Patents by Inventor Franco A. Cisternino

Franco A. Cisternino 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: 7617604
    Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly includes a one-piece housing having an inlet and an outlet. During manufacture, the housing is formed with an inlet end plate and a fully open end opposite the end plate. A valve door assembly including a flapper door is secured in the housing, and includes a seal between the flapper door and the housing. The open end is then reformed to provide an outlet from the housing. In a fuel system, a cover assembly is releasably secured to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Levey, Eric G. Parker, Kirk J. Bush, Franco A. Cisternino
  • Patent number: 7549443
    Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly includes a one-piece housing having an inlet and an outlet. During manufacture, the housing is formed with an inlet end plate and a fully open end opposite the end plate. A valve door assembly including a flapper door is secured in the housing, and includes a seal between the flapper door and the housing. The open end is then reformed to provide an outlet from the housing. In a fuel system, a cover assembly is releasably secured to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Levey, Eric G. Parker, Kirk J. Bush, Franco A. Cisternino
  • Patent number: 7415997
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for a fill pipe of a vehicle fuel system to provide a pliable seal between an end of the fuel pipe and a refueling nozzle inserted in the fill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Franco A. Cisternino, Bryan K. Happel
  • Publication number: 20080129046
    Abstract: A connector is provided between a fuel pipe assembly and a fuel housing. The connector is in substantially fixed position relative to the fuel pipe assembly and has portions thereof which engage the fuel housing, thereby providing a physical connection between the fuel pipe assembly and housing whereby assembly is snap together, and unintended disconnect is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Eric G. Parker, Franco A. Cisternino, Albert N. Diener
  • Publication number: 20080087354
    Abstract: A capless refueling assembly is provided that includes a retaining base and first and second doors. The retaining base has a fuel nozzle opening formed therethrough. The first door is pivotally secured to the retaining base, such that the first door covers a first portion of the fuel nozzle opening in a closed position. The second door is also pivotally secured to the retaining base, such that the second door covers a second portion of the fuel nozzle opening in the closed position. The first and second doors oppose one another and are configured to close the fuel nozzle opening in said closed position. The first and second doors are configured to pivot away from one another to open the fuel nozzle opening when a fuel nozzle is urged into the first and second doors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Franco A. Cisternino, Kenneth R. Levey, Stephen M. Sperando, Paul M. Sutenbach
  • Publication number: 20080029157
    Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly includes a one-piece housing having an inlet and an outlet. During manufacture, the housing is formed with an inlet end plate and a fully open end opposite the end plate. A valve door assembly including a flapper door is secured in the housing, and includes a seal between the flapper door and the housing. The open end is then reformed to provide an outlet from the housing. In a fuel system, a cover assembly is releasably secured to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth Levey, Eric Parker, Kirk Bush, Franco Cisternino
  • Publication number: 20070023102
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for a fill pipe of a vehicle fuel system to provide a pliable seal between an end of the fuel pipe and a refueling nozzle inserted in the fill pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Franco Cisternino, Bryan Happel
  • Publication number: 20050121085
    Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly includes a one-piece housing having an inlet and an outlet. During manufacture, the housing is formed with an inlet end plate and a fully open end opposite the end plate. A valve door assembly including a flapper door is secured in the housing, and includes a seal between the flapper door and the housing. The open end is then reformed to provide an outlet from the housing. In a fuel system, a cover assembly is releasably secured to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Levey, Eric Parker, Kirk Bush, Franco Cisternino
  • Patent number: 6568893
    Abstract: The apparatus is a double quarter turn fastener which includes a first element with a head, a square seat, and prongs extending from inwardly adjacent to the sides of the seat outwardly so as to terminate in surfaces with hemispherically extending nubs. The double quarter turn fastener further includes a second element which engages the first element by detent elements or by a rotatable snap fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth LeVey, Franco Cisternino
  • Patent number: 6540251
    Abstract: A side airbag retention system for installation in a keyhole opening including a bolt with a generally conical head portion and a shaft disposed through an aperture of the air bag retainer, and a bolt retainer disposed about the bolt shaft between the bolt head and the air bag retainer. The bolt retainer preferably includes a spring washer having a pronged engagement member extending generally radially therefrom between anti-rotation tabs extending from a side thereof opposite the bolt head, and a compression limiting member disposed about and protruding from the washer opening toward the bolt head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. LeVey, Eric Parker, Franco Cisternino, Jeffrey D. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20020176766
    Abstract: The apparatus is a double quarter turn fastener which includes a first element with a head, a square seat, and prongs extending from inwardly adjacent to the sides of the seat outwardly so as to terminate in surfaces with hemispherically extending nubs. The double quarter turn fastener further includes a second element which engages the first element by detent elements or by a rotatable snap fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth LeVey, Franco Cisternino
  • Patent number: 6224129
    Abstract: A car seat tether restraint system having an anchor with a fastening portion and a leg with a foot extending from a mounting side thereof, a resilient locking flange extending from the mounting side of the anchor in an opposite direction as the foot, a body panel having a locking flange recess on one side thereof and an aperture therein, the leg disposed in the aperture with a portion of the body panel disposed between the mounting side of the anchor and the foot, the locking flange disposed in the locking flange recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Franco A. Cisternino, Kenneth R. LeVey, Eric G. Parker
  • Patent number: D537398
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Levey, Eric G. Parker, Franco A. Cisternino