Patents Assigned to WorkTools, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11724377
    Abstract: A preferably pliers type stapler is disclosed with a staple loading structure that is both simplified and easy to operate. A lower handle and base are connected to the body through a pivoting and cam system. A single motion pulls the lower handle and base away from the body to expose a staple track location for loading staples at a bottom of the body. Preferably the same single motion releases the track to move outward from a rear of the body. In one embodiment a compact simplified structure using a preferably torsion spring provides a low cost reliable spring energized system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20230001557
    Abstract: A spring energized fastening tool with compact, rigid, low friction working elements is disclosed. A torsion power spring includes forward extending arms with the arms pressing each other proximate a front distal end of the spring. A cantilevered lever links to a handle and engages the spring adjacent to the striker. A bottom loading staple track unlatches and opens through a simple pulling-out action. Structures are provided to enable fitment with a formed sheet metal handle and housing. The fastening tool is particularly simple to assemble, powerful, and of low operating effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 11472014
    Abstract: A spring energized fastening tool with compact, rigid, low friction working elements is disclosed. A torsion power spring includes forward extending arms with the arms pressing each other proximate a front distal end of the spring. A cantilevered lever links to a handle and engages the spring adjacent to the striker. A bottom loading staple track unlatches and opens through a simple pulling-out action. Structures are provided to enable fitment with a formed sheet metal handle and housing. The fastening tool is particularly simple to assemble, powerful, and of low operating effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20200346334
    Abstract: A spring energized fastening tool with compact, rigid, low friction working elements is disclosed. A torsion power spring includes forward extending arms with the arms pressing each other proximate a front distal end of the spring. A cantilevered lever links to a handle and engages the spring adjacent to the striker. A bottom loading staple track unlatches and opens through a simple pulling-out action. Structures are provided to enable fitment with a formed sheet metal handle and housing. The fastening tool is particularly simple to assemble, powerful, and of low operating effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 10618154
    Abstract: An energy storage tool includes a handle selectively linked to a power spring to deflect and store energy in the spring. The handle is decoupled from a link to the power spring by decoupling members in a release action. A peak release force results during the de-linking that is additive to a spring deflection force. An added motion bar adds leverage to the handle during the decoupling release action to reduce the peak release force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 10499739
    Abstract: A face/leaf structure can transform functions to selectively expand the usable area of a cabinet countertop or drawer without compromise to the cabinet's other functions. A drawer front is movably attached to a drawer to be either in a normal cosmetic vertical position or in a horizontal position cantilevered from the drawer. The structure may be arranged so that the leaf can be deployed with a single action. The leaf may rise to a same level as the countertop or selectively add exposed and usable horizontal space at a drawer front. Further the leaf can be pulled away from the main surface along with the drawer. This allows usable access to the drawer without stowing the leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Marks, Surapon Arleekul
  • Patent number: 10442067
    Abstract: An extendible wire guide is slidably fitted at the front of a staple gun tool housing. An easily operated lever switch is linked to the wire guide to enable the wire guide to be deployed or retracted. The lever switch includes an up and a down position corresponding to a retracted and an extended position of the wire guide. The wire guide is resiliently biased, preferably toward the retracted position. The lever switch acts on the wire guide against the bias through a cam action on an upper edge of the wire guide. A bias spring is preloaded in a subassembly of the wire guide and bias spring for simplified final assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 10307917
    Abstract: An improved blade for use with an oscillating power tool is disclosed. A rectangular style blade includes side teeth to eject debris and allow rapid but well controlled blind plunge cuts. The side teeth are preferably asymmetric with a forward orientation to bias debris out and the blade inward. Preferably one or more openings or slots allow for additional debris removal. The side teeth also allow for controlled side cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20180215025
    Abstract: A handle lock for a handle-operated tool, wherein the handle lock includes a stowed position and a deployed position. When biased into the stowed position, the handle lock is integrated and blended to a body of the tool. The deployed handle lock is stable upon forcible motion of the closed handle, the lock preferably requiring a secondary action to release the handle and stow the lock. Optionally, the handle lock can be stowed by forcibly pressing the handle toward the open or closed position. A spring bias holds the lock in the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20180207779
    Abstract: A track release system for a fastening tool such as a staple gun that may be exposed and operated substantially from under the tool. A track pull and selectively linked operative features are preferably fitted near a rear of a track. A user normally turns the tool upside down to access the track pull features for reloading fasteners. The track pull and associated elements are not exposed on a side of the tool body but rather on the rear and bottom. While the track release structure is below the track, the enabling structure remains vertically compact whereby the size of the tool need not be extended downward to accommodate the operative elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20180193992
    Abstract: An extendible wire guide is slidably fitted at the front of a staple gun tool housing. An easily operated lever switch is linked to the wire guide to enable the wire guide to be deployed or retracted. The lever switch includes an up and a down position corresponding to a retracted and an extended position of the wire guide. The wire guide is resiliently biased, preferably toward the retracted position. The lever switch acts on the wire guide against the bias through a cam action on an upper edge of the wire guide. A bias spring is preloaded in a subassembly of the wire guide and bias spring for simplified final assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 9987734
    Abstract: A flat clinch assembly fits upon or within a base of a stapling device. The assembly preferably includes a slot with extended resiliently biased arms or toggles, where a rest position has the arms at or near a level of a working surface. An ejecting staple deflects and energizes the arms to cause the arms to rotate and create a clearance recess whereby points of the staple legs slide inward along the anvil. A restorative bias acting on the arms causes the arms to rebound to a rest position and to bend the legs upward. The legs thereby are normally pressed flat against the back sheet of a paper stack at the working surface. The arms or toggles are lightweight whereby the inertia of a fast-moving staple moves the arms or toggles. The toggle may include an upward facing staple leg guide channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel S. Marks, Chih Wei J. Wu
  • Patent number: 9962822
    Abstract: A compact, electric, spring energized desktop stapler having a unitized housing providing both an external movable enclosure and a support frame for internal parts is disclosed. The internal power train is preferably elongated with the motor at the rear, a gear set toward the center, and low profile lever and power spring assembly at the front. The lever engages a striker with a normal upper rest position where the power spring is deflected and energized. A cam roller mounted to a final gear holds down the rear of the lever until the system is activated when the final gear rotates and the cam roller rolls off the end of the lever. In the unitized body, the base is pivotally attached to the body at the rear. A base lever selectively links to a cam roller or equivalent structure to move the body downward toward the base during a cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 9889547
    Abstract: An improved tool belt hook is selectively deployable on a portable tool or device. The hook structure is deployable in selected directions or positions on the tool. A stowed position is also preferably included wherein the hook structure is substantially contained within confines of the tool body to be out of a user's way. A closely integrated pushbutton release may allow the hook to rotate between selected operative positions and automatically engage to such position. The button is easily operated while effectively remaining within confines of the tool body. The tool hook assembly is compact and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: WorkTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20170239799
    Abstract: An improved tool belt hook is selectively deployable on a portable tool or device. The hook structure is deployable in selected directions or positions on the tool. A stowed position is also preferably included wherein the hook structure is substantially contained within confines of the tool body to be out of a user's way. A closely integrated pushbutton release may allow the hook to rotate between selected operative positions and automatically engage to such position. The button is easily operated while effectively remaining within confines of the tool body. The tool hook assembly is compact and low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20170239798
    Abstract: An energy storage tool includes a handle selectively linked to a power spring to deflect and store energy in the spring. The handle is decoupled from a link to the power spring by decoupling members in a release action. A peak release force results during the de-linking that is additive to a spring deflection force. An added motion bar adds leverage to the handle during the decoupling release action to reduce the peak release force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Publication number: 20170182645
    Abstract: A flat clinch assembly fits upon or within a base of a stapling device. The assembly preferably includes a slot with extended resiliently biased arms or toggles, where a rest position has the arms at or near a level of a working surface. An ejecting staple deflects and energizes the arms to cause the arms to rotate and create a clearance recess whereby points of the staple legs slide inward along the anvil. A restorative bias acting on the arms causes the arms to rebound to a rest position and to bend the legs upward. The legs thereby are normally pressed flat against the back sheet of a paper stack at the working surface. The arms or toggles are lightweight whereby the inertia of a fast-moving staple moves the arms or toggles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel S. Marks, Chih Wei J. Wu
  • Publication number: 20170080553
    Abstract: A compact, electric, spring energized desktop stapler having a unitized housing providing both an external movable enclosure and a support frame for internal parts is disclosed. The internal power train is preferably elongated with the motor at the rear, a gear set toward the center, and low profile lever and power spring assembly at the front. The lever engages a striker with a normal upper rest position where the power spring is deflected and energized. A cam roller mounted to a final gear holds down the rear of the lever until the system is activated when the final gear rotates and the cam roller rolls off the end of the lever. In the unitized body, the base is pivotally attached to the body at the rear. A base lever selectively links to a cam roller or equivalent structure to move the body downward toward the base during a cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: JOEL S. MARKS
  • Patent number: 9592597
    Abstract: A flat clinch assembly fits upon or within a base of a stapling device. The assembly preferably includes a slot with extended resiliently biased arms or toggles, where a rest position has the arms at or near a level of a working surface. An ejecting staple deflects and energizes the arms to cause the arms to rotate and create a clearance recess whereby points of the staple legs slide inward along the anvil. A restorative bias acting on the arms causes the arms to rebound to a rest position and to bend the legs upward. The legs thereby are normally pressed flat against the back sheet of a paper stack at the working surface. The arms or toggles are lightweight whereby the inertia of a fast moving staple moves the arms or toggles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: WORKTOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: RE48186
    Abstract: A compact, electric, spring energized desktop stapler having a unitized housing providing both an external movable enclosure and a support frame for internal parts is disclosed. The internal power train is preferably elongated with the motor at the rear, a gear set toward the center, and low profile lever and power spring assembly at the front. The lever engages a striker with a normal upper rest position where the power spring is deflected and energized. A cam roller mounted to a final gear holds down the rear of the lever until the system is activated when the final gear rotates and the cam roller rolls off the end of the lever. In the unitized body, the base is pivotally attached to the body at the rear. A base lever selectively links to a cam roller or equivalent structure to move the body downward toward the base during a cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Marks