IP Library Granted Patent US 7,350,756
Granted Patent B2
US 7,350,756 · App. 11/191,732 · Granted Apr 1, 2008

Fastener

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,350,756
App. No.
11/191,732
Granted
Apr 1, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fastener for the suspension of a birdcage toy or the like has a first end terminating in a first loop, and a second end terminating in a second loop, each of the first and second loops terminating in a free end that allows for easy attachment of objects to the loops. An additional section is defined between the loop free ends to assist in preventing the free ends from deflecting outward, resulting in possible inadvertent detachment from the cage or retained object.

Claims (27)

1. A fastener comprising:

a) a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a connecting section defined between the first and second ends;

b) the first end terminating in a first loop having a beginning and a free end;

c) the second end terminating in a second loop having a beginning and a free ends the first and second loops having different sizes; and

d) each of the respective loop free ends crossing the longitudinal axis adjacent their free ends and overlapping each of the respective loop beginnings in opposite directions.

2. A fastener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the connecting section separates the first and second loops along the longitudinal axis by a distance that is no greater than the combined length of the first and second loops measured along the longitudinal axis of the fastener.

3. A fastener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the connecting section is an arcuate section.

4. A fastener in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the arcuate section is an open arcuate section that is convex in the direction of the free end of the second loop.

5. A fastener in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the arcuate section is concave in the direction of the free end of the first loop.

6. A fastener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the connecting section is a closed arcuate section.

7. A fastener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the connecting section is defined between the first and second loop beginnings.

8. A fastener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the connecting section separates the first and second loops along the longitudinal axis by a distance that is no greater than the combined length of the first and second loops measured along the longitudinal axis of the fastener.

9. A fastener comprising:

a) a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a connecting section defined between the first and second end;

b) the first end terminating in a first loop having a beginning and a free end;

c) the second end terminating in a second ioop having a beginning and a free end, the first and second loops having different shapes; and

d) each of the respective loop free ends crossing the longitudinal axis adjacent their free ends and overlapping each of the respective loop beginnings in opposite directions.

10. A fastener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the loops are resilient such that the respective free ends deflect away from each other.

11. A fastener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a one-piece, molded plastic fastener.

12. A fastener in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis defines a central axis of at least one loop.

13. A fastener in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal axis defines a central axis of each loop.

14. A fastener comprising:

a. a first loop, a second loop and a connecting section defined therebetween;

b. each loop having a resilient free end that crosses a longitudinal axis of the fastener and deflects inwardly toward its respective loop, the resilient free ends deflecting in opposite directions, the first and second loops having different shapes; and

c. wherein the connecting section prevents each free end from deflecting outwardly away from its respective loop.

15. A fastener in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the connecting section has a shape that differs from at least one of the first and second loops.

16. A fastener in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the connecting section has a shape that differs from at least one of the first and second loops.

Assignments (29)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2025
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 072261/0915 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2025
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 070449/0195 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2025
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 070207/0222 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (SECOND LIEN) Recorded May 22, 2024
From: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 067501/0320 →
FIRST LIEN TERM LOAN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 22, 2024
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067501/0177 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (CAYMAN) Recorded May 22, 2024
From: CANTOR FITZGERALD SECURITIES, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 067501/0236 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (FIRST LIEN) Recorded May 22, 2024
From: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 067501/0282 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2024
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067246/0427 →
SECOND LIEN RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2023
From: BANK OF MONTREAL
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 065181/0322 →
FIRST LIEN RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2023
From: BANK OF MONTREAL
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 065180/0954 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2023
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: CANTOR FITZGERALD SECURITIES, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065180/0461 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2023
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
Reel/Frame 065179/0009 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 16, 2021
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 057704/0414 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 16, 2021
From: ANTARES CAPITAL LP
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.; GAMMA2 LLC; HEALTHY CHEWS, INC.
Reel/Frame 057523/0912 →
SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 16, 2021
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 057524/0556 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 16, 2021
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 057524/0645 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2017
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 042554/0250 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 22, 2017
From: ALLY BANK, AS AGENT
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 042525/0957 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST 033358/0523 Recorded May 17, 2017
From: CHASE CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 042482/0595 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST 029510/0787 Recorded May 17, 2017
From: CHASE CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 042483/0504 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST 029486/0633 Recorded May 16, 2017
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 042477/0829 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST 033358/0671 Recorded May 16, 2017
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 042477/0051 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: ALLY BANK, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 037355/0159 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2014
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: CHASE CAPITAL CORPORATION (AS COLLATERAL AGENT)
Reel/Frame 033358/0523 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2014
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: PNC BANK, A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT)
Reel/Frame 033358/0671 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 15, 2014
From: J.W. PET COMPANY, INC.
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 033321/0350 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 20, 2012
From: J. W. PET COMPANY, INC.
To: CHASE CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 029510/0787 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 18, 2012
From: J.W. PET COMPANY, INC.
To: PNC BANKING, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 029486/0633 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2005
From: WOLTMANN, KLAUS; WILLINGER, JONATHAN
To: JW PET COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 016826/0545 →