Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Asyst Technologies, Inc.

Paul M Sutenbach

Stephen M Sperando

Franco A Cisternino

Brian R Peek

Bryan M Miller

Christian Beck

Scott T Fladhammer

Robert K Dutzi

Michael B Grimm

Michael J Hall

Joseph L Rodawold

William A Purdy

Miguel Sanchez

Richard F Daubert

Edward Kim

Peter F Schwichtenberg

Jr Joseph L Rodawold

A vehicle headlight aiming device is provided that includes, a device housing having an input drive gear, a screw chamber, an output screw having a screw shaft, a screw first end that is rotationally coupled at least indirectly with the input drive gear, and a screw second end. The device further including an indicator nut having a base with a nut indicator mark, a first leg and second leg extending from a base bottom portion, and an expandable threaded opening extending between a first threaded wall of the first leg and a second threaded wall of the second leg, the threaded walls selectively engageable with a threaded portion of the screw shaft, wherein the threaded opening is expandable to disengage the first threaded wall and the second threaded wall from the threaded portion to allow longitudinal movement of the indicator nut within the device housing without rotating the output screw.

Vehicle headlight aiming device

An improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly is configured to prevent an improper fuel-dispensing device from dispensing fuel into a fuel fill line of a vehicle. The assembly may include a cover including an open cavity defined by a circumferential wall and a front face wall, and a main body defining an internal chamber. At least one barrier door may be pivotally secured to the main body. The barrier door(s) is configured to close a nozzle-receiving channel that extends through the internal chamber. The barrier door(s) may include an integral pivot axle that is pivotally secured to an axle bearing within the main body. The barrier door(s) is configured to be pivoted open by inward urging of a proper or compatible fuel nozzle.

Improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly

An improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting assembly may include a cover having a nozzle inlet barrier door pivotally secured to the cover. The cover may include a safety-release groove that is configured to separate the cover into separate pieces upon exertion of sufficient force. A main body is secured to the cover and configured to connect to a fuel fill pipe. The main body may include a nozzle outlet barrier door pivotally secured to the main body. A debris filter may be secured to one or both of the cover and/or the main body. The debris filter is configured to prevent debris from passing into an internal chamber. A pivot-restricting member(s) may be secured within the internal chamber. The pivot-restricting member(s) is configured to prevent one or both of the nozzle inlet barrier door and the nozzle outlet barrier door from over-pivoting. At least one seal member may be configured to sealingly engage at least portions of the fuel fill pipe, the cover, and the main body.

A fuel nozzle-receiving assembly may include a main housing having an inlet configured to receive a fuel nozzle, a drain opening formed through a portion of the main housing, and a drain cover configured to be moved between a plugged position in which the drain opening is closed, and an unplugged position in which the drain opening is opened. The drain cover is configured to be in the plugged position when the fuel nozzle is inserted into the inlet so that any leaked fuel passes into the inlet.

Draining fuel nozzle-receiving assembly

A mis-fuel inhibitor (MFI) assembly is configured to prevent an improper fuel nozzle from dispensing fuel into a fuel tank. The assembly may include a main body having an MFI nozzle passage formed therethrough. The main body is configured to allow a proper fuel nozzle to pass through the MFI nozzle passage, and prevent the improper fuel nozzle from passing therethrough. The assembly may also include at least one securing member configured to connect to the main body within a fuel fill line. The securing member(s) is configured to securely retain the main body within the fuel fill line.

Improper fuel nozzle insertion-inhibiting system

A fuel intake assembly may include a main tube () defining a fuel channel () at least one flapper () pivotally secured within the main tube (), and a selective nozzle inhibitor () proximate the at least one flapper (). The least one flapper closes the fuel channel () in a closed position. The selective nozzle inhibitor () allows a first nozzle having a first diameter to move the at least one flapper into an open position. The selective nozzle inhibitor () allows a second nozzle having a second diameter to move the at least one-flapper into the open position, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The selective nozzle inhibitor () prevents a third nozzle having a third diameter to open the at least one flapper, wherein the third diameter is less than the first diameter.

Selective fuel nozzle inhibiting system

A mis-fuel inhibitor in an inlet neck assembly of a vehicle fuel system discriminates between nozzle diameters, allowing entrance of nozzle diameters at or greater than a predetermined minimum diameter while inhibiting entrance of nozzles having diameters less than the predetermined minimum diameter. An actuator responsive to nozzle diameters opens and closes shutters blocking nozzle entrance.

Mis-fuel inhibitor

A capless refueling system is provided which utilizes snap-in attachment of a multi-stage valve assembly within a fuel pipe. The valve assembly includes a lower body portion and a cover independent from the lower body portion. The lower body portion and the cover are configured to be lockingly adjoined to one another. The cover is adapted to be adjoined to the fuel pipe. The system is sealed at a position above the primary shutoff valve thereby eliminating the need for a spring pin support bracket.

Capless refueling system

A ball socket assembly is constructed of a plastic molded housing and a locking member. The plastic molded housing has a ball socket integrally formed on its bottom wall in the form of a base member having a spherical-shaped internal wall segment which faces an opening in the housing and having a pair of resilient arm members integrally formed with the base segment. The resilient arm members extend generally parallel to and equidistant from the axis drawn through the center of the spherical-shaped wall segment. Each of the resilient arm members have a curved internal face which matches the curvature of the spherical-shaped wall segment. A locking member can be selectively installed to prevent outward flexing of the resilient arm members after a spherical ball-headed screw has been installed into the ball socket.

Ball socket assembly

A one-piece plastic wing-nut fastener is constructed to push onto a threaded stud and be held in threaded engagement therewith through the use of a pair of opposing arcuate thin wall sections which are formed with internal threads and which flex radially outward whenever the fastener is pushed onto a threaded stud to provide a ratcheting action therebetween. The thin wall sections are supported on a base member by a U-shaped support having a head section and a pair of leg portions. The pair of leg portions are integrally formed with the base portion and extend between the base portion and head portion in a parallel relationship with the thin wall sections. The pair of thin wall sections are integrally formed between the base and the head portion with its axis in alignment with an enlarged aperture in the base portion and an enlarged central opening in the head portion.

Growing community of inventors

Highland Park, IL, United States of America

Paul M Sutenbach