Resilient Retainer Patents (Class 411/970)
  • Patent number: 12092143
    Abstract: A retainer comprises first and second legs extending away from a base wall. In one embodiment, the first leg includes a dimple array surrounding an aperture and projecting from an inboard surface of the first leg. In another embodiment, the first leg has a necked portion having a set of first shoulders extending away from a first base, and a first apertured portion extending away from the set of first shoulders. The second leg has a necked and stepped portion having a step extending away from a second base, and a shouldered portion extending away from the step and having a set of second shoulders extending laterally outwardly, and a second apertured portion extending away from the second shoulders. The retainer of either embodiment may be coupled to a nut to produce a retainer and nut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: AlphaUSA
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Gary A. Platukas, Bernard Schwarb, Rolland J. Spring
  • Patent number: 11990862
    Abstract: A u-shaped clamp that includes offset bends at distal ends, accepts a threaded fastener through two apertures, where tightening the fastener brings two flanges of the u-shaped clamp together to grip a wire, a cable or a pipe. An offset bend on one end of one flange serves to hold a wire or cable in position until the fastener is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: PEGASUS SOLAR INC.
    Inventors: Erich Kai Stephan, Peter Wilke, Nicholas Wenzel, James Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11913490
    Abstract: A securing device for a pre-assembly of a pin-shaped connecting element in a through-opening of a component The securing element includes a sleeve with and an inner side and with a flat outer wall having a recess arranged therein, and holding elements each of which protrude inwardly. The holding elements are arranged on the inner side of the sleeve. The recess is arranged into the flat outer wall of the sleeve and provides a latching engagement of a lug which is arranged in the through-opening during the pre-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HONSEL UMFORMTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Timo Franke, Peter Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 11781584
    Abstract: A sheet metal nut includes a base having a flat planar surface. The sheet metal nut also has a sleeve that extends below the base and includes an inner surface. The sheet metal nut further includes at least two front flanges and at least one rear flange. The at least two front flanges are positioned on an edge of the base and extend to a position directly above the flat planar surface of the base. The at least one rear flange extends away from a rear surface of the base. The sheet metal nut is configured to securely fasten to a bottom side of a component through a single aperture when the bottom side of the component is restricted or inaccessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton Pitt
  • Patent number: 11761469
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fastener for coupling a base component on which the fastener is deployed to a target component having an opening with which the fastener is configured to couple. The fastener has a core, a cap, and a plurality of prongs. Each prong has a shelf and may also have a ramp. The fastener is configured to couple with a variety of openings having different sizes, shapes, and dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ciby John, Kileean E. Bell
  • Patent number: 11685021
    Abstract: The Trapdoor Clamp is the only product of its kind that allows individuals to safely place tools onto a highly adjustable platform to improve functionality of modern aerial lifts. The Trapdoor Clamp is uniquely designed with durable materials like rubber and metal to withstand force and ensure sustainability during operation. The clamp includes a channel having three sides defining open ends thereto, a trapdoor configured to create an open ended box with the three sided channel, a hinge configured to lengthwise join the trapdoor with the three sided channel, a trapdoor extension from the trapdoor, a stationary extension from the three sided channel configured to be in an opposing relation with the stationary extension and a fastener configured to put the trapdoor extension and the stationary extension in a compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Don Herrod
  • Patent number: 11530715
    Abstract: A fastener includes a base member; a first member, on the base member and having a through bore; a second member, on the base member and spaced from the first member to form a receiving portion to receive a panel structure, including an aperture defining an internal surface, the internal surface including at least one stop member protruding radially inwardly, and a nut member, coaxially aligned within and frangibly connected to the internal surface, including at least one block member protruding radially outward from an outer surface of the nut member to stoppingly engage with the at least one stop member. During use, the nut member moves from a first position, where the nut is frangibly connected to the internal surface, to a second position, where the least one block member abuttingly engages with the at last one stop member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Javier Arteta Unanua
  • Patent number: 8920089
    Abstract: A device for securing a panel or the like to a mounting stud having external teeth includes an annular first body having an inner periphery and at least one lock finger extending from such inner periphery. An annular second body has a center opening, at least one lock opening spaced from the center opening for receiving the lock finger to lock the first and second bodies together, and at least one leg extending inwardly overlying the center opening for engaging the external teeth on the mounting stud. The second body is adapted for assembly to the first body with a panel or the like between the bodies such that the center opening can be mounted over the mounting stud with the at least one finger engaging the teeth on the mounting stud to prevent removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Alpha Stamping Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8911191
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises a plurality of spanner bars. Each spanner bar has a pattern of mounting holes separated by lands. A plurality of nut plates engage the spanner bars. Each nut plate includes a body having a mounting surface against one of the spanner bars; and first and second posts extending from the mounting surface and through respective holes in the corresponding spanner bar. Each post has an undercut portion that abuts against one of the lands. Each nut plate further includes a locking member occupying a space between one of the posts and the lands to prevent the nut plate from disengaging the corresponding spanner bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Lowell Scott James
  • Patent number: 8790056
    Abstract: A REMOVABLE AND REUSABLE QUICK NUT, of the type used to fasten panels and/or accessories thereto, principally in the automobile industry, wherein on said nut, originating from a planar base, emerge individual opposite compression tabs that rise and fold toward an inner zone of the nut and that, by means of another fold, invert their direction in order on the outside to return to the height of the base, forming joining surfaces; from said surfaces there originate individual lugs or fins that, by means of successive folds, converge toward the inner zone of the nut in a position designed to engage with the screw thread of the screw for fastening the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ismael Fuentes Domingo, Isaac Tejero Salinero, Raul Ortega Dona
  • Patent number: 8696279
    Abstract: A device for connecting two components, comprising at least one leg, which has a fastening opening and which is connected to at least one holder, further comprising a pin receptacle for receiving a fastening pin which can be guided through the fastening opening, wherein the leg and the pin receptacle delimit between each other a receiving slit for a first component, and wherein the leg, on its side facing away from the receiving slit, has at least one abutment surface for a second component, wherein in each case at least two guiding bars run along two opposing sides of the pin receptacle, and these guiding bars connect the pin receptacle to the holder such that it can be moved elastically in its axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Sbongk
  • Patent number: 8651443
    Abstract: A device for clamping a scale to an attachment face of a support, the device including a securing element and a clamping element that is secured to a support by the securing element. The clamping element includes a first spring element that is resilient in a first direction toward an attachment face of the support, wherein the first spring element introduces a first clamping force on a scale in a direction of the attachment face. The clamping element further includes a second spring element that is resilient in a second direction that extends perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the second spring element introduces a second clamping force onto the scale in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Mayer
  • Patent number: 8632287
    Abstract: A fastener retainer is provided capable of retaining a fastener to a part prior to and during assembly. A first portion engages a fastener flange while leaving a fastener head exposed for assembly tool access. A second portion has flanges that engage the edges of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Larry A. Walton, Baden Michael Powell, Gurdeep Singh, Mohammad A. Khorrami
  • Patent number: 8608418
    Abstract: A bonding washer for making electrical connection between two metal pieces that are to be mechanically fastened together. The washer, to be interposed between the two metal pieces, may be constructed so as to fasten to one of the pieces before the two pieces are joined. Teeth on the washer, positioned at right angles to the plane of the washer, are forced into each of the two metal pieces when the fastener is tightened, making electrical connection between the two metal pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Wiley, Palvin Chee Leong Chan
  • Patent number: 8574271
    Abstract: A screw fixation system includes a plate having opposed first and second surfaces, and a hole defined in the plate which extends between the first and second surface. A screw is included having a head and a shaft extending from the head and defining a longitudinal axis for the screw, the shaft of the screw being configured and adapted to be inserted into the hole. A retainer is circumferentially positioned around the shaft of the screw and proximate to the screw head. The retainer is configured to engage with the plate proximate the hole when the shaft of the screw has been inserted into the hole so as to resist removal of the screw from the hole and to allow removal of the screw from the hole when a preset torque is applied to the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence Crainich
  • Patent number: 8459703
    Abstract: A pawl assembly that can be installed to the output shaft of a latch mechanism more easily, and in some embodiments without the use of tools, as compared to prior art pawls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn E. Anderson, Richard E. Schlack, D. Dale Turner, James Vickers, Stephen K. Spatig, Richard B. Langkamp, H. Allen Riblett
  • Patent number: 8353649
    Abstract: A nut plate assembly and a method for securing a nut plate assembly may include a support for a fastener element wherein the support has a base to be supported and/or fixed on a support surface and the base has another surface against which the fastener element bears. The base also supports a structure for supporting the fastener element where the structure is at least partly non-symmetrical about a plane other than a horizontal plane parallel to the base. One side of the base may be secured to the support surface and the other side of the base may have the fastener element bearing against it when a complementary fastener element is secured to the first fastener element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Monadnock Company
    Inventors: Terrence Csik, Igor Komsitsky
  • Patent number: 8353650
    Abstract: A bonding washer for making electrical connection between two metal pieces that are to be mechanically fastened together. The washer, to be interposed between the two metal pieces, is constructed so as to fasten to one of the pieces before the two pieces are joined. Teeth on the washer, positioned at right angles to the plane of the washer, are forced into each of the two metal pieces when the fastener is tightened, making electrical connection between the two metal pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Wiley, Palvin Chee Leong Chan
  • Patent number: 8240964
    Abstract: A sheet metal nut including a cage part (1) that is fitted with a bottom plate (2), supporting edge sections, and opposite side plates (4, 5). Contacting final sections (15, 16) are disposed across from the supporting edge sections and grip the peripheral zones of a hole along with the supporting edge sections in a mounted arrangement of the sheet metal nut. The supporting edge sections are molded onto the bottom plate (2) while a separate securing part (10) is joined to the side plates (4, 5) and is equipped with two leg plates (11, 12) that are located between the side plates (4, 5) and extend from a base region (13) towards the supporting edge sections (24, 25) at an increasing distance from each other. The contacting final sections (15, 16) are molded onto one respective free end of a leg plate (11, 12), are aligned with their front sides directed towards one another, and lie across from the supporting edge sections (24, 25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Uwe Motsch, Klaus Hullmann
  • Patent number: 8231317
    Abstract: A fastening clamp for connecting a carrier part (13) and an add-on part (14) has a plug-through leg (1), with a plug-through sleeve (5), and a threaded leg (2), which is connected to a thread unit (10). The plug-through sleeve (5) extends away from the threaded leg (2) and has an effective overall height which is greater than the thickness of an add-on part (14). Engagement elements (11) are present on that side of the thread leg (2) which is directed towards the plug-through leg (1). In a pre-assembly arrangement, the legs (1, 2) are spaced apart by a distance which is large enough to allow a carrier part (13) to be positioned between the legs (1, 2) such that it is essentially free of engagement with the engagement elements (11), in which case, once a screw has been screwed into an end position, the engagement elements (11) thus engage with the carrier part (13) such that the fastening clamp is connected in a non-displaceable manner to the carrier part (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventor: Vincent De Gelis
  • Patent number: 8177466
    Abstract: Fasteners such as clip nut fasteners can include a clip having a nut cage and a nut supported by the nut cage. The nut cage can have a wall supporting a portion of the nut wherein the wall can flex toward and away from the nut. The nut can have projections or other discontinuities for engaging bearing surfaces in the nut cage, for limiting rotation of the nut when under torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Monadnock Company
    Inventors: Terrence Csik, Igor Komsitsky, Frank Read
  • Patent number: 8132992
    Abstract: A fastening assembly is provided for fixing an object to a profiled element with flanges which bound a longitudinal slot between them. The fastening assembly includes a metal washer element having a bearing face arranged for resting against the outside of the profiled element, and an elongated metal anchoring member situated on the underside of the bearing face of the washer element. The assembly furthermore includes a support connected to the washer element and supporting the anchoring member. The support includes a head with one or more connecting members engaging with the washer element, and legs, each extending from the head in a direction away from the washer element to a bottom end of the corresponding leg situated below the anchoring member. The support below the anchoring member includes one or more spring members supported upon the bottom ends of the legs and resiliently supporting and engaged with the anchoring member from underneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: J. van Walraven Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Jan van Walraven
  • Patent number: 8083450
    Abstract: An anchor facilitates blind engagement by a first fastener in order to connect an object to a wall. The anchor may be inserted into a cavity accessible through a hole defined in a hollow substrate to connect the object to the wall. The anchor includes a base plate and a pair of laterally offset arms extending from the base plate, such that each arm includes an engagement structure disposed at a distal end of each arm. The engagement structure of each arm cooperatively supports the anchor and complementarily engages the first fastener. The first fastener may be a bolt, a screw, or any suitable fastener such as a threaded fastener. The engagement structure includes a collar extending outwardly from each arm for engaging the hollow substrate upon insertion of the anchor into the cavity. Additionally, the engagement structure includes a tang extending inwardly from each arm, generally defining a portion of a first aperture for engaging the first fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Termax Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Walter Smith, Michael Anthony Giugliano, Daniel James Dickinson, Mark Fleydervish, Edward Sacha
  • 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: 7981189
    Abstract: The invention has a captive tooless fastener for securing the engine intake air filter. The tooless fastener comprises shaft and associated bodies. The body has two arms oriented about 180 degrees apart. The shaft is threaded through a sealing washer and an aperture in a closed end cap of the air filter. The shaft is expanded so it cannot be removed from the end cap. The body's threaded inner diameter mates with a threaded portion of a central shaft in an air filter housing. The body's arms are rotated to screw the fastener and the shaft of the housing together. When tightened, the sealing washer closes the aperture. To remove the air filter, the fastener is unscrewed from the shaft of the housing and in the shaft floats in the aperture. A person in the field can remove the air filter by inserting fingers under the arms and pulling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Greenlees Filter LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Troxell, Roy E. Greenlees, Kenneth S. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7921539
    Abstract: An inexpensive and reliable floating fastener is provided by manufacturing an integrated nutplate into the backside of the interior structural member. A retention clip engages the nutplate to capture the nut while allowing the nut to float. The integrated nutplate roughly aligns the floating nut to the axial through-hole in the structural member and provides the torque resistance required to drive the screw into the nut. The retention clip holds the nut in place and provides the axial resistance required for the lead chamfer of the screw to engage the nut and resist the axial loading on the screw during installation. The nutplate is designed to facilitate cost-effective manufacturing. The per hole cost of the integrated floating-fastener is approximately 30% of the cost of the industry standard riveted floating fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Wayne K. Woodall, Walter S. Pope, E. Russ Althof, Scott A. Muse
  • Patent number: 7896596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a U-shaped clamping piece for attachment to a panel provided with an opening, having two flat legs, connected by a yoke, with a nut part axially movably disposed between the two legs for receiving a bolt, said bolt penetrating the opening and one leg, wherein said nut part is non-rotatably held on the clamping piece by a lateral arm. The nut part is secured by its end in axially resilient manner to the leg facing away from the panel by means of a plurality of straps extending from the end of the nut part to the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ejot GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Rausch, Marko Göring, Eberhard Christ
  • Patent number: 7736082
    Abstract: A fastener system for fastening the components of a plastic unit which has a U-shaped clip with an aperture therethrough, a walled cavity to receive the clip, and a machine screw. The walled cavity is molded onto the host portion of the plastic unit and has a low mass, which precludes the formation of sink marks and holes on the plastic unit. The U-shaped clip rests upon the walled cavity and has barbs that bite into the walls securing the clip in place. The machine screw is inserted into a housing on the joined portion of the plastic unit and is mated with a lead thread on the aperture of the clip. The metal-to-metal contact of the machine screw and clip permits repetitive assembly and disassembly of the plastic unit. The clip is readily removable for recycling the plastic of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Harley H. Mattheis
  • Patent number: 7736111
    Abstract: This device for holding screw-like means (1) in position in a through-hole (2) in a first part (3) for clamping the first part to a second part is characterized in that it comprises a one-piece tongue (4) comprising a central portion provided with a tapped hole (5) for receiving screw-like means (1) and either side of which extend two resilient wings (6, 7) intended to engage with clearance in apertures (8, 9) in the first part to allow the screw-like means to be held in position with clearance in the hole (2) in this first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: ATTAX
    Inventors: Helder De Azevedo, Dominique Dubost
  • Patent number: 7647744
    Abstract: A clip for use in acoustically isolating a wallboard support channel from a frame member, the support channel having at least one mounting point, includes a first portion positionable between a first surface of the channel and the frame member, a second portion positionable in contact with a second, opposite surface of the channel, and a bracket connecting said first and second portions. The first and second portions and the bracket each have at least one fastener opening in registry with corresponding openings on the other of the first and second portions such that a fastener passing through the openings and the mounting point is acoustically isolated from the bracket and from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventor: Stephen W. Payne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7568870
    Abstract: A push nut comprises legs (6, 7), each of which is configured with outer struts (5), inner struts (17) spacedly disposed between the outer struts (5), and a tongue (19) lying between the inner struts (17) and projecting into an inner space (16) and intended to bear against a shank of a bolt that can be screwed into a thread portion (4). A high pull-out strength is thereby obtained with relatively low material expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: A. Raymond Et CIE
    Inventor: Jerome Paquet
  • Patent number: 7527464
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a retainer clip having a base, a deck spaced from the base and an opening in the base aligned with the deck. A threaded fastener has a head received through the opening in the base and non-rotatably secured to the deck, and an externally threaded body that extends through the opening in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Alpha Stamping Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Carl L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7524129
    Abstract: A connector for securing first and second substrates together, comprising: an outer fastener and an inner fastener is disclosed and claimed. The outer fastener comprises a dowel shaped stud. The inner fastener comprises a flange and a pair of clips. The pair of clips includes a first portion and a second portion. The flange is lanced and includes a punched out portion. The stud interengages the flange and the second portion of the pair of clips urges the clips away from each other and away from the stud. The outer fastener is pressed into the first substrate and the second portion of the clips is pressed into the second substrate. The second portion of the clips include a turned back portion and the turned back portion of the clip grip the second substrate preventing removal of the inner fastener from the second substrate. The connector is tolerant of the misalignment of the inner and outer fasteners and the bores in which the fasteners reside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Stafast Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Selle
  • Patent number: 7290971
    Abstract: A shippable in-assembly bolt having a head portion, a threaded portion containing threads and a gripper portion, wherein the gripper portion preferably comprises a grooved structure and an o-ring. The o-ring is intended to sit between the inner wall of a clearance hole in an assembly/subassembly and the grooved structure of the gripper portion. When the o-ring is in position between the inner wall of the clearance hole and the grooved structure of the gripper portion, the o-ring is in both compression and tension and acts to retain the bolt in the assembly during shipping operations. The invention can be used with any type of mechanical fastener, such as bolts, screws, pins, rivets, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Okabe Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter L. Bakos
  • Patent number: 7235744
    Abstract: A housing assembly for a printed circuit board is mounted on a vehicle body by pressing a collar nut or the head of a collar screw past a plurality of fingers of a housing assembly so that the fingers retain the nut or screw head in place. The module is then pressed against the vehicle body so that the collar nut or collar screw is lifted while the retainers are deflected outwardly and a tool is used to tighten the screw into a nut or the nut onto the shank of a screw to clamp the printed circuit board on the housing against the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hirschmann Electronics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ortwin Zoller
  • Patent number: 7204666
    Abstract: A fixing clamp for anchoring a component within a hole in a support plate includes an anchoring part having two side walls and a transverse wall, a generally planar locating strip projecting outwardly, an expanding tab projecting upwardly that defines a window in the side wall, and an inwardly bent edge strip on an end of the expanding tab. The fixing clamp also includes a movable threaded plate initially supported by the edge strip. The fixing clamp further includes a holding plate for the component and a fixing screw, and the fixing screw is threaded onto the threaded casing of the threaded plate, such that tightening of the fixing screw displaces the threaded plate downwardly along a longitudinal axis of the threaded portion of the fixing screw while deforming the expanding tabs outwardly until the expanding tabs are clampingly engaged with the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: A. Raymond & CIE
    Inventors: Klaus Hullman, Michael De Jong, Martin Habrom, Horst Karg, Aschwin Maas
  • Patent number: 7021876
    Abstract: A simplified captive panel fastener including a head, shank, a threaded outer end, and a centrally threaded opening at the outer end. Longitudinal slots extend along the outer end of the fastener to receive a retention washer with inwardly extending prongs. The method of mounting the fastener to its desired location and locking a retention washer and fastener in place is easily performed by employing a tool which disposes the threaded mating part, for example, a screw or bolt, into the central threaded opening of the outer end of the fastener. The head of the screw or bolt has radial extent sufficient to block the slots and prevent loss of the retention washer. Only a common screwdriver is used to mount the retention screw or bolt in the end of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Bulent Gulistan
  • Patent number: 6884014
    Abstract: The invention comprises a tolerance compensating mounting device comprising a bushing having an internal and external thread. The bushing is threaded into a part to be mounted to a surface. A bolt is then threaded into a bushing bore using the internal threads. The internal threads cause an interference fit between the bolt shank and the threads, temporarily preventing further insertion of the bolt. The bolt is then turned further, thereby turning the bushing and causing the bushing to unscrew from the part toward the mounting surface until the bushing seats on the mounting surface, thereby completely compensating for a tolerance gap. As the bolt is turned further, at a relatively low torque the sacrificial internal threads are stripped allowing the bolt to be fully torqued into the mounting surface hole, thereby simultaneously connecting the components with a properly torqued connection while compensating for a tolerance gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Stone, Brian Russell Knight
  • Patent number: 6814530
    Abstract: A two-piece panel fastener includes a barrel-shaped metal retainer which holds a screw. The screw includes a threaded shaft and a plastic cap which has longitudinally-extending resilient fingers which engage the outer surface of the retainer to captivate the screw. The retainer has a chamfered top flange along its top edge, a circumferential bulge area around its outer surface approximately in the middle of its length, and a base at the bottom. Two circumferential valley regions of reduced diameter are located along the outer surface of the retainer. The first valley region is located between the chamfered top flange and the bulge area and the second is located between the bulge area and the base. When the fingers occupy either of the valley regions, the screw is captively held at either of two stable positions of retraction or extension. The retainer is preferably rigidly affixed to a circuit board by soldering a base flange at the bottom of the retainer to the top surface of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: PEM Management, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Franco, William P. McDonough
  • Patent number: 6722832
    Abstract: An assembly unit includes a component including at least one through hole and at least one screw. The screw is associated with the through hole of the component. The screw is designed and arranged to produce a thread. The screw includes a head and a supporting surface to face the component. The screw includes a shank at least partly including a thread. The screw in the region of the shank and close to the supporting surface includes an annular channel, the diameter of the annular channel being less than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and the effective axial length of the annular channel being more than the axial length of the through hole. The diameter of the through hole of the component is more than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and being less than the outer diameter of the thread of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Patent number: 6688824
    Abstract: A carriage fixing screw housing structure in which a carriage fixing screw for externally screwing and fixing carriages of an image reader is held, when not used, by a screw holder formed on a part of an image reader to prevent loss of the carriage fixing screw after removed from the carriage. A screw holder is formed on a part, such as the back face of the main body of an image reader, and includes a holder to hold the threaded part of a carriage fixing screw and a housing 23 to house the head of the fixing screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6679666
    Abstract: A screw capable of simplifying an assembly work and shortening a release hole for causing the screw to abut thereagainst and of clamping a part being clamped with a high sealing property. The screw comprises a temporary holding member 12 provided on a screw shank 1 for temporarily holding the screw on a part being clamped, and the temporary holding member 12 is a molding of plastics formed on an intermediate, outer periphery of the screw shank 1 and comprises elastic blade pieces extending radially and provided on an outer periphery of a short cylinder portion having a female thread portion matching a male thread 8 of the screw shank 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Aoyama Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Mizuno, Katsuhisa Kato, Muneyuki Onogi, Hiroyasu Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 6623226
    Abstract: An assembly unit includes at least one component and at least one screw including a shank having an outer diameter and at least partially including a thread. The head of the screw is designed and arranged to rotate the screw. A supporting surface of the screw faces the component. The component for each screw includes a through hole having a diameter. At least one bush is associated with the at least one screw, and it is designed and arranged to be insertable into the respective through hole. The bush is made of plastic material, and it is designed and arranged to be fixedly connected in the through hole resulting in elastic deformation of the bush. The inner diameter of the bush is slightly more than the outer diameter of the shank. The supporting surface is designed and arranged to operatively contact the component after assembly without contacting the bush to transmit an axial force. The bush, the screw and the component are designed and arranged to be captively connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Braun, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Patent number: 6558095
    Abstract: A nut locking clip assembly holds a nut in a desired orientation. The clip assembly has a first member or arm secured to a structure. A second arm is secured to the first arm through a spring portion. The first member defines a hole whereas the second member defines a longitudinal opening. The longitudinal opening has two edges define a width that is slightly wider than the width of the nut head. When the nut is threaded into the structure through the hole in the first member, it is oriented to allow the second member to slide over the nut. The edges of the longitudinal opening or slot prevent the edges of the nut from rotating. To remove the nut, the second member is forced back toward the first member allowing the nut to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Andrew J. Miller
  • Patent number: 6489569
    Abstract: An insulator capable of supporting the conductor of an electric fence including at least one retaining portion capable of retaining at least one fixing element to the insulator prior to the insulator being fixed to a support structure with the fixing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Gallagher Group, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bradley John Thomson
  • Patent number: 6468012
    Abstract: A captive screw attachable an upper panel, for attaching the upper panel to a lower surface, the lower surface having a threaded hole, the captive screw having a screw, a ferrule that attaches to the upper panel, a thin-walled, cylindrical hollow knob and protrusions integral to the outer perimeter of the head portion of the screw to rigidly secure the perimeter of the head of the screw to the inner surface of the knob, the protrusions providing a press-fit of the screw to the inner surface of the knob where the screw is pressed into the knob from the underside of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ellis, Edward A. McCormack, Harry L. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 6467990
    Abstract: An arrangement for securing a component on a bolt is provided, wherein a shaft of the bolt extends through an opening of the component. A ring is disposed on the shaft, and is secured against axial displacement on a surface of the shaft. The ring has at least one radially extending widened portion that inter-engages an edge of the opening of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Dieter Kremsler, Wolfgang Weissert
  • Patent number: 6394724
    Abstract: A panel fastener includes a metallic screw insert with an overmolded plastic cap. The screw insert is preferably manufactured by means of cold forming process which allows fabrication of the internal drive recesses and dog point ends for easy location of the mating threads while providing increased thread strength. The plastic cap is in the form of a knob which has large flutes on its outer diameter for ergonomic finger operation. In addition the knob may have a slot molded into its top to allow screwdriver or coin operation. The metallic insert may also be accessed by a drive through a central cavity in the knob. Assembly of the screw to the ferrule is achieved by passing the screw threads through the ferrule body which includes an internal annular retaining ring. The ring is very narrow and dimensioned to allow the screw to be easily pressed through the annular opening since the ring elastically expands as the thread portion of the screw passes through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: PEM Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Kelly, Peter A. Vogel, Craig G. Link
  • Patent number: 6267421
    Abstract: A vehicle door striker is manufactured from a U-shaped striker plate and a striker bolt. The striker plate has a mounting plate connected to an arm by a support segment. The mounting plate has a striker bolt hole and two mounting bolt holes therethrough and the arm has a boss with a threaded hole therethrough. The striker bolt has a head and a threaded end with a shaft therebetween. The shaft is surrounded by a profiled plastic sleeve which serves to dampen sound and reduce wear. In assembling the vehicle door striker, the striker bolt is inserted through the striker bolt hole such that the head is fully recessed in the mounting plate and such that the threaded end is threaded into the threaded hole of the boss. The striker bolt and threaded hole interface in an interference fit designed to maximize the failure point of the connection. The sleeve may be placed over the shaft of the striker bolt either before or during the assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: ATF Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6238155
    Abstract: A torque screw having a screw with a head and a threaded shaft, a knob having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the screw and a one-directional ratchet disposed between the knob and the screw that engages to allow the screw to be disengaged in a counter-clockwise direction using the knob, and engages when rotated in a clockwise direction to a predetermined torque value. Once that predetermined torque value is reached, the ratchet is caused to slip such that the knob turns relatively freely with respect to the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Aukzemas, Thomas J. Ellis, Harry L. Dickerson, Lianli Ji