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).

  • Patent number: 12611751
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thompson, David T. Ross
  • Publication number: 20250001557
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Applicant: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Gene E. Olson, Jeffrey M. Arendt
  • Patent number: 12162120
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Gene E. Olson, Jeffrey M. Arendt
  • Patent number: 12157206
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 12005549
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11986934
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thompson, Daniel M. Eggert
  • Patent number: 11915440
    Abstract: 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. Positions of features in the video are used to create or update structured map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Velodyne Lidar USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Naikal, Alonso Patron-Perez, Alexander Marques, John Kua, Aaron Matthew Bestick, Christopher D. Thompson, Andrei Claudiu Cosma
  • Patent number: 11897091
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11806843
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Gene E. Olson, Jeffrey M. Arendt
  • Publication number: 20230134778
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thompson, Daniel M. Eggert
  • Publication number: 20230083975
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Gene E. Olson, Jeffrey M. Arendt
  • Patent number: 11511401
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thompson, David T. Ross
  • Patent number: 11254552
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Jonathan I. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20210394341
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11173580
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210248768
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Nikhil Naikal, Alonso Patron-Perez, Alexander Marques, John Kua, Aaron Matthew Bestick, Christopher D. Thompson, Andrei Claudiu Cosma
  • Publication number: 20210188608
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Jonathan I. Andersen
  • Patent number: 11004224
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR USA, INC.
    Inventors: Nikhil Naikal, Alonso Patron-Perez, Alexander Marques, John Kua, Aaron Matthew Bestick, Christopher D. Thompson, Andrei Claudiu Cosma
  • Patent number: 10974373
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher D. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210060742
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thompson, David T. Ross