Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Horst
Christopher A. Horst 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).
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Publication number: 20240018987Abstract: A method of applying a corrosion-resistant coating to a fastener that includes preheating an area of the fastener to be coated to elevate a temperature of the area and spraying the preheated area of the fastener with a molten or semi-molten metal. In one embodiment, a corrosion-resistant coating applicator includes a support structure, a rotatable slotted fastener conveyer supported by the support structure, a feeder configured to feed fasteners to the rotatable slotted fastener conveyer, a fastener aligner configured to make head portions of the fasteners aligned with each other, a heater configured to heat head portions of the fasteners as the fasteners are being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer, and a sprayer configured to apply a corrosion-resistant coating to the heated head portions of the fasteners being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer. The present disclosure also provides corrosion-resistant coated fasteners made using the coating methods and/or coating apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Christopher A. Horst, Donald E. Bergstrom, Johnny Bertelsen, Signe Tolberg Andersen, Flemming Sørensen
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Patent number: 11781580Abstract: A method of applying a corrosion-resistant coating to a fastener that includes preheating an area of the fastener to be coated to elevate a temperature of the area and spraying the preheated area of the fastener with a molten or semi-molten metal. In one embodiment, a corrosion-resistant coating applicator includes a support structure, a rotatable slotted fastener conveyer supported by the support structure, a feeder configured to feed fasteners to the rotatable slotted fastener conveyer, a fastener aligner configured to make head portions of the fasteners aligned with each other, a heater configured to heat head portions of the fasteners as the fasteners are being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer, and a sprayer configured to apply a corrosion-resistant coating to the heated head portions of the fasteners being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer. The present disclosure also provides corrosion-resistant coated fasteners made using the coating methods and/or coating apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Horst, Donald E. Bergstrom, Johnny Bertelsen, Signe Tolberg Andersen, Flemming Sørensen
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Publication number: 20200300285Abstract: A method of applying a corrosion-resistant coating to a fastener that includes preheating an area of the fastener to be coated to elevate a temperature of the area and spraying the preheated area of the fastener with a molten or semi-molten metal. In one embodiment, a corrosion-resistant coating applicator includes a support structure, a rotatable slotted fastener conveyer supported by the support structure, a feeder configured to feed fasteners to the rotatable slotted fastener conveyer, a fastener aligner configured to make head portions of the fasteners aligned with each other, a heater configured to heat head portions of the fasteners as the fasteners are being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer, and a sprayer configured to apply a corrosion-resistant coating to the heated head portions of the fasteners being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer. The present disclosure also provides corrosion-resistant coated fasteners made using the coating methods and/or coating apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Christopher A. Horst, Donald E. Bergstrom, Johnny Bertelsen, Signe Tolberg Andersen, Flemming Sørensen
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Patent number: 10690166Abstract: A method of applying a corrosion-resistant coating to a fastener that includes preheating an area of the fastener to be coated to elevate a temperature of the area and spraying the preheated area of the fastener with a molten or semi-molten metal. In one embodiment, a corrosion-resistant coating applicator includes a support structure, a rotatable slotted fastener conveyer supported by the support structure, a feeder configured to feed fasteners to the rotatable slotted fastener conveyer, a fastener aligner configured to make head portions of the fasteners aligned with each other, a heater configured to heat head portions of the fasteners as the fasteners are being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer, and a sprayer configured to apply a corrosion-resistant coating to the heated head portions of the fasteners being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer. The present disclosure also provides corrosion-resistant coated fasteners made using the coating methods and/or coating apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Horst, Donald E. Bergstrom
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Publication number: 20180031021Abstract: A method of applying a corrosion-resistant coating to a fastener that includes preheating an area of the fastener to be coated to elevate a temperature of the area and spraying the preheated area of the fastener with a molten or semi-molten metal. In one embodiment, a corrosion-resistant coating applicator includes a support structure, a rotatable slotted fastener conveyer supported by the support structure, a feeder configured to feed fasteners to the rotatable slotted fastener conveyer, a fastener aligner configured to make head portions of the fasteners aligned with each other, a heater configured to heat head portions of the fasteners as the fasteners are being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer, and a sprayer configured to apply a corrosion-resistant coating to the heated head portions of the fasteners being conveyed by the slotted fastener conveyer. The present disclosure also provides corrosion-resistant coated fasteners made using the coating methods and/or coating apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Christopher A. Horst, Donald E. Bergstrom, Johnny Bertelsen, Signe Tolberg Andersen, Flemming Sørensen
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Patent number: 8882426Abstract: A coated fastener has a tip and a coating on the fastener, at least at the tip. The coating is formulated from a solvent-borne resin. The fastener includes one or both of a solids based additive in the solvent-borne acrylic resin and an overcoat on the solvent-borne acrylic resin. A strip of collated fasteners with the coating is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Christopher A. Horst, Jyi-Jiin Luo, Wen-Feng Liu, Daniel V. Chin, Daniel P. Birr
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Publication number: 20140090732Abstract: A pneumatic nailer system for use with a compressor having a main storage tank, includes a first air hose connected at one end to the compressor, a supplemental air storage tank connected to an opposite end of the first hose, and connected at a supply end to at least one second air hose, a pneumatic nailer connected to a tool end of the at least one second air hose, such that the supplemental air storage tank is located between the compressor and the at least one nailer. The supplemental air storage tank enables the pneumatic nailer(s) connected to the supplemental air storage tank to provide consistent drive energy for driving fasteners while reducing the internal air storage volume and overall size of the nailer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Bryan R. Schieler, Nathan Mina, Christopher A. Horst, Ryan Francis
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Patent number: 8511961Abstract: A fastener and a method for reducing wear on a driver blade in a fastening tool includes applying a layer of solid-based lubricant between the head of a fastener and a driver blade end. The fastener is for use in a fastening tool and includes a head, a shank, and a layer of lubricant on the head of the fastener. The lubricant is graphite, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, boron nitride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nano-diamonds, calcium stearate, sodium stearate, oils, greases, waxes, thermoplastic polymers, or another lubricant that exhibits similar characteristics. Aromatic polyamides (such as Kevlar™), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, powdered glass, glass fibers, thermoplastic polymers, and thermoset polymers also are contemplate to provide a barrier to contact between the driver blade and fastener head. The lubricant is sprayed, rolled, brushed, blotted or otherwise applied between the head of the fastener and the driver blade end prior to firing the fastening tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William L. Gabriel, Christopher A. Horst, Donald E. Bergstrom
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Publication number: 20120057950Abstract: A coated fastener has a tip and a coating on the fastener, at least at the tip. The coating is formulated from a solvent-borne resin. The fastener includes one or both of a solids based additive in the solvent-borne acrylic resin and an overcoat on the solvent-borne acrylic resin. A strip of collated fasteners with the coating is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Christopher A. Horst, Jyi-Jiin Luo, Wen-Feng Liu, Daniel V. Chin, Daniel P. Birr
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Publication number: 20110081220Abstract: A fastener and a method for reducing wear on a driver blade in a fastening tool includes applying a layer of solid-based lubricant between the head of a fastener and a driver blade end. The fastener is for use in a fastening tool and includes a head, a shank, and a layer of lubricant on the head of the fastener. The lubricant is graphite, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, boron nitride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nano-diamonds, calcium stearate, sodium stearate, oils, greases, waxes, thermoplastic polymers, or another lubricant that exhibits similar characteristics. Aromatic polyamides (such as Kevlar™), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, powdered glass, glass fibers, thermoplastic polymers, and thermoset polymers also are contemplate to provide a barrier to contact between the driver blade and fastener head. The lubricant is sprayed, rolled, brushed, blotted or otherwise applied between the head of the fastener and the driver blade end prior to firing the fastening tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William L. Gabriel, Christopher A. Horst, Donald E. Bergstrom