Patents by Inventor Michael K. Falkenstein

Michael K. Falkenstein 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: 11204055
    Abstract: A sheet metal screw includes one or more of a tapered self-drilling tip, an asymmetric thread angle and/or a trilobular thread edge profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein, Shreenivas Iyer, Hamid Faghidi
  • Patent number: 11105361
    Abstract: A screw includes: a head end, a shank and a tapered end, the head end including a tool engaging part, the head end located at one end of the shank and the tapered end located at an opposite end of the shank, wherein a thread is formed along the shank, the thread begins on the tapered end, extends onto the shank and terminates at a set location short of the head end, the thread being a right-hand thread and having a peripheral edge, at least a first helical portion of the peripheral edge includes a plurality of notches and a second helical portion of the thread lacks any notches, wherein the first helical portion is closer to the tapered end than the second helical portion, wherein the head includes an underside formed by a frustoconical part with a plurality of nibs. The head may also include an outer ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein, Beesham Mahadeo
  • Patent number: 10436238
    Abstract: A screw includes at least one helical thread with a peripheral edge having notched regions spaced apart by notch-free regions. An underside of a head of the screw includes projecting nibs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael K. Falkenstein, Farhad Lajewardi
  • Patent number: 10428859
    Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a head end, a shank and an entry end, the head end located at one end of the shank and the entry end located at an opposite end of the shank. The head end includes an end face with a drive recess configured for being driven by multiple drive bit shapes, including a star or six lobe drive, a Phillips drive, a square drive and a flat blade drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael K. Falkenstein, Farhad Lajewardi
  • Publication number: 20190136897
    Abstract: A screw includes: a head end, a shank and a tapered end, the head end including a tool engaging part, the head end located at one end of the shank and the tapered end located at an opposite end of the shank, wherein a thread is formed along the shank, the thread begins on the tapered end, extends onto the shank and terminates at a set location short of the head end, the thread being a right-hand thread and having a peripheral edge, at least a first helical portion of the peripheral edge includes a plurality of notches and a second helical portion of the thread lacks any notches, wherein the first helical portion is closer to the tapered end than the second helical portion, wherein the head includes an underside formed by a frustoconical part with a plurality of nibs. The head may also include an outer ledge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Farhad LAJEWARDI, Michael K. FALKENSTEIN, Beesham MAHADEO
  • Patent number: 10247219
    Abstract: A multi-thread screw includes a head end, a shank and a tapered end. Both a high thread and a low thread begin on the tapered end and extend onto the shank. The tapered end of the thread may include a polygonal cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein
  • Publication number: 20190063480
    Abstract: A sheet metal screw includes one or more of a tapered self-drilling tip, an asymmetric thread angle and/or a trilobular thread edge profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein, Shreenivas Iyer, Hamid Faghidi
  • Publication number: 20180347612
    Abstract: A threaded fastener includes a head end, a shank and an entry end, the head end located at one end of the shank and the entry end located at an opposite end of the shank. The head end includes an end face with a drive recess configured for being driven by multiple drive bit shapes, including a star or six lobe drive, a Phillips drive, a square drive and a flat blade drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael K. Falkenstein, Farhad Lajewardi
  • Publication number: 20180051500
    Abstract: A hinge arrangement includes a first hinge component and a second hinge component and a hinge pin, where the first hinge component includes plurality of knuckles each having a respective bushing washer inserted therein. Each bushing washer includes a tubular bushing body inserted within its respective knuckle and an annular washer rim that unitary with the tubular bushing body and disposed atop its respective knuckle. An outer surface of each tubular bushing washer engages an inner surface of its respective knuckle to retain the bushing washer to the knuckle even when the hinge pin is removed and the second hinge component is separated from the first hinge component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein
  • Publication number: 20170284447
    Abstract: A screw includes at least one helical thread with a peripheral edge having notched regions spaced apart by notch-free regions. An underside of a head of the screw includes projecting nibs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Michael K. Falkenstein, Farhad Lajewardi
  • Publication number: 20170122356
    Abstract: A multi-thread screw includes a head end, a shank and a tapered end. Both a high thread and a low thread begin on the tapered end and extend onto the shank. The tapered end of the thread may include a polygonal cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 9581183
    Abstract: A multi-thread screw includes a head end, a shank and a tapered end. Both a high thread and a low thread begin on the tapered end and extend onto the shank. A set of intermediate threads are located on the shank portion only and overlap with and intersect at least part of the high thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein
  • Publication number: 20160238053
    Abstract: A multi-thread screw includes a head end, a shank and a tapered end. Both a high thread and a low thread begin on the tapered end and extend onto the shank. A set of intermediate threads are located on the shank portion only and overlap with and intersect at least part of the high thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Farhad Lajewardi, Michael K. Falkenstein