Requiring Manual Force Applied Against Bias To Interlock Or Disengage Patents (Class 24/615)
  • Patent number: 12108846
    Abstract: A belt buckle includes: an elastic member, a female buckle and a male buckle connected with different ends of lace. The female buckle includes a base provide with an insertion slot and a cover plate provided with a protrusion. The cover plate is mounted on the base and rotatable relative to the base. The male buckle includes an insertion block provided with a recess and a male buckle main body connected to the insertion block. When the insertion block is inserted into the insertion slot, and the protrusion extends into the recess, the female buckle and the male buckle are fastened together. When the cover plate is pressed to move towards the base, the elastic member press the cover plate to lift the cover plate in the direction away from the base to cause the protrusion to separate from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: DURAFLEX HONG KONG LIMITED
    Inventor: Man Chak Chan
  • Patent number: 12102192
    Abstract: A magnetic buckle device has a first base, a second base, a first component mounted to the first base, a second component mounted to the second base, and a lock mechanism. A magnetic attraction force is generated between the first component and the second component to move the first base and the second base toward each other. The lock mechanism is connected to the second base and has a locked status and an unlocked status. The lock mechanism has an engaging component and an unlocking component. In the locked status, the first base and the engaging component engage with each other such that the first base and the engaging component are inseparable. In the unlocked status, the unlocking component is capable of being operated to allow the first base and the engaging component to disengage from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: SINOX COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Weng, Yueh-Cheng Huang, Hao-Jhong Lyu, Wen-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 12053061
    Abstract: A buckle assembly and a harness including the buckle assembly. The buckle assembly includes a male buckle and a female buckle removably coupled to the male buckle. The male buckle includes a catch and a first adjustment member extending from the catch. The first adjustment member defines a plurality of first slots therethrough, such that each first slot is configured to movably receive a first webbing therethrough. The female buckle includes a main body and a second adjustment member extending from the main body. The main body is configured to at least partially receive the catch therein. The second adjustment member defines a plurality of second slots therethrough, such that each second slot is configured to movably receive a second webbing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Nathan W. Safe
  • Patent number: 11937576
    Abstract: Collar devices including interlinking collar components that have a hollow portion and a securing portion connected by a flexible portion have increased strength and security. The number of collar components included in a collar device may be adjusted in order to properly fit a collar to a particular animal. Such collar devices generally include a plurality of interlinking collar components, as well as first and second loop attachment components, which couple to respective ends of interlinked collar components. A loop with a fastening element is then inserted into openings of the first and second loop attachment components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Nathanael Benjamin
  • Patent number: 11786015
    Abstract: A buckle assembly that includes a male buckle component to mate with a female buckle component into a securely connected position. The male buckle component includes a main body, a mating guide beam, and one or more lateral arms coupled to the main body to deflect about a pivot point. Each of the one or more lateral arms includes a flexible lateral arm and a button. The button engages the female buckle component via a latching ledge, which defines a sloped transition from the flexible lateral arm to the button. The female buckle component includes a housing that defines a button aperture to secure the button of the male component, a disengagement aperture proximal to the button aperture, and a pocket to receive the male buckle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John Pontaoe, Steve Keller
  • Patent number: 11649839
    Abstract: A cable hook for fixing a rebound mat to a trampoline frame by means of two elastic elements and at least one flexible strap element has a housing with four receivers, wherein each elastic element has two free ends, each of which has a clamping element enlarging the periphery of the elastic element. A clamping element is inserted in each receiver. The cable hook has a cable hook body which is closed in the peripheral direction transversely to the fixing direction, wherein in each case two receivers are separated centrally by a receiving cavity in the cable hook body through which a clamping element can be passed. The cable hook has two terminating pieces which can each be inserted in a respective receiving cavity, and each has a cover rounding pointing away from the cable hook housing and oriented towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ANGEHRN AG UMFORMTECHNIK
    Inventors: Erwin Bisang, Christian Mehr
  • Patent number: 11559113
    Abstract: A plug for a buckle includes an attachment portion configured to be attached to the predetermined members; a pair of leg portions protruding in the same direction away from the attachment portion; extending portions extending in a direction from tip end portions of the pair of leg portions toward base end portions of the leg portions; a coupling piece coupling the base end portions of the pair of leg portions; a first restricting portion that is located at an intermediate portion of the coupling piece and faces extending ends of the extending portions; and second restricting portions that protrude from two sides in a longitudinal direction of the coupling piece in a manner of sandwiching the first restricting portion, extend in a protruding direction of the leg portions, and face inner side surfaces of the leg portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Naoyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 11549533
    Abstract: An inner housing defines a pin retaining receptacle elongated in an X-direction with entry ramps extending parallel to the X-direction. The inner housing is slidably coupled to an outer housing and extends into an interior thereof. The pair of inner housing retaining surfaces can engage the pair of cooperating inner housing retaining surfaces, with the pin retaining receptacle of the inner housing extending into the interior of the outer housing, to slidably couple the inner housing and the outer housing together while permitting movement of the inner housing relative to the outer housing in a Y-direction in response to the inner housing moving in the Y-direction during insertion of the pin into the pin retaining receptacle. Associated methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Meyers, Matthew R. Polselli
  • Patent number: 11533969
    Abstract: Disclosed is a buckle assembly having a female buckle component and a male buckle component. The male buckle component configured to mate with the female buckle component and comprising a main body, a mating guide beam, and one or more lateral arms coupled to the main body and configured to deflect about pivot points. Each lateral arm having a distal end configured to engage said female buckle component via a latching ledge of a button. Each lateral arm is shaped to define an effective length between the latching ledge and the pivot point that is greater than a linear distance between the latching ledge and the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Pontaoe
  • Patent number: 11528965
    Abstract: A buckle assembly with a disengagement prevention device and a method for using the same is disclosed. The buckle assembly has a first buckle member having a first strap holding structure configured to adjustably affix the first buckle member to a first strap segment. A second buckle member is configured to couple with the first buckle member, the second buckle member having a second strap holding structure configured to affix the second buckle member to a second strap segment. A disengagement prevention device is configured for engagement with the first and second buckle members to maintain the first and second buckle members in a coupled state under conditions where the first and second buckle members are not properly engaged or the engagement between the first and second buckle members is accidentally released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: James W. Spencer
  • Patent number: 11452343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoulder strap positioner for releasably connecting a first and a second strap of a child restraining seat harness, where the shoulder strap positioner comprises a male member configured to be connected to a first strap of the child restraining seat harness and a female member configured to be connected to a second strap of the child restraining seat harness, and where the male member can be removably connected to the female member (1b), where the female member comprises a receptacle provided with an opening for insertion of the male member, the opening being provided over a part of a circumference of the female member, where at least one rib is provided over a part of the opening, and where the male member comprises an tongue provided with a groove, the male and female members being locked to each other through a movement of the male member towards the at least one rib, the at least one rib being brought into contact and accommodated in the groove through this movement, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HTS Hans Torgersen & Sønn AS
    Inventors: Hugo Westra, Marloes Koenraads
  • Patent number: 11399601
    Abstract: A wristband locking mechanism for a wearable electronic device, a wristband, a wearable electronic device and a method of securing an article to a person. The wristband locking mechanism includes a clasp assembly with independently-operable spring-biased actuators such that the wristband locking mechanism cannot be unlocked using one hand. The use of sensors, processors, communication equipment and associated components within the wearable electronic device allows a caregiver to monitor one or more of location, environmental, physiological and activity data of a wearer of the device, while the requirement for two-handed operation for unlocking of the wristband locking mechanism provides a deterrent against intentional or unintentional removal of the attached article or wearable electronic device by the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CareBand, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam G. Sobol, Jason R. Gebhardt, Joseph T. Kreidler, Brian A. Donlin, Jon G. Ledwith, Patrick J. McVey, Ross D. Moore, Peter Nanni, Dwayne D. Forsyth, Paul Sheldon, Todd Sobol, John D. Reed
  • Patent number: 11388959
    Abstract: A pet buckle includes a buckle body and a snap-fit member that can be inserted and fastened together, and a buckle cavity is disposed in the buckle body, the clip component is provided with an insertion section matched with the fastening cavity and is used for the belt adjusting portion of the webbing adjustment is characterized in that: a stretched extending piece is disposed on a bottom surface of the buckle body fastening cavity, and the extending piece extends to the card when the button body and the engaging member are fastened to each other. The strap adjustment portion of the connector presses the webbing of the strap adjustment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: COSMIC PET LLC
    Inventor: Xu Jing
  • Patent number: 11160332
    Abstract: A buckle includes two coupling modules coupled separably to each other. Each of the coupling modules includes a main unit including a hook member and a coupling member that has a retaining portion, and an operating member having an operating portion and a pushing portion. The hook member of each of the coupling modules is engaged with the retaining portion of the other one of the coupling modules. The operating portions of the operating members of the coupling modules are movable toward each other, during which the pushing portion of each of the coupling modules pushes the hook member of the other one of the coupling modules to disengage said hook member from the retaining portion of the coupling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: IMMENSE PROSPEROUS ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Tsung Kuo, Sheng-Jo Kuo
  • Patent number: 11089843
    Abstract: A buckle has a main body, a strap retaining bar connected to the main body, two locking legs formed as separate pieces from the main body and pivotably connected to the main body; and a spring disposed between the two locking legs. The spring is attached to both of the locking legs, and exerts a force against the locking legs when they are pressed inward toward each other. The spring keeps the locking legs in an outwardly tensioned position, but does not let the legs flex outwardly in an unlimited manner, since the spring is directly connected to the legs. The spring allows the main body and locking legs to be formed of an inflexible material, such as metal. The locking legs are separate pieces from the main body and are connected to the main body via a pivot pin or other hinged mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Duraflex Hong Kong Limited
    Inventor: Yick Fai Chan
  • Patent number: 11071356
    Abstract: A web-connecting assembly may include a connecting member and a securing member. The connecting member may include a connecting stud and a first web channel. The first web channel is configured to retain a first web. The securing member may include a housing defining a retaining chamber, a button pivotally secured to the housing, and a second web channel. The second web channel is configured to retain a second web. The button is configured to be moved between an open position in which a portion of the connecting stud is able to move into and out of the retaining chamber, and a closed position in which the button securely traps the portion of the connecting stud within the retaining chamber. The connecting member is securely connected to the securing member when the button securely traps the portion of the connecting stud within the retaining chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Kolasa, Steven C. Keller
  • Patent number: 11044970
    Abstract: A system for attachment to webbing has an attachment portion and an operating portion that can be attached to and detached from each other. The attachment portion has a base body with a cavity, a transverse bar, and two locking hooks. The operating portion has two side legs, top sections connected to the side legs, a gap between the top sections and a locking hook on each of the top sections. The operating portion is connectable to the attachment portion by pressing the legs together and inserting the locking hooks of the operating portion into the base body, and then releasing the legs so that the locking hooks of the attachment portion and operating portion engage each other. The operating portion is detachable from the attachment portion by squeezing the legs together until the locking hooks on the operating portion clear the locking hooks on the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Duraflex Hong Kong Limited
    Inventors: Yick Fai Chan, Po Chu Lin
  • Patent number: 11026464
    Abstract: A strap retainer (4) for attaching a chinstrap (3) to a safety helmet (1). The strap retainer (4) includes a clip (5) that has a first latch (52A) that is movable between an engaged position and a retracted position. The first latch (52A) is resiliently biased toward the engaged position. The strap retainer (4) further has a slider (6) that is displaceable between a lock setting and a release setting. The lock setting causes a movement of the first latch (52A) toward the retracted position to be impeded, and the release setting causes the impeding to be suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter L. Axelsson, Christina E. S. Wester, Pernilla M. Nolåkers
  • Patent number: 11020121
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to circular stapling instruments and elongated tubular hollow sleeves deployed from such stapling instruments and establishing an enclosure around the stapled and resected tissues at the anastomotic joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Nir I. Nativ, Silvia Chen
  • Patent number: 10993722
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to an expandable compression device for application to anastomotically joined tubular tissues, comprising: an upper ring-shaped or disk-shaped flange at a distal end of said device connected to a lower ring-shaped inflatable flange at a proximal end of said device via a hollow cylindrical tubular body, with an opening forming an axial passage through said upper flange, lower flange, and tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matonick, Robert J. Tannhauser, Leo B. Kriksunov
  • Patent number: 10709209
    Abstract: A closure device for closing and locking a restraint system, such as a restraint system for an amusement vehicle, includes a blocking device, and a locking device having a first connecting member and a second connecting member. The locking device and the blocking device interact in such a way that, in at least a first position of the locking device relative to the blocking device, the first connecting member is releasable coupled to the second connecting member. Furthermore, in at least a second position of the locking device relative to the blocking device, the blocking device prevents release of the first connecting member from the second connecting member. In some examples, the second position includes the locking device being inserted at least partially into the blocking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Joerg Beutler
  • Patent number: 10687589
    Abstract: A protective enclosure for a zipper of an article. The zipper enclosure may include an enclosure base that is attachable to the article, such as a mattress cover or padding materials for use with a bedding/furniture cover. The enclosure base may be configured to receive a one or more components of the zipper, such as the zipper slider and pull tab, upon closing of the zipper. When the zipper is closed, the enclosure base may be enclosed by an enclosure cover to contain and/or prevent migration of particles and/or organisms, such as bed bugs, allergens, dust mites, small particles and the like, from the article through an opening in the zipper chain adjacent the slider head. The enclosure may include one or more barriers for preventing migration of small particles and/or organisms past obstructions formed by the barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: CleanBrands, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Goldberg, David Harris, Donna Charpentier
  • Patent number: 10426470
    Abstract: A circular surgical stapling device includes a reload assembly that is supported on a distal end of an elongate shaft of the stapling device. The reload assembly includes a housing, a pusher assembly movably supported within the housing, a knife carrier movably supported within the pusher assembly, and an annular knife supported on the knife carrier. The elongate body includes a pusher drive member and a knife carrier pusher. The knife carrier includes first engagement structure that is configured to releasably engage second engagement structure formed on the knife carrier pusher to releasably couple the knife carrier pusher to the knife carrier. A reload insert or member is supported on or integrally formed with the housing of the reload assembly. The reload member includes a first portion configured to prevent separation of the first and second engagement structures and a second portion configured to accommodate separation of the first and second engagement structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph Guerrera
  • Patent number: 10231519
    Abstract: A fastener for a garment, particularly suited to use in a garment such as a brassiere, includes female and male parts that interlock. The female part is connected to a first garment piece and the male part is connected to a second garment piece. The fastener is an overlapping fastener of the type in which the male piece is engaged with the female piece by inserting a connector plate of a male part into an aperture of a female part at an angle and thereafter pivoting the male part relative the female part thereby snap-fitting the connector plate in place in the aperture. The female part has a socket for receiving a detent of the male part, forming a locking mechanism. Dimensioning the male part to interfere with an edge of the female when coupling creates a second locking mechanism, as the female part resiliently couples to the male.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Dubrosky & Tracy Patent Service Corp.
    Inventors: Gerhard Fildan, Karl Wanzenböck
  • Patent number: 10130146
    Abstract: A buckle assembly may include a first connection member, and a second connection member configured to receive at least a portion of the first connection member in order to removably connect the first connection member to the second connection member. The second connection member includes an outer frame defining a central opening that is configured to allow monitoring of alignment and connection between the first and second connection members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Kolasa, David A. Shereyk
  • Patent number: 10000968
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (11) includes a sealing element (21) provided with a housing (22), an electronic control unit (15) electrically connected to a first electrical connector (23), and a power supply cable (18) including, at one of the ends of same, a second electrical connector (24). The second connector (24) includes an elastic tab (26) provided with a stop element (27) cooperating with a recess (28) provided in the housing (22), and a first bending area (32) provided at the junction between a first end (26a) of the elastic tab (26) and a body (25) of the second connector (24). The stop element (27) is provided at a second free end (26b) of the elastic tab (26). The elastic tab (26) includes a second bending area (33) provided at the junction between an arm (37) and the stop element (27) of the elastic tab (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SOMFY SAS
    Inventors: Florian Bodet, Beatrice Ducornetz, Fabrizio Girola
  • Patent number: 9982469
    Abstract: A pivot bar for a tiltable window sash may include an elongated body, an anti-rotation feature and a retaining finger. The elongated body has first and second opposing ends and first and second opposing surfaces extending between the first and second ends. The elongated body also has a first longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends. The first end may be configured to be received in a window balance assembly. The retaining finger may extend from the second surface and may be configured to engage the tiltable window sash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventors: Jay Sofianek, John Kessler
  • Patent number: 9730694
    Abstract: A loading unit including a shipping assembly is provided. The shipping assembly is operably received adjacent the cartridge assembly to retain staples with the cartridge assembly. The shipping assembly includes a shipping member selectively secured to loading unit and a locking member slidably disposed within the shipping member. The locking member is movable between a proximal position wherein the shipping member is secured to the housing and a distal position wherein the shipping member is removable from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Justin Williams, Patrick Mozdzierz, Christopher Penna
  • Patent number: 9675141
    Abstract: A safety buckle device includes a first buckle part having a partially closed space with an opening, and a second buckle part having a body, a guiding tongue, and a control key. When locking the safety buckle device, a springing detent is adapted to lock against a locking element. The control key has two recesses having different depths and arranged adjacent each other in the longitudinal direction of the control key. The detent achieves a first locking when the control key is actuated, and the detent achieves a second locking when the control key no longer is actuated, or the detent achieves a locking when the control key is not actuated. The detent is adapted to be released when the control key is actuated again, or when the control key is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: BABYBJORN AB
    Inventors: Jakob Wikner, Thomas Bergens, Marten Andren
  • Patent number: 9670947
    Abstract: A trim retainer assembly having a clip portion with a base and a molded housing having a keyhole and an opening. The keyhole in the doghouse is smooth for improved molding and elimination of tuning since there are no detents in the bore to tune or maintain. The base is provided with a pair of arms that are flexible and each arm having a self detent feature that passes through the opening in the housing to provide clip retention and, at the same time, float for tolerance variations is provided. The pair of arms also include nominal centering detents. The keyhole bore, opening, and clip portion provides clip detent, consistent retention effort, float, centering and anti-rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Ronald J. Andor, Molli J. Andor, Michael S. Gignilliat
  • Patent number: 9603418
    Abstract: A rotatable buckle assembly may include a male buckle member, and a female buckle member configured to rotatably connect to the male buckle member. The female buckle member may include a handle that is configured to be pulled to disconnect the first buckle member from the second buckle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Grimm, Christopher A. J. Iannello, Martin J. Nilsen
  • Patent number: 9578930
    Abstract: A buckle having an excellent design property is provided. [Solution] In a buckle for a belt in which a socket member and a plug member engage with each other, a buckle 10 is formed by forming the socket member including a front face portion 25 having an approximately flat surface; a back face portion 26 provided in such a way as to face a reverse face of the front face portion 25, and forming an engagement hole 21 with which the plug member engages between the back face portion 26 and the front face portion 25; a pressing piece 28 formed in the front face portion 25 by being divided by a slit 31 formed in the front face portion 25 and pressed for releasing an engagement with the plug member inserted into the engagement hole 21 to be engaged therewith; and a hinge portion 29 formed to be thinner than the pressing piece 28, connecting the pressing piece 28 to the same surface as the surface of the front face portion 25, and serving as a base point for a displacement when the pressing piece 28 is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Namiko Koreishi
  • Patent number: 9554665
    Abstract: A drapery holdback assembly having interchangeable, adjustable decorative ends is provided. The drapery holdback includes a base portion for mounting to a supporting surface. A neck portion extends from the base portion to a distal head portion, which provides an arcuate magnet along a portion of its periphery. The drapery holdback includes an interface assembly having a decorative end and an opposing joint end, wherein the joint end forms a magnetically attractive curved surface so as to be movable and/or positionable over the arcuate magnet to various orientations. Being magnetically connected, different interface assemblies and so different decorative ends, may be interchanged onto the head portion at the user's whim. A spring is disposed between the decorative and joint ends, so that the interface assembly absorbs shock and other compressive forces to prevent damage to the drapery holdback assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony Joseph Olivo, Barbara Kay Olivo
  • Patent number: 9510831
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining organ wall portions of first and second hollow organs, including first and second connectors, wherein the first and second connectors are magnetically attracted to one another. A device for delivering and deploying the first and second connectors to portions of the first and second hollow organs can be provided, wherein the device is configured and dimensioned to axially align the first and second connectors for performing circular anastomosis of the first and second hollow organs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank Viola
  • Patent number: 9352945
    Abstract: The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a jack tool including a first shaft including a first tail with a first protrusion connected to a first spring, and a second shaft including a second head with a second aperture to detachably receive the first protrusion of the first shaft upon a force on the first spring translated from a force of different direction on the first protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brenna Liu, Wendy Ge, Jack Xu
  • Patent number: 9226551
    Abstract: A securing device that requires wearer assistance for removal has a clasp that is unlocked by simultaneously disengaging movable ratchet teeth and sliding one half of the clasp past the other half. The clasp has a first portion and a second portion, each portion including a male connector having fixed ratchet teeth and a female connector having movable ratchet teeth. When the securing clasp is locked together by connecting the male connector of the first portion with the female connector of the second portion, and vice versa, it provides for the securement of an adjoining wristband. The securing device can be unlocked by anyone using a two-hand grip but not by a wearer of the device on their wrist, because the wearer only has the use of one hand to unlock the securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: On Track Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Penny Shikowitz, Glenwood Garner, III, Richard W. Inskeep
  • Patent number: 9038251
    Abstract: A buckle assembly structured for quick release and including a gripping assembly structured to removably retain an end connector in a locked position. Two locking segments are movably connected to one another and disposable between a closed orientation and a release orientation. The locked position includes the locking segments disposed in gripping engagement with the connector when the connector is disposed between the locking segments. A quick release assembly may be selectively positioned into a separating engagement with the locking segments to at least partially define a positioning thereof from their closed orientation into their release orientation. A secondary release assembly is connected to the gripping assembly and is independently operable to release the connector from the gripping engagement with the locking segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: National Molding, LLC.
    Inventor: Miguel A. Bevilacqua
  • Patent number: 9027558
    Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and at least one locking clip. The frame has a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body, at least one of the side frame members including a locking clip receiver assembly. The at least one locking clip has a main body providing a front portion adapted to be removably coupled with the at least one locking clip receiver assembly and a rear portion adapted to be removably coupled to a headgear assembly. The rear portion includes a cross bar that forms an opening through which a strap of the headgear assembly can pass and be removably coupled with the cross bar, and the front portion includes at least one resiliently flexible spring arm that is flexible within the plane of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Memduh Guney, Amal Shirley Amarasinghe, Perry David Lithgow, Milind Chandrakant Raje, Aaron Samuel Davidson, Michael Andrew Jones
  • Patent number: 9015912
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes: a plug; and a socket, the plug including: a base; a pair of legs; and engaging portions, the socket including: a body; an insertion opening; a housing space; engaged portions; and a pair of guide surfaces. The guide surfaces, which are formed on an inner surface of the housing space and extend in an insertion direction of the legs while being opposed to each other, each include: a squeezing portion formed continuously with corresponding one of the engaged portions; and a guiding portion formed between the squeezing portion and the insertion opening. An interval between the guiding portions near the engaged portions is wider than an interval between the squeezing portions near the engaged portions. An inclination angle of each guiding portion to an insertion direction of the plug is smaller than an inclination angle of each of the squeezing portion to the insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Madoka Nanbu, Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 9009931
    Abstract: A strapping system used to hold a messenger bag or the like to a person. The system includes multi-component multi-attachment rotating and detachable buckles which provide pivoting motion about the intersection points of non-axial forces. The system allows for switching shoulders and adjusts to changing angles induced by changing the position of the bag on the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew Jensen
  • Patent number: 8991867
    Abstract: A buckle for a child safety seat comprising a body having an opening for receiving and selectively retaining in position a tang portion of a first belt portion connector, a loop element for connecting a second belt portion, the loop element engaging the tang portion to connect the first and second belt portions, the loop element comprising a base with a pair of legs extending therefrom and abutting at distal ends at a split surface. Each leg includes an anti-spread tab extending generally perpendicularly from the leg configured to engage the opening when the buckle is operably assembled to prevent separation of the split surface and retain the loop element engaged on the tang portion. The anti-separation tabs allow separation of the split surface as the tang is partially withdrawn from the opening so that the lop portion may be disengaged from the tang by movement generally transverse to the tang.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, James M. Dillner
  • Patent number: 8918963
    Abstract: A device for reversible connection between a casing for lead weights and a corresponding pocket of a diving jacket is described. The device has an elastically insertable and releasable buckle with a male part connected to the casing through a rigid plate and with a sheath, acting as the female part of the buckle, connected to the pocket of the jacket. The rigid plate presents lateral guide ribbings, suitable for facilitating insertion of the male part of the buckle in the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cressi-Sub S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Godoy
  • Patent number: 8863362
    Abstract: A side squeeze buckle with a cavity formed in a central section of the male section of the buckle is disclosed. The cavity can have an LED light enclosed therein or can be left as an open cavity to store items. The female section of the buckle has two arms extending around a central opening. The central section of the male section fits into the central opening of the female section. The external surface of the cavity forms a substantial portion of the top surface of the buckle when the buckle is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Bison Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Brian James Kelleghan
  • Patent number: 8857019
    Abstract: A belt buckle primarily for law enforcement or military personnel, for a relatively wide service belt, is of low profile, i.e. narrow from left to right so as to occupy minimal belt span to provide maximum space for equipment to be supported on the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: 5.11 Inc.
    Inventor: Cory Nykoluk
  • Patent number: 8851345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening device for connecting a unit (120) to two mutually spaced headrest bars (101b, 101c) of a vehicle seat (101), comprising a first coupling element (102, 102a) for receiving a second coupling element (103, 103a) arranged on the unit (120) as well as a first fastening element (105) arranged on the first coupling element (102, 102a) and a second fastening element (106) moveably connected to the first fastening element (105), by way of which fastening elements the first coupling element (102, 102a) can be fastened to the headrest bars (101b, 101c). The first fastening element (105) and the second fastening element (106) are supported on the headrest bars (101b, 101c) and can be moved relative to each other in parallel to a connecting line (100) extending approximately horizontally between the centers of the headrest bars (101b, 101c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kinetix AG
    Inventors: Peter Ackeret, Juergen Siegfried Skott
  • Patent number: 8827230
    Abstract: In an object holding device, it is possible to prevent loosening of a cord-like body for holding an object without requiring any user's special operation. The object holding device includes a fixing belt (3) wound on a plastic tank (2), a male buckle (9) provided at a fixing belt, a reel (4) having the fixing belt wound around and urged to rotate in a winding direction of the fixing belt and a reel housing (11) connecting with a male buckle. When the male buckle is connected to the reel housing, a rotation of the reel is restricted at least in a counter-winding direction of the fixing belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Takehiko Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8813321
    Abstract: Buckle includes a male member having a pair of arms each having an engaged part, and a flat cylinder-shaped female member having an insertion port into which the pair of arms is inserted and an engaging part engaging the pair of arms. The female member includes a first cylinder side wall and a second cylinder side wall, and an opened port opposed to the insertion port. The pair of arms is not exposed from an edge of the opened port in the state where the engaging part is engaged with the engaged parts, when viewed from a plane opposed to an outer surface of the first cylinder side wall. The pair of arms is exposed from the opened port in the state where the engaging part is engaged with the engaged parts, when viewed from a plane opposed to an outer surface of the second cylinder side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Gaku Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8800121
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement comprises a first fastening member connected to a first strap and a second fastening member connected to a second strap. The first fastening member includes a first surface comprising at least one first interlocking member. The second fastening member includes a channel positioned between a second surface and a biasing member. The channel is configured to receive the first fastening member with the first surface facing the second surface. The second surface includes at least one second interlocking member configured to engage the first interlocking member in a manner that blocks the first interlocking member from moving relative to the second interlocking member in at least one direction. The biasing member is configured to urge the first interlocking member into engagement with the second interlocking member when the first fastening member is inserted into the channel of the second fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Berns, F. Grant Kovach, Alan Guyan, Mari Lucero, Kevin Patrick Fallon, Kirsten Climer, Tara Marchionna, Yvonne Lin, Tucker Fort
  • Patent number: 8769783
    Abstract: A buckle includes a male member having a pair of flexible arms mutually facing each other and disposed extending from a base part, and a female member to connect to the male member by coupling with the pair of arms. The male member has a flexible bridge connecting the pair of arms. The bridge is connected to an opposing face of each of the pair of arms facing the other arm. At the connecting portion where each of the pair of arms and the bridge are connected, the bridge is placed projecting toward the other arm from the opposing face on the arm following a tangential direction to a circle being centered on the base end of the arm and having a distance from the base end to the connecting portion as a radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Gaku Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8763612
    Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and at least one locking clip. The frame has a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body, at least one of the side frame members including a locking clip receiver assembly. The at least one locking clip has a main body providing a front portion adapted to be removably coupled with the at least one locking clip receiver assembly and a rear portion adapted to be removably coupled to a headgear assembly. The rear portion includes a cross bar that forms an opening through which a strap of the headgear assembly can pass and be removably coupled with the cross bar, and the front portion includes at least one resiliently flexible spring arm that is flexible within the plane of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Memduh Guney, Amal Shirley Amarasinghe, Perry David Lithgow, Milind Chandrakant Raje, Aaron Samuel Davidson, Michael Andrew Jones