Patents by Inventor Walter L. Boss

Walter L. Boss 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).

  • Patent number: 11492158
    Abstract: An electrically powered strapping tool for tensioning and forming a sealless joint in overlapping sections of steel strap around a load includes a body having a foot, a tensioning assembly operably mounted to the body, the tensioning assembly having an electrically powered motor and a tensioning wheel operably connected to the tensioner motor. The tool includes a sealing assembly operably mounted to the body, the sealing assembly having an electrically powered motor and a sealer operably connected to the electrically powered motor. A control system controls operation of the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly to operate the strapping tool in an automatic mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by a single action of the control system by an operator, and in a manual mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by multiple actions of the control system by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Janusz Figiel
  • Publication number: 20210362890
    Abstract: An electrically powered strapping tool for tensioning and forming a sealless joint in overlapping sections of steel strap around a load includes a body having a foot, a tensioning assembly operably mounted to the body, the tensioning assembly having an electrically powered motor and a tensioning wheel operably connected to the tensioner motor. The tool includes a sealing assembly operably mounted to the body, the sealing assembly having an electrically powered motor and a sealer operably connected to the electrically powered motor. A control system controls operation of the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly to operate the strapping tool in an automatic mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by a single action of the control system by an operator, and in a manual mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by multiple actions of the control system by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Janusz Figiel
  • Patent number: 11084610
    Abstract: An electrically powered strapping tool for tensioning and forming a sealless joint in overlapping sections of steel strap around a load includes a body having a foot, a tensioning assembly operably mounted to the body, the tensioning assembly having an electrically powered motor and a tensioning wheel operably connected to the tensioner motor. The tool includes a sealing assembly operably mounted to the body, the sealing assembly having an electrically powered motor and a sealer operably connected to the electrically powered motor. A control system controls operation of the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly to operate the strapping tool in an automatic mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by a single action of the control system by an operator, and in a manual mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by multiple actions of the control system by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Janusz Figiel
  • Publication number: 20190241292
    Abstract: An electrically powered strapping tool for tensioning and forming a sealless joint in overlapping sections of steel strap around a load includes a body having a foot, a tensioning assembly operably mounted to the body, the tensioning assembly having an electrically powered motor and a tensioning wheel operably connected to the tensioner motor. The tool includes a sealing assembly operably mounted to the body, the sealing assembly having an electrically powered motor and a sealer operably connected to the electrically powered motor. A control system controls operation of the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly to operate the strapping tool in an automatic mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by a single action of the control system by an operator, and in a manual mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by multiple actions of the control system by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Janusz Figiel
  • Patent number: 10308383
    Abstract: An electrically powered strapping tool for tensioning and forming a sealless joint in overlapping sections of steel strap around a load includes a body having a foot, a tensioning assembly operably mounted to the body, the tensioning assembly having an electrically powered motor and a tensioning wheel operably connected to the tensioner motor. The tool includes a sealing assembly operably mounted to the body, the sealing assembly having an electrically powered motor and a sealer operably connected to the electrically powered motor. A control system controls operation of the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly to operate the strapping tool in an automatic mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by a single action of the control system by an operator, and in a manual mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by multiple actions of the control system by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SIGNODE INDUSTRIAL GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Janusz Figiel
  • Publication number: 20170174374
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a tool and a tool setting management system and method. The tool setting management system of the present disclosure is configured to pair with the tool of the present disclosure to change how the tool can function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Janusz Figiel, Walter L. Boss, Wayne Skonieczny, JR., Mark Ragusa, Guido Simon Leine
  • Patent number: 9630803
    Abstract: A dispenser is used for dispensing flexible material from a coil. The dispenser includes a frame, a coil carriage mounted to the frame and a brake/payout assembly mounted to the frame. The frame defines an axis of rotation about which the coil carriage rotates. The coil is securable within the coil carriage for rotation with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly is operably mounted to the frame and is moveable toward and away from the coil carriage. The brake/payout assembly is biased toward the coil carriage for engagement with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly engages the coil carriage to slow rotation of the carriage and includes a nip region through which the flexible material traverses during payout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SIGNODE INDUSTRIAL GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Wayne J. Skonieczny, Jr., Michael T. Schmitt, Lawrence J. Schurder, Thomas J. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20170008652
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tool setting management system and method that provides a tool having a tool setting that a user cannot modify by directly physically manipulating any tool setting modification device of the tool and that enables the user to modify the tool setting using a device wirelessly connected to the tool. Generally, the tool setting management system enables a user to wirelessly pair a user device with a tool. The tool has at least one modifiable tool setting, but does not include any component physically manipulatable by the user to modify the tool setting. Once paired with the tool, the user device enables the user to input a tool setting modification, and sends the tool setting modification to the paired tool. Upon receipt, a controller of the paired tool modifies the stored tool setting in accordance with the received tool setting modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Janusz Figiel, Walter L. Boss, Wayne Skonieczny, JR., Mark Ragusa, Guido Simon Leine
  • Publication number: 20160376041
    Abstract: A tool for tensioning a strap around a load and a method of operating the tool are provided. The tool includes a housing having a gripping portion, a power supply, a motor disposed within the housing, a tensioner head having a drive shaft driven by the motor, a tension feed wheel rotatable with the drive shaft and a nosepiece rotatably mounted to the tensioner head. The nosepiece includes a strap feed path and a tension foot having a substantially planar load engaging surface. A clutch plug is secured to the tension foot opposed from the feed wheel. A biasing element urges the nosepiece in a predetermined direction relative to the tensioner head. An operating handle is coupled to the tensioner head and nosepiece and is configured to rotate the tensioner head and nosepiece relative to one another in a first direction against a force from the biasing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Wayne J. Skonieczny, JR., Walter L. Boss, Janusz Figiel
  • Patent number: 9468968
    Abstract: A tensioner for strap includes a housing, a battery, a motor, a tension head having a tension wheel operably connected to the motor and a nosepiece having a pinch element. The nosepiece is mounted to the tension head for movement relative thereto. An actuator handle is mounted to the nosepiece to move the pinch element toward and away from the tension wheel. A strap sensor is operably connected to a controller and senses the presence or absence of strap between the tension wheel and the pinch element. A home position switch senses pinch wheel proximity to the tension wheel. The nosepiece is moved away from the tension head to introduce strap to the tool and the home position switch changes state to signal the controller to permit actuation of the motor when the strap sensor senses the presence of strap between the pinch element and the tension wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Janusz Figiel, Michael J. Kaufman, Jason R. Nasiatka, Joseph J. Gardner, Walter L. Boss
  • Patent number: 9248553
    Abstract: A crimping tool for applying a seal to strap material includes a tool head having pairs of jaws disposed in the tool head and operably mounted thereto, each pair including opposingly oriented jaw elements. Each pair of jaws is spaced from its adjacent pair and includes an upper and lower pivot openings. A shear is positioned between adjacent pairs of jaw elements. The shears extend between the jaw elements and include opposing openings that align with the jaw element upper openings. A pair of handles, each having a terminal end having first openings that align with the jaw element lower openings and are operably connected to one another at respective pivot openings. The tool includes at least one side plate having a pair of upper openings each aligned with the jaw element upper openings and the shear openings. The plate includes a centrally disposed notched opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Schurder, Michael T. Schmitt, Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Wayne J. Skonieczny, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160016682
    Abstract: An electrically powered strapping tool for tensioning and forming a sealless joint in overlapping sections of steel strap around a load includes a body having a foot, a tensioning assembly operably mounted to the body, the tensioning assembly having an electrically powered motor and a tensioning wheel operably connected to the tensioner motor. The tool includes a sealing assembly operably mounted to the body, the sealing assembly having an electrically powered motor and a sealer operably connected to the electrically powered motor. A control system controls operation of the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly to operate the strapping tool in an automatic mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by a single action of the control system by an operator, and in a manual mode in which the tensioning assembly and the sealing assembly are sequentially actuated by multiple actions of the control system by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Janusz Figiel
  • Patent number: 9085070
    Abstract: A tension/cutter tool for band-type clamps that include a band for tensioning around an object and a seal for securing the tensioned band around the object, in which the band is bent and severed at the seal to form a J-seal. The tool includes a body, a drive, and a feed wheel mounted to the body and operably connected to the drive. A nose piece includes two rollers and is movably mounted to the body to engage and disengage the two rollers from contact with the feed wheel. The feed wheel and rollers define a band path therebetween. A tail end of the band is fed into the tool, between the feed wheel and the roller and the drive is actuated to tension the band. Upon achieving a desired tension, the seal is engaged with the nose piece and the band is bent to form the J-seal against the seal and the band is cut beyond the J-seal. A controller monitors and controls the tool functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Wayne J. Skonieczy, Jr., Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Christopher J. Nelli, Kevin J. Carrington
  • Publication number: 20150114075
    Abstract: A crimping tool for applying a seal to strap material includes a tool head having pairs of jaws disposed in the tool head and operably mounted thereto, each pair including opposingly oriented jaw elements. Each pair of jaws is spaced from its adjacent pair and includes an upper and lower pivot openings. A shear is positioned between adjacent pairs of jaw elements. The shears extend between the jaw elements and include opposing openings that align with the jaw element upper openings. A pair of handles, each having a terminal end having first openings that align with the jaw element lower openings and are operably connected to one another at respective pivot openings. The tool includes at least one side plate having a pair of upper openings each aligned with the jaw element upper openings and the shear openings. The plate includes a centrally disposed notched opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Schurder, Michael T. Schmitt, Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Wayne J. Skonieczny, JR.
  • Patent number: 8919174
    Abstract: A crimping tool for applying a seal to strap material includes a tool head having pairs of jaws disposed in the tool head and operably mounted thereto, each pair including opposingly oriented jaw elements. Each pair of jaws is spaced from its adjacent pair and includes an upper and lower pivot openings. A shear is positioned between adjacent pairs of jaw elements. The shears extend between the jaw elements and include opposing openings that align with the jaw element upper openings. A pair of handles, each having a terminal end having first openings that align with the jaw element lower openings and are operably connected to one another at respective pivot openings. The tool includes at least one side plate having a pair of upper openings each aligned with the jaw element upper openings and the shear openings. The plate includes a centrally disposed notched opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Schurder, Michael T. Schmitt, Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Wayne J. Skonieczny, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140060345
    Abstract: A tensioner for strap includes a housing, a battery, a motor, a tension head having a tension wheel operably connected to the motor and a nosepiece having a pinch element. The nosepiece is mounted to the tension head for movement relative thereto. An actuator handle is mounted to the nosepiece to move the pinch element toward and away from the tension wheel. A strap sensor is operably connected to a controller and senses the presence or absence of strap between the tension wheel and the pinch element. A home position switch senses pinch wheel proximity to the tension wheel. The nosepiece is moved away from the tension head to introduce strap to the tool and the home position switch changes state to signal the controller to permit actuation of the motor when the strap sensor senses the presence of strap between the pinch element and the tension wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Janusz Figiel, Michael J. Kaufman, Jason R. Nasiatka, Joseph J. Gardner, Walter L. Boss
  • Publication number: 20130269824
    Abstract: A tension/cutter tool for band-type clamps that include a band for tensioning around an object and a seal for securing the tensioned band around the object, in which the band is bent and severed at the seal to form a J-seal. The tool includes a body, a drive, and a feed wheel mounted to the body and operably connected to the drive. A nose piece includes two rollers and is movably mounted to the body to engage and disengage the two rollers from contact with the feed wheel. The feed wheel and rollers define a band path therebetween. A tail end of the band is fed into the tool, between the feed wheel and the roller and the drive is actuated to tension the band. Upon achieving a desired tension, the seal is engaged with the nose piece and the band is bent to form the J-seal against the seal and the band is cut beyond the J-seal. A controller monitors and controls the tool functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Wayne J. Skonieczny, JR., Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Christopher J. Nelli, Kevin J. Carrington
  • Publication number: 20110219845
    Abstract: A crimping tool for applying a seal to strap material includes a tool head having pairs of jaws disposed in the tool head and operably mounted thereto, each pair including opposingly oriented jaw elements. Each pair of jaws is spaced from its adjacent pair and includes an upper and lower pivot openings. A shear is positioned between adjacent pairs of jaw elements. The shears extend between the jaw elements and include opposing openings that align with the jaw element upper openings. A pair of handles, each having a terminal end having first openings that align with the jaw element lower openings and are operably connected to one another at respective pivot openings. The tool includes at least one side plate having a pair of upper openings each aligned with the jaw element upper openings and the shear openings. The plate includes a centrally disposed notched opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Schurder, Michael T. Schmitt, Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Wayne J. Skonieczny, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110108655
    Abstract: A dispenser is used for dispensing flexible material from a coil. The dispenser includes a frame, a coil carriage mounted to the frame and a brake/payout assembly mounted to the frame. The frame defines an axis of rotation about which the coil carriage rotates. The coil is securable within the coil carriage for rotation with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly is operably mounted to the frame and is moveable toward and away from the coil carriage. The brake/payout assembly is biased toward the coil carriage for engagement with the carriage. The brake/payout assembly engages the coil carriage to slow rotation of the carriage and includes a nip region through which the flexible material traverses during payout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Walter L. Boss, Daniel R. Pearson, Wayne J. Skonieczny, JR., Michael T. Schmitt, Lawrence J. Schurder, Thomas J. Kelley