Patents by Inventor Kenneth F. Herres

Kenneth F. Herres 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: 7176404
    Abstract: A torch cable in which both the electrical connection and the pneumatic connection can be made concurrently in one motion by coupling the end of the torch cable to the exterior of the supply unit. The coupling further includes a quick disconnect feature. The torch cable coupling is simple and inexpensive, using standard off-the-shelf components. The end of the cable comprises various components that are overmolded to form an electrically insulative body, e.g., made of urethane rubber compound. This molded body incorporates strain relief, is water resistant, protects the electrical plug, and stabilizes the electrical contacts. Gas, power and control are combined in one assembly. The pneumatic quick disconnect coupling is used as a latching mechanism for the entire assembly. The torch cable can be disconnected from the supply unit by simply releasing the quick disconnect coupling and then pulling the end of the torch cable away from the supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Herres
  • Publication number: 20040140295
    Abstract: A torch cable in which both the electrical connection and the pneumatic connection can be made concurrently in one motion by coupling the end of the torch cable to the exterior of the supply unit. The coupling further includes a quick disconnect feature. The torch cable coupling is simple and inexpensive, using standard off-the-shelf components. The end of the cable comprises various components that are overmolded to form an electrically insulative body, e.g., made of urethane rubber compound. This molded body incorporates strain relief, is water resistant, protects the electrical plug, and stabilizes the electrical contacts. Gas, power and control are combined in one assembly. The pneumatic quick disconnect coupling is used as a latching mechanism for the entire assembly. The torch cable can be disconnected from the supply unit by simply releasing the quick disconnect coupling and then pulling the end of the torch cable away from the supply unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Herres
  • Patent number: 5941300
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for cooling a coolant is provided having a pump coupled to the motor to pump coolant, a radiator for cooling the coolant, and a resilient hollow reservoir for holding coolant in the form of a planar base portion and an annular portion integrally coupled to and extending upwards from the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Colling, Kenneth C. Altekruse, Kenneth F. Herres
  • Patent number: 5793016
    Abstract: A foot control for a TIG welding machine utilizes a timing belt that is tensioned between a pedal and an enclosure. The timing belt meshes with a timing gear that is fixed to a rotatable shaft. Pivoting the pedal on the enclosure causes the timing belt to travel past and rotate the gear and shaft. A potentiometer on the shaft also rotates to control the power output of the welding machine. The belt is tensioned by a relatively weak spring in a manner that biases the pedal in one direction on the enclosure. A stronger spring biases the pedal in the opposite direction. The pedal is hinged to the enclosure by resilient tabs on the enclosure having bosses that engage holes in the pedal. The tab bosses can be depressed to disengage the pedal holes and enable the pedal to be removed from the enclosure. A heavy base joined to the enclosure has plates that lie alongside the enclosure tabs such that the tab bosses cannot be depressed out of engagement with the pedal holes when the base is joined to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Colling, Kenneth F. Herres