Patents by Inventor Thomas V. Aukzemas

Thomas V. Aukzemas 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: 20230138689
    Abstract: A captive fastener attachable to a panel along a fastener axis is provided. The captive fastener includes a fastener having a head portion and a shaft extending from the head portion and along the fastener axis. The captive fastener also includes a knob having a proximal end portion engaged to the head portion of the fastener and an annular portion extending radially around the fastener axis and the shaft of the fastener. A ferrule is associated with the knob, the ferrule defining an opening extending along the fastener axis and receiving the shaft of the fastener. The ferrule has a proximal end portion configured to prevent separation of the knob from the ferrule along the fastener axis and a distal end portion configured for engagement to the panel. A spring is positioned to bias the knob or the fastener proximally relative to the ferrule and to inhibit tilting of the knob or the fastener relative to the fastener axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jingyao Peng, Thomas V. Aukzemas, Xuexian Qin, Richard E. Schlack, Bing Hua Chiang, Chuanjun Li, Xiaoying Liao
  • Patent number: 11629534
    Abstract: A latch is configured to fix a panel relative to a frame. The latch includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and defining an aperture along the longitudinal axis; a cap mounted within the aperture of the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, the cap comprising a drive surface; and a cover coupled to the housing to pivot about a lateral axis, the cover pivotable to be in a closed position in which the cover covers the cap; wherein when the cap is in an unlatched position, the drive surface of the cap is aligned with an engagement surface of the cover and positioned to block the cover from pivoting to the closed position; and wherein when the cap is in a latched position, the drive surface is unaligned with the engagement surface and positioned to permit the cover to pivot to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Edward Manly, Andrew James Thornton, Jack Dennehy, Michael Post, Thomas V. Aukzemas
  • Publication number: 20190338569
    Abstract: A latch is configured to fix a panel relative to a frame. The latch includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and defining an aperture along the longitudinal axis; a cap mounted within the aperture of the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, the cap comprising a drive surface; and a cover coupled to the housing to pivot about a lateral axis, the cover pivotable to be in a closed position in which the cover covers the cap; wherein when the cap is in an unlatched position, the drive surface of the cap is aligned with an engagement surface of the cover and positioned to block the cover from pivoting to the closed position; and wherein when the cap is in a latched position, the drive surface is unaligned with the engagement surface and positioned to permit the cover to pivot to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Edward Manly, Andrew James Thornton, Jack Dennehy, Michael Post, Thomas V. Aukzemas
  • Publication number: 20140321942
    Abstract: A captive screw for securing together two panels has a screw and a spring extending between the screw head and a ferrule. A collar is formed on the screw shank under the ferrule to limit penetration of the screw threads in a bottom panel so that the upper panel floats on the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. AUKZEMAS, Albert J. Frattarola, Boyd Wolf, James F. Standish, III, Joseph N. Caulfield
  • Patent number: 8794889
    Abstract: A captive screw for securing together two panels has a screw and a spring extending between the screw head and a ferrule. A collar is formed on the screw shank under the ferrule to limit penetration of the screw threads in a bottom panel so that the upper panel floats on the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Albert J. Frattarola, Boyd Wolf, James F. Standish, III, Joseph N. Caulfield
  • Patent number: 7344345
    Abstract: A captive shoulder nut for a electronic module heat sink has a threaded nut portion and a tubular portion extending therefrom. A ramped section in the exterior wall of the tubular portion leads to a retaining groove adjacent the bottom face of the nut portion. A compression spring is slipped over the tubular portion to ride over the ramped section and be retained at one end in the retaining groove. The tubular portion is suitable to be inserted through a straight hole, whereof the inner diameter of the spring is larger than the hole. The free end of the tubular portion is suitable to be flared to a larger diameter than the hole, thereby establishing a captivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas V. Aukzemas
  • Patent number: 7342796
    Abstract: A captive shoulder nut assembly, to hold a heat sink onto a PC board, has a nut member with a threaded portion and a tubular portion extending therefrom. The nut member mates with an upstanding threaded stud. A biasing compression spring rides over the nut with an end coil loop secured to the nut. The nut's tubular portion is suitable for insertion through a straight hole in the heat sink, with the spring remaining above the hole and operating against the heat sink. The free end of the tubular portion can be flared to a larger diameter than the hole, thereby captivating it to the heat sink and permitting movement by the nut through the hole while acting against the spring force. A stop shoulder on the nut and a projecting shoulder on the stud define the length travel of the nut onto the stud and establishes a pre-load compression force on the spring. A self-centering structure included for the nut to engage the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas V. Aukzemas
  • Patent number: 7278809
    Abstract: A telescopic captive fastener has a knob, a ferrule, a spring, and at least one sleeve. The sleeve extends telescopically between the ferrule and the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Edward A. McCormack
  • Patent number: 7179037
    Abstract: A telescopic captive fastener has a knob, a ferrule, a spring, and at least one sleeve. The sleeve extends telescopically between the ferrule and the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Edward A. McCormack
  • Publication number: 20040165966
    Abstract: A telescopic captive fastener has a knob, a ferrule, a spring, and at least one sleeve. The sleeve extends telescopically between the ferrule and the knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Edward A. McCormack
  • Publication number: 20030175091
    Abstract: A captive screw for securing together two panels has a screw and a spring extending between the screw head and a ferrule. A collar is formed on the screw shank under the ferrule to limit penetration of the screw threads in a bottom panel so that the upper panel floats on the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Albert J. Frattarola, Boyd Wolf, James F. Standish, Joseph N. Caulfield
  • 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: 5941669
    Abstract: A jack-out screw for attaching a first panel to a second panel when rotating the screw in a first direction and which provides a force in the axial direction of the screw with respect to the panel when the screw is rotated in the opposite direction to pry the first panel away from the second panel during rotation, including a screw and a housing where the upper surface of the housing is mountable flush with the panel on which the jacking screw is installed and an interface for securing the screw head to the housing allows for rotational movement of the screw along its axis, but does not allow for substantial axial movement of the screw with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas V. Aukzemas
  • Patent number: D493362
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Edward A. McCormack
  • Patent number: D494458
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Edward A. McCormack