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).
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Patent number: 7174648Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Eastway Fair CompanyInventors: Charles Keith Long, Robert E. McCracken, Kevin A. Moore, Charles M. Wacker, Lilia F. Macias, Mark A. Knight
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Patent number: 7013571Abstract: 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 pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 6915583Abstract: 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 pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Publication number: 20040031163Abstract: 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 pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 6606798Abstract: 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 pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 6592441Abstract: A power waxer is provided which includes structure for electrically connecting a power cord thereto while minimizing instances of accidental disconnection therebetween with the structure being located so as to substantially remove the power cord as an impediment to the operation and ability to exert proper control over the waxer during operation thereof. Also, there is provided structure for controlling torque output of a motor of a power waxer to selectively change the torque output for different stages of the waxing process.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: WHM Tool Group, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. McCracken, Raul Cortes
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Patent number: 6499172Abstract: An adjustable handle assembly is provided for use with a hand-held power tool, such as a polisher, to enhance control while operating on delicate surfaces of varying contours. The handle assembly includes a handle mounted to the housing of the tool in a manner that facilitates quick adjustment of the handle between various predetermined positions relative to the housing without the use of tools, turning of nuts and bolts and prolonged work stoppage. The handle assembly also includes lock members on one of the handle and the housing and lock receiving grooves on the other of the handle and housing which can cooperate with the lock members to fix the handle in one of the predetermined positions relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: WMH Tool Group, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
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Patent number: 6492907Abstract: A smoke detector apparatus that provides a generally continuous supply of electrical power to a smoke detector unit. The apparatus provides flexibility in locating the detector unit while still generally maintaining uninterrupted access to electrical power. In various forms, the apparatus allows for mounting of a smoke detector unit remote from an electrical wall outlet. Generally uninterrupted power from the electrical system of a home or building to the smoke detector unit may be provided by way of an integral mounting plate, blocking member, and/or outlet covers.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
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Publication number: 20020162233Abstract: 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 pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Publication number: 20010041525Abstract: A power waxer is provided which includes structure for electrically connecting a power cord thereto while minimizing instances of accidental disconnection therebetween with the structure being located so as to substantially remove the power cord as an impediment to the operation and ability to exert proper control over the waxer during operation thereof. Also, there is provided structure for controlling torque output of a motor of a power waxer to selectively change the torque output for different stages of the waxing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Applicant: WILTON TOOL COMPANY, LLCInventors: Robert E. McCracken, Raul Cortes
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Patent number: 6290587Abstract: A power waxer is provided which includes structure for electrically connecting a power cord thereto while minimizing instances of accidental disconnection therebetween with the structure being located so as to substantially remove the power cord as an impediment to the operation and ability to exert proper control over the waxer during operation thereof. Also, there is provided structure for controlling torque output of a motor of a power waxer to selectively change the torque output for different stages of the waxing process.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Wilton Tool Company, LLCInventors: Robert E. McCracken, Raul Cortes
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Patent number: 6168507Abstract: An electrically-powered polisher is provided which includes a central housing having a top and a bottom and a front and a back with a rotary pad mounted adjacent to the bottom of the housing. A front handle extends horizontally outwardly from the housing front substantially parallel to the top and bottom of the housing adjacent to and above the housing bottom. A rear handle extends outward from the housing rear and extends vertically between the top and bottom of the housing. A collar is defined at the top of the housing and a male receptacle, including male prongs, is mounted therein. The male receptacle is capable of being electrically connected to a female socket head of an electrical cord supplying power to the waxer. The collar is recessed in the top of the housing with the male prongs of the receptacle extending from the housing into the collar.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
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Patent number: 5830047Abstract: An electrically-powered polisher is provided which includes a central housing having a top and a bottom and a front and a back with a rotary pad mounted adjacent to the bottom of the housing. A front handle extends horizontally outwardly from the housing front substantially parallel to the top and bottom of the housing adjacent to and above the housing bottom. A rear handle extends outward from the housing rear and extends vertically between the top and bottom of the housing. A collar is defined at the top of the housing and a male receptacle, including male prongs, is mounted therein. The male receptacle is capable of being electrically connected to a female socket head of an electrical cord supplying power to the waxer. The collar is recessed in the top of the housing with the male prongs of the receptacle extending from the housing into the collar.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
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Patent number: 5794300Abstract: A power tool is provided which includes a shaft rotatably driven by the motor and an axial lining in the central bore of the working element. A counterweight assembly is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith. A post on the counterweight assembly is insertable in the axial lining. A detent is mounted to the post and includes arcuate cam surfaces. The detent is movable between (1) an extended position relative to the post, and (2) a depressed position relative to the post wherein the axial lining engages the cam surfaces and allows the post to be inserted in the axial lining. A circumferential groove on the axial lining is capable of capturing the detent in the extended position to provide for substantially fail-safe operation of the tool with the post inserted in the axial lining.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. McCracken, James B. Watson
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Patent number: 5678272Abstract: A power tool is provided which includes a shaft rotatably driven by the motor and an axial lining in the central bore of the working element. A counterweight assembly is attached to the shaft for rotation therewith. A post on the counterweight assembly is insertable in the axial lining. A detent is mounted to the post and includes arcuate cam surfaces. The detent is movable between (1) an extended position relative to the post, and (2) a depressed position relative to the post wherein the axial lining engages the cam surfaces and allows the post to be inserted in the axial lining. A circumferential groove on the axial lining is capable of capturing the detent in the extended position to provide for substantially fail-safe operation of the tool with the post inserted in the axial lining.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1995Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. McCracken, James B. Watson
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Patent number: 5672261Abstract: A method for preparing a Ni base superalloy inner wall surface of a body open end, such as an end of a turbomachinery blade, and an end plate, such as a blade tip cap, for brazing together at a rim of the end plate includes electrochemically removing oxides from the inner wall surface. The end plate is prepared, at least at its rim, by first removing surface and subsurface oxides, for example by mechanical abrading or a combination of such abrading and acid cleaning. Then at least the rim is electroplated with Ni which is heated to diffuse the Ni into the rim substrate. This provides an improved combination of surfaces for brazing for example with a Ni base brazing alloy. After brazing the rim to the inner wall, there is provided an article with an improved relatively low oxide brazed joint, including less than about 20 volume % oxides, and a plate rim of substantially Ni along with elements diffused from the brazing alloy and the rim.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary E. Wheat, Robert E. McCracken, Nicholas C. Palmer
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Patent number: 5664634Abstract: A power tool is provided and includes a housing having a first longitudinal axis extending therein. An output shaft is mounted in the housing along the longitudinal axis operably connected to the working element. A motor in the housing is provided for driving the output shaft. A transmission system has cooperating portions which are movable between (1) a first state wherein the cooperating portions are disengaged from each other allowing the output shaft to reciprocate, and (2) a second state wherein the cooperating portions are engaged with each other causing the output shaft to rotate. A wobble driver is mounted to the output shaft with the wobble driver having (1) a first mode wherein the wobble driver is in driving relation to the output shaft and is capable of reciprocating with the output shaft along the first longitudinal axis, and (2) a second mode when the wobble driver is in non-driving relation to the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
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Patent number: 5642008Abstract: A motor assembly for driving a working element of a power tool which is provided includes first and second clamshell housing members connectable to define an interior space for the power tool motor and a longitudinal axis extending through the interior space. An armature includes a core and a rotatable shaft for driving a working element of the tool. The armature is mountable in the interior space with the rotatable shaft aligned along the longitudinal axis. A cylindrical stator yoke is mountable in the interior space about the longitudinal axis to encircle the armature. Top and bottom bearings are mounted on corresponding ends of the armature shaft. Alignment and support members on the first and second housing members are provided with the alignment and support members capturing and fixing the yoke and top and bottom bearings in the interior space in alignment about the longitudinal axis when the clamshell housing members are connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
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Patent number: D391698Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1995Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Waxing Corporation of America, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. McCracken, James B. Watson
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Patent number: D392778Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1996Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Waxing Corporation of AmericaInventor: Robert E. McCracken