Patents by Inventor James T. Kirchen
James T. Kirchen 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).
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Patent number: 11752634Abstract: A system is disclosed for verification of the installation of a component such as a side curtain air bag into a vehicle passenger compartment where energy absorbing quarter-turn fasteners attached to the air bag are employed to affix hanger brackets to structural base plates in the vehicle. The system includes an image capturing camera, stored data in a machine readable form of an acceptable installation, a central processing unit to compare the captured images to the stored machine readable data and an output generator to create an output signal based on the results of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Everard, James T. Kirchen, Marc R. Risdale
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Patent number: 10724560Abstract: A fastener mounting assembly is configured to securely mount to at least one panel of a component. The fastener mounting assembly may include a base, a fastener mount extending from the base, and at least one panel-engaging member connected to one or both of the base and the fastener. The panel-engaging member(s) is configured to securely engage the panel(s) of the component to securely lock the fastener mounting assembly to the panel(s).Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Mark O. Lepper, James T. Kirchen, Stephen M. Everard, Brian R. Peek
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Publication number: 20190143526Abstract: A system is disclosed for verification of the installation of a component such as a side curtain air bag into a vehicle passenger compartment where energy absorbing quarter-turn fasteners attached to the air bag are employed to affix hanger brackets to structural base plates in the vehicle. The system includes an image capturing camera, stored data in a machine readable form of an acceptable installation, a central processing unit to compare the captured images to the stored machine readable data and an output generator to create an output signal based on the results of the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Illinois Tool Works IncInventors: Stephen M. Everard, James T. Kirchen, Marc R. Risdale
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Publication number: 20170218991Abstract: A fastener mounting assembly is configured to securely mount to at least one panel of a component. The fastener mounting assembly may include a base, a fastener mount extending from the base, and at least one panel-engaging member connected to one or both of the base and the fastener. The panel-engaging member(s) is configured to securely engage the panel(s) of the component to securely lock the fastener mounting assembly to the panel(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2015Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Mark O. LEPPER, James T. KIRCHEN, Stephen M. EVERARD, Brian R. PEEK
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Patent number: 9500210Abstract: An anchoring clip assembly is configured to securely anchor to a structure. The assembly may include a main body, a plurality of anchoring members extending from the main body, wherein the plurality of anchoring members are configured to securely anchor to the structure, and at least one verification member configured to provide verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure. The verification member(s) may provide visual verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, and/or may include at least one separable portion that is configured to separate from the main body after the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Lawrence W. Johnson, Marc R. Risdale, James T. Kirchen
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Publication number: 20150290811Abstract: A system is disclosed for verification of the installation of a component such as a side curtain air bag into a vehicle passenger compartment where energy absorbing quarter-turn fasteners attached to the air bag are employed to affix hanger brackets to structural base plates in the vehicle. The system includes an image capturing camera, stored data in a machine readable form of an acceptable installation, a central processing unit to compare the captured images to the stored machine readable data and an output generator to create an output signal based on the results of the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2013Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Stephen M. EVERARD, James T. KIRCHEN, Marc R. RISDALE
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Publication number: 20150026934Abstract: An anchoring clip assembly is configured to securely anchor to a structure. The assembly may include a main body, a plurality of anchoring members extending from the main body, wherein the plurality of anchoring members are configured to securely anchor to the structure, and at least one verification member configured to provide verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure. The verification member(s) may provide visual verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, and/or may include at least one separable portion that is configured to separate from the main body after the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: ILLIOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Lawrence W. Johnson, Marc R. Risdale, James T. Kirchen
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Patent number: 8865290Abstract: A fastening clip assembly configured to securely fasten to a mounting stud of a panel includes a main clip and a tapered member, such as a tapered locking pin. The main clip may include a central column defining a central passage. The central column may include a ledge. The tapered locking pin integrally connects to the central column through at least one flash joint integrally connected to the main clip proximate the ledge. The said tapered locking pin is configured to move into the central passage in order to securely fasten the assembly to the mounting stud.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Anatoly Gosis, Yury Shkolnikov, James T. Kirchen
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Patent number: 8834087Abstract: A push-in fastener clip assembly includes a fastener having deflectable legs and compression ring for sliding along the deflectable legs during installation, with the compression ring connected to the fastener by frangible connections that are broken as the fastener clip assembly is being installed. Slots in the fastener guide the broken frangible connections during installation of the fastener, limiting rotation of the compression ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: James T. Kirchen
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Patent number: 8683662Abstract: A piercing rib clip has first and second legs defining a space for receiving a rib of a component held thereby and a piercing pin held by at least one of the legs piercing the rib held between the legs.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Brock T. Cooley, James T. Kirchen
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Publication number: 20130199004Abstract: A push-in fastener clip assembly includes a fastener having deflectable legs and compression ring for sliding along the deflectable legs during installation, with the compression ring connected to the fastener by frangible connections that are broken as the fastener clip assembly is being installed. Slots in the fastener guide the broken frangible connections during installation of the fastener, limiting rotation of the compression ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventor: James T. Kirchen
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Patent number: 8430421Abstract: A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, a pair of detents formed in an exterior surface of the body, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a pair of flexible fingers configured to engage the pair of detents, the flexible fingers configured to disengage from the pair of detents when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis. An airbag retention system including the fastener clip is also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James T Kirchen, Jesse L Jensen
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Patent number: 8398161Abstract: A vehicle headliner attachment system for displaceable attachment of a headliner to a sunroof assembly frame. The attachment system includes at least one snap-in male connector including a distal insertion head adapted to be press fit into a corresponding elongated female acceptance slot disposed at a position adjacent to the perimeter of a sunroof opening. The male connector is releasably held at a support element secured to the headliner. The support element is oriented on the headliner such that the male connector is slideable along the elongated female acceptance slot without disengaging from the support element when the headliner is moved rearward relative to the assembly frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James T. Kirchen, David W. Edland, Brock T. Cooley, Adam C. Peterson
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Publication number: 20120272487Abstract: A piercing rib clip has first and second legs defining a space for receiving a rib of a component held thereby and a piercing pin held by at least one of the legs piercing the rib held between the legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Brock T. Cooley, James T. Kirchen
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Publication number: 20120014766Abstract: A vehicle headliner attachment system for displaceable attachment of a headliner to a sunroof assembly frame. The attachment system includes at least one snap-in male connector including a distal insertion head adapted to be press fit into a corresponding elongated female acceptance slot disposed at a position adjacent to the perimeter of a sunroof opening. The male connector is releasably held at a support element secured to the headliner. The support element is oriented on the headliner such that the male connector is slideable along the elongated female acceptance slot without disengaging from the support element when the headliner is moved rearward relative to the assembly frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: James T. Kirchen, David W. Edland, Brock T. Cooley, Adam C. Peterson
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Publication number: 20110268927Abstract: A fastening clip assembly configured to securely fasten to a mounting stud of a panel includes a main clip and a tapered member, such as a tapered locking pin. The main clip may include a central column defining a central passage. The central column may include a ledge. The tapered locking pin integrally connects to the central column through at least one flash joint integrally connected to the main clip proximate the ledge. The said tapered locking pin is configured to move into the central passage in order to securely fasten the assembly to the mounting stud.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Anatoly Gosis, Yury Shkolniko, James T. Kirchen
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Patent number: 7976056Abstract: A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a first end secured within the body and a second end disposed outside the body, the retaining pin configured to limit the movement of a vehicle trim piece with respect to the vehicle chassis when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis and a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the trim piece to a vehicle chassis.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James T. Kirchen, Benjamin H. Moerke, Jesse L. Jensen, Brock T. Cooley, Adam C. Peterson, David W. Edland
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Publication number: 20110133434Abstract: A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, a pair of detents formed in an exterior surface of the body, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a pair of flexible fingers configured to engage the pair of detents, the flexible fingers configured to disengage from the pair of detents when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis. An airbag retention system including the fastener clip is also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INCInventors: James T. Kirchen, Jesse L. Jensen
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Patent number: 7837225Abstract: A fastener for securing an airbag assembly in a motor vehicle includes first and second body components held one against another with a fastening tab of an airbag there between. A flexible collet from the body of the fastener is secured in a hole of a supporting component in a vehicle roof, and a pin pushed into the collet secures the installation. Tools and fastener structures for verification testing are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Anatoly Gosis, Brock T. Cooley, James T. Kirchen, Frank Otte
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Patent number: 7832693Abstract: The invention relates to fasteners adapted for use in automobile air bag attachment systems. The fastener comprises a hook to engage a vehicle structure during installation and a pin to lock the fastener in place. Advantageously, the hook portion may be quickly installed and will support the air bag assembly while allowing any positional adjustments to be made prior to locking the fastener by depressing the pin until it is fully engaged in the vehicle structure. An embodiment of the invention incorporates both a locking method to prevent the fastener from being disengaged and a method of releasing this lock if needed for servicing. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for reducing the likelihood of improperly installed parts by preventing locking when the fastener is in a partially installed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Benjamin H. Moerke, James T. Kirchen