Patents by Inventor Bryan C. Ward

Bryan C. Ward 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: 12290908
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, and a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center (TDC) position and a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position. The driver blade including a body and a plurality of teeth extending therefrom. A lifter is operable to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter including a plurality of lugs engageable with the teeth of the driver blade when moving the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The body of the driver blade has a first thickness and at least a first of the teeth has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness and the first tooth has a stepped configuration relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bryan C. Ward, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew J. Weber, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens
  • Publication number: 20250033157
    Abstract: A power tool system includes a power tool and a dust collector operable to collect debris generated during operation. The power tool includes a housing, a working end, and a tool bit extending from the working end. The dust collector includes a mounting base seated against the working end, a tether coupled to the mounting base, and a shroud extending from the mounting base. The mounting base defines an aperture through which the tool bit extends. The tether is wrapped around a portion of the housing to secure the dust collector to the power tool. The shroud has a first end adjacent the mounting base, a second end operable to contact a workpiece, a sleeve extending between the first end and the second end, and a spring biasing the second end away from the first end. The second end is movable relative to the first end against the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Peterson, Bryan C. Ward, James E. Pangerc
  • Patent number: 12151330
    Abstract: A dust collector is operable to collect dust and debris generated during operation of a power tool. The dust collector includes a mounting base configured to couple to the power tool, a tether coupled to the mounting base, and a shroud extending from the mounting base. The mounting base defines a longitudinal axis. The tether is configured to be wrapped around a portion of the power tool. The shroud includes a first end adjacent the mounting base, a second end operable to contact a workpiece, and a sleeve extending between the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Peterson, Bryan C. Ward, James E. Pangerc
  • Patent number: 11975432
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, and a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center (TDC) position and a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position. A lifter is operable to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A transmission is provided for providing torque to the lifter. The lifter includes a hub and a plurality of lugs extending therefrom. Each lug is engageable with the driver blade when moving the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The hub and the lugs are integrally formed as a single piece. The lifter includes a first side and an opposite second side. Each of the first side and the second side is flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bryan C. Ward, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew J. Weber, Marcus Wechselberger
  • Publication number: 20240131672
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes an outer cylinder having a cylindrical first end and an opposite, second end, an inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the inner cylinder, and a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center position and a bottom-dead-center position along a drive axis. The outer cylinder defining a longitudinal axis and a storage chamber configured to be filled with pressurized gas. The inner cylinder being in communication with the pressurized gas within the storage chamber. A frame has first end adjacent the cylindrical first end of the outer cylinder and a second end extending outward from the cylindrical first end of the outer cylinder in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The frame is integrally formed with the outer cylinder as a single piece and a nosepiece supported by the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Bryan C. Ward, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew J. Weber, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens
  • Publication number: 20240058875
    Abstract: A hole saw including a plurality of sidewall openings is provided. The sidewall openings are shaped and grouped in patterns that improve debris ejection of the hole saw and that allow for easy access to the interior of the hole saw for manual debris removal by the user. The opening groups are space from each other by larger uninterrupted areas such that the hole saw has a high strength despite the number and size of openings provided in the saw sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Russell Heath, Bryan C. Ward, Steven W. Hyma
  • Patent number: 11845134
    Abstract: A hole saw including a plurality of sidewall openings is provided. The sidewall openings are shaped and grouped in patterns that improve debris ejection of the hole saw and that allow for easy access to the interior of the hole saw for manual debris removal by the user. The opening groups are space from each other by larger uninterrupted areas such that the hole saw has a high strength despite the number and size of openings provided in the saw sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Russell Heath, Bryan C. Ward, Steven W. Hyma
  • Patent number: 11833650
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes an outer cylinder having a first end and an opposite, second end, an inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the inner cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center position near the second end and a bottom-dead-center position near the first end along a drive axis and a frame that extends from the first end. The frame is integrally formed with the outer cylinder as a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bryan C. Ward, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew J. Weber, Marcus Wechselberger
  • Patent number: 11759925
    Abstract: A hand tool for driving a fastener is provided. The hand tool includes gearing that interconnects a splined socket to a rotatable or trigger actuator and increases a rotational speed of the splined socket relative to the actuator. The hand tool may include a power tool receiver or an independent motor to drive rotation of the splined socket to advance or retract a fastener from a threaded shaft. By increasing the speed and conserving rotational inertia, the hand tool reduces the time to secure a fastener on a threaded shaft. A rotatable nut is provided. The rotatable nut can slideably orient along a first axis and threadedly orient along a second axis to fasten to an adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Max R. Sawa, Christopher S. Hoppe, Aaron S. Blumenthal, Caroline Hope, James Wekwert, Bryan C. Ward
  • Publication number: 20230241736
    Abstract: A dust collector is operable to collect dust and debris generated during operation of a power tool. The dust collector includes a mounting base configured to couple to the power tool, a tether coupled to the mounting base, and a shroud extending from the mounting base. The mounting base defines a longitudinal axis. The tether is configured to be wrapped around a portion of the power tool. The shroud includes a first end adjacent the mounting base, a second end operable to contact a workpiece, and a sleeve extending between the first end and the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Peterson, Bryan C. Ward, James E. Pangerc
  • Publication number: 20230191574
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, and a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center (TDC) position and a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position. The driver blade including a body and a plurality of teeth extending therefrom. A lifter is operable to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter including a plurality of lugs engageable with the teeth of the driver blade when moving the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The body of the driver blade has a first thickness and at least a first of the teeth has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness and the first tooth has a stepped configuration relative to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Bryan C. Ward, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew J. Weber, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens
  • Patent number: 11648635
    Abstract: A dust collector operable to collect dust and debris generated during operation of a power tool includes a mounting base configured to couple to the power tool. The mounting base defines a longitudinal axis. The dust collector also includes a shroud extending from the mounting base. The shroud includes a first end adjacent the mounting base, a second end operable to contact a workpiece, a sleeve extending between the first end and the second end, and a spring biasing the second end away from the first end. The second end is movable relative to the first end against the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Peterson, Bryan C. Ward, James E. Pangerc
  • Publication number: 20220331890
    Abstract: A saw blade includes a cutting portion having consecutive first, second, and third cutting teeth. Each cutting tooth includes a rake surface, a relief surface, and a tip. The first cutting tooth includes a protrusion extending from the relief surface of the first cutting tooth. The cutting portion includes a first gullet positioned between the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth and a second gullet sized differently than the first gullet positioned between the second cutting tooth and the third cutting tooth. The cutting portion includes a first pitch extending over the first gullet from the tip of the first cutting tooth to the tip of the second cutting tooth. The cutting portion includes a second pitch different than the first pitch extending over the second gullet from the tip of the second cutting tooth to the tip of the third cutting tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Peter R. Heath, Bryan C. Ward, Christopher J. Rechlin, Austin J. Kazda, Matthew B. Lois
  • Publication number: 20220314342
    Abstract: An arbor for a hole saw an arbor stem, an actuator, and at least one post. The arbor stem includes at least one arm having a threaded portion configured to engage the hole saw. The actuator is rotatable about a central axis of the arbor to move the at least one arm. The actuator includes a surface facing the at least one arm and a track. The track is recessed from the surface of the actuator. The at least one post extends from the at least one arm to engage the track. The arm is movable in a radial direction in response to rotation of the actuator to vary a circumference of the arbor stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventor: Bryan C. Ward
  • Patent number: 11453069
    Abstract: A drilling tool includes a step drill bit and an arbor assembly. The arbor assembly includes a shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends. The first end of the shank is removably coupled to the step drill bit, and the second end of the shank is configured to be coupled to a power tool. The arbor assembly includes a sleeve moveable along the shank parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a ball bearing disposed on the sleeve and moveable with the sleeve. The ball bearing engages the step drill bit to releasably secure the step drill bit to the shank. When the sleeve moves toward the second end of the shank, the ball bearing moves radially inward and disengages the step drill bit, allowing removal of the step drill bit from the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bryan C. Ward
  • Patent number: 11413693
    Abstract: A saw blade includes a cutting portion having consecutive first, second, and third cutting teeth. Each cutting tooth includes a rake surface, a relief surface, and a tip. The first cutting tooth includes a protrusion extending from the relief surface of the first cutting tooth. The cutting portion includes a first gullet positioned between the first cutting tooth and the second cutting tooth and a second gullet sized differently than the first gullet positioned between the second cutting tooth and the third cutting tooth. The cutting portion includes a first pitch extending over the first gullet from the tip of the first cutting tooth to the tip of the second cutting tooth. The cutting portion includes a second pitch different than the first pitch extending over the second gullet from the tip of the second cutting tooth to the tip of the third cutting tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter R. Heath, Bryan C. Ward, Christopher J. Rechlin, Austin J. Kazda, Matthew B. Lois
  • Publication number: 20220241947
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes an outer cylinder having a first end and an opposite, second end, an inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the inner cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center position near the second end and a bottom-dead-center position near the first end along a drive axis and a frame that extends from the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Bryan C. Ward, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew J. Weber, Marcus Wechselberger
  • Patent number: 11364558
    Abstract: An arbor for a hole saw includes an arbor shaft configured to be coupled to a power tool. The arbor shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The arbor also includes an arbor stem supported by the arbor shaft. The arbor stem includes at least one arm having a threaded portion configured to engage the hole saw. The arbor further includes an actuator supported by the arbor shaft. The actuator is operable to move the threaded portion of the at least one arm relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bryan C. Ward
  • Patent number: D958854
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Russell Heath, Bryan C. Ward, Steven W. Hyma
  • Patent number: D1067288
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Russell Heath, Bryan C. Ward, Steven W. Hyma