Patents by Inventor Nicholas Strumbos

Nicholas Strumbos 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: 11287223
    Abstract: A mounting adapter for a mounting and fastening system includes: a radially inward portion including a throughbore having a throughbore axis; an inboard end including an adapter inboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis, and an inboard counterbore in the adapter inboard surface in communication with the throughbore; an outboard end including an adapter outboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; and a radially outward portion having a tapered outward surface that tapers in an axially inboard and radially inward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 11054223
    Abstract: A mounting and fastening system rail has an inboard-outboard axis, and comprises: a rail inboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; a rail outboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; at least one sidewall extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having at least one hanger mounting edge; and at least one endwall extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having an incurvate tapered surface extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and tapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 11002306
    Abstract: A sacrificial washer has a longitudinal central axis and comprises a cup and a cap. The cup includes a cup base wall extending transversely with respect to the axis, a cup radially outer wall extending outwardly away from the cup base wall, and a cup inner diameter. The cup includes a cap base wall extending transversely with respect to the axis and spaced axially away from the cup base wall, and a cap radially inner wall extending inwardly away from the cap base wall and having a cap inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 10921096
    Abstract: A mounting and fastening system includes a mounting adapter configured to adapt mounting of a second component with respect to a first component, and having a radially inward portion including a throughbore, and a radially outward portion with a tapered outward surface that tapers in an axially inboard and radially inward direction and that cooperates with a tapered surface of the second component and such that an adapter inboard surface faces a first outboard surface of the first component. A mounting bolt for a mounting a fastening system includes: a head including flat opposite sides and semi-cylindrical opposite sides interposed between the flat opposite sides; a shank extending from the head; an external thread on at least a portion of the shank; a passage extending through the head and into at least a portion of the shank; and an internal thread in at least a portion of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 10914556
    Abstract: A mounting and fastening system clamp has an inboard-outboard axis, and includes a clamp inboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; a clamp outboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; a clamp outward surface extending between the inboard and outboard surfaces; a tapered inward surface extending between the inboard and outboard surfaces and tapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction; and a rail mating inward surface extending between the inboard and outboard surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20190101363
    Abstract: A mounting and fastening system rail has an inboard-outboard axis, and comprises: a rail inboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; a rail outboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; at least one sidewall extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having at least one hanger mounting edge; and at least one endwall extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and having an incurvate tapered surface extending between the rail inboard and outboard surfaces and tapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20190101362
    Abstract: A mounting and fastening system clamp has an inboard-outboard axis, and includes a clamp inboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; a clamp outboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; a clamp outward surface extending between the inboard and outboard surfaces; a tapered inward surface extending between the inboard and outboard surfaces and tapering in an axially inboard and radially inward direction; and a rail mating inward surface extending between the inboard and outboard surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20190101150
    Abstract: A sacrificial washer has a longitudinal central axis and comprises a cup and a cap. The cup includes a cup base wall extending transversely with respect to the axis, a cup radially outer wall extending outwardly away from the cup base wall, and a cup inner diameter. The cup includes a cap base wall extending transversely with respect to the axis and spaced axially away from the cup base wall, and a cap radially inner wall extending inwardly away from the cap base wall and having a cap inner diameter less than the cup inner diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20190101361
    Abstract: A mounting and fastening system includes a mounting adapter configured to adapt mounting of a second component with respect to a first component, and having a radially inward portion including a throughbore, and a radially outward portion with a tapered outward surface that tapers in an axially inboard and radially inward direction and that cooperates with a tapered surface of the second component and such that an adapter inboard surface faces a first outboard surface of the first component. A mounting bolt for a mounting a fastening system includes: a head including flat opposite sides and semi-cylindrical opposite sides interposed between the flat opposite sides; a shank extending from the head; an external thread on at least a portion of the shank; a passage extending through the head and into at least a portion of the shank; and an internal thread in at least a portion of the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20190101360
    Abstract: A mounting adapter for a mounting and fastening system includes: a radially inward portion including a throughbore having a throughbore axis; an inboard end including an adapter inboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis, and an inboard counterbore in the adapter inboard surface in communication with the throughbore; an outboard end including an adapter outboard surface extending transversely with respect to the axis; and a radially outward portion having a tapered outward surface that tapers in an axially inboard and radially inward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 9970471
    Abstract: A direct tension indicator plate, washer assembly, and fastener assembly. The plate includes an annular array of circumferentially-spaced legs extending radially outwardly from a hub, wherein each leg includes a foot portion oriented at least partially in a circumferential direction. The washer assembly includes an indicator plate carried by a washer plate having an annular array of protuberances projecting from a surface, a portion of the indicator plate being carried on the protuberances. The fastener assembly includes a fastener having an axially facing surface positioned against an annular portion of an indicator plate to sandwich the annular portion between the axially facing surface and an array of protuberances of a washer plate, wherein, when the fastener is fastened against the washer plate placing the indicator plate in compression with the washer plate, the array of legs are displaced radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 9719550
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a fastener, a washer, and a ratchet plate. The washer includes a washer base, and at least one pawl extending from the washer base. The ratchet plate includes a ratchet base and a ratcheted outer profile extending in a circumferential direction around a circumferential periphery of the ratchet base. The ratchet plate is carried by a head of the fastener, and the ratcheted outer profile cooperates with the pawl of the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 9689417
    Abstract: A washer includes a domed central portion with a central opening establishing a longitudinal axis, a base wall extending in a direction radially outwardly from the axis, and an extension wall extending in a direction radially outwardly and axially away from the base wall. The washer also includes a curled radially outer periphery with a peripheral wall extending radially outwardly from the extension wall and in a direction axially away from the extension wall back toward the base wall. A fastener assembly includes the washer and a fastener having a shank extending through the central opening of the central portion. A fastener arrangement includes the fastener assembly and an object to which the fastener assembly is fastened. A product, and a related method, include a panel carried by an underlying support structure to which the shank of the fastener assembly is coupled, with the curled radially outer periphery engaging the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 9435368
    Abstract: Indicating washers may include bumps and underlying dimples configured to control compression of the indicating washer during installation. Each bump may include a tapered triangular shape and may be asymmetrical with respect to each underlying dimple. Methods of operating an indicating washer system may include providing progressive compression along trailing, top, and leading ramp surfaces. Methods of manufacturing may include forming a washer from a metal sheet with a tool having an inner cutting edge, an outer cutting edge, a triangular punch, and a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20160084291
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a fastener, a washer, and a ratchet plate. The washer includes a washer base, and at least one pawl extending from the washer base. The ratchet plate includes a ratchet base and a ratcheted outer profile extending in a circumferential direction around a circumferential periphery of the ratchet base. The ratchet plate is carried by a head of the fastener, and the ratcheted outer profile cooperates with the pawl of the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20160076573
    Abstract: A direct tension indicator plate, washer assembly, and fastener assembly. The plate includes an annular array of circumferentially-spaced legs extending radially outwardly from a hub, wherein each leg includes a foot portion oriented at least partially in a circumferential direction. The washer assembly includes an indicator plate carried by a washer plate having an annular array of protuberances projecting from a surface, a portion of the indicator plate being carried on the protuberances. The fastener assembly includes a fastener having an axially facing surface positioned against an annular portion of an indicator plate to sandwich the annular portion between the axially facing surface and an array of protuberances of a washer plate, wherein, when the fastener is fastened against the washer plate placing the indicator plate in compression with the washer plate, the array of legs are displaced radially outwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Patent number: 9260088
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a hybrid electric vehicle having a brake pedal arm and a cam follower extending from the brake pedal arm is provided. The cam follower is configured to cooperate with a stamp bracket having a cam surface to provide brake pedal feel resistance as the brake pedal arm is actuated by a user of the hybrid electric vehicle. This brake pedal feel resistance increases as the cam follower traverses along the cam surface of the stamp bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Allen Shand, Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20150267731
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a direct tension indicator (DTI) plate. The DTI plate may include a hub having an opening, and an annular array of circumferentially-spaced legs extending radially outwardly from the hub. Each leg may include a knee portion extending from the hub, a foot portion, and an ankle portion joining the knee and foot portions, and the foot portions may be oriented at least partially in a common, circumferential direction. In addition, the ankle portion may be narrower than the knee portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20150204368
    Abstract: Indicating washers may include bumps and underlying dimples configured to control compression of the indicating washer during installation. Each bump may include a tapered triangular shape and may be asymmetrical with respect to each underlying dimple. Methods of operating an indicating washer system may include providing progressive compression along trailing, top, and leading ramp surfaces. Methods of manufacturing may include forming a washer from a metal sheet with a tool having an inner cutting edge, an outer cutting edge, a triangular punch, and a stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos
  • Publication number: 20150101446
    Abstract: A brake pedal assembly for a hybrid electric vehicle having a brake pedal arm and a cam follower extending from the brake pedal arm is provided. The cam follower is configured to cooperate with a stamp bracket having a cam surface to provide brake pedal feel resistance as the brake pedal arm is actuated by a user of the hybrid electric vehicle. This brake pedal feel resistance increases as the cam follower traverses along the cam surface of the stamp bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Allen Shand, Robert E. Stewart, Nicholas Strumbos