Patents by Inventor Christopher S. Hoppe

Christopher S. Hoppe 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).

  • Publication number: 20180079056
    Abstract: A ratcheting tool is provided. The ratcheting tool includes a ratchet mechanism including a gear structure and a pawl structure. The pawl structure includes at least one elastic or integral component that provides spring action/biasing to the pawl teeth which facilitates ratcheting movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron S. Blumenthal, Christopher S. Hoppe
  • Patent number: 9919071
    Abstract: A sealing member is disclosed for use with a wick of a diffuser, or the like. The sealing member seals a vessel containing a liquid in a fluid chamber. The sealing member may be composed of a malleable material that may also be resistant to a liquid fragrance contained in the vessel. The sealing member may include a body, flaps and an opening for receiving a wick therethrough. The sealing member may form a persistent seal when a wick is inserted therethrough, while at the same time allowing venting to the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Jason L. Halonen
  • Publication number: 20180065404
    Abstract: A chalk line device includes a housing, a spool, a chalk line, a hook, and a cap. The housing defines an outer surface and an internal chamber, and the housing includes an opening. The spool is supported in the internal chamber for rotation relative to the housing. The chalk line extends through the opening of the housing and the chalk line includes a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the chalk line is wrapped around the spool. The hook is secured to the first end of the chalk line and includes a tip adapted to engage a work piece. The cap is removably coupled to the housing to cover the opening. The cap includes a nozzle through which the chalk line extends and a projection for engaging and releasably securing the hook against the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Abhijeet A. Khangar, Andrew G. Gongola, Christopher S. Hoppe, Michael S. Steele, Collin J. Nelson, Daniel H. Schneider, Roger D. Neitzell, Steven W. Hyma
  • Patent number: 9885571
    Abstract: A level is selectively coupled to a work piece and includes a housing, an adjustable clamping mechanism configured to selectively couple the housing to the work piece, a first bubble vial coupled to the housing and operable to indicate a first levelness of the work piece, and a second bubble vial rotatably coupled to the housing about a first axis. The second bubble vial is operable to indicate a second levelness of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Grant T. Squiers, Roger D. Neitzell, Ryan D. Schwoegler
  • Publication number: 20180029217
    Abstract: An attachment device for use with a hand tool having a handle portion with a distal end includes a connection member having a connection point, and a receiver coupled to and extending axially from the connection member to define a central channel having an open end. The receiver is configured to receive at least a portion of the handle portion within the central channel via the open end. The receiver is configured to permit the insertion of the handle portion into the central channel while restricting the removal of the handle portion therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Kyle Reeder, Anthony S. Graykowski
  • Patent number: 9815320
    Abstract: A chalk line device includes a housing, a spool, a chalk line, a hook, and a cap. The housing defines an outer surface and an internal chamber, and the housing includes an opening. The spool is supported in the internal chamber for rotation relative to the housing. The chalk line extends through the opening of the housing and the chalk line includes a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the chalk line is wrapped around the spool. The hook is secured to the first end of the chalk line and includes a tip adapted to engage a work piece. The cap is removably coupled to the housing to cover the opening. The cap includes a nozzle through which the chalk line extends and a projection for engaging and releasably securing the hook against the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abhijeet A. Khangar, Andrew G. Gongola, Christopher S. Hoppe, Michael S. Steele, Collin J. Nelson, Daniel H. Schneider, Roger D. Neitzell, Steven W. Hyma
  • Publication number: 20170239808
    Abstract: Tool storage devices. A tool storage device may include a handle assembly including a support arm connected between a body and a handle portion and having a substantially rectangular cross section oriented with first walls extending transverse to the axis having a greater width than second walls extending parallel to the axis. A width of the handle portion may be at least about 50% of a width of the body. The body may include a frame assembly formed of a rigid material, a wall formed of a flexible material and at least partially defining the storage compartment with an open top, and a cover formed of a rigid material connected to the frame assembly to selectively close the open top. A wheel well portion receives each wheel and may cover the width of the wheel and a portion of the circumference of the wheel. A radial clearance between the wheel and a lower end of the wheel well may be no more than about 0.5 inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Grant T. Squiers, Michael Stearns
  • Publication number: 20170182652
    Abstract: A tool storage device and a tool box. The device may include flexible walls cooperating to define a storage area, and a rigid frame supported in the storage area and including a central portion extending in a direction from a bottom wall toward a top wall, one base portion extending from one side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward one side wall, and another base portion extending from an opposite side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward an opposite side wall. The tool box may include a body defining a storage compartment; a lid defining a groove in its outer surface to support an elongated work piece; and a handle engageable with a work piece supported in the groove. The lid may be attachable to the top of the body in a closed position and to the bottom in a stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Mark R. Martinez, Joel Allen, Brandon Miller, Whitney M. Moks, Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Wade F. Burch, Matthew W. Naiva, Eric Mackey
  • Publication number: 20170165852
    Abstract: A cutter including a cutting head and an adjustable handle pivotally coupled to the cutting head. The adjustable handle includes a first adjustment assembly to change a length the adjustable handle extends from the cutting head. The adjustable handle also includes a second adjustment assembly to change the position of the adjustable handle with respect to the cutting head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Jacob Feuerstein, Christopher S. Hoppe, Anthony Graykowski, Cheng Zhang Li
  • Publication number: 20170166352
    Abstract: A storage device system includes a storage case having a base and a cover coupled to the base, and a plurality of insertable bins removably positioned within an interior of the base. The plurality of insertable bins includes a first bin having a first height and a set of second bins each having a second height. The set of second bins is configured to be stackable and have a stacked height when stacked. A depth of the interior of the base, the first height, and the stacked height are equal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Matthew Vargo
  • Publication number: 20170120464
    Abstract: A hand cutting tool including a first cutting blade, a second cutting blade, a first handle, and a second handle. The hand cutting tool further includes a handle lock assembly configured to retain the cutting tool in a closed position. The hand cutting tool further includes a visual indicator disposed on at least one of the first handle and the second handle to identify the type of cutting tool and a tactile indicator disposed on at least one of the first handle and the second handle to identify the type of cutting tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Kyle Reeder, Mark W. Cors
  • Publication number: 20170106544
    Abstract: A folding knife including a handle, a blade having a cutting edge, and the blade is pivotably coupled to the handle about a pivot axis between a retracted position and an extended position. The blade is received within the handle in the retracted position and the cutting edge is exposed in the extended position. The folding knife further includes a liner between the handle and the blade. The liner has a resilient member that biases the blade toward the retracted position when the blade is in the retracted position and the resilient member biases the blade toward the extended position when the blade pivots in a direction from the retracted position toward the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher S. Hoppe
  • Publication number: 20170110842
    Abstract: A crimping tool, for attaching at least one wire to a connector, includes a housing, a first handle coupled to the housing, and a second handle coupled to the housing and movable relative to the first handle. The crimping tool also includes a working head coupled to the housing opposite the first and second handles. The working head includes an upper wall, an end wall, and a gap defined between the upper wall and the end wall. The crimping tool also includes a punch assembly slidable along the working head toward the end wall in response to movement of the second handle toward the first handle. The punch assembly is visible through the gap as the punch assembly slides toward the end wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Anthony S. Graykowski, Mark W. Cors, Steven W. Hyma, Grant Thomas Squiers, Benjamin Roers, Michael Stearns
  • Patent number: 9616562
    Abstract: Tool storage devices. A tool storage device may include a handle assembly including a support arm connected between a body and a handle portion and having a substantially rectangular cross section oriented with first walls extending transverse to the axis having a greater width than second walls extending parallel to the axis. A width of the handle portion may be at least about 50% of a width of the body. The body may include a frame assembly formed of a rigid material, a wall formed of a flexible material and at least partially defining the storage compartment with an open top, and a cover formed of a rigid material connected to the frame assembly to selectively close the open top. A wheel well portion receives each wheel and may cover the width of the wheel and a portion of the circumference of the wheel. A radial clearance between the wheel and a lower end of the wheel well may be no more than about 0.5 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Grant T. Squiers, Michael Stearns
  • Patent number: 9539722
    Abstract: A tool storage device and a tool box. The device may include flexible walls cooperating to define a storage area, and a rigid frame supported in the storage area and including a central portion extending in a direction from a bottom wall toward a top wall, one base portion extending from one side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward one side wall, and another base portion extending from an opposite side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward an opposite side wall. The tool box may include a body defining a storage compartment; a lid defining a groove in its outer surface to support an elongated work piece; and a handle engageable with a work piece supported in the groove. The lid may be attachable to the top of the body in a closed position and to the bottom in a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark R. Martinez, Joel Allen, Brandon Miller, Whitney M. Moks, Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Wade F. Burch, Matthew W. Naiva, Eric Mackey
  • Publication number: 20160288344
    Abstract: A utility knife including a handle, a blade, a first blade holder, and a spare blade holder. The spare blade holder is pivotal with respect to the handle between an open position where the recess is exposed to allow a spare blade to be removed from the spare blade holder and a closed position where the recess is within a slot of the handle to inhibit removal of the spare blade from the spare blade holder. The spare blade holder further including a cam surface and the cam surface of the spare blade holder engages a cam surface of the handle when the spare blade holder is in the closed position to urge the spare blade holder in a direction from a first longitudinal side of the handle toward a second longitudinal side of the handle to allow the first blade holder to pivot between extended and folded positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Grant T. Squiers, Steven W. Hyma, Christopher S. Hoppe, Michael Stearns, Joseph M. DeBaker
  • Publication number: 20160294168
    Abstract: A hand tool and a wire stripper. The hand tool may include a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion having a spring constant more than about 2,225 lbs./in., measured when a force is applied in a direction parallel to the pivot axis to an associated jaw tip with a pivot member being held. The hand tool may include a jaw portion having a gripping surface and an angled wall connected to a side wall and defining a wire stripping portion, the wire stripping portion including a cutting edge and a recess defined in the angled wall, the recess extending from the cutting edge to an end at the one of the side walls, the angled wall being arranged non-parallel to the gripping surface and non-perpendicular to the side wall. The wire stripper may be a forged wire stripper including jaws defining a stripping aperture for Romex® NM wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Mark W. Cors, Steven W. Hyma, Grant T. Squiers, Michael Stearns
  • Patent number: D769692
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Grant T. Squiers, Joseph M. DeBaker, Michael Stearns, Christopher S. Hoppe
  • Patent number: D769693
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Grant T. Squiers, Joseph M. DeBaker, Michael Stearns, Christopher S. Hoppe
  • Bag
    Patent number: D810435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Grant T. Squiers, Michael Stearns