Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Benoit

Thomas A. Benoit 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).

  • Publication number: 20050051675
    Abstract: A clip device is disclosed for removably securing a tube, such as an air conditioning condenser tube, to a bracket, such as a radiator bracket, which includes a slot. The clip includes an annular body having a first and a second edge, the body defining an opening for the removable reception therein of the condenser tube. The body includes a flexible arm having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the arm defines a tooth which lockingly cooperates with the slot. The arrangement is such that the condenser tube passes through the opening of the body and then the body is further moved axially along the condenser tube so that the bracket extends through the opening and next, the body is rotated about the condenser tube such that the tooth engages the slot for removably securing the condenser tube to the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Benoit, Mark Kwilosz, Gene Harris, Brian Peek
  • Publication number: 20040238698
    Abstract: A vibration damping clip of rigid material in which a softer lining is formed on the holding part of the clip including through an aperture in the holding part so that the lining is physically locked thereto. A similar lock is provided at an entrance or lead-in to the substantially annular holding portion of the clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: David A. Shereyk, Thomas A. Benoit
  • Patent number: 6669150
    Abstract: A clip assembly configured for attachment to an axially elongated tubular member in a manner limiting movements of said clip assembly relative to the elongated member is disclosed. The clip assembly includes a hollow sleeve configured to fit about and grippingly engage an outer lengthwise portion of the elongated tubular member and a clip having a fastening portion and an attachment portion. The fastening portion of the clip is configured to attach the clip to a support. The attachment portion of the clip includes first and second sections which combine with each other to define an opening for accommodating and compressing the hollow sleeve therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Benoit, David A. Shereyk
  • Publication number: 20020179780
    Abstract: A clip assembly configured for attachment to an axially elongated tubular member in a manner limiting movements of said clip assembly relative to the elongated member is disclosed. The clip assembly includes a hollow sleeve configured to fit about and grippingly engage an outer lengthwise portion of the elongated tubular member and a clip having a fastening portion and an attachment portion. The fastening portion of the clip is configured to attach the clip to a support. The attachment portion of the clip includes first and second sections which combine with each other to define an opening for accommodating and compressing the hollow sleeve therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Benoit, David A. Shereyk
  • Patent number: 6179480
    Abstract: A fiber optic lighting system connector for coupling a fiber optic cable to another fiber optic cable, or a light source, or a light fixture. The connector includes a sleeve member having a plurality of resilient fingers and an axial bore for receiving a fiber optic cable end portion. A cap is non-threadably coupled to the sleeve member and movable axially about the resilient fingers between first and second positions to constrict the resilient fingers about a fiber optic cable end portion or conductor member for axial retention thereof in the axial bore. The resilient fingers preferably include first and second recesses in corresponding side portions thereof, and a tooth disposed between and offset from the first and second recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Bella, Thomas A. Benoit, Kenneth LeVey, William J. Olson, David A. Shereyk, Jeffrey M. Stupar, Richard A. Koscik
  • Patent number: 6179539
    Abstract: The clip of the present invention includes a plurality of internally threaded legs which form an aperture for receiving an externally threaded stud or similar structural device. A moveable circular collet is attached to a plunger and travels from a pre-driven position wherein the collet is substantially free from engagement with the internally threaded legs and allows for flexure of the internally threaded legs and a fully driven position wherein the collet engages the internally threaded legs in a locked position, inhibiting flexure and engaging the externally threaded stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Benoit, Charles Meyer
  • Patent number: 5851097
    Abstract: An article with a tethered prong fastener having a first stem protruding therefrom, wherein the first stem has a distal end portion with a first resilient arm extending divergently outwardly therefrom and back toward the article, and a first flexible tether coupling the first resilient arm to the first stem. The first resilient arm is flexible inwardly toward the first stem and subsequently flexed back outwardly away from the first stem, whereby the first flexible tether member limits outward deflection of the first resilient arm away from the first stem, thereby improving fastening performance thereof without interfering with the inward flexing of the resilient arm. The tethered prong fastener is configurable as a clip useable for engageably retaining elongate body members, as a w-prong fastener fastenable through an opening in a workpiece, and as a spacing member useable for engaging and retaining first and second workpieces in spaced relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Shereyk, Thomas A. Benoit
  • Patent number: 5301396
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for engagement with an aperture in an article including a fastener having at least a shank, a head at a first end of the shank and a resilient retaining member along the shank for releasably retaining the fastener to the article after insertion of at least a portion of the retaining member within the aperture, and an engagement member for compressing the retaining member prior to insertion within the aperture and contact of the retaining member with the article, and for preventing compression of the retaining member by the article about the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Benoit
  • Patent number: 5163795
    Abstract: A fastener including a body portion having a head member and a shank member integrally formed with one side of the head member, the head member including a central aperture and at least one flexible engagement member intergrally formed with the head member opposite the shank member and extending intothe aperture a predetermined distance, the shank member including at least two substantially resilient leg member each having a conically shaped interior surface which oppose each other forming a tapered axial bore through the shank member tapering away from and in cooperative alignment with the aperture and a drive pin having a predetermined length and cross-sectional configuration for complementary engagement with the aperture, flexible engagement member, axial bore and leg members, the drive pin icluding at least a first concave longitudinal channel formed along its length and extending into the drive pin which includes at least a first lateral ramp member extending across the width of the first channel for coo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Illionis Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Benoit, James E. Marion
  • Patent number: 4971500
    Abstract: An enclosed plastic screw grommet includes a head flange and a shank portion. The head flange is provided with four radially extending U-shaped slots so as to permit flexing upon insertion into a panel, thereby reducing the force needed. The shank portion includes two sets of opposed ramps formed on its outer surface and which are disposed in an offset relationship with respect to each other to thereby accommodate a variety of panel thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Benoit, Ronald K. Wilson