Patents by Inventor Daniel James Dickinson

Daniel James Dickinson 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).

  • Publication number: 20160375840
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fastener comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is connected to the second side thereby forming a U-shaped structure. The fastener further comprises a bottom portion wherein the first side and the second side are connected, and a top portion opposite the bottom portion. The first side comprises a first engagement spring. The first engagement spring is connected to the first side in the vicinity of the bottom portion. The engagement springs have inward facing gussets connected to the bottom portion. The second side comprises a second engagement spring. The second engagement spring is connected to the second side in the vicinity of the bottom portion. A cavity is formed between the first side and the second side as will be described below. The engagement springs include an engagement region operable to adapt to variations or movement of a slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith
  • Patent number: 9499108
    Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a cup having at least one injection hole, an overmold attached to the cup and a magnet is attached to the overmold. The overmold has: a cup cover attached to an outside portion of the cup, and an inner ring attached to an inside portion of the cup. The inner ring is attached to the cup cover via the at least one injection hole. The magnet operably attaches into the inner ring. According to one embodiment, the cup cover and the inner ring are injection molded over at least one part of the cup. An optional coupler for attachment to a body panel is attached to the cup cover and is operative to flex. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, John Clasen, Michael Tirrell
  • Publication number: 20160229368
    Abstract: A tether fastening device for an automobile body structure includes a fastener clip, at least one tether strap, a tether clip bracket, a clip strap coupler, and a bracket strap coupler. The clip strap coupler operably couples to a slot in the automobile chassis. The tether clip bracket attaches to the fastener clip when in an attached position. The bracket strap coupler is attached to the body panel. The tether strap allows for controlled detachment between the clip strap coupler and the bracket strap coupler. The strap may include a mesh to absorb the deployment energy and decelerate the body panel in a controlled manner. In the event of an airbag activation, the tether clip bracket and the fastener clip initially accelerate and then decelerate from each other. The pair of tether straps control the deceleration and separation distance of the clip strap coupler and bracket strap coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Tirrell, John Clasen
  • Patent number: 9353890
    Abstract: A pole bracket magnetically attaches a magnetic cable fastener to a magnetic object such as a building structure such as a frame, electrical box, conduit, truss, I-beam, car body, vehicle chassis or any suitable object. For example, the pole bracket removably attaches to and holds the magnetic cable fastener to hold a cable to the building structure. The pole bracket has a base having a pole attachment portion to attach to a pole. The pole bracket also has a magnetic clip holder section coupled to the base. The magnetic clip holder section includes a snap stem portion operable to removably hold the magnetic cable fastener. As the magnetic fastener is positioned as desired via the pole bracket, the magnetic fastener is magnetically self-aligned with and removably attached to the building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, John Winnie, Michael Tirrell, John Clasen
  • Publication number: 20160047493
    Abstract: A pole bracket magnetically attaches a magnetic cable fastener to a magnetic object such as a building structure such as a frame, electrical box, conduit, truss, I-beam, car body, vehicle chassis or any suitable object. For example, the pole bracket removably attaches to and holds the magnetic cable fastener to hold a cable to the building structure. The pole bracket has a base having a pole attachment portion to attach to a pole. The pole bracket also has a magnetic clip holder section coupled to the base. The magnetic clip holder section includes a snap stem portion operable to removably hold the magnetic cable fastener. As the magnetic fastener is positioned as desired via the pole bracket, the magnetic fastener is magnetically self-aligned with and removably attached to the building structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, John Winnie, Michael Tirrel, John Cleasen
  • Publication number: 20160047494
    Abstract: A magnetic cable fastener includes a magnetic fastener, a boss, a base, and a loop coupler attached to the base. The loop coupler is attached to the base and is operable to attach to another structure. The loop coupler may be a cable, wires, electrical conduit, rope, adjustable strap, and a tie wrap or suitable object. According to one embodiment, the loop coupler may further include at least two fingers. The fingers are operative to flex or compress appropriately to permit the cables to enter the fingers. According to another embodiment, the loop coupler is a solid loop to permit for example, a cable strap to be inserted and attach the cable strap to the loop coupler. Thus, the magnetic cable fastener may secure one or more cables via the loop fingers or solid loop or other suitable cable coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith
  • Publication number: 20160016522
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a base plate and a first and second pair of laterally offset legs extending from the base plate. At least one first wing extends from the first pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one first wing has an engagement region. At least one second wing extends from the second pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one second wing also has an engagement region. A first joined portion extends from the first pair of legs and a second joined portion extends from the second pair of legs with the first joined portion and the second joined portion extending and overlapping over and under each other. First locking tabs extend sideways from the first joined portion folded over against the overlapping second portion, and second locking tabs extend sideways from the second joined portion folded over against the overlapping first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Tirrell, Mark Fleydervish, Shawn Willis
  • Publication number: 20150321622
    Abstract: A fastener clip system including a carrier and a fastener clip configured to fit over the carrier. The fastener clip includes at least one wing. The wing includes an engagement region that includes a depressed portion configured to be secured against a slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Tirrell, John Clasen, Mark Fleydervish
  • Publication number: 20150283957
    Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a cup having at least one injection hole, an overmold attached to the cup and a magnet is attached to the overmold. The overmold has: a cup cover attached to an outside portion of the cup, and an inner ring attached to an inside portion of the cup. The inner ring is attached to the cup cover via the at least one injection hole. The magnet operably attaches into the inner ring. According to one embodiment, the cup cover and the inner ring are injection molded over at least one part of the cup. An optional coupler for attachment to a body panel is attached to the cup cover and is operative to flex. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, John Clasen, Michael Tirrell
  • Publication number: 20150251624
    Abstract: A tether fastening device for an automobile body structure includes a fastener clip, at least one tether strap, a tether clip bracket, a clip strap coupler, and a bracket strap coupler. The clip strap coupler operably couples to a slot in the automobile chassis. The tether clip bracket attaches to the fastener clip when in an attached position. The bracket strap coupler is attached to the body panel. The tether strap allows for controlled detachment between the clip strap coupler and the bracket strap coupler. The strap may include a mesh to absorb the deployment energy and decelerate the body panel in a controlled manner. In the event of an airbag activation, the tether clip bracket and the fastener clip initially accelerate and then decelerate from each other. The pair of tether straps control the deceleration and separation distance of the clip strap coupler and bracket strap coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Michael Tirrell, John Clasen
  • Patent number: 8950042
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a base plate and a first and second pair of laterally offset legs extending from the base plate. At least one first wing extends from the first pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one first wing has an engagement region. At least one second wing extending from the second pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one second wing has an engagement region, such that a distance between the engagement regions and the base plate is operative to vary continuously according to a slot thickness. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into the slot defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Patent number: 8627552
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a base plate and a pair of laterally offset arms extending from the base plate. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into a hole (slot) defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis. At least four wings extend from the arms. Each wing includes at least one engagement portion including a depressed portion formed on each wing, wherein each depressed portion is operative to engage a portion of the hole. According to one embodiment, each arm is coupled to at least one wing at a distal end of each arm (i.e., a long arm), so that each wing extends inwardly towards the base plate. According to an alternative embodiment, each arm (i.e., a short arm) is coupled to the at least one wing, so that each wing extends outwardly away from the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Mark Fleydervish, Michael Anthony Giugliano, Edward Sacha, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20120311829
    Abstract: A fastener clip comprises a prong clip that is operable to engage a carrier. The prong clip has a prong base on one end and a prong with a hook, at the other end of the prong clip. The carrier comprises a pair of laterally offset side wings extending from the sides of the carrier operable to fasten to a slot in a structure like a vehicle chassis. A pair of laterally offset arms extend from the carrier create a gap to form a hook receiver. The hook receiver is operable to engage the hook such that a service tool may operably disengage the hook from the hook receiver on a side of the slot that is opposite the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Shawn Michael Willis
  • Patent number: 8287034
    Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and a boss attached to the base. The boss has two or more ratchets. According to one embodiment, one end of the boss is attached to the base and the other end has the two or more ratchets. Alternatively, either or both ends may have the two or more ratchets. A magnetic fastener has a hole with suitable shape and diameter to adjustably fasten with at least one of the ratchets and adjustably fasten the magnetic fastener. An umbrella is positioned between the base and the magnetic fastener. The umbrella is operative to flex or compress appropriately to permit the magnetic fastener to engage at least one of the two or more ratchets. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. door frame, chassis or roof. The boss may optionally be welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Patent number: 8128145
    Abstract: A tether fastening device includes a tether clip and a strap to couple a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis, and a second engagement structure, such as a body panel. The strap is coupled to the tether clip and couples the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure to allow for controlled detachment. When attached, the tether clip fastens the first engagement structure with the second engagement structure. For example, the tether clip and first engagement structure may detach from the second engagement structure; however, the strap controls the acceleration, speed and distance displaced between the first engagement structure and the second engagement structure. According to one embodiment, the tether clip may further include a tether cap integrated with the strap and a fastener clip operative to couple to the tether cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Mark Fleydervish, Daniel James Dickinson, Joseph W. Lawry, Edward Sacha
  • Patent number: 8083450
    Abstract: An anchor facilitates blind engagement by a first fastener in order to connect an object to a wall. The anchor may be inserted into a cavity accessible through a hole defined in a hollow substrate to connect the object to the wall. The anchor includes a base plate and a pair of laterally offset arms extending from the base plate, such that each arm includes an engagement structure disposed at a distal end of each arm. The engagement structure of each arm cooperatively supports the anchor and complementarily engages the first fastener. The first fastener may be a bolt, a screw, or any suitable fastener such as a threaded fastener. The engagement structure includes a collar extending outwardly from each arm for engaging the hollow substrate upon insertion of the anchor into the cavity. Additionally, the engagement structure includes a tang extending inwardly from each arm, generally defining a portion of a first aperture for engaging the first fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Michael Anthony Giugliano, Daniel James Dickinson, Mark Fleydervish, Edward Sacha
  • Publication number: 20110163562
    Abstract: A carrier includes a carrier base and at least one channel formed into the carrier base. A locking structure is attached to the at least one channel and is operative to releasably hold captive a fastener clip. A first pair of laterally offset legs and a second pair of laterally offset legs extend from the carrier base to form a dome opposite the carrier base. The fastener clip has an engagement region to fasten the clip to a slot on a support structure such as a vehicle. The engagement regions include a depressed portion operable to adapt to variations or movement of a slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20110140474
    Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and a boss attached to the base. The boss has two or more ratchets. According to one embodiment, one end of the boss is attached to the base and the other end has the two or more ratchets. Alternatively, either or both ends may have the two or more ratchets. A magnetic fastener has a hole with suitable shape and diameter to adjustably fasten with at least one of the ratchets and adjustably fasten the magnetic fastener. An umbrella is positioned between the base and the magnetic fastener. The umbrella is operative to flex or compress appropriately to permit the magnetic fastener to engage at least one of the two or more ratchets. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. door frame, chassis or roof. The boss may optionally be welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20100289288
    Abstract: A magnetic fastener clip includes a base and an umbrella positioned on the base. A boss is attached to the umbrella and extends outwardly from the umbrella and away from the base. The magnetic fastener has a hole with a diameter to receive the boss. The boss is welded to hold the magnetic fastener against the umbrella. An optional carrier is attached to the base to provide additional height for suitable applications. The umbrella is positioned on the base or is attached to the carrier and positioned opposite the base. The boss is attached to the magnetic fastener such that the umbrella flexes to permit the magnetic fastener to pivot about the boss. The magnetic fastener clip adapts to different surface curvatures and thicknesses. The magnetic fastener clip is operative for blind attachment into a structure, such as a vehicle chassis i.e. roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: TERMAX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson, Mark Fleydervish, John Clasen
  • Patent number: 7784159
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance. The combination of the above structures with the presence of barbs being bent at their front portion improves immensely the ergonomic character of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Edward Sacha, Paul Lester Clemens, Mark Fleydervish, Richard H. Ducato, Eustathios Vassiliou