For A Fastener Patents (Class 206/338)
  • Publication number: 20040118734
    Abstract: A packaging for metallic findings and others, particularly small blocks and twist drills includes a plate element (2) and a hollow body (6) joined to the plate element (2) through joining members (3, 11); the joined hollow body (6) and plate element (2) form a space (7) for housing the findings; the packaging is characterised by the fact that an area (10) is provided in the hollow body (6), the area (10) allowing the access to the space (7); the area (10) is capable of being crossed by a twist drill (24) when the hollow body (6), disjoined from the plate element (2), rests on a wall, for allowing the access to the inner space (7) in order to hold the dust due to a drilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Giuseppe Righini
  • Publication number: 20040094442
    Abstract: A carpet-tack-strip container has a rectangular container (1) that is suitably moisture proof, durable and adapted to contain approximately a conventional package of carpet-tack strips (12) either in the package or out of the package for access to the carpet-tack strips conveniently and safely as needed by one or more people to tack down-pointed tacks into a floor for holding the tack strips in place in order to hold carpet placed on the up-pointed tacks in place on the floor. The carpet-tack strip container has a lid (8) that preferably hinges open from near a top end (7) on a back edge (3) and closes further downward on a front edge for exposing ends of the carpet-tack strips. The lid opens without contacting the carpet-tack strips. A shoulder strap (11) and a handle (10) are positioned on a front edge (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: John K. Ashbeck
  • Patent number: 6722497
    Abstract: A magazine has an elongated carrier strip (12) which carries several fastening elements (13) arranged one behind the other. For each fastening element (13), the carrier strip (12) has several receiving surfaces, each receiving surfaces being formed by a support surfaces (1) having an opening (11) and by two side members (2, 3) whose end parts are connected to each other and which jointly form a passage (5). The diameter of the opening (11) and of the passage (5) essentially match the diameter of the shaft (15) of the fastening element (13). Extending from the circumference of the opening (11), there are at least two slits (7, 8, 9, 10) which divide the circumferential area of the opening (11) into two circular ring segments that can be pivoted downwardly into the interior of the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Pally, Gerd Daubinger
  • Patent number: 6681931
    Abstract: A cable tie dispenser for holding a supply of individual cable ties and which allows removal of individual cable ties therefrom while firmly, yet removably, holding the remaining supply of cable ties. The cable tie dispenser includes members of compressible resilient material disposed within the dispenser case which compresses around at least a portion of the length of the cable ties sandwiched therebetween to maintain a firm and substantially uniform pressure on the cable ties. The compressible resilient material expands to fill the void left by any removed cable ties thereby ensuring that even the last cable tie remaining within the dispenser is firmly restrained and will not fall out of the dispenser until it is purposefully removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Allen D. Finley
  • Patent number: 6675965
    Abstract: A tool pouch having a pocket with an opening to receive certain items. The pocket includes a magnetic member near the top of the pocket for holding items received in the pocket. The magnetic member assists in arranging items in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Holland, Rickey J. Thomas, Michael P. Peters
  • Publication number: 20030234195
    Abstract: A closeable container for storing and protecting materials having internal partitions extending radially and longitudinally creating at least two independent adjustable internal chambers within which stored materials are kept separated and are individually accessed for adding and dispensing purposes. In a substantially cylindrical embodiment of the instant device, separators forming the internal compartments are rotatable, thereby allowing adjustment of the volume of the internal compartments to accommodate dimensionally or quantitatively differing material. The compartments of the container automatically adjust volume as materials are added or dispensed. A variety of access means are presented which preclude commingling of materials between compartments during access. Transparent sides facilitate identification of stored materials within the chambers. The device is simple in design and inexpensive to produce and is envisioned to have a wide variety of uses for convenient and efficient storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Milan Dennis Earl, Brian Woodland Earl
  • Publication number: 20030231942
    Abstract: A wire nail for use with a powered nail-driving tool has a full-round head with an axis that is offset from an axis of the integrally formed shank. An outer circumferential surface of the shank is at least as offset from the shank axis in one radial direction as a circumferential surface of the head in that radial direction. Accordingly, such nails may be collated shank-to-shank in a strip of wire nails such that adjoining shanks are both parallel and touching. During manufacture of the wire nail, a notch is formed in the shank at the intersection between the shank and the head. The notch and the head axis are disposed on opposite sides of the shank axis from each other. The notch facilitates improved metal flow during the head-forming procedure and results in strong shank to head connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: John R. Crompton, Wayne Greene, George P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6640968
    Abstract: A stud retainer comprising a generally disk shaped body having a periphery, an aperture therethrough and a wing portion extending from said periphery is disclosed and claimed. The disk shaped body includes a crown and the crown is concentric with the aperture. The wing portion extends laterally and transversely from an arcuate portion of the periphery of the disk shaped body. The aperture has an inner diametrical surface and an outer diametrical surface. The inner and outer diametrical surfaces of the aperture are smooth. A delivery track for guiding the stud retainers is disclosed and claimed. The process for making the stud retainer is also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Stafast Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Selle
  • Patent number: 6626294
    Abstract: A roll staple (1) comprising a roll staple body (11) which is made of a sheet staple formed by a large number of straight staples (10a) jointed parallely, and wound in a roll state so as to make a through hole (1a) at the portion of central axis of the roll staple body, and a core material (13) which is fitted into the through hole (1a) formed in the roll staple body (11) by insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuyoshi Fujishima, Masayoshi Shigemitsu, Yoshihiro Kaneko, Masaru Ando, Susumu Shinmei
  • Publication number: 20030159956
    Abstract: A packaging or display device for a product that secures a separate object when the product is used. The device is a backing card that includes an object portion that visually simulates the separate object secured by the product in use. The object portion and the backing card are formed of a single piece of material. The object portion is formed to cooperate with the product in a way that visually simulates the cooperation of the product with the object when the product is in use and that secures the product to the backing card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Michael T. Woos
  • Publication number: 20030146121
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nail suitable for sheathing which provides an enhanced resistance to failure. The nail includes an enlarged head as well as a shank having surface deformations. Sheathing panels are secured to a framing structure through the use of the nail. The enlarged head provides a first clamping surface that is seated against an exterior surface of the sheathing panel. The framing structure within which the shank is secured is a second clamping surface. Through the provision of an enlarged head and a shank having surface deformations, the ability of the nail to maintain the securement of the sheathing panel to the framing structure element is enhanced. A plurality of the nails are disposed within a package suitable for use with mechanical drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: STANLEY FASTENING SYSTEMS, L.P.
    Inventor: Edward G. Sutt
  • Publication number: 20030141208
    Abstract: A fastener carrier includes an upright strip having an upright segment, one or more rings laterally extended outward from the upright segment for supporting fasteners, and an inclined segment extended upward from an upper portion of the upright segment and extended away from the rings. The heads of the fasteners may be easily moved and engaged over the inclined segment on the upright strip when the fasteners are rotated or driven by driving tools. The inclined segment may prevent the heads of the fasteners from being jammed by the upright strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Shih Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 6557703
    Abstract: Coil strapped nails and a nailing device using coil strapped nails are provided. The coil may be provided with steel nails (1) having a length of 14 to 25 mm and a shaft diameter of 2 to 3 mm. The nails are held by wires (2,3) 6.5 to 7.5 mm apart, wherein the wires are preferably quenched and tempered. In the center of the coil a wrapping sleeve may be provided having due clearance for the nail heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Helmut Leitner
  • Publication number: 20030075466
    Abstract: The strip comprises fasteners (1), each having a shank (2) which is pointed at one end (4) and bears a head (3) at the other end, these fasteners being respectively engaged by their shanks (2) in guide and damping blocks joined together in a string (8). The strip comprises a second guide string (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick Herelier, Roland Almeras
  • Publication number: 20030066771
    Abstract: An improved structure of a screw strap combination is disclosed. The screw strap combination having a strap body and a plurality of screws is characterized in that the strap body is a flat board having one lateral surface being mounted with a plurality of clipping devices for the securing of the screws, and two protruded enhancing blocks are provided on the other lateral surface of the strap body, corresponding to the clipping device, wherein the clipping device includes at least three semi-circular clipping rings arranged in parallel on the lateral surface and the distance between each clipping ring is substantially equal to the width of the screw groove of the screw, thereby the three semi-circular clipping rings secure the screw at the adjacent screw grooves of the screw and allow straight screwing of the screw onto a fastening article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Cheng-Horng Shiu
  • Patent number: 6543667
    Abstract: A cartridge body 602 is formed with a receptacle chamber 603 for accommodating sheet staples ST therein in a stacked state and is also formed with a drive-out passage 601 for driving out the sheet staples ST, and within the cartridge body 602 is provided a plate spring 520 for pressing the sheet staples ST stacked in the receptacle chamber 603 toward the drive-out passage 601.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: MAX Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Yoshie, Toshio Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6533516
    Abstract: An interlocking shim system having interlocking grooves and teeth. The interlocking shim does not require extraneous tools for the process of installation. The system also includes magnets for placing a shim pack in an uneven environment. Since the interlocking shims can be attached to each other through the interlocking groove members the user can manipulate a connected shim pack, by removing the first interlocking shim. There is also a magnet system in the present invention for aligning the bottom shim in mechanical applications without having to scribe the position for correct placement. The shims interlock for easy removal of shim packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Normand Lemelin
  • Publication number: 20020170840
    Abstract: A storage for surgical fixation devices and an arrangement for the storage for surgical fixation devices. The storage for fixation devices comprises fixation device slots for at least one fixation device and a guide that is arranged to guide a counter element of an installation tool to a contact section of a fixation device located in the fixation device slot. The arrangement comprises a space for the fixation device storage, to which the storage for fixation devices can be arranged, and a guide for an installation tool, the guide being arranged to guide a counter element of the installation tool to a contact section of a fixation device located in the fixation device slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Inion Ltd.
    Inventors: Harri Happonen, Andreas Posel
  • Publication number: 20020157976
    Abstract: A magazine for a screwdriver. The magazine is provided with a magazine strip used to store screws which can be successively inserted into and extracted from an object. The magazine strip has a central web and a flange running along each edge. The magazine has a guide made up of a guiding part with a guiding slit on each side of the magazine strip. The guiding part is dimensioned in such a way that the enlargement extends respectively in positive fit outside the guiding part when the belt piece is inserted into the guiding slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Markus Wollner
  • Patent number: 6464078
    Abstract: A container for small articles, such as paper clips, toothpicks, pencils, pens and the like, is provided which has a multipurpose outer chamber. The outer chamber is transparent and holds indicia which may take one of two forms. In a first embodiment, the outer chamber can be filled with a transparent liquid, such as water or oil, containing indicia in the form of particles, such as glitter. Upon shaking the container, the particles temporarily become suspended in the liquid providing an interesting visual effect. In a second embodiment, the indicia may be an advertising message which includes words and/or logos printed on a sheet that surrounds a receptacle for containing the small articles that is located within the outer chamber. In a third embodiment, both the sheet bearing indicia and the glitter in a liquid can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Reid A. Grossnickle
  • Patent number: 6450747
    Abstract: A U-nut type fastener, for forming a vertically stacked or nested array of such fasteners, comprises an annular hoop member or retainer ring formed upon a lower arm member of the fastener, and an upstanding sleeve member or internally threaded nut is formed upon an upper arm member of the fastener. When the fasteners are stacked or nested in a vertical array, the annular hoop member or retainer ring of an upper one of the fasteners will engage and be seated upon the sleeve or nut member of a lower one of the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20020066684
    Abstract: A cable tie dispenser for holding a supply of individual cable ties and which allows removal of individual cable ties therefrom while firmly, yet removably, holding the remaining supply of cable ties. The cable tie dispenser includes members of compressible resilient material disposed within the dispenser case which compresses around at least a portion of the length of the cable ties sandwiched therebetween to maintain a firm and substantially uniform pressure on the cable ties. The compressible resilient material expands to fill the void left by any removed cable ties thereby ensuring that even the last cable tie remaining within the dispenser is firmly restrained and will not fall out of the dispenser until it is purposefully removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Allen D. Finley
  • Patent number: 6352156
    Abstract: An array if sealers for hangtags and the like includes plural parallel sealers on two connecting pieces. Each of the sealers includes a filament, an inserting head at one of the filament, and a socket at another end of the filament. Each sealer is attached to adjacent sealers with latching pieces that are arrayed on one or both sides of the connecting piece that is adjacent to the inserting heas. The latching pieces hold the sealers in proper alignment for a dispensing gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kotec's Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Ueno
  • Publication number: 20020014422
    Abstract: A rivet carrier for use in association with a driver for driving rivets into a work piece. The rivet carrier includes mounting structure for mounting the rivet carrier on the driver. A body portion of the rivet carrier is in communication with the mounting structure for receiving and retaining the rivet for engagement by the driver. Angled rollers are disposed in the body, and there are pivotable arms in the body. A resilient member retainably engages the pivotable arms. The rollers are retained in recesses in the body, and at least a portion of the pivotable arms defines at least a portion of the recesses. Preferably, a pair of outlet vents are provided in the body of the rivet carrier for venting air which is used to drive the rivet. One outlet vent may be proximate the other outlet vent to create laminar air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: John S. Coonrod, John Filz
  • Patent number: 6343693
    Abstract: A cable tie dispenser which can hold a plurality of individual cable ties and which allows removal of individual cable ties therefrom while firmly holding the remaining plurality of cable ties. The cable tie dispenser includes an area of compressible resilient material which is compressed within the case of the dispenser around at least a portion of the length the cable ties. The area of compressible resilient material thereby firmly but removably restrains the plurality of individual cable ties within the dispenser with an end of each of the cable ties extending above the edge of the area of compressible resilient material such that individual cable ties may be grasped and removed for use. As the individual cable ties are removed from the dispenser, the compressible resilient material expands to fill the void left by the removed cable ties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Allen D. Finley
  • Patent number: 6315118
    Abstract: The dispenser box according to the invention is characterized in that it is formed by two shells (14A, 14B), which are brought face-to-face along a joint surface (S), being duly fastened to one another, and jointly delimiting with one another an accommodation volume (V) suitable for housing the cabling accessories (10) to be dispensed in a roll, and in that it includes, externally, a docking element (16), such as a projecting rib or recessed groove, suitable for allowing it to be affixed to any other piece of equipment, for example onto a straight-line loader, that is to say a loader which is normally suitable only for receiving a linear arrangement of cabling accessories (10), with, at a distance from this docking element (16), an aperture (17) suitable for the cabling accessories (10) to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventor: Yves Sauce
  • Patent number: 6273253
    Abstract: A cartridge for holding clips includes a base and a plurality of walls extending from the base and having wall faces, opposed wall faces of adjacent walls defining a space for receiving a clip, wherein at least one wall of the wall faces has a roughened surface positioned to contact a clip in the space whereby the clip is frictionally held in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Vitalitec International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Forster, Lawrence Crainich, Wolfgang Eisold, Wayne Knupp, Beate Schoppler, Jacques LeBozec
  • Patent number: 6272814
    Abstract: A method of packaging a plurality of nut assemblies. Each nut assembly includes a flat head formed with a bolt hole, a pair of elongated flat arms extending parallel to each other in one direction from both sides of the head and each formed with a longitudinally elongated hole, and a nut substantially in the shape of a square pole having first and second opposed pairs of longitudinal sides and formed with pins protruding laterally through the first opposed pair of longitudinal sides and loosely received in the respective elongated holes of the arms so that the nut is pivotable about the pins relative to the arms. The nut is further formed with a threaded hole extending therethrough between the second opposed pair of longitudinal sides. To package such nut assemblies, a resilient package formed with elongated grooves having a width smaller than the distance between the second opposed pair of longitudinal sides of the nut is prepared, and a plurality of nut assemblies are pushed into the grooves of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Wakai & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuichi Ikuta, Saburo Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6186737
    Abstract: A method for storing elastic bands makes use of an annular storage device, larger in diameter than the unstretched length of the elastic bands to be stored. The device has a series of clogs around its circumference, thereby creating a recessed area between each pair of adjacent clogs. The elastic bands to be stored are sequentially applied to the device, each elastic band being stretched between diametrically opposed recesses, thereby spanning the center. The elastic bands are then later removed in reverse order, as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Donald K. Cohen
  • Patent number: 6098801
    Abstract: A system for automatically feeding studs to the electrode of a manual stud welding tool. The system comprises a magazine associated with the tool. The magazine receives a tandem row of studs mounted in and collated by a disposable mounting and collating strip assembly. A drive assembly is associated with the magazine to advance the mounting and collating strip assembly such that each stud, when it becomes the forwardmost stud of the tandem row, is properly positioned with respect to the tool to be welded to a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Senco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. McCardle, James W. Miser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6095362
    Abstract: A combination box is intended for use in holding articles of metals and is composed of a main container of a polygonal construction, and a plurality of auxiliary containers which are fastened with the outer walls of the main container. The main container is provided with a protruded edge and a locating piece. The auxiliary containers are removably fastened adjacent the outer walls of the main container between the protruded edge and the locating piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Chen Shui-Shang
  • Patent number: 6047823
    Abstract: Method of maintaining an article of clothing, such as a dress shirt, in a folded condition and a plastic fastener well-suited for use in the method. According to one embodiment, the plastic fastener is a unitary structure made of polypropylene and comprises a flexible filament having a first cross-bar at a first end thereof and a second cross-bar at a second end thereof. The filament has a length of about 7 mm and has a tensile strength of about 4 pounds. Preferably, the fastener is molded as part of a clip, the clip comprising a plurality of identical such fasteners arranged side-by-side, with the respective first cross-bars parallel to one another and the respective second cross-bars parallel to one another, each of the first cross-bars being joined to a common, orthogonally-disposed runner bar by a severable connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventors: Charles L. Deschenes, William J. Cooper, Clark L. Grendol
  • Patent number: 6029814
    Abstract: Since a distance of adjacent rivets held by a conventional blind rivet holder was large, a blind rivet holder which is smaller in the rivet distance, and which can accommodate a larger number of rivets in an accommodation case of a continuous riveter is provided. The blind rivet holder is designed to include: upper and lower tabs T4, T5 which are continuously arranged at minute constant intervals with narrow slits T3 formed at upper and lower ends of a perpendicular portion T2 having feeder slots for the blind rivet holder T; through hole s T41 and T51 provided so that a rivet R can be passed through the through hole s obliquely; and an oblique, U-shaped groove T21 provided so as to connect the slit T3 between the adjacent upper tabs T4 to the slits T3 between the adjacent lower tabs T5 and to permit bending from groove as a border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: OPT Engineering Company Limited
    Inventor: Masatoshi Ohuchi
  • Patent number: 5960957
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding and organizing small items, comprising storage bags having a bag portion and a closure portion. The apparatus further comprising at least one base member having a surface area with slots disposed therein. The slots are wider than the bag portion, but narrower than the closure portion of the bags. The slots receive the bag portions while the closure portion holds the bag within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Arthur L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5960953
    Abstract: A tray for supporting a plurality of nail packs is provided. The tray includes a generally rectangular planar tray body having a nail supporting surface and an outer periphery. A stiffening wall projects vertically from the outer periphery of the tray body and terminates at an upper end. A generally planar lip extends laterally from the upper end of the stiffening wall. A sensing structure extends vertically from the nail supporting surface of the tray body beyond the upper end of the stiffening wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Fibreform Containers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Gratz
  • Patent number: 5938024
    Abstract: A fastener for use in attaching a button to a garment or a piece of fabric and a fastener clip including one or more of said fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a U-shaped flexible filament and a pair of transverse feet, the transverse feet being disposed at opposite ends of the U-shaped flexible filament. The U-shaped flexible filament is generally rectangular in cross-section. The width of the filament is substantially uniform over its length whereas the thickness of the filament is greatest in its arcuate region (to maximize the strength of the fastener) and least towards the feet. Because of its U-shape, the filament is permitted to extend between adjacent button holes, thereby creating the appearance of thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Deschenes, Terence J. Jones, William J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5893456
    Abstract: The one piece rubber tying and fastening device comprising an endless band with an outer face located between two lateral faces, a knob and a neck portion connecting the said knob to the outer face of the endless band, the said knob having a substantially circular face and two intermediate faces connecting the said circular face to the neck portion, while the neck portion has two opposite side faces connecting the outer face of the endless band to the intermediate faces of the knob, whereby the intermediate faces in the neighborhood of the neck portion and the two side faces of the neck portion have a minimum bend radius of 0.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Ghent Supply N.V.
    Inventor: Jan Bosmans
  • Patent number: 5878880
    Abstract: A collated stack of U-shaped sheet metal clips, each of which has an arcuate crown portion and first and second parallel leg portions depending from the crown portion. The first leg portion of each clip is juxtaposed immediately adjacent the second leg portion of the adjacent U-shaped clip. Each clip has two spaced apertures through the arcuate crown portion and at least one upstanding tab adjacent the edge of each aperture into which a non-metal elongate flexible connector is inserted and secured by folding the tab or tabs downwardly over the top of the aperture. Alternative embodiments of sheet metal clips and methods of collating an array of such clips are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: John D. Poffenberger
  • Patent number: 5823338
    Abstract: A package for elongated parts (2) has a supporting element (1) made of a supporting strip (4) and of a tear-off covering strip (5). The supporting strip (4) has openings (6) in which the elongated parts (2) are laid, forming a row of parallel elongated parts. The package may be easily removed by tearing the covering strip (5) along perforated lines (13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: SFS Industrie Holding AG
    Inventors: Helmut Osterle, Daniel Gasser, Guido Hasler, Richard Sahli, Walter Seifert, Norbert Koppel, Markus Steffen
  • Patent number: 5806676
    Abstract: A device for packaging continuous length spiral binding combs used for the binding of loose-leaf systems, in particular, annular calendars, note books, planners, catalogs or advertising papers. The package includes a carrier plate having a row of comb holders, each having opposing retaining strips pivoting outwardly to an open position for securing the binding combs and being in the shape of an H, for engaging nonadjacent combs to hold a bottom portion of the comb on the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Chr. Renz GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Peter Wasgien
  • Patent number: 5715941
    Abstract: A kit for repairing an eyeglass frame that has lost a hinge pin comprises a container with at least one hinge pin therein, the hinge pin being locally plastically deformable at one end thereof, and instructions for installing the hinge pin in the frame. The replacement hinge pin is deformable either by softening or melting with a small flame or other heat source, or alternatively has a soft end portion which is mechanically deformable. The hinge pin has a first end with a diameter larger than a largest body diameter of a body of the pin and further has an easily detachable handling tab attached to the first end, the pin being again locally deformable at a second end thereof. In this case the a user inserts the pin into a hinge of the eyeglass frame, deforms a second end of the pin to give it a diameter greater than the maximum body diameter of the hinge pin, whereby the earpiece is pivotally secured by the pin, and then removes the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: John H. Kusmiss
  • Patent number: 5682994
    Abstract: A collated stack of U-shaped sheet metal clips, each of which has an arcuate crown portion and first and second parallel leg portions depending from the crown portion. The first leg portion of each clip is juxtaposed immediately adjacent the second leg portion of the adjacent U-shaped clip. Each clip has two spaced apertures through the arcuate crown portion and at least one upstanding tab adjacent the edge of each aperture into which a non-metal elongate flexible connector is inserted and secured by folding the tab or tabs downwardly over the top of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: John D. Poffenberger
  • Patent number: 5680932
    Abstract: A toolbox assembly comprising a storage box, a tool tray, and a toolbox. The tool tray has a tray floor and a plurality of tray walls extending up from the tray floor. The tray walls and tray floor define first and second separate storage compartment regions for storage of articles placed therein. The tray walls further define a storage box receiving chamber above the first storage compartment region. The tray is configured for supporting the storage box within the storage box receiving chamber and spaced above the tray floor. The storage box is sized and configured for covering the first storage compartment region when the storage box is received in the storage box receiving chamber. The toolbox has a toolbox floor and a plurality of toolbox sidewalls extending up from the toolbox floor and defining a tray receiving chamber. The toolbox is shaped and configured for supporting the tray within the tray receiving chamber and spaced above the toolbox floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Contico International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dickinson, Bradley D. Gale
  • Patent number: 5634582
    Abstract: A canister-type magazine for a fastener driving tool using a coil of tandemly arranged fasteners. The magazine comprises a substantially cylindrical body having a top, a bottom and side walls. The magazine is openable, providing access to the interior thereof. A cylindrical magazine post extends upwardly from the center of the magazine bottom. A pair of latch members are located in diametric openings in the magazine post near the upper end thereof. The latch members are shiftable between a first position wherein they extend beyond the peripheral surface of the magazine post and a second position wherein they are within the confines of the peripheral surface of the magazine post. The latch members are biased to their first position. A fastener coil supporting platform is provided having a hollow center post with an interior diameter sized to slidingly receive the magazine post. The platform post has at least two pairs of diametric openings in its cylindrical side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Senco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Morrison, Jr., Dennis E. Stivers
  • Patent number: 5622024
    Abstract: Collated drywall screws are provided for securing drywall to framing members. A collated screw has screws connected to each other by a holding strip. Each screw is received in a frangible sleeve about its threaded shank such that a screw on being screwed into a workplace is separated from the strip by the head of the screw passing through the sleeve breaking the sleeve. The improvement arises in having the head of the screw spaced from the frangible strip by a distance greater than the thickness of the drywall such that a screw is screwed through the drywall in at least partially into the frame support prior to the head of the screw engaging the frangible strip. The increased engagement with the frame member prevents the screw from stripping in the drywall and drawing drywall powder which may clog the power driver after repeated use. The invention provides drywall screws and a method of driving them which reduces the forces a user must manually apply to a power driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Gordon L. Habermehl
  • Patent number: 5622257
    Abstract: A fastener for use in attaching a button to a garment or a piece of fabric and a fastener clip including one or more of said fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a U-shaped flexible filament and a pair of transverse feet, the transverse feet being disposed at opposite ends of the U-shaped flexible filament. The U-shaped flexible filament is generally rectangular in cross-section. The width of the filament is substantially uniform over its length whereas the thickness of the filament is greatest in its arcuate region (to maximize the strength of the fastener) and least towards the feet. Because of its U-shape, the filament is permitted to extend between adjacent button holes, thereby creating the appearance of thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Deschenes, Terence J. Jones, William J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5609282
    Abstract: A tote tray with a carrying handle has a number of openings in its upper surface. Held securely within each opening is a rigid receptacle having an open top and closed sides and bottom. A belt clip is connected along one side so that the receptacle can be clipped to the belt for a worker to carry about a readily available supply of small items such as fasteners on the job. A supply of various styles and sizes of small items is conveniently carried to the job site in the tote tray, and whatever is needed is then clipped to the belt for as long as required. The tote tray is supplied with a belt clip engaging element adjacent each opening. The belt clip is springably engaged thereto when the receptacle is inserted into the opening. This provides more secure holding of the receptacle in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Charles J. Melanson
  • Patent number: 5588525
    Abstract: A container for storing annular workpieces having a slot across a circumference thereof includes an inner core part having a first length section formed as a smooth cylindrical body having a rib extending parallel to a container axis substantially along an entire longitudinal extent of the first section for engagement in slots of the annular workpieces, and a second length section adjoining the first length section and formed as a substantially cylindrical body having a diameter larger than a diameter of the smooth cylindrical body forming the first section, and an outer jacket part having an inner circumferential surface spaced from an outer circumferential surface of the smooth cylindrical body and adjoining an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body forming the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Rose-Plastic GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Rosler
  • Patent number: 5568862
    Abstract: A bundle of wood connectors of the present invention comprises a plurality of wood connectors and means for connecting the wood connectors and thus for effecting unitization thereof. Each wood connector has a pair of substantially planar and generally parallel side panels, a pair of substantially planar and generally coplanar lateral panels, each of which is attached to be generally perpendicular to a respective one of the pair of side panels, and a generally planar connecting panel, with an end portion of each of the side panels being attached to a respective end portion of the connecting panel. The side panels extend from their corresponding connecting panel in a first direction. The wood connectors are arranged in nested relationship, with the side panels of adjacent wood connectors being in generally parallel relationship, and with the lateral panels of adjacent wood connectors being in generally parallel relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Tee-Lok Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Black, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5566826
    Abstract: A disposable one-piece necktie fastener comprising a fiat paper wafer bearing adhesive on both sides that serves to attach the two ends of a necktie to each other when placed therebetween. A necktie fastener may bear indicia such as an advertisement. The necktie fastener is preferably round, or substantially round with a handle portion protruding from the periphery, such handle portion not bearing adhesive. A streamer of necktie fasteners comprises a plurality of fasteners disposed between two ribbons of wax-coated paper. The ribbons include a perforated seam between adjacent necktie fasteners. A hollow container for holding and dispensing a streamer of necktie fasteners including an opening through which the streamer may pass from inside to outside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Robert L. Evans