Patents by Inventor David S. Tracy

David S. Tracy 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: 6491265
    Abstract: Invention provides a self latching, object-holding fixture designed to release a held object whenever the object is turned slightly in either direction. Fixture has a shaped housing and the object to be held has a mated opening of a similar matching shape. Placing an object to be held locks the object to the fixture by spring-loaded latching action. The fixture housing covers a fixed spring holding base that is anchored by any suitable means to a support surface. Covering that fixed-position base, except for exposed spring-loaded keeper latches, is a rotatable casing having a pair of spring compression cam surfaces carried by the casing. Using a cam follower action, these cam surfaces selectively cause the spring to collapse in response to the rotation of the casing holding in either direction of casing rotation. As the object/casing is turned slightly, this cam follower/spring collapse action releasably disengages the keepers from the object being held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: David S. Tracy
  • Publication number: 20010000617
    Abstract: Invention provides a self latching, object-holding fixture designed to release a held object whenever the object is turned slightly in either direction. Fixture has a shaped housing and the object to be held has a mated opening of a similar matching shape. Placing an object to be held locks the object to the fixture by spring-loaded latching action. The fixture housing covers a fixed spring holding base that is anchored by any suitable means to a support surface. Covering that fixed-position base, except for exposed spring-loaded keeper latches, is a rotatable casing having a pair of spring compression cam surfaces carried by the casing. Using a cam follower action, these cam surfaces selectively cause the spring to collapse in response to the rotation of the casing holding in either direction of casing rotation. As the object/casing is turned slightly, this cam follower/spring collapse action releasably disengages the keepers from the object being held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventor: David S. Tracy