Patents by Inventor Brian Wattenbach

Brian Wattenbach 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: 11919097
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a hub coupled to the gear, a spindle, and a connecting rod. A clutch assembly is coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively transmit drive force form the gear to the hub. The clutch assembly includes a first disk coupled to the gear, a second disk coupled to the hub, a biasing member, and a threaded fastener. The biasing member is positioned between the hub and the gear to bias the first and second disks into frictional engagement. The threaded fastener extends through the gear and threadably engages the hub to couple the hub to the gear. Tightening the threaded fastener pulls the hub toward the gear to preload the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Patent number: 11298763
    Abstract: A miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and an upper blade guard covering an upper portion of the saw blade. The miter saw also includes a cut line indicator coupled to the upper blade guard. The cut line indicator includes a light source, a cover positioned between the saw blade and the light source, a housing in which the light source is positioned, a rib coupled to one of the cover or the housing, and a first slot defined in the other of the cover or the housing. The cover includes a second slot through which light from the light source passes to illuminate opposite sides of the saw blade and a work piece supported upon the base assembly, thereby casting a shadow of the saw blade onto the work piece. The rib is receivable within the first slot to align the second slot with the saw blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taylor Crabb, Josh Adams, Brian Wattenbach, Scott R. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20220048123
    Abstract: A miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and a lower blade guard covering a lower portion of the saw blade. The miter saw also includes a linkage for raising the lower blade guard to expose the lower portion of the saw blade as the saw unit is lowered toward the base assembly. The linkage is operable to apply a force to the lower blade guard for holding the lower blade guard in a raised position, without any input from the operator of the miter saw and without changing the length of the linkage, to facilitate changing the saw blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Taylor Crabb, Josh Adams, Brian Wattenbach, Scott R. Fischer
  • Patent number: 11192195
    Abstract: A miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and a lower blade guard covering a lower portion of the saw blade. The miter saw also includes a linkage for raising the lower blade guard to expose the lower portion of the saw blade as the saw unit is lowered toward the base assembly. The linkage is operable to apply a force to the lower blade guard for holding the lower blade guard in a raised position, without any input from the operator of the miter saw and without changing the length of the linkage, to facilitate changing the saw blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Taylor Crabb, Josh Adams, Brian Wattenbach, Scott R. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20200030897
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a hub coupled to the gear, a spindle, and a connecting rod. A clutch assembly is coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively transmit drive force form the gear to the hub. The clutch assembly includes a first disk coupled to the gear, a second disk coupled to the hub, a biasing member, and a threaded fastener. The biasing member is positioned between the hub and the gear to bias the first and second disks into frictional engagement. The threaded fastener extends through the gear and threadably engages the hub to couple the hub to the gear. Tightening the threaded fastener pulls the hub toward the gear to preload the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Patent number: 10464148
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly, a motor, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a gear coupled to and driven by a pinion of the motor for rotation about a first axis. The gear is vertically-oriented within the housing assembly and has an outer periphery. The drive mechanism also includes a spindle reciprocatable relative to the housing assembly, a connecting rod having a first end coupled to the gear and a second end coupled to the spindle to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle, and a counterweight rotatably coupled to the housing assembly for rotation about the first axis within the outer periphery of the gear. The counterweight is also coupled to the first end of the connecting rod such that the counterweight is moved in a substantially opposite direction than the spindle to counterbalance reciprocation of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKWEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20190091779
    Abstract: A miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and a lower blade guard covering a lower portion of the saw blade. The miter saw also includes a linkage for raising the lower blade guard to expose the lower portion of the saw blade as the saw unit is lowered toward the base assembly. The linkage is operable to apply a force to the lower blade guard for holding the lower blade guard in a raised position, without any input from the operator of the miter saw and without changing the length of the linkage, to facilitate changing the saw blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Taylor Crabb, Josh Adams, Brian Wattenbach, Scott Fischer
  • Publication number: 20190076940
    Abstract: A miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw blade and an upper blade guard covering an upper portion of the saw blade. The miter saw also includes a cut line indicator coupled to the upper blade guard. The cut line indicator includes a light source, a cover positioned between the saw blade and the light source, a housing in which the light source is positioned, a rib coupled to one of the cover or the housing, and a first slot defined in the other of the cover or the housing. The cover includes a second slot through which light from the light source passes to illuminate opposite sides of the saw blade and a work piece supported upon the base assembly, thereby casting a shadow of the saw blade onto the work piece. The rib is receivable within the first slot to align the second slot with the saw blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Taylor Crabb, Josh Adams, Brian Wattenbach, Scott Fischer
  • Publication number: 20170129026
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly, a motor, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a gear coupled to and driven by a pinion of the motor for rotation about a first axis. The gear is vertically-oriented within the housing assembly and has an outer periphery. The drive mechanism also includes a spindle reciprocatable relative to the housing assembly, a connecting rod having a first end coupled to the gear and a second end coupled to the spindle to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle, and a counterweight rotatably coupled to the housing assembly for rotation about the first axis within the outer periphery of the gear. The counterweight is also coupled to the first end of the connecting rod such that the counterweight is moved in a substantially opposite direction than the spindle to counterbalance reciprocation of the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Patent number: 9579735
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned substantially within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned substantially within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a spindle, and a connecting rod to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle. A bushing is positioned substantially within the housing assembly about at least a portion of the spindle. The bushing is pivotable relative to the housing assembly to accommodate non-linear rocking motion of the spindle. A seal surrounds a portion of the bushing and includes a first lip extending radially from the bushing and a second lip spaced apart from the first lip and extending radially from the bushing. The second lip is movable relative to the first lip. Both the first lip and the second lip continuously engage the housing assembly when the bushing pivots relative to the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20160243631
    Abstract: A miter saw includes a base assembly and a saw unit pivotably coupled to the base assembly. The saw unit includes a saw arm, a brushless motor supported by the saw arm, and power electronics positioned outside the motor for supplying power to the motor. The power electronics are coupled to a structural component of the miter saw to utilize the entire mass of the structural component as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the power electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Mike Brewster, Taylor Crabb, Josh Adams, Steven Cunningham, David Rose, Daryl S. Richards, Jeffrey S. Holly, Brian Wattenbach, Scott R. Fischer
  • Publication number: 20110107608
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned substantially within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned substantially within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a spindle, and a connecting rod to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle. A bushing is positioned substantially within the housing assembly about at least a portion of the spindle. The bushing is pivotable relative to the housing assembly to accommodate non-linear rocking motion of the spindle. A seal surrounds a portion of the bushing and includes a first lip extending radially from the bushing and a second lip spaced apart from the first lip and extending radially from the bushing. The second lip is movable relative to the first lip. Both the first lip and the second lip continuously engage the housing assembly when the bushing pivots relative to the housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20080072438
    Abstract: A saw blade clamping arrangement for a power tool including a housing, a drive shaft mounted for reciprocating motion relative to the housing and having a longitudinal drive axis, and a saw blade releasably interconnected with the drive shaft. The saw blade clamping arrangement includes a blade support mechanism with first and second slots crosswise intersecting slots configured to selectively receive the saw blade in first and second orientations. The clamping arrangement also includes a tubular actuator rotatable about the longitudinal drive axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the actuator including a locking cam surface, and a locking member operatively associated with the actuator, and movable between a locked position that selectively locks the blade in one of the first and second orientations and an unlocked position that releases the blade, the locking member including a follower surface driven by the locking cam surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan Bigden, Joseph Anderson, Brian Wattenbach, Michael O'Banion
  • Publication number: 20070182114
    Abstract: A cart includes a cart frame having a wall and a wheel connected to the cart frame, which is operable to support the cart for movement over the ground. The cart also includes a reel rack assembly coupled to the wall. The reel rack assembly has a pair of support brackets coupled to the wall in a spaced apart relationship, whereby each support bracket includes a support arm extending outwardly from the support bracket such that the support arms are generally aligned with each other. A shaft is selectively supported by the support arms and extends between the support arms wherein reels are removably positionable on the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Fernandes, Scott Bublitz, Brian Wattenbach, Andrew Weber, Jonathan Zick, Melissa Ottens
  • Publication number: 20060249000
    Abstract: A miter saw having a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably disposed on the base assembly, and a saw assembly rotatably supported by the table. The miter saw also has a miter lock assembly for locking the rotational position of the saw of the table relative to the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Daryl Meredith, Stephanie Vogel, Frederick Bean, Brian Wattenbach, Adan Ayala
  • Publication number: 20060243113
    Abstract: The miter saw has a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably disposed on the base assembly, a saw assembly rotatably supported by the table, and a bevel lock assembly for locking the rotational position of the saw assembly relative to the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Kaye, Craig Oktavec, Daryl Meredith, Stephanie Vogel, Lee Brendel, Brian Wattenbach
  • Publication number: 20060236833
    Abstract: A saw having a base having a first substantially horizontal surface for supporting a workpiece and a second substantially horizontal surface disposed below the first surface. The saw also has a table rotatably attached to the base, the table being substantially coplanar with the first surface, and a saw assembly pivotally attached to the table. The saw assembly includes a motor and a blade driven by the motor. The saw has a fixed fence disposed on the second surface and fixedly attached to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Daryl Meredith, Craig Oktavec, Thomas Kaye, Brian Wattenbach, Frederick Bean
  • Publication number: 20060230894
    Abstract: A chop saw having a base assembly, a saw assembly pivotally attached to the base assembly for movement between an upper position and a lower position, the saw assembly including a motor, a blade driven by the motor, an upper blade guard covering an upper part of the blade, and a laser assembly disposed on the saw assembly. The laser assembly may include a housing attached to the saw assembly, a rail supported by the housing, a body slidingly disposed on the rail, a holder pivotally attached to the body, a laser diode pivotally disposed on the body for emitting a laser beam along a first path, and a line lens disposed in the first path for converting the laser beam into a laser plane projected towards the base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Daryl Meredith, Thomas Kaye, Lee Brendel, Brian Wattenbach, Robert Gehret, Eric Samuelsen, Robert Kusmierski, Craig Oktavec, Adan Ayala, Jiangang Zhao, Stephanie Vogel, Brian Wohltmann
  • Publication number: 20060103090
    Abstract: An industrial cart. The industrial cart may include a base having a base support surface for supporting an item, a table having a table support surface for supporting an item, the table being supported in vertical spaced relation from and being at least partially above the base. In some aspects, the table defines an opening extending inwardly from a side surface, and the cart may include a drawer supportable in the opening and defining a storage area. In some aspects, at least one of the base and the table define an outer periphery of the cart, and the cart may include a cabinet connected to at least one of the base and the table, the cabinet defining an enclosable storage area and including a door member, the door member being movable between an open position, in which the storage area is accessible, and a closed position, the door member being configured such that, in the open position, the door member does not extend beyond the outer periphery of the cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Eric Fernandes, Scott Bublitz, Brian Wattenbach, Andrew Weber, Jonathan Zick, Melissa Ottens-Rendon
  • Publication number: 20060005683
    Abstract: The power tool has a base assembly, a table supported by the base assembly, and a saw assembly pivotably supported by the table via a trunnion. A link is attached to the saw assembly. A shaft is threadingly engaged to the link. The shaft is engagable to the trunnion, so that, when the shaft is engaged to the trunnion, the saw assembly is pivoted relative to the trunnion when the shaft is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Torrey Lambert, Robert Gehret, Brian Wattenbach