Patents by Inventor Richard K. Mitts

Richard K. Mitts 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: 7373693
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a door hinge housing configured to be mounted to a door, a body hinge housing configured to be mounted to a stationary object, and a check assembly including a spring. The body hinge housing is pivotally secured to the door hinge housing. The check assembly is covered by at least one of the door hinge housing and the body hinge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert A. Markl, John M. Kosidlo, Lawrence W. Johnson, Richard K. Mitts, Paul J. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 6935823
    Abstract: An anchor nut device for attachment to a structure, the device defining a threaded bore for the reception therein of a corresponding member. The device includes an anchor nut which is fabricated from a first material, the nut defining the bore and a plurality of radially extending ears. A base plate is fabricated from a second material, the plate having a first and a second face, the first face cooperating with the plurality of ears. The second face of the plate defines a plurality of dimples for facilitating welding of the plate to the structure. A plurality of arms extend from the plate, such that each ear of the plurality of ears is disposed between a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms and the first face of the plate for capturing the nut relative to the plate. Also, a stop extends from the anchor nut, the stop being disposed between adjacent ears for controlling rotational movement of the anchor nut relative to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Mitts, Norbert A. Markl
  • Patent number: 6616204
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle door striker plate (10) includes first and second plate parts (22,24) coupled together by an edge flange (26). A continuous slot (28) separates the plate parts except for two bendable portions (30,32). In use, second plate part (24) is welded to a door closing surface in predetermined arrangement then the door has certain manufacturing operations. Next, the door is removed from the body for accessory mounting (e.g., windows). Finally, on reattachment of the door to the body, any reattachment positional adjustment is accomplished by bending the portions (39, 32) by force application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Mitts, Norbert A. Markl
  • Publication number: 20030129041
    Abstract: An anchor nut device is disclosed for attachment to a structure, the device defining a threaded bore for the reception therein of a corresponding member. The device includes an anchor nut which is fabricated from a first material, the nut defining the bore and a plurality of radially extending ears. A base plate is fabricated from a second material, the plate having a first and a second face, the first face cooperating with the plurality of ears. The second face of the plate defines a plurality of dimples for facilitating welding of the plate to the structure. A plurality of arms extend from the plate, such that each ear of the plurality of ears is disposed between a corresponding arm of the plurality of arms and the first face of the plate for capturing the nut relative to the plate. Also, a stop extends from the anchor nut, the stop being disposed between adjacent ears for controlling rotational movement of the anchor nut relative to the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Richard K. Mitts, Norbert A. Markl
  • Patent number: 6511120
    Abstract: A reinforcing nut plate (40) contacts one surface of an automotive vehicle body pillar (28) with hot-melt adhesive bodies (52) therebetween. A door hinge plate (15) is secured to the pillar (28) and nut plate (40) by one or more bolts (20,22) providing a predetermined mounting arrangement. On rust-proofing or other manufacturing treatment raising the door temperature a significant amount, the adhesive bodies affix the nut plate to the pillar. Now, the door may be removed from the pillar and transported to another work site for accessories to be mounted, following which the door can be readily reinstalled to the predetermined arrangement with the pillar and nut plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Mitts
  • Patent number: 6318940
    Abstract: A fastener (10) for locking receipt in an opening (34) of panel (36) has an upper end portion (16), a flange (18), and a locking insert (24) for receipt in the opening (34) and forcibly distended to prevent removal of the fastener from the opening. A number of gripping means (22) formed in a surface of the flange (18) each include a knifelike edge (32) with a slot (33) at each side thereof. The gripping means bite into the panel providing purchase resisting rotation of the fastener relative to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Mitts
  • Patent number: 6015253
    Abstract: A cage (28) constructed from a metal blank 26 for encompassing a plurality of nested conical washers (43) having a common threaded bore to form a nut (28). The cage side walls are free of separable openings (22) that would result in relaxation ("blossoming") of nut parts during nut tempering causing undesirable separation and misalignment of the nut threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Mitts
  • Patent number: 6012201
    Abstract: A door hinge pad (12) and body hinge pad (14) are respectively mounted on the door and body of an automotive vehicle, and interrelated for relative swinging movement by a pivot pin (16). A pair of spaced apart camming surfaces 30 integral with the door hinge pad (12) are resiliently tracked by first and second rollers (68) connected to opposite ends of a compression spring (66) integrally related to the body hinge pad (14). Swinging movement of the door hinge pad (12) away from the closed position moves the rollers (68) over a camming raised portion into a dwell (34) serving as a limit stop at a predetermined door opening angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Mitts, Warren H. Miller
  • Patent number: 5249900
    Abstract: A light-weight sheet metal fastener (10) is formed from a single flat metal blank (20) to include first and second pairs of opposite side wall members (22, 24) having parts formed into leaf spring members (49), all surrounding a threaded sleeve (16) unitary with a center plate (12). The side wall members (22, 24) extend through a panel (14) opening (60) during mounting and the spring members lock against fastener removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: California Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Mitts
  • Patent number: 4756054
    Abstract: This invention discloses a tip out hinge specifically designed for use with a storage container located within a cabinet. The tip out hinge provides easy access to the contents of a storage container located within a cabinet. For example, the tip out hinge is used in a tip out storage container in a bathroom for clothing or bathroom items. It also provides access to a storage facility located behind a false front in a bathroom or kitchen. The tip out hinge permits the storage unit to tip forward from the cabinet, remain open until closing begins, remain closed even when bumped, provide a large opening for easy access to the storage container and will not interfere with the operation of any doors or drawers located below the tip out storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Rev-A-Shelf
    Inventors: Richard K. Mitts, J. Kevin Jones
  • Patent number: 4738495
    Abstract: A half-moon rotary shelf assembly having shelves mounted on a vertical post that is connected to cabinet frame by securing it to a bottom mounting assembly which is itself secured to the floor of the cabinet. The half-moon shelf assembly is adaptable for use in a dead-end storage corner cabinet. The half-moon shelf can also be secured to slides to allow the shelf to be slidably extended from the cabinet to provide additional access to the shelf. A rotation restriction means can be placed over the shaft to prevent destructive rotation of the half-moon shelf both within the cabinet and when the shelf is in its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Rev-A-Shelf, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Mitts
  • Patent number: 4688686
    Abstract: A rotary shelf assembly having shelves mounted on a vertical post is connected to a cabinet frame by upper and lower mounting brackets interacting with bearing members to support the post. The assembly is adapted to be mounted in the corner of the cabinet frame. To adjust the vertical position of the cabinet frame, the lower bearing element is adjustable by means of a threaded shaft which raises and lowers the vertical post. The threaded shaft is raised and lowered by means of either a knurled cylindrical element or a toothed cylindrical element, accessible through the post by rectangular openings. By rotating the toothed or knurled elements, the shaft of the vertical adjustment means rotates within the mounting bracket, thereby adjusting the height of the rotary shelf assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Rev-A-Shelf, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Mitts, J. Kevin Jones
  • Patent number: 3969696
    Abstract: The end of an elongated resistance element, such as a molybdenum disilicide rod, is joined to a metal member which provides both electrical connection and mechanical support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1973
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Inventors: Denis G. Wolfe, Richard K. Mitts, Wilbur F. Jackson, deceased, by Linda A. Benton, trust administrator
  • Patent number: 3969656
    Abstract: An electric igniter assembly including a casing in which the major length of the igniter element is enclosed so that only a small portion is disposed in proximity to a gas burner; the electrical connectors for the igniter element and the electrodes that are attached to power leads are disposed remote from the flame issuing from the gas burner as well as being fixedly supported in the casing which includes shock absorbent material to reduce possibilities of breakage of the igniter element. A shield mounted upon the casing surrounds the igniter element so as to readily enable direct ignition of the gas burner and thereafter protect the igniter from direct burner flame impingement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Richard K. Mitts, Wilbur F. Jackson, James R. Willson
  • Patent number: D256864
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Scovill Inc.
    Inventors: Carlson L. Nippel, Richard K. Mitts
  • Patent number: D264425
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Scovill Inc.
    Inventors: Carlson L. Nippel, Richard K. Mitts