Patents by Inventor Eric S. Gibson

Eric S. Gibson 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: 7654429
    Abstract: A combustion nailer is configured for use with a fuel cell having an internal metering valve and a reciprocating, biased main stem. The nailer includes a tool housing defining a fuel cell chamber constructed and arranged for receiving the fuel cell, a fuel cell actuator assembly configured for actuating the fuel cell in the chamber to emit a measured dose of fuel during tool operation, and a fuel delivery apparatus associated with the actuator assembly for receiving the emitted dose of fuel and providing it to a combustion chamber. The fuel delivery apparatus is configured for preventing actuation of the main stem by the actuator assembly upon the fuel cell being adapter-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Maureen L. Shea, Eric S. Gibson, Walter J. Taylor, Chris H. Porth
  • Patent number: 7591249
    Abstract: In a combustion-powered fastener driving tool employing a fuel cell having an internal fuel metering valve with an axially reciprocating delivery stem, an actuator is provided for causing the dispensing of a desired dose of fuel from the fuel cell prior to each combustion event, the actuator including at least one actuator element configured for exerting an axial force on the stem, releasing the dose of fuel, and a fuel conduit associated with the element and being in fluid communication with the stem for transmitting the fuel for delivery to a combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed K. Wagdy, Valery H. Vanstaan, Eric S. Gibson
  • Patent number: 7571841
    Abstract: An adapter configured for use in combination with a cap on a fuel cell having a closure formation, the cap having at least one leg portion and a corresponding foot extending from the leg, including a ring portion configured for engagement upon the closure formation of the fuel cell and including a top edge, a bottom edge, and a sidewall therebetween having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, a grooved portion defined by the inner sidewall, a convex gripping formation on the outer sidewall complementary to the closure formation, and at least one recessed formation adjacent the grooved portion for receiving the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Gibson, James A. Purpura, Thomas E. Webb, Maureen L. Shea
  • Patent number: 7478740
    Abstract: A combustion nailer is configured for use with a fuel cell having an internal metering valve and a reciprocating, biased main stem. The nailer includes a tool housing defining a fuel cell chamber constructed and arranged for receiving the fuel cell, a fuel cell actuator assembly configured for actuating the fuel cell in the chamber to emit a measured dose of fuel during tool operation, and a fuel delivery apparatus associated with the actuator assembly for receiving the emitted dose of fuel and providing it to a combustion chamber. The fuel delivery apparatus is configured for preventing actuation of the main stem by the actuator assembly upon the fuel cell being adapter-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Maureen L. Shea, Eric S. Gibson, Walter J. Taylor, Chris H. Porth
  • Publication number: 20090001120
    Abstract: A combustion nailer is configured for use with a fuel cell having an internal metering valve and a reciprocating, biased main stem. The nailer includes a tool housing defining a fuel cell chamber constructed and arranged for receiving the fuel cell, a fuel cell actuator assembly configured for actuating the fuel cell in the chamber to emit a measured dose of fuel during tool operation, and a fuel delivery apparatus associated with the actuator assembly for receiving the emitted dose of fuel and providing it to a combustion chamber. The fuel delivery apparatus is configured for preventing actuation of the main stem by the actuator assembly upon the fuel cell being adapter-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Maureen L. Shea, Eric S. Gibson, Walter J. Taylor, Chris H. Porth
  • Publication number: 20080000451
    Abstract: A combustion nailer is configured for use with a fuel cell having an internal metering valve and a reciprocating, biased main stem. The nailer includes a tool housing defining a fuel cell chamber constructed and arranged for receiving the fuel cell, a fuel cell actuator assembly configured for actuating the fuel cell in the chamber to emit a measured dose of fuel during tool operation, and a fuel delivery apparatus associated with the actuator assembly for receiving the emitted dose of fuel and providing it to a combustion chamber. The fuel delivery apparatus is configured for preventing actuation of the main stem by the actuator assembly upon the fuel cell being adapter-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Maureen L. Shea, Eric S. Gibson, Walter J. Taylor, Chris H. Porth
  • Patent number: 6609511
    Abstract: The present invention provides jam prevention systems for use with a paintball gun having a hollow infeed portion for receiving paintballs to be fired by the gun. The jam free feeder system generally includes a housing, a feed tube, a jam free feeder system, a sensor and a controller. The housing stores a quantity of paintballs. The feed tube is connected to the hollow infeed portion of the housing. The connected feed tube forms a paintball feed passageway for receiving and holding a stack of paintballs and sequentially delivering the paintballs to the paintball gun. A jam free feeder is provided, which is selectively operable to prevent jamming of paintballs in the housing. The sensor senses the firing of the paintball gun and a controller operates the jam free feeder in response to the firing of the paintball gun. Embodiments where the jam free feeder system is a hopper feeder system or a conveyor system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Airgun Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Kotsiopoulos, Eric S. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20020117159
    Abstract: The present invention provides jam prevention systems for use with a paintball gun having a hollow infeed portion for receiving paintballs to be fired by the gun. The jam free feeder system generally includes a housing, a feed tube, a jam free feeder system, a sensor and a controller. The housing stores a quantity of paintballs. The feed tube is connected to the hollow infeed portion of the housing. The connected feed tube forms a paintball feed passageway for receiving and holding a stack of paintballs and sequentially delivering the paintballs to the paintball gun. A jam free feeder is provided, which is selectively operable to prevent jamming of paintballs in the housing. The sensor senses the firing of the paintball gun and a controller operates the jam free feeder in response to the firing of the paintball gun. Embodiments where the jam free feeder system is a hopper feeder system or a conveyor system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas G. Kotsiopoulos, Eric S. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6305367
    Abstract: The present invention provides jam prevention systems for use with a paintball gun having a hollow infeed portion for receiving paintballs to be fired by the gun. The jam free feeder system generally includes a housing, a feed tube, a jam free feeder system, a sensor and a controller. The housing stores a quantity of paintballs. The feed tube is connected to the hollow infeed portion of the housing. The connected feed tube forms a paintball feed passageway for receiving and holding a stack of paintballs and sequentially delivering the paintballs to the paintball gun. A jam free feeder is provided, which is selectively operable to prevent jamming of paintballs in the housing. The sensor senses the firing of the paintball gun and a controller operates the jam free feeder in response to the firing of the paintball gun. Embodiments where the jam free feeder system is a hopper feeder system or a conveyor system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Airgun Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Kotsiopoulos, Eric S. Gibson
  • Patent number: D590840
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Maureen L. Shea, Eric S. Gibson, Robert S. Buetow
  • Patent number: D633922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Maureen L. Shea, Eric S. Gibson, Robert S. Buetow
  • Patent number: D645053
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Maureen L. Shea, Eric S. Gibson, Robert S. Buetow
  • Patent number: D681677
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Maureen L. Shea, Eric S. Gibson, Robert S. Buetow