Strip Formed Patents (Class 24/294)
  • Patent number: 11542970
    Abstract: An edge protector (100) is configured to secure onto an edge of a component. The edge protector includes a main shrouding body (102) that includes a first wall (104) connected to a second wall (106) by a connecting wall (108). An open-ended passage (110) is defined between the first wall, the second wall, and the connecting wall. A first securing clamp (112) extends inwardly into the passage from the first wall. A second securing clamp (116) that opposes the first securing clamp extends inwardly into the passage from the second wall. The first securing clamp and the second securing clamp are configured to securely clamp onto a portion of the component. The edge protector may also include at least one cutout (122) formed in at least one of the first wall or the second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Chlystek, Lucas Whaley Kroeger
  • Patent number: 10924057
    Abstract: In snowy climates, photovoltaic panels suffer from significant losses due to snow accumulation. The present invention is a device that can be attached to a photovoltaic panel in order to promote snow sliding, increasing the power output of the panel as a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: NORWICH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Stettenheim, Troy O. McBride, Leif Johnson
  • Patent number: 10316879
    Abstract: A frame system for a solar cell module, the frame system includes: a first frame member including a first body that is configured to be fixed to a substrate of the solar cell module and a male coupling portion that is protruded from the first body; and a second frame member including a second body that is configured to be fixed to an installation object and a female coupling portion that is configured to be coupled to the male coupling portion, wherein at an outer surface of the male coupling portion, a protrusion including an inclined surface having an upper width smaller than a lower width and a separation prevention surface that is positioned at a lower end portion of the inclined surface is formed, and at an inside of the female coupling portion, a protrusion coupling portion that corresponds to the protrusion is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinhyung Jun, Jinhyung Ahn, Sungeun Lee, Jeonghun Son
  • Patent number: 8950042
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a base plate and a first and second pair of laterally offset legs extending from the base plate. At least one first wing extends from the first pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one first wing has an engagement region. At least one second wing extending from the second pair of laterally offset legs. The at least one second wing has an engagement region, such that a distance between the engagement regions and the base plate is operative to vary continuously according to a slot thickness. The fastener clip is operative for insertion into the slot defined in a first engagement structure, such as a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Daniel James Dickinson
  • Patent number: 8850671
    Abstract: A clip includes first and second clamping pieces provided to clamp a member to be fixed. The first clamping piece includes an insertion part to be inserted into a thorough hole of a fixed member. The insertion part includes a pair of strip member, each including a smaller width portion, a larger width portion and a stepped portion provided therebetween. In a course of the insertion part being inserted into the through hole, the larger width portions of the strip members pass the through hole while the strip members are flexed in the direction approaching to each other, and subsequently when the smaller width portions are inserted into the through hole, the strip members are allowed to be deformed in a direction separating from each other to return to an original state, whereby the stepped portions are locked to a region to be locked in the fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoaki Nagata
  • Patent number: 8832907
    Abstract: A fastening device having spring legs formed onto a cover plate, including support flanges, which are disposed in support flange recesses. The fastening element thereby has a very high pull-out force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Michael De Jong, Jens Breitenfeld, Thomas Podsadny
  • Patent number: 8827110
    Abstract: The handle end portions are attached to the tray by separate connectors. The tray has spaced openings to receive the connectors. Each connector has an anchor-shaped section which is received in a tray opening and a section which engages a handle end portion. The anchor-shaped section has arms which flex to permit the connector to be received in the tray opening and thereafter return to their extended position to cooperate with the tray to securely attach the connector to the tray and prevent free rotation of the connector. The handle engaging section includes a hook-shaped member which is received an opening in the handle end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Texpak, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Franzone, Jr., John Sperling
  • Patent number: 8474111
    Abstract: Improvements to panel fastening clips, especially to those used in curtain and/or lateral airbags, of the kinds of clips that are formed by a surface and/or several flexing arms that are designed to be located in the outer part of the panel into whose opening they are inserted, including several feet that are more or less elastic and that tend to converge at their ends in the general shape of an inverted ā€œVā€ in the direction in which the clip is inserted, as well as several wings whose ends work against the lower surface of said panel and which ensure that said clip is fastened to said panel, characterized by the fact that the ends of said wings have an enlarged working surface against the lower surface of said panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: ITW Metal Fasteners, S.L.
    Inventor: Oscar Ribes Marti
  • Patent number: 8316513
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching two add-on parts (36, 37) to a carrier part (35), said device having an outer clamp (1) and an inner clamp (11) that arrests any movement of the outer clamp (1), said clamps being insertable, in an interlocked arrangement, into a single insertion opening configured in the carrier part (35) so as to hold not only an add-on part (37) that is movable relative to the carrier part (35), but also the additional add-on part (36), on the carrier part (35) with a high extraction force for each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Michael DeJong, Jens Breitenfeld
  • Patent number: 8051539
    Abstract: A fuse-shaped fastener provides a plastic member having opposed elastically flexible wings, and a metal insert having multiple barbs. The deflectable wings homogenously extend from a molded head and are distally connected by a joining member. The barbs engage within a trim component dog-house assembly. The deflectable wings extend outwardly of the trim component to releasably connect the trim component to an automobile vehicle panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Benedetti, Daniel J. Lubera, Jeffrey A. Slobodecki
  • Patent number: 7849567
    Abstract: A fastener comprises two engagement springs on opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an elongated rib. The elongated ribs may have a substantially rectangular shape, or any suitable shape, and they may protrude away from the opposite side of the fastener. Additionally, the elongated ribs may have same or different slopes at each end of the ribs. According to one embodiment, the elongated rib increases the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio when the engagement springs do not have the elongated rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickenson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Paul Lester Clements
  • Patent number: 7757365
    Abstract: A method for securing two frame halves of a frame assembly, including providing a pair of frame halves each having an axially extending attachment rib. The frame halves are temporarily secured for storage and transport by detachably clipping the attachment ribs together with a clip. The frame halves can be disengaged, rotated, and lockingly clipped together for final installation with the same clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Indutries Cover Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Ouellette
  • Patent number: 7640634
    Abstract: Fasteners characterized by structures which are suitable to be engaged reversibly in a slot of a rigid part, such as a metal sheet or the frame of a car for example. The structure provides easy insertion but difficult extraction of the fastener from the slot, without producing squeaking noises during end-use. Easy manufacturing and high dimensional accuracy are also great assets of the fasteners. The invention also pertains to an assembly of said rigid part and the fastener, an assembly connecting parts with the fastener of this invention, as well as vehicles comprising such assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventor: Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 7386959
    Abstract: A frame assembly comprised of a pair of frame halves each having an axially extending attachment rib is temporarily secured for storage and transport by detachably clipping the attachment ribs together. The frame halves are disengaged, rotated, and lockingly clipped together for final installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Industries Cover Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Ouellette
  • Patent number: 7281359
    Abstract: A spacer is provided for use in a standing seam roof system in which roof panels are provided having a base portion and upstanding side flanges along opposed longitudinal sides of the panel. The panels are installed sequentially along roof purlins in a working direction. Occasionally a portion of each panel being installed trails in the working direction in relation to the remainder of the panel. A spacer element is provided with a hook for being suspended in the seam between upstanding side flanges of adjacent panels to advance the trailing portion of the panels and thereby straighten the panels of the roof system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Joe Marshall
  • Patent number: 7167370
    Abstract: A fastener (10) for mounting a heat-radiator (20) to an electronic device (30) on a circuit board (40) is disclosed. The heat-radiator and the circuit board have aligned holes (22, 44). The fastener includes a head (11) having an upper portion (112) with a large diameter and a lower portion (113) with a smaller diameter, a cylindrical spring (14) captured around the lower portion of the head for exerting a spring force against the heat-radiator, and a metallic wire (15) having a first end portion fixed on said head and a second end portion bent to form an engaging portion (152). The engaging portion of the metallic wire compressively passes through the aligned holes of the heat-radiator and the circuit board and is engaged with an underside of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Ind (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh Kun Lee, Wan-Lin Xia, Xue-Wen Peng, Jin-Song Feng
  • Publication number: 20040111841
    Abstract: A resilient clip for engaging a structure and having a body portion (22) with a pair of top flanges (24), a pair of fastening fingers (26) and a pair of abutting coupling flanges (28). Each of the fastening fingers (26) are coupled to the body portion (22) that is coupled to an associated top flange (24). Each of the abutting flanges (26) has a concave surface, which engages the mounting structure. The fastening finger (26) portions are configured to engage a first side of a mounting flange on an interior trim component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Williams Osterland, Jeff A. Slobodecki
  • Publication number: 20040093701
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spring fastener, which comprises engagement springs in opposite sides of the fastener. Each engagement spring has an engagement region comprising a hindrance portion, which increases considerably the removal to insertion force ratio as compared to such ratio in the absence of the hindrance portion, thus permitting very easy insertion with considerably more difficult removal of the fastener from the slot of a panel, which provides an efficient ergonomically balanced removal to insertion force ratio. The hindrance portion comprises ripples or other hindrance elements of unexpectedly minute dimensions for providing this efficient ergonomic force balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, Michael Walter Smith, Lawrence John Conway, Edward Sacha, Paul Lester Clemens, Mark Fleydervish, Richard H. Ducato, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6643987
    Abstract: Supporting element of spring steel or plastic for separable fastening of cover strips (2) in the transition region between wall and floor panel (4). The supporting element is constructed as a one-piece clip which is clipped onto the floor panel from the front face, whereby the supporting element has a wall plate (5) and a clamping plate (6) projecting generally at right angles from the wall plate which, in the installed state of the supporting element, lies on the underside of the floor panel (4). Whereby the wall plate (1) has at least one first support section (7, 8) which in the installed state of the supporting element is braced on the upper side of the floor panels such that the upper and central part of the wall plate is acted upon in the direction of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ernst RĆ¼sch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Rusch, Norbert Rusch
  • Patent number: 6188577
    Abstract: A protective device for a central processing unit contains a supporter disposed on a central processing unit (CPU), wherein a window is formed in the central portion of the supporter; a plurality of predetermined support spring pieces are formed around the window for holding a heat sink to contact the CPU in a stable manner so that the heat produced by the CPU can be efficiently conducted to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Yen-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 6181559
    Abstract: A device for attaching a heat sink having a first and a second surface to an element generating heat in an electronic system, which element has an upper plane side contacting the first surface of the heat sink and a lower connector side connected to a printed circuit board, comprises a pair of holes formed on the upper plane side of the element at both sides of the heat sink attached to the element, a clip attached to the second surface of the heat sink having two hooked ends respectively connected with the pair of holes, a lever hinged to the clip, and a support hinged to the lever, wherein the lever is swung so as to cause the support to press or release the heat sink against or from the element. Preferably, the clip has a lever holding seat to hold a first fixing lug formed on the lever swung to cause the support to press the heat sink, thereby preventing the lever from inadvertent reverse swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeol-Gu Seo
  • Patent number: 5679923
    Abstract: A shielding panel for shielding circuit card slots on a computer chassis, and particularly a shielding panel for use with printed circuit board brackets and/or blank brackets to shield circuit card slots provides an arrangement for reducing the leakage of electromagnetic waves and/or radio frequency waves through a computer chassis by providing protrusions around circuit card slots in the slot frame. The design of the present shielding panel includes a tab which wraps around an edge of the circuit card slot to help place and hold the shielding panel in position while substantially eliminating the potential interference between neighboring panels and/or panels and neighboring slots and inhibits the formation of a gap between the shielding panel and the computer chassis slot frame, therefore, substantially eliminating the chance of a bracket tip catching in such a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Ast Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Bao Gia Le
  • Patent number: 5526553
    Abstract: A spring clip for releasably attaching a first member, such as the carrier of a fascia panel cover, to a second member, such as an electric component rack module. The spring clip is anchored to a support plate extending from carrier. The spring clip has two forwardly extending U-shaped spring elements that cooperate with a locking tab and a rearwardly extending U-shaped spring element. Deformation of the forwardly extending spring elements during installation of the spring clip causes the locking tab to snap onto the lower edge of the support plate, thereby firmly anchoring the spring clip to the support plate. A latch extending from the rack module engages the rearwardly extending spring element so as to secure the fascia cover panel to the rack module. Application of a force to the rearwardly extending spring element causes elastic deformation of the forwardly extending spring elements and disengages the locking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventor: Peter P. Klein
  • Patent number: 5376423
    Abstract: A clip for joining end pieces of weather stripping in abutting relationship to form a continuous loop. The clip forms around an attachment portion of the weather stripping such that it does not interfere with the use of weather stripping in sealing. A pair of barbs hold the two pieces of weather stripping in abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The Dayton Tool Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Wiegand
  • Patent number: 5347690
    Abstract: A one-piece resilient clip for fastening an exterior automotive component to an automotive body includes a first U-shaped section for receiving a component tab therein, the first U-shaped section having a plurality of tab engaging barbs therein for engaging the tab and preventing axial withdrawal of the tab. The fastener further includes a second U-shaped section axially aligned with the first U-shaped section which is inserted into an aperture in the automotive body. The second U-shaped section has a first-leg portion and a second-leg portion, the second leg portion including a positive locking tab member which resiliently compresses upon insertion of the second U-shaped section into the aperture. The locking tab member springs out and engages the body to provide a snap-fit retention to resist axial withdrawal of the fastener apparatus from the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Dhafer Y. Mansoor, Walter J. Kallenberg
  • Patent number: 5110650
    Abstract: The invention features an elongated strip of resilient material, which strip is secured in and partially surrounds a mounting member, where the resilient strip member has a semi-cylindrical body with a pair of circumferentially facing edge portions. The resilient strip also includes a pair of oppositely disposed, radially-inwardly extending solid, wedge shaped latch members, each extending longitudinally of the latch member and located between one of the edge portions and a point 45 degrees away from the mid-line of the semi-cylindrical body. The mounting member includes a web portion having a pair of oppositely disposed web-latch extensions extending across a chord of the semi-cylindrical body, substantially parallel to a tangent to the circumference of the semi-cylindrical body at its mid-line, and at least one leg member extending from the web portion away from the semi-cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Boston Metal Products Corp.
    Inventor: Gerald Kessler
  • Patent number: 5013596
    Abstract: The invention features an elongated strip of resilient material, which strip is secured in and partially surrounds a mounting member, where the resilient strip member has a semi-cylindrical body with a pair of circumferentially facing edge portions. The resilient strip also includes a pair of oppositely disposed, radially-inwardly extending solid, wedge shaped latch members, each extending longitudinally of the latch member and located between one of the edge portions and a point 45 degrees away from the mid-line of the semi-cylindrical body. The mounting member includes a web portion having a pair of oppositely disposed web-latch extensions extending across a chord of the semi-cylindrical body, substantially parallel to a tangent to the circumference of the semi-cylindrical body at its mid-line, and at least one leg member extending from the web portion away from the semi-cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Bostom Metal Products Corp.
    Inventor: Gerald Kessler
  • Patent number: 4779313
    Abstract: A retainer for a molded panel has a base 10 with a flat region 15 and projections 13 extending into the material of the molded panel to retain base 10 securely in place. Edge regions 12, extending away from the panel surface, interlock with a cap 11 located to straddle base 10 and have a central region 20 spaced from base 10 to receive and hold a fastener securing the cap, retainer and panel in place. Interchangeable caps 11, made in varying heights to span varying distances between a panel and its anchorage, can be mounted on universal base 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Voplex Corporation
    Inventor: Albert J. Gonas
  • Patent number: 4716632
    Abstract: A mounting fastener 2 which includes various combinations of base plate 30, mounting bracket 4, and fastener 18 is disclosed. The mounting bracket 4 is a formed wire bracket to provide the stand-off distance between a supporting structure and a mounted panel. Mounting bracket 4 has a pair of parallel feet 6 and a pair of parallel legs 8 extending upward from these feet and a yoke 10 joining the legs in a generally transverse plane (which may or may not be parallel with the feet 6) over the feet, yoke 10 defining a collar 14 into which fastener 18 is resiliently snapped. Opposed tips 16, one extending at the end of each foot 6, adapt mounting bracket 4 for resilient snap engagement to a panel member. Bracket 4 snaps into engagement in channels 38 and tip holes 40 of the base plate 30. A simpler form of bracket 50 is adapted to hang on a supporting structure, also effecting the spacing of the mounted panel from the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Voplex Corporation
    Inventor: Uwe W. Perl
  • Patent number: 4382414
    Abstract: A steel pallet comprises overlying deck-board panels (14, 116) and transversely directed stringer elements (12, 114). The elements are interconnected through one-piece spring steel clips (46, 112) mounted to the deck-board panels (14, 116) and received through transverse slots (18, 20; 134) in the stringer elements (12, 114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Inventor: Ferdinand M. Svirklys
  • Patent number: 4328997
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel trim assembly comprises a molded flange member of hard, lightweight plastic material adapted to provide a form-sustaining backing and reinforcement for a thin outer ornamental layer and has an axial flange portion adapted to fit coaxially within an annular axial flange of a vehicle wheel. The axial flange portion of the trim assembly carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient retainers adapted to engage the wheel flange yieldably at an interference fit for securing the flange member to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Inventor: James Connell
  • Patent number: RE35971
    Abstract: The invention features an elongated strip of resilient material, which strip is secured in and partially surrounds a mounting member, where the resilient strip member has a semi-cylindrical body with a pair of circumferentially facing edge portions. The resilient strip also includes a pair of oppositely disposed, radially-inwardly extending solid, wedge shaped latch members, each extending longitudinally of the latch member and located between one of the edge portions and a point 45 degrees away from the mid-line of the semi-cylindrical body. The mounting member includes a web portion having a pair of oppositely disposed web-latch extensions extending across a chord of the semi-cylindrical body, substantially parallel to a tangent to the circumference of the semi-cylindrical body at its mid-line, and at least one leg member extending from the web portion away from the semi-cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Boston Metal Products Corp.
    Inventor: Gerald Kessler