Patents by Inventor George R. Steber

George R. Steber 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: 20100039279
    Abstract: A hand tool (10) that provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool (10) comprises a tool head coupled to a handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit including an antenna is provided in the handle of the tool (10). As the tool (10) approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage, triggering an alarm circuit that provides a visual or audio signal to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, Patrick John Radle, Daryl Charles Brockman, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
  • Patent number: 7468674
    Abstract: A hand tool and an accessory which provide an alarm signal to a user as the tool or accessory approaches a live electrical wire are disclosed. The hand tool or accessory include a non-contact voltage sensing circuit. As the tool or accessory approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user. The hand tool can be selectively coupled to the tool head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Onachilla, Patrick J. Radle, Daryl C. Brockman, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Thomas M. Luebke
  • Publication number: 20080196910
    Abstract: A power hand drill or other power tool includes at least one of a detachable non-contact voltage sensing device and a detachable subsurface object locator for detecting the presence of an object beneath a surface being probed with the locator. The drill has a housing with a flat accessory mounting surface including coupling elements for coupling the sensing module to the drill. The accessory device includes a mating coupling element to engage with the coupling element in the drill housing. The non-contact voltage sensing circuitry includes sensing circuitry contained within a housing with an antenna that is positioned opposite a tool head of the power tool, and an indicator mounted to the module for indicating the presence of a voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick J. Radle, Daryl C. Brockman, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Thomas M. Luebke
  • Patent number: 7295130
    Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a tool head and coupled to a handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Actuant corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, Patrick John Radle, Daryl Charles Brockman, David Wiesemann, George R. Steber
  • Patent number: 6863502
    Abstract: The invention provides a variable speed hydraulic pump designed to operate at a maximum horsepower throughout its pressure range by adjusting motor speed according to motor load parameters. In particular, the variable speed hydraulic pump includes a hydraulic pump unit coupled to a variable speed electric motor by a drive unit and to a hydraulic fluid tank for pressurizing and pumping hydraulic fluid when operated by the motor. A motor controller is electrically connected to the motor to supply drive signals to the motor based on electrical characteristics of the drive signals which are dependent on the load exerted on the motor. Suction from the load is provided by both the main pump and a bidirectional supercharging pump by reversing the direction of the motor and shifting a 4/3 valve to connect the main pump inlet to the load and its outlet to tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Bishop, Roger R. Pili, Bruce E. Knuth, Moe K. Barani, Ron Flanary, Laurentius A. G. Mentink, George R. Steber, Martin Piedl
  • Patent number: 6844713
    Abstract: A pocket-sized object finder has a compact housing containing a battery, circuitry and a capacitor plate for detecting an object hidden behind a wall. The battery powered circuitry includes multiple signal indicators that illuminate in a serial manner when the object is being detected. The signal indicators are successively tapered and are mounted at a front side of a tapered end of the housing. The capacitor plate is disposed in the housing along its rear wall and is responsive to variations in capacitance that occur as the object finder is brought near and over the object. The compact housing defines a cavity with a width that is no more than two inches and one third its length. A removable access door, with a pocket clip, at an end opposite the signal indicators allows access to the battery within the housing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Steber, Thomas M. Luebke, Stephen J. Skeels, David L. Wiesemann
  • Patent number: 6844819
    Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
  • Patent number: 6812685
    Abstract: An electrical testing device has non-contact AC voltage sensing, single probe contact AC voltage testing and voltage metering functions. Non-contact voltage sensing is used to detect the vicinity of a live AC conductor and single probe contact sensing is used to determine which conductor of a number of conductors in the vicinity is live. More specific information about the magnitude of the voltage can then be determined using both contact probes. The electrical testing device automatically determines the type (AC or DC) and polarity (if DC) of a voltage applied to test terminals, and provides an indication of the voltage range (AC or DC), without the need to operate any switches or other electrical actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Steber, David L. Wiesemann, Thomas M. Luebke
  • Publication number: 20040183689
    Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
  • Patent number: 6731218
    Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
  • Publication number: 20030206805
    Abstract: The invention provides a variable speed hydraulic pump designed to operate at a maximum horsepower throughout its pressure range by adjusting motor speed according to motor load parameters. In particular, the variable speed hydraulic pump includes a hydraulic pump unit coupled to a variable speed electric motor by a drive unit and to a hydraulic fluid tank for pressurizing and pumping hydraulic fluid when operated by the motor. A motor controller is electrically connected to the motor to supply drive signals to the motor based on electrical characteristics of the drive signals which are dependent on the load exerted on the motor. Suction from the load is provided by both the main pump and a bidirectional supercharging pump by reversing the direction of the motor and shifting a 4/3 valve to connect the main pump inlet to the load and its outlet to tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Michael B. Bishop, Roger Pili, Bruce E. Knuth, Moe K. Barani, Ron Flanary, Laurentius A.G. Mentik, George R. Steber, Martin Piedl
  • Publication number: 20030201783
    Abstract: A pocket-sized object finder has a compact housing containing a battery, circuitry and a capacitor plate for detecting an object hidden behind a wall. The battery powered circuitry includes multiple signal indicators that illuminate in a serial manner when the object is being detected. The signal indicators are successively tapered and are mounted at a front side of a tapered end of the housing. The capacitor plate is disposed in the housing along its rear wall and is responsive to variations in capacitance that occur as the object finder is brought near and over the object. The compact housing defines a cavity with a width that is no more than two inches and one third its length. A removable access door, with a pocket clip, at an end opposite the signal indicators allows access to the battery within the housing cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: George R. Steber, Thoma M. Luebke, Stephen J. Skeels, David L. Wiesemann
  • Publication number: 20030182806
    Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
  • Patent number: 6593754
    Abstract: A hand held subsurface object locator has a pocket sized housing that contains circuitry and a power source for electrically detecting substratum objects hidden behind a surface. The housing is preferably less than two inches wide and at least three times as long as it is wide. The housing has a pocket clip preferably affixed to a battery compartment door at one end of the housing and the other end of the housing is tapered and includes a plurality of tapered indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Steber, Thomas M. Luebke, Stephen J. Skeels, David L. Wiesemann
  • Publication number: 20030038723
    Abstract: An electrical circuit tracing device comprising a transmitter that includes a pocket for storing the receiver is disclosed. The transmitter further comprises a storage compartment for maintaining a plurality of pre-wired connectors, and a clip which can be used to attach the transmitter to a pocket, a belt, or another carrying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Raymond H. Klein
  • Patent number: 6525665
    Abstract: An electrical circuit tracing device comprising a transmitter that includes a pocket for storing the receiver is disclosed. The transmitter further comprises a storage compartment for maintaining a plurality of pre-wired connectors, and a clip which can be used to attach the transmitter to a pocket, a belt, or another carrying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: GB Tools and Supplies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Raymond H. Klein
  • Publication number: 20020135349
    Abstract: An electrical testing device has non-contact AC voltage sensing, single probe contact AC voltage testing and voltage metering functions. Non-contact voltage sensing is used to detect the vicinity of a live AC conductor and single probe contact sensing is used to determine which conductor of a number of conductors in the vicinity is live. More specific information about the magnitude of the voltage can then be determined using both contact probes. The electrical testing device automatically determines the type (AC or DC) and polarity (if DC) of a voltage applied to test terminals, and provides an indication of the voltage range (AC or DC), without the need to operate any switches or other electrical actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: George R. Steber, David L. Wiesemann, Thomas M. Luebke
  • Patent number: D461424
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Raymond H. Klein
  • Patent number: D461730
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Raymond H. Klein
  • Patent number: D462022
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Raymond H. Klein