And Means To Captively Retain Expander Patents (Class 411/45)
  • Patent number: 8430421
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, a pair of detents formed in an exterior surface of the body, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a pair of flexible fingers configured to engage the pair of detents, the flexible fingers configured to disengage from the pair of detents when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis. An airbag retention system including the fastener clip is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James T Kirchen, Jesse L Jensen
  • Publication number: 20130094921
    Abstract: Methods, articles and systems for off-center, non-destructive association between at least two work pieces using a blind fastener component or system having a first part of a first two part anti-rotation arrangement such as disclosed in WO 03/069971, without deformation or loss of compressive association there between, and/or fastening system failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Travis D. McClure
  • Patent number: 8419330
    Abstract: A clip includes a pin having at at least a part thereof a noncircular cross-section, and a grommet having an insertion hole into which the pin can be inserted, wherein a part of the grommet is adapted to be expandable by insertion of the pin into the insertion hole. The grommet has slope surfaces provided at an entrance-side hole edge of the insertion hole to lead the pin into the insertion hole when the pin is displaced from a normal position to be in contact with the entrance-side hole edge of the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8403610
    Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve and a rod received in the sleeve. The sleeve includes a top end including at least one outer flange extending radially outward therefrom and at least one inner flange extending radially inward therefrom and a lower end including at least one spring tab. At least one spring tab comprises an outer flange at its end that extends radially outward. the sleeve is inserted into the receiving holes of the top article and the bottom article until the outer flange of the top end rests on the top plate, the rod is then pressed to move to drive at least one spring tab to deflect outwardly until the outer flange of at least one spring tab is held in contact with the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Gui Wang, Kok-Kan Chan, Hua-Lin Lv, Yu Zou
  • Patent number: 8398346
    Abstract: A drop-in anchor includes a tubular sleeve having a first end and an expandable second end, the sleeve having one or more raised surfaces at the first end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands and an installation tool interacts with the one or more raised surfaces to provide a visual indication of engagement of the drop-in anchor to a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: T. J. Bland, Robert La Barbera
  • Patent number: 8348568
    Abstract: A fastening structure includes first and second board-like members to be fastened, a stopping and anchoring part for latching these board-like members to be fastened, and a stopping and anchoring part holding board-like member between the first and second board-like members to be fastened. For a hole of a first inner diameter formed in the first board-like member to be fastened, and a hole of a second inner diameter formed in the second board-like member to be fastened, a smaller hole of a third inner diameter is formed in the stopping and anchoring part holding board-like member, and the impact of gap of the member in production tolerance is avoided thus enhancing the fastening function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hajime Murakami
  • Patent number: 8348567
    Abstract: A molded plastic rivet for affixing two parts to each other when the rivet is inserted through two mutually aligned apertures in the parts. The rivet includes a pin having a pin head, a pin shank and first and second pin latching offsets at the distal end of the pin shank. The latching elements include at least first latching offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Nikolaus Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 8214997
    Abstract: A bore gripping anchor structure for attaching articles to the outer surfaces of masonry materials and other solids which is actuated by a blind rivet type installation tool. A basic embodiment has an anchor component with bidirectionally deflectable fingers (20) and a concentrically situated and slidably housed actuator device which has a stem (30) and a force applying portion, anvil (40). After insertion into a bore in a first direction, the actuator device is pulled in the opposite direction, so that said anvil (40) interacts with said fingers (20) in a manner which causes said fingers (20) to first be deflected outward and into substantial contact with the wall of the bore, and with continued pulling of said anvil (40) in the opposite direction causes the end portions of said fingers (20) to deflect inward and behind said anvil (40), to couple the anchor structure with the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Roy A. Richie
  • Patent number: 8201848
    Abstract: A fixing element fixes a part to a support wall. When the fixing element is inserted into an opening in the support wall and reaches a predetermined end position, the fixing element locks to the support wall. The fixing element includes a stop element, a snap-on element, and an unlocking element. The stop element bears against a side of the support wall when the fixing element is locked to the support wall. The snap-on element is positioned on an inner side of the support wall when the fixing element is locked to the support wall. The unlocking element is connected to the snap-on element. The unlocking element is configured to permit the snap-on element to be unlocked and the fixing element to be removed from the opening. An installation tool and a testing tool may be used in conjunction with the fixing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Peter Baumgartner, Ralf Gutmann, Oliver Glöckler
  • Patent number: 8177465
    Abstract: An accident sensor having a fastening arrangement is provided, the fastening arrangement allowing an affixation of the accident sensor on a wall in a vehicle. The accident sensor has at least one bore hole, which has a stud in an elastic sleeve as a fastening arrangement. The stud with the sleeve is configured so that the accident sensor having the stud with the sleeve is affixed in the wall by a clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tobby Brandt, Christian Ohl, Boris Adam, Martin Schuerer
  • Patent number: 8171697
    Abstract: In an anchor for use in a lightweight construction panel having upper and lower cover plates with a support core disposed therebetween, which anchor comprises a cylinder body including a cement container with rupture areas and having engagement elements which, upon insertion of a displacement body into the cylinder body, spread the engagement elements outwardly below the upper cover plate and push liquid cement out of the cement container into the areas of the upper and the lower cover plates, the displacement body is coupled to the cylinder body for rotation therewith and the cylinder body has a bottom with broaching elements for cleaning the contact area of the lower bottom plate in front of the anchor upon rotation of the displacement body during anchor installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8061948
    Abstract: A device for fastening an add-on part (23) and a support part (24) at a distance from each other has a mounting nut (1) comprising an internal thread (9) of a first direction of thread, a compensating bush (5) comprising an external thread (8) that is adjusted to the internal thread (9), and a fastening screw (26), wherein its screw shaft (25) is configured having an external thread (27) of a second direction of thread opposite of the first direction of thread. The compensating bush (5) is configured having an internal sleeve (13) comprising a head section (15) having an arrangement of reinforcement zones (17) and adaptation zones (18), wherein the reinforcement zones (17) have a larger resistance than the adaptation zones (18) as opposed to an expansion directed radially outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventor: Vincent DeGelis
  • Patent number: 8046964
    Abstract: In an anchor for the attachment to construction panels including two cover plates and an intermediate support core layer wherein the anchor comprises an expansion body and a wedge body which inserted into the expansion body and includes an opening for screwing or pounding in a mounting means, the installed anchor is disposed in an opening of the panel which extends through the first cover plate and the intermediate support core plate. The expansion body has locking zones and engagement elements which are spreadable by wedge elements. With the anchor installed, a wedging zone spreads out the engagement elements of the expansion body behind the cover plate and the locking zones are interlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8043038
    Abstract: A pin having a head and a plurality of legs extending from that head, and a bushing having a flange and a shank extending from that flange, are comprised. In the flange, holes for accepting a plurality of legs are provided in a plurality corresponding to the number of legs, and in the shank, corresponding spaces for accepting each of the legs which have passed through the holes are provided in a plurality corresponding to the number of legs. The cross-section of the shank is polygonal, spaces are disposed on the surfaces of the shank capable of forming that polygon, and elastic latching pieces extending outward in lateral directions are provided at positions adjacent to the flange in a plurality corresponding to the spaces. By inserting the legs into the spaces, the elastic latching pieces are prevented from being displaced in directions whereby they would approach the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Takahiro Sano
  • Patent number: 7993084
    Abstract: A fastener includes a fastener body having a screw opening, a plurality of resilient fastener fingers extending from the fastener body, a finger tooth extending from each of the plurality of fastener fingers and a fastener screw extending through the screw opening and between the plurality of fastener fingers. The fastener screw is adapted for push installation through the screw opening and between the plurality of fastener fingers and threaded removal from the screw opening and between the plurality of fastener fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Boeing Company
    Inventor: Cory M. Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 7980800
    Abstract: A blind fastener for insertion through an aperture in a workpiece, the fastener including a pin, a sleeve and an abutment member; wherein the abutment member can be removed from the sleeve so that the pin and sleeve can be forced out of the aperture, to remove the fastener therefrom, wherein the sleeve has a radially expanding head, which is received in a recess of the abutment member and wherein, prior to insertion of the fastener into the workpiece aperture, the abutment member is secured to the sleeve by deformation of part of the abutment member adjacent the recess over and into contact with the sleeve head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ralph Kleinman, Alan Edward Shawyer
  • Patent number: 7976056
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a first end secured within the body and a second end disposed outside the body, the retaining pin configured to limit the movement of a vehicle trim piece with respect to the vehicle chassis when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis and a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the trim piece to a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Kirchen, Benjamin H. Moerke, Jesse L. Jensen, Brock T. Cooley, Adam C. Peterson, David W. Edland
  • Publication number: 20110116888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling parts (P1 and P2) in composite hardware by means of a riveting member (R), and is notable in that it comprises: using a bushing (200), the hollow core (230) of which has two different sections (231 and 232); using an insert (100) having no functional axial bearing surface for the radial swelling of the bushing (200) in the through-hole (T), but the diameter (D3) of which is capable of enabling the housing thereof, with no change in shape, in the first section (231) of the hollow core (230), and is also capable of enabling the forcible housing thereof in the second section (232); axially feeding the insert (100) into the bushing (200) such that the latter radially swells inside the through-hole (T) up to the small section (232) thereof and such that the recess well-defined by said small section is occupied by said insert (100); and ensuring, by means of a rivet set (400), the pressure on the first section (231) of the bushing (200) by the end that changes shape
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Pierre Auriol
  • Publication number: 20110081217
    Abstract: A multi-part expansion anchor (11) has, as a first part, an expansion sleeve (31) which has, as its elements, several expansion tabs (35) that are separated from each other by elongated slots (34) and has, as a second part, an expansion body (21) that can be pulled into the expansion sleeve (31), and a conical portion (22) for purposes of radially widening the expansion sleeve (31). The conical portion (22) has, as its elements, edges (24) running along the longitudinal axis (13). One of the parts of the expansion anchor (11) has an even number of appropriate elements, while the other part of the expansion anchor (11) has an odd number of appropriate elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Wissling, Marc Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 7862272
    Abstract: A clip which is easily removed from an object to be fixed is provided. The clip includes: two parts including a first member 1 and a second member 2, the first member having a head portion 4 and a shaft portion 5, and the second member having a flange portion 11 and a leg portion 12, wherein an opening 13 is formed in the flange portion of the second member, and the leg portion of the second member is split into two split leg portions 16 to form a gap 17, which communicates with the opening and into which the shaft portion of the first member is inserted between the split leg portions 16, and wherein elastic blades 18 projecting radially are provided in multiple stages along a vertical direction on outer peripheral surfaces of the split leg portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7862274
    Abstract: A fastener to affix a component in a support fitted with an aperture, comprising an affixation casing of resilient plastic, further a hollow conical shell, and at one end a radial flange that cooperates in sealing manner with the support surface facing it when the affixation casing has been mounted in said aperture, the casing being fitted peripherally with radial bosses, ribs or the like that engage from below the aperture rim when the affixation casing, being temporarily deformed radially at its bosses, ribs or the like is being inserted into said aperture, further comprising a plastic core which is fitted with a head and which can be inserted from the affixation casing's flanged end into the core cavity and which radially expands the casing and prevents it from being removable from the aperture, characterized by at least one radially inwardly pointing boss on the wall of the casing cavity and by the core being fitted at its end with a preferably peripheral groove that is entered by said boss when the core
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Limpert, Udo Henkelmann
  • Patent number: 7862273
    Abstract: A part mounting mechanism includes a boss, and a resin clip adapted to be assembled to the boss. The resin clip includes holding pieces, elastic engagement pieces, and a connecting portion. The part mounting mechanism also includes projecting portions formed on facing inner surfaces of the connecting portion at predetermined intervals in a staggered fashion along a direction in which the boss is inserted. When the boss is inserted into the connecting portion, the projecting portions bite into the distal end portion of the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Ooyama, Takeshi Kuroda, Oomi Arisaka
  • Patent number: 7862275
    Abstract: A fastening device for fastening a plate element, in particular a door or wall lining, on a carrier, in particular a body part of a motor vehicle, can take a preassembly position and a final assembly position. The fastening device includes a connecting element (10), which can be connected with the plate element and defines an axial mounting direction (A). The fastening device further comprises an engaging part (12) for locking the fastening device behind an opening of the carrier. Both the connecting element (10) and the engaging part (12) have integrally formed functional elements, which in the preassembly position directly cooperate with associated functional elements or regions of the engaging part (12) and with associated functional elements or regions of the connecting element (10), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Jatzke
  • Publication number: 20100303576
    Abstract: A retainer for a drop-in anchor includes a durable, moisture resistant member insertable into a sleeve of a drop-in anchor and configured to be retained in the sleeve by one or more threads disposed in the sleeve to prevent inadvertent removal of a plug from the sleeve. A drop-in anchor assembly includes a tubular sleeve having a first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. A retainer formed of a durable moisture-resistant material is insertable in the sleeve behind the plug, and is configured to be retained in the sleeve by the one or more threads and prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: POWERS PRODUCTS III, LLC
    Inventors: Alan J. Armiento, T.J. Bland
  • Publication number: 20100303575
    Abstract: A drop-in anchor includes a tubular sleeve having a first end and an expandable second end. The sleeve tapers in inner diameter from the first end to the second end at a sleeve taper angle. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. The plug tapers at a plug taper angle from a head end to a tip end. A difference between the sleeve taper angle and the plug taper angle is about one degree or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: POWERS PRODUCTS III, LLC
    Inventors: T.J. Bland, Jacob Olsen
  • Patent number: 7841817
    Abstract: A fastener comprising a bush and a pin is used to mount an airbag on a vehicle body panel. The pin has a head with legs depending therefrom, and the bush has a flange with a shank depending therefrom. The shank supports resilient pawls moveable in slots. The legs of the pin are inserted into the slots to a temporary connection position at which the resilient pawls are free to move inward of the slots, and to a permanent connection position at which such movement is blocked. The bush shank has a rigid axial column between the slots. The flange has a pair of spaced upright walls defining a space for receiving the pin and for preventing the head of the pin from being pressed inadvertently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kawai
  • Patent number: 7837225
    Abstract: A fastener for securing an airbag assembly in a motor vehicle includes first and second body components held one against another with a fastening tab of an airbag there between. A flexible collet from the body of the fastener is secured in a hole of a supporting component in a vehicle roof, and a pin pushed into the collet secures the installation. Tools and fastener structures for verification testing are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Gosis, Brock T. Cooley, James T. Kirchen, Frank Otte
  • Publication number: 20100278608
    Abstract: A novel fastener is provided which includes an expanding sleeve for receiving a pin where the pin has shank terminating at a first end in a pin head and terminating at a second end in an externally threaded portion of the pin. The expanding sleeve may include a hollow tubular shank terminating at a first end in a sleeve head and having an opening at a second sleeve end for receiving the pin. The sleeve head include an internal sleeve head surface for engagement with an external pin head side surface when in an assembled position. When the pin and expanding sleeve in the assembled position are inserted into an aperture in a structure, a gap is formed between the aperture and an outer surface of the expanding sleeve. The outer surface of the expanding sleeve radially expands outward into the aperture filling the gap upon engagement of the internal face of the sleeve head and the external pin head surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: RAHMATOLLAH F. TOOSKY
  • Patent number: 7794273
    Abstract: A cable connector assembly (100) comprises an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) received in the housing (1), a plurality of wires (3) electrically connecting to the contacts (2) and a fastening device (7). The housing (1) defines at least a through hole (107) in a lateral side thereof. The fastening device (7) comprises a bolt (71) matching with a nut (72) received in the through hole (107), the nut (72) has an engaging portion (723) split into at least two deformable pieces (7230), and the bolt (71) is slidably received in the nut (72) to urge the deformable pieces (7230) splaying when the bolt is pushed in; a stopper is arranged between the bolt and the nut to prevent the bolt from sliding out of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Xu, Su-Feng Liu
  • Publication number: 20100212250
    Abstract: An expansion wedge anchor for insertion in a hole delimited by a wall comprises an expander member and an expansion member, the expander member being provided at a leading end of the expander member, the expander member comprising a flaring end, the expansion member being expandable at a trailing end thereof and being adapted to engage the wall of the hole when the expander member is positioned in the hole, wherein upon longitudinal withdrawal of the expander member from the hole, the expander member displaces longitudinally relative to the expansion member with the flaring end thereof gradually causing the trailing end of the expansion member to expand, whereby a trailing edge of the expansion member engages the wall of the hole. The trailing end is adapted, when expanded by the flaring member, to extend at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said expander member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: COBRA FIXATIONS CIE LTEE - COBRA ANCHORS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McSherry, Pierre McDuff
  • Patent number: 7755240
    Abstract: A fan motor includes a frame (10) and a motor (30). The frame includes a supporting plate (13) and a central tube (16). A pair of arms (181) extends upwardly from the supporting plate and spaces from each other to form a gap (184) therebetween. Each arm has a barb (182) at a top end thereof. The motor includes a circuit board (31) and a stator (33). The stator defines an axial hole (338) for receiving the central tube therein. The circuit board defines a fixing hole (312) therein corresponding to the pair of arms. The pair of arms extend through the fixing hole with the barbs of the pair of arms abutting on the circuit board. A pin (191) is inserted into the gap between the pair of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignees: Fu Zhuri Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi-Ya Yang, Ying-Min Huang, Wen-Gao Wang
  • Patent number: 7740432
    Abstract: An article-attaching device includes a casing and a holding member fitted into the casing. The holding member has engageable portions configured to be engageable with a hook of an article. The holding member includes a frame portion fitted to the casing and a pair of torsionally-deformable members extending downward from opposed portions of the frame portion. The torsionally-deformable members have engageable portions and a hook receiver under the engageable portions. A hook passes between the engageable portions from inside of the frame portion, causing the respective torsionally-deformable members to be elastically spread and be torsionally deformed, followed by entering the receiver to be prevented from coming out thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Akinori Harada
  • Patent number: 7736107
    Abstract: A clipping device including a pin and a grommet, the pin including an engaging groove, an enlarging groove, the grommet including a flange part and a body part, the body part being divided into a plurality of divisional leg portions interposing slits, inwardly directed projections being formed on respective inner faces of the divisional leg portions, wherein the pin is provided with a stepped part on its upper end edge, and a swinging piece which is connected to a side face of the divisional leg portion so as to swing in a horizontal direction is provided in the slit of the grommet, the swinging piece being projected outwardly from the body part of the grommet while it is in a free state, and adapted to be pressed by inner peripheral faces of panel holes when inserted into the panel holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeo Okada
  • Patent number: 7726922
    Abstract: A quick release support post and associated method are provided to attach a cable to a structure and later move the cable location without the need for many small parts and tools. Thus, cables and wires may be installed in hard-to-reach areas quicker and easier than with conventional clamps because no tools are required and an installer generally does not have to use both hands. Because the quick release support posts and associated method require only a hole in the structure for installation, there is no need for extra materials, and minimal weight is added to the structure during installation or movement. In addition, the quick release support posts and associated method of the present invention create efficient cable management systems because the support posts may be various lengths and cables may be grouped and secured to the support posts together, which makes trouble shooting and later moves much easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Slyter
  • Patent number: 7690876
    Abstract: A clip comprises a pin having a flange and a shank and a bush having a flange and a hollow shank into which the pin shank is inserted. The clip is configured so that the pin and bush can be temporarily connected, and the bush shank can be inserted into a mounting hole in a workpiece such as a panel while the pin and bush are temporarily connected. When the pin shank is further inserted into the bush shank, the bush shank expands to fix the clip to the workpiece. The bush flange has a wall extending to about the level of the pin flange when the pin and the bush are temporarily connected so as to shield the pin flange and the pin shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kawai, Toshinori Kakehi
  • Publication number: 20100072735
    Abstract: A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a first end secured within the body and a second end disposed outside the body, the retaining pin configured to limit the movement of a vehicle trim piece with respect to the vehicle chassis when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis and a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the trim piece to a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: James T. Kirchen, Benjamin H. Moerke, Jesse L. Jensen, Brock T. Cooley, Adam C. Peterson, David W. Edland
  • Publication number: 20100074677
    Abstract: A fastener for a furniture jointing device is made in two parts. The first part (10), comprising head (12) and shank (11) portions, is made from a first material such as steel. The second part (13) is made from a second material such as zinc and is conveniently cast directly onto the first part (10). The second part (13) is made with thread formations to enable it to be anchored to a first furniture component (15). The head portion (12) of the first part (10) is designed to engage with a camming element (16) mounted in a second furniture component (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: TITUS + LTD
    Inventors: William Ernest Taylor Vallance, Valter Svara
  • Patent number: 7677293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug for releasable engagement with the centre-pin of a roller blind control unit wherein engagement of the plug with the pin ensures that a tip of the center-pin engages an external surface of the control unit. In addition, a releasably inter-engaging combination of this plug and center-pin wherein insertion of the center-pin through a roller blind control unit and engagement with the plug, ensures that a tip of the center-pin engages an external surface of the control unit is described. The invention also relates to a control unit for use in a window blind head rail assembly comprising: a sprocket wheel, a sprocket support and wrap spring, a splined bush for engagement with a roller blind tube, a center-pin, and a plug for releasable engagement with the center-pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Louver-Lite Limited
    Inventor: Reginald Charles Allsopp
  • Patent number: 7677850
    Abstract: A clip comprises a pin, and a hollow bush adapted to receive the pin therein. The bush includes a flange and a bush body having an opening which is formed by partially cutting off a peripheral wall thereof and adapted to receive therein a pin shank in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the bush body. The bush body and the bush flange are adapted to be expanded in a radially outward direction of the bush body about a position opposed to the opening, in a hinged manner. The pin has a shank that includes a protruding portion which has a narrow region formed near a distal end of the pin shank, causing no expansion in an outer diameter of the bush body in the radially outward direction when the pin is in a non-fastened position, and a wide region adjacent to the bush flange, causing an expansion in the outer diameter of the bush body when the pin is in a fastened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Takahiro Sano
  • Patent number: 7652886
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly for dissipating heat from an electronic component (12) mounted on a printed circuit board (10) includes a heat sink (20) resting on the electronic component, and a fastener assembly (30) for securing the heat sink to the electronic component. The fastener assembly includes a hollow post (36) having a threaded hole (360) defined therein, a screw (32) threadedly engaged in the threaded hole, a coil spring (34) compressibly disposed between the heat sink and a top portion of the screw, and a latch (38) pivotably engaging with a bottom portion of the post. When the screw moves downwardly towards the printed circuit board, the latch is pushed by the screw to rotate and press the heat sink towards the printed circuit board, thus securing the heat sink to the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Li, Lei Cao
  • Patent number: 7607875
    Abstract: A fastener including a pin, a grommet and a pinching member, wherein the pin includes a head portion and a shaft portion, the grommet includes a flange portion and a barrel portion, and the pinching member includes an inward directed support arm and an outward directed pinching piece, the head portion includes a support portion for supporting the inward directed support arm of the pinching member, a containing chamber for containing a side of the outward directed pinching piece of the pinching member to direct in a direction of a center of the shaft portion and a press face for pressing outward the outward directed pinching piece of the pinching member at the shaft portion of the pin and forming an opening window for putting in and out the outward directed pinching piece of the pinching member at the barrel portion of the grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignees: Piolax Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuya Shinozaki, Hirofumi Tanaka, Akihiro Shibuya, Yasuo Mochioka
  • Patent number: 7553116
    Abstract: The fastener comprises a first part having a stem and a head attached to one end of the stem, and a second part having two elastic feet and a plate from which the elastic feet project transversely, the stem being adapted to slide in an opening formed in the plate, the fastener being adapted to assume a waiting position in which the first part is held in the second part by means of the stem passing through the opening and clamping said plate between a stop surface and a tooth; a locking position; and an unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: ITW de France
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lesecq
  • Patent number: 7516518
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising a door leaf (1), which has at least two undercut blind holes (26), and comprising at least two hinges (3) each consisting of a door-side and a wall-side hinge part (4,5). In order to fasten the door-side and/or wall-side hinge part, expanding plugs (20) are provided that have a distal expanding element (22) as well as a retaining and stop element (23). In addition, an expanding/fastening element (21) is provided that serves to expand the expanding elements and to fasten the hinge to the expanding plug. The expanding/fastening element can comprise a screw bolt (26) and a nut (28) or a mounting part (30) with a hole for accommodating a screw (31), with which the mounting part is screwed to the expanding plug. The invention also relates to a shower stall having one or more lateral walls and one or more assemblies of the aforementioned type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: NAOMI Rechte GmbH
    Inventor: Zoltan Anton Kiefer
  • Patent number: 7484919
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a fastener assembly that includes a grommet and a pin. The grommet may include a collar integrally formed with a plurality of legs, wherein an opening is formed through the collar. The pin is moveable through the opening between pre-driven and driven positions. The pin may include a plurality of flexible pin compression members connected to a ramp. The plurality of flexible pin compression members and the ramp spread the legs open in the driven position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne M. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20090022564
    Abstract: An anchor for a screw fastener for hollow walls and doors and solid walls and doors, the anchor of two-piece construction having a nose piece with conical end portion and a cooperative lock nut which is drawn over the conical end portion of the nose piece upon influence of rotation of the screw causing the lock nut fingers to flare out and engage the interior surface of a hollow wall or the circumferential surface of a bore in a solid wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Glenn Summerfield
  • Publication number: 20080279650
    Abstract: A device for fastening an attachment (4) to a support part (18) is provided with a bearing part (1) that can be connected to the attachment (4) via connecting means (2); with a rivet pin (8) seated in a rivet aperture (7) of the bearing part (1) displaceably between a preassembly position and a final assembly position and comprising laterally projecting latching projections (15) and a pin receiving shaft (12), said latching projections (15) being operative in the final assembly position to engage behind the support part (18); and with a lock pin (13) seated in the pin receiving shaft (12) displaceably between a released position and a locked position, said lock pin (13) being operative in the locked position to block radial movement of the latching projections (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventor: Ingo Hauser
  • Publication number: 20080260488
    Abstract: A fastener assembly configured to secure a first panel to a second panel includes a pin and a grommet. The pin includes a shaft connected to a tip. The grommet is configured to snapably secure into a hole of a panel. The grommet includes a central passage. The shaft is adjustably secured within the central passage, such that the shaft is allowed to shift a fixed distance within the central passage in a first direction, but is locked in place in the central passage with respect to a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland, Aaron Jagoda
  • Patent number: 7430122
    Abstract: An electronic device assembly includes a PCB (10), a heat sink (30) mounted on the PCB, a back plate (20) attached below the PCB, a fan holder (40) mounted on a top of the heat sink and a fan mounted on the fan holder. The fan holder has a plurality of sleeves (46). A plurality of clips (50) is assembled on the fan holder. Each clip includes a locking column (52) received in a corresponding sleeve of the fan holder, a shank (56) extending through the column, a spring (54) mounted around the column and sandwiched between a top of the column and a bottom of the shank, and an operating member (58) pivotably connected to the shank. The back plate forms a plurality of studs snappingly engaging with the locking columns to securely mount the heat sink on the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Yun Li
  • Patent number: 7374200
    Abstract: In a head protecting air bag device according to the present invention, a clip for attaching an attaching portion of an air bag to a fixing part on the side of a vehicle body includes a clip body and a locking part. The clip body has a shaft having a pair of securing legs protruded. The pair of securing legs are inserted in the fixing slot of the fixing part from an in-vehicle side via the attaching slot of the attaching portion and secured to the peripheral edge on an out-vehicle side of the fixing slot. The shaft is composed of a shell member of a metallic plate on the outer periphery and a core member of synthetic resin on the inner periphery. The core member is arranged on the opposite sides of a pair of securing lugs of the shell member. The core member has an inserting space in which a spacer of the locking part is inserted between the pair of securing lugs. The spacer limits the mutual approaching of the pair of securing legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Matsuo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Takanobu Ikeda, Tadashi Yamamoto, Yoji Hamamoto, Masanori Yajima
  • Patent number: RE44016
    Abstract: The present invention is a wall anchor having a novel finger configuration. This wall anchor has a head and barrel portion with a bore extending therethrough and laterally expandable fingers in general alignment with the bore. Instead of a straight channel, a channel having curved portions separates the fingers. The curved portions of the channel define ramp surfaces that at least partially extend into the path of a securing member created by the bore. Thus, when a securing member, such as a bolt, pin, screw, nail or similar object is inserted into the bore to secure the wall anchor to the wall, the securing member contacts the two ramp surfaces, separating the fingers. As the fingers separate, a portion of the fingers near the ramp surfaces deform such that the ramp surfaces rest on an outer portion of the securing member, thus providing a securing force for connecting the wall anchor to the wall and relieving stress on the area at which the fingers are connected to the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Clairson, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee E. Remmers