Patents by Inventor Scott Earl MCKINSTER
Scott Earl MCKINSTER 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: 11946736Abstract: Various aspects of tape measures with one or more of a sensor, a motor, and a clutch, are shown. The sensors described herein detect, through various mechanisms, the position of the retraction system of a tape measure. The measurements by the sensors may be used to control a motor to adjust an amount of tension in the spiral spring of a tape measure. In various embodiments a motor interacts with the retraction system of the tape measure via a clutch, which moderates an amount of force that the motor can communicate to the retraction system.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Gareth J. Mueckl, Scott Earl McKinster
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Patent number: 11713955Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a magnetic retraction speed controller. The magnetic retraction speed controller includes a magnet that induces an eddy current in a conductive component of the tool and slows a retraction speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Patent number: 11680784Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a fluid-based retraction speed controller. The speed controller may be formed from a rotor/stator arrangement. The rotor is coupled to the reel and the stator is coupled to the housing opposing the rotor. The rotor converts some rotational energy from tape reel into movement of a fluid (e.g., movement of air, movement of oil, etc. through friction) which acts to slow or limit the retraction/rotational speed of the reel as the retraction spring expands driving the reel during tape blade retraction.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20230076231Abstract: A tool such as a tape measure, including a lighting system is shown. The lighting system includes a light source configured to direct light forward and strong enough to act as a flashlight. The tape measure further includes a housing designed to be compact and rugged enough to protect the internal components related to the lighting system from coming loose or suffering damage due to an impact or vibrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20230003499Abstract: Various aspects of tape measures with one or more of a sensor, a motor, and a clutch, are shown. The sensors described herein detect, through various mechanisms, the position of the retraction system of a tape measure. The measurements by the sensors may be used to control a motor to adjust an amount of tension in the spiral spring of a tape measure. In various embodiments a motor interacts with the retraction system of the tape measure via a clutch, which moderates an amount of force that the motor can communicate to the retraction system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Gareth J. Mueckl, Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20220363510Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The retraction system utilizes an epicyclic gear train coupled between the tape blade winding reel and a rotating arbor or axle within the tape measure. A spiral spring has an outer end coupled to the reel and an inner end coupled to the axle. The gear train may be a reduction gear train such that the axle rotates slower than the reel. By coupling the spiral spring between the gear train input and gear train output, high energy density springs may be used, which may allow for decrease in housing size, increase in tape length or thickness for a given housing size, and/or advantageous retraction speed control.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Jonathan F. Vitas, Devin W. Herritz, Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20220341719Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a magnetic retraction speed controller. The magnetic retraction speed controller includes a magnet that induces an eddy current in a conductive component of the tool and slows a retraction speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Patent number: 11466969Abstract: Various aspects of tape measures with one or more of a sensor, a motor, and a clutch, are shown. The sensors described herein detect, through various mechanisms, the position of the retraction system of a tape measure. The measurements by the sensors may be used to control a motor to adjust an amount of tension in the spiral spring of a tape measure. In various embodiments a motor interacts with the retraction system of the tape measure via a clutch, which moderates an amount of force that the motor can communicate to the retraction system.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Gareth J. Mueckl, Scott Earl McKinster
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Patent number: 11427434Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The retraction system utilizes an epicyclic gear train coupled between the tape blade winding reel and a rotating arbor or axle within the tape measure. A spiral spring has an outer end coupled to the reel and an inner end coupled to the axle. The gear train may be a reduction gear train such that the axle rotates slower than the reel. By coupling the spiral spring between the gear train input and gear train output, high energy density springs may be used, which may allow for decrease in housing size, increase in tape length or thickness for a given housing size, and/or advantageous retraction speed control.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jonathan F. Vitas, Devin W. Herritz, Scott Earl McKinster
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Patent number: 11408718Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a magnetic retraction speed controller. The magnetic retraction speed controller includes a magnet that induces an eddy current in a conductive component of the tool and slows a retraction speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20220047030Abstract: A coupling system for safety headwear is provided. Various embodiments of safety headwear accessories, such as a brim guard, are adjustable to couple to various configurations of safety headwear. The brim guard includes a mechanism to detachably couple accessories, such as a face shield, to the safety headwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Inventors: Nicole Z. Summersett, Scott M. Hangartner, Scott Earl McKinster, Todd Andrew Zeilinger, Patrick W. McCarthy, Craig A. Fluegge
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Publication number: 20210247170Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a fluid-based retraction speed controller. The speed controller may be formed from a rotor/stator arrangement. The rotor is coupled to the reel and the stator is coupled to the housing opposing the rotor. The rotor converts some rotational energy from tape reel into movement of a fluid (e.g., movement of air, movement of oil, etc. through friction) which acts to slow or limit the retraction/rotational speed of the reel as the retraction spring expands driving the reel during tape blade retraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Patent number: 11022417Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a fluid-based retraction speed controller. The speed controller may be formed from a rotor/stator arrangement. The rotor is coupled to the reel and the stator is coupled to the housing opposing the rotor. The rotor converts some rotational energy from tape reel into movement of a fluid (e.g., movement of air, movement of oil, etc. through friction) which acts to slow or limit the retraction/rotational speed of the reel as the retraction spring expands driving the reel during tape blade retraction.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20210102794Abstract: Various aspects of tape measures with one or more of a sensor, a motor, and a clutch, are shown. The sensors described herein detect, through various mechanisms, the position of the retraction system of a tape measure. The measurements by the sensors may be used to control a motor to adjust an amount of tension in the spiral spring of a tape measure. In various embodiments a motor interacts with the retraction system of the tape measure via a clutch, which moderates an amount of force that the motor can communicate to the retraction system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Gareth J. Mueckl, Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20210088316Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a magnetic retraction speed controller. The magnetic retraction speed controller includes a magnet that induces an eddy current in a conductive component of the tool and slows a retraction speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20210070585Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The retraction system utilizes an epicyclic gear train coupled between the tape blade winding reel and a rotating arbor or axle within the tape measure. A spiral spring has an outer end coupled to the reel and an inner end coupled to the axle. The gear train may be a reduction gear train such that the axle rotates slower than the reel. By coupling the spiral spring between the gear train input and gear train output, high energy density springs may be used, which may allow for decrease in housing size, increase in tape length or thickness for a given housing size, and/or advantageous retraction speed control.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Jonathan F. Vitas, Devin W. Herritz, Scott Earl McKinster
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Patent number: 10836603Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The retraction system utilizes an epicyclic gear train coupled between the tape blade winding reel and a rotating arbor or axle within the tape measure. A spiral spring has an outer end coupled to the reel and an inner end coupled to the axle. The gear train may be a reduction gear train such that the axle rotates slower than the reel. By coupling the spiral spring between the gear train input and gear train output, high energy density springs may be used, which may allow for decrease in housing size, increase in tape length or thickness for a given housing size, and/or advantageous retraction speed control.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jonathan F. Vitas, Devin W. Herritz, Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20200165036Abstract: A storage container with various aspects is described herein. The storage container may have cleats or cleat receptacles to interact with other storage containers and/or accessories. The storage container may also include rails for attachment of various accessories. Some versions of the storage container may further include telescopic uprights connected to a handle. Many of the versions of the storage containers may further include wheels for transporting the storage containers and their contents.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Grant T. Squiers, Matthew Vargo, Matthew W. Naiva, George Barton, Christopher S. Hoppe, Scott Earl McKinster, Aaron S. Blumenthal, Michael Stearns, Michael John Caelwaerts, Aaron M. Williams, Samuel A. Gould, Steven W. Hyma, Jason D. Thurner, Yaron Brunner
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Patent number: 10605579Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The spring-based retraction system includes a motor spring system that drives a tape reel during tape retraction. The output drum of the motor spring system is coupled to the tape reel such that rotation of the reel causes rotation of the output drum. The output drum is located adjacent to the tape reel, and the output drum and tape reel may have a common axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventor: Scott Earl McKinster
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Publication number: 20180274894Abstract: A tool, such as a tape measure, including a spring-based retraction system is shown. The tape measure includes a fluid-based retraction speed controller. The speed controller may be formed from a rotor/stator arrangement. The rotor is coupled to the reel and the stator is coupled to the housing opposing the rotor. The rotor converts some rotational energy from tape reel into movement of a fluid (e.g., movement of air, movement of oil, etc. through friction) which acts to slow or limit the retraction/rotational speed of the reel as the retraction spring expands driving the reel during tape blade retraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventor: Scott Earl McKinster