Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.

Star Pipe Products, Ltd.

Dreamcatcher Patent and Product Development, LLC

Shew, Inc.

Aslan Guild, LLC

David B Hook

Van T Walworth

Craig S Whitaker

Joseph C Bacarella

George G Moser

Frank L Mucerino, Jr

Brian Church

Dave Goldman

Mark Howell

Laura Mucerino

Robert L Edwards

Thomas Leonard

Clifford W Bagwell

James F Walworth

William McGinn

A tether device includes a tether assembly disposed between two entities maintaining connection between the entities. A resilient element is integrated with the tether assembly. A geometry of the tether assembly and the resilient element create first and second resilient element and tether force-displacement responses when the resilient element and tether assembly are together subjected to at least first and second axial displacement forces. The second axial displacement force is greater than the first axial displacement force. The first force-displacement response, when subjected to the first axial displacement force, is greater than the second force-displacement response when subjected to the second axial displacement force. The geometry can include a tether configured in a serpentine formation in a relaxed position. The serpentine formation straightens taut when the tether is fully extended by the second axial displacement force. The geometry can also include multiple O-rings.

Tethering device with force-displacement system

The subject invention improves traditional safety equipment intended to protect the lower leg, ankle, foot, and toes applicable in industrial and commercial as well as casual and athletic uses. The personal protective equipment (PPE) of the subject invention comprises a soleplate, a metatarsal component, a toe cap, and a tibia-fibula component; these components can be implemented alone or in combination within a shoe or boot providing for various levels of protection depending on the desired application. Further embodiments provide for both the implementation of the protective components within the footwear as well as components that can be worn in conjunction with pre-existing shoes or boots.

Flexibly rigid personal protective equipment components

A splash and spill resistant insulating lid for beverage containers comprising an insulated splash and spill barrier integrated into a cup lid combination. This is achieved by creating a barrier and/or labyrinth flow path, which buffers and deflects sloshing liquid. Accidental/incidental release of liquid is minimized and/or prevented while allowing the normal flow of liquid for drinking. These features of the SSRIL further create an insulating barrier to keep a cup's fluid hotter or cooler for a longer period of time, enhanced by using an appropriate insulating material combined with finite number of transfer holes that are of a specific shape and/or specific location and/or specific orientation to promote the formation of a surface tension film of fluid across the transfer holes, creating additional barriers against the escape and exchange of both fluid and vapor outside the cup.

Splash and spill resistant insulating lid

A novel gasket includes at least one gripping element embedded in an annular member for forming a seal between two tubulars. For tubulars having socket and spigot ends, the gripping element includes teeth for gripping an outer surface of the spigot end and a blunt tooth for contacting a front wall of the socket end. The blunt tooth rolls along the front wall during relative movement between the tubulars and can include a contacting face of a specialized geometry to adjust contact dynamics and/or roughened surfaces to increase the frictional contact between the blunt tooth and the front wall. The embedded element can also include at least four teeth arranged such that no more than two teeth normally grip the outer surface of the spigot end. One or more teeth can also include a transverse groove to enhance penetration into the outer surface of the spigot end.

Gripping gasket

A method of forming metal parts or components from strip stock or roll stock without yielding is accomplished by first placing the part/components into fixtures that hold the stock in a non-yielding position therein. The fixture and metal stock parts are placed in a liquid, gas, or pack carburizing heat treatment process. Once the carburization process is complete, the part is released from the fixture with little or no spring back, maintaining the shape it was held in while in the fixture, resisting returning to its original shape, and optionally imparting spring-like qualities not associated with the stock before treatment.

Method of manufacture using heat forming

A windshield wiper blade assembly is disclosed which comprises a resilient wiper blade having an axial passage through which a flexible support beam is positioned to provide structure. A universal connector element for connecting the blade assembly to a plurality of different wiper arms crimps onto the blade and support beam assembly approximately midway along the wiper blade in a manner which does not puncture nor interfere with the resilient windshield wiper material, while at the same time preventing the relative axial translation of the support beam within the windshield wiper blade as well as translation between the blade and the connector itself.

Relative axial translation prevention system for wiper blade assemblies

Growing community of inventors

Franklin, TN, United States of America

David B Hook