Patents by Inventor James C. Koehler

James C. Koehler 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).

  • Insert molding of a liquid-containing member, such as a level vial, and an article of manufacture formed thereby
    Publication number: 20020056203
    Abstract: A liquid-containing member is insert molded into a body. The liquid-containing member may be in the form of a level vial, which can be insert molded in a mold cavity having a shape corresponding to a vial retainer or corresponding to a level. The mold cavity is defined by a pair of mold sections which are configured to form an opening in the body, and the level vial is positioned to extend across the areas of the mold sections defining the opening. The ends of the level vial extend into an area of the mold cavity adapted to receive moldable material, such that injection of moldable material into the mold cavity surrounds and encapsulates the ends of the level vial. The vial is thus mounted to the body by means of the moldable material surrounding and encapsulating the ends of the vial, to securely engage the vial with the body and to eliminate a previously-required assembly step of mounting a vial to a body such as a vial retainer or a level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Gruetzmacher, Wayne R. Kinnally, James C. Koehler
  • Insert molding of a liquid-containing member, such as a level vail, and an article of manufacture formed thereby
    Publication number: 20010013175
    Abstract: A liquid-containing member is insert molded into a body. The liquid-containing member may be in the form of a level vial, which can be insert molded in a mold cavity having a shape corresponding to a vial retainer or corresponding to a level. The mold cavity is defined by a pair of mold sections which are configured to form an opening in the body, and the level vial is positioned to extend across the areas of the mold sections defining the opening. The ends of the level vial extend into an area of the mold cavity adapted to receive moldable material, such that injection of moldable material into the mold cavity surrounds and encapsulates the ends of the level vial. The vial is thus mounted to the body by means of the moldable material surrounding and encapsulating the ends of the vial, to securely engage the vial with the body and to eliminate a previously-required assembly step of mounting a vial to a body such as a vial retainer or a level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Gruetzmacher, Wayne R. Kinnally, James C. Koehler
  • Insert molding of a liquid-containing member, such as a level vial, and an article of manufacture formed thereby
    Patent number: 6243957
    Abstract: A liquid-containing member is insert molded into a body. The liquid-containing member may be in the form of a level vial, which can be insert molded in a mold cavity having a shape corresponding to a vial retainer or corresponding to a level. The mold cavity is defined by a pair of mold sections which are configured to form an opening in the body, and the level vial is positioned to extend across the areas of the mold sections defining the opening. The ends of the level vial extend into an area of the mold cavity adapted to receive moldable material, such that injection of moldable material into the mold cavity surrounds and encapsulates the ends of the level vial. The vial is thus mounted to the body by means of the moldable material surrounding and encapsulating the ends of the vial, to securely engage the vial with the body and to eliminate a previously-required assembly step of mounting a vial to a body such as a vial retainer or a level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Level & Tool Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Gruetzmacher, Jr., Wayne R. Kinnally, James C. Koehler