ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 12 -- United States Patent no. 12,296,416, issued on May 13, was assigned to West Michigan Innovations LLC (Holland, Mich.).
"Automated clip installation system" was invented by Colin B. Staat (Holland, Mich.) and Craig Ponstein (West Olive, Mich.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An apparatus for installing a fastener includes a structure having an entry and an exit for the fastener. The structure further defines a channel having a passage, a chute for receiving the fastener, and a chamber between the chute and the passage. A feeder is operably coupled with the chute and configured to provide the fastener at the entry. A first actuator is operably coupled with the structur...