Patents by Inventor Christopher D. Thompson
Christopher D. Thompson 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: 20230134778Abstract: Adjustable pliers includes a first plier half, a second plier half coupled to the first plier half, and a stud disposed in a slot of the second plier half. The first plier half includes a first handle and a first working tip opposite the first handle. The second plier half includes a second handle and second working tip opposite the second handle. The slot extends along a path from a first end of the path to a second end of the path, the path extends in a first direction at the first end of the path and extending in a second direction substantially parallel to the first direction at the second end of the path. A performance parameter is defined, at least in part, by a relationship between dimensions of the slot or of the second working tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Christopher D. Thompson, Daniel M. Eggert
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Publication number: 20230083975Abstract: Tools, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, splined sockets, wrenches, etc., that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Gene E. Olson, Jeffrey M. Arendt
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Patent number: 11511401Abstract: A button lock that selectively retains the angle of an object relative to a handle. The button lock is rotatable between an engaged position, where the angle is retained, and a disengaged position, where the object is disengaged from the handle and can pivotally move about the handle to change the angle. In the engaged position, button teeth on the button engage with handle teeth on the handle. In the disengaged position, the button teeth disengage the handle teeth to space the button from the handle and therefore allow free movement of the handle about the button. The button therefore quickly and easily retains the angle between the object and the handle.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Christopher D. Thompson, David T. Ross
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Patent number: 11254552Abstract: A lift arm of a floor jack is composed of a number of components made from metal bar stock. The lift arm is adapted to transfer power and motion from a power unit to a saddle, which is adapted to be placed at a lift point of the vehicle, thereby applying pressure to the lift point and raising the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Jonathan I. Andersen
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Publication number: 20210394341Abstract: Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson
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Patent number: 11173580Abstract: Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson
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Publication number: 20210248768Abstract: Motion and video data from vehicle sensors and camera arrays attached to a vehicle collect video and sensor data along a path driven by the vehicle. A system processes such data to produce high-accuracy structured map data, as might be used to precisely locate a moving vehicle in its environment. Positions are calculated from the sensor data. The positions are updated based on the video data. When loops in the vehicle path are detected, a loop closure error is calculated and used to update the positions as well as to reduce bias in the sensors when calculating future positions. Positions of features in the video are used to create or update structured map data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Nikhil Naikal, Alonso Patron-Perez, Alexander Marques, John Kua, Aaron Matthew Bestick, Christopher D. Thompson, Andrei Claudiu Cosma
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Publication number: 20210188608Abstract: A lift arm of a floor jack is composed of a number of components made from metal bar stock. The lift arm is adapted to transfer power and motion from a power unit to a saddle, which is adapted to be placed at a lift point of the vehicle, thereby applying pressure to the lift point and raising the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Jonathan I. Andersen
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Patent number: 11004224Abstract: Motion and video data from vehicle sensors and camera arrays attached to a vehicle collect video and sensor data along a path driven by the vehicle. A system processes such data to produce high-accuracy structured map data, as might be used to precisely locate a moving vehicle in its environment. Positions are calculated from the sensor data. The positions are updated based on the video data. When loops in the vehicle path are detected, a loop closure error is calculated and used to update the positions as well as to reduce bias in the sensors when calculating future positions. Positions of features in the video are used to create or update structured map data.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR USA, INC.Inventors: Nikhil Naikal, Alonso Patron-Perez, Alexander Marques, John Kua, Aaron Matthew Bestick, Christopher D. Thompson, Andrei Claudiu Cosma
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Patent number: 10974373Abstract: A ratcheting wrench with ratchet heads coupled to a handle via a pin. The pin includes two ball detents that couple to the teeth of the spline in and an indent inside an opening of the ratchet head. The wrench can therefore be easily used in low profile applications and quickly adjusted due to the dual ball detent configuration of the pin.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventor: Christopher D. Thompson
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Publication number: 20210060742Abstract: A button lock that selectively retains the angle of an object relative to a handle. The button lock is rotatable between an engaged position, where the angle is retained, and a disengaged position, where the object is disengaged from the handle and can pivotally move about the handle to change the angle. In the engaged position, button teeth on the button engage with handle teeth on the handle. In the disengaged position, the button teeth disengage the handle teeth to space the button from the handle and therefore allow free movement of the handle about the button. The button therefore quickly and easily retains the angle between the object and the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Christopher D. Thompson, David T. Ross
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Patent number: 10864616Abstract: A tool that includes a wrench body a first drive end, and a ratchet gear disposed in an aperture in the first drive end. A first cavity is formed in the first drive end and in communication with the aperture. First and second pawls are disposed in the first cavity, and the first and second pawls each includes teeth adapted to engage the ratchet gear. A second cavity is formed in the first drive end and is in communication with the first cavity. The second cavity receives a reversing disc adapted to selectively engage the first and second pawls to cause engagement and dis-engagement of the first and second pawls with the ratchet gear. By orienting the pawls to allow the second cavity to have a minimum depth, the head of the wrench can be stiffened, thereby increasing fatigue strength and rigidity of the wrench.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Christopher D Thompson, Daniel M Eggert, David T Ross
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Publication number: 20200331125Abstract: Tools, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, splined sockets, wrenches, etc., that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Gene E. Olson, Jeffrey M. Arendt
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Publication number: 20200269392Abstract: A dual pawl ratchet tool with a leaf spring bias member. The leaf spring includes two bias portions that are coupled to one another by a fulcrum. The fulcrum can be placed in an indent of the pawl pocket to maintain structural stability while applying a bias force against the engaged pawl. In doing so, the bias member reduces the amount of lost motion that is incurred during the ratcheting operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2019Publication date: August 27, 2020Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Christopher D. Thompson, David T. Ross
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Publication number: 20200234459Abstract: Motion and video data from vehicle sensors and camera arrays attached to a vehicle collect video and sensor data along a path driven by the vehicle. A system processes such data to produce high-accuracy structured map data, as might be used to precisely locate a moving vehicle in its environment. Positions are calculated from the sensor data. The positions are updated based on the video data. When loops in the vehicle path are detected, a loop closure error is calculated and used to update the positions as well as to reduce bias in the sensors when calculating future positions. Positions of features in the video are used to create or update structured map data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Nikhil Naikal, Alonso Patron-Perez, Alexander Marques, John Kua, Aaron Matthew Bestick, Christopher D. Thompson, Andrei Claudiu Cosma
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Publication number: 20200189075Abstract: A pawl mechanism with a bias member that biases the pawl into engagement with the drive gear. The bias member can be a tube spring disposed within a bore to bias the pawl into engagement with the drive gear while eliminating the need for a spacer, as required by prior art ratchet wrenches.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventor: Christopher D. Thompson
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Publication number: 20200070323Abstract: A ratcheting wrench with ratchet heads coupled to a handle via a pin. The pin includes two ball detents that couple to the teeth of the spline in and an indent inside an opening of the ratchet head. The wrench can therefore be easily used in low profile applications and quickly adjusted due to the dual ball detent configuration of the pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventor: Christopher D. Thompson
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Publication number: 20190375075Abstract: A reversing lever with a compact structure is disclosed. The reversing lever can include an upper portion operable by a user to select a desired rotational direction of the tool, and a lower portion that selectively engages at pawl to choose the desired torque application. The body of the upper portion can be located between the internal wall of a ratchet head and a rear side of the lower portion of the lower portion to allow a compact reversing lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventor: Christopher D. Thompson
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Publication number: 20190329382Abstract: Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson
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Patent number: 10442060Abstract: Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson