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).
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Patent number: 10830270Abstract: A fastening clip assembly configured to secure one or more components is provided. The fastening clip assembly includes a collar having a lower surface, a stem extending from the lower surface of the collar to a lead-in nose, a first leg having a first knuckle, and a second leg having a second knuckle. Further, the first leg and the second leg extend from the lead-in nose. The first knuckle is located a first distance from the lower surface of the collar, the second knuckle is located a second distance from the lower surface of the collar, and the first distance is different than the second distance.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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Publication number: 20200240450Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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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: 20200166069Abstract: An example pivot nut assembly includes a pivot body and a nut. The nut is pivotably engaged in the pivot body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2019Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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Publication number: 20190390698Abstract: A fastening clip assembly configured to secure one or more components is provided. The fastening clip assembly includes a collar having a lower surface, a stem extending from the lower surface of the collar to a lead-in nose, a first leg having a first knuckle, and a second leg having a second knuckle. Further, the first leg and the second leg extend from the lead-in nose. The first knuckle is located a first distance from the lower surface of the collar, the second knuckle is located a second distance from the lower surface of the collar, and the first distance is different than the second distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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Patent number: 10494842Abstract: A latch assembly (100, 300) is configured to removably secure a load floor (14) within a cargo area (12) of a vehicle (10). The latch assembly (100, 300) may include a housing (102, 306) defining an opening (130, 318). The housing (102, 306) is configured to secure to the load floor (14). A latch (104, 302) is rotatably secured to the housing. The latch (104, 302) may include a central hub and opposed latching rims (114, 350) extending radially outward from the central hub. The latch (104, 302) is configured to be rotated in relation to the housing (102, 306) in both a clockwise direction and counterclockwise direction to move either of the latching rims (114, 350) out of the housing (102, 306) into an engagement position. The latch assembly (100, 300) is configured to secure to a portion of the vehicle (10) when either of the latching rims (114, 350) is in the engagement position.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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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
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Publication number: 20190219086Abstract: 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: January 9, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Mark O. Lepper
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Patent number: 10155487Abstract: A tethering clip assembly is configured to tether first and second components of a vehicle together before and during deployment of an airbag. The tethering clip assembly may include a securing base configured to secure to the first component, a retainer configured to secure to the second component, and one or more tethers that couple the securing base to the retainer. The securing base, the retainer, and the tether(s) are integrally formed together.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Jason M. Zander, Jesse L. Jensen, Mark O. Lepper, Michelle Bozinovski, Tim Hutson
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Publication number: 20180066463Abstract: A latch assembly (100, 300) is configured to removably secure a load floor (14) within a cargo area (12) of a vehicle (10). The latch assembly (100, 300) may include a housing (102, 306) defining an opening (130, 318). The housing (102, 306) is configured to secure to the load floor (14). A latch (104, 302) is rotatably secured to the housing. The latch (104, 302) may include a central hub and opposed latching rims (114, 350) extending radially outward from the central hub. The latch (104, 302) is configured to be rotated in relation to the housing (102, 306) in both a clockwise direction and counterclockwise direction to move either of the latching rims (114, 350) out of the housing (102, 306) into an engagement position. The latch assembly (100, 300) is configured to secure to a portion of the vehicle (10) when either of the latching rims (114, 350) is in the engagement position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2016Publication date: March 8, 2018Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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Publication number: 20170313263Abstract: A tethering clip assembly is configured to tether first and second components of a vehicle together before and during deployment of an airbag. The tethering clip assembly may include a securing base configured to secure to the first component, a retainer configured to secure to the second component, and one or more tethers that couple the securing base to the retainer. The securing base, the retainer, and the tether(s) are integrally formed together.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Jason M. ZANDER, Jesse L. JENSEN, Mark O. LEPPER, Michelle BOZINOVSKI, Tim HUTSON
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Patent number: 9771963Abstract: An improved fastener with an annular sealing flange disposed above a lead-in base clip portion adapted for insertion into an acceptance opening in a panel or other structure. A heat-shrunk seal is disposed about the perimeter of the annular sealing flange in partial covering relation to upper and lower surfaces of the annular sealing flange to provide an enhanced sealing relation between the sealing flange and the panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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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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Publication number: 20170082129Abstract: A sealing fastener assembly includes a main body configured to securely connect to at least one component, and at least one hydrophobic member coupled to the main body. The hydrophobic member(s) is configured to prevent liquid from infiltrating into and through the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventor: Mark O. LEPPER
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Patent number: 9475525Abstract: A clip assembly is configured to securely connect a first structural component to a second structural component. The clip assembly may include an arc attachment member and an arc-receiving member. The arc attachment member may include a securing arc having a semi-circular rim. The arc attachment member is configured to be secured to one of the first or second structural components. The arc-receiving member may include an arc-receiving portion configured to receive the securing arc through multiple directions. The arc-receiving member is configured to be secured to the other of the first or second structural components. The securing arc is configured to be pivotally adjusted with respect to the arc-receiving portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Mark O. Lepper, David W. Edland, George Siragusa, Gregory Flynn, Jeffrey Steltz, Timothy D. Pearson, Wes Sprague
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Patent number: 9416896Abstract: A tube clip assembly incorporating a base having at least one tube support cradle and a displaceable lid adapted to be secured in overlying relation to the base to retain a tube in substantially stationary relation within the tube support cradle. Flexible arms are disposed on either side of the tube support cradle. The flexible arms are adapted to compressively engage the tube when the lid is closed such that a portion of the arms may bite into the tube thereby resisting both axial and rotational movement of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Eric J. Kato, Thomas A. Benoit, Mark O. Lepper
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Patent number: 9321417Abstract: A quarter-turn fastener and hanger assembly for connection to a base plate having a fastener receiving receptacle, including a hanger bracket having a fastener receiving hole. The fastener includes a body rotatable between an insertion position for connection to the base plate and a locked position releasably securing said hanger bracket to the base plate having a head portion to move said fastener between the insertion position and the locked position, and an attachment portion sized to pass through the fastener receiving hole in the hanger bracket and the fastener receptacle in the base plate with at least one abutment surface to abut the back surface of the base plate in the locked position. The head portion includes deformable resilient arms extending laterally outward and toward said attachment portion with ends to engage a front face of said hanger bracket to urge said at least one abutment surface into abutting relation to the back surface of the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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Patent number: 9303672Abstract: A rivet fastener includes a fastener body and a fastener pin which is inserted into the fastener body. A head of the fastener body defines a channel for receiving a head of the fastener pin, with lateral lands of the fastener body head exposed outwardly of sides of the fastener pin head. The exposed surface of the fastener body head defines hollows or recesses to accommodate tips of fingers of an installer.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Mark O. Lepper
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Publication number: 20150258967Abstract: A connector system for connecting a wiper blade and multiple types of wiper arms, the connector system including connector having a base for attachment to a wiper blade. The connector further includes a receiving element attached to the base, the receiving element having a structure to receive and be connected to at least six different wiper arms. The connector system includes a cover attached to the receiving element, the cover including a top wall, a first side attached to the top wall and extending toward the base and a second side parallel to the first side, attached to the top wall and extending toward the base, wherein the second side has a height larger than a height of the first side.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: llIinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Mark O. Lepper, Kenneth H. Teal, Liliana Minevski, James C. Fournier
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Publication number: 20150128386Abstract: An improved fastener with an annular sealing flange disposed above a lead-in base clip portion adapted for insertion into an acceptance opening in a panel or other structure. A heat-shrunk seal is disposed about the perimeter of the annular sealing flange in partial covering relation to upper and lower surfaces of the annular sealing flange to provide an enhanced sealing relation between the sealing flange and the panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Illinois Tool Works INCInventor: Mark O. Lepper