Patents by Inventor Mark O. Lepper

Mark O. Lepper 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: 11821451
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a fastening system. The fastening system comprises fastener, a doghouse structure, and a seal assembly. The fastener includes a head assembly coupled to a collar. The head assembly is configured to engage a doghouse structure positioned on the first panel and the collar is configured to pass through and to retain the second panel via an opening formed in the second panel. The seal assembly includes a seal and a seal carrier. The seal carrier is coupled to the fastener via a frangible connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20230349407
    Abstract: Described is a combination fastener for attaching an object to a stud extending from or an opening formed in a component. The combination fastener includes a carrier portion to retain the object and a fastener portion. The fastener portion includes a body sidewall that defines a central longitudinal axis and a hollow space configured to receive the stud. A plurality of stud-retention features are resiliently coupled to an interior surface of the body sidewall to retain the stud within the hollow space. Each of the plurality of stud-retention features are angled toward the central longitudinal axis to deflect outward from the central longitudinal axis as the stud passes through the hollow space. A plurality of panel-retention features resiliently coupled to an exterior surface of the body sidewall to retain the combination fastener within the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Mark O. Lepper, Andrea Fickert
  • Publication number: 20230313827
    Abstract: Described is an isolating fastener assembly for attaching a first component to a blind hole of a second component. The isolating fastener assembly includes a clip and an isolating cap. The clip having a retaining head portion and a body portion. The body portion including a pair of legs spaced apart and flexibly connected to one another at the retaining head portion to define a channel. The isolating cap having a pair of guides. Each guide having a fastener-retention feature to engage and retain the clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11655835
    Abstract: An example fastener includes a body and a clamp. The body includes a first resilient arm. The clamp is pivotably engaged with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11644052
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a fastener body, a locator cap, and a seal. The fastener body can include a first wing and a second wing that extend from a stem. The first wing can define a first wing tip and the second wing can define a second wing tip. The locator cap can include a top flange and a base. The top flange can define an opening to an interior of the base. A first slot can be formed in the base and can be dimensioned to receive the first wing. A second slot can be formed in the base opposite the first slot and can be dimensioned to receive the second wing. The seal can be in contact with the top flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20230074719
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a fastening system. The fastening system comprises fastener, a doghouse structure, and a seal assembly. The fastener includes a head assembly coupled to a collar. The head assembly is configured to engage a doghouse structure positioned on the first panel and the collar is configured to pass through and to retain the second panel via an opening formed in the second panel. The seal assembly includes a seal and a seal carrier. The seal carrier is coupled to the fastener via a frangible connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11592052
    Abstract: An example pivot nut assembly includes a pivot body and a nut. The nut is pivotably engaged in the pivot body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11542975
    Abstract: Disclosed are Systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel using a fastening system. The fastening system includes a fastener, a doghouse structure, and a seal assembly. The fastener includes a head assembly coupled to a collar using the doghouse structure. The head assembly engages the doghouse structure positioned on the first panel and the collar passes through an opening in the second panel to retain the second panel relative to the first panel. The seal assembly includes a seal and a seal carrier that is coupled to the fastener via a frangible connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11519442
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a fastening system. The fastening system comprises fastener and a doghouse structure. The fastener includes a head assembly coupled to a collar. The collar is configured to pass through and to retain the second panel via an opening formed in the second panel. The doghouse structure defines a chamber that is configured to receive and secure the head assembly. The doghouse structure is positioned on the first panel and is configured to pass at least partially through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11486495
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sealing device that includes a locking pin, (2) an insert, and (3) a grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20220341453
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a fastening system, such as a pin and grommet (P&G) fastener having a grommet and a fastener assembly. The fastener assembly includes a rigid part component and a flexible seal that is integrally coupled with the rigid part component at an interface. The flexible seal is fabricated from a first material and the rigid part component is fabricated from a second material that is different from the first material. The interface defines one or more dovetails or other features to interlock the flexible seal with the rigid part component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20220212595
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a refuel or recharge door of a vehicle, which includes a vehicle controller. The system has a housing with a port, a door removably attached to the housing, a system controller, and at least one module. The system controller is communicably connected to a vehicle controller of the vehicle. Further, the system controller is configured to control the at least one module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Shant B. ALEXANIAN, Christopher Thomas SCHAAFSMA, Saman BAGHERI FARAHANI, Mark O. LEPPER, David B. PIVONKA
  • Publication number: 20220213914
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11376724
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20210348635
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a fastening system. The fastening system comprises fastener and a doghouse structure. The fastener includes a head assembly coupled to a collar. The collar is configured to pass through and to retain the second panel via an opening formed in the second panel. The doghouse structure defines a chamber that is configured to receive and secure the head assembly. The doghouse structure is positioned on the first panel and is configured to pass at least partially through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20210348636
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a fastening system. The fastening system comprises fastener, a doghouse structure, and a seal assembly. The fastener includes a head assembly coupled to a collar. The head assembly is configured to engage a doghouse structure positioned on the first panel and the collar is configured to pass through and to retain the second panel via an opening formed in the second panel. The seal assembly includes a seal and a seal carrier. The seal carrier is coupled to the fastener via a frangible connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Patent number: 11125261
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20210246984
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sealing device that includes a locking pin, (2) an insert, and (3) a grommet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20210237250
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
  • Publication number: 20210190109
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a fastener body, a locator cap, and a seal. The fastener body can include a first wing and a second wing that extend from a stem. The first wing can define a first wing tip and the second wing can define a second wing tip. The locator cap can include a top flange and a base. The top flange can define an opening to an interior of the base. A first slot can be formed in the base and can be dimensioned to receive the first wing. A second slot can be formed in the base opposite the first slot and can be dimensioned to receive the second wing. The seal can be in contact with the top flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventor: Mark O. Lepper