Fastener Deformed After Application Patents (Class 29/525.05)
  • Patent number: 11897024
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure for electrically-connecting an external conductor. The structure comprises a wiring-substrate comprising a stack based arrangement of a plurality of layers, wherein said layers are defined as electrically conducting layers and insulating layer. A rivet is supported from the wiring substrate and comprises an embedded portion within the wiring substrate. The embedded portion comprises: an upper section extending through the stack of the plurality of layers, and, a bottom section extending laterally with reference to the upper section. A portion protruding from wiring substrate is provided for receiving an external-conductor and for thereby electrically connecting with the wiring substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Max Richter, Olaf Bartz
  • Patent number: 11136168
    Abstract: A package is produced having an external and highly visible tamper evidencing band which surrounds portions of both a container lip flange and the periphery of a closure lid. A distal portion of the band is mechanically formed using a forming tool to have an inwardly directed portion which cooperates with an inwardly directed band flange to securely hold the container and closure lid together. The band must be removed to successfully open the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Luch, Daniel Randolph Luch
  • Patent number: 10384295
    Abstract: A welding auxiliary joining part is disclosed in the shape of a stud having a head, a shank and a tip. The welding auxiliary joining part is driven in by means of a mechanical-thermal setting method into a component of non- or poorly weldable material. During the driving in, a welding head is created due to mechanical deformation so that the component may be connected subsequently via the welding auxiliary joining part to a further component of weldable material by means of welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Draht, Sergej Hartwig-Biglau
  • Patent number: 9957584
    Abstract: A joined sheet stack and a method and system for forming the stack are disclosed. The stack may include a steel sheet and a second sheet. The steel sheet may include a bulk portion having a first tensile strength and one or more fastener regions having a second tensile strength that is lower than the first tensile strength and a microstructure that includes tempered martensite. A fastener may extend through each fastener region joining the steel sheet to the second sheet. The method may include heat treating one or more regions of a steel sheet to form one or more fastener regions having a tensile strength that is lower than a bulk tensile strength of the steel sheet and a microstructure that includes tempered martensite. A fastener may then be inserted into the one or more fastener regions to join the steel sheet to a second sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Constantin Chiriac, Garret Sankey Huff, Raj Sohmshetty
  • Publication number: 20150128741
    Abstract: A shifter assembly (23) for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission of a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a lever (24) having a retention surface (34) and defining a first engagement feature (36) and a shroud (48) at least partially disposed about the lever. A collet 54) is at least partially disposed about the lever and is movable. An actuator (58) has a second engagement feature (68) selectively engaging the first engagement feature and has an abutment surface (60) selectively engaging the collet. The actuator rotates about the lever from an unlocked position to a locked position which facilitates engagement of the abutment surface with the collet and correspondingly moves the collet to sandwich the shroud between the collet and the retention surface of the lever. The actuator further defines a cable passage (78) and the shifter assembly includes a cable (46) with the cable extending through the cable passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventors: Viktor Farkas, Karin Svensson
  • Publication number: 20150119945
    Abstract: A bone screw assembly including a bone screw that has a head portion with a base, a pair of arms extending upwardly from the base, and an internally threaded slot defined by the pair of arms, and a screw portion extending downwardly from the base of the head portion. The assembly further includes a set screw having a body with a threaded outer surface and a distal tip, wherein the distal tip comprises a truncated taper portion extending from a base to generally flat distal end. The threaded outer surface of the set screw is engageable within the internally threaded slot of the head portion of the bone screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jude L. Sasing, Mark Dranreb O. Royo
  • Publication number: 20150114973
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus can include a vessel having a cooking surface and an exterior surface, a handle having a grip and a fastener pad, the fastener pad having an opening, and a fastener, wherein the fastener can be coupled to the exterior surface of the vessel, the fastener can be disposed at least partially through the opening, and the handle can be coupled to the vessel. The handle can be coupled to the vessel and any disturbance to the cooking surface can be at least minimized. A method of making a cooking apparatus can include coupling a handle to an exterior surface of a vessel while at least minimizing any effects on the cooking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Mars MASHBURN, Antonio Galafassi
  • Publication number: 20150101174
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a washer for an aircraft pipe joint. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an aircraft pipe joint comprising a locking washer. An aircraft pipe coupling comprises a first pipe end and a second pipe end, and a locking washer disposed between the first pipe end and second pipe end. The locking washer comprising a first tab in engagement with the first pipe end, and a second tab in engagement with the second pipe end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Scott WILLIAMS, Alan QUAYLE, Samuel EVANS
  • Publication number: 20150098681
    Abstract: Various connector housings for securing an optical cable, as well as methods of use and manufacture thereof are disclosed. A single-piece unitary connector housing body may include a first opening formed in a first end of the housing body, a second opening formed in a second end of the housing body, a bore through the housing body extending from the first opening to the second opening, and a back post surrounding the second opening. The first opening may be configured to receive a terminating optical cable and the second opening may be configured to receive a fiber optic cable. The back post may extend from the second opening in a longitudinal direction and may include a plurality of protrusions thereon. A length of the back post may have a concave shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: SENKO ADVANCED COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenji IIZUMI, Kim Man WONG
  • Publication number: 20150085420
    Abstract: In one embodiment a conductive assembly may include a casing having a compressed portion and a cylinder. A fiber may be positioned within the casing and the relative position of the fiber with respect to the casing may be secured via engagement between the casing and the fiber at the compressed portion. The compressed portion may be configured as a plurality of alternating vertices and tables and the fiber may extend outward from the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert A. Tejano, Dwight A. Vicars
  • Publication number: 20150068009
    Abstract: A deployment instrument for deploying a closure device for sealing a percutaneous puncture in a wall of a body passageway, the deployment instrument including a carrier assembly, wherein the carrier assembly is configured to hold the closure device in a pre-deployment state, and a tensioner assembly, wherein the filament is fixedly attached to the tensioner assembly, wherein the deployment instrument is configured to increase the tension in the filament upon linear movement of the deployment instrument away from the wall of the body passageway when the closure device is anchored to the wall via the anchor such that the tension is gradually increased as the deployment instrument is moved between a first linear distance and a second linear distance greater than the first linear distance from the wall of the body passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Greg Alan Walters
  • Patent number: 8967078
    Abstract: A method of masking a component includes installing a flexible gasket over a portion of a component masking area leaving an unmasked area exposed. A backer is installed over the flexible gasket to compress the flexible gasket between the backer and the portion. The flexible gasket and the backer are secured to the component to provide an assembly. The assembly is deposited into a slurry with an abrasive media to polish the unmasked area, in one example. The flexible gasket and backer prevent abrasive media from reaching the masked area. The flexible gasket and backer can be removed from the component and reused on other similarly shaped components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Soucy, Richard W. LaFranchise
  • Publication number: 20150048665
    Abstract: A cord connector, methods of connecting cords using a cord connector, an article including cord connections and a method of making an article with cord connections is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Zheng
  • Patent number: 8950054
    Abstract: A manufacturing method employing a robotic assembly system includes first and second fastener system components that are positioned by a robotic assembly on opposite sides of at least two structural pieces that are to be fastened together. The first system component includes a particular tool of a plurality of different types of tools, where the particular tool installs a particular fastener of a plurality of different types of fasteners. Each tool includes a block or base of magnetic material with a passageway opening for the fastener associated with the tool passing through the base. The robotic assembly positions the tool against one side of the structural pieces to be fastened, and positions an electromagnet assembly on the opposite side of the structural pieces. Activating the electromagnet assembly clamps the structural pieces together. With the fastener positioned in a hole through the structural pieces, the tool is activated to install the fastener between the structural pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, Harinder S. Oberoi, Rodney S. Wright, Jeffrey L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20150020371
    Abstract: A method of coupling first and second pipe elements in end-to-end facing relationship includes obtaining a coupling, the coupling including an annular gasket, at least one segment, and a fastener, each segment being approximately semi-circular and including at least two ends, each end including at least one of a tongue and a groove, each tongue protruding circumferentially from at least one end, each groove defined circumferentially in at least one end; slipping the coupling onto the first pipe element beyond any groove proximate the end of the first pipe element; aligning the second pipe element in end-to-end facing relationship with the first pipe element; slipping the coupling onto the second pipe element such that the segments of the coupling straddle the ends of the first and second pipe elements; and engaging each fastener to deform each segment into contact with the outer surfaces of the first and second pipe elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph William Beagen, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150016780
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a front housing having sidewalls each defining a slot and a rear insert with a pair of locking flanges extending radially away, the locking flanges configured to snap-fit into the slots, each locking flange defining a front face and a rear face, the radially outermost portion of the rear face defining an edge, the edge being the rearmost extending portion of the locking flange. Another fiber optic connector includes a front housing defining a front opening at a front end, a circular rear opening at a rear end, and an internal cavity extending therebetween. A rear insert including a generally cylindrical front portion is inserted into the front housing through the circular rear opening, the front portion defining at least one longitudinal flat configured to reduce the overall diameter of the generally cylindrical front portion configured to be inserted into the front housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Allen Skluzacek, Michael D. Schroeder, Michael James Ott, Randall Wendland, Ponharith Nhep, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8918978
    Abstract: A method to join a first structure to a second structure comprises aligning a first hole in the first structure with a second hole in the second structure and inserting a fastener into the first hole and the second hole. The fastener comprises a shape memory alloy which was formed into a first shape having a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in an austenite state and reduced to a second shape having a diameter less than the diameter of the first hole and the second hole when the shape memory alloy was in a martensite state. The method further comprises heating the fastener above an austenite start transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brad L Kirkwood, Lee C. Firth, Richard D. Widdle, Wesley B. Crow
  • Patent number: 8898883
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding a connecting element into a processing position of a joining apparatus. The apparatus includes a singulation slide for separating and feeding a connecting element. The singulation slide has a through-hole running in an axial direction for accommodating the connecting element, and the through-hole is partially defined by two leg segments. The singulation slide includes a base segment and the transition from the base segment to each of the leg segments is designed so that the leg segments are flexible in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Moeser, Christopher Beil
  • Patent number: 8887364
    Abstract: A rivet setter that can efficiently and smoothly perform, and reduce the takt time for a rivet setting operation. The rivet setter can be configured to set a rivet sequentially fed from a rivet supplying means by inserting the rivet into apertures formed at predetermined positions on workpieces. The rivet setter can have delivery paths for delivering the rivet one by one by sliding the rivet down to a settable position and can have a hanging support portion formed in the settable position in the tip end of the delivery path for supporting the head of rivet and for hanging the rivet shank downward. The rivet setter can be configured to enable the rivet to be set in the apertures of the workpieces by moving the hanging support portion substantially horizontally while keeping the rivet suspended in the hanging support portion and inserted into the apertures of the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventor: Tsunetaka Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20140259627
    Abstract: The embodiments described in this paper relate generally to a fastener configured to reduce a risk of doing damage to a high cost component. Various embodiments of fasteners configured to be threaded during insertion are described. This is accomplished by selecting a material for an engaging portion of the fastener that is soft enough to yield to a set of threads to which it is driven into. In this way, a complementary threading pattern is formed on an exterior surface of the fastener as it is twisted against threading of the high cost component to which the fastener is configured to be coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Conor P. LENAHAN, Taylor H. GILBERT, Piotr S. TRZASKOS, Alex C. Yeung
  • Patent number: 8832919
    Abstract: According to aspects of one or more exemplary implementations, disclosed is a flanged ribbed nut, or FRN, having a head above an extended flange formed integral to said head, and a neck integral to and extending from said flange opposite said head, and a threading guide in fluid communication with said head, flange and neck, and having at least two interfering ribs formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ECA Medical Instruments
    Inventors: Dave Ivinson, John Nino
  • Patent number: 8819915
    Abstract: A method of assembling a piston plate and cover for a torque converter comprising the steps of: installing a shimming leaf into the cover; installing a rivet comprising a rivet head and a rivet body into a piston plate hole; supporting the rivet head with the shimming leaf; and expanding the rivet body into the piston plate hole. The method includes a shimming leaf assembly, wherein the shimming leaf assembly comprises the shimming leaf and a pivot, wherein the shimming leaf is rotatable about the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfredo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8789317
    Abstract: A method for forming a double-curved structure and double-curved structure formed using the same are provided. The method may include providing a flat mesh formed of a plurality of strands; interlinking the plurality of strands of the flat mesh using a plurality of cross-links; and adjusting the plurality of cross-links to form the double-curved structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: James L. Cheh
  • Patent number: 8763233
    Abstract: The invention relates to a punch rivet for connecting two workpieces. The rivet includes a head and a hollow shank having a shank internal diameter (D3), a shank external diameter (D1) and a shank end face. Located at the shank end face is an annular cutting edge with a diameter (D4) that is smaller than the shank external diameter (D1). The shank internal diameter (D3) merges with the annular cutting edge via a cutting edge radius (R2); and the ratio of the cutting edge radius to the shank external diameter R2/D1 is greater than 0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Paul Bartig
  • Patent number: 8764364
    Abstract: A system (100, 600, 700) for fastening objects to a wall or ceiling (120) comprises a rear, wall-anchor section (105, 607, 705) with a bore, and a front, pivotable section (110, 602, 604, 720), rigidly abutted together with no gap, aligned by a projection (135), and connected by a “living” hinge, strap, flap, lanyard or other type of connector (115). The pivotable section has a sharpened tip (112, 630, 635, 725) for penetrating the wall while the fastener is forced into the wall by a hammer or other driving tool or device, or manually by hand. The two sections of the fastener have a tapered, elliptical cross-section (111) which both prevents rotation of the fastener and locally reduces load-responsive pressure in the wallboard. To install, the axes of the wall-anchor and pivotable sections of the fastener are first aligned. The fastener is forced into the wall one of the above means. Then a pin (140) is manually inserted into the bore of the wall-anchor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Brown, Gregory A. M. Brown
  • Patent number: 8764117
    Abstract: A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Hendrik R. van Hekken, Jason Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8756790
    Abstract: A first and a second object are joined with the aid of a joining element including at least in the region of its distal and proximal ends a thermoplastic material. Two blind holes facing each other are provided in the two objects and the joining element is positioned in the blind holes such that its distal and proximal ends are in contact with the bottom faces of the blind holes and such that there is a gap between the two objects. This assembly is then positioned between a support and a sonotrode. The sonotrode and the support are forced towards each other, while the sonotrode is vibrated, thereby liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, there, where the joining element ends are pressed against the bottom faces of the holes and allowing the liquefied material to infiltrate into pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Colin Clinch, Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Elmar Mock
  • Patent number: 8746100
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly includes a pinion gear having a gear stem extending axially through a tubular output stem of an output member with a threaded portion protruding from an output flange of the output member. A pinion nut includes a threaded inner bore threadably engaging the threaded portion of the gear stem to retain the output member to the pinion gear. An outer rim of the pinion nut defines an outer circumference having a tool recess and a deformation spaced circumferentially apart from the tool recess. The tool recess is adapted for receiving a tool to rotate the pinion nut in a first direction relative to the gear stem. The deformation engages an inner circumference of the output flange to prevent the pinion nut from rotating in a second direction relative to the gear stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: McLaren Performance Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Cook, Jonathan M. Adler
  • Patent number: 8739388
    Abstract: A method of joining parts together with a self-piercing rivet that is inserted through a part and partially through a second part. The second part includes a fiber-filled layer and a resin matrix layer that together form a composite part. A self-piercing rivet extends into the second part, but does not penetrate completely through the matrix layer. An assembly, including a first part and a second part that includes a reinforced layer and a resin layer in which a fastener is inserted, but does not extend through the second layer. A composite part including a first layer of resin matrix reinforces the filler and a second layer of resin matrix that does not include a filler and is more than 3 microns thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Daniel Quinn Houston, Amanda Kay Freis
  • Patent number: 8713782
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and kit for reinforcing the distal end of a lateral in an irrigation system, typically in which the distal end of the lateral receives a head with a barbed neck. The method includes placing a crimp ring around the lateral, the crimp ring being large enough to encircle a bulge in the lateral created by insertion of the barbed neck into the end of the lateral. The crimp ring is positioned over the bulge and compressed to sheath and reinforce the bulge. The compression imparts a longitudinally convex profile upon the crimp ring, reducing its inner and outer diameters without increasing its length. This compression may cause projections, made of material from the crimp ring, to form on the outer surface of the crimp ring. A kit includes a crimp tool having a crimp die shaped to impart the longitudinally convex shape upon the crimp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Beau Ralphs
  • Patent number: 8696036
    Abstract: A piping connector is provided having a ring configured to install around an external diameter of a pipe, the ring having at least one clamp closing portion that has an open uncrimped position and a closed crimped position, a piping shield connected to the ring, the piping shield having at least one penetration to accept the at least one clamp closing portion, wherein the piping shield covers an abutment end of the pipe to be connected, wherein a joint between the ring and the piping shield forms a connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: J-M Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lin, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8695201
    Abstract: An elastic tube alignment system for the mating of components utilizing the principle of elastic averaging. A plurality of geometrically separated elastic tube (male) alignment features are disposed on a first component, while a plurality of one-to-one corresponding aperture (female) alignment features are provided on a second component. During the mating of the components, each elastic tube and its respective aperture provide elastic deformation, which, on average, precisely aligns the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Morris
  • Patent number: 8689422
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a small form factor computer includes a number of keys and associated electrical contacts positioned between the top case portion of the computer and the feature plate. The attachment of the keyboard assembly during the manufacturing process can be accelerated by welding securing fasteners through small holes in the feature plate directly to the top case portion of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John Raff
  • Patent number: 8656593
    Abstract: A method for assembling a part of a metal material and a part of a composite material, the junction of the two parts being achieved through a fastener having a substantially constant section and received in a first hole formed in the part of a metal material and a second hole formed in the part of a composite material. According to the disclosed embodiments and before assembling the aforementioned parts, the method includes: an expansion step for generating a field of compression stresses at the periphery of the first hole and locally in the material constituting the part of a metal material using an expansion tool; a single boring step for making the first hole and the second hole with a diameter Øfinal substantially larger than the diameter of the fastener in order to leave a gap between the inner walls of the holes and the outer surface of the fastener; and an assembling step for placing the fastener inside the holes for maintaining together the metal part and the composite part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Nicolas Dantou, Stephane Bianco, Christian Godenzi
  • Publication number: 20140047698
    Abstract: A hollow wire and method of using the hollow wire to wrap or support a flower stem or floral grouping, and/or use in construction, crafts, hobbies, or other uses in need of wire products, is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicants: Trust U/T/A
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Publication number: 20140042802
    Abstract: The disclosure may provide a method of forming a track assembly. In the method, a track pin may be disposed within a first through hole of a first track link and within a second through hole of a second track link. A force may be applied to a tool positioned in a first position to plastically deform a first portion of the first track link which surrounds the first through hole, to thereby form a first connection between the track pin and the first track link. A force may be applied to the tool positioned in a second position to plastically deform a second portion of the first track link which surrounds the first through hole, to thereby form a second connection between the track pin and the first track link. The second connection may be formed after the first connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Mircea Dumitru, Thomas John Yaniak
  • Patent number: 8646166
    Abstract: A component assembly comprises a sheet metal and a fastener element. A flange has a larger diameter and a shaft of smaller diameter extends away from the flange and merges at its end remote from the flange into a cylindrical rivet section. The fastener element is used with sheet metals with thicknesses in the range of 3 mm and larger. With thin sheet metal parts the sheet metal has a smooth pierced cylindrical opening with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the shaft. The cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a rivet bead contacting the sheet metal underside. Medium thickness sheet metal parts have a stepped hole with the hole region of larger diameter receiving the rivet bead. For thick sheet metal parts the sheet metal has a conical pierced hole and the cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a conical rivet bead wedged in the conically diverging hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Profil—Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Christian Sowa, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 8640322
    Abstract: Adapter for increasing the stroke length of a fastener installation tool. The adapter includes a tensile member with a first rack gear, a compressive member with a second rack gear, and a plurality of pinion gears retained within a pinion gear housing. The tensile member is mateable with the puller shaft of the installation tool and with the tensile member of an installation head. The pinion gear housing is mateable with the body of the installation tool. The distal end of the compressive member is mateable with a reducing member, which in turn mates with the outer sleeve of the installation head. Operation of the pulling tool moves the tensile member axially toward the tool body and engages the pinion gears, which in turn move the compressive member axially away from the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Robert E. Nikkel
  • Publication number: 20140026350
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device, particularly for automobiles, comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade (7) of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade (7) is of the flat blade type and includes at least one groove (19), in which groove (19) a longitudinal strip (20) of the carrier element is disposed, and wherein said windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device (1) for detachably connecting said wiper blade (7) to an oscillating arm near one end thereof around a pivot axis, wherein said connecting device (1) is fixated to said flexible material of said wiper blade (7) by deformation of said connecting device (1) in order to block any lateral movement between said longitudinal strip (20) and said wiper blade (7) at the location of their interconnection and between said connecting device (1) and said wiper blade (7) at the location of their interconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Xavier Boland
  • Patent number: 8601669
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a component assembly comprising a sheet metal part and a functional element attached to it by a riveting process or by a riveting and piercing process or by a press-in process, wherein the sheet metal part is provided with an imprint, is wherein the imprint is produced prior to attachment of the functional element and consists of a sequence of regions which are raised and recessed relative to one another and wherein, during the attachment of the functional element this is pressed against the sheet metal part in such a way that the imprint of the sheet metal part leads to a complementary shaping of the functional element in the region of the functional element which comes into contact with the imprint. A sheet metal part and a functional element are also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Patent number: 8584343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the application of a function or joint element to an elastically deformable planar material or workpiece, the function element having a rivet section on a contact surface, extending beyond said surface, wherein the application of the function element to the planar material is achieved in a jointing and riveting process by introduction of the section into a joint opening and by plastic deformation of the river section in a rivet connection engaging behind the joint opening, wherein, in a boundary region enclosing the joint opening, the planar material is held under tension between the deformed rivet connection and the contact surface of the function element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Heiko Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130287518
    Abstract: A press-in fastener adapted to join a first component to a second component. The fastener includes a proximal head and a distal base clip portion below the head. The base clip portion includes an axially displaceable post structure and a pair of opposing wings extending in upwardly angled relation away from the travel path defined by the post structure. Collapsible legs engage the wings in operative connection to the post structure. As the fastener is pressed inwardly, upon encountering resistance from the second component, the legs collapse in folded relation as the post structure travels axially between the wings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland, Robert A. Murawski, Michelle E. Bozinovski
  • Publication number: 20130256619
    Abstract: A line start/end post or corner post (1) for a fence, the post including a first metal picket (2) to driven into the ground (5) in a substantially vertical position, and a reinforcing element. The reinforcing element includes a second metal picket (3) to be obliquely placed between the first picket (2) and the ground (5), and a connecting element (4) for connecting a first end (3b) of the second picket (3), laid on the ground (5), to the first picket (2).The connecting element (4) is made of fence wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: LACME HOLDING
    Inventors: John Bailey, Sébastien Hainos, Valery Hamm
  • Patent number: 8544618
    Abstract: A brake pad for a partially-lined disk brake and a method for making such a brake pad. The brake pad has a back plate, a friction lining arranged fixedly on a front side of the back plate and a damping plate provided on a rear side. At least one hook-shaped guide end adjoins a body region of the back plate in a circumferential direction. The guide end has an elevation with a material thickness D increased in relation to a material thickness d of the body region. At least one abutment face for tangential abutment in a circumferential direction is provided on the guide end and a support face is provided thereon for radial support in a radial direction. The damping plate has at least one bent-over bracket which rests against the radial support face in a bracket region of the back plate. The damping plate is offset axially to the rear relative to the bracket region in the body region of the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Engineering Services GmbH
    Inventors: Anja Klimt, Matthias Würz, Christian Piehler
  • Publication number: 20130221303
    Abstract: A rail and post assembly that allows for onsite fence and gate panel construction is disclosed herein. A shear block is affixed to each end of a rail. The shear block and rail are then fed through an opening in a post. Fasteners then secure the shear block to the post, which thereby provides a rail and post assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Gary W. Ash
  • Publication number: 20130209196
    Abstract: A fastener (2) for securing a workpiece comprising a plurality of workpiece members, said fastener comprising a shank (4) and a radially enlarged head (6) wherein the fastener further comprises axial voids (40) and splines (18), such that when the fastener is installed into a workpiece by a mandrel, breakstem or pin, the shank of the fastener is expanded such that the crests of the splines are caused to mechanically engage with the internal walls of the fastener apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan Brewer
  • Patent number: 8505186
    Abstract: A method of making a chair includes the steps of providing at least one female fastener device. The at least one female fastener device is inserted into a substrate for attaching the at least one female fastener device to the substrate such that at least a portion of that female fastener device's body defining a channel extends into the substrate and the projections extend through the substrate such that the distal ends of the projections extend beyond a second side of the substrate that is opposite a first side of the substrate. The distal ends of the projections are bent into the second side of the substrate. At least one male fastener is inserted into the channel of the at least one female fastener device to attach a chair component to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Hendrik R. van Hekken, Jason Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8490275
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibrating rivet tool for pressing and fixing rivets in component holes in component of aircraft. The vibrating rivet tool comprises a rivet receptacle and a drive unit for producing a high static pressing force. According to the invention, the static pressing force is superimposed by a mechanical vibration, of which the amplitude acts substantially in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the rivet. As a result, the force necessary to press and fix the rivet in a component hole is reduced in such a way that the overall size and mass of the vibrating rivet tool according to the invention are smaller/lower in comparison with conventional rivet tools. Due to the small overall size and low weight, the vibrating rivet tool can more easily be integrated in automated riveting processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Kott
  • Publication number: 20130180160
    Abstract: An item of fishing tackle comprising a compressible connector adapted to attach said item of fishing tackle to a fishing line, wherein the compressible connector comprises a wall defining an elongate cavity having an opening at one end thereof, the cavity being adapted to receive a portion of fishing line through the opening, and wherein the wall is adapted to be compressed inelastically towards the portion of fishing line inserted into the cavity to secure the said portion of line therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Salamander Precision Technology Limited
    Inventor: Andrew John Petherick
  • Publication number: 20130172756
    Abstract: Methods and systems for connection to a transducer in ultrasound probes are provided. One connection arrangement includes a connector having a transducer connection portion configured to couple to a transducer of an ultrasound probe and a scan head connection portion configured to extend from a scan head of the ultrasound probe containing the transducer. The transducer connection portion and the scan head connection portion being a single element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Reinhold Bruestle, Wolfgang Dieter Knoll, Christian Heinrich, Christian Holl