Patents by Inventor Joel R. Lee
Joel R. Lee 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: 11933095Abstract: A clip assembly is provided for a storage system, and includes a receiver clip and a floor clip. The receiver clip includes a base section and a support section, the support section having a main surface and a pair of arm extensions extending from opposing edges of the main surface to define a receiving region. The arm extensions each define a guiding ramp and a securing cavity. The floor clip includes a lower section and an upper section, the lower section comprising knobs extending from sidewalls thereof. The securing cavities of the receiver clip are configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the knobs of the floor clip so that the floor clip is hingedly connected to the receiver clip by the knobs, and the floor clip may pivot relative to the receiver clip between an open position and a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20240044353Abstract: Described is a fastener assembly configured to fasten a soft component to a rigid component. The fastener assembly having a pin, a retainer, and a cap. The cap is coupled to the retainer via a strap and alternates between an open position and a closed position to secure the soft component. The retainer has a body portion, a base portion, and a fastener to engage the component opening. The retainer defines a passageway to receive the shank and the fastener receives a distal end of the shank. The cap defines an opening to receive and engage at least a portion of the body portion in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Patent number: 11882906Abstract: A fastener assembly includes an insert and a base. The insert has a first plurality of teeth. The base defines a cavity to receive the insert and includes a second plurality of teeth to engage with the first plurality of teeth.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20230383868Abstract: Described is a fastener for securing at least one tube relative to a component. The fastener includes a carrier portion, a fastener portion, and an installation indicator. The carrier portion is configured to secure the at least one tube via at least one tube pocket. The installation indicator positioned in or on the carrier portion via a hinge. The tab can pivot between a first position and a second position when the tube is inserted into the tube pocket to indicate that the tube is properly seated in the tube pocket. The installation indicator can be a barcode or a quick response (QR) code.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20230213120Abstract: Disclosed is a ratcheting retainer for securing one or more objects, such as wire bundles, to a component. The ratcheting retainer includes a ratchet strap assembly, a fastener, and retainer clip. The ratchet strap assembly, which can adjust in diameter, circumscribes and secures a first object. The fastener is coupled to the ratchet strap assembly and secures the ratcheting retainer to the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20230124107Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a line retainer including a body that includes a first side wall and a second side wall spaced apart from the first side wall. The side walls at least partially define a slot configured to receive any one of a plurality of differently-sized lines. The side walls define an opening of the slot. The line retainer includes a set of opposing legs extending into the slot from the first and second side walls adjacent the front and rear support walls and a first set of opposing arms extending into the slot from the first and second side walls adjacent the opening. The line retainer includes a second set of opposing arms extending into the slot from the first and second side walls between the first set of opposing arms and the set of opposing legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Thomas M. Chlystek, Joel R. Lee
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Patent number: 11486423Abstract: A latching assembly includes a linear component and a base component. The linear component is configured to be coupled to a first element and includes at least one retention projection. The base component is configured to be coupled to a second element and includes a channel and at least one retention feature. The linear component is configured to be slidably received within the channel of the base component and the at least one retention feature of the base component is configured to engage the at least one retention projection of the linear component to retain the linear component within the channel of the base component.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20220340071Abstract: Disclosed is a tie down assembly. The tie down assembly having a ring, a bracket assembly, a support insert, and a position-locking mechanism. The support insert is configured to secure the ring relative to the bracket assembly. The ring being configured to rotate relative to the bracket assembly about an axis. The position-locking mechanism is configured to secure the ring at one or more rotational positions about said axis via one or more engagement features. In one example, the position-locking mechanism is a detent mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20220275672Abstract: A clip assembly is provided for a storage system, and includes a receiver clip and a floor clip. The receiver clip includes a base section and a support section, the support section having a main surface and a pair of arm extensions extending from opposing edges of the main surface to define a receiving region. The arm extensions each define a guiding ramp and a securing cavity. The floor clip includes a lower section and an upper section, the lower section comprising nobs extending from sidewalls thereof. The securing cavities of the receiver clip are configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the nobs of the floor clip so that the floor clip is hingedly connected to the receiver clip by the nobs, and the floor clip may pivot relative to the receiver clip between an open position and a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2020Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Patent number: 11401963Abstract: A fastener assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the fastener assembly includes a panel fastener and a lock pin insertable into the panel fastener to a first position and a second position. The lock pin including a flexible arm configured to upon insertion of the lock pin into the panel fastener in a first direction to the first position, flex inwardly and then outwardly to bring an end surface of the flexible arm into engagement with a panel retention tab of the panel fastener. Upon insertion of the lock pin into the panel fastener in the first direction to the second position, the flexible arm is configured to flex inwardly to allow a retention tab to pass into the panel fastener to bring a retention surface of the lock pin into engagement with a first panel retention surface of the panel fastener.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20220213914Abstract: A rivet fastener assembly is configured to securely clamp together one or more components. The rivet fastener assembly includes a pin and a rivet body having a collar and a column extending from the collar. The rivet body further includes a collar stop configured to provide a positive locating feature for the pin once assembled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
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Patent number: 11376724Abstract: A multi-purpose tool system (100) includes a first tool (104) that is configured to perform a first function, a second tool (106) that is configured to perform a second function, a third tool (140) that is configured to perform a third function, and a fourth tool (142) that is configured to perform a fourth function. The tools couple together to form a single, unitary handheld housing (102). Each of the tools is configured to separate from the housing for individual use.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
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Patent number: 11268557Abstract: A fastener assembly including a fastener body having a collar and a receiving column with a protrusion on an inner surface thereof, and a pin having a threaded section. The protrusion is configured to engage and cooperate with the threaded section.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20210332842Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a pin and a body. The pin includes a shaft that inserts into a central passage of the body. The body includes a flange and first and second arms that attach to a nose at a distal end. Each of the first and second arms includes an exterior flex point, an interior flex point, and a proximal end. The first arm is configured to move about a first proximal hinge portion. The second arm is configured to move about a second proximal hinge portion. A first brace extends from a first arm, a second brace extends from a second arm, and the first and second braces create an overlap area between the first arm and the second arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Patent number: 11125261Abstract: A rivet fastener assembly is configured to securely clamp onto one or more components. The rivet fastener assembly includes a grommet including a collar and a column extending from the collar. A passage is defined through the collar and the column. The column includes component-engaging legs that are configured to fold and directly contact the component(s) when folded, and reinforcing legs that are configured to fold and reinforce the component-engaging legs when folded as the component-engaging legs directly contact the components).Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
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Publication number: 20210237250Abstract: A multi-purpose tool system (100) includes a first tool (104) that is configured to perform a first function, a second tool (106) that is configured to perform a second function, a third tool (140) that is configured to perform a third function, and a fourth tool (142) that is configured to perform a fourth function. The tools couple together to form a single, unitary handheld housing (102). Each of the tools is configured to separate from the housing for individual use.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
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Publication number: 20200315302Abstract: A fastener assembly includes an insert and a base. The insert has a first plurality of teeth. The base defines a cavity to receive the insert and includes a second plurality of teeth to engage with the first plurality of teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20200116184Abstract: A fastener assembly including a fastener body having a collar and a receiving column with a protrusion on an inner surface thereof, and a pin having a threaded section. The protrusion is configured to engage and cooperate with the threaded section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20200032829Abstract: A fastener assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the fastener assembly includes a panel fastener and a lock pin insertable into the panel fastener to a first position and a second position. The lock pin including a flexible arm configured to upon insertion of the lock pin into the panel fastener in a first direction to the first position, flex inwardly and then outwardly to bring an end surface of the flexible arm into engagement with a panel retention tab of the panel fastener. Upon insertion of the lock pin into the panel fastener in the first direction to the second position, the flexible arm is configured to flex inwardly to allow a retention tab to pass into the panel fastener to bring a retention surface of the lock pin into engagement with a first panel retention surface of the panel fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventor: Joel R. Lee
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Publication number: 20190264722Abstract: A rivet fastener assembly is configured to securely clamp onto one or more components. The rivet fastener assembly includes a grommet including a collar and a column extending from the collar. A passage is defined through the collar and the column. The column includes component-engaging legs that are configured to fold and directly contact the component(s) when folded, and reinforcing legs that are configured to fold and reinforce the component-engaging legs when folded as the component-engaging legs directly contact the components).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2017Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper