Patents by Inventor Kenneth Simpson Powell

Kenneth Simpson Powell 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).

  • Self-threading anchor with spreadable leg portions joined by a frangible drill end portion
    Patent number: 5692864
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a self-tapping anchor and a method of installing the anchor into a wall. The anchor includes a flange portion, a drill end portion, and an intermediate shank portion. The intermediate shank portion has a central bore therein for receiving a fastener. An external thread is formed on the shank portion for threading the anchor into the wall. The shank portion is divided by a slot into a pair of leg portions and the external thread is divided into a plurality of discrete thread segments. The drill end portion supports the leg portions to prevent relative twisting therebetween during anchor installation into a wall. A reduced thickness web portion, or alternatively, a through slot, is formed in the drill end portion. When the threaded fastener is threaded into the central bore, the fastener causes the drill end portion to split apart releasing the leg portions so that the leg portions diverge to provide better anchor securement to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: K & R Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Simpson Powell, Causie C. Crane