Parallel Legs, E.g., U-shaped, Etc. Patents (Class 411/522)
  • Patent number: 12011096
    Abstract: An air mattress relates to the field of air mattresses. The air mattress includes a mattress main body, an inflation and deflation device. The mattress main body is provided with an inflation chamber and a first airflow channel. The inflation chamber is communicated to the first airflow channel. The inflation and deflation device includes a driving device, a first air inlet and a first air outlet. When the first air outlet is communicated to the first airflow channel, the inflation and deflation device is in an inflation state, and the driving device is configured to drive external air to pass through the first air inlet and the first air outlet in sequence to form an inflation airflow discharged from the first air outlet; and the inflation airflow discharged from the first air outlet fills the inflation chamber through the first airflow channel to inflate the mattress main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Inventor: Ping Li
  • Patent number: 11691501
    Abstract: A device for fastening tank insert parts, wherein the device has a holding element for holding the tank insert part and at least one elastically deformable clamping device which is connected to the holding element and by means of which a fastening structure can be received. Furthermore, a plastic tank having a fastening structure which is arranged in the interior thereof, and having a device according to the invention which is arranged thereon for fastening tank insert parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Wolter, Markus Janich, Udo Wichartz, Sabine Schneider, Axel Frohwein
  • Patent number: 11634275
    Abstract: A fluid coupling includes a body, a poppet valve assembly, a handle shaft assembly, and a retention member. The body has a fluid conduit, a through-hole extending through a sidewall, and one or more openings that extend between an external surface of the body and an interior of the through hole. The poppet valve assembly is disposed within the fluid conduit and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The handle shaft assembly extends through the through-hole and into the fluid conduit and is interconnected with the poppet valve assembly such that the handle shaft assembly can be actuated to move the poppet valve assembly between the open position and the closed position. The retention member is insertable through the one or more openings and into the through-hole to interact with the handle shaft assembly to selectively hold the handle shaft assembly in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Knappco, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Roth, David Morrow, Krzysztof Wejdman, Stephen Hudson, Shiang Taing
  • Patent number: 11578748
    Abstract: This fastener assembly includes a body, an elongated member and a split wedge. The body defines a cavity that converges. An access opening at a small end provides access to the cavity. The member has a circumferential external profile at one end. The split wedge has two or more wedge segments with a flexible hinge connecting each of the wedge segments. Each of the wedge segments has an internal profile. The member is inserted through the access opening into the cavity of the body, the wedge segments of the split wedge are positioned circumferentially around the member and then the split wedge is wedged in the cavity to maintain the external profile of the member engaged with the internal profile of the wedge segments of the split wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventors: James Anthony Davidson, Paul Anthony Davidson
  • Patent number: 11473605
    Abstract: A fastener including a pin member having a shank portion, a threaded portion having a thread, a lock portion having at least one lock groove, and a pull portion located having at least one pull groove. The threaded portion is adapted to be engaged threadedly with a threaded hole of a workpiece to install the pin member therein. The fastener includes a swage collar adapted to be installed into the at least one lock groove of the lock portion to secure a plurality of workpieces. The pull portion is adapted to break off when the fastener is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: HOWMET AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Brennetot, Arnaud Brunet, Christophe Coulon
  • Patent number: 9631657
    Abstract: A fastening element comprises a guide body which serves to be received in a receptacle, and at least one clamping tab which is arranged on the guide body and has art outer edge which is provided for cooperation with the inner surface of the receptacle. The outer edge of the clamping tab extends obliquely to a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis of the guide body, and the outer edge is in the form of a part of a thread such that thread effect is achieved with which the fastening element can be unscrewed from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ITW FASTENER PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Zajak, Hubert Loewe
  • Patent number: 9593751
    Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel actuator, the swivel actuator including a driving motor, a linear screw shaft rotating in conjunction with rotational force of the driving motor, a nut member reciprocating to a lengthwise direction of the linear screw shaft in response to the rotation of the linear screw shaft, a lever member, one end of which being rotatably coupled to the nut member and the other end being connected to a rotating counterpart, and an elastic member arranged at a coupled position between the nut member and the lever member to maintain a coupling between the nut member and the lever member by applying elastic restoring force to the lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su Hyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 8714898
    Abstract: A manually installed fastener includes a fastener body having parallel first and second plates, the second plate having an aperture. A bend member integrally joins the first and second plates. The bend member has an outer deflectable leg integrally connected to the first plate and an inner deflectable leg integrally connected to the second plate. A first barb is integrally connected to the first plate and extends through the aperture of the second plate. A second barb is integrally connected to the second plate and is oppositely oriented with respect to the first barb. The second barb and the second plate are elastically displaced with respect to the first barb and the first plate to change a clearance diameter between the first and second barbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Steven M. Benedetti
  • Patent number: 8348569
    Abstract: The one-piece cage for fixing device to an object by screwing blind to a plate or the like perforated by a square mounting hole, of the kind including that cage and, therein, a threaded part adapted to cooperate screw-fashion with a complementary threaded part to assure the required fixing, and comprising four identical radial lugs extending in two orthogonal diametral directions and whose profile is such that the resulting cross-shape can be inserted with a small clearance into the square hole, which cage is adapted to be inserted with a small clearance into the mounting hole and to bear on the edges of that hole at the end of the introduction of the cage therein, and is characterized in that it takes the general form of an elastically deformable U-shape having four lugs angularly offset at 90° to each other and adapted to receive contiguously between them the four lugs of the threaded part, the lugs being connected in pairs by two symmetrical bridges adapted to bear on the edges of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ITW Fastex France
    Inventor: Ludovic Tournier
  • Patent number: 8348582
    Abstract: A clip for a pin that extends from an outer surface of a member, the clip comprising a pin retaining portion and a clamp portion that surrounds the member outer surface, the clamp portion having a pin receiving opening therein adapted to receive the exposed end of the pin, and a pin retaining portion adjacent the pin receiving opening to retain the pin in the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Tom Bithell, Geoffrey Philip Wade
  • Patent number: 8297646
    Abstract: To provide a clip for an airbag, the pin member of which can be easily removed from a grommet by a simple operation even in a state in which a garnish is furnished. A clip 1 for an airbag includes: a grommet 10; and a pin member 20. The grommet 10 includes: a supporting hole 12 into which the pin member 20 is inserted from the surface side the back side; and an engaging portion 15 for preventing the pin member 20 from coming out from the supporting hole 12. The pin member 20 includes a pair of sidewalls 22 opposed to each other which are extended from a head portion 21 in the axial direction and inserted into a supporting hole 12 of the grommet 10 and freely, relatively moved in the axial direction with respect to the grommet 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Ryou Aoki
  • 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: 7972101
    Abstract: A fastener includes a push pin, a plug and an elastic member. The push pin includes a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a clipping foot extending radially from the shaft. Two through receiving holes are defined in the head. A snapping hole is defined in the head and communicates with the receiving holes. The shaft and the clipping foot are between the receiving holes. The plug includes a handle, and two insertion portions extending from the handle. A raised point extends from each of the insertion portions. The insertion portions of the plug can extend through the receiving holes respectively until the raised points are snapped in the snapping hole and the insertion portions extend adjacent to the clipping foot. The elastic member can engage with the push pin to supply an elastic force pointing from the clipping foot to the head to the push pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hao-Der Cheng
  • Publication number: 20100214745
    Abstract: An anchor for attaching a heat sink to a PCB (printed circuit board) includes an elastic fastening member and a locking member. The fastening member includes a resilient link portion, a pair of legs extending from two opposite ends of the resilient link portion, a pair of projections extending inwardly from tip ends of the two legs and a pair of stop portions extending from the legs and spaced from the respective projection. The projections pass through a pair of through holes defined in the PCB respectively until each stop portion abutting against a top surface of PCB. The locking member defines at least one receiving hole. the locking member is mounted onto the fastening member to shift the two leg inward so that the projections abut against a bottom surface of the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: DE-JIN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20100199586
    Abstract: This invention relates to a building wall construction comprising of an already existing cement wall, plastic insulating panels, c-shaped fasteners and an interior framework composed of vertical studs and/or beams. The exterior faces of the panels are placed adjacent to the interior face of the cement wall. The insulating panels are comprised of equally spaced vertical channels along its length. Fasteners are placed inside the vertical channels and are used as the connecting element between the panels and the cement wall. The exterior faces of the studs or beams are then placed adjacent to the interior face of the fasteners. By having insulating panels between the fasteners and the studs or beams, this assures that no thermal bridge is created, thus better insulating the living space. The vertical channels allow for the fasteners and studs to be tightly nestled inside the insulating panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Julien Martineau
  • Patent number: 7753632
    Abstract: A fastening device includes a fastening member that fixedly fastens fastened members, and a driving member that is capable of releasing a fastening state of the fastening member by applying a driving force to a moving portion provided in the fastening member to drive it, wherein the driving member is formed of a shape memory alloy, and the driving force is a restoring force of the shape memory alloy to its memory shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Naitou, Yuta Urushiyama, Shunji Suzuki, Katsuaki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7611317
    Abstract: A shank clip adapted to couple a spout and mounting shaft assembly to a motor housing and support assembly in a fluid dispensing system. The shank clip comprises a first sidewall defining a perimeter that includes a first circular portion that defines a first radius; a second sidewall defining a perimeter that includes a second circular portion that defines a second radius greater than the first radius; and a bottom disposed between the first sidewall and the second side wall to define a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Technical Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7575390
    Abstract: A coupling device for a piston rod type damper used to open and close a movable body on a main body is interposed between the main body and the movable body, and has a part of the damper attached so as to be capable of rotation. The device includes a clip having a shaft part with an encircling groove projecting on the upper side of a flange part, a locking leg projecting on the lower side of the flange part, and a cap capable of coupling with the encircling groove. The locking leg is locked in an attachment hole provided on a movable body or main body, and the shaft part is inserted through a shaft hole provided in the damper to prevent the shaft part from slipping out of the cap. The device provides both excellent coupling operability and reliability, and desirable external appearance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Yousuke Yanagita
  • Patent number: 7568855
    Abstract: An arrangement for axial securing of a grooved bolt includes a holding element and a securing element. The grooved bolt passes through the holding element in the axial direction. The securing element, which may be connected to the holding element, engages the groove of the bolt and secures the bolt in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Fitzler, Sven Müller, Reinhard Birkigt, Udo Gersemsky
  • Patent number: 7399151
    Abstract: A resilient clip is disclosed for engaging a structure having a body with a pair of extending body portions and an elastic flange. The flange has an engagement surface and an engagement member, which engages the mounting structure. The elastic flange also has a base portion and a transition portion. A ramped surface of the engagement feature extends above the base portion. A substantially flat peripheral surface of the engagement feature in the transition portion is adapted to engage the panel to provide resistance to removal of the fastener from the mounting aperture. To manufacture a clip, a punch is used to apply a force to displace material of the elastic flange into a die cavity to form the engagement. The elastic flange portion is bent at a location passing through the engagement feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J Lubera, Jacob A Siudym
  • Patent number: 7390068
    Abstract: A wheel, by which a base is configured to be wheeled across a floor, includes a tread and a hub. The hub has an inner surface that surrounds an axis and defines a bore. The hub further has an outer surface surrounding the inner surface and a slot extending radially outward from the bore to the outer surface. A shaft is centered on the axis and coupled to the base. The shaft is configured to be received in the bore and has a groove. A clip is configured to be attached to the hub in an installed position in which the clip extends from within the groove outward through the slot to secure the hub to the shaft. The installed position is axially between the base and the tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: David Scott Smith, Carl M. Barr
  • Patent number: 7364442
    Abstract: A fixing structure for a circuit board includes at least one board mounting hole in the circuit board, the board mounting hole having a guide hole and an insertion hole, and at least one board mounting member inserted through the board mounting hole, the board mounting member having a main body, a cover, and an insertion portion therebetween, wherein the insertion portion has a cross-sectional area smaller than either of the main body or the cover and is capable of fitting in the insertion hole of the board mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Kyu Bang, Myoung-Kon Kim
  • Patent number: 7316374
    Abstract: A fastener for a pipe is able to prevent an end of a stud to which the fastener is attached from puncturing a fuel tank or breaking other parts of a car body and causing the fuel tank to rupture when a collision occurs. The fastener comprises a fastener main body and a protective member. The fastener main body has a base, pipe fastening portions connected to the base, and a stud engaging portion connected to at least one of the base and the pipe fastening portions to engage a stud extending from a support. The stud engaging portion has a stud receiving hole for receiving the stud. A protective member is attached to at least one of the stud engaging portion and the base to cover the end of a stud in the stud receiving hole and has sufficient rigidity to prevent the end of the stud from protruding out of the stud receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Toshio Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7303800
    Abstract: An mat system with each mat having sloping lips which overlap with an adjacent mat's sloping lips and are secured by interlocking joints in the mats' lips and/or by captive locking pins to form an easily assembled and interconnected flat surface. In use, opposing ledges forms a slot within holes in the top overlapping lips to receive a captive locking pin. The pin is captive by mid body prongs which fix underneath the ledges in a mat's upper lip's holes, and the pin locks and unlocks with rotary turning of the pin resulting in the pin's keeper feet fixing underneath the similar ledges in the holes of the lower lip of an adjacent mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: D. Scott Rogers
  • Patent number: 6908119
    Abstract: A detachable hose coupling includes an improved female coupler piece. The female piece is generally cylindrical female sleeve piece having a pair of coaxially aligned bored open surfaces which are in opposing generally equidistant positions and displaced from a vertical plane passing through a central longitudinal axis of the female sleeve piece. A grooved surface extends partially into an outer surface of the female sleeve and extends between the bored open surfaces. A male piece is provided and a staple is provided for use in connecting the male piece to the female piece, wherein the staple fits through the bored open surfaces and seats in the grooved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Lewis-Goetz and Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph S. Murken
  • Patent number: 6901638
    Abstract: An antitheft retainer clip according to this invention is a retainer clip 1, with which slits 3 are provided in inserted parts 2 so as to form press-contacting parts 4 and auxiliary parts 5, and comprises the press-contacting parts, which are formed to be substantially the same in width as upper parts of cylinder slits 9, raised parts 10, which are put in pressed contact against the upper parts of the cylinder slits, and inclining parts 11, which are provided continuous to the raised parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Thuou Hatujyo Kougyou Kabusiki Kaisya
    Inventors: Yuichi Itou, Kouki Gotou
  • Patent number: 6663394
    Abstract: A rivet attachment assembly of the present invention includes a tongue element (22) having an opening (221) therein, a rivet member (23) having a through hole defined therein and a screw (30). The rivet member is in loose engagement with the tongue element, and the screw goes through a mounting hole (41) of an adapter card (40) and the through hole of the rivet member to secure an adapter card to the rivet member. The rivet member is movable in the opening of the tongue element to allow alignment of the mounting hole of the adapter card with the through hole of the rivet member thereby allowing the rivet attachment assembly to secure the adapter card in the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Kuang Chung
  • Publication number: 20030118425
    Abstract: A toggle retainer (10) for toggle connections of conveyor pans (5) for chain scraper conveyors, guide troughs of mining machines and similar, with a locking plate (30) engaging across the locking extension (23, 24) on the toggle head (21, 22) of a toggle (20) and securing the toggle (20) in the toggle accepting pocket (9) against falling out to the side, both ends (31, 32) of which can be introduced into an insertion pocket (11, 12) in the toggle acceptor (1) and which for retention in the locking cut-outs (13, 14) of the toggle acceptor (1) have at least one aperture (37) into which the shaft (41) of a locking element (40) engaging in one of the locking cut-outs (13, 14) can be inserted. The locking plate (30) is provided with transverse borings (38, 39), one of which opens into the aperture (37) and in which a securing clamp (50) engagement can be inserted or is inserted retaining the shaft (41) by positive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Detlef Hahn, Frank Fischer, Gerhard Merten, Ingo Pruss, Siegfried Schmidt, Jorg Wirtz
  • Patent number: 6574109
    Abstract: A retainer device for attaching a heat sink (20) to a CPU (62) includes a retention module (50), a clamp (10), a U-shaped crank holder (30), and a crank (40). The retention module has a rectangular base frame (51), and four posts (52, 54, 56, 58) extending upwardly from corners of the base frame. The clamp has two hinge portions (18) rotatably attached to two rear posts. A hook (22) depends from a front of the clamp. Two pivot rods (32) extend outwardly from opposite ends of the crank holder, and are rotatably received in two corresponding slots (53) defined in two front posts. The crank has an offset pressing portion (42) and an operation rod (46). The pressing portion is disposed between supporting arms (39) of the crank holder. When the operation rod is rotated toward the heat sink and locked in position, the pressing portion presses the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert G. McHugh, Hao-Yun Ma
  • Patent number: 6449157
    Abstract: A retention mechanism (6, 6′) for an LGA package assembly (1, 1′) consists of a spring clip (60, 60′) and a lever (62, 62′) both attached to a heat sink (5, 5′). The spring clip has a biasing strip (612, 612′) and a pair of opposite engaging legs (610, 610′). The lever includes an arcuate section (680, 680′) positioned beneath the biasing strip, whereby the lever is rotatable from a vertical position where the arcuate section is contained in a plane parallel with the biasing strip to a horizontal position where the arcuate section is contained in a plane perpendicular to the biasing strip and engages with the biasing strip. When the lever is rotated to the horizontal position, the biasing strip is biased upwardly to cause the engaging legs to abut against a bottom surface (22) of a PCB (2), whereby the components of the LGA package assembly are mechanically and electrically connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Ho Kang Chu
  • Patent number: 6410851
    Abstract: A mounting system for use in an electrical housing or junction box provides a tactile indication to the installer that the housing is properly installed. The mounting system includes a keyhole shaped opening in a wall of the housing. The keyhole-shaped opening has a smaller section dimensioned to receive a shaft of a fastener and larger section to receive the head of the fastener. A neck portion between the smaller and larger sections has a width less than a width of the fastener shaft to provide interference as the fastener slides between the larger and smaller sections. In one embodiment, the neck portion is formed by two flexible arms extending into the opening. The housing is positioned over the head of the mounting member and repositioned so that the shank of the fastener slides between the two arm members. In so doing, the arm members flex outwardly, and then snap back into place after the shank is fully and properly seated in the smaller section of the keyhole shaped opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald F. Lamar, Spencer L. Mackay, Richard F. M Conroy, Donald J. Brody
  • Patent number: 6406242
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for securing a first plate, which may be a pull handle bracket, in a spaced relationship to a second plate, which may be a door panel. The apparatus (10) comprises a fastener (16) having a head portion (22) and a base portion (24). The head portion (22) is insertable into a hole in the first plate and supports the first plate. The base portion (24) is insertable into a hole in the second plate and attaches to the second plate. Part of the base portion (24) of the fastener (16) extends on a side of the second plate opposite the first plate. The apparatus (10) further includes a retainer (18) having an elongated main body (90) for inserting into the head portion (22) of the fastener (16) and for securing the first plate to the head portion (22) of the fastener (16). The part of the base portion (24) of the fastener (16) that extends on a side of the second plate opposite the first plate has a width that increases to resist a force attempting to separate the first plate from the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Gary G. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6305870
    Abstract: Provided is a metal clip to facilitate the inserting work. A metal clip for fixing a shaftlike member to a mount member having a through hole is constructed in such structure that a U-shaped slit is formed in an open shape in the body and that at outer edges of two side pieces defining the U-shaped slit elastic legs are provided for pushing the two side pieces up away from a surface of the mount member around the through hole, whereby the two side pieces can be inserted into a small-diameter groove of the shaftlike member while keeping the two side pieces up away from the surface of the mount member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignees: Piolax Inc., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Mita, Satoru Sasagawa
  • Patent number: 6301857
    Abstract: The invention is particularly directed toward a structural member comprising an elongate metal flange having a pair of parallel side walls joined at one end by a transverse base wall to form a web receiving pocket. Each side wall has a plurality of raised teeth, each tooth having a body portion bent outwardly from the side wall along a first line transverse to the longitudinal direction of the flange, and a penetrating point portion at the free end of the body portion, bent along a second line parallel to the first line, to extend toward the socket. The invention is also directed toward a composite structural member employing the flange with a web having opposed edge portions. One edge portion of the web is mounted in the pocket of the flange and the teeth on the flange are pressed into the web to joint the web and flange together. The invention is further directed toward a method of making the composite structural member using the metal flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Jan Vrana
  • Patent number: 6304453
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes a heat sink (30), a clip (40) and two pairs of holders (50). The heat sink has a base (31) and a plurality of fins (32) extending from the base. A groove (34) is defined in each of two opposite side surfaces (36) of the base. The clip presses the heat sink onto an electronic device (60) mounted on a socket (70). Each holder has a fixing portion (51) for being interferentially inserted into the groove of the heat sink, and a positioning portion (52) for engaging with a side edge of the socket. The heat sink is thereby prevented from moving with respect to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Foxconn Precision Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: We-Ta Lo
  • Patent number: 6257551
    Abstract: A valve stem extension for extending the length of a valve stem, the valve stem extension including an extension member and a rotation resisting member. The extension member has a first end for engaging the valve stem and defines an opening which exposes two opposing flat sides of the valve stem when the extension member is engaged with the valve stem. The rotation resisting member includes two opposing flat sides and is configured to be insertable within the opening of the extension member after engagement of the extension member with the valve stem. When positioned in the opening of the extension member, the two opposing flat sides of the rotation resisting member engage the two opposing flat sides of the valve stem to resist rotation of the extension member relative to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Watts Investment Company
    Inventor: Louie D. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6205026
    Abstract: An integrated circuit system has an increased reliability when subjected to stress and vibration. The system includes heat sink retention clips that provide support to the retention system when an upward force is applied to a heat sink. An EMI shield can be provided that provides peripheral shielding for the circuit package thermally coupled to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wong, Neal Ulen, Ketan R. Shah, Ishfaqur Raza
  • Patent number: 6171039
    Abstract: A product and method for preventing a connector from rotating when a mating connector is attached to, or detached from, the connector. When a nut on the connector is tightened, a washer is compressed in a groove in a panel to which the connector is attached. Edges on the outer perimeter of the washer press against the edges of the groove, thus preventing the washer from rotating in relation to the panel having the connector. A portion of the washer's cutout presses against flat regions on the connector and, in conjunction with the groove in the panel, prevent the connector from rotating when attaching or detaching cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nokia Telecommunications Oy
    Inventor: Pekka Seurujarvi
  • Patent number: 6152642
    Abstract: In a connection between a first component having a U-shaped fork with two essentially parallel spaced legs having recesses formed therein and a second component having a portion disposed between the legs and a bolt extending into the recesses, the ends of the bolt are engaged in the recesses by spring clamps which hold the bolt in firm contact with wall portions of the recesses so as to provide for a play-free pivot connection between the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChysler AG
    Inventors: Lothar Berthold, Heinz Entenmann, Georg Frentz, Eberhard Klemm, Martin Muller, Rainer Vogel
  • Patent number: 6050766
    Abstract: A nut includes a sheet metal U-shape housing which can be positioned on a threaded rod laterally so that the legs of the housing straddle the rod. A U-shape spring clip is provided having parallel legs with inwardly projecting thread forms on the legs adapted to mesh with the threads of the rod. The spring clip legs are insertable in two slots in one leg of the housing also to straddle the rod at right angles to the legs of the housing. The housing includes supports for the spring clip thread forms which hold them in engagement with the rod thread. Snap latches preclude ordinary removal of the clip as long as the rod is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Antonius M. Kies, Geradus Emanual Cornelus Van Gijsel
  • Patent number: 5980180
    Abstract: A fastener includes an elongated shank equipped with longitudinally spaced ribs, and a clip having opposing collar sections connected for movement between first and second positions for engagement with the shank and for installation or removal of the clip from the shank, respectively. Internal tabs formed on the clip aid in maintaining engagement between the collar sections and the shank during application of external twisting forces on the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Jennifer E. Schiess
  • Patent number: 5934819
    Abstract: A bolted connection for internally connecting two profiles having holes formed on the respective end surfaces and connecting holes formed perpendicular to and opening into the end surface holes to form a closed passage comprises a fastening rod extendable through the closed passage. The fastening rod is provided with a threaded part which is accessible through one of the connecting holes, a substantially cylindrical retaining part with at least one constriction which is accessible through another of the connecting holes, and a middle part separating the threaded and retaining parts. The bolted connection further comprises a clamping jaw having a slot and a stop fittable into the connecting hole for fitting onto the retaining part to prevent rotation of the fastening rod and a fastening nut fittable into the connecting hole for cooperating with the threaded part to secure the profiles together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Andreas Mangold
  • Patent number: 5810535
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for the releasable, positive fastening of the back wall of the housing of an airbag module to a supporting component of a motor vehicle body, wherein at least two fastening points are formed. For each fastening point, on the housing back wall or on the supporting component, a pin is provided and on the other of the supporting component or the housing back wall, an opening is provided. A resiliently biased catch mechanism is disposed in the area of the opening. The pin has on its shaft a detent and has a cone-shaped or wedge-shaped front portion. The catch mechanism is biased transversely of its longitudinal axis from a closed position to an open position from which it springs back into a catching position when the pin has reached the given fastening position in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: MST Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jupp Fleckenstein, Guido Hirzmann
  • Patent number: 5775863
    Abstract: A fastener includes a post and a clip. The post is formed with a head and an elongated shank extending therefrom, longitudinally spaced and radially extending ribs being formed at the free end of the shank. The clip is formed with an opening for receiving the shank, a forward split collar section generally surrounding said opening, a resilient center section, and a pair of wings extending rearwardly, from the center section. When the wings are squeezed together, the shoulder sections separate for slipping over and around the free end portion of the post as the shank is received into the opening in the clip. When the wings are released, the shoulder sections resiliently return toward one another to engage the shank between two adjacent ribs for interlocking engagement between the clip and the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Jennifer Elisabeth Anderson
  • Patent number: 5762371
    Abstract: A shoulder belt anchor adjusting device comprises an adjusting unit supported on a side pillar of a vehicle so as to be movable in substantially vertical directions along the side pillar, and having a stud bolt as a shoulder belt anchor support projection projecting toward the interior of the cabin of the vehicle; and a shoulder belt anchor unit detachably mounted on the stud bolt of the adjusting unit, and having an anchor member through which a seat belt is passed. The stud bolt is provided with an engagement groove in its head portion, the shoulder belt anchor unit is provided with a latch member or members which engage with the engagement groove in a spring action to hold the shoulder belt anchor unit on the adjusting unit, when the shoulder belt anchor unit is moved toward the adjusting unit along the axis of the stud bolt. It is not necessary to remove a cover of the shoulder belt anchor unit before the anchor unit is assembled with the adjusting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Sanoh Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shoichi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 5738462
    Abstract: A system for interlocking together two panel members comprises a washer member having first and second washer portions connected by a necked down portion and having a through bore for receiving a fastener. The washer member is fastened to a side of a first panel member. A keyhole slot is formed in a second panel member, the slot having a relatively large opening portion leading to a relatively narrow opening portion. An aperture is formed in the second panel member spaced from the keyhole slot to define a bridge portion between the aperture and slot. A clip member attaches with a snap fit to the bridge portion and spans the keyhole slot terminating in an abutment portion at its distal end. When the two panels are interconnected, the necked down portion of the washer member is positioned within the narrow portion of the keyhole slot with the abutment portion of the clip retaining the washer therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Hon Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk A. Petersen, Mark L. Wubben
  • Patent number: 5704100
    Abstract: The present invention is a mounting clip system that is operable to mount two foreign surfaces to one another. The mounting clip system includes a cylindrical member with a first and second end with the first end adapted for mounting the cylindrical member to a foreign surface and the second end adapted for engaging the housing; this housing has a mounting surface, a slot formed therethrough and an aperture located in opposing arrangement to the mounting surface; and a retaining pin adapted to attach to the housing through the slot formed therein and releasably attached to the cylindrical member when the cylindrical member is inserted into the aperture of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Federal-Hoffman, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Swan
  • Patent number: 5668347
    Abstract: A projectile includes a mechanism which allows the fin position to be reved after the projectile leaves the launch tube thus allowing the fins to have reversed leading edges, which avoids the costly weight of the one-piece design in the prior art, which is a parasitic weight that will result in a lower velocity, and consequently lower kinetic energy, from the same propellant charge. This mechanism also avoids having extra pieces falling from the muzzle and near the firing team or troops near the gun, and has the advantage of a simple, low-weight deployment mechanism which results in the least aerodynamic resistance after full deployment. The mechanism has at least one small winglet on each reversible fin which generates an aerodynamic lifting force to provide reversal of the fin after the projectile leaves the launch tube. These winglets are positioned and designed to cause the least increase in aerodynamic drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Ameer G. Mikhail
  • Patent number: 5645256
    Abstract: A mountable latching clamp secures an instrument stand to a mountable structure. The clamp comprises an angle bracket, a keyed receiver connected to the angle bracket for coupling with the instrument stand, and a spring latch for securing the instrument stand in the keyed receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Richard G. Thomas, II
  • Patent number: 5636540
    Abstract: A clip for securing a cylindrical lock shell within a mounting hole by frictionally engaging a region of the shell includes a pair of extending legs, each including a flat portion, a curved portion and a contact portion. The legs provide the frictional contact to the lock shell. Also included is a generally planar bridge portion connecting the two legs. The bridge portion is co-planar with the flat region on the legs. The curved portion of each leg has an apex, which is disposed eccentrically of a longitudinal center line of the cylindrical lock shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Fort Lock Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Myers