Patents by Inventor Michael Fullerton

Michael Fullerton 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: 12123455
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a push retainer. The push retainer includes an annular body, flexible tabs, and legs. The annular body has a topside surface and an underside surface. The annular body defines an opening. The flexible tabs are coupled to the annular body and canted upwardly away from the topside surface at a first angle. The flexible tabs are configured to engage a post of the second panel. The legs extend downwardly away from the underside surface at a second angle. The legs are configured to engage the first panel to form a part-in-assembly (PIA) component when inserted through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Michael Fullerton
  • Publication number: 20220341447
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for coupling a first panel to a second panel via a push retainer. The push retainer includes an annular body, flexible tabs, and legs. The annular body has a topside surface and an underside surface. The annular body defines an opening. The flexible tabs are coupled to the annular body and canted upwardly away from the topside surface at a first angle. The flexible tabs are configured to engage a post of the second panel. The legs extend downwardly away from the underside surface at a second angle. The legs are configured to engage the first panel to form a part-in-assembly (PIA) component when inserted through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Michael Fullerton
  • Patent number: 11149768
    Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured to securely couple to a component. The fastener assembly includes a compression-limiting bushing, a fastener coupled to the bushing, and a grommet coupled to the bushing. A clearance gap is defined between one or both of the bushing or the fastener and the grommet. At least a portion of the grommet is configured to move into the clearance gap as the fastener assembly is urged into an opening of the component. The grommet is configured to securely couple to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Ronald Owens, Michael Fullerton
  • Publication number: 20190242418
    Abstract: A fastener assembly is configured to securely couple to a component. The fastener assembly includes a compression-limiting bushing, a fastener coupled to the bushing, and a grommet coupled to the bushing. A clearance gap is defined between one or both of the bushing or the fastener and the grommet. At least a portion of the grommet is configured to move into the clearance gap as the fastener assembly is urged into an opening of the component. The grommet is configured to securely couple to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Chad M. Clark, Ronald Owens, Michael Fullerton
  • Patent number: 7512654
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John Tafoya, David Cortright, Daniel Crevier, James O'Connor, Michael Fullerton
  • Patent number: 7360165
    Abstract: A technique for allowing a user to treat email addresses as objects both incoming and outgoing email messages is presented. A small icon is added to the text of each address which will vary depending on the pedigree of the address. The invention is not limited to single addresses. Rather, an entry denoting a mailing list could also be treated as an object and a unique icon could be employed to indicate the nature of the entry. For outgoing messages, the pedigree of the address or list is determined by monitoring where the user obtained the address. For incoming messages, the message header is parsed and searched to find addresses that match the receiving user's address book. If no match is found, a generic address icon is added before the text of the address, while the system checks the email header against other address sources such as server lists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Cortright, Daniel Crevier, James O'Connor, Michael Fullerton
  • Publication number: 20060082360
    Abstract: A vehicle seat occupancy detector 30 provides an output indicative of whether or not the vehicle seat 12 is occupied. The seat occupancy detector 30 includes a Hall effect device 82 which is exposed to a magnetic field provided by a magnet 80.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: David Becker, Aaron Mills, Michael Fullerton, Timothy Hannon
  • Publication number: 20060004843
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John Tafoya, David Cortright, Daniel Crevier, James O'Connor, Michael Fullerton, Jud Spencer
  • Publication number: 20050188043
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a system and process for allowing a user to treat email addresses as objects. This allows easy manipulation of the email addresses, such as allowing them to be added to a contact list, copied to the computer's clipboard, or double-clicked to open the related contact information for that email address' sender. Email addresses are treated as objects in the message preview pane and full message windows of both incoming and outgoing email messages. A small icon is added to the text of each address. In a preferred embodiment, the icons will vary depending on the pedigree of the address. The invention is not limited to single addresses. Rather, an entry denoting a mailing list could also be treated as an object and a unique icon could be employed to indicate the nature of the entry. For outgoing messages, the pedigree of the address or list is determined by monitoring where the user obtained the address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Cortright, Daniel Crevier, James O'Connor, Michael Fullerton
  • Publication number: 20050131888
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: John Tafoya, David Cortright, Daniel Crevier, James O'Connor, Michael Fullerton, Jud Spencer
  • Publication number: 20050108344
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention automatically provides dynamically generated completion information for facilitating user input of email addresses or contact information. This completion information is developed from a “data store” comprised of multiple data sources such as previously sent or received email, and other types of electronic files such as word processor or spreadsheet files. The present invention monitors and uses the information in the data store to automatically store, track, maintain, and organize data entries in a dynamic “resolution list”. As a user begins to input an email address or contact, the present invention can either automatically complete the entry using a most probable result from the resolution list, or can display a list of likely matches from which the user may select the desired email address or contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John Tafoya, David Cortright, Daniel Crevier, James O'Connor, Michael Fullerton