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).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 10213911
    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: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis
  • Publication number: 20180339404
    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: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20180222030
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a powered-fastener-driving tool including driver blade that has a varying cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Hanxin Zhao, Stephen Moore
  • Patent number: 10040183
    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 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20180193990
    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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Hanxin Zhao, Stephen Moore
  • Patent number: 9844864
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a housing enclosing a cylinder having a lower end with a resilient bumper, a return air chamber in communication with the lower end of the cylinder and a piston dimensioned for reciprocation within the cylinder to impact the bumper and having a driver blade depending therefrom. At least one inlet opening is in communication with the return air chamber and at least one outlet opening is disposed in the cylinder and spaced from the at least one inlet opening. The at least outlet opening is in communication with the return air chamber and aligned with the piston so that each outlet opening is closed by the piston to seal the cylinder as the piston impacts the bumper and traps a residual volume of air in the cylinder below the piston to damp impact of the piston upon the bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Hanxin Zhao, Stephen P. Moore
  • Patent number: 9782880
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing, a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position, and a trigger movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and a control valve including an actuating pin and an electromagnet where the actuating pin is movable between a rest position and an activated position. In a powered mode, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the actuation lever to the actuating pin and hold the actuation lever and the actuating pin in respective activated positions such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece. In a non-powered mode, the electromagnet is not energized such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20170239800
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 9676090
    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: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20170129084
    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: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis
  • Publication number: 20170050303
    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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Hanxin Zhao, Christopher H. Porth, Stephen P. Moore
  • Publication number: 20170036335
    Abstract: A combustion tool is provided, including an engine with a ratio of cylinder volume to combustion chamber volume of at least 1.14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Largo, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 9550288
    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: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis
  • Patent number: 9492915
    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: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Largo, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 9486906
    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: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Hanxin Zhao, Christopher H. Porth, Stephen P. Moore
  • Publication number: 20160279774
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing, a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position, and a trigger movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and a control valve including an actuating pin and an electromagnet where the actuating pin is movable between a rest position and an activated position. In a powered mode, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the actuation lever to the actuating pin and hold the actuation lever and the actuating pin in respective activated positions such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece. In a non-powered mode, the electromagnet is not energized such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 9381633
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing, a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position, and a trigger movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and a control valve including an actuating pin and an electromagnet where the actuating pin is movable between a rest position and an activated position. In a powered mode, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the actuation lever to the actuating pin and hold the actuation lever and the actuating pin in respective activated positions such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece. In a non-powered mode, the electromagnet is not energized such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150102084
    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: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 8925780
    Abstract: A nailer includes a power source including a piston reciprocating within a cylinder; a driver blade secured to the piston for common movement relative to a nosepiece; a magazine connected to the nosepiece for feeding fasteners sequentially for being driven into a workpiece by the driver blade; a fastener delay mechanism operatively associated with the magazine and configured for engaging a subsequent fastener and delaying advancement of the second fastener to the nosepiece until the driver blade returns to the pre-firing position after driving a leading fastener; and wherein the delay mechanism includes an electromagnetic solenoid with a reciprocating plunger connected to a pivoting cam member such that extension of the plunger causes the pivoting cam member to pivot into a blocking position between the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Largo, Hanxin Zhao, Christopher H. Porth, Daniel Birk