Patents by Inventor Robert E. McCracken

Robert E. McCracken 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: 20100181964
    Abstract: A wireless power distribution system and method for power tools. The system includes a power transmitter and a plurality of power harvesters or receivers. The receivers are located in power tools, battery packs that are attachable to and detachable from the power tools, or a device or case that is interfaceable with the power tool or battery pack. The power transmitter transmits radio frequency (“RF”) power signals to the receivers that are within transmission range of the power transmitter. The receivers receive the RF power signals and convert the RF power signals into direct current. The direct current is used to charge a battery, directly power a tool, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Huggins, Robert E. McCracken, Jason P. Whitmire, Mike Hornick
  • Publication number: 20100162867
    Abstract: A power tool includes an electric motor, a motor housing in which the electric motor is at least partially positioned, a blade drivably coupled to the motor for rotation about a first axis, and a blade housing in which the blade is at least partially positioned. The blade and the blade housing are pivotably coupled to the motor housing about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Robert E. McCracken, Ryan T. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20100149904
    Abstract: A mixing device includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing, and an agitator operably coupled to the motor. The mixing device also includes a clamping mechanism operable to secure the housing to an open end of a container. The clamping mechanism includes a backing member engageable with an interior surface of a container, and a movable clamping member engageable with an exterior surface of the container, such that a wall of the container may be grasped or secured between the backing member and the movable clamping member. The mixing device also includes an actuator coupled to the housing and movable between a first position in which the movable clamping member is biased to engage the exterior surface of the container, and a second position in which the movable clamping member is disengaged from the exterior surface of the container, against the bias of the clamping member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Taku Ohi, Kenneth M. Brazell, Robert E. McCracken, Ryan T. Harrison, William S. Miller, Steve Steadings
  • Publication number: 20100072300
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool includes a housing assembly, a motor supported by the housing assembly, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a rotational input and a reciprocating output. The power tool also includes a sprayer assembly including a cylinder and a piston reciprocable within the cylinder in response to the reciprocating output of the drive mechanism from a first direction to an opposite, second direction. The piston is configured to draw fluid into the cylinder when moving in the first direction, and to discharge the fluid from the cylinder when moving in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: William S. Miller, Robert E. McCracken
  • Patent number: 7631847
    Abstract: A bracket includes a body with a first clamp and a second clamp. The first clamp is pivotably mounted and operatively engaged with a first lever that is pivotable between a release position and a locking position. A second lever is operatively engaged with the first lever to prevent the first lever from pivoting from a locking position to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Harrison, Robert E. McCracken, James A. Keith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7591075
    Abstract: A level, particularly a laser level is provided with a chassis simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity and a housing surrounding at least a portion of the chassis. The chassis carries a first light source for emitting a first light beam from the housing along a first plane and a second light for emitting a second light beam from the housing along a second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited
    Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
  • Publication number: 20090206534
    Abstract: A cam actuated quick action clamp used to clamp or separate two or more workpieces. The quick action clamp has a lever with an eccentric portion disposed above a bar. The eccentric portion of the lever is fixedly coupled with a jamb plate to produce a force along the clamping face of a housing in order to maximize the clamping force exerted on the workpiece or workpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
  • Publication number: 20090085325
    Abstract: A portable stand for a work tool is provided. The portable stand includes a rigid member with a longitudinal axis and a connector configured to be releasably mounted to a vehicle. A first post extends from the rigid member and a frame is rotatably connected with the first post and fixable with respect to the first post in a plurality of discrete positions. A mounting bracket is lockingly engageable with the frame and configured to fixedly support a work tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Robert E. McCracken, Scott Bettencourt, Wade F. Burch, William C. Buck, Thomas Parel, Andrew Valentine, James A. Keith, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090038447
    Abstract: A screw guide and a method of driving a screw into a work surface utilizing a driving tool and a screw guide. The screw guide having a body configured to be coupled with a rotating clamp of the rotary tool, the body defining a chamber for receiving a screw, and a support member coupled with the body and configured to maintain the screw in an orientation substantially parallel with the axis of the rotating clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Eastway Fair Company Limited
    Inventors: Robert E. McCracken, Thomas M. Parel, Lilia F. Macias, Thomas D. Evatt, Ryan T. Harrison, Taku Ohi
  • Publication number: 20080203259
    Abstract: A bracket includes a body with a first clamp and a second clamp. The first clamp is pivotably mounted and operatively engaged with a first lever that is pivotable between a release position and a locking position. A second lever is operatively engaged with the first lever to prevent the first lever from pivoting from a locking position to a release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Ryan Harrison, Robert E. McCracken, James A. Keith
  • Publication number: 20080203704
    Abstract: A foldable stand for holding a power tool is provided. The stand includes a platform and a first leg rotatably mounted to the platform. A bracket is mounted to the platform and includes a first hook engageable with a first portion of the first leg to maintain the first leg in a first position, and a second hook engageable with a second portion of the first leg to maintain the first leg in a different second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Robert E. McCracken, Ryan Harrison, Adam Radzinski, Thomas D. Evatt, James A. Keith
  • Publication number: 20080078091
    Abstract: A level, particularly a laser level is provided with a chassis simultaneously pivotable in at least a first direction and a second direction under the influence of gravity and a housing surrounding at least a portion of the chassis. The chassis carries a first light source for emitting a first light beam from the housing along a first plane and a second light for emitting a second light beam from the housing along a second plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
  • Publication number: 20080062669
    Abstract: A line generator includes a housing carrying a light source for emitting a light beam and a mounting surface for removably mounting the generator on a surface. The line generator includes a gravity dial having at least one indicator, wherein when the mounting surface is substantially vertical, the gravity dial will self level under the influence of gravity and the at least one indicator will indicate whether the emitted light beam is in a predetermined orientation selected from one of a vertical line or a horizontal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas M. Parel, Robert E. McCracken
  • Publication number: 20080052928
    Abstract: A self-leveling line generator may be removably disposable on a surface. The line generator includes a housing carrying a light source for emitting a light beam and a lens holder for carrying a lens that converts the light beam to a planar beam. The lens holder is movable with respect to the light source housing and is self-leveling so that the planar beam is in a fixed orientation on the surface on which the planar beam contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas M. Parel, Robert E. McCracken
  • Publication number: 20080052927
    Abstract: A self-leveling line generator may be removably disposable on a surface. The line generator includes a housing carrying a light source for emitting a light beam and a lens holder for carrying a lens that converts the light beam to a planar beam. The lens holder is movable with respect to the light source housing and is self-leveling so that the planar beam is in a fixed orientation on the surface on which the planar beam contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas M. Parel, Robert E. McCracken
  • Publication number: 20080052926
    Abstract: A line generator includes a housing carrying a light source for emitting a light beam and a mounting surface for removably mounting the generator on a surface. The line generator includes a gravity dial having at least one indicator, wherein when the mounting surface is substantially vertical, the gravity dial will self level under the influence of gravity and the at least one indicator will indicate whether the emitted light beam is in a predetermined orientation selected from one of a vertical line or a horizontal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas M. Parel, Robert E. McCracken
  • Patent number: 7296360
    Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contracting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Black and Decker
    Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
  • Patent number: 7266898
    Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contracting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
  • Patent number: 7260895
    Abstract: A modular tool assembly including a tool base configured to releasably secure a modular tool arrangement in a fixed relationship relative to a mounting surface. The tool base includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion having a mounting seal extending therefrom. The mounting seal cooperates with the mounting surface to define a vacuum pocket therebetween. A vacuum generating mechanism is configured to remove air from the vacuum pocket through an aperture in the lower housing portion. A modular tool attachment releasably engages a portion of the tool base to secure the modular tool attachment to the tool base. The modular tool attachment can include a self leveling laser leveling device having a laser light source mounted within a housing to project an alignment beam through an opening in the housing to denote a reference plane along the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Eastway Fair Company
    Inventors: Charles Keith Long, Robert E. McCracken, Kevin A. Moore, Charles M. Wacker, Lilia F. Macias, Mark A. Knight
  • Patent number: 7210382
    Abstract: Screw guide is provided and includes a cylindrical member having a first end adapted to rotate a fastener and a second end adapted to receive torque from an external source and transfer the torque to the fastener, a stop ring engaged with the cylindrical member that is adjustable to control the movement of the fastener with respect to the screw guide. The screw guide may also include a sleeve that surrounds the cylindrical member and the stop ring and a stand off ring that is engaged with the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Eastway Fair Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert E. McCracken