Patents by Inventor Michael T. Gattone
Michael T. Gattone 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: 8033700Abstract: A headlamp adjuster includes an adjustment gear for axially positioning an output shaft relative to a housing of the adjuster. A driving engagement of the adjustment gear and output shaft runs out at either axial extreme position to which the output shaft can be adjusted, and rotation of the adjustment gear can continue without further movement of the output shaft and without damage to the adjuster or a headlamp assembly in which the adjuster is installed. Biasing assemblies urge the output shaft toward re-engagement with the adjustment gear when the drive direction is reversed.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Asyst Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Michael T. Gattone
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Patent number: 7824087Abstract: A headlamp adjuster includes an output shaft driven by a co-rotatable gear. Threads on the shaft engage splines in a thin wall boss, the splines having limited circumferential engagement with the screw. The thin wall boss deflects outwardly in response to forces that build in the engagement of the shaft and splines, to release driving engagement between the splines and the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Asyst Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael T. Gattone, Stanley Piotrowski, Kui-Chiu Kwok
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Publication number: 20090273943Abstract: A headlamp adjuster includes an adjustment gear for axially positioning an output shaft relative to a housing of the adjuster. A driving engagement of the adjustment gear and output shaft runs out at either axial extreme position to which the output shaft can be adjusted, and rotation of the adjustment gear can continue without further movement of the output shaft and without damage to the adjuster or a headlamp assembly in which the adjuster is installed. Biasing assemblies urge the output shaft toward re-engagement with the adjustment gear when the drive direction is reversed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventor: Michael T. Gattone
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Publication number: 20090003969Abstract: An adjusting device for repositioning a movable component relative to a stationary component includes a shank having a head at one end thereof and a distal tip at an opposite end thereof. The adjusting device also includes a first thread formed on the shank, the first thread disposed in a helical pattern along the shank, and a reversing thread formed on the shank, the reversing thread disposed in a helical pattern along the axial surface of the shank, the reversing thread helical pattern is formed in a direction that is opposite to the helical pattern of the first thread. Also described herein is a linear adjustment assembly that includes an adjusting device and a retaining device. The retaining device includes a thread disposed in a helical pattern along an interior surface of the retaining device having a helical pattern that is substantially similar to the first thread helical pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: MICHAEL T. GATTONE, DARIEN P. HOBBS
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Publication number: 20080291690Abstract: A headlamp adjuster includes an output shaft driven by a co-rotatable gear. Threads on the shaft engage splines in a thin wall boss, the splines having limited circumferential engagement with the screw. The thin wall boss deflects outwardly in response to forces that build in the engagement of the shaft and splines, to release driving engagement between the splines and the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventors: Michael T. Gattone, Stanley Piotrowski
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Patent number: 7040788Abstract: A headlamp adjuster and a headlamp adjustment assembly have a fixed annular boss, a shaft axially moveable through the boss, and a gear having a thread engagement with a threaded portion of the shaft. A cap is non-rotatably engaged with the shaft and the boss.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works IncInventors: Peter B. Brazas, Michael T. Gattone
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Patent number: 6918691Abstract: A headlamp adjuster and a headlamp adjustment assembly having a housing, a shaft axially moveable in the housing and a gear having a thread engaging a thread of the shaft for causing axial movement of the shaft from rotation of the gear. The gear and/or housing are adapted to receive rotary input tools for adjustment. All parts can be made of plastic or other non-corrosive materials.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Gattone, Adolph G. Galinski
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Publication number: 20040240222Abstract: A headlamp adjuster and a headlamp adjustment assembly have a fixed annular boss, a shaft axially moveable through the boss, and a gear having a thread engagement with a threaded portion of the shaft. A cap is non-rotatably engaged with the shaft and the boss.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Peter B. Brazas, Michael T. Gattone
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Patent number: 6783314Abstract: A fastener device is disclosed for fastening a member having a post extending therefrom to a retainer defining an aperture. The arrangement is such that the post is received within the aperture of the retainer for lockably retaining the member relative to the retainer. The device includes a washer which has a peripheral rim and a first and a second face. The washer defines a hole for the reception therein of the post. The washer has a plurality of barbs which surround the hole, the barbs lockably cooperating with the post when the post is inserted into the hole. Also, the washer defines a plurality of ears which extend from the peripheral rim such that when the post is inserted into the aperture of the retainer, the ears engage the retainer for retaining the member relative to the retainer.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Michael T. Gattone
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Patent number: 6612796Abstract: The fastener includes a post element, a blind aperture assembly with a blind aperture into which the post element is inserted, and a rigid fastening member. The rigid fastening member includes a lower helical edge with an inwardly extending lip which threadably engages the external threads formed on the post. The inclined rotationally symmetric wall deflects upon insertion into the blind aperture, but then interferes with the walls of the blind aperture to resist withdrawal.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventor: Michael T. Gattone
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Publication number: 20030147724Abstract: A fastener device is disclosed for fastening a member having a post extending therefrom to a retainer defining an aperture. The arrangement is such that the post is received within the aperture of the retainer for lockably retaining the member relative to the retainer. The device includes a washer which has a peripheral rim and a first and a second face. The washer defines a hole for the reception therein of the post. The washer has a plurality of barbs which surround the hole, the barbs lockably cooperating with the post when the post is inserted into the hole. Also, the washer defines a plurality of ears which extend from the peripheral rim such that when the post is inserted into the aperture of the retainer, the ears engage the retainer for retaining the member relative to the retainer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventor: Michael T. Gattone
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Publication number: 20020067974Abstract: The fastener includes a post element, a blind aperture assembly with a blind aperture into which the post element is inserted, and a rigid fastening member. The rigid fastening member includes a lower helical edge with an inwardly extending lip which threadably engages the external threads formed on the post. The inclined rotationally symmetric wall deflects upon insertion into the blind aperture, but then interferes with the walls of the blind aperture to resist withdrawal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventor: Michael T. Gattone
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Patent number: 6361261Abstract: The fastener includes a post element, a blind aperture pivot assembly with a blind aperture into which the post element is inserted, and a rigid fastening member. The rigid fastening member secures around the post. The inclined rotationally symmetric wall deflects upon insertion into the blind aperture, but then interferes with the walls of the blind aperture to resist withdrawal.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Gattone, Tao-Ming Wang