200217346
    Abstract: A fastener assembly that is configured to securely couple to a component includes a bolt, a limiter, and a grommet. The bold has a head, a shaft, and a medial ridge disposed around a portion of the shaft. The limiter has a brim and a tube, with the tube extending away from the brim. A grommet has a central passage extending through a top section. The top section further includes a central wall and a bottom surface. At least one tab extends from the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Chad Michael Clark, Ronald C. Owens, II
  • Publication number: 20200018340
    Abstract: A bushing device includes a cap end shaped to engage a first surface of a first component having a first hole, and a slotted barrel body coupled with the cap end and elongated along a center axis. The slotted barrel body includes plural first cantilevered beam legs extending away from the cap end in directions that are parallel to the center axis. One or more of the first cantilevered beam legs has a hook at a distal end of the one or more first cantilevered beam legs. The slotted barrel body is shaped to fit inside the first hole in the first component and into a concentric second hole in a second component. The hook of the one or more first cantilevered beam legs is positioned to engage the second component to secure the first component and the second component together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Glenn G. Heavens, Ronald Carter Owens, Chad Michael Clark
  • Publication number: 20190234448
    Abstract: A fastening system is configured to securely couple a fastened component to a mating structure using a fastener with a shaft. The fastening system includes a compression limiting sleeve and a spring element. The compression limiting sleeve has an axial hub, a base, and a sleeve outer wall. The axial hub extends perpendicularly from the base and is configured to receive the shaft of the fastener. The sleeve outer wall extends from the base. The spring element has a central portion and a spring element outer wall. The central portion includes a central opening and at least one coupling feature. The central opening is configured to receive the shaft of the fastener. The at least one coupling feature is configured to engage the axial hub of the compression limiting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Ronald Carter Owens, II, Chad Michael Clark