Patents by Inventor Thomas A. McCardle
Thomas A. McCardle 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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Publication number: 20240139923Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Thomas A. McCardle, Danny L. Bolender, Steve Dickinson, Joseph R. Knueven, Robert L. Lance, Jr., Dan Stoltz, Michael V. Petrocelli
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Patent number: 11890734Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. McCardle, Christopher D. Klein, Anthony D. Kabbes, Donald C. Ries, John T. Burke, Kory A. Gunnerson, Jerome J. Schafer
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Publication number: 20240017387Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drives staples, nails, pins, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston further compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. In an illustrated embodiment, the tool exhibits an inverted U-shape tri-chamber design for the central cylinder, a left-side pressure chamber, and a right-side pressure chamber. In one illustrated embodiment, the lifter motor is configured to have its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the working cylinder, thereby making this tool more compact. Other embodiments show the angle to be between 0-90 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. McCardle, Christopher D. Klein
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Patent number: 11845167Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Richard L Leimbach, Thomas A. McCardle, Danny L. Bolender, Steve Dickinson, Joseph R. Knueven, Robert L. Lance, Jr., Dan Stoltz, Michael V. Petrocelli
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Publication number: 20230330825Abstract: A rotary-to-linear lifter for fastener driving tools is provided that has independently movable lifter pins that lift a driver with driver protrusions during a lift stroke. The lifter includes a central lifter shaft that rotates during a lift stroke, a solenoid that actuates, a plurality of lifter pins, and a lifter base. When the solenoid actuates, the lifter pins protrude from the top of the lifter base, and when not actuated, the lifter pins retract inside the lifter base. Each lifter pin has a set of forward and rearward springs that allow for longitudinal pin movements along the lifter's axis of rotation. If there is interference during a lift stroke, individual lifter pin(s) become blocked, and mostly remain inside the lifter base, until the lifter rotates the affected pin away from the interference. Then that lifter pin will again protrude from the lifter base, ready to engage the driver protrusions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventor: Thomas A. McCardle
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Patent number: 11731254Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Anthony D. Kabbes, Thomas Matthew Webster, Steven R. Streicher, Thomas A. McCardle, William H. Hoffman, Christopher D. Klein
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Publication number: 20230024447Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. McCardle, Christopher D. Klein, Anthony D. Kabbes, Donald C. Ries, John T. Burke, Kory A. Gunnerson, Jerome J. Schafer
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Publication number: 20220371167Abstract: A fastener driving tool with a working cylinder and a piston, the piston outer surface having a lubricant-saturated foam material that stores and dispenses lubricant into the piston-cylinder wall interface, thereby increasing the performance and lifespan of the tool. Another embodiment discloses a two-part piston in which the bottom portion is made of metal and absorbs the main mechanical loading forces of the piston drive and return strokes, and the top portion is made of a non-metallic material that has surfaces that act as sliding bearings against the inner wall of the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: David D. Bradley, Thomas A. McCardle, Anthony D. Kabbes
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Patent number: 11491624Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. McCardle, Christopher D. Klein, Anthony D. Kabbes, Donald C. Ries, John T. Burke, Kory A. Gunnerson, Jerome J. Schafer
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Patent number: 11413734Abstract: A fastener driving tool with a working cylinder and a piston, the piston outer surface having a lubricant-saturated foam material that stores and dispenses lubricant into the piston-cylinder wall interface, thereby increasing the performance and lifespan of the tool. Another embodiment discloses a two-part piston in which the bottom portion is made of metal and absorbs the main mechanical loading forces of the piston drive and return strokes, and the top portion is made of a non-metallic material that has surfaces that act as sliding bearings against the inner wall of the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: David D. Bradley, Thomas A. McCardle, Anthony D. Kabbes
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Publication number: 20220126433Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Thomas A. McCardle, Danny L. Bolender, Steve Dickinson, Joseph R. Knueven, Robert L. Lance, JR., Dan Stoltz, Michael V. Petrocelli
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Patent number: 11241776Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Thomas A. McCardle, Danny L. Bolender, Steve Dickinson, Joseph R. Knueven, Robert L. Lance, Jr., Dan Stoltz, Michael V. Petrocelli
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Patent number: 11034007Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2020Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Thomas A. McCardle, Danny L. Bolender, Steve Dickinson, Joseph R. Knueven, Robert L. Lance, Jr., Dan Stoltz, Michael V. Petrocelli
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Publication number: 20210094161Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Thomas A. McCardle, Danny L. Bolender, Steve Dickinson, Joseph R. Knueven, Robert L. Lance, JR., Dan Stoltz, Michael V. Petrocelli
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Patent number: 10898994Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lifter subassembly for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lifter is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and if the driver is mispositioned at the beginning of a lifting phase, the lifter can displace a small distance to allow the lifter to move over the driver's protrusions, thereby allowing the lifting phase to continue without causing a jam. A retainer (or “cam follower”) is positioned along a rounded cam profile surface of at least one lifter disk to prevent the lifter from displacing during later portions of the lifting phase, or during a transition phase. The lifter includes at least two rotating disks with extending pins to engage driver protrusions. One of the lifter disks can have gear teeth on its perimeter, instead of a cam profile surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Alexander L. Carrier, Christopher D. Klein, Thomas A. McCardle
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Publication number: 20210016424Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Anthony D. Kabbes, Thomas Matthew Webster, Steven R. Streicher, Thomas A. McCardle, William H. Hoffman, Christopher D. Klein
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Patent number: 10821585Abstract: A gas spring fastener driving tool, having a cylinder filled with compressed gas that forces a piston/driver through a driving stroke movement; a rotary-to-linear lifter, then moves the piston/driver back to its ready position, preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions (teeth) along its edges to contact extending pins of the lifter member, for lifting the driver during a return stroke. The driver's movements are detected by position sensors, and the information provided by those position sensors is used to prevent the lifter from impacting against the driver in situations where the driver did not finish its driving stroke in a correct (“in specification”) position. The use of two position sensors allows a Dry Fire diagnostic test to determine if gas pressure in the gas storage chamber is too high, or has become too low.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Anthony D. Kabbes, Thomas Matthew Webster, Steven R. Streicher, Thomas A. McCardle, William H. Hoffman, Christopher D. Klein
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Publication number: 20200156228Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. McCardle, Christopher D. Klein, Anthony D. Kabbes, Donald C. Ries, John T. Burke, Kory A. Gunnerson, Jerome J. Schafer
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Publication number: 20200122308Abstract: A fastener driving tool with a working cylinder and a piston, the piston outer surface having a lubricant-saturated foam material that stores and dispenses lubricant into the piston-cylinder wall interface, thereby increasing the performance and lifespan of the tool. Another embodiment discloses a two-part piston in which the bottom portion is made of metal and absorbs the main mechanical loading forces of the piston drive and return strokes, and the top portion is made of a non-metallic material that has surfaces that act as sliding bearings against the inner wall of the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc.Inventors: David D. Bradley, Thomas A. McCardle, Anthony D. Kabbes
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Patent number: 10549412Abstract: A fastener driving tool that includes a lift mechanism for moving the driver from a driven position to a ready position. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism is mounted to a movable pivot arm, and the pivot arm is slightly rotated to allow the driver to drive a fastener; when the driver is to be lifted in a return stroke, the lifter subassembly is moved back into engagement with the driver, and multiple lifter pins contact protrusions in the driver to lift the driver from the driven position to the ready position. In another embodiment, the pivotable lifter floats along the driver, and “releases” from contact only to prevent a jam or otherwise undesirable operating condition involving the driver; otherwise, the lifter remains nested in the tool's guide body during all operating states. A solenoid-operated latch also is provided to prevent the driver from moving downward (for driving a fastener).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Senco Brands, Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. McCardle, Christopher D. Klein, Anthony D. Kabbes, Donald C. Ries, John T. Burke, Kory A. Gunnerson, Jerome J. Schafer