Patents by Inventor Hanxin Zhao

Hanxin Zhao 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: 11897104
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a housing and a workpiece contact element movably connected to the housing, where the workpiece contact element is movable between a rest position and an activated position. A trigger assembly including a bottom assembly and a top assembly is movably connected to the housing. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the bottom assembly of the trigger assembly and movable between a rest position and an engaged position. The top assembly includes a downwardly extending block configured to engage the actuation lever. A damper mechanism is associated with the actuation lever and is configured to control a rate of movement of the actuation lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240042587
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool that include a chamber member retainer assembly configured to enable the controller of the tool to prevent the chamber member of the tool from moving to an open unsealed position and to ensure the tool's combustion chamber remains sealed until the piston fully returns to its pre-firing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Larry Moeller, Olivier Baudrand, Andrew David Litch, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 11794323
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool that include a chamber member retainer assembly configured to enable the controller of the tool to prevent the chamber member of the tool from moving to an open unsealed position and to ensure the tool's combustion chamber remains sealed until the piston fully returns to its pre-firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Moeller, Olivier Baudrand, Andrew David Litch, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 11707827
    Abstract: A powered nailer includes a power source including a driving element reciprocating within a cylinder between a prefiring position and a fastener driving position, the latter occurring when the driving element engages a bumper disposed at the bottom of the cylinder. A reciprocating valve element defines a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the cylinder, and is configured for receiving a dose of fuel and air prior to a user-generated ignition. A return chamber at least partially surrounds the cylinder and is in fluid communication with the cylinder, being configured for receiving a supply of pressurized air generated by the driving element as it moves from the prefiring position to the fastener driving position, the pressurized air acting on an underside of the driving element for returning it to the pre-firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20230030079
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a housing and a workpiece contact element movably connected to the housing, where the workpiece contact element is movable between a rest position and an activated position. A trigger assembly including a bottom assembly and a top assembly is movably connected to the housing. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the bottom assembly of the trigger assembly and movable between a rest position and an engaged position. The top assembly includes a downwardly extending block configured to engage the actuation lever. A damper mechanism is associated with the actuation lever and is configured to control a rate of movement of the actuation lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 11491623
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a housing and a workpiece contact element movably connected to the housing, where the workpiece contact element is movable between a rest position and an activated position. A trigger assembly including a bottom assembly and a top assembly is movably connected to the housing. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the bottom assembly of the trigger assembly and movable between a rest position and an engaged position. The top assembly includes a downwardly extending block configured to engage the actuation lever. A damper mechanism is associated with the actuation lever and is configured to control a rate of movement of the actuation lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20220339766
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool also includes a trigger connected to the housing and movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position. In a powered mode, the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis
  • Publication number: 20220288756
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool that include a chamber member retainer assembly configured to enable the controller of the tool to prevent the chamber member of the tool from moving to an open unsealed position and to ensure the tool's combustion chamber remains sealed until the piston fully returns to its pre-firing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Larry Moeller, Olivier Baudrand, Andrew Litch, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 11396095
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool also includes a trigger connected to the housing and movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position. In a powered mode, the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis
  • Publication number: 20210154816
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool also includes a trigger connected to the housing and movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position. In a powered mode, the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis
  • Publication number: 20210122020
    Abstract: A powered nailer includes a power source including a driving element reciprocating within a cylinder between a prefiring position and a fastener driving position, the latter occurring when the driving element engages a bumper disposed at the bottom of the cylinder. A reciprocating valve element defines a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the cylinder, and is configured for receiving a dose of fuel and air prior to a user-generated ignition. A return chamber at least partially surrounds the cylinder and is in fluid communication with the cylinder, being configured for receiving a supply of pressurized air generated by the driving element as it moves from the prefiring position to the fastener driving position, the pressurized air acting on an underside of the driving element for returning it to the pre-firing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20210101268
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a housing and a workpiece contact element movably connected to the housing, where the workpiece contact element is movable between a rest position and an activated position. A trigger assembly including a bottom assembly and a top assembly is movably connected to the housing. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the bottom assembly of the trigger assembly and movable between a rest position and an engaged position. The top assembly includes a downwardly extending block configured to engage the actuation lever. A damper mechanism is associated with the actuation lever and is configured to control a rate of movement of the actuation lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 10926387
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool also includes a trigger connected to the housing and movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position. In a powered mode, the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis
  • Patent number: 10888983
    Abstract: A powered nailer includes a power source including a driving element reciprocating within a cylinder between a prefiring position and a fastener driving position, the latter occurring when the driving element engages a bumper disposed at the bottom of the cylinder. A reciprocating valve element defines a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the cylinder, and is configured for receiving a dose of fuel and air prior to a user-generated ignition. A return chamber at least partially surrounds the cylinder and is in fluid communication with the cylinder, being configured for receiving a supply of pressurized air generated by the driving element as it moves from the prefiring position to the fastener driving position, the pressurized air acting on an underside of the driving element for returning it to the pre-firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 10800022
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a powered-fastener-driving tool including driver blade that has a varying cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Hanxin Zhao, Stephen Moore
  • Patent number: 10668607
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source having a combustion chamber, a reciprocating piston and driver blade, and a valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position. The valve sleeve partially defines the combustion chamber. A lockout device is in fluid communication with the combustion power source and includes a reciprocating gas piston connected to a latch in operational proximity to the valve sleeve. The lockout device is configured such that upon combustion in the combustion chamber, gas from the combustion engages the gas piston and moves the latch to an engaged position in which the valve sleeve is prevented from moving to the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Hanxin Zhao, Christopher H. Porth, Stephen P. Moore
  • Patent number: 10646984
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a combustion-powered fastener-driving tool including an engaging element that improves tool performance by frictionally engaging a piston upon its return to a pre-firing position, thereby reducing the likelihood that the piston will end up at a position other than the pre-firing position after completion of a fastener-driving cycle. In one embodiment, the fastener-driving tool comprises a cylinder, a driving assembly slidably disposed within the cylinder and movable from a pre-firing position to a firing position to drive a fastener into a workpiece, and an engaging element. The driving assembly includes an outwardly tapered engaging element contact surface, and the engaging element is positioned to engage the engaging element contact surface when the driving assembly is in the pre-firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Hanxin Zhao, Stephen Moore
  • Patent number: 10618155
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool including a housing having an air connector, at least one of a power storage device and an electrical component associated with the housing and an electric motor assembly associated with the housing. The electric motor assembly includes a fan where air is supplied to the housing through the air connector and moves through the housing and contacts the fan to cause the fan to rotate, rotation of the fan causing the electric motor to generate electricity that is directed to the at least one power storage device and the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 10493608
    Abstract: A combustion tool is provided, including an engine with a ratio of cylinder volume to combustion chamber volume of at least 1.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Largo, Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20190184536
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool also includes a trigger connected to the housing and movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position. In a powered mode, the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis