Patents by Inventor T. J. Bland

T. J. Bland 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: 8992147
    Abstract: A retainer for a drop-in anchor includes a durable, moisture resistant member insertable into a sleeve of a drop-in anchor and configured to be retained in the sleeve by one or more threads disposed in the sleeve to prevent inadvertent removal of a plug from the sleeve. A drop-in anchor assembly includes a tubular sleeve having a first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. A retainer formed of a durable moisture-resistant material is insertable in the sleeve behind the plug, and is configured to be retained in the sleeve by the one or more threads and prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Alan J. Armiento, T. J. Bland
  • Patent number: 8714897
    Abstract: A drop-in anchor includes a tubular sleeve having a first end and an expandable second end, the sleeve including one or more indicator surfaces offset from the first end along a sleeve axis of the sleeve. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve, the second end expands and an installation tool interacts with the first end to provide a visual indication, due to contrast in appearance with the one or more indicator surfaces, of engagement of the drop-in anchor to a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: T. J. Bland, Robert La Barbera
  • Patent number: 8465239
    Abstract: A drop-in anchor system includes a drop-in anchor having a tubular sleeve with a first end and an expandable second end. The sleeve tapers in inner diameter from the first end to the second end at a sleeve taper angle. The drop-in anchor includes a plug insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. The plug tapers at a plug taper angle from a head end to a tip end and a difference between the sleeve taper angle and the plug taper angle is about one degree or more. The system includes an installation tool configured to form a hole in a workpiece into which the drop-in anchor is insertable and to drive the plug into the installed position in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Armiento, T. J. Bland, Robert La Barbera, Jacob Olsen
  • Patent number: 8439614
    Abstract: A drop-in anchor includes a tubular sleeve having a first end and an expandable second end. The sleeve tapers in inner diameter from the first end to the second end at a sleeve taper angle. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. The plug tapers at a plug taper angle from a head end to a tip end. A difference between the sleeve taper angle and the plug taper angle is about one degree or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: T. J. Bland, Jacob Olsen
  • Patent number: 8398346
    Abstract: A drop-in anchor includes a tubular sleeve having a first end and an expandable second end, the sleeve having one or more raised surfaces at the first end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands and an installation tool interacts with the one or more raised surfaces to provide a visual indication of engagement of the drop-in anchor to a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: T. J. Bland, Robert La Barbera