Patents by Inventor Kui-Chiu Kwok

Kui-Chiu Kwok 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: 5806747
    Abstract: In a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool with a combustion chamber, a piston chamber communicating with the combustion chamber, a driving piston movable within the piston chamber between an initial position and a terminal position, and a driving blade mounted to the driving piston so as to be conjointly movable with the driving piston, the driving piston, the driving blade, and the piston chamber are arranged so that combustion in the combustion chamber imparts energy to the driving piston and the driving blade so as to drive the driving piston and the driving blade from the initial position toward the terminal position with the driving blade preceding the driving piston, over a stroke having a length sufficient to enable the driving blade to transfer more than eight tenths of the maximum, transferable energy to a fastener engaged by the driving blade as the driving piston and the driving blade approach the terminal position. The piston chamber has an inner, cylindrical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Kui-Chiu Kwok, G. Michael Velan
  • Patent number: 5799855
    Abstract: A piston velocity control and stability control system is provided for a combustion powered tool having a self contained combustion engine. The system includes a ring that may be adjusted relative to exit ports in a cylinder of the combustion engine. The ring includes openings which may be incrementally aligned between a completely exposed, and a substantially closed position relative to the exit ports. Displaced air volume within the cylinder exits through the exit ports as a piston advances down the cylinder, and the velocity of the piston will be greatest when the exit ports are completely exposed. User initiated reduction of the effective size of the exit ports by adjustment of the ring will reduce piston velocity as described per application. A nosepiece used to guide the driver blade and position the blade over a fastener is isolated from the cylinder so that the nosepiece remains stable relative to the workpiece upon combustion and until the driver blade strikes the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley C. Veoukas, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Donald L. Van Erden, George M. Velan
  • Patent number: 5722578
    Abstract: In a combustion-powered, fastener-driving tool with a combustion chamber, a piston chamber communicating with the combustion chamber, a driving piston movable within the piston chamber between an initial position and a terminal position, and a driving blade mounted to the driving piston so as to be conjointly movable with the driving piston, the driving piston, the driving blade, and the piston chamber are arranged so that combustion in the combustion chamber imparts energy to the driving piston and the driving blade so as to drive the driving piston and the driving blade from the initial position toward the terminal position with the driving blade preceding the driving piston, over a stroke having a length sufficient to enable the driving blade to transfer more than eight tenths of the maximum, transferable energy to a fastener engaged by the driving blade as the driving piston and the driving blade approach the terminal position. The piston chamber has an inner, cylindrical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Van Erden, Kui-Chiu Kwok, G. Michael Velan
  • Patent number: 4927081
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer is provided with a center feed tube which forms a stationary central shaft. A rotating shaft is fitted over the stationary shaft with ball or air bearings and has a rotationally symmetric turbine wheel thereon. Located at the end of the rotating shaft is a rotary atomizing cup which is fed by the center feed tube. The forward face of the cup terminates in the discharge edge and is fed by a nearly continuous slot which is formed by a distributor located in the center of the cup and which is spaced from the main body of the cup by three small pins. A small portion of paint is allowed to flow through a diffuser located in the center of the distributor and which provides continuous wetting of the front of the distributor so as to prevent the flaking of dried paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Bernard J. Marchand
  • Patent number: 4684064
    Abstract: Centrifugal atomizer head for connection to a high speed rotary atomizer, having an outer disk for receiving and atomizing liquid, and a central disk fitted over the outer disk so as to create an annular liquid passage therebetween, the central disk having a central recess with a plurality of openings through the recess to receive liquid for passage into the recess and over the central disk and over the outer disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventor: Kui-Chiu Kwok
  • Patent number: 4660774
    Abstract: In a fluid spray gun, the fluid nozzle is threadedly attached to the gun body and is covered by an air cap and threaded retaining ring. A latching mechanism is placed in the gun body and removably latches the toothed nozzle in place to prevent rotation due to friction from the air cap and retaining ring. The latch is held in place by the air cap and/or retaining ring but is easily disengaged when the air cap and retaining ring are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: GRACO INC.
    Inventors: Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert J. Lind