Topic leaderboard
Buttons, pins, buckles & slide fasteners
Ranked by the PatentIndex Score — a 1–99 percentile within A44B · public-visibility date · generated 2026-07-19
top 25 per window · public-visibility date
Rising· last 2 yrs
Inventors whose newest A44B patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199Gerhard Fildan52 patents · 1,080 citations
- 296Joachim Fiedler31 patents · 566 citations
- 392Yoshito Ikeguchi18 patents · 265 citations
- 488Karl Wanzenböck34 patents · 359 citations
- 583Luis Parellada Armela10 patents · 97 citations
- 679Breido Botkus15 patents · 122 citations
- 775Randon Kruse7 patents · 53 citations
- 871Thomas Pollack7 patents · 53 citations
- 967Edward R. Rowland14 patents · 93 citations
- 1063Shih-Sheng Yang12 patents · 103 citations
- 1158Wen-Yuan Wu11 patents · 94 citations
- 1254Ji Hye Paik11 patents · 88 citations
- 1350Ji Won Son11 patents · 88 citations
- 1446Nan Hee Paik11 patents · 88 citations
- 1542Manqun Cheng18 patents · 50 citations
- 1638Motohide Hatanaka8 patents · 40 citations
- 1733Kenichi Yoshie6 patents · 55 citations
- 1829Deforest C. Canfield4 patents · 83 citations
- 1925James Nelson5 patents · 22 citations
- 2021Joseph Ray Simpson5 patents · 22 citations
- 2117Tom Hunsucker8 patents · 37 citations
- 2213James D. Martell8 patents · 22 citations
- 238Gregory M. Adelman5 patents · 38 citations
- 244Anthony Mahe15 patents · 17 citations
- 251Yohei Miyazaki11 patents · 32 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained A44B output across the last 5 years
- 199Gerald Rocha27 patents · 1,708 citations
- 296Sean Cavanagh11 patents · 456 citations
- 392Allan R. Lortz12 patents · 685 citations
- 488Gerhard Fildan52 patents · 1,080 citations
- 583Joachim Fiedler31 patents · 566 citations
- 679Bryan L. Ackerman26 patents · 327 citations
- 775John S. Pontaoe17 patents · 330 citations
- 871Attilio Lovato8 patents · 198 citations
- 967Ryan C. Perkins12 patents · 96 citations
- 1063Koji Yamagishi20 patents · 211 citations
- 1158Yoshito Ikeguchi18 patents · 265 citations
- 1254Shigeyoshi Takazawa26 patents · 240 citations
- 1350Karl Wanzenböck34 patents · 359 citations
- 1446Paul Joseph Voigt14 patents · 150 citations
- 1542Konstantinos Poulakis30 patents · 145 citations
- 1638Luis Parellada Armela10 patents · 97 citations
- 1733Guy R. Dingman5 patents · 153 citations
- 1829Hsiang Hung Chen10 patents · 72 citations
- 1925Breido Botkus15 patents · 122 citations
- 2021Randon Kruse7 patents · 53 citations
- 2117Thomas Pollack7 patents · 53 citations
- 2213Michael E. Cole8 patents · 64 citations
- 238Scott J. Carver6 patents · 62 citations
- 244Chao-Mu Chou14 patents · 91 citations
- 251Edward R. Rowland14 patents · 93 citations
All-time canon
Career PatentIndex Score in A44B
- 199Susan K. Nestegard19 patents · 4,143 citations
- 296William L. Melbye16 patents · 2,498 citations
- 392George A. Provost62 patents · 3,604 citations
- 488Jody Lynn Hoying14 patents · 1,550 citations
- 583Gerald Rocha27 patents · 1,708 citations
- 679Marvin D. Lindseth9 patents · 1,331 citations
- 775Dale A. Bychinski8 patents · 1,293 citations
- 871Eric A. St. Phillips11 patents · 1,934 citations
- 967David J. K. Goulait15 patents · 1,849 citations
- 1063Fox J. Herrington7 patents · 1,687 citations
- 1158George C. Brumlik5 patents · 3,448 citations
- 1254F. John Herrington9 patents · 1,609 citations
- 1350William J. Kennedy9 patents · 1,049 citations
- 1446Susan Nicole Lloyd12 patents · 1,238 citations
- 1542Dale S. Richardson7 patents · 1,412 citations
- 1638Ronald L. Ott8 patents · 1,288 citations
- 1733Dennis L. Becker14 patents · 1,342 citations
- 1829Jason A. Chesley11 patents · 934 citations
- 1925John O. Mccree6 patents · 884 citations
- 2021Donald W. Folske7 patents · 976 citations
- 2117William F. Sheffield12 patents · 907 citations
- 2213Alan N. Stephens10 patents · 793 citations
- 238Donald R. Bell10 patents · 793 citations
- 244Harold E. Rude10 patents · 793 citations
- 251Ronald W. Ausen24 patents · 1,173 citations
Rising· last 2 yrs
The top-scoring A44B patents made public in the last 2 years
- 199US11950663B1✦ AIBelt buckle system10 cites · 202487% earned
- 296US12082658B1✦ AIIntegrated quick release strap buckle7 cites · 202486% earned
- 392US12396493B1✦ AISwaddle blanket2 cites · 202576% earned
- 488US12133578B1Magnetic buckle5 cites · 202484% earned
- 583US11896088B1String tying system5 cites · 202484% earned
- 679US11889903B1Male touch fastener elements4 cites · 202464% earned
- 775US11910888B1Mounts for tracking devices4 cites · 202475% earned
- 871US12207752B1Snap fastener with hook4 cites · 202582% earned
- 967US11986063B2Male touch fastener elements3 cites · 202463% earned
- 1063USD1038740SD-ring with multiple openings3 cites · 202463% earned
- 1158US11992097B1Multi-platform attachment system4 cites · 202482% earned
- 1254US11877629B1Bottom stop device of double-open end zipper and assembly structure thereof3 cites · 202480% earned
- 1350US12495869B1Anti-jamming ratchet-type tensioning device1 cites · 202567% earned
- 1446USD1065776SThree-part clasp for pumping garment4 cites · 202575% earned
- 1542US12186599B2Ratcheting strap adjuster2 cites · 202467% earned
- 1638US11974638B1Buckle strap2 cites · 202476% earned
- 1733US12201192B2Connecting buckle with safety switch2 cites · 202476% earned
- 1829US12310461B2Web strap buckle with locking mechanism2 cites · 202576% earned
- 1925US12121112B1Quick-release cam buckle assembly2 cites · 202476% earned
- 2021US11957218B1Cam buckle with dual-walled feed channel, dual-grip cam cover and snap-lock cam closure2 cites · 202476% earned
- 2117USD1064497SBelt segment2 cites · 202576% earned
- 2213US11857032B1Belt buckle system with threaded retainers4 cites · 202475% earned
- 238US12478146B2Slider1 cites · 202567% earned
- 244US12245666B1Connection assembly for releasably coupling a first article to a second article1 cites · 202567% earned
- 251US12369693B1Tensioner with retractable handle1 cites · 202567% earned
Active· last 5 yrs
The top-scoring A44B patents of the last 5 years
- 199US11109648B1✦ AIBuckle22 cites · 202190% earned
- 296US11006699B1✦ AIMagnetic buckle15 cites · 202176% earned
- 392US11160330B1✦ AIMagnetic buckle18 cites · 202189% earned
- 488US11504615B1Electronic controller with linear hand strap adjuster14 cites · 202289% earned
- 583US11383625B2Mold-in fasteners13 cites · 202183% earned
- 679US11533970B1Magnetic buckle13 cites · 202288% earned
- 775US11950663B1Belt buckle system10 cites · 202487% earned
- 871USD928032SScarf securer17 cites · 202184% earned
- 967US11156965B1Latching mechanism for securing two objects14 cites · 202175% earned
- 1063US12082658B1Integrated quick release strap buckle7 cites · 202486% earned
- 1158US11122867B1Push button slide mechanism and method of assembling the same14 cites · 202189% earned
- 1254US11647815B2Magnetic buckle device9 cites · 202287% earned
- 1350US10945494B1Clasp15 cites · 202189% earned
- 1446US11730983B2D-rings with multiple openings12 cites · 202176% earned
- 1542US11564457B1Safety belt buckle assembly10 cites · 202387% earned
- 1638US10945468B1Trouser assemblies with zippers12 cites · 202188% earned
- 1733US12396493B1Swaddle blanket2 cites · 202576% earned
- 1829US11213102B1Buckle device11 cites · 202288% earned
- 1925US11425969B2Magnetic buckle11 cites · 202288% earned
- 2021USD979929SPop keychain7 cites · 202386% earned
- 2117US10946248B1Adjustable body belt having D-rings/attachments15 cites · 202180% earned
- 2213US12133578B1Magnetic buckle5 cites · 202484% earned
- 238US10897943B1Multipurpose, crossbody strap with universal interlocking rings10 cites · 202187% earned
- 244US11896088B1String tying system5 cites · 202484% earned
- 251US11661254B1Integral accessory attachment interface8 cites · 202386% earned
All-time canon
The defining A44B patents of the whole record
- 199US4198734A✦ AISelf-gripping devices with flexible self-gripping means and method1,584 cites · 198096% earned
- 296US4894060A✦ AIDisposable diaper with improved hook fastener portion1,558 cites · 199095% earned
- 392US3981051A✦ AIBristle-like gripping device1,552 cites · 197695% earned
- 488US4846815ADisposable diaper having an improved fastening device1,233 cites · 198995% earned
- 583US4946527APressure-sensitive adhesive fastener and method of making same1,149 cites · 199095% earned
- 679US5858515APattern-unbonded nonwoven web and process for making the same703 cites · 199995% earned
- 775US5077870AMushroom-type hook strip for a mechanical fastener577 cites · 199287% earned
- 871US5628082AToothbrush with improved efficacy471 cites · 199795% earned
- 967US5067208APlastic reclosable fastener with self-locking slider377 cites · 199194% earned
- 1063US4794028AMethod for continuously producing a multi-hook fastner member and product of the method373 cites · 198894% earned
- 1158US4775310AApparatus for making a separable fastener365 cites · 198894% earned
- 1254US5997981ABreathable barrier composite useful as an ideal loop fastener component365 cites · 199994% earned
- 1350US5007143ARolling action zipper profile and slipper therefor332 cites · 199194% earned
- 1446US5019073ADisposable diaper with improved mechanical fastening system318 cites · 199194% earned
- 1542US5326612ANonwoven female component for refastenable fastening device and method of making the same318 cites · 199494% earned
- 1638US4854984ADynamic mechanical bonding method and apparatus317 cites · 198994% earned
- 1733US5442837AIntegrated end stops for zipper slider316 cites · 199594% earned
- 1829US7410683B2Tufted laminate web313 cites · 200489% earned
- 1925US5260015AMethod for making a laminated hook fastener305 cites · 199385% earned
- 2021US4150464ABuckle305 cites · 197994% earned
- 2117US5032122ALoop fastening material for fastening device and method of making same301 cites · 199194% earned
- 2213US5131121AProtruding end stops for plastic reclosable fastener296 cites · 199294% earned
- 238US5624427AFemale component for refastenable fastening device290 cites · 199794% earned
- 244US5088971AMethod of making protruding end stops for plastic reclosable fastener282 cites · 199294% earned
- 251US5595567ANonwoven female component for refastenable fastening device282 cites · 199794% earned
Rising· last 2 yrs
Assignees whose newest A44B patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199YKK CORP653 patents · 8,888 citations
- 296INDIANA MILLS & MFG35 patents · 1,864 citations
- 392APLIX SA41 patents · 666 citations
- 488FILDAN GERHARD20 patents · 453 citations
- 583YKK CORP AMERICA27 patents · 437 citations
- 679NIKE INC40 patents · 357 citations
- 775TOKAI RIKA CO LTD42 patents · 547 citations
- 871FIDLOCK GMBH27 patents · 307 citations
- 967BOA TECH INC15 patents · 139 citations
- 1063APPLE INC28 patents · 173 citations
- 1158AUTOLIV DEV26 patents · 200 citations
- 1254ZEDEL14 patents · 164 citations
- 1350DURAFLEX HONG KONG LTD41 patents · 231 citations
- 1446BUCKINGHAM MFG COMPANY INC6 patents · 100 citations
- 1542NITE IZE INC17 patents · 104 citations
- 1638BINDER GOTTLIEB GMBH & CO KG27 patents · 145 citations
- 1733WOOJIN PLASTIC CO LTD10 patents · 83 citations
- 1829WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG23 patents · 52 citations
- 1925KARSTEN MFG CORP9 patents · 47 citations
- 2021RIRI SA8 patents · 42 citations
- 2117TAIWAN RACING PRODUCTS CO LTD9 patents · 55 citations
- 2213VELCRO IP HOLDINGS LLC29 patents · 45 citations
- 238IDEMITSU UNITECH CO LTD12 patents · 37 citations
- 244TEAM NEXBELT OPERATING INC6 patents · 23 citations
- 251AUTOLIV ASP INC10 patents · 35 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained A44B output across the last 5 years
- 199PROCTER & GAMBLE80 patents · 8,244 citations
- 2963M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO102 patents · 3,392 citations
- 392ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS157 patents · 5,455 citations
- 488YKK CORP653 patents · 8,888 citations
- 583NIFCO INC26 patents · 1,068 citations
- 679INDIANA MILLS & MFG35 patents · 1,864 citations
- 775APLIX SA41 patents · 666 citations
- 871FILDAN GERHARD20 patents · 453 citations
- 967YKK CORP AMERICA27 patents · 437 citations
- 1063NIKE INC40 patents · 357 citations
- 1158TOKAI RIKA CO LTD42 patents · 547 citations
- 1254BELL SPORTS INC12 patents · 254 citations
- 1350FIDLOCK GMBH27 patents · 307 citations
- 1446BOA TECH INC15 patents · 139 citations
- 1542ASHIMORI IND CO LTD10 patents · 169 citations
- 1638APPLE INC28 patents · 173 citations
- 1733AUTOLIV DEV26 patents · 200 citations
- 1829ZEDEL14 patents · 164 citations
- 1925ROCHA GERALD10 patents · 125 citations
- 2021DURAFLEX HONG KONG LTD41 patents · 231 citations
- 2117BUCKINGHAM MFG COMPANY INC6 patents · 100 citations
- 2213JOHNSON & SON INC S C17 patents · 67 citations
- 238NITE IZE INC17 patents · 104 citations
- 244CHOU CHAO-MU14 patents · 93 citations
- 251BINDER GOTTLIEB GMBH & CO KG27 patents · 145 citations
All-time canon
All-time PatentIndex Score in A44B
- 199PROCTER & GAMBLE80 patents · 8,244 citations
- 296MINNESOTA MINING & MFG77 patents · 9,707 citations
- 392VELCRO IND173 patents · 9,791 citations
- 488KIMBERLY CLARK CO44 patents · 4,263 citations
- 583MOBIL OIL CORP24 patents · 5,289 citations
- 679PACTIV CORP35 patents · 1,662 citations
- 7753M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO102 patents · 3,392 citations
- 871MINIGRIP INC42 patents · 4,406 citations
- 967ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS157 patents · 5,455 citations
- 1063DOWBRANDS LP11 patents · 1,126 citations
- 1158AVERY DENNISON CORP15 patents · 1,007 citations
- 1254KCL CORP7 patents · 793 citations
- 1350REYNOLDS CONSUMER PROD33 patents · 1,765 citations
- 1446YOSHIDA KOGYO KK707 patents · 11,436 citations
- 1542YKK CORP653 patents · 8,888 citations
- 1638NIFCO INC26 patents · 1,068 citations
- 1733KURARAY CO15 patents · 988 citations
- 1829S C JOHNSON HOME STORAGE INC16 patents · 833 citations
- 1925APLIX INC15 patents · 744 citations
- 2021ARMAMENT SYSTEMS & PROCEDURES22 patents · 601 citations
- 2117INDIANA MILLS & MFG35 patents · 1,864 citations
- 2213UNION CARBIDE CORP6 patents · 632 citations
- 238FIRST BRANDS CORP10 patents · 643 citations
- 244APLIX SA41 patents · 666 citations
- 251NAT MOLDING CORP34 patents · 1,508 citations
90–99 field-defining50–89 strong<50 emergingearned by citationsfrom family breadth