Patents by Inventor Fred S. Watts
Fred S. Watts 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: 20080238370Abstract: A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as the pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: David A. Carrier, Andrew E. Seman, Geoffrey S. Howard, Daniele C. Brotto, Danh T. Trinh, Fred S. Watts, Snehal S. Choksi, Qiang J. Zhang
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Publication number: 20080203995Abstract: In a cordless power tool system, a battery pack which may removably attachable to a cordless power tool and to a charger may include at least one battery cell and a power limiting device. The power limiting device may be arranged in series with the at least one battery cell for limiting power output of the battery pack based on the component that is connected to the pack. Current and hence power out of the battery pack may be controlled as a function of total internal impedance in the battery pack, which may be adjusted depending on the component that is connected to the pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: David A. Carrier, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Danh Thanh Trinh, R. Roby Bailey, Andrew E. Seman, Daniele C. Brotto, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 7405536Abstract: A charger having a controller with an input and an output, a first terminal for connecting a battery pack to the controller, a connecting line disposed between the first terminal and the input of the controller, a current source connected to the controller for providing power to the battery pack. The current source provides power to the battery pack via the connecting line. The controller sends a pulse signal unto the connecting line via the output, so that the controller can determine whether the battery pack is connected to the charger by the presence of the pulse signal in the input of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventor: Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 7391326Abstract: An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable wirelessly transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier. A data store maintains a list of the assets and privileges associated with the assets for authorized users of the assets. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and monitor positions of the assets within a defined area. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated. The control unit activates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when the privileges associated with the asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Daniel Puzio, Lawrence E. Milburn, Fred S. Watts, Charles P. Mooney, Robert Bradus, James Watson, William E. Pugh, II
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Patent number: 7339477Abstract: An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset assigned a unique identifier and operable wirelessly transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier. A data store maintains a list of the assets and privileges associated with the assets for authorized users of the assets. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and monitor positions of the assets within a defined area. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated. The control unit activates the lock-out mechanism of a given asset when the privileges associated with the asset for authorized users of the asset are exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Daniel Puzio, Lawrence E. Milburn, Fred S. Watts, Charles P. Mooney, Robert Bradus, James Watson, William E. Pugh, II
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Patent number: 7319395Abstract: An asset monitoring and security system includes at least one asset and at least one user identification device assigned a unique identifier and operable to transmit an identification signal embodying the identifier over a wireless communications link. A data store maintains lists of the assets, users authorized to use the assets, and privileges associated with the assets for each of the authorized users. A control unit is adapted to receive identification signals from the assets and user identification devices and monitor positions of the assets and user identification devices within a defined area based on the identification signals. The control unit communicates with the data store and is further operable to initiate an alarm event when privileges associated with a given authorized user for a given asset are exceeded. Each of the assets includes a lock-out mechanism that impedes use of the asset when the lock-out mechanism is activated.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Daniel Puzio, Lawrence E. Milburn, Fred S. Watts, Charles P. Mooney, Robert Bradus, James Watson, William E. Pugh, II
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Patent number: 7296360Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contracting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Black and DeckerInventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 7266898Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contracting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 7221124Abstract: The charger includes a controller, a battery power source having at least two power settings connected to the controller, a power supply connectable to an outside power source, the power supply receiving a current and voltage from the outside power source for providing power to at least one of the controller and the battery power source, and a foldback circuit for switching between two power settings depending upon at least one of the current and voltage received from the outside power source.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey S. Howard, Nathanael A. Mackley, Vickie J. Mead, Brian C. Sterling, Danh T. Trinh, Robert A. Usselman, Fred S. Watts, Janelle Young
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Patent number: 7112942Abstract: The charger includes a controller, a battery power source having at least two power settings connected to the controller, a power supply connectable to an outside power source, the power supply receiving a current and voltage from the outside power source for providing power to at least one of the controller and the battery power source, and a foldback circuit for switching between two power settings depending upon at least one of the current and voltage received from the outside power source.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Inventors: Geoffrey S. Howard, Nathanael A. Mackley, Vickie J. Mead, Brian C. Sterling, Danh T. Trinh, Robert A. Usselman, Fred S. Watts, Janelle Young
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Patent number: 7013571Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 7014945Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Moores, Jr., Rouse R. Bailey, Jr., Robert Bradus, John R. Cochran, Lee W. Ramstrom, Fred S. Watts, Paul S. White, Daniele C. Brotto, Janet M. Embrey
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Patent number: 6949309Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Moores, Jr., Rouse R. Bailey, Jr., Robert Bradus, John R. Cochran, Lee W. Ramstrom, Fred S. Watts, Paul S. White, Daniele C. Brotto, Janet M. Embrey
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Patent number: 6915583Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 6876173Abstract: An adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with An electrical apparatus such as a cordless power tool or a charger. The adapter includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion provides releasable attachment to the electrical apparatus. The second portion physically receives at least a portion of the battery pack. A method of converting an electrical apparatus for use with a battery pack not directly attachable to the electrical apparatus includes the steps of providing an adapter for electrically connecting the battery pack to an electrical apparatus, releasably attaching the adapter to the electrical apparatus and physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack by the adapter so as to establish an electrical circuit between the electrical apparatus and the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Thomas Mastaler, Paul G. Gross, Nathan May, Fred S. Watts
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Patent number: 6859013Abstract: The charger includes a controller, a battery power source having at least two power settings connected to the controller, a power supply connectable to an outside power source, the power supply receiving a current and voltage from the outside power source for providing power to at least one of the controller and the battery power source, and a foldback circuit for switching between two power settings depending upon at least one of the current and voltage received from the outside power source.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey S. Howard, Nathanael A. Mackley, Vickie J. Mead, Brian C. Sterling, Danh T. Trinh, Robert A. Usselman, Fred S. Watts, Janelle Young
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Publication number: 20040160212Abstract: An adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with An electrical apparatus such as a cordless power tool or a charger. The adapter includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion provides releasable attachment to the electrical apparatus. The second portion physically receives at least a portion of the battery pack. A method of converting an electrical apparatus for use with a battery pack not directly attachable to the electrical apparatus includes the steps of providing an adapter for electrically connecting the battery pack to an electrical apparatus, releasably attaching the adapter to the electrical apparatus and physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack by the adapter so as to establish an electrical circuit between the electrical apparatus and the battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Thomas Mastaler, Paul G. Gross, Nathan May, Fred S. Watts
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Publication number: 20040031163Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
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Publication number: 20030222621Abstract: The charger includes a controller, a battery power source having at least two power settings connected to the controller, a power supply connectable to an outside power source, the power supply receiving a current and voltage from the outside power source for providing power to at least one of the controller and the battery power source, and a foldback circuit for switching between two power settings depending upon at least one of the current and voltage received from the outside power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Geoffrey S. Howard, Nathanael A. Mackley, Vickie J. Mead, Brian C. Sterling, Danh T. Trinh, Robert A. Usselman, Fred S. Watts, Janelle Young
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Patent number: D545760Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Gabriel Concari, Kelton W. Lovell, Tanika L. Malloy, Fred S. Watts