Wire Or Rod Formed Patents (Class 411/530)
  • Patent number: 11890766
    Abstract: A modular fabrication tool for prefabricating insulation for a duct segment includes at least three interchangeable and detachably connected panels, each panel of the at least three panels corresponding to a respective side of the duct segment. Each panel includes at least one of a connecting bar extending beyond a periphery of the respective panel or a connecting track. A connecting bar of one panel is received by a connecting track of a neighboring panel when two neighboring panels are properly positioned, adjoined together, whereby a retaining pin of the tool is advanceable through aligned, respective apertures of the connecting track and the connecting bar received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NTH SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Jackson, Stephen T. Buchanan, Eric L Canfield
  • Patent number: 10428988
    Abstract: A cam and groove coupling joint has a male coupling having a substantially tubular body that includes a pair of grooves in the body and a female coupling having a substantially tubular body that includes two pairs of lugs on the body and further includes pins that are supported by each pair of lugs. A pair of cam arms are pivotally mounted to the pins between the lugs. The cam arms are movable between an open position in which the male coupling is free to move relative to the female coupling and a closed position in which a cam of each cam arm engages the groove to lock the male coupling inside the female coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Mercedes Textiles Ltd.
    Inventors: Duane Leonhardt, Soroush Nobari
  • Patent number: 9194415
    Abstract: Disclosed is a coaxial tensionable automatic lock, including: a hollow connection rod (1), a top plate (3) and a bottom plate (4) respectively installed on two ends of the connection rod, a connection lock apparatus installed at a lower part of the connection rod and fixed on a surface of the bottom plate, wherein the connection lock apparatus includes: a flange (51) connected to a bottom end of the connection rod, a lock cover (52) sleeved onto an outer wall of the flange, a lock core (53) disposed inside an upper-end chamber of the flange, a lock washer (54) disposed between a lower end of the flange and an opened groove on a face of the bottom plate, and a lifting pin (2) installed in an upper-end hollow chamber of the connection rod, wherein a rotation handle (6) is sleeved onto an upper-end outer wall of the connection rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: KINDWIN OPTO ELECTRONIC (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yongchao Ou
  • Publication number: 20140328647
    Abstract: A variety of fasteners and guide assembly devices are disclosed. The fasteners in various forms include a guide member that protrudes from the fastener to facilitate guiding of the fastener into a hole, passage, opening, etc. or corresponding fastener component such as a nut. The guide member may be substantially rigid or substantially flexible. The guide member may be permanently or temporarily attached to the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Jordan S. Bernhard
  • Patent number: 8807903
    Abstract: A retainer pin is described for retaining, in one embodiment, a relatively thin blade against a transverse surface. The pin has a transition section which extends through an opening in the blade, a keeper section extending along one side of the blade, and a snap arm and snap end extending along an opposite side of the blade with a snap snapping over the edge of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Echelon Corporation
    Inventor: Chien A. Lam
  • Patent number: 8381363
    Abstract: A securing mechanism for a shackle having a pair of opposed legs with an opening at one end of each of the pair of opposed legs to form a pair of opposed openings. The securing mechanism includes a shackle bolt having a head at one end and a circumferential groove near an opposed end wherein the shackle bolt is received through the pair of opposed openings in the shackle. A two piece hinged clamp assembly is received in the circumferential groove in order to retain the shackle bolt in the shackle. A retainer pin is received in an opening in the two piece clamp assembly to hold the two piece clamp assembly in a closed position. A retainer clip surrounds the retainer pin. A lock pin through the two piece clamp assembly retains the retainer pin in the two piece clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Crosby Group LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Boeckman, Roger E. Beall, Chris Whitehead
  • Patent number: 7983057
    Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided for use in mounting a printed circuit board to a computer chassis. The mounting assembly includes standoffs attached to the chassis wall to extend outward into the chassis. Each standoff includes an elongated body and a neck extending from the body and having a smaller diameter than outer dimensions of the body. Each standoff includes a head extending from the neck. The mounting assembly includes retention assemblies that are mounted to the printed circuit board. Each retention assembly includes a spring-force retention member (such as a single coil of a ring spring) with an inner passageway with an at rest diameter smaller than the head. The printed circuit board is mounted to the chassis wall by pressing the printed circuit board onto the standoff elements, which are clasped by a spring force applied by each of the spring-force retention members on the standoff necks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: An-Sheng Anson Zheng, Brett C. Ong, Michael T. Milo
  • Publication number: 20110100595
    Abstract: An exemplary fastener used for connecting at least two components together includes a bolt, a shell, and an elastic member. The bolt has a head, a shaft, an engaging portion, and a threaded portion in series. A diameter of the engaging portion is larger than a diameter of the shaft and a diameter of the threaded portion. The shell has a side wall and a collar extending inwardly from a bottom of the side wall. The collar defines a through hole therein. A diameter of the through hole is slightly smaller than the diameter of the engaging portion of the bolt. The elastic member is sandwiched between the head of the bolt and the collar of the shell. The bolt with the elastic member is received in the shell, and a top of the engaging portion of the bolt abuts against a bottom of the collar of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicants: FU ZHUN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Liu, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 7704008
    Abstract: A shaft fixing clip that is fitted into a groove of a shaft, the shaft fixing clip includes: a shaft clamping portion that is formed by a metal wire member; and a pinch portion that is monolithically formed with the shaft clamping portion, wherein: the metal wire member is bent into an 8-like shape; both end portions of the metal wire member are crossed in an end portion of one of loops to respectively protrude toward both sides; tip ends of the both end portions are bent; the loop that is positioned on a side of the both end portions is configured as the shaft clamping portion; and bent portions of the tip ends of the both end portions are configured as the pinch portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: Piolax, Inc., TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuya Shinozaki, Kenji Morita, Masanari Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20100028103
    Abstract: To provide a fall-off preventing element capable of preventing a nut from loosening. A fall-off preventing element (1) includes a coil spring portion (2) which is formed in a manner of winding a metallic wire at approximately the same diameter and has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of a groove portion of a bolt, one end (3) of the wire and the other end (4) of the wire are positioned outside in a radial direction of the coil spring portion (2) and in approximately the same direction to each other. Although the end (3) and the other end (4) are positioned outside in the radial direction of the coil spring portion (2), they are positioned within a two-face width of a nut in the case of diametrical increase. An end, which has a length of approximately one-eighth of the circumferential length of the coil spring portion from the end (3) of the wire is bent in the other end (4) direction at an angle ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Masamichi Soeda
  • Publication number: 20090214316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilising device (120) for an assembly which includes two shape memory alloy wires (104, 106) adapted to operate in conjunction. The stabilising device (120) includes a rocker plate (108) for attachment to each of the shape memory alloy wires; the rocker plate (108) is adapted to pivot when one shape memory alloy wire (104 or 106) is subjected to a stress greater than that to which the other shape memory alloy wire (106 or 104) is subjected, in order to reduce the stress on the first-mentioned shape memory alloy wire. The invention further relates to a fastener (60) including a stud (54) having a locking cavity (56), an aperture (58) adapted to receive the stud (54), a locking means (teeth) (62) adapted to engage the locking cavity (56), a shuttle (66) rotatable by a rotating means including material adapted to contract when activated and a plug (87) slidable within the shuttle (66) to close off the aperture (58) when not occupied by the stud (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Dickory Rudduck, Lee David Blattmann, Lachlan Richard Goldspink
  • Publication number: 20080145177
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a an integrated captive fastener system is provided. A system includes an integrated nut assembly configured to be tethered to a first structure, the nut assembly including at least one of a lock washer and a flat washer coupled to a nut using a retainer, and a bolt configured to be tethered to at least one of the first structure and a second structure, the nut assembly configured to be threadably couplable to the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Richard L. Kulesha
  • Patent number: 6907961
    Abstract: A rod brake, and a method, including an elastic device, such as a coil spring, array of split rings, or an elastic sleeve, that engages one or more grooves in a cylindrical surface to restrain the rod from longitudinal movement relative to another body, and wherein longitudinal force is applied to distort the elastic device and push it out of the one or more grooves to release the rod for longitudinal movement is disclosed. A locking sleeve is added to lock the elastic device against distortion and movement to the release configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Allen, David H. Theiss
  • Patent number: 6871681
    Abstract: An embodiment of the connection system is for connecting a plurality of components together. One embodiment of a method of the system provides a dowel having first and second portions. Each of the portions has first and second ends, the first and second portions being connected to one another at their second ends. At least one portion of the first and second portions has at least three dowel sections of successively decreasing diameters. One of these dowel sections has a side wall and an end wall that forms the first end of the at least one portion and each of the other dowel sections has a side wall and step wall. A first component has a first opening configured to substantially fit the first portion, and a second component has a second opening configured to substantially fit the second portion. An adhesive material is then applied on at least part of the first portion, and the first portion is inserted into the first opening in the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Miller Dowel Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6854944
    Abstract: A quick mounting nut (2) movable, at least partially, without being rotated, axially to a threaded bolt (1), with a springing wire clip (4) being located in a nut housing (5) with a continuous coaxial opening (6), with the wire clip (4) at least partially engaging in a bolt thread (3) and having two legs (8, 8?) which spring relative to one another, with the opening (6) having an inner cone (7) which narrows radially from an axial neutral position of the wire clip (4) and with the wire clip (4) being movable axially to a limited extent and contacting at least partially inside the inner cone (7) in its locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Armin Hoffmann, Ulrich Birnbaum, Stefan Unverzagt, Armin Herb
  • Patent number: 6773214
    Abstract: Snap rings positioned in grooves on shaft members and the like for retaining component members on the shaft members. Retention members, such as retaining rings with counterbores, are positioned over the snap rings and prevent the snap rings from expanding outwardly and being released from the grooves. The retention members are installed such that axial loads force the retention members against the snap rings. The snap rings are preferably spiral snap rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thaddeus M. Jakubowski, Jr., Cory G. Keller
  • Patent number: 6632058
    Abstract: A quick mounting nut (2) movable, at least partially, without being rotated, axially to a threaded bolt (1), with a springing wire clip (4) being located in a nut housing (5) with a continuous coaxial opening (6), with the wire clip (4) at least partially engaging in a bolt thread (3) and having two legs (8, 8′) which spring relative to one another, with the opening (6) having an inner cone (7) which narrows radially from an axial neutral position of the wire clip (4) and with the wire clip (4) being movable axially to a limited extent and contacting at least partially inside the inner cone (7) in its locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Armin Hoffmann, Ulrich Birnbaum, Stefan Unverzagt, Armin Herb
  • Patent number: 6551042
    Abstract: A spring collet clamping system and method therefor including a collet disposed about a shaft, for example a rotary motor shaft, a substantially balanced spring clamp having a coil portion with arms extending from generally opposite portions thereof, the coil portion of the spring clamp is disposed about a portion of the collet, for example resilient arms thereof, to constrict and clamp the collet about the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Grant, Leonard M. Mallak
  • Publication number: 20020168246
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a bolt having a shaft which includes a tapered section and a spiral insert which can be placed over the tapered section of the shaft and thereby fixed to the bolt. The spiral insert may be a spring. The bolt may include a bolt head and may have a uniform section which has a uniform diameter. The apparatus may further include a nut which has a tapered inner chamber such that the nut can be placed over the spiral insert to fix the nut to the spiral insert and to thereby fix the nut to the bolt. The tapered section may be conical in shape and may have a first diameter which tapers to a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. A method I also disclosed comprising the steps of creating a tapered section on an end of a bolt and pressing a spiral insert over the end and over the tapered section. The step of creating a tapered section on the end of the bolt may include pressing the bolt into a conical mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Sergey Dmitrievich Voznesensky
  • Patent number: 6267527
    Abstract: An improved dowel that is capable of quickly and easily connecting two or more adjoining components. In one form of the invention, a dowel is provided, that, may be used for connecting two or more components. In one embodiment, the dowel may have three dowel sections positioned between a base and a tip. Each dowel section has a diameter and may be positioned axially adjacent at least one other dowel section wherein the diameters decrease over the length of the dowel from the base to the tip. Alternate embodiments may have two, four or more dowel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 6199917
    Abstract: A twist pin for securing an outer cylindrical sleeve to an inner member concentrically received within the sleeve. The twist pin includes a first leg terminating at a first end and defining a longitudinal leg axis. A second leg extends downwardly from the first leg and extends more than 180 degrees around the outer circumference of the sleeve. The second leg passes below the leg axis proximate the first end at a crossover and terminates at a second end. A locking portion includes a protuberance extending inwardly toward the sleeve. The protuberance includes a bearing surface for contacting the sleeve and which is positioned below the first leg intermediate the crossover and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Holdren Brothers, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Clevenger
  • Patent number: 6135693
    Abstract: A cotter formed from a single piece of wire including a free end, first and second gripping portions, a helical section and a locking leg. The cotter may be installed on a pin having an opening by grasping either, oppositely disposed gripping portion. The arrangement of the locking leg and a helical section formed therein allows for easy installation but requires a compound motion for removal of the cotter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Pivot Point, Inc.
    Inventors: Rue S. Leitzke, Roman J. Baus
  • Patent number: 6135692
    Abstract: A cotter pin which is engageable with a fastening member is formed from a wire and includes a bight with a pair of legs that extend therefrom. Specifically, the bight is formed with shoulders that will substantially conform with a surface of the fastening member. Also, each end of the legs of the cotter pin is formed with a retainer member which has an abutment that will substantially conform with another surface of the fastening member. More specifically, one surface is at one end of an aperture which passes through the fastening member, and the other surface is at the other end of the aperture. Each retainer member is formed with a point at the end of its respective leg, and these points are spaced from each other by a distance which is less than the diameter of the aperture that is formed through the fastening member. For engagement of the cotter pin with the fastening member, the points of the retainer members are positioned at an opening of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Banning Gray Lary
  • Patent number: 6115253
    Abstract: A strap spring mounts a heat sink to an electronic device by snapping holes in the leg over ears of a catch on the socket. Two perpendicularly extending springs have an opening between them so that the springs fit between the fins of a heat sink and are latched in ratched indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Thermalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Clemens, Matthew C. Smithers
  • Patent number: 5889653
    Abstract: A strap spring mounts a heat sink to an electronic device by snapping holes in the leg over ears of a catch on the socket. Two perpendicularly extending springs have an opening between them so that the springs fit between the fins of a heat sink and are latched in ratched indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Thermalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Clemens, Matthew C. Smithers
  • Patent number: 5879031
    Abstract: A sound baffle retention clip for use in a combustion driven heating apparatus. The clip allows for positive retention of a sound baffle within the heat tube of a combustion driven heating apparatus without adversely affecting system operating performance. Further the clip allows for easy and efficient installation of the sound baffle without compromising the integrity of the heat tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Martin D. Bryant, Michael J. Froehlich, John W. Fitzpatrick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5860622
    Abstract: A universal aircraft steering by-pass pin (24) comprising a tridimensional shaft (26) that can be installed into various nose gears (28) of different types of aircraft (30), to remove the steering capability of a pilot during a push-out procedure, when a tow bar (32) of a tow vehicle (34) is connected to the nose gear (28) of the aircraft (30). The aircraft (30) can be safely towed to a position where the pilot can start the engines and steer the aircraft to an appropriate runway (36) for takeoff after the tridimensional shaft (26) and tow bar (32) are removed from the nose gear (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Otis A Weibert
  • Patent number: 5857819
    Abstract: A cotter pin which is engageable with a fastening member is formed from a wire and includes a bight with a pair of legs that extend therefrom. Specifically, the bight is formed with shoulders that will substantially conform with a surface of the fastening member. Also, each end of the legs of the cotter pin is formed with a retainer member which has an abutment that will substantially conform with another surface of the fastening member. More specifically, one surface is at one end of an aperture which passes through the fastening member, and the other surface is at the other end of the aperture. Each retainer member is formed with a point at the end of its respective leg, and these points are spaced from each other by a distance which is less than the diameter of the aperture that is formed through the fastening member. For engagement of the cotter pin with the fastening member, the points of the retainer members are positioned at an opening of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Macbrud Corporation
    Inventors: Banning Gray Lary, Paul W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 5779414
    Abstract: A screw threaded fastener comprising a first member with an external screw thread and a second member with a corresponding internal screw thread. One of said first and second members has a radial bore, and the other of said first and second members has a corresponding recess, so that when the screw threads of the first and second members engage, the radial bore may be aligned angularly with the recess. A resilient pin assembly is provided having pins located in said radial bore. The pins are thus resiliently urged in said radial bore toward said recess, so that when the radial bore is aligned angularly with the recess, the pins engage the recess, preventing further relative rotation between the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventors: David Paul Adkins, Mark Ford
  • Patent number: 5662446
    Abstract: A twist lock insertion and twist release extraction type spring cotter pin having one primary straight end extremity to be inserted through an aperture in a structural element and its opposite adjacent free end extremity consisting of a series of arcuate curves allowing them to partially rotate or counter rotate about the surface of said structural element. And, commensurate with this, an easy grasp handle all made of spring steel type wire. The method of said designed invention allows for a new definition of utility for a spring cotter pin of this particular unique function the extraordinary characteristics of which demonstrate a locking spring pins basic need for a revision of often ignored operational safety features without compromising the new standards it has attained for ease of function yet maintaining its overall convenience, reliability and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Louis R. Haan
  • Patent number: 5602719
    Abstract: An electronic package assembly that has a clip which attaches a heat sink to an electronic package and can be rotated to separate the package from a socket. The assembly includes a socket that is mounted to a printed circuit board and attached to a lower frame. The electronic package is attached to an upper frame that is pivotally connected to the lower frame. The package can be plugged and unplugged from the socket by rotating the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The clip has a first end with an aperture that is connected to a corresponding tab of the lower frame, and a second opposite end that has an aperture which is connected to a corresponding tab of the upper frame. The clip has a spring portion that extends across the heat sink and which presses the heat sink onto the package. The second clip end has a handle portion which allows the end user to pull the clip and rotate the upper frame away from the lower frame to detach the package from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Kinion
  • Patent number: 5599150
    Abstract: A hitch pin for maintaining a clevis pin in a bore including a continuous wire member formed to include a straight portion ending in a constant radius hinge portion. A parallel portion extends from the hinge portion to a constant radius barb portion. The termination of the barb portion is located on the side of the straight portion opposite the parallel portion and resiliently maintained there by properties of the hinge portion as accentuated by material properties of the wire itself. The hitch pin may be installed in a bore defined in a clevis pin by applying force to the hinge portion after inserting the leadin portion in the bore. During installation, the barb portion is resiliently deformed about the clevis pin and returns to a preinstalled position when the hitch pin installation has been completed. Any forces attempting to remove the hitch pin cause the barb portion to strike the clevis pin presenting a mechanical obstruction to removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Edwards, Charles Giacomazza
  • Patent number: 5594624
    Abstract: A strap spring mounts a heat sink to an electronic device by snapping holes in the leg over ears of a catch on the socket. Two perpendicularly extending springs have an opening between them so that the springs fit between the fins of a heat sink and are latched in ratched indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Thermalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Clemens, Matthew C. Smithers
  • Patent number: 5582447
    Abstract: A serpentine shaped wire clip is disposed in a tapered bore of a housing for axial displacement in the bore and has in a preferred embodiment three U-shaped loops interconnected by end portions. The clip has a bore dimensioned for receiving a cable or rod in radial resilient compressive engagement along the clip entire length which engagement causes the clip to axial displace with the displacement of the cable or rod. The axial displacement of the clip in the tapered bore wedges the clip to the housing and cable or rod locking the elements. The clip may have any number of loops and wire diameter. Also, the housing may have a cylindrical bore and the tapered region may be formed on a rod or bar. The clip may be locked to smooth and grooved surfaces including threads. The housing and rod each have a different one of a cylindrical surface and tapered surface. The clip radially grips the cylindrical surface while wedging in response to relative displacement of the tapered surface to the cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks Company
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Leon, Richard C. Dreisbach, Alexander Kelso
  • Patent number: 5536126
    Abstract: A locking assembly is formed of a first article (40), a second article (44), and a locking fastener (46) positioned between the two articles and made of a shape memory alloy material. The locking fastener (46) is dimensioned to have a first shape below the transformation temperature wherein the first article (40) and the second article (44) are not locked together, and a second shape above the transformation temperature wherein the first article (40) and the second article (44) are locked together by the locking fastener (46). In one form, the first article (40) has a cylindrical bore (42) therein, the second article (44) is a cylinder that fits within the bore (42), and the locking fastener (46) is a helical coil or an annular ring having a radial slot therethrough, placed between the cylinder and the wall of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Peter M. Gross
  • Patent number: 5486981
    Abstract: A heat dissipating assembly which is releasably secured in the assembled configuration by means of a spring clip. The spring clip being configured on one end thereof with a lever or rocker arm which permits its assembly or disassembly by hand without the use of any tools. In the disassembly phase the amount of spring tension forcing the spring clip into an engagement with the adjacent structure is greater than the spring force which is required to rotate the latching component out of the latching engagement with the supporting structure. The latching component may thus be held in the rotated configuration out of latching engagement while spring tension moves it out of engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: International Electronic Research Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 5475564
    Abstract: A CPU heat sink holding-down device including a CPU holder, a CPU mounted on the CPU holder, and a heat sink fastened to the CPU holder to hold down the CPU, wherein the heat sink has a fixed loop-like hanger pivotably disposed at one vertical side thereof and hung on a first retainer rod at one vertical side of the CPU holder, two locating bar extended out of an opposite vertical side thereof, a screw rod connected between the locating bars, a movable loop-like hanger turned about said screw rod and hung on a second retainer rod at an opposite vertical side of the CPU holder, and a curved spring plate connected to the movable loop-like hanger for lifting the movable loop-like hanger from the second retainer rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Ming D. Chiou
  • Patent number: 5433571
    Abstract: A fastening device is provided to secure a sagging headliner to the interior roof portion of a motor vehicle. The device consists essentially of an upholstery type button which has been modified by attaching thereto a V-shaped member made from spring steel wire. The device is installed in the ceiling of the vehicle by squeezing the two prongs of the V-shaped member into a sharp point, and then pushing the point through the headliner and into a cardboard backing. When the button has been fully pushed in, the prongs of the V-shaped member will spread apart under the force of the flexed steel, and thereby hold the button, and the headliner, up against the roof of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Roger Allison
  • Patent number: 5371652
    Abstract: A spring clamp and insulating shoe assembly is used to secure a finned heat sink to an electronic device package. The spring clamp body fits between or around fins or pins extending from one face of a heat sink and carries an insulating shoe which fits around the edge of the device package and has a lip which engages the opposite face of the device package to urge the device package and heat sink into mutual contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Thermalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Clemens, Keith Mandell
  • Patent number: 5324152
    Abstract: A lightweight, easy to fashion, easy to use, lockable spring clip to hold or retain any pin, hinge or body with drilled holes regardless of the location of the holes or shape of the body. Of one piece construction, utilizing a two stage locking procedure, but requiring no tools or special knowledge, this lockable spring clip offers strength, reliability, reusability and versatility not previously available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Edmund T. Anderson, IV
  • Patent number: 5255763
    Abstract: A roller follower (12) and bracket (20) combination for use in a rotary cam type brake shoe assembly (100) is provided in which bracket (20) is supported on a web (2) of a brake shoe in such a manner that, when a free-end (27) of bracket (20) is inserted into an opening (26) in a trunnion (24) of a pin (11) that supports roller follower (12) for rotation, bracket (20) is operative to prevent roller follower support pin (11) from being rotated by the cam to lessen noise heretofor created by the rotation of trunnion (24) against web (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Redgrave, Jay D. White
  • Patent number: 5219256
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for use with crossfire tubes connected between plural combustors arranged in a spaced relation about a turbine, wherein the assembly includes a wire retainer formed to connect a crossfire tube end to the retainer by compressive side loading of the tube and further formed to connect the tube to a mounting base by compressive forces in a different direction between the base and the retainer wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John E. Ford, Albert Myers
  • Patent number: 5174702
    Abstract: A lug nut retainer that holds a lug nut in position proximate to a wheel lug hole to accept a stud extended through the wheel lug hole and for resiliently urges the lug nut onto the stud while allowing the lug nut to rotate to screw onto and off the stud. A resilient retaining clip is mounted onto the wheel to hold the lug nut in position near the wheel lug hole and to resiliently urge the lug nut towards the wheel lug hole. The retaining clip is fastened to the wheel lug hole by inserting an arm of the clip through two holes provided in the wheel. As an additional feature, a limit clip is provided that limits the motion of the retaining clip to decrease the likelihood that the retaining clip may be bent or damaged while allowing the retaining clip to be positioned on a nut. The lug nut is provided with a socket stop ring around which the retaining clip is positioned. The stop ring keeps the socket from rubbing against the retaining clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: Lee A. Dolin
  • Patent number: 5056974
    Abstract: A lug nut retainer that holds a lug nut in position proximate to a wheel lug hole to accept a stud extended through the wheel lug hole and for resiliently urges the lug nut onto the stud while allowing the lug nut to rotate to screw onto and off of the stud. A resilient retaining clip is mounted onto the wheel to hold the lug nut in position near the wheel lug hole and to resiliently urge the lug nut towards the wheel lug hole. The retaining clip is fastened to the wheel lug hole by inserting an arm of the clip through two holes provided in the wheel. As an additional feature, a limit clip is provided that limits the motion of the retaining clip to decrease the likelihood that the retaining clip may be bent or damaged while allowing the retaining clip to be positioned on a nut. The lug nut is provided with a socket stop ring around which the retaining clip is positioned. The stop ring keeps the socket from rubbing against the retaining clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Lee A. Dolin
  • Patent number: 4971495
    Abstract: A lug nut retainer that holds a lug nut in position proximate to a wheel lug hole to accept a stud extended through the wheel lug hole and for resiliently urges the lug onto the stud while allowing the lug nut to rotate to screw onto and off of the stud. A resilient retaining clip is mounted onto the wheel to hold the lug nut in position near the wheel lug hole and to resiliently urge the lug nut towards the wheel lug hole. The retaining clip is fastened to the wheel lug hole by inserting an arm of the clip through two holes provided in the wheel. As an additional feature, a limit clip is provided that limits the motion of the retaining clip to decrease the likelihood that the retaining clip may be bent or damaged while allowing the retaining clip to be positioned on a nut. The lug nut is provided with a socket stop ring around which the retaining clip is positioned. The stop ring keeps the socket from rubbing against the retaining clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Lee A. Dolin
  • Patent number: 4710080
    Abstract: The method of providing an improved soldered electrical connection includes the step of providing a ring over an electrical wire and a terminal which are to be soldered together, and then compressing the ring to form a mechanical connection between the wire and the terminal prior to soldering. The mechanical connection holds the wire for a substantial length against the terminal and prevents movement during the soldering thereby insuring against a cold solder joint. Preferably, the ring is divided with the free ends preferably being offset to provide ease in sliding past each other. Preferably, a specially designed tool is utilized to compress the ring, the tool being provided with specially designed grooves in its jaws for holding the ring on end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Inventor: Howard H. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 4708558
    Abstract: A fastener having pointed ends for penetrating a belt. The preferred fastener is a wire hook fastener for joining the ends of belting and it is formed with pointed wedge-shaped ends defined by inclined top surfaces and flat bottom surfaces and inwardly inclined sidewalls extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The pointed wedge-shaped ends penetrate the belting and in a plane which coincides with the surface of the belting to limit deflection to form a uniform and strong joint between the wire hook fastener and the belting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventor: Edward C. Musil
  • Patent number: 4699553
    Abstract: A releasable locking device for mounting in the bore of a shaft or the like for retaining an element thereon. The releasable locking device is in the form of a cotter ring comprising a one piece rod formed of flexible material and having a leading portion, a central portion and a trailing portion. The central portion is wound in the form of a helix so as to form more than one but less that two full helical turns with adjacent turns being separated by a distance insufficient for the rod to be freely trained through the bore of the shaft during mounting. The leading portion extends tangentially from the central portion so as to define a lead that is freely insertable into the bore, and the trailing portion is helically shaped in axially flared relation to the central portion in a manner that progressively increases the axial spacing between the trailing portion and the immediately adjacent turn of the central portion to facilitate removal of the device from a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Roper Corporation
    Inventor: Johnie N. Lesikar
  • Patent number: 4638198
    Abstract: Electric submergible motor of the long, multi-rotor section type employed for driving submergible pumps has bearing assemblies between successive rotor sections that are isolated from axial loads. For this purpose, the upper rotor section of each pair of successive rotor sections may have its lower end supported on a rotor shaft protrusion, such as a ring mounted in an annular groove of the rotor shaft. A chamfer at the end of the rotor bore locks the ring in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Susan Cochran
  • Patent number: 4627761
    Abstract: A flexible retainer for coupling an inner polygonal stud and an outer tubular member includes an elongated arm from which a pair of spaced fingers transversely extend. The outer tubular member includes a polygonal bore into which the inner stud is inserted in a telescoping manner. The inner stud includes a transverse hole which when aligned with diametrically positioned lateral apertures in the outer tubular member forms a generally transverse channel in the telescoping member combination. With the arm of the retainer positioned around a portion of the periphery of the outer tubular member, each of the fingers positioned thereon may be inserted within a respective lateral aperture of the outer tubular member so as to extend into the transverse hole of the stud in securely coupling the two telescoping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Corporation
    Inventors: Gene E. Olson, Norbert J. Kot