Patents by Inventor James Dickinson

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: 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
  • Patent number: 7444721
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a pair of laterally offset legs joined at a head portion, wherein the legs form a clip opening at an opposite end of the head portion. A pair of arms are coupled to the pair of legs adjacent to the head portion such that the arms move substantially independently from the pair of legs, wherein the arms project toward the clip opening to form a frictional opening and to permit insertion or withdrawal of a post such that the post causes a non-compressive force between the arms when the post is withdrawn. The post may be a blade, post or tower on a body panel or any suitable flat post. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into a hole defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20080098576
    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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Mark Fleydervish, Daniel James Dickinson, Joseph W. Lawry, Edward Sacha
  • Patent number: 7329158
    Abstract: A male terminal has spring elements bent back from a rounded end above a flat portion of the terminal and separated by a centrally located opening. An aperture extends through the flat portion under the opening. Elongated ridges protrude from an underside of the flat portion. A female terminal has arms overhanging a base to form receptacles for the spring elements. Down-turned alignment ribs on the arms are received in the opening in the male terminal to properly align the terminals during electrical connection. Dimples protrude from the arms to contact the spring elements of the male terminal as the spring elements are inserted. The elongated ridges on the underside of the flat portion of the male terminal contact the base of the female terminal. A lock tab in the base between the ribs snaps into the aperture to latch the terminals together when the spring elements are fully inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dickinson Roberts, Joseph Paul Kalisz, James Leroy Jones, III, Kevin James Updike, Weizhen Brenda Wang
  • Patent number: 7188392
    Abstract: A spring fastener characterized by a structure having a cavity in which the rib of a first part, such as a plastic panel for example, like a pillar, may be engaged, and is also suitable to be engaged reversibly in a slot of second part, such as a metal sheet for example, like the frame of a car. The spring fastener comprises engagement springs having a peak, engagement regions and-side cuts in the vicinity of the peak, preferably within the engagement regions. The side-cuts, of preferably triangular shape, increase considerably the lever/angle pulling force (pulling force applied on the first part and away from the spring fastener, in order to separate the first part from a second part connected together with the spring fastener). It is highly preferable that the fastener comprises barbs with inwardly bent front ends, and that the engagement regions further have hindrance portions, the combination of which highly improves the balance of insertion to removal ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Giugliano, Michael Walter Smith, Mark Fleydervish, Daniel James Dickinson, Joseph William Lowry
  • Patent number: 7178850
    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: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Mark Fleydervish, Joseph W. Lowry, Edward Sacha, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Patent number: 7160157
    Abstract: An electrical terminal connection system includes first and second terminals that are interlocked by placing the first terminal on top of the second terminal and rotating the first terminal. The first terminal has a planar ring section with an outer perimeter and a centrally located aperture. The perimeter has cut-out portions. Inclined spring elements extend from the ring section near the outer perimeter. The second terminal includes a semi-circular part with an outer periphery and a centrally located collar. Curved walls extend perpendicularly from the outer periphery. The walls have ledges projecting over the semi-circular part. Aligning the cut-out portions of the first terminal with the curved walls and ledges of the second terminal enables the planar ring section of the first terminal to be placed on the semi-circular part of the second terminal, with the aperture receiving the collar. Rotating or twisting the first terminal causes the spring elements to contact and slide under the ledges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Leroy Jones, III, James Dickinson Roberts, Joseph Paul Kalisz, Kevin James Updike
  • Patent number: 7134893
    Abstract: An electrical terminal connection system has a first terminal for attachment to a high-current cable. The first terminal is formed to include a wire-connect section for direct attachment to the wire and an intermediate stem section joining the wire-connect section to a contact section. The contact section has two opposite sides and deflectable arms extending along each side in parallel relation to each other. The arms are raised from the contact section and extend to free ends adjacent to an end of the contact section. A second terminal extends from a device-side of the connection, such as from a power distribution module (PDM). The second terminal has an initial seating section joined to a bus bar extending from within the PDM and a retaining section having two opposite edges. A short wall extends perpendicularly from each edge of the retaining section and a ledge extends from a top of each wall to overhang part of the retaining section. Each ledge has a portion slanted toward the seating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Kalisz, James Leroy Jones, III, James Dickinson Roberts
  • Patent number: 7128618
    Abstract: A check fixture for electrical connectors, including a pin nest made of a rigid plastic such as Delrin, having parallel slots and bores contiguous with said slots formed therein to receive one piece contact pins in precise arrangements and orientations to fit a connector to be checked. The contact pins are spring biased into the bores with blade portions extending outwardly from the slots. Wires are soldered into the butt ends of the contact pins and run to a conventional indicator. The pin nest is held within an outer body having a keyed opening to accept the connector in the proper orientation to be checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Dickinson Roberts
  • Publication number: 20050116245
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed glass package and method for manufacturing the hermetically sealed glass package are described herein using an OLED display as an example. In one embodiment, the hermetically sealed glass package is manufactured by providing a first substrate plate and a second substrate plate. The second substrate contains at least one transition or rare earth metal such as iron, copper, vanadium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, chromium, neodymium and/or cerium. A sensitive thin-film device that needs protection is deposited onto the first substrate plate. A laser is then used to heat the doped second substrate plate in a manner that causes a portion of it to swell and form a hermetic seal that connects the first substrate plate to the second substrate plate and also protects the thin film device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Bruce Aitken, Paul Danielson, James Dickinson, Stephan Logunov, Robert Morena, Mark Powley, Kamjula Reddy, Joseph Schroeder, Alexander Streltsov
  • Patent number: 6899499
    Abstract: This invention pertains fasteners which are characterized by easy insertion and extraordinarily difficult separation of items that they attach together. This is achieved by a combination of snapping segments with an elastic body disposed at least under the head of the fastener. The snapping segments may comprise anti-opening and/or anti-sliding portions, which immensely increase the strength with which the fasteners hold the objects together. The elastic body in the vicinity of the bottom section of the fasteners also provides water and gas proof properties, as well as elimination of squeaking noises. Vehicles comprising objects connected together by the fastening devices described and claimed herein are part of the instant invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: E. Vassiliou Revocable Trust
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Publication number: 20050112994
    Abstract: A toy vehicle slot track is disclosed with at least a pair of toy racing vehicles and at least a pair of guide slots, each guide slot in turn having a pair of exposed power supply rails. The toy vehicles are guided about the track by guide pins affixed to the toy vehicles, the guide pins running within the guide slots. In a first portion of the track, the guide slots are spaced apart at a distance greater than the maximum width of the toy vehicles. In a second portion of the track, the guide slots are spaced apart at a distance less than the maximum width of the toy vehicles. The power supply rails run parallel to and at a uniform spacing from the guide slots in both portions of the track, providing power in both track portions to electric motors contained in the toy vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Vincent D'Angelo, James Dickinson, Gerhart Huy, Dean Reisher
  • Patent number: 6896461
    Abstract: This invention pertains fasteners which are characterized by adaptability of use with substrates, such as steel panels for example, of various thicknesses. This is achieved predominately by providing the fastener with legs having an origin section in the vicinity of the head of the fastener. Expansion promoters and/or anti-sliding elements improve considerably the separation resistance of objects connected with the fasteners of the present invention. Assemblies and vehicles comprising the spring fasteners of this invention, connecting two objects, one of the objects comprising a slot in which the fastener is inserted, and the other a hole, are also included within the scope of the instant invention. Provision of an elastic body in the vicinity of the bottom section of the fasteners provides water and gas proof properties, and further assist in the elimination of squeaking noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: E. Vassiliou Revo Cable Tryst
    Inventors: Mark Fleydervish, Daniel James Dickinson, Richard H. Ducato