Illinois Tool Works Inc.

David A Shereyk

John S Pontaoe

Thomas A Benoit

Timothy P Coffield

Scott D Kolasa

James E De Beers

Martin J Nilsen

Christopher A J Iannello

Kenneth Roger LeVey

Jeffrey D Anderson

Brian R Peek

Jeffrey M Stupar

Joseph J Bella

William J Olson

Timothy D Pearson

Craig E Ernst, Jr

Tun-Jen Chu

Richard A Koscik

Arnold DeCarlo

Chwan Huey Lim Chang

Michael E Havran

A personal equipment suspension system with active support to the lumbar region includes a belt to surround the user's waist and a frame supported on the belt with a resilient membrane of synthetic elastomeric crystalline material in tension on the frame to be interposed between the belt and the user. The frame includes spaced ends and the membrane is a lattice in tension between the spaced ends. In one embodiment, the system is a support belt. In another, it is load bearing such as a backpack configuration. In another, it includes stanchions to support a body armor vest.

Personal equipment suspension system with active lumbar support

A buckle assembly may include a first connection member, and a second connection member configured to receive at least a portion of the first connection member in order to removably connect the first connection member to the second connection member. The second connection member includes an outer frame defining a central opening that is configured to allow monitoring of alignment and connection between the first and second connection members.

Side-release buckle assembly

A zipper puller () has a one piece structure including a molded plastic body () and an integral molded looped tether (). The looped tether is molded in a first size and shape, and after molding the looped tether is permanently deformed to a second size and second shape by aligning the crystalline structure of the looped tether material.

One-piece zipper puller

A dampening mechanism includes a pair of coaxially aligned inner and outer components with ends disposed in telescoping relation with an interposed resilient elastomeric member comprising a monolithic polymeric structure comprising a hollow body within the end of the outer component, and receiving the end of the inner component with the body including an attachment portion secured to the outer component, and a support portion supporting the inner component. The body portion includes a plurality of equally spaced webs extending between the attachment portion and support portion. In one form, the body is generally cylindrical and disposed between the inner surface of the outer component and the outer surface of the inner component in telescoping relation and frictionally engaging the telescoping components.

Dampening mechanism for coaxially aligned relatively translatable components

A device is configured to adjustably retain at least one strap and dampen forces exerted into or by the at least one strap. The device includes a main body including at least one strap adjustment channel configured to adjustably retain the at least one strap, and at least one tensile member formed on or within the main body. The at least one tensile member is configured to flex, bend, and/or stretch in order to absorb the forces exerted into or by the at least one strap.

Web load-dampening device

Side release buckle

Embodiments of the present invention provide a pressure relief assembly that may include a main housing having an air passage chamber, and a flapper positioned on or within the air passage chamber. The flapper includes a membrane flap and a stabilizing member extending toward a center of the membrane flap. The stabilizing member prevents the center of said membrane flap from flapping open, but allows outer free edges of the membrane flap to open when air flow at a particular pressure is exerted into said membrane flap from an opening direction.

Pressure relief assembly

Zipper puller

A holding clip for tubes, hoses and the like has a pocket and deflectable arms protecting an entrance to the pocket. The arms extend one past another and interdigitate one with another. The arms deflect outwardly in response to force exerted thereagainst from outside of the pocket and interengage one against another to resist force exerted thereagainst from within the pocket.

Holding clip

A ratcheting clip includes a center section, a male end and a female end, the female end having a top half and a bottom half. The male end is configured to be inserted into the female end between the top and bottom half so that opposing sets of teeth hold the male end and female end together. To prevent inadvertent disengagement of the opposing sets of teeth, the male end includes a retaining surface that is configured to interface with a track disposed in the top half of the female end. Once the male end is inserted into the female end, the interface between the retaining surface and the track prevents lateral forces from causing one end to move in a lateral direction with respect to the other end. The interface between the retaining surface and the track further prevents the top half from being lifted upward away from the male end.

Anti-removal ratchet clip

A vibration damping clip of rigid material in which a softer lining is formed on the holding part of the clip including through an aperture in the holding part so that the lining is physically locked thereto. A similar lock is provided at an entrance or lead-in to the substantially annular holding portion of the clip.

Growing community of inventors

Homewood, IL, United States of America

David A Shereyk