Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Other

Coastal Pet Products, Inc.

National Molding Corp.

Compx International Inc.

Modulus Corporation

Richard J Tracy

Edward T Eaton

E Grant Swick

Robert C Holt, Jr

David A Walsh

Michael B Grimm

William E Ruehl

Joseph E Fabin

Bradley J Haymond

Gregg W Walla

James F Latal

Roger A Erber

Rodney A Bergl

A telescoping fastener includes a debris clearance and drain port in a housing of the fastener, and a plunger operable in the housing to move contaminants toward the port for removal. A force concentrating tip breaks up snow, ice or accumulated debris. Relief channels in the plunger facilitate movement of contaminants around the plunger and movement of the plunger through contaminants within the housing.

Telescoping fastener

A multi-part closure provides remote indication of a secured or unsecured state of the closure. The closure includes first and second mating members that when engaged define a secured state and when disengaged define an unsecured state. A self-contained transmitter is disposed in the first member. A switch is disposed in the first member in electrical communication with the transmitter. The switch is positioned within the first member for engagement by the second member when the first and second members are mated with and secured to one another. A remote receiver provides indication of the engage or disengaged state of the first and second members.

Smart closure

Web end clip

Cordlock

Attachment clip

A one-piece clip or web end to join the cord ends of a lanyard is disclosed. The clip folds together and snap fits onto the cord ends to secure the ends together. The clip includes numerous pins extending outwardly from the clip body that mate with numerous pin pockets formed in the clip body to secure the cord ends together. The clip further includes mating locking tabs, and stabilizing ribs and recesses to facilitate the easy snap fit of the clip onto the cord ends of the lanyard without the use of special tools.

Web end

A surface configuration obscures an object from detection by night vision devices, ultraviolet devices and infrared devices. The surface configuration is three dimensional, having spaced inner and outer surfaces. A wall defines a plurality of enclosed cells, and projections extend from the inner surface within the cells. The cells can be hexagonal, round or otherwise shaped. The projections can be flat sided or curved. The shapes of the cells and materials used provide sound muffling.

Night vision and audio signal reduction system

A breakaway closure device that includes the use of a pair of hermaphroditic clips that attach to the ends of a strap, such as a lanyard cord, and also engage with each other. Each hermaphroditic clip includes both a projection and an aperture that permit the hermaphroditic clips to snap together and form a releasable pair of clips. Each hermaphroditic clip further includes a plurality of interlocking pins and receptacles for securing the clip onto the end of the lanyard cord. Each hermaphroditic clip also includes a guidance lug and a plurality of interlocking lugs and openings to facilitate the easy attachment of the clip to the cord ends by hand without the use of special tools.

Breakaway closure device

A surface configuration obscures an object from detection by night vision devices, ultraviolet devices and infrared devices. The surface configuration is three dimensional, having spaced inner and outer surfaces. A wall defines a plurality of enclosed cells, and projections extend from the inner surface within the cells. The cells can be hexagonal, round or otherwise shaped. The projections can be flat sided or curved.

Reduced visibility surface

Breakaway lanyard closure device

An adjustable hanging file system for a drawer having side panels utilizes frame members comprised of spaced skirts with a connecting crown to thereby define a u-shaped cross section and bracket members inserted between the skirts to support the frame members. Additional hanging bracket members incorporated with cross rail frame members support the cross rail frame members on frame members attached to a file drawer.

Adjustable hanging file system

An adjustable length leash (,) includes a handle portion (,) having a grip (,) and a neck (,) extending from the grip (,) for taking up undesired length in the lead (,). The lead (,) attaches to the neck (,) by being knotted through an aperture (,). A minor flange (,) provided at the top of the neck (,) helps retain the loops of the lead (,) on the neck (,) to achieve a desired lead length. A catch flange (,) is capable of catching the lead (,) at the bottom of the neck (,) such that one who utilizes the leash (,) may adjust the length of the lead (,) by winding the lead (,) around the neck (,) until the desired length extends from catch flange (,). The catch flange (,) includes a lead lock (,) which allows for a more secure fixing of the lead (,) length. The grip (,) is angled with respect to the neck (,) such that no matter at which length the lead (,) is retained, the forces exerted on the lead (,) are focused substantially straight through the wrist and arm of one using the leash (,) thereby substantially eliminating any torque upon the user's wrist.

Adjustable length leash

Leash handle

A composite buckle comprising a metal male portion that is attachable to a strap and an insertion plate having two flat surfaces, and a female portion for receiving the male portion. The female portion comprises a metal locking body that is attachable to a strap and at least two locking legs adapted to releasably lock with the insertion plate of the male portion. The male portion is inserted between the two locking legs which engage the plate on opposite surfaces of the plate. There is a plastic housing surrounding at least a portion of the metal locking body. The housing has a flexible arm adapted to separate the locking legs and release the metal locking body from the male portion. The buckle according to the invention combines the strength of a metal buckle with the light weight and attractiveness of a plastic buckle, to form a composite buckle that is suitable for a variety of uses.

High strength composite buckle

An attachment for the pull tab of a slide fastener for enhancing manipulation of the slider and for serving as an ornamental and identifying element generally comprises a clip of very hard and stiff, yet resilient, material, such as spring steel, molded into a body of soft, tactile, elastomeric material. A channel leading to the clip in the body receives the pull tab. The elastic side walls of the channel expand to accommodate pull tabs of varying sizes and stabilize the attachment on the tab. The clip has a locking tongue which projects into the channel in a direction away from the channel entrance and terminates in an engaging end for engaging and locking the tab in the channel. The engaging end is curved such that considerable pressure is exerted by its point onto the tab surface. Body material directly overlies the tongue such that deflection of the tongue also compresses and deflects the body material.

Growing community of inventors

Elgin, IL, United States of America

Richard J Tracy