Patents by Inventor David A. Bierdeman

David A. Bierdeman 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).

  • Patent number: 11951601
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and configured to receive torque from the drive unit for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter has a body, a drive pin coupled to the body, and a roller positioned on the drive pin. The roller includes an engagement section configured to receive an end portion of a tooth of the driver blade. The lifter includes a means for aligning the engagement section with the end portion of the tooth on the driver blade to facilitate meshing between the end portion and the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, David A Bierdeman, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger
  • Publication number: 20230330823
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position toward a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position, a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade toward the BDC position, a lifter assembly having a rotary lifter for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position, a motor that provides torque to the rotary lifter to return the driven blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position, and a cam which, during operation of the rotary lifter, causes the rotary lifter to axially move along a rotational axis defined by the rotary lifter between a first position, in which the rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade, and a second position, in which the rotary lifter is not engageable with the driver blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Marcus Wechselberger, Troy C. Thorson, David A. Bierdeman
  • Patent number: 11724376
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position toward a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position, a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade toward the BDC position, a lifter assembly having a rotary lifter for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position, and an arm upon which the rotary lifter is supported. The fastener driver also includes a motor which, in a first position of the rotary lifter, provides torque to the rotary lifter to return the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The fastener driver further includes a brake mechanism which, when activated, redirects torque from the motor away from the rotary lifter and toward the arm, causing the lifter assembly to move from the first position toward a second position in which the rotary lifter is not engageable with the driver blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcus Wechselberger, Troy C. Thorson, David A. Bierdeman
  • Publication number: 20230249324
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, and a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center (TDC) position and a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position. The driver blade includes a body and a plurality of teeth extending therefrom. The driver blade defines a driving axis. The gas spring-powered fastener driver further includes a lifter operable to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. Each one of the plurality of teeth includes a contact surface engageable with the lifter. The contact surface of each tooth defines an included angle with the driving axis that is greater than 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: David Bierdeman, Andrew R. Wyler, Nicholas A. Albers
  • Publication number: 20230211490
    Abstract: An oscillating power tool includes an outer housing, and an inner housing positioned within the outer housing. A motor and a drive mechanism are supported by the inner housing. The drive mechanism includes an output shaft that is rotational in an oscillating manner and that defines an output axis. A damping element is positioned between the inner housing and the outer housing through which the inner housing is mounted to the outer housing, thereby attenuating vibration transmitted to the outer housing from the inner housing. An over-travel limit member is positioned between the inner housing and the outer housing. In response to relative movement between the inner housing and the outer housing while the power tool is in use, the limit member is configured to prevent direct contact between the inner housing and the outer housing, inhibiting vibration produced by the motor and/or drive mechanism from bypassing the damping element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. HOLLY, Jacob N. ZIMMERMAN, James C. SITTER, David A. BIERDEMAN, Andrew R. SCHAUER, You Gen LIU
  • Publication number: 20230202011
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece. The driver blade also includes a tooth defining an end portion. A drive unit provides torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and is configured to receive torque from the drive unit to return the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter has a drive pin and a roller positioned on and rotatable relative to the drive pin about a rotational axis. The roller includes a center of gravity that is offset from the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: David A. Bierdeman
  • Publication number: 20230201936
    Abstract: A handheld band saw includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a handle coupled to the housing, and a saw blade substantially covered by the housing except a portion of the saw blade extending through a cut zone. The handheld band saw further includes a drive wheel assembly and a shoe coupled to the housing. The shoe extends into the cut zone and is configured to support a workpiece during the cutting operation. The shoe includes an actuator that is coupled for movement with the shoe. The actuator is configured to adjust the shoe to one of a plurality of predefined positions relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: James C. Sitter, Kevin Staszak, David A. Bierdeman, Kevin R. Gee
  • Publication number: 20230191575
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade and a drive unit having an output shaft for providing torque to move the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and configured to receive torque from the output shaft of the drive unit in a first rotational direction for returning the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position. A kickout arrangement is defined between the lifter and the output shaft and configured to permit limited movement of the lifter relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position. The kickout arrangement having a curvilinear slot defined in the rotary lifter in which a portion of the output shaft is received. Movement of the rotary lifter from the first position toward the second position causes the slot to move relative to the output shaft, while the output shaft remains within the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Jason M. Julius, Rosalie C. Phillips, Beth E. Cholst
  • Publication number: 20230182275
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes a housing, a cylinder supported by the housing, and a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder. A driver blade is attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center position and a driven or bottom-dead-center position. The driver blade includes a body having a first side and an opposite, second side with the driving axis passing therebetween, a plurality of teeth extending from the first side of the body, and a plurality of projections extending from the second side of the body. The body and the projections are bisected by a common plane. The teeth extend at an oblique angle from the first side of the body relative to the common plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Marcus Wechselberger
  • Publication number: 20230138234
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center position to a bottom-dead-center position for driving a fastener into a workpiece, a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade toward the top-dead-center position, and a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The lifter having a body and a drive pin coupled to the body. A roller is positioned on the drive pin and engages with a tooth of the driver blade when moving the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position. The roller includes a first engagement section that receives an end portion of the tooth and a second engagement section. An engagement member engages the second engagement section for aligning the first engagement section of the roller with the end portion of the tooth to facilitate meshing between the end portion of the tooth and the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Jason M. Julius, Rosalie C. Phillips, Beth E. Cholst
  • Publication number: 20230122029
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a storage chamber cylinder having pressurized air in communication with the cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade extending from a first side of the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center position and a bottom-dead-center position, a one-way seal carried onboard the piston and disposed between the piston and the cylinder, the one-way seal being configured permit a bypass flow of pressurized air from the first side of the piston, past the one-way seal, and into a space within the cylinder adjacent an opposite, second side of the piston during movement of the piston and driver blade from the top-dead-center position to the bottom-dead-center position, thereby increasing a pressure of the pressurized air within the cylinder and storage chamber cylinder, and a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the storage chamber cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew R. Wyler, Travis W. Leathrum, David C. Graf, Alex J. Brasel
  • Patent number: 11618145
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The drive unit includes an output shaft. The powered fastener driver also includes a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The lifter is configured to receive torque from the drive unit in a first rotational direction for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The powered fastener driver further includes a kickout arrangement located between the lifter and the output shaft. The kickout arrangement is configured to permit limited rotation of the lifter relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Mackenzie J. Nick, Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Nathan Bandy, Jacob P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11577372
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center position to a bottom-dead-center position for driving a fastener into a workpiece, a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade toward the top-dead-center position, and a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The rotary lifter having a body and a drive pin coupled to the body. A roller is rotatably coupled to the drive pin and includes a non-cylindrical outer peripheral surface defining a plurality of engagement sections. A tooth of the driver blade is configured to engage one of the engagement sections when moving the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Jason M. Julius, Rosalie C. Phillips, Beth E. Cholst
  • Patent number: 11571794
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center position to a bottom-dead-center position for driving a fastener into a workpiece, a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade toward the top-dead-center position, and a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The lifter having a body and a drive pin coupled to the body. A roller is positioned on the drive pin and engages with a tooth of the driver blade when moving the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position. The roller includes a first engagement section that receives an end portion of the tooth and a second engagement section. An engagement member engages the second engagement section for aligning the first engagement section of the roller with the end portion of the tooth to facilitate meshing between the end portion of the tooth and the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Jason M. Julius, Rosalie C. Phillips, Beth E. Cholst
  • Publication number: 20230030017
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position toward a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position, a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade toward the BDC position, a lifter assembly having a rotary lifter for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position, and an arm upon which the rotary lifter is supported. The fastener driver also includes a motor which, in a first position of the rotary lifter, provides torque to the rotary lifter to return the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The fastener driver further includes a brake mechanism which, when activated, redirects torque from the motor away from the rotary lifter and toward the arm, causing the lifter assembly to move from the first position toward a second position in which the rotary lifter is not engageable with the driver blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Marcus Wechselberger, Troy C. Thorson, David A. Bierdeman
  • Publication number: 20220388135
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a housing, a cylinder supported by the housing, and a moveable piston positioned within and moveable along a driving axis of the cylinder. The piston includes a circumferential groove on an outer peripheral surface thereof. A driver blade is attached to the piston and moveable therewith between a top-dead-center (TDC) position and a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position. A seal assembly is received in the circumferential groove. The seal assembly is configured to create a seal between the piston and the cylinder. The seal assembly includes a biasing member and a seal member positioned radially outwardly of the biasing member relative to the driving axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Jason M. Julius, David A. Bierdeman, Logan M. Hietpas, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Jeremy J. Keifenheim
  • Patent number: 11498194
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position toward a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position, a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade toward the BDC position, a lifter assembly having a rotary lifter for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position, and an arm upon which the rotary lifter is supported. The fastener driver also includes a motor which, in a first position of the rotary lifter, provides torque to the rotary lifter to return the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The fastener driver further includes a brake mechanism which, when activated, redirects torque from the motor away from the rotary lifter and toward the arm, causing the lifter assembly to move from the first position toward a second position in which the rotary lifter is not engageable with the driver blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcus Wechselberger, Troy C. Thorson, David A. Bierdeman
  • Publication number: 20220347829
    Abstract: An oscillating power tool has a housing including a handle portion defining a handle axis and a head portion defining an output axis that is perpendicular to the handle axis. The head portion includes a front face intersected by the handle axis. A drive mechanism includes an output shaft configured to oscillate about the output axis in a rotational manner in response receiving torque from a motor. A lighting assembly is configured to illuminate a workpiece in front of the head portion of the housing. The lighting assembly includes a lens arranged on the front face of the housing, a holder coupled to the lens, a plurality of printed circuit boards supported by the holder, and an LED arranged on each of the printed circuit boards. In response to being activated, the LEDs are configured to project a wide-angle beam of light through the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Holly, Jacob N. Zimmerman, James C. Sitter, David A. Bierdeman, Andrew R. Schauer, Michael J. Panetta, You Gen Liu
  • Publication number: 20220324079
    Abstract: A belt sander for sanding a workpiece and defining a center of gravity within a first plane. The belt sander includes a housing, a handle defining a second plane, and a drive unit disposed within the housing. The drive unit includes a motor disposed adjacent a first sidewall of the housing, a pulley system disposed adjacent a second sidewall of the housing opposite the first sidewall, and a transmission disposed between the motor and the pulley system. The belt sander further includes a belt drive system driven by the drive unit and including a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a platen. The platen defines a third plane extending perpendicular therefrom. The transmission and pulley system are disposed on one side of the first plane and the motor is disposed on an opposite side of the first plane. The motor is intersected by the second and third planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: James C. Sitter, Jeffrey S. Holly, Joseph G. Bloomfield, David A. Bierdeman, Logan M. Hietpas, Adam N. Carter, Nikos A. Gainacopulos, Eric K. Farrington, Christopher M. Didier, Benjamin J. Ludy
  • Publication number: 20220297280
    Abstract: An oscillating power tool including a housing, a motor including a drive shaft rotatable about a motor axis, an output spindle configured to be driven by the motor and journaled for oscillating rotation about an oscillation axis, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is configured to convert rotation of the drive shaft into oscillating rotation of the output spindle about the oscillation axis and includes an eccentric member and a forked member. Oscillating rotation of the forked member has an angular amplitude about the oscillation axis. The eccentric member is movable with respect to the forked member to change the angular amplitude of oscillating rotation of the forked member. An amplitude adjustment actuator is configured to move the eccentric member to change the angular amplitude of oscillating rotation of the forked member. The amplitude adjustment actuator defines a receptacle. At least a portion of the forked member is disposed in the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: James C. Sitter, David A. Bierdeman