Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Jeffrey D Anderson

Martin J Nilsen

Christopher A J Iannello

Brian M Parisi

Kent D Homfeldt

Craig E Ernst, Jr

Timothy P Coffield

Michael B Grimm

Eric G Parker

Scott D Kolasa

Kenneth R Levey

David A Shereyk

Franco A Cisternino

Michael E Ward

Stephen R Dohm

James M Van Ingen

Earl J Reilly

Jennifer L Crumrine

Brian Matthew Parisi, Jr

Ryan T Jump

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 includes a hollow buckle body and an insertable buckle latch with elongate latching legs. A separate reciprocable slide element carried by the buckle latch element with cam surfaces, angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the buckle that overlies the free ends of the latching legs. The cam surfaces are associated with angled surfaces on the latching legs forward of the latching edges. Movement of the slide element relative to the latch element causes the cam surfaces to urge the free ends of the latching legs together to unlatch the latching legs from the hollow buckle body locking edges. In one form, a cable is connected to the separate slide element to slide the separate slide element.

Webbing buckle with release mechanism

A buckle assembly () includes a frame () having a base () connected to opposed side walls (). The frame () has a latch chamber () between the base () and the opposed side walls (). The buckle assembly () also includes a lever () pivotally secured with in the latch chamber () between the opposed side walls (), and a latch () configured to be secured in the latch chamber () by the lever (). The latch () may include a frame-engaging member () having an ogived leading end (). The ogived leading end () is configured to self-align the latch () within the latch chamber () when the latch () is mated into the latch chamber ().

Buckle assembly

Weapon magazine boot

A zipper slider assembly includes a main body having first and second lateral walls connected by a perpendicular connecting panel, defining a zipper channel therebetween. The assembly also includes first and second loops, and a pull cord. The first loop extends from the first lateral wall, and defines a first eyelet. The second loop extends from the second lateral wall and defines a second eyelet. The first and second loops are aligned with one another. The pull cord is slidably retained by the first and second eyelets. The pull cord includes a first cap at one end, and a second cap at an opposite end. The pull cord is configured to be pulled through the first and second eyelets to move the main body over the zipper.

Zipper slider assembly

A vest incorporating a pull element operatively connected to a plurality of tether lines extending along pathways to panel connection points at which front and rear panels of the vest are adjoined. When the pull element is extended away from the vest, the tether lines are placed into tension thereby causing the connection assemblies to be disengaged and the front and rear panels of the vest can fall away from one another. Locking elements within the connection assemblies return to their locking position upon release of the tension.

Quick release connection assembly

A weapon magazine boot for covering the exposed portion of a weapon magazine provides improved gripping features and reduced detection when observed through night vision or lowlight observation systems.

A releasable buckle including a latch having locking arms adapted to lockingly engage a female component. A folding bridge structure extends between the locking arms. The bridge structure includes a pivot connection zone adapted to engage an elongate release member. Upon tensioning the elongate release member the locking arms are pulled inwardly to disengage from the female component.

Buckle

A pepper spray container assembly includes a first housing, a second housing secured to the first housing, and a pepper spray bottle securely retained by the first and second housings. A portion of the first housing is configured to be pressed into the assembly and moved forward into an activation position, thereby sliding the first housing forward relative to the second housing.

Pepper spray container assembly

Hook buckle device

A buckle assembly includes a clip configured to be secured to a structure, a strap frame rotatably secured to the clip, and a spring member. The strap frame may be rotated with respect to the clip. The spring member exerts a constant force into the strap frame, wherein the constant force maintains the strap frame in an aligned orientation with respect to the clip.

An assembly of a threaded fastener and a stemmed washer is provided, such as for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating threaded fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion and a standoff portion extending from the washer portion. The threaded fastener has a retaining structure extending about the washer portion and capturing the washer structure in an assembly with the threaded fastener. For example, the retaining structure may have a washer receptacle for the washer portion. The washer portion is captured in the washer receptacle by a deformed catch section below the washer portion.

Integral washer and threaded fastener assembly and method for making same

An assembly of an internally threaded fastener and a stemmed washer is provided, such as for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating externally threaded fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion and a standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the internally threaded fastener to retain the fastener in the assembly. The stemmed washer may include a skirt which is plastically deformed to capture the fastener. The fastener may include a skirt which similarly plastically to mate with a retaining lip on the stemmed washer. The fastener and washer may be secured in the assembly to permit relative rotation of the fastener with respect to the washer.

Internally threaded fastener and stemmed washer assembly and method for making same

A sight glass retaining system is provided for mounting a sight glass to a support panel, such as for viewing combustion or other processes. The system includes a retainer which forms a continuous frame and has lateral flanges for locating the sight glass. Retaining tabs extend from the frame and support resilient retaining portions which snap into engagement with the support panel. A resilient element, which may form a seal with the sight glass and support panel, urges the assembly in compression to maintain tight engagement of the components, and generally column loads the retaining portions to preclude movement of the assembly on the support panel.

Sight glass retainer system and method for making same

A quarter turn fastener, for securing a plurality of members together, includes a blade member which has upturned corner portions defining sharp points for bitingly engaging the undersurface of the lowermost one of the plurality of members so as to prevent retrograde movement of the quarter turn fastener from the locked state back to the unlocked state. A quarter turn fastener assembly also comprises a stop member for engaging wall portions of another one of the members to be secured together such that rotation of the quarter turn fastener is limited to 90&deg; arcuate extents either from the unlocked state to the locked state or from the locked state to the unlocked state.

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Hampshire, IL, United States of America

Jeffrey D Anderson