Patents by Inventor Geoffrey S. Howard
Geoffrey S. Howard 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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Patent number: 9533367Abstract: A cordless welding machine includes first and second batteries being connected in parallel, a ground clamp connected to the first and second batteries, and a first welding electrode connected to the first and second batteries. The batteries providing a current output of at least about 40 amps.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: David A. Carrier, Geoffrey S. Howard, Shelby K. Starks, David A. Goldman
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Publication number: 20160380456Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Brian K. Wohltmann, Regina G.C. Cunanan, Michael Cruz, Geoffrey S. Howard
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Publication number: 20160348879Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided including a base portion defining an axial opening, a main portion located above the base portion and having a generally-cylindrical upper portion, and a light module secured to a top portion of the generally-cylindrical upper portion of the main portion. The axial opening of the base portion is sized to receive at least a light module of another lighting apparatus therein in a stacked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Crystal G. Young, James B. Watson, Snehal S. Choksi, Daniele C. Brotto, Gabriel E. Concari, Jesse P. Hill, Keith Moore, Geoffrey S. Howard, Jonathan Kirkpatrick
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Publication number: 20160290801Abstract: A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: John K. HORKY, Geoffrey S. HOWARD, James P. BASCOM, Stamati ARAKAS, Gabriel E. CONCARI, Gary NOFFKE
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Patent number: 9444269Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Brian K. Wohltmann, Regina G. C. Cunanan, Michael Cruz, Geoffrey S. Howard
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Patent number: 9415499Abstract: An electrical combination including a power tool, charger and an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing or battery charger to support the battery on the tool housing or the battery charger, the adapter having adapter leads for electrically coupling the battery to the power tool or the battery charger, the adapter having a mechanical lockout for allowing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the power tool while preventing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the battery charger.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Daniel J. White, Shelby K. Starks, Geoffrey S. Howard, Allen K. Brelsford, Jeffrey Francis, Jeffrey Norris, Andrew E. Seman, Jr., David A. Carrier, Danh T. Trinh
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Publication number: 20160204626Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery charger for charging a battery pack. The battery charger includes a plurality of components including a power supply. The battery charger also includes a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery charger components, for example a transformer. The battery charger power supply is adjusted based on the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of battery charger components.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Michael Cruz, Geoffrey S. Howard, Marc W. McKinley, Andrew E. Seman, JR., Daniel J. White, Brian K. Wohltmann
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Patent number: 9389076Abstract: A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.Inventors: John K. Horky, Geoffrey S. Howard, James P. Bascom, Stamati Arakas, Gabriel E. Concari, Gary Noffke
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Publication number: 20160141902Abstract: A method of charging a battery pack is provided. The method includes: providing a charger comprising a battery interface, a set of terminals, and a power supply circuit for providing a charging current scheme; providing a set of battery packs, each battery of the set of battery packs comprising a charger interface having a physical configuration to mate with the battery interface and a set of terminals having a physical configuration to mate with the set of charger terminals; and providing a charging scheme defined by a relationship between the set of battery terminals and the set of charger terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Nathan J. Cruise, Rouse Roby Bailey, JR., Snehal S. Choksi, Regina C. Cunanan, Geoffrey S. Howard, Alexis W. Johnson, Andrew E. Seman, Danh T. Trinh, Daniel J. White, Michelle L. Miller
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Publication number: 20160099590Abstract: A system includes a plurality of battery packs, a plurality of battery pack trays, and a kiosk. Each tray includes a battery charging circuit and one or more receptacles for receiving one or more of the battery packs. The kiosk includes a storage unit configured to receive and store the plurality of battery pack trays, a power module configured to deliver power to the battery pack trays, and a controller that is configured to control dispensing of the trays and the battery packs from the kiosk. Each tray is configured to be alternatively powered by the power module in the kiosk or by an external power source apart from the kiosk to enable the charging circuit in the tray to charge the battery pack that is received in each receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Matthew J. VELDERMAN, Daniel J. WHITE, Andrew E. SEMAN, JR., David A. MILLER, Nathan J. CRUISE, Geoffrey S. HOWARD
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Publication number: 20160087356Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Regina G.C. Cunanan, Frank J. Delose, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Geoffrey S. Howard, Aziz Iqbal, Matthew J. Velderman, Daniel J. White
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Patent number: 9281695Abstract: A method of charging a battery pack is provided. The method includes: electronically connecting a battery pack to a charger; detecting information regarding the battery pack; determining an appropriate charging regime based on the detected information; and applying the charging regime to the battery pack. A battery charger may also provided. The battery charger includes: a first terminal for connecting to a battery pack; a second terminal for connecting to a battery pack, a microprocessor operatively connected to the terminals and configured to receive a signal from at least one terminal regarding a battery pack connected to the terminal and control the charger to select and apply a charging regime to the battery pack according to the signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Nathan J. Cruise, Michelle L. Bowers, Snehal S. Choksi, Regina Gracia C. Cunanan, Geoffrey S. Howard, Alexis W. Johnson, Andrew E. Seman, Danh T. Trinh, Daniel J. White, R. Roby Bailey, Jr.
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Patent number: 9209642Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Regina G. C. Cunanan, Frank J. Delose, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Geoffrey S. Howard, Aziz Iqbal, Matt J. Velderman, Daniel J. White
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Publication number: 20150194819Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Brian K. Wohltmann, Regina G. C. Cunanan, Michael Cruz, Geoffrey S. Howard
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Publication number: 20150054428Abstract: A power tool/battery pack combination includes an electric motor, one or more electrochemical cells, and a capacitive element. The electric motor is connected in series to a first switch. The series combination of the electric motor and the first switch is connected to a first terminal and a second terminal. The one or more electrochemical cells are connected across a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The third terminal and the fourth terminal are coupled respectively to the first terminal and the second terminal. The one or more electrochemical cells supply power to the electric motor via the first switch. The capacitive element includes one or more capacitors. The capacitive element is connected across the third terminal and the fourth terminal. The capacitive element is capable of storing inductive energy generated by the one or more electrochemical cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Nathan Osborne, Robert J. Marcinkowski, Christopher Held, Ralphy A. Louis, Daniel J. White, Michael Forster, Bhanu V. Gorti, Geoffrey S. Howard, Tony J. Agro, Michael Varipatis
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Publication number: 20140266048Abstract: A battery charger for charging a first battery pack and a second battery pack is disclosed. The charger includes a housing, a first and second charging circuit positioned within the housing, a first and second charging port coupled to the housing and electrically coupled the first and second charging circuits, respectively. The first charging port is configured to support the first battery pack and defines a first connection axis along which the first battery pack is movable to connect with the first charging circuit. The second charging port is configured to support the second battery pack and defines a second connection axis along which the second battery pack is movable to connect with the second charging circuit. The second charging port is configured to support the second battery pack while the first charging port supports the first battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Regina C. Cunanan, Dustin M. Lee, Abhisheka Moturu, Joel D. Sayles, Geoffrey S. Howard
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Publication number: 20140232326Abstract: A battery pack and charger platform including a voltage coupling circuit comprising an input that receives an input voltage and an output that sends an output voltage, a voltage monitoring circuit having an input coupled to the voltage coupling circuit output and an output, and a power source having an input coupled to the voltage monitoring circuit output, the power source input receives an input voltage representative of a charge instruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.Inventors: Brian K. Wohltmann, Regina G.C. Cunanan, Michael Cruz, Geoffrey S. Howard
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Publication number: 20140159642Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventors: Regina G.C. Cunanan, Frank J. Delose, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Geoffrey S. Howard, Aziz Iqbal, Matt J. Velderman, Daniel J. White
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Patent number: 8653787Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a battery pack that is operably coupled to a battery charger. The method comprises: measuring voltage at a plurality of designated terminals of a first battery pack while the battery pack is coupled to the battery charger; determining how many of the designated terminals are connected to a reference voltage, such as battery positive; and identifying an attribute of the battery pack based on how many of the designated terminals are connected to the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.Inventors: Regina G. C. Cunanan, Frank J. Delose, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Geoffrey S. Howard, Aziz Iqbal, Matt J. Velderman, Daniel J. White
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Patent number: 8383263Abstract: A battery pack comprising a housing having an first housing portion and a second housing portion and an electrostatic discharge protection device to prevent electrostatic discharge from entering the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Nathan J. Cruise, Daniel J. White, Robert J. Marcinkowski, Geoffrey S. Howard, Alexis W. Johnson, Nathan J. Osborne, Michael W. Roberts, Steven J. Phillips, Michelle L. Bowers