Patents by Inventor Ian A. Duncan

Ian A. Duncan 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: 20240075608
    Abstract: A power tool including a housing, a motor, and a bearing. The housing includes a first housing portion having a first bearing retainer portion, and a second housing portion having a second bearing retainer portion. The second housing portion is attached to the first housing portion such that the first bearing retainer portion and the second bearing retainer portion form a bearing retainer. The motor is supported within the housing. The motor includes an output shaft defining an axis. The bearing is received in the bearing retainer. The bearing is configured to support the output shaft for rotation about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Ian A. Duncan, Miguel Ángel Ortuño Rodriguez, Nicholas J. Losch
  • Publication number: 20240064891
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon, Stephen Matson, Steven M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11897110
    Abstract: A rotary power tool includes a housing having a motor housing portion and a handle portion extending therefrom. An electric motor is positioned within the motor housing portion. The rotary power tool further includes a trigger switch configured to activate and deactivate the motor. The rotary power tool further includes a non-contact speed selector switch positioned in the housing. The non-contact speed selector switch is configured to adjust a rotational speed of the motor. The non-contact speed selector switch is separate from the trigger switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maxwell L. Merget, Jingyuan Liang, Michael R. Sande, Michael Halverson, Ian Duncan, Nicholas C. Mantych, Alex Huber
  • Patent number: 11871509
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon
  • Publication number: 20230405786
    Abstract: A rotary power tool includes a housing having a motor housing portion and a handle portion extending therefrom. An electric motor is positioned within the motor housing portion. The rotary power tool further includes a trigger switch configured to activate and deactivate the motor. The rotary power tool further includes a non-contact speed selector switch that is separate from the trigger switch and configured to adjust a rotational speed of the motor. The non-contact speed selector switch is positioned in a foot of the handle portion opposite the motor housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Maxwell L. Merget, Jingyuan Liang, Michael R. Sande, Michael Halverson, Ian Duncan, Nicholas C. Mantych, Alex Huber
  • Publication number: 20230381941
    Abstract: A bit retainer is configured to couple a tool bit to an output spindle of a power tool. The bit retainer includes a body coupled for co-rotation with the output spindle about a rotational axis, a collet including a plurality of jaws positioned at least partially within the body, the collet defining a bore between the plurality of jaws configured to receive the tool bit, a wedge surface engageable with the collet, and a sleeve surrounding the body. The sleeve is movable relative to the body to engage the wedge surface against the collet and compress the plurality of jaws around the tool bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kentez L. Craig, Devin C. Albrecht, Ian A. Duncan, Terry L. Timmons
  • Publication number: 20230284374
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon
  • Publication number: 20230246516
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor housing, a motor, a handle coupled to the housing, and a vibration damping assembly. The motor is positioned in the motor housing and configured to rotatably drive an output shaft. The vibration damping assembly is positioned between the motor housing and the handle. The vibration damping assembly includes a first coupling portion defined by the motor housing, a second coupling portion defined by the handle, and an elastomeric damper captured between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. The first coupling portion includes a boss having a flange and a first groove. The second coupling portion defines an opening and includes first and second ribs extending into the opening and spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the handle. The first and second ribs define a second groove therebetween. The damper occupies the first and second grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Ian A. DUNCAN, Christopher D. JORNLIN, Caleb M. SCHOBER
  • Patent number: 11583988
    Abstract: A hammer drill comprises a drive mechanism including a spindle, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, and a hammer lockout mechanism adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a clutch adjustable between a first state and a second state. The hammer drill further comprises a collar rotatably coupled to the housing and movable between a first rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the first mode and the clutch is in the first state, a second rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the second mode and the clutch is in the first state, and a third rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the second mode and the clutch is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian Duncan, Ryan A. Dedrickson
  • Patent number: 11570888
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon, Stephen Matson, Steven M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11554468
    Abstract: A rotary impact tool includes a housing, an electric motor, and a drive assembly for converting a continuous torque input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece of at least 900 ft-lbs of fastening torque. An anvil has a bore defining a hexagonal cross-sectional shape and having a nominal width of 7/16 inches. A hammer is rotationally and axially movable relative to the anvil for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil. A spring biases the hammer in an axial direction toward the anvil. A battery pack has a nominal voltage of at least 18 Volts and a nominal capacity of at least 5 Ah. The rotary impact tool has an overall weight including the battery pack that is less than or equal to 7.5 pounds. A ratio of the fastening torque to the overall weight is greater than or equal to 120 ft-lbs per pound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian A. Duncan, Jacob P. Schneider, Michael R. Sande
  • Publication number: 20220410359
    Abstract: A hammer drill comprises a drive mechanism including a spindle, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, and a hammer lockout mechanism adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a clutch adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a detent radially movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a collar movable between a first rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the first mode and a second rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the second mode. In the first mode the detent is positioned such that the spindle is moveable relative to the housing. In the second mode the detent is positioned such that the spindle is prevented from moving relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ian Duncan, Ryan A. Dedrickson
  • Patent number: 11469645
    Abstract: A power tool includes an electric motor having an output shaft, a transmission having a transmission housing, a spindle rotatable in response to receiving torque from the transmission and a pinion coupled to the output shaft. The pinion includes a bushing portion, a toothed portion for driving the transmission, and a cylindrical portion between the bushing portion and the toothed portion. The power tool further comprises a fan coupled to the bushing portion of the pinion and a bearing arranged between the cylindrical portion and the transmission housing for rotatably supporting the pinion and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan A. Dedrickson, Ian Duncan, Timothy R. Reichert
  • Publication number: 20220281095
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing, and an output spindle rotatably supported relative to the housing about an axis. The motor is operable to drive the output spindle about the axis. The power tool includes a spindle lock assembly between the motor and the output spindle. The spindle lock assembly is adjustable between an unlocked state in which the output spindle is rotatable relative to the housing about the axis and a locked state in which the output spindle is rotationally fixed relative to the housing. The spindle lock assembly includes a first resilient member, positioned between the housing and the output spindle. The first resilient member is configured to at least partially absorb a torque impulse from the output spindle when rotating in a first direction and when the spindle lock assembly transitions from the unlocked state to the locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, Ian A. Duncan, Brian J. Yue, Isabella A. Spek
  • Publication number: 20220287172
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon, Stephen Matson, Steven M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220274246
    Abstract: A power tool supportable by a lanyard. The power tool includes a motor housing, a motor arranged in the motor housing, a front housing, an output member extending from the front housing, a gear case, and a gear train arranged in the gear case. The gear train configured to transfer torque from the motor to the output member. The power tool further includes a first fastener securing the front housing to the motor housing and a bracket to which the lanyard is attachable. The bracket is fastened to one of the front housing, the motor housing, or the gear case by a second fastener that does not secure the front housing to the motor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Mackenzie J. Nick, Michael R. Sande, Ian A. Duncan, Jacob P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11426845
    Abstract: A rotary impact tool includes a housing, an electric motor, and a drive assembly for converting a continuous torque input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece of at least 900 ft-lbs of fastening torque. An anvil has a bore defining a hexagonal cross-sectional shape and having a nominal width of 7/16 inches. A hammer is rotationally and axially movable relative to the anvil for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil. A spring biases the hammer in an axial direction toward the anvil. A battery pack has a nominal voltage of at least 18 Volts and a nominal capacity of at least 5 Ah. The rotary impact tool has an overall weight including the battery pack that is less than or equal to 7.5 pounds. A ratio of the fastening torque to the overall weight is greater than or equal to 120 ft-lbs per pound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian A. Duncan, Jacob P. Schneider, Michael R. Sande, Mackenzie J. Nick
  • Patent number: 11426852
    Abstract: A hammer drill comprises a drive mechanism including a spindle, a first ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle, a second ratchet rotationally fixed to the housing, and a hammer lockout mechanism adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a clutch adjustable between a first mode and a second mode. The hammer drill further comprises a detent radially movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a collar movable between a first rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the first mode and a second rotational position in which the hammer lockout mechanism is in the second mode. In the first mode the detent is positioned such that the spindle is moveable relative to the housing. In the second mode the detent is positioned such that the spindle is prevented from moving relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian Duncan, Ryan A. Dedrickson
  • Patent number: 11375610
    Abstract: A power tool may include a compartment in its housing and a first printed circuit board (PCB) located in the housing and electrically coupled to a first connector. An insertable wireless communication device may include a second electronic processor and an antenna that are each mounted to a second PCB. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to be received in the compartment and may include a second connector configured to electrically and physically couple to the first connector. The insertable wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. When the insertable wireless communication device is inserted into the compartment, a first conductive layer of the first PCB may be configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna via the first connector and the second connector such that the first conductive layer of the first PCB serves as a ground plane of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John B. Lienau, Anthony M. Davis, Ian A. Duncan, Benjamin Gordon
  • Patent number: 11338427
    Abstract: A power tool is supportable by a lanyard. The power tool includes a motor housing, a motor arranged in the motor housing, front housing, an output member extending from the front housing, a gear case, and a gear train arranged in the gear case. The gear train is configured to transfer torque from the motor to the output member. The power tool also includes a first fastener securing the front housing to the motor housing, and a bracket fastened to one of the front housing, the motor housing, or the gear case by a second fastener that does not secure the front housing to the motor housing. The power tool also includes a support member secured to the one of the front housing, the motor housing, or the gear case by the bracket. The support member is attachable to the lanyard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mackenzie J. Nick, Michael R. Sande, Ian A. Duncan, Jacob P. Schneider