Patents by Inventor Michelle E. Bozinovski

Michelle E. Bozinovski 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: 11971066
    Abstract: A press-in retainer includes a retainer head having a collar and a seal disposed at least partially about the collar. A clip portion projects from the collar. The seal includes a main body engaging the collar and a sealing foot disposed entirely outboard from the collar. The sealing foot is configured to hinge about an intersection of the sealing foot and body portion while remaining entirely outboard from the main body. In a substantially flattened condition of the sealing foot, an angle between the sealing foot and a distal surface of the main body approaches a flat contiguous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Publication number: 20230072112
    Abstract: A press-in retainer includes a retainer head having a collar and a seal disposed at least partially about the collar. A clip portion projects from the collar. The seal includes a main body engaging the collar and a sealing foot disposed entirely outboard from the collar. The sealing foot is configured to hinge about an intersection of the sealing foot and body portion while remaining entirely outboard from the main body. In a substantially flattened condition of the sealing foot, an angle between the sealing foot and a distal surface of the main body approaches a flat contiguous surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Publication number: 20230070447
    Abstract: A press-in retainer is configured to join a surface element to a support structure that has an acceptance opening. The press-in retainer includes a retainer head including a collar, a platform, and a neck disposed between the collar and the platform. The retainer head is configured for placement into a channel defined by the surface element. A seal is disposed about a perimeter of the collar and includes a main body and a sealing foot. The sealing foot is connected to the main body by a living hinge extending along a perimeter of the main body and is disposed entirely outboard from the collar. A clip portion extends from the collar of the retainer head. The clip portion is configured for insertion into the acceptance opening of the support structure and includes two or more wing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Patent number: 11578740
    Abstract: A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Publication number: 20200300280
    Abstract: A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Patent number: 10683882
    Abstract: A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Publication number: 20180266460
    Abstract: A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Patent number: 9982694
    Abstract: A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski
  • Publication number: 20150322985
    Abstract: A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Derek SCROGGIE, Michelle E. BOZINOVSKI, Robert A. MURAWSKI
  • Patent number: 9168878
    Abstract: A multi-piece molding retainer assembly including a female stud engagement latch which is held in floating snap-fit relation within a molding engagement clip adapted to engage and retain the overlying molding. The stud engagement latch and the molding engagement clip are moveable in relation to one another in both the longitudinal and lateral directions after attachment. The retainer assembly accommodates variations in stud position and height such that the attached molding may be properly positioned despite variations in the studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle E. Bozinovski
  • Patent number: 8936420
    Abstract: A press-in fastener adapted to join a first component to a second component. The fastener includes a proximal head and a distal base clip portion below the head. The base clip portion includes an axially displaceable post structure and a pair of opposing wings extending in upwardly angled relation away from the travel path defined by the post structure. Collapsible legs engage the wings in operative connection to the post structure. As the fastener is pressed inwardly, upon encountering resistance from the second component, the legs collapse in folded relation as the post structure travels axially between the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland, Robert A. Murawski, Michelle E. Bozinovski
  • Publication number: 20130283576
    Abstract: A multi-piece molding retainer assembly including a female stud engagement latch which is held in floating snap-fit relation within a molding engagement clip adapted to engage and retain the overlying molding. The stud engagement latch and the molding engagement clip are moveable in relation to one another in both the longitudinal and lateral directions after attachment. The retainer assembly accommodates variations in stud position and height such that the attached molding may be properly positioned despite variations in the studs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Michelle E. Bozinovski
  • Publication number: 20130287518
    Abstract: A press-in fastener adapted to join a first component to a second component. The fastener includes a proximal head and a distal base clip portion below the head. The base clip portion includes an axially displaceable post structure and a pair of opposing wings extending in upwardly angled relation away from the travel path defined by the post structure. Collapsible legs engage the wings in operative connection to the post structure. As the fastener is pressed inwardly, upon encountering resistance from the second component, the legs collapse in folded relation as the post structure travels axially between the wings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland, Robert A. Murawski, Michelle E. Bozinovski
  • Patent number: D897826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Michelle E. Bozinovski, Robert A. Murawski