Patents by Inventor Francis James Steinmetz

Francis James Steinmetz 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).

  • Torque-limiting screwdrivers
    Patent number: 10206731
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • TORQUE-LIMITING SCREWDRIVERS
    Publication number: 20160256213
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • Torque-limiting screwdrivers
    Patent number: 9265551
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • TORQUE-LIMITING SCREWDRIVERS
    Publication number: 20150025538
    Abstract: Various torque-limiting screwdrivers, systems, and methods are disclosed. The screwdriver can include a body supporting a motor configured to rotate a screw engaged with the screwdriver. The screwdriver can include a controller configured to implement torque-limiting functionality, such as by monitoring the amount of torque applied to the screw and reducing or stopping rotation of the screw when certain torque-limiting criteria are met. Some embodiments include a threshold point, after which the torque-limiting functionality can be engaged. Some embodiments include a slowdown point, after which the rotational speed of the screw is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Kust, John Joseph Desrosiers, Francis James Steinmetz, Dung Ma, Siddharth Desai
  • Handheld device with thermal padding
    Patent number: 8581454
    Abstract: A handheld device comprises a housing, a motor, and a thermally conductive pad disposed in a space between the motor and the housing. Heat generated by the motor can be conducted by the thermal pad to the housing or to an internal fluid passage generally extending the length of the motor. In some embodiments, the thermal pad is configured to maintain the temperature of the housing in accordance with industry guidelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pro-Dex, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Corrington, Francis James Steinmetz, Daniel Manuel Santos
  • HANDHELD DEVICE WITH THERMAL PADDING
    Publication number: 20110213395
    Abstract: A handheld device comprises a housing, a motor, and a thermally conductive pad disposed in a space between the motor and the housing. Heat generated by the motor can be conducted by the thermal pad to the housing or to an internal fluid passage generally extending the length of the motor. In some embodiments, the thermal pad is configured to maintain the temperature of the housing in accordance with industry guidelines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: PRO-DEX, INC.
    Inventors: Richard A. Corrington, Francis James Steinmetz, Daniel Manuel Santos