Patents by Inventor Charles R. McKean

Charles R. McKean 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: 9522456
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. McKean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20140182116
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Irwin Industrial Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. McKean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Patent number: 8702076
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. McKean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20110316210
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: IRWIN INDUSTRIAL TOOL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. McKean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Patent number: 8083164
    Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber further includes a discharge mechanism mounted for rotation and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism has a side inlet and includes sealing vane assemblies having vane tips. Rotation of the vane tips forms an arc. The blowing insulation is fed horizontally from the shredding chamber into the side inlet of the discharge mechanism in a manner such that the blowing insulation passes through the arc formed by the rotating vane tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Charles R. McKean
  • Patent number: 8074340
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. McKean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7815175
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp that includes a first clamping jaw, a support element to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle pivotably mounted to a clamp body. The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. Mckean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20100219272
    Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation. A shredding chamber is associated with the chute. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation. The shredding chamber further includes a discharge mechanism mounted for rotation and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism has a side inlet and includes sealing vane assemblies having vane tips. Rotation of the vane tips forms an arc. The blowing insulation is fed horizontally from the shredding chamber into the side inlet of the discharge mechanism in a manner such that the blowing insulation passes through the arc formed by the rotating vane tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Charles R. McKean
  • Publication number: 20100156013
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: IRWIN INDUSTRIAL TOOL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. McKean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7712690
    Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber having an outlet end, a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation, and a discharge mechanism mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes housing and a plurality of sealing vane assemblies mounted for rotation. The sealing vane assemblies are configured to seal against the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate. The housing includes an eccentric segment extending from the housing. A blower is provided and configured to provide the airstream which flows through the discharge mechanism. The sealing vane assemblies become spaced apart from the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate through the eccentric segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Charles R. McKean
  • Patent number: 7699297
    Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. McKean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20080087751
    Abstract: A machine for distributing blowing insulation including a shredding chamber having an outlet end, a plurality of shredders configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation, and a discharge mechanism mounted at the outlet end of the shredding chamber and configured for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The discharge mechanism includes housing and a plurality of sealing vane assemblies mounted for rotation. The sealing vane assemblies are configured to seal against the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate. The housing includes an eccentric segment extending from the housing. A blower is provided and configured to provide the airstream which flows through the discharge mechanism. The sealing vane assemblies become spaced apart from the housing as the sealing vane assemblies rotate through the eccentric segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Michael W. Johnson, Michael E. Evans, Agustin Hernandez, Robert J. O'Leary, Christopher M. Relyea, Brian K. Linstedt, Gregory J. Merz, Charles R. McKean