Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Terrence P Meier

Richard R Herzog

James S Zielinski

Anatoly I Gosis

Thomas C Keenan

Kurt H Lundstedt

Joseph E Tyer

A cargo or dunnage air bag inflation and deflation system comprises an inflation-deflation valve member, a cap-type plug member, and an air gun implement having a fill nozzle and an exhaust nozzle mounted upon opposite ends thereof for respective connection to the valve member in order to perform inflation and deflation operations. The valve member comprises a flapper or check valve element pivotally mounted upon the valve member so as to permit inflation or deflation of the cargo or dunnage air bag when the flapper or check valve element is moved away from its valve seat, and to substantially maintain the cargo or dunnage air bag in its inflated state when the flappper or check valve element is effectively seated upon its valve seat. The cap-type plug member is removably mounted upon the inflation-deflation valve member so as to effectively close and seal the valve assembly when the cap-type plug member is mounted upon the valve member, and effectively uncovers the valve member when the cap-type plug member is dismounted from the valve member so as to permit the air gun implement to be operatively connected to the air valve member in order to perform an inflation or deflation operation.

Air bag inflation/ deflation system

A storage rack system, locking latch therefor, and combinations thereof. The latch having generally a flexible and resilient arm coupleable to a beam member and having a locking pin coupled thereto. The resilient arm biases the locking pin through a locking pin opening of the beam member so that the locking pin protrudes at least partially into a post opening aligned at least partially with the locking pin opening when the beam member is connected to the post by a headed lug. A locking flange extending generally radially from the locking pin is engageable with a portion of the beam member to inhibit withdrawal of the locking pin from the locking pin opening.

Storage rack system and locking latch therefor

A valve assembly including a valve body having an elongated passage through which product flows and a valve element which rotates about an axis extending generally normal to an axis defined by the passage in the valve body is disclosed. The valve element is mounted in the valve body passage to control product flow through the passage as a function of the position of the valve element. The diameter of a valve body bore within which the valve element rotates is equal to or greater than the passage it seals. A seal structure cooperates with the valve element to selectively seal the passage.

Valve assembly

Cord lock

A cord closure for securely retaining flexible cord, drawstrings, and the like in a selected position includes a plunger member, a compression spring, a retaining ring, and a body housing. There is provided means for initially holding the plunger sub-assembly in a pre-assembled position with the spring being compressed so that the holes of the plunger member and body housing can be readily aligned for insertion of a cord. Once the cord is threaded through the aligned holes, the plunger member is depressed downwardly and released to allow the spring to expand and urge the plunger member to move up axially, thereby locking the cord between the plunger member and the body housing.

Cord closure

A quick release connector including an elongate strap member having first and second ends, a first aperture formed through the first end of the strap member having a predetermined configuration, a second aperture formed through the strap member between the first and second ends and at a predetermined distance away from the first end of the strap member, a first engagement member connected to the strap member proximate the second aperture for releasable locking engagement with the first aperture upon insertion of the first end of the strap member through the second aperture, and a second engagement member connected to the strap member proximate the second aperture for releasable locking engagement with the first aperture upon insertion of the first end of the strap member through the second aperture.

Quick release strap connector

A center-release buckle with a rotatable lock to secure a cover or belt, which lock is mounted in the buckle against a flexible flap in the buckle housing and is secured therein by mounting the housing on a base or frame.

Growing community of inventors

Naperville, IL, United States of America

Terrence P Meier