Patents by Inventor Thomas J Ellis

Thomas J Ellis 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: 6468012
    Abstract: A captive screw attachable an upper panel, for attaching the upper panel to a lower surface, the lower surface having a threaded hole, the captive screw having a screw, a ferrule that attaches to the upper panel, a thin-walled, cylindrical hollow knob and protrusions integral to the outer perimeter of the head portion of the screw to rigidly secure the perimeter of the head of the screw to the inner surface of the knob, the protrusions providing a press-fit of the screw to the inner surface of the knob where the screw is pressed into the knob from the underside of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Edward A. McCormack, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Publication number: 20010041110
    Abstract: A captive screw attachable an upper panel, for attaching the upper panel to a lower surface, the lower surface having a threaded hole, the captive screw having a screw, a ferrule that attaches to the upper panel, a thin-walled, cylindrical hollow knob and protrusions integral to the outer perimeter of the head portion of the screw to rigidly secure the perimeter of the head of the screw to the inner surface of the knob, the protrusions providing a press-fit of the screw to the inner surface of the knob where the screw is pressed into the knob from the underside of the knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Edward A. McCormack, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6280131
    Abstract: A captive screw attachable an upper panel, for attaching the upper panel to a lower surface, the lower surface having a threaded hole, the captive screw having a screw, a ferrule that attaches to the upper panel, a thin-walled, cylindrical hollow knob and protrusions integral to the outer perimeter of the head portion of the screw to rigidly secure the perimeter of the head of the screw to the inner surface of the knob, the protrusions providing a press-fit of the screw to the inner surface of the knob where the screw is pressed into the knob from the underside of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Edward A. McCormack, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6238155
    Abstract: A torque screw having a screw with a head and a threaded shaft, a knob having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the screw and a one-directional ratchet disposed between the knob and the screw that engages to allow the screw to be disengaged in a counter-clockwise direction using the knob, and engages when rotated in a clockwise direction to a predetermined torque value. Once that predetermined torque value is reached, the ratchet is caused to slip such that the knob turns relatively freely with respect to the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Thomas J. Ellis, Harry L. Dickerson, Lianli Ji
  • Patent number: 6086480
    Abstract: A method of making a knob and ferrule for a captive screw is disclosed, the knob integrally attached to the screw, the ferrule attachable to a panel. The method of making the knob includes providing an aluminum alloy base metal for the knob, pressing by cold-forming the base material into a generally cylindrical cup-shaped article using at least one pressing operation, the cup having a generally cylindrical side wall, removing any base material situated outside the perimeter of the cup-shaped cylindrical article, and providing a hole in the bottom of the cup, coaxial with the hollow cylindrical walls of the cup, thereby forming the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Edward A. McCormack, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5910052
    Abstract: A method of making a knob and ferrule for a captive screw is disclosed, the knob integrally attached to the screw, the ferrule attachable to a panel. The method of making the knob includes providing an aluminum alloy base metal for the knob, pressing by cold-forming the base material into a generally cylindrical cup-shaped article using at least one pressing operation, the cup having a generally cylindrical side wall, removing any base material situated outside the perimeter of the cup-shaped cylindrical article, and providing a hole in the bottom of the cup, coaxial with the hollow cylindrical walls of the cup, thereby forming the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Edward A. McCormack, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5865582
    Abstract: A one-directional captive screw attachable to a panel that is hand tightenable, but requires a tool to loosen once hand tightened. The captive screw includes a screw having a head with a recess and a threaded portion, a knob having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the screw, a one-directional ratchet between the knob and the screw. The ratchet engages to allow the screw to be tightened in a clockwise direction using the knob, and disengages when rotated in a counterclockwise direction, such that a tool is required to loosen the screw by use of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5851095
    Abstract: A captive screw attachable an upper panel, for attaching the upper panel to a lower surface, the lower surface having a threaded hole, the captive screw having a screw, a ferrule that attaches to the upper panel, a thin-walled, cylindrical hollow knob and protrusions integral to the outer perimeter of the head portion of the screw to rigidly secure the perimeter of the head of the screw to the inner surface of the knob, the protrusions providing a press-fit of the screw to the inner surface of the knob where the screw is pressed into the knob from the underside of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Edward A. McCormack, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5642972
    Abstract: A one-directional captive screw attachable to a panel that is hand tightenable, but requires a tool to loosen once hand tightened. The captive screw includes a screw having a head with a recess and a threaded portion, a knob having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the screw, a one-directional ratchet between the knob and the screw. The ratchet engages to allow the screw to be tightened in a clockwise direction using the knob, and disengages when rotated in a counterclockwise direction, such that a tool is required to loosen the screw by use of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 5411165
    Abstract: A system providing rapid and efficient evacuation of valuables from a storage site such a home or office. Such rapid evacuation is often required in the face of impending disaster. A storage container, for example a drawer, is provided with an inner lining. Valuables are stored on the lining within the drawer. The lining itself is an open carrier having side walls which are folded so as to configure the liner to the drawer. In the case of emergency evacuation, the side walls of the liner are rapidly unfolded by grasping draw strings which act to remove the liner from the drawer and to close the liner to provide a closed transport carrier for the valuables stored within the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas J. Ellis
  • Patent number: 4478115
    Abstract: A key for a tamper-resistant fastener having three sockets, one below the other, one of the sockets being eccentric relative to the center axis of the fastener. The key comprises a flat blade portion having integral upper, middle and lower insertable portions, the center axis of the middle insertable portion being off-set from the center axis of the key. The width and length of each of the insertable portions corresponds respectively to the diameter and depth of the upper, middle, and lower sockets. The upper and lower insertable portions of the key prevent tilting of the key when torque is applied by the off-centered middle section to the eccentric middle socket of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Ellis
  • Patent number: D409379
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas J. Ellis