Kenneth M Dobson

US Patent:

6435793, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Feb 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/778376

Inventors:

Kenneth S. Dobson - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F16B 3300

US Classification:

411533, 411369, 4113712, 411542

Abstract:

The body bolt absorber assembly includes a lower body absorber made from rubber or a similar material with an undersized aperture, formed either during manufacture or by subsequent piercing, to slideably engage and capture a bolt. The lower body absorber further includes interior cylindrical walls with an inwardly extending lip thereby forming a chamber to engage and capture a washer. The washer includes an aperture through which the shaft of the bolt passes. The engagement and capture of the bolt and the washer provides for a one-piece modular assembly.

US Patent:

6705814, Mar 16, 2004

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/188379

Inventors:

Kenneth S. Dobson - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F16B 3300

US Classification:

411533, 411369, 4113712, 411542

Abstract:

The body bolt absorber assembly includes a lower body absorber made from rubber or a similar material with an undersized aperture, formed either during manufacture or by subsequent piercing, to slideably engage and capture a bolt. The lower body absorber further includes interior cylindrical walls with an inwardly extending lip thereby forming a chamber to engage and capture a washer. The washer includes an aperture through which the shaft of the bolt passes. The engagement and capture of the bolt and the washer provides for a one-piece modular assembly.

US Patent:

6929273, Aug 16, 2005

Filed:

Dec 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/316794

Inventors:

Kenneth S. Dobson - Chicago IL, US
Jason K. Trotter - Des Plaines IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B60G003/04

US Classification:

28012413, 280124152

Abstract:

A method and structure for installing an automotive suspension member is herein disclosed. A fastener used to couple a link member includes a head, a shaft extending from the head and a self-holding mechanism that prevents rotation of the fastener when it is engaged with an aperture formed through a mating member. The self-holding mechanism obviates the need for more than one tool for installing the link member.

US Patent:

6942231, Sep 13, 2005

Filed:

Apr 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/419498

Inventors:

Robert K. Dutzi - Palatine IL, US
Kenneth S. Dobson - Chicago IL, US
Jason K. Trotter - Des Plaines IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B60G021/05

US Classification:

280124106, 280124134, 280124137, 280124149

Abstract:

A stabilizer for a vehicle suspension system having first and second pivotal components with an anchor above one of the pivotal components and an anchor below the other of the pivotal components. The stabilizer includes a bending member connected to the first and second anchors. The bending member can be of a variety of shapes to fit within the suspension systems architecture on various vehicles.

US Patent:

7131809, Nov 7, 2006

Filed:

Mar 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/392467

Inventors:

Kenneth S. Dobson - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F16B 1/00
F16B 43/00

US Classification:

411533, 411369, 4113712, 470 4

Abstract:

The body bolt absorber assembly includes a lower body absorber made from rubber or a similar material with an undersized aperture, formed either during manufacture or by subsequent piercing, to slideably engage and capture a bolt. The lower body absorber further includes interior cylindrical walls with an inwardly extending lip thereby forming a chamber to engage and capture a washer. The washer includes an aperture through which the shaft of the bolt passes. The engagement and capture of the bolt and the washer provides for a one-piece modular assembly.

US Patent:

7244085, Jul 17, 2007

Filed:

Jan 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/039002

Inventors:

Kenneth S. Dobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert K. Dutzi - Palatine IL, US
Jason K. Trotter - Des Plaines IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works, Inc - Glenview IL

International Classification:

H02G 3/22
F16B 37/14

US Classification:

411431, 411533, 411353, 411546, 411999, 16 21

Abstract:

A fastener assembly includes a grommet having an enlarged bulbous body and a cylindrical extension projecting therefrom, the projection and body defining axially aligned openings therethrough. The cylindrical projection is configured to retain a washer on the outside thereof and a fastener on the inside thereof.

US Patent:

7628414, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

Jul 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/188682

Inventors:

Kenneth S. Dobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert K. Dutzi - Palatine IL, US
Jason K. Trotter - Des Plaines IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B60G 21/73
B60G 21/55

US Classification:

280124106, 280124134, 280124152, 28012416

Abstract:

A damper system is connected between pivotal components of a vehicle suspension system to inhibit movement of the components during a condition of potential vehicle roll. The system can be actively or passively controlled. The damper system can have a single damper or multiple dampers and may be connected to work in conjunction with vehicle stabilizers including torsion bars, single compensator stabilizing systems and dual compensator stabilizing systems. In the compensator stabilizing systems, the damper can be separate from the compensators or integral with the compensators. The dampers also can be formed as integral structures with shock absorbers. The dampers can be of various types, including but not limited to linear dampers and rotary dampers.

US Patent:

7261488, Aug 28, 2007

Filed:

Apr 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/831447

Inventors:

Kenneth S. Dobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert K. Dutzi - Palatine IL, US
Dennis M. Mark - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F16J 15/52
F16C 11/00

US Classification:

403133, 403140, 403141, 277635

Abstract:

A ball socket ring seal for use with a ball joint assembly eliminates the need for a boot or bellows to protect the ball joint against the environment. The ball socket ring seal of the invention is positioned between the ball and the socket at the point of contact between the ball and socket. The ball socket ring seal not only provides a seal against the environment, it further functions as a wiper for the ball during articulation of the ball stud. The ball socket ring seal of the present invention reduces the weight and complexity of the ball joint assembly through the elimination of several parts, including the known boots or bellows, retainer rings, bands and clips.