Socket Or Slot Patents (Class 411/403)
  • Patent number: 11572914
    Abstract: A screw includes a threaded shank and a head with a first surface. Communicating sockets formed in the first surface include a Pozi-type socket and a drive socket. The drive socket includes rounded portions, arched portions alternating with the rounded portions, and a conical portion connected to the rounded portions and the arched portions to define a first reference line and a second reference line parallel to a central axis of the head. The rounded portions are inclined outwardly from the first reference line, and the arched portions are inclined outwardly from the second reference line. Thus, a first room enclosed by the rounded portions and the arched portions increases gradually towards the first surface. By a combination of the above sockets, the head cooperates with different driving tools for delivering driving force efficiently and is more convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Essence Method Refine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ling-Fang Chen
  • Patent number: 11478763
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for arranging metered dispensers in position within asymmetric rotation mixers for mixing substance contained within the metered dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: FLACKTEK SPEEDMIXER, INC.
    Inventor: Ian LaRose
  • Patent number: 11466720
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a fastener system having straight walled driving surfaces that provides a reliable stick fit feature, while also improving stability of engagement between the system components. A feature of the new system is to allow stick fit engagement of existing standard straight walled drivers in the new system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Phillips Screw Company
    Inventor: Gary Dilling
  • Patent number: 11298163
    Abstract: An approach is provided for engaging a set screw to an implant. The approach includes a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may include a shaft having an elongated rigid structure, and a driver head positioned on a distal end of the surgical instrument. The driver head may include at least one groove or at least one protrusion extending in a longitudinal direction of the surgical instrument and a pin positioned at least partially within the driver head. The pin may be configured to deploy and retract in a lateral direction from with the driver head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
    Inventor: William A. Rezach
  • Patent number: 11209038
    Abstract: A bolt which can prevent seizure is provided due to the bolt being installed obliquely. A guide portion is formed between a groove portion formed at a distal end portion of the threaded portion and a surface end position on a base end side of the tapered surface, a starting end portion of the guide portion being an intersection between the surface end position on the base end side of the tapered surface and a helix according to the groove portion, a terminal end portion of the guide portion overlaps with the distal end portion of the threaded portion, an angle in the direction around the axis of the bolt from the starting end portion to the terminal end portion is set in the range of 90° to 360°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: MEIDOH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Makino, Masataka Kondo, Katsuhide Takei, Akihiro Futamura, Shun Nishimura, Shungo Maki
  • Patent number: 11147591
    Abstract: A pivotal bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper capture structure and a head. The head has a U-shaped cradle defining a channel for receiving a spinal fixation rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Roger P Jackson
  • Patent number: 11045226
    Abstract: A screw element includes a screw axis, a shank for inserting in a bone, and a drive portion for engaging a screw driver. The drive portion includes a first wall defining a first recess and a second wall defining a second recess. Drive grooves are formed in the first wall and extend parallel to the screw axis. The second wall extends axially from a free end portion of the screw element to the first wall and has an inner diameter that continuously increases from the first wall towards the free end portion. A plurality of guide grooves are formed in the second wall at circumferential positions corresponding respectively to circumferential positions of the drive grooves. The guide grooves extend further radially from the screw axis than the drive grooves and guide the screw driver from the free end portion of the screw element to the drive grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: BIEDERMANN TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Lutz Biedermann, Dimosthenis Dandanopoulos, Wilfried Matthis
  • Patent number: 11045288
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screw, a tool and a system for dental implantology, forming a fixing system and the components thereof to be used in a dynamic pillar assembly. Said dynamic pillar assembly is used in the production of prostheses on dental implants in human implantology in order to fix screws at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TALLADIUM ESPANA, S.L.
    Inventor: Esteban Xam-Mar Mangrane
  • Patent number: 11028457
    Abstract: A method of heat treating a fastening member having a head portion, a shank portion, and a thread portion includes hardening the fastening member to a first hardness value. Hardening of the fastening member includes heating the fastening member at a first pre-set temperature value. The method also includes tempering the fastening member at a second pre-set temperature value to a second hardness value. The method further includes induction tempering the thread portion of the fastening member. Induction tempering of the thread portion includes heating the thread portion at a third pre-set temperature value to a third hardness value. The third hardness value of the thread portion is less than the second hardness value of the head portion and the shank portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Tianjun Liu
  • Patent number: 11022167
    Abstract: A security plug (10) adapted to be inserted into the female socket (18) of a fastener (20) to prevent a tool, such as an Allen key, engaging in the female socket. The plug (10) has an outer surface (22) complementary to the female socket (18) and a retaining member (14) that retains the plug (10) in the female socket (18), and at least one removal portion (26, 70) adapted to be engaged by a second tool (100), whereby engagement of the second tool (100) and the plug (10) allows forces applied by the second tool (100) to the plug (10) to withdraw the plug from the female socket against the action of the retaining member. The second tool and the removal portion (26, 70) may have complementary Morse tapers and the retaining member (14) may be a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Ian Patrick Berrell
  • Patent number: 10893878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant system that comprises an implant, a handle configured to removably receive the implant, and, in some embodiments, a spacer tool configured to be mounted on the implant. In further embodiments, a k-wire is employed to guide the implant to a desired location. The handle has a hole for receiving a first portion of the implant. Using the handle to implant the implant, along with an associated spacer, provides a quick and convenient method for implanting the implant as described herein and in the associated drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dustin D. Leavitt, Brock L. Johnson, Wesley N. Harris
  • Patent number: 10882167
    Abstract: A crimping device includes a hammer and a crimp socket that includes an aperture, a socket face, and a sloped key that projects radially into the crimp socket and extends at least a portion of the depth of the aperture. A height of the radial projection of the sloped key increases along a depth of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Keith Moore, Sean W. Hatchett
  • Patent number: 10816023
    Abstract: A system for connecting a wheel rim to a hub flange of a motor vehicle, having a fastener such a threaded nut or bolt, and a tool which engages the fastener in a positive-locking manner in order to tighten or release the fastener. To provide improved protection against theft of wheel rims and tires, the fastener has an annular groove extending axially from an end surface of the fastener, the groove having an annular base and inner and outer sidewalls shaped to form an undercut wider than an opening of the groove, a recess extending axially below the base for receiving a projection of a complementally-shaped key on the tool to allow rotation of the fastener. The undercut prevents an unauthorized person using a mold-making material, from being able to make an imprint of the groove and producing a tool therefrom to release the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raphael Koch, Lars Bognar
  • Patent number: 10743927
    Abstract: An anchor bolt driver device for fixing and removing anchor bolts utilized in neurosurgery. The anchor bolt driver device has a handle portion and a shaft extending therefrom. A socket of a predetermined configuration is formed at the terminal end of the shaft and a pin structure having a predetermined configuration extends outward and axially through the socket. The socket and pin structure are constructed and arranged to receive an anchor bolt for the threading engagement with the skull of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: PMT Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Osa, Charles Talbott
  • Patent number: 10697499
    Abstract: A drive system with full surface drive contact. The drive system tends to maximize the surface contact pattern or area at typical bit-recess reaction (drive) torque values, thereby tending to minimize bit-recess surface contact stresses, coating damage, recess ream and premature bit fatigue failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: ACUMENT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, LLC
    Inventor: David C. Goss
  • Patent number: 10654527
    Abstract: An integrated fastener for an instrument cluster assembly, where multiple integrated fasteners are used to connect the front cover of the assembly to the back cover. The instrument cluster assembly includes at least one fastener integrated into the back cover, a first recessed portion formed as part of the back cover, and a separation wall formed as part of the back cover in proximity to the first recessed portion. A first mounting aperture is formed as part of the separation wall, and the integrated fastener attached to the back cover and located in the first mounting aperture when the integrated fastener is in a first configuration. The integrated fastener is detached from the back cover and rotated such that the integrated fastener is placed in a second configuration, securing the front cover to the back cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Daniel P. Tollis, Francisco Bolanos Ramirez, Michael E. Carrel, Fernando De Anda Gonzalez, Kevin Michael Dyer, Augusto Guillermo Figueroa Tamayo, Johan Gomez Martinez, Aldo Sainz Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10512734
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides medical devices, particularly medical grade needles with removable tips, as well as methods of needle tip installation and removal, and devices therefor. Needle tip installation and removal devices may include needle tip installation and removal tools and kits, including hand held and manipulated tools that facilitate the installation and removal of needle tips, particularly on vascular access port needles. Such installation and removal devices may provide more expedient hook up of the access port for the therapy. Also, the installation and removal of the needle tips may be conducted in a more sterile manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Versago Vascular Access, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Tallarida, Richard P. Rodgers, John M. Butziger
  • Patent number: 10495127
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a body coupled to a head, the head including a hole of at least three sides and a shaft of at least three sides, the shaft being disposed inside the hole. The system includes a fastener apparatus that includes a head including a hole of at least three sides and a shaft of at least three sides located inside the hole. The system further includes a fastener driver that includes a driver head of at least three sides, and a driver hole of at least three sides, the driver hole located within the head. The method includes providing a fastener apparatus that includes a body coupled to a head, the head including a hole of at least three sides and a shaft of three sides that is located within the hole. The method further includes using the fastener apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: Anthony Nielson
  • Patent number: 10420684
    Abstract: Roll-in cots having lift assist mechanisms and lift assist mechanisms are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a lift assist mechanism includes a force application member having an actuation element, an actuation mechanism comprising a first grasp handle and a second grasp handle, and a force transmission assembly. The force transmission assembly includes a first keyway plate that is coupled to the first grasp handle, a second keyway plate that is coupled to the second grasp handle, and an actuation pin that extends through both the first keyway plate and the second keyway plate, where the actuation pin selectively applies a force to the actuation element of the force application member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ferno-Washington, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dietz, Brian Magill
  • Patent number: 10357297
    Abstract: A bionic apparatus is provided. The bionic apparatus includes a flexible portion having a plurality of pores, a rigid portion connected with the flexible portion, and a supporting element disposed in the flexible portion. The pore size of each pore is between 50 ?m to 500 ?m. The flexible portion, the rigid portion and the supporting element are one-piece formed by a additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
    Inventors: Pei-Yi Tsai, Chih-Chieh Huang, Yi-Hung Wen, Hsin-Hsin Shen, Yi-Hung Lin, De-Yau Lin, Jui-Sheng Sun, Chuan-Sheng Chuang, An-Li Chen, Ching-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 10221946
    Abstract: A fastener having a head is provided. The fastener includes a unidirectional inner drive including an inner lobe having an inner ramp surface adjacent to an inner drive abutment surface adapted to receive a torque to effect a clockwise rotation of the fastener. The fastener further includes a concentric unidirectional outer drive including an outer lobe having an outer ramp surface adjacent to an outer drive abutment surface adapted to receive an inverse torque to effect a counter-clockwise rotation of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mihir M. Pai, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Cecil Michael Pais, Brian J. Deurloo
  • Patent number: 10182886
    Abstract: An insertion post for transferring onto a model a location and orientation of at least one implant introduced in a jaw of a patient includes an insert piece insertable in the implant and to realize a fixed rotative connection with an interface of an internal opening of the implant. An end piece is arranged adjacent to the insert piece and tapers towards an apical end of the implant while substantially maintaining an outer contour of the insert piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SIC INVENT AG
    Inventor: Marcus Von Malottki
  • Patent number: 10172629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant system that comprises an implant, a handle configured to removably receive the implant, and, in some embodiments, a spacer tool configured to be mounted on the implant. In further embodiments, a k-wire is employed to guide the implant to a desired location. The handle has a hole for receiving a first portion of the implant. Using the handle to implant the implant, along with an associated spacer, provides a quick and convenient method for implanting the implant as described herein and in the associated drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Orthopro LLC
    Inventors: Dustin D. Leavitt, Brock L. Johnson, Wesley N. Harris
  • Patent number: 10098677
    Abstract: Spinal plates with additional features to improve the stability of the interface between the plate and the underlying bone. A bone plate may include one or more sharp ridges along the periphery of its underside. When attached to bone, the ridge digs into the bone and increases stability. A bone plate may alternatively or additionally include one or more holes for optional spikes, which may be inserted once the plate is attached to the bone. By separating the spikes and including them as an optional component, the plate may enhance stability while reducing or eliminating the chance of the spike injuring the patient. Furthermore, bone screws may incorporate alternating notches and ridges into the head of the screw. The notches and ridges may interface with a set screw, thereby preventing rotation and loosening of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Petersheim
  • Patent number: 10052093
    Abstract: A solid, monolithic shaft member has an engagement end. The engagement end has a proximal end a distal end. The proximal end has a first cross-sectional geometry, and the distal end has a second cross-sectional geometry. The first cross-sectional geometry of the proximal end is different from the second cross-sectional geometry of the distal end. The cross-sectional geometry of the distal end transitions to the a cross-sectional geometry of the proximal end along a longitudinal axis of the engagement end of the solid, monolithic shaft member. This transition provides a gradual, blending, continuously transitioning cross-sectional geometry along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the engagement end of the solid, monolithic shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Edwin Housman
  • Patent number: 10022844
    Abstract: A torque transmission driver is disclosed. The torque transmission driver has a main body having a first end portion and a second end portion, where the first end portion is adapted to receive and transmit torque from a torque generation source, and the second end portion is opposite the first end portion and has a key shape adapted to fit a recess in a fastener and has a protruding lead end having a taper between 10 and 30 and different in shape than the key shape with at least a portion of the protruding lead end substantially coextensive with the major dimension of the key shape. A torque transmission driver adapted to drive a small fasteners is also disclosed where the key shape is adapted to fit the recess of the small fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Infastech Intellectual Properties Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard W. Lukes, Brian Leuenberger
  • Patent number: 10018215
    Abstract: An installation tool fastener is particularly adapted for fastening a top plate to a roof support member and other structural connections and is particularly adapted for use with an installation tool. The installation tool fastener has a head with a maximum head diameter and a recess for coupling with a drive coupler. The shank of the head has an unthreaded portion and a uniform thread which has a major diameter approximately equal to the maximum diameter of the head. The head preferably has a slight taper. The thread preferably has a 7.5 thread per inch pitch and a thread angle from approximately 25° to 45°. In one embodiment for a 6 inch fastener, the thread length is approximately 5 inches and extends along the tapered distal tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Handy & Harman
    Inventors: Kevin G. Walters, Mark J. Guthrie, Timothy F. Gillis
  • Patent number: 9962759
    Abstract: A screw includes a head having a top surface where a drive socket and drive regions are recessedly formed. Each drive region has two non-parallel side walls and two different drive walls. One drive wall is connected to the side walls to form a groove communicating with the drive socket. The other drive wall is connected between two adjacent side walls of two adjacent grooves. At least one of the drive walls slopes downwards from the top surface at a slope of at least 1 degree. Each side wall connecting between the drive walls deviates inwards by an angle difference of at least 1 degree. The slope and the inward deviation of the walls receive a driving tool firmly to prevent a swinging problem and enhance the torque transmission. A punch adapted to form the recessed screw also facilitates a long-term production without losing the accuracy thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Essence Method Refine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ling-Fang Chen
  • Patent number: 9957993
    Abstract: A screw recess and driver combination that comprises the use of varying frustums of differing cones to provide driver/recess contact faces that are elliptical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Research Engineering & Manufacturing INC
    Inventor: Alan Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9943934
    Abstract: A tool having a relatively ductile working end for engaging workpieces and a relatively hard non-working portion for driving the tool is disclosed, and a process for making same. The tool is formed with the material in a first state, such as by cold-working, and then only the non-working portion is heat treated to a second state. The working end is thus maintained in the ductile state while the non-working portion is hardened, thus imparting different materials performance characteristics to working end and non-working portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Daniel M. Eggert
  • Patent number: 9877764
    Abstract: A torque-limiting driver is disclosed, having a handle, a body, a torque-limiting assembly and a work-piece engaging tip. The torque-limiting assembly includes an upper and lower shank that have a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced. The teeth have a vertical face, an inclined face, and a flat peak. There is a spring for applying pressure across the upper and lower shank with multiple washers interposed between the lower shaft and spring. In some instances, there is a round-square drive with arched catches having preselected radii to assure operation over certain cycles at selected torque and to reduce nose cone damage and breakage at a predetermined measurement of inch-pounds of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ECA Medical Instruments
    Inventors: John Nino, David Ivinson
  • Patent number: 9861788
    Abstract: Catheter shaft handles and deflection actuators are disclosed. The actuators include at least one pull wire guide wall and a means for anchoring the proximal portion of a pull wire or of a fiber attached to a pull wire. Each actuator is pivotable relative to the catheter handle housing, and may comprise at least one boss for pivoting the actuator relative to the catheter handle housing. The actuators transfer rotational motion based upon user input on a boss into longitudinal motion of a pull wire. The actuators may include a tensioning mechanism comprising a tension adjustment pin and a pin block, wherein the tension adjustment pin is rotatably attached to the pin block to enable adjustment of tension in a pull wire (e.g., during assembly of the catheter handle).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Yu, Stephen W. Evans, Genevieve L. Gallagher, Troy T. Tegg
  • Patent number: 9815180
    Abstract: A torque transmission driver is disclosed having a shaft adapted to receive and transmit torque from a torque generating source to the driver and a nib having a five or six lobe key-shape adapted to fit in a recess in a fastener, the nib being equal to or less than 0.050? in length and having lobes of substantially the same form along the entire second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Infastech Intellectual Properties, PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Richard W. Lukes, Brian Leuenberger
  • Patent number: 9815324
    Abstract: An antitheft nut may include a virtual reference line extending in a circumferential direction on a basis of a center with respect to one surface of a nut body, a plurality of key assembling portions continuously protruding or depressed along the virtual reference line, and an assembling line having the plurality of key assembling portions repeatedly formed while being spaced apart from each other in an inside direction and an outside direction of the virtual reference line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seok Hwan Yun, Hyung Seob Kim
  • Patent number: 9790722
    Abstract: A refrigerator, with respect to the refrigerator having a plurality of doors to open/close a storage compartment, capable of adjusting the height of the plurality of doors as to adjust the height difference that occurs between the plurality of doors. A lower hinge module of the refrigerator includes a hinge shaft being inserted into a lower portion of the door, a worm wheel coupled to the hinge shaft so as to be ascended/descended while supporting the weight of the door, and a worm engaged with the worm wheel to rotate the worm wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mu Yeol Sun, Dong In Shin, Hong Joo Mun, Sung Wook Kang, Teleginyury
  • Patent number: 9764451
    Abstract: A brake pipe fitting tool includes a first hydraulic pipe wrench, a second hydraulic pipe wrench, a connecting portion and a handle portion. The first hydraulic pipe wrench has a first jaw defining a first hydraulic pipe insertion opening. The second hydraulic pipe wrench has a second jaw defining a second hydraulic pipe insertion opening. The connecting portion connects the first hydraulic pipe wrench to the second hydraulic pipe wrench such that the first hydraulic pipe wrench and the second hydraulic pipe wrench are fixedly and rigidly connected to one another and spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The first hydraulic pipe insertion opening and the second hydraulic pipe insertion opening are parallel to one another and aligned with one another. The handle portion is rigidly fixed to one of the first hydraulic pipe wrench, the second hydraulic pipe wrench or the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robson, Scott Warnecke
  • Patent number: 9763711
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including cable button threads, a plurality of cable button apertures, a hex socket, and a hex opening. The present disclosure also includes a method for reducing a bone fracture and an apparatus such as a cable button for use with a bone plate, the cable button including a plurality of legs, where a leg includes a protrusion, where the protrusion engages the bone plate, and the cable button defines at least one cable button aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Larabeth G. Ryan, Michael J. LaLonde, Michael K. Keith
  • Patent number: 9695865
    Abstract: An assembly for adjusting a cable that includes a locking sleeve and an adapter that is connected to the cable. The adapter includes male and female-threaded portions that are coupled together. The locking sleeve is configured to be displaced between engagement and disengagement positions. When in the engagement position, securing devices of the male and female-threaded portions engage inner sections of the locking sleeve in a manner that prevents the male and female-threaded portions from being rotated relative to each other, thereby preventing a change in the length of the adapter so as to prevent an adjustment of the cable. When the cable is to be adjusted, the locking sleeve is displaced to disengagement position such that the securing device of either the male or female-threaded portion is disengaged from the locking sleeve, thereby allowing rotation of the male or female-threaded portions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: John Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 9655665
    Abstract: Bone plate systems for surgical implants and bone repair are provided. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone anchors being secured within the pivot bases. The throughbores may permit and define a translation path for the pivot base and the bone anchor secured therein relative to the plate. The configuration of the pivot base and the throughbore facilitate pivoting and optional translation of the pivot base relative to the plate. With the bone anchor seated within the pivot base, an apparatus for inhibiting bone anchor back out is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: PIONEER SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Scott J. Perrow
  • Patent number: 9543112
    Abstract: In an existing specimen cryo holder, a change in the orientation of a specimen would lead to tilting of a dewar together with the specimen and hence to bubbling of a cooling source contained in the dewar. In view of this, a specimen cryo holder, including a mechanism capable of cooling a specimen while keeping the posture of a dewar in a fixed direction even when the specimen is tilted into a direction suitable for processing or observation thereof, is provided. Also provided is a dewar in which a vacuum maintenance mechanism is mounted to an outer vessel so that an inner vessel holding a cooling source therein is vacuum-insulated from the outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhira Nagakubo, Takashi Mizuo
  • Patent number: 9464660
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant fastener such as a nut for a bicycle has a smoothly rounded generally dome-shaped body and one or more recesses formed into the body. Each recess has a first and open ended portion which is bounded on radially inward side but not on the radially outward side, and a second and closed ended portion which is bounded on both the radially inward side and the radially outward side. Additionally, each recess can have an additional notch formed therein, the recess and notch together forming a major and minor recess. A wall which bounds the radially inward side of the recess decreases in radial distance from the central axis of the nut as the recess proceeds in the circumferential direction. A mating wrench has teeth that match the recesses and, if present, the notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Revlock, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Ahdoot, Amir Atighehchi, Owen Zheng, Huy Tran, Jazzmin Martinez
  • Patent number: 9452007
    Abstract: A cannulated driver includes a handle, a barrel coupled to the handle, and a drive tip coupled to the barrel and having an outer surface and an engagement end that engages within a head of a cannulated screw. The driver is configured to removably retain a corresponding cannulated screw onto the driver. The drive tip includes a passageway disposed generally in a radial direction with respect to the driver's longitudinal axis. An engagement pin is movably mounted for travel in the passageway between an extended position wherein an exposable end of the pin protrudes radially beyond the outer surface of the drive tip and a retracted position wherein the pin does not thus protrude. In the extended position, the exposable end of the pin protrudes into a corresponding recess in the head of a special cannulated screw to removably retain the screw onto the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: David A. McGuire, Bruce D. Sunstein
  • Patent number: 9452059
    Abstract: An intervertebral spacer in the form of a generally flat four sided disc, with two opposite sides having slightly curved surfaces and two opposite sides having pointed lobes. The disc is configured to be placed between two vertebrae and rotated, with the rotation spreading the vertebrae and moving the pointed lobes into contact with the inner vertebral faces, for holding the vertebrae a fixed distance apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Christian G. Zimmerman, Larry Holmes
  • Patent number: 9446817
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chain catcher used on multiple chainring arrangements on bicycles in combination with a derailleur to prevent the drive chain from slipping off the smallest chainring into the space between the chainring and the bicycle frame. The embodiment of a chain catcher according to the invention permits especially simple mounting and adjustment by using an additional fastening element. The corresponding method includes completion of the positioning, fastening, and adjustment of the derailleur before the chain catcher is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Mark Santurbane
  • Patent number: 9404525
    Abstract: An interlocking interface retains a screw head in a socket to prevent migration of the screw head out of the socket, or to lock the screw head in the socket. The interlocking interface may retain or lock the screw at various polyaxial angles with respect to the socket. The screw head includes external corrugations. The socket includes an internal corrugated structure which interlocks with the external corrugations of the screw head when the screw is at various polyaxial angles with respect to the socket. A counterbore may be adjacent either or both ends of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: IMDS LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery D. Arnett
  • Patent number: 9261127
    Abstract: A fastener comprising a fastener body and a fastener head is disclosed. The fastener body has a threaded portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The fastener head is arranged at one end of the fastener body, and comprises a tool engaging portion. The tool engaging portion comprises a plurality of alternating lobes and flutes forming a multilobular surface pattern, each lobe having a driven surface arranged to engage with a driving surface of a tool, and a trailing surface arranged opposite to the driven surface. The driven surface and the trailing surface extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis defined by the fastener body. The trailing surface of at least one lobe is provided with a modified zone in which a diameter of the lobe is increased, said modified zone providing a wedging effect between the tool engaging portion and a tool. In the fastener of the invention wobble between the fastener and a tool is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ITW Construction Products ApS
    Inventor: Morten Irming Friis Buhl
  • Patent number: 9080586
    Abstract: A D-type screwing assembly for furniture contains a retaining member including a hole defined in the retaining member, with a plurality of ribs defined on two sides of the retaining member, and with a slot formed on a top end of the retaining member. A screw member includes at least two orifices defined on a head end of the screw member and a thread section formed on the screw member to screw with the hole of the retaining member. A rotary member includes at least two posts extending outwardly from a front end of the rotary member, with a number of the at least two posts corresponding to that of the at least two orifices of the screw member, so that the at least two posts of the rotary member are fitted into the at least two orifices of the screw member correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventors: Min-Sheng Liu, Lei Cao, Jie Liu
  • Publication number: 20150093212
    Abstract: A fastening system including a pin member and a key for engaging the pin member. The pin member includes a shank portion and a recess formed within an end face of the shank portion. The recess includes a plurality of splines and recesses that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The key includes a key head having a plurality of splines and grooves that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The plurality of splines and recesses of the pin member and the plurality of splines and recesses of the key are adapted to communicate with each other when tightening and loosening the pin member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Pinheiro, Luke Haylock
  • Patent number: 8992151
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant fastener includes a non-circular drive recess optionally with a non-circular center post. Preferably the recess and center post are at least partially ellipsoidal cylinders that are concentric and aligned (i.e. they share a common major axis direction). This configuration forms a slot having preferably a substantially uniform width into which an authorized driver is inserted. The length of the major maximum dimension of the post is selected so that a circular arc tangent to the maximum radius of the post will pass closely to or intersect the minimum radial dimension of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Parker Fasteners, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Parker
  • Publication number: 20150086294
    Abstract: A rivet bolt in combination with an attachment wherein the rivet bolt includes: a flange having a top surface and a bottom surface, and, a shaft having a threaded portion. An upper cylindrical portion of the rivet bolt includes an upper edge and an interior base surface having a drive head socket. The attachment receives the rivet bolt and comprises: a top surface, a bottom surface, a cylindrical bore therethrough, and an inverted frusto-conical surface extending from the top surface to the cylindrical bore. The upper cylindrical portion of the rivet bolt is deformed and rotatably and slidingly engages the inverted frusto-conical surface extending from the top surface of the attachment to the cylindrical bore therethrough. The upper cylindrical portion of the rivet bolt resides partially within the cylindrical bore. A process for making a rivet bolt in combination with an attachment is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: STAFAST PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: STEPHEN R. SELLE