| YKK CORPORATION OF AMERICA Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120114782 | Systems And Methods Of Feeding Hook Fastening Elements Into A Mold Assembly Line - Systems and methods for introducing hook fastening elements into a mold traveling along a mold assembly line is disclosed. The system can be configured to cut hook fastening tape into strips having a predetermined length based on information received from the mold assembly line, and to drop the cut strips directly into the mold at the appropriate intervals as the mold travels along the mold assembly line. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111439 | SHOCK ABSORBING FABRIC STRUCTURES - Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120066874 | Fastener having a flexible base - Fasteners comprising male and female assemblies. At least one of the male or female assembly may comprise a flexible base that flexes to conform to a non-planar mounting surface. The flexible base is bonded to the stud and/or the socket using techniques that provide a high degree of strength to withstand repeated engagement and disengagement of the fastener. Moreover, in certain embodiments the bonding techniques eliminate the need for mechanical means (for example, threads) to secure the stud to the flexible base. Mechanical tests show that the male assembly according to certain embodiments has 62% more strength than known male assemblies. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120040579 | Shock Absorbing Fabric Structures - Fabric structures having elongation yarns and ground yarns that form a sheath are provided, with the structure having two connection segments and at least one expansion segment in between the connection segments. Heat treatment of the one or more expansion segments shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The elongation yarns absorb energy as the fabric structure elongates. In some embodiments, the fabric structure has more than one expansion segment so that the deployment force of the structure is not constant. In some embodiments, the fabric structure includes a band in some portions. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120037262 | RETRACTABLE ENERGY ABSORBING WEBBING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - Energy absorbing webbings that are generally flat and that have a controllable elongation distance are provided. The webbings are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and ground yarns. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing webbings are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing webbings. In certain embodiments, the webbings are subjected to heat using first and second set of rollers with various feed ratios. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120011686 | Releasable Clips - Clips for securing a face mask to an article of head gear, and for releasing the face mask without the need for any special tools or equipment. In certain embodiments, the clip may comprise a base and a retaining member that is pivotably coupled to the base. When the retaining member is engaged with the base, structure on the base prevents the retaining member from pivoting open, thus securing the face mask within the clip. To disengage the retaining member (and release the face mask from the clip), a user may squeeze or flex a portion of the base, which causes the retaining member to disengage and pivot open. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120011640 | Releasable Clips - Clips for securing a face mask to an article of head gear, and for releasing the face mask without the need for any special tools or equipment. In certain embodiments, the clip may comprise a base and a retaining member that is pivotably coupled to the base. When the retaining member is engaged with the base, structure on the base prevents the retaining member from pivoting open, thus securing the face mask within the clip. To disengage the retaining member (and release the face mask from the clip), a user may squeeze or flex a portion of the base, which causes the retaining member to disengage and pivot open. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20110247180 | Release System - Systems that may be used to quickly remove gear having straps from a user's body. Certain embodiments provide a housing into which multiple plugs may be inserted. A strap may be secured to each plug, and the straps may be used to secure gear to a user's body. When it is desired to remove the gear, a user may disengage all of the plugs either by pulling on individual tabs coupled to each plug, or by pulling on a master tab coupled to more than one plug. Release members within the housing eject the plugs from the housing such that the user does not need to manually remove the plugs. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110197399 | Release System - Systems that may be used to quickly remove gear having straps from a user's body. Certain embodiments provide a housing into which a plurality of plugs may be inserted. A strap may be secured to each plug, and the straps may be used to secure gear to a user's body. When it is desired to remove the gear, a user may disengage all of the plugs with a single movement—either by pulling on an actuating member that is associated with the housing, or by pressing on a plate associated with the housing. Either movement will disengage the plurality of plugs from the housing at one time. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110126383 | Water Repellent Slider Cap for Zippers - Water repellent slider caps and zipper structures. Certain embodiments provide a male slider cap that receives a slider to thereby reduce the amount of water introduced around the perimeter of the slider. A pull tab on the slider may be inserted into a pocket on the male slider cap that is defined by the inner surface of the male slider cap and a snap tab. In other embodiments there is additionally provided a garage attached to the zipper tape. The garage may receive the male slider cap to reduce the amount of water around the perimeter of the slider and into the garage. Certain other embodiments provide a female slider cap to receive a second slider that may be positioned on the zipper tape. The female slider cap may receive the leading edge of the male slider cap, thus covering any open spaces between the first and second sliders. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20090220716 | LINE OF SIGHT HOSE COVER - A hose cover for a high pressure hose is disclosed. The hose cover includes an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath. The inner and outer sheaths have a woven construction, each have a plurality of warp threads, and a weft thread that it interwoven between the warp threads. The weft thread is woven between the warp threads of the inner and outer sheaths in a pattern such that weft thread is shared between the inner and outer sheath and the inner and outer sheaths are interwoven together. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090114307 | Energy Absorbing Webbings - A tear-away energy absorbing webbing ( | 05-07-2009 |
| 20080196219 | STOP FOR SLIDE FASTENERS - A reusable slider stop member has a solid body shaped to fit over a tooth element in a slide fastener assembly. The solid body has a central through channel defined by a pair of parallel prongs which fit over a tooth element. Each prong has an internal shoulder that engages a portion of the tooth element to retain the stop in place. The stop may be removed without damaging the stop or the tooth element, thus permitting easy repair of slide fastener assembly components. The stop is installed by aligning the channel at a right angle to the axis of the array of tooth elements, pressing the stop partially onto the tooth element, twisting the stop into alignment with the array and pressing the stop fully onto the tooth element to engage the internal shoulder of the stop with the tooth element. | 08-21-2008 |
