Patents by Inventor Allen P. Smith

Allen P. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Bit attaching arrangement for power tool
    Patent number: 6224304
    Abstract: A bit attaching arrangement for a power tool has a collet nut threadably engaging a rotatably driven shaft of the power tool. The collet nut has a plurality of slots positioned on an outer peripheral surface. A first gear is disposed on the shaft so that rotation of the first gear causes rotation of the shaft. An actuating member having a second gear associated therewith is attached to the housing of the power tool. The actuating member also has a slot-engaging extension associated therewith. The actuating member is positionable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second gear engages the first gear and the extension engages one of the slots of the collet nut such that rotation of the actuating member results in rotation of the shaft while maintaining the collet nut at a generally fixed rotational location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen P. Smith, Dale K. Wheeler
  • Battery pack retaining latch for cordless device
    Patent number: 5800940
    Abstract: A battery retention latch (50, 140) comprises an annular ring member (52, 142), a release button (54, 172, 174) and a spring arm (156, 190, 192, 194, 196). The annular ring (52, 142) retains a battery pack (26) in a cordless device (20, 120) regardless of the annular orientation of the battery pack (26) about a casing axis. The spring arm (56, 190, 192, 194, 196) maintains the ring (52, 142) in a normally engaged position and upon depressing the push button (54, 172, 174), the battery (26) may be removed from the device (20, 120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick F. Bunyea, Alvydas P. Karasa, Philip T. Miller, Allen P. Smith
  • Battery pack retaining latch for cordless device
    Patent number: 5718985
    Abstract: A battery retention latch (50, 140) comprises an annular ring member (52, 142), a release button (54, 172, 174) and a spring arm (156, 190, 192, 194, 196). The annular ring (52, 142) retains a battery pack (26) in a cordless device (20, 120) regardless of the annular orientation of the battery pack (26) about a casing axis. The spring arm (56, 190, 192, 194, 196) maintains the ring (52, 142) in a normally engaged position and upon depressing the push button (54, 172, 174), the battery (26) may be removed from the device (20, 120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick F. Bunyea, Alvydas P. Karasa, Philip T. Miller, Allen P. Smith
  • Battery pack retaining latch for cordless device
    Patent number: 5681667
    Abstract: A battery retention latch (50, 140) comprises an annular ring member (52, 142), a release button (54, 172, 174) and a spring arm (156, 190, 192, 194, 196). The annular ring (52, 142) retains a battery pack (26) in a cordless device (20, 120) regardless of the annular orientation of the battery pack (26) about a casing axis. The spring arm (56, 190, 192, 194, 196) maintains the ring (52, 142) in a normally engaged position and upon depressing the push button (54, 172, 174), the battery (26) may be removed from the device (20, 120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick F. Bunyea, Alvydas P. Karasa, Philip T. Miller, Allen P. Smith
  • Battery pack retaining latch for cordless device
    Patent number: 5663011
    Abstract: A battery retention latch (350) comprises a retaining member (354), a release button (356) and a cam element (362). A biasing member 358 maintains the retention catch in a normally engaged position. The cam element (362) retains a battery pack (26) in a cordless device (352) regardless of the annular orientation of the battery pack (26) about a casing axis. A holding device (382, 394) maintains the battery (26) in the cavity (34) against a spring ejecting force such that the battery (26) partially extends from the device (352) enabling the battery (26) to be removed from the device (352).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick F. Bunyea, Alfred H. Judge, Alvydas P. Karasa, Philip T. Miller, Allen P. Smith, Thomas J. Wheeler