Patents by Inventor Robert J. Holton

Robert J. Holton 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: 4834603
    Abstract: An improved, thin walled fastener for retaining studs, rods, or the like is provided. The fastener is of the push-on type comprising a one-piece, generally thin, stamped sheet metal resilient body defining a generally centrally located stud retaining aperture for receipt and retention of studs, rods or the like. The body is preferably generally frusto-conical or dome shaped in cross section. The fastener is formed by punching or shearing a hole in a blank and then forming a generally dome shaped impression in the blank, the impression being generally coaxial with the axis of the punched hole. The required transverse extensions of the body are minimized by the utilization of the relatively smooth continuous edge of the punched hole rather than the burred edge of a punched hole as the stud retaining edge of the fastener stud retaining aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Holton
  • Patent number: 4826375
    Abstract: Preferred embodiments (60, 70) of a fastener adapted to secure any selected one of a plurality of threaded members (S") are provided. Fastener (60) features substantially parallel spaced-apart flat plate members (2, 4) preferably folded from one piece to provide a resilient end fold (6) connecting them together at one end and which features respective apertures (28, 26) that are axially offset by a distance ("x") and have respective thread engaging edges (24, 20) about at least a portion of their respective peripheries that are oriented to cause at least one of plates (2, 4) to rotate relative the other a distance effective to enable apertures (28, 26) to align sufficiently to enable threaded members ("S") to advance rotationally therethrough with end fold (6) further adapted to impart a resistive force against the threads that is effective to enhance the secured relationship therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Holton
  • Patent number: 4776740
    Abstract: A push-on type fastener (40) is provided for securing a cylindrical member such as a stud shank to an object. Fastener (40) includes generally axially aligned entrance opening (4) and exit aperture (6) surrounded by a resilient hollow projection (2) having a circumferentially continuous side wall. Aperture (6) is a non-circular opening defined between at least two retaining edges of projection (2) that are operative to provide engagement with the cylindrical member enabling the member to slide axially through exit aperture (6) from entrance opening (4) but inhibit movement in the opposite direction and which respectively include warped arcuate sections (3) adjacent the intersection between the respective extermities thereof that are operative to provide a stiffener for the retaining edges for smaller shank diameters and to stretch and prevent the retaining edges for splitting for larger shank diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Holton
  • Patent number: 4385431
    Abstract: An improved, thin walled fastener for retaining studs, rods, or the like is provided. The fastener is of the push-on type comprising a one-piece, generally thin, stamped sheet metal resilient body defining a generally centrally located stud retaining aperture for receipt and retention of studs, rods or the like. The body is preferably generally frusto-conical or dome shaped in cross section. The fastener is formed by punching or shearing a hole in a blank and then forming a generally dome shaped impression in the blank, the impression being generally coaxial with the axis of the punched hole. The required transverse extensions of the body are minimized by the utilization of the relatively smooth continuous edge of the punched hole rather than the burred edge of a punched hole as the stud retaining edge of the fastener stud retaining aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Holton
  • Patent number: 4259767
    Abstract: A one-piece, spring steel fastener (10) for releasably retaining the edge of a plastic panel (P) with a predetermined resistance to release is provided. The fastener comprises a base section (12) and a pair of leg sections (14, 16) extending therefrom. The leg sections each comprise a first portion (22, 24) extending upwardly and inwardly from the base section and a second portion (34, 36) extending downwardly and inwardly from the first portion to a free edge (38, 40). A tab (46, 48) is sheared from the second leg portions and extends generally inwardly therefrom. The free edges are separated by a distance (42) generally equal to the thickness (44) of the panel while the innermost edges of the tabs are separated by a distance (50) less than the thickness of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Holton
  • Patent number: 4186981
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a grounding device of the type employed for mounting an electrical component, such as a ground wire or the like, to a panel. The device is of a one-piece, unitary construction including a base member with an integral spring-arm member formed by a pair of leg portions connected at an apex. The leg portions include a retention slot for receipt of the component and then an edge of the panel for mounting the component in substantially parallel relationship in respect to such panel edge. In another aspect, the base member includes an upstanding flange portion having an opening disposed remote from the slot for receipt of the component and then such panel edge at a point spaced laterally of the spring-arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Holton
  • Patent number: 4143696
    Abstract: An improved self-retaining fastener which allows non-rotational, longitudinal insertion of an externally threaded fastener and prevents non-rotational, longitudinal removal thereof. The improved fastener includes antirotation means adapted for frontal insertion into a mounting structure, means for self-locking upon insertion into the mounting structure, and means for enhancing the locking frictional force imposed on the externally threaded fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1979
    Assignee: Eaton Corp.
    Inventors: Robert J. Holton, James F. Waterson