Patents by Inventor Troy C. Thorson

Troy C. Thorson 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: 20210347025
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston, a driver blade attached to the piston, the driver blade movable with the piston, a lifter including a rotary component operably coupled to the driver blade to move the driver blade from a driven position to a ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission. The transmission includes an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion in which the cylinder is received and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received to rotatably support the output shaft. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan Allen Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Patent number: 11148312
    Abstract: A hand-held knockout driver includes a main housing having a handle portion, a motor positioned within the main housing, a pump assembly driven by the motor, and a secondary housing coupled to the main housing and defining a bore therein. The hand-held knockout driver also includes a working piston moveable within the bore from a rest position to an actuated position to define a piston throw distance therebetween. The hand-held knockout driver also includes a draw stud coupled to the working piston, a die coupled to the secondary housing, and a punch coupled to the draw stud opposite the working piston for movement therewith relative to the die. The die has a depth greater than the piston throw distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, Jr., Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner, Sean T. Kehoe, Joseph H. Ellice, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Publication number: 20210308853
    Abstract: A rotary hammer adapted to impart axial impacts to a tool bit. The rotary hammer includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor, causing the spindle to rotate, a reciprocation mechanism operable to create a variable pressure air spring within the spindle, an anvil received within the spindle for reciprocation in response to the pressure of the air spring, the anvil imparting axial impacts to the tool bit, a bit retention assembly for securing the tool bit to the spindle, and an electromagnetic clutch mechanism switchable between a first state, in which the reciprocation mechanism is enabled, such that the anvil imparts axial impacts to the tool bit, and a second state, in which the reciprocation mechanism is disabled, such that the anvil ceases to impart axial impacts to the tool bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Ebner, Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20210308850
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The drive unit includes an output shaft. The powered fastener driver also includes a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The lifter is configured to receive torque from the drive unit in a first rotational direction for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The powered fastener driver further includes a kickout arrangement located between the lifter and the output shaft. The kickout arrangement is configured to permit limited rotation of the lifter relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: David A. BIERDEMAN, Mackenzie J. NICK, Beth E. CHOLST, Troy C. THORSON, Nathan BANDY, Jacob P. SCHNEIDER
  • Publication number: 20210308778
    Abstract: A blade clamp, for use with a power tool having a reciprocating spindle, includes a cover rotatably coupled to the spindle and a detent received within a bore of the spindle. The detent is movable in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the spindle to adjust the blade clamp between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The cover is rotatable between a first rotational position relative to the spindle coinciding with the locked configuration, and a second rotational position relative to the spindle coinciding with the unlocked configuration. The blade clamp further includes a sleeve in which the detent is slidably received. The sleeve includes a non-corrosive material for inhibiting corrosion of the detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Hans T. Banholzer
  • Publication number: 20210299902
    Abstract: A hand-held knockout punch driver includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, a head unit removably coupled to the housing, the head unit including a body, an input member movable relative to the body, and a draw rod to which at least one of a punch or a die is attachable. The draw rod is configured to move axially relative to the body in response to movement of the input member relative to the body. A quick-release mechanism removably couples the body to the housing and includes radially inward-extending locking members on one of the housing or the head unit and a plurality of radially outward-extending locking members on the other of the housing or the head unit engageable with the radially inward-extending locking members to lock the head unit to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, JR., Troy C. Thorson, Koon For Chung
  • Patent number: 11122735
    Abstract: A spool and a trimmer head. The trimmer head includes a housing defining a cavity and rotatable about an axis. A spool is supported in the cavity and operable to support line to be dispensed. The spool is movable along the axis relative to the housing, and the spool and the housing define cooperating conical surfaces to center the spool during movement of the spool toward and in a position relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson
  • Patent number: 11117234
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor positioned substantially within the housing, a drive mechanism supported by the housing and coupled to the motor, a battery pack electrically coupled to the motor, and an isolation system. The isolation system includes an interface member positioned substantially within the housing. The interface member receives a portion of the battery pack to electrically couple the battery pack to the motor. The isolation system also includes a plurality of isolators coupled between the housing and the interface member to isolate the battery pack from the housing during operation of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Andrew J. Weber
  • Patent number: 11110577
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes a housing having a handle portion. A motor is positioned within the housing. The fastener driver further includes an air compressor including a compressor cylinder and a compressor piston movable within the compressor cylinder in a reciprocating manner to compress air within the compressor cylinder. The fastener driver further includes a drive train converting torque from the motor to a linear force applied to the compressor piston, causing the compressor piston to move in the reciprocating manner. At least a portion of the drive train extends through the handle portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Weber, James M. Wentzloff, Nicholas A. Albers, Bradley S. Helm, Troy C. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20210252617
    Abstract: A power tool is provided with a coating to distribute static electricity away from the surface of the handle of the tool. The tool includes a handle configured to be grasped by a user. The handle includes a surface and a first material having a first surface resistivity. The tool includes a coating covering at least a portion of the handle. The coating is configured to distribute static electricity away from the surface. The coating is made of a second material having a second surface resistivity less than the first surface resistivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy R. OBERMANN, Patrick D. GALLAGHER, Jessie L. BERNITT, Mitchell CARLSON, Timothy J. BARTLETT, Alex HUBER, Travis J. DUBNICKA, Daniel R. ERTL, Troy C. THORSON, Kevin STASZAK, Austin JIN
  • Patent number: 11072058
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver including a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter operable to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, a transmission for providing torque to the lifter, a first clutch mechanism permitting a transfer of torque to an output shaft of the transmission in a single rotational direction, and a second clutch mechanism limiting an amount of torque transferred to the transmission output shaft and the lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan A. Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Patent number: 11065698
    Abstract: A blade clamp, for use with a power tool having a reciprocating spindle, includes a cover rotatably coupled to the spindle and a detent received within a bore of the spindle. The detent is movable in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the spindle to adjust the blade clamp between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The cover is rotatable between a first rotational position relative to the spindle coinciding with the locked configuration, and a second rotational position relative to the spindle coinciding with the unlocked configuration. The blade clamp further includes a sleeve in which the detent is slidably received. The sleeve includes a non-corrosive material for inhibiting corrosion of the detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Hans T. Banholzer
  • Publication number: 20210184304
    Abstract: A battery pack that is connectable to and supportable by a power tool (e.g., a hand-held power tool). The battery pack includes a top housing having a support member. The support member of the battery pack top housing is configured or operable to reinforce a support portion of the battery pack that is used to connect the battery pack to the power tool. By reinforcing the support portion of the battery pack, an interface between the battery pack and the power tool is able to withstand greater forces (e.g., from vibrations caused by the power tool).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 11034047
    Abstract: A hand-held knockout punch driver includes a housing, a motor, a drive assembly with an output member movable relative to the housing, and a head unit removably coupled to the housing. The head unit includes a body, an input member movable relative to the body, and a draw rod to which a punch or a die is attachable. The draw rod is configured to move axially relative to the body in response to movement of the input member relative to the body. The knockout punch driver also includes a quick-release mechanism to removably couple the body to the housing. The output member is configured to engage the input member such that the input member moves relative to the body in response to movement of the output member relative to the housing, and the body engages the quick release mechanism separately from engagement between the output member and the input member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, Jr., Troy C. Thorson, Koon For Chung
  • Publication number: 20210170509
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing, a motor, and a drive assembly. The motor is positioned within the housing and includes a stator assembly with a stator body and a rotor assembly with a motor shaft and a rotor ring that surrounds the stator body. The rotor assembly is rotatable relative to the stator assembly about a motor axis. The drive assembly is positioned within the housing and coupled to the motor. The drive assembly includes a spindle configured to reciprocate along a tool axis that is perpendicular to the motor axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Matthew R. Bailey, Keith Boulanger
  • Publication number: 20210146569
    Abstract: A power tool having a housing, a motor, a tool holder driven about an output axis by the motor, and an output element for performing an operation on a workpiece. The tool holder has a locating feature including a tapered portion becoming narrower in a direction away from the surface of the tool holder. The output element has an aperture for receiving the locating feature and a face facing the surface of the tool holder when the locating feature is received. The power tool also includes a flange for transferring a clamping force for urging the output element towards the tool holder and a tab projecting from the flange for finger tightening the flange. A biasing member provides the clamping force toollessly. A gap is defined between the surface of the tool holder and the face when the tapered portion of the locating feature is fully received in the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Emily Doberstein, James Wekwert
  • Publication number: 20210138623
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The drive unit includes an output shaft. The powered fastener driver also includes a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The lifter is configured to receive torque from the drive unit in a first rotational direction for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The powered fastener driver further includes a kickout arrangement located between the lifter and the output shaft. The kickout arrangement is configured to permit limited rotation of the lifter relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: David A. BIERDEMAN, Mackenzie J. NICK, Beth E. CHOLST, Troy C. THORSON, Nathan BANDY, Jacob P. SCHNEIDER
  • Patent number: 10960527
    Abstract: A rotary hammer includes a motor, a spindle coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor, a piston at least partially received within the spindle for reciprocation therein, and an anvil received within the spindle for reciprocation in response to reciprocation of the piston. The anvil imparts axial impacts to a tool bit in response to reciprocation of the piston. The rotary hammer also includes a bit retention assembly for securing the tool bit to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner
  • Patent number: 10940605
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing and a motor disposed in the housing. The motor has an axial face and a motor shaft extending from the axial face. The power tool also includes a spindle driven by the motor about an output axis, a motor plate having a central opening defining an inner surface of the motor plate, and a tolerance ring coupled to the inner surface of the motor plate. The tolerance ring has deformable waves. The motor plate is coupled to the motor by engagement of the deformable waves with the motor to take up tolerances between the motor plate and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Emily Doberstein, James Wekwert
  • Patent number: 10938079
    Abstract: A battery pack that is connectable to and supportable by a power tool (e.g., a hand-held power tool). The battery pack includes a top housing having a support member. The support member of the battery pack top housing is configured or operable to reinforce a support portion of the battery pack that is used to connect the battery pack to the power tool. By reinforcing the support portion of the battery pack, an interface between the battery pack and the power tool is able to withstand greater forces (e.g., from vibrations caused by the power tool).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly