Patents by Inventor Brent Thorn

Brent Thorn 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: 5890406
    Abstract: An improved combined torque limiting and part marking wrench according to the present invention includes: a torque-applying handle; a housing pivotally mounted to the handle, the housing adapted to receive a releasably mounted, replaceable, part-engaging head assembly at a second end thereof; and a part-marking mechanism mounted within the housing. The part-marking mechanism includes a marking tip which passes through a bore in the head assembly for marking a part. A mechanical linkage arm is pivotally connected to the torque-applying handle. A pivotable cam is pivotally connected to the linkage arm and in operative engagement with the part-marking mechanism for moving the marking tip through the bore, such that, when torque on a part has reached a predetermined value, the torque applying handle moves the linkage arm, which pivots the pivotable cam, thus forcing the pivotable cam against the part marking mechanism, which causes the marking tip to extend outwardly from the housing to mark the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Jane Figueiredo
    Inventor: Brent Thorn
  • Patent number: 5467674
    Abstract: An improved combined torque limiting and part marking wrench according to the present invention includes: a torque-applying handle; a housing pivotally mounted to the handle, the housing adapted to receive a releasably mounted, replaceable, part-engaging head assembly at a second end thereof; and a part-marking mechanism mounted within the housing. The part-marking mechanism includes a marking tip which passes through a bore in the head assembly for marking a part. A mechanical linkage arm is pivotally connected to the torque-applying handle. A pivotable cam is pivotally connected to the linkage arm and in operative engagement with the part-marking mechanism for moving the marking tip through the bore, such that, when torque on a part has reached a predetermined value, the torque applying handle moves the linkage arm, which pivots the pivotable cam, thus forcing the pivotable cam against the part marking mechanism, which causes the marking tip to extend outwardly from the housing to mark the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Brent Thorn
  • Patent number: 5253554
    Abstract: A power driven hose clamp tool composed generally of a handle component and an actuator component. The handle component includes an operator handle and a head connected with one end of the handle. The actuator component includes a main body which removably connects with the head and contains a power drive unit which reciprocably moves a T-bar in response to selective pressing of push button controls. Pivotally connected with the T-bar are a pair links which are in turn pivotally connected, respectively, with the near end of a pair of arms. The pair of arms are connected pivotally to the main body. The distal end of the pair of arms is provided with claws for gripping the wings of a spring tension clamp. The pair of links operate in combination with the pair of arms so as to provide a high mechanical advantage due to the scissor-like operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventors: Salvatore J. Riera, Brent A. Thorn
  • Patent number: 4857367
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for spray-coating the marginal area of a surface includes an air nozzle movable with the spray head for directing an air curtain against the surface spaced from the edge to limit coating spray from the head to a determined marginal area and vacuum means disposed adjacent the edge of the surface and movable with the air nozzle means for withdrawing airborne coating particles from the spray area at the side opposite the air curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventors: Brent A. Thorn, William Hill
  • Patent number: 4672866
    Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic fastener driving system suitable for robotic applications utilizing a modified fastener driver having a unique detection mechanism in the head of the driver working in combination with a pneumatically operated advance and retract mechanism, and control circuitry, to detect when a fastener is present in the driver, to advance and drive the fastener into the workpiece, and to then automatically retract therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Inventors: Frank J. Riera, Brent A. Thorn
  • Patent number: 4437648
    Abstract: A belt tensioning tool for tensioning an endless belt that passes around a plurality of spaced apart pulleys with one of the pulleys being mounted for adjustable movement relative to the other pulleys. The belt tensioning tool has as its basic components an actuator assembly including an extensible rod member, a reaction assembly mounted to one end of the actuator assembly, and a slidable assembly mounted to the extensible rod member. The reaction assembly includes a reaction arm member which extends in a cantilevered fashion away from the extensible rod end of the actuator assembly. Similarly, the slidable assembly includes a cantilevered, slidable arm member which is mounted to the extensible rod member and is slidably movable along a track in the reaction arm member. The reaction arm member and slidable arm member include opposed adapter members having pulley engaging ends that extend in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: Van F. Belknap Co.
    Inventors: E. R. Thorn, Brent Thorn
  • Patent number: 4393734
    Abstract: A torque limiting wrench which has a marking mechanism to mark a part that is tightened by the wrench at the instant the intended torque has been applied to the part. The wrench includes an elongated torque applying handle, a cylindrical housing mounted at one end to the torque applying handle, a replaceable part engaging head assembly releasably mounted to the other end of the cylindrical housing, and a part marking mechanism mounted within the cylindrical housing. An on-off valve unit, associated with the torque applying handle, is actuated in response to the desired torque level being reached to operate the marking mechanism by which a mark is applied to the part simultaneously with the interruption of torque transmission. The head assembly is releasably retained to one end of the cylindrical housing such that an operator may simply and conveniently replace any head assembly with another one of a different size or design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Van F. Belknap Co., Inc.
    Inventors: M. W. Thorn, E. R. Thorn, Brent Thorn