Patents by Inventor Michael E. Ward

Michael E. Ward 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).

  • Publication number: 20120056421
    Abstract: An oil pan nut configured to be secured to an oil pan includes a hub having an upper surface configured to support a mating surface of the oil pan, and a column integrally connected to the hub. A passage is formed through the hub and the column. The column is configured to be crimped over the upper surface of the hub in order to compressively sandwich at least a portion of the mating surface of the oil pan between the crimped column and the upper surface of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Michael E. Ward, John H. Siegenthaler, Ryan P. Merrell, Michael J. Wiedemann, Charles T. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7967272
    Abstract: An industrial hanger is provided for coupling a device to a truss. The hanger apparatus includes a first member having a first support surface, a second opposed support surface, and a threaded portion extending between the first and second support surfaces. The hanger apparatus also includes a second member having a first support surface, a second opposed support surface, and a threaded portion extending between the second member first and second support surfaces. The first member is coupled to the second member such that the first member threaded portion and the second member threaded portions define a substantially circular threaded opening that is sized to receive a threaded rod therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Patent number: 7717015
    Abstract: A brick tie anchor secures a brick veneer to an underlying structure. The anchor includes a head portion having a shaped body defining a longitudinal axis. The head includes a key portion extending from an end of the body having generally flat sides and an open central area. A shank has an upper shank portion and a lower shank portion. The lower shank portion is threaded for penetration into the underlying structure. The upper shank portion and the lower shank portion are separated from one another by a shoulder. The upper shank portion includes a knurled region extending from the shoulder. A washer is disposed at the juncture of the head portion and the shank. The washer has a diameter greater than a largest measurement across the head portion. The washer includes a resilient sealing element on the side of the washer adjacent to the shank. A driving tool for the anchor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward, Michael C. Dill, Yongping Gong
  • Patent number: 7665940
    Abstract: A fastener coupler includes a first securing member configured to receive and retain a first fastener within a first inner cavity, wherein at least one passage is formed through the first securing member, and a setting indication material within at least a portion of the first inner cavity. The setting indication material is configured to extrude through the first passage when the first fastener is urged into the setting indication material in order to indicate that the first fastener is properly secured to the first securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Patent number: 7654782
    Abstract: A threaded fastener such as a weld nut or a weld stud has a projection from a surface thereof, with the projection bearing a thread. A weld ring substantially surrounds the threaded projection. In a fastener system using the fastener, a mounting structure has a keyhole including a larger diameter hole and a narrower diameter slot. In the assembly, a portion of the weld ring projects into the slot to resist rotation of the fastener relative to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Patent number: 7605195
    Abstract: A “hybrid” epoxy resin coating system formed by a solvent-borne epoxy resin and a water-reducible curing agent. The coating formed by this system exhibits excellent resistance to most household chemicals, and yet is permeable to water vapor transmission to reduce blistering. Although the epoxy resin is solvent-based, the total VOC content of the mixture is less than 150 grams per liter, providing a low odor mixture that is environmentally friendly. Additives in the curing agent component, including a silicone surfactant, provide a coating that adheres well even to a surface that is less than ideally prepared; no acid etching or other special surface preparation is required. All the colorant is on one side of the system, preferably in the resin component. Thus, incomplete mixing will not substantially affect the color of the finished coating. All these features make this coating system ideally suitable for use by nonprofessionals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Cass Polymers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Ward, W. Douglas Frans
  • Publication number: 20090114652
    Abstract: A threaded connection element adapted to reside in secure embedded relation within a wall structure of a fluid containment unit. The connection element includes a proximal portion adapted to engaging a thickness dimension of the wall structure and a distal threaded portion adapted to project away from the wall structure for attachment to an engagement structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: MARTIN J. NILSEN, MICHAEL E. WARD
  • Patent number: 7503588
    Abstract: A pipe nipple has a bore therethrough, with an entrance chamber at one end of the bore having a larger diameter adjacent a drive configuration of narrower diameter for receiving a tool therein to rotate the nipple about its longitudinal axis. The exterior of the nipple has a surface formation as a stop against which a hose can be inserted over the nipple, and a threaded length for attaching the nipple to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward, Robert E. Brunner, James M. Van Ingen
  • Publication number: 20080295651
    Abstract: A brick tie anchor secures a brick veneer to an underlying structure. The anchor includes a head portion having a shaped body defining a longitudinal axis. The head includes a key portion extending from an end of the body having generally flat sides and an open central area. A shank has an upper shank portion and a lower shank portion. The lower shank portion is threaded for penetration into the underlying structure. The upper shank portion and the lower shank portion are separated from one another by a shoulder. The upper shank portion includes a knurled region extending from the shoulder. A washer is disposed at the juncture of the head portion and the shank. The washer has a diameter greater than a largest measurement across the head portion. The washer includes a resilient sealing element on the side of the washer adjacent to the shank. A driving tool for the anchor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward, Michael C. Dill, Yongping Gong
  • Patent number: 7445251
    Abstract: A connector bolt for securing an oil cooler to an engine block is made of first and second telescopic pieces. The bolt can be made in different lengths by adjusting the telescopic position of the first and second pieces. The length is fixed by securing the relative positions of the first and second pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20080224012
    Abstract: An industrial hanger is provided for coupling a device to a truss. The hanger apparatus includes a first member having a first support surface, a second opposed support surface, and a threaded portion extending between the first and second support surfaces. The hanger apparatus also includes a second member having a first support surface, a second opposed support surface, and a threaded portion extending between the second member first and second support surfaces. The first member is coupled to the second member such that the first member threaded portion and the second member threaded portions define a substantially circular threaded opening that is sized to receive a threaded rod therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20070212191
    Abstract: A weld nut includes a separate nut and a separate weld plate engaged one with the other to constrain relative axial movement of one with respect to the other. Confronting surfaces along an interface of the nut and weld plate are configured to interfere one with the other and constrain relative rotational movement between the nut and weld plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward, James M. Van Ingen
  • Publication number: 20070166128
    Abstract: A nut assembly includes a nut and a plate. The nut includes a portion disposed in the plate, through a hole in the plate. An outer surface of the nut is expanded outwardly to engage surfaces forming the hole. Axial compression is used in a method of the present invention for securing the nut in the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20070167063
    Abstract: A fastener coupler includes a first securing member configured to receive and retain a first fastener within a first inner cavity, wherein at least one passage is formed through the first securing member, and a setting indication material within at least a portion of the first inner cavity. The setting indication material is configured to extrude through the first passage when the first fastener is urged into the setting indication material in order to indicate that the first fastener is properly secured to the first securing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Patent number: 6961987
    Abstract: A nut and plate washer assembly formed from a separate nut body and a separate washer body. The washer body is press fit onto a shank of the nut body, with a head of the nut body embedded in a recess of the washer body. The washer body and nut body can be made from dissimilar materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Patent number: 6908272
    Abstract: A fastener nut is formed with anti-cross threading features that include a rounded or chamfered edge at the entry end to the nut, followed by an unthreaded cylindrical counterbore that extends axially from the entry end to the threaded section of the bore. The rounded or chamfered entry end prevents cross threading and the unthreaded section is of sufficient length to ensure substantially collinear alignment between the threaded fastener and the correspondingly threaded nut before threaded engagement occurs. An optional radiused portion is formed between the unthreaded and threaded sections of the nut to further prevent cross threading. The nut can be a weld nut formed with weld protrusions which enable the nut to be welded to a large structural member before mating engagement with a threaded fastener occurs. The nut can additionally have convex or concave or other tactile feed back features that induce vibration when a large off-angle is being attempted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Patent number: 6899503
    Abstract: An assembly of an internally threaded fastener and a stemmed washer is provided, such as for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating externally threaded fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion and a standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the internally threaded fastener to retain the fastener in the assembly. The stemmed washer may include a skirt which is plastically deformed to capture the fastener. The fastener may include a skirt which similarly plastically to mate with a retaining lip on the stemmed washer. The fastener and washer may be secured in the assembly to permit relative rotation of the fastener with respect to the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Anderson, Kent D. Homfeldt, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20040177488
    Abstract: A nut and plate washer assembly formed from a separate nut body and a separate washer body. The washer body is press fit onto a shank of the nut body, with a head of the nut body embedded in a recess of the washer body. The washer body and nut body can be made from dissimilar materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Patent number: 6769852
    Abstract: A nut and plate washer assembly formed from a separate nut body and a separate washer body. The washer body is press fit onto a shank of the nut body, with a head of the nut body embedded in a recess of the washer body. The washer body and nut body can be made from dissimilar materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20040109740
    Abstract: A fastener nut is formed with anti-cross threading features that include a rounded or chamfered edge at the entry end to the nut, followed by an unthreaded cylindrical counterbore that extends axially from the entry end to the threaded section of the bore. The rounded or chamfered entry end prevents cross threading and the unthreaded section is of sufficient length to ensure substantially collinear alignment between the threaded fastener and the correspondingly threaded nut before threaded engagement occurs. An optional radiused portion is formed between the unthreaded and threaded sections of the nut to further prevent cross threading. The nut can be a weld nut formed with weld protrusions which enable the nut to be welded to a large structural member before mating engagement with a threaded fastener occurs. The nut can additionally have convex or concave or other tactile feed back features that induce vibration when a large off-angle is being attempted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward