Patents by Inventor James J. Kenney

James J. Kenney 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: 20230118889
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may comprise a plurality of ground engaging members, and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame may include an operator area having a platform sized and shaped to provide a location for a standing operator and at least one upstanding frame member rearward of the operator area. The vehicle may further comprise a steering input operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground engaging members to steer the vehicle; and at least one communication device supported by the at least one upstanding frame member rearward of the operator area, the at least one communication member being positioned higher than the steering input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jacob P. Horky, Sai Ashish Kanna, Curtis D.J. Johnson, Eric L. Ross, James J. Kenney, Jill Kolesnikov, Micicah J. King, Feruby Famadico, Alex C. Ramos, Justin T. Sticht, Andrew J. McNiven, Dean A. Sowa
  • Patent number: 11090791
    Abstract: A powered tool follower assembly can include a solenoid plunger that is movable longitudinally in a direction aligned with a drive axis in response to energization of the solenoid and a biasing mechanism with a spring axis extending transversely to the drive axis. A lever arm can extend between the plunger and the biasing member and couple the plunger to the biasing mechanism. A pinch roller can be disposed between the lever arm and the driver. Energization of the solenoid can move the plunger longitudinally, causing relative movement between the lever arm and the drive wheel that forces the pinch roller into engagement with the driver and transfers a biasing force from the compression spring through the lever arm and pinch roller to the driver to pinch the driver between the pinch roller and the flywheel and drive the driver along the driver axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok S. Baskar, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, Craig A. Schell, James J. Kenney, Paul G. Gross
  • Patent number: 10882172
    Abstract: A powered hand-held fastening tool includes a housing defining a handle, a frame, a motor-driven flywheel journaled to the frame, and an elongated driver that is selectively coupled to the flywheel to drive a fastener into a workpiece. The flywheel and driver have complementary sloped surfaces that mesh with each other to transmit energy from the flywheel to the driver to accelerate the driver along the driver axis. A follower assembly for selectively coupling the driver to the flywheel includes a solenoid actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok S. Baskar, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, IV, Craig A. Schell, James J. Kenney, Paul G. Gross
  • Publication number: 20190321956
    Abstract: A powered hand-held fastening tool includes a housing defining a handle, a frame, a motor-driven flywheel journaled to the frame, and an elongated driver that is selectively coupled to the flywheel to drive a fastener into a workpiece. The flywheel and driver have complementary sloped surfaces that mesh with each other to transmit energy from the flywheel to the driver to accelerate the driver along the driver axis. A follower assembly for selectively coupling the driver to the flywheel includes a solenoid actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Ashok S. BASKAR, Charles L. BRADENBAUGH, IV, Craig A. SCHELL, James J. KENNEY, Paul G. GROSS
  • Publication number: 20190232475
    Abstract: A powered tool follower assembly can include a solenoid plunger that is movable longitudinally in a direction aligned with a drive axis in response to energization of the solenoid and a biasing mechanism with a spring axis extending transversely to the drive axis. A lever arm can extend between the plunger and the biasing member and couple the plunger to the biasing mechanism. A pinch roller can be disposed between the lever arm and the driver. Energization of the solenoid can move the plunger longitudinally, causing relative movement between the lever arm and the drive wheel that forces the pinch roller into engagement with the driver and transfers a biasing force from the compression spring through the lever arm and pinch roller to the driver to pinch the driver between the pinch roller and the flywheel and drive the driver along the driver axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok S. BASKAR, Charles L. BRADENBAUGH, Craig A. SCHELL, James J. KENNEY, Paul G. GROSS
  • Patent number: 10286533
    Abstract: A contact trip adjustment assembly includes a forward trip member, adjustment pinion, adjustment nut, adjustment knob, and spring. The forward trip member can engage a workpiece and include a plurality of threads disposed about a first axis. The forward trip member can be axially translatable along the first axis between preset and actuated positions. The adjustment pinion can be rotatably disposed about the first axis and include a first gear. The adjustment nut can be coupled to the adjustment pinion for common rotation about the first axis. The adjustment nut can be axially slidable relative to the adjustment pinion and can be threadably engaged with the threads of the forward trip member. The adjustment knob can be rotatably disposed about a second axis and can include a second gear meshingly engaged with the first gear. The spring can bias the forward trip member toward the preset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Krout, James J. Kenney
  • Patent number: 10272554
    Abstract: A powered hand-held fastening tool includes a housing defining a handle, a frame, a motor-driven flywheel journaled to the frame, and an elongated driver that is selectively coupled to the flywheel to drive a fastener into a workpiece. A follower assembly for selectively coupling the driver to the flywheel includes a solenoid actuator, a biasing mechanism, a lever arm connected between the solenoid actuator and the biasing mechanism, and an intermediate member having journaled thereto a pivot roller and a pinch roller. Upon energization of the solenoid the lever arm is moved in a direction parallel to the drive axis, thereby applying a force on the pivot roller perpendicular to the drive axis, causing the pinch roller to press the driver against the flywheel and initiate the drive stroke. The intermediate member pivots about the pivot roller to release the pressure on driver upon completion of the drive stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok S. Baskar, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, Craig A. Schell, James J. Kenney, Paul G. Gross
  • Publication number: 20170036334
    Abstract: A powered hand-held fastening tool includes a housing defining a handle, a frame, a motor-driven flywheel journaled to the frame, and an elongated driver that is selectively coupled to the flywheel to drive a fastener into a workpiece. A follower assembly for selectively coupling the driver to the flywheel includes a solenoid actuator, a biasing mechanism, a lever arm connected between the solenoid actuator and the biasing mechanism, and an intermediate member having journaled thereto a pivot roller and a pinch roller. Upon energization of the solenoid the lever arm is moved in a direction parallel to the drive axis, thereby applying a force on the pivot roller perpendicular to the drive axis, causing the pinch roller to press the driver against the flywheel and initiate the drive stroke. The intermediate member pivots about the pivot roller to release the pressure on driver upon completion of the drive stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Ashok S. BASKAR, Charles L. BRADENBAUGH, Craig A. SCHELL, James J. KENNEY, Paul G. GROSS
  • Publication number: 20160325420
    Abstract: A contact trip adjustment assembly includes a forward trip member, adjustment pinion, adjustment nut, adjustment knob, and spring. The forward trip member can engage a workpiece and include a plurality of threads disposed about a first axis. The forward trip member can be axially translatable along the first axis between preset and actuated positions. The adjustment pinion can be rotatably disposed about the first axis and include a first gear. The adjustment nut can be coupled to the adjustment pinion for common rotation about the first axis. The adjustment nut can be axially slidable relative to the adjustment pinion and can be threadably engaged with the threads of the forward trip member. The adjustment knob can be rotatably disposed about a second axis and can include a second gear meshingly engaged with the first gear. The spring can bias the forward trip member toward the preset position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel L. Krout, James J. Kenney
  • Patent number: 9486905
    Abstract: A driving tool with a housing, a motor received in the housing, a control unit and a trigger. The housing defines a handle. The control unit is configured to operate the motor and has a microswitch, an actuator arm and a spring. The actuator arm is biased by the spring toward the microswitch. The spring is configured to move the actuator arm against the microswitch to cause the microswitch to operate in an actuated switch state. The trigger is coupled to the handle and is movable between a first trigger position and a second trigger position. The trigger has a switch arm that cooperates with the actuator arm to form a lost-motion coupling that permits a predetermined amount of movement of the trigger from the first trigger position to the second trigger position before coupling the switch arm to the actuator arm. The actuator member does not contact the microswitch when the trigger is in the second trigger position so that the microswitch operates in a nominal switch state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Ashok S. Baskar, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, Craig A. Schell, James J. Kenney, Paul G. Gross
  • Patent number: 9126319
    Abstract: A power tool that includes a structure; a flywheel coupled to the structure; a driver that is translatable along a driver axis; and a follower assembly having an actuator and an activation arm assembly. The actuator is coupled to the activation arm assembly. The activation arm assembly is coupled to the structure and includes a pinch roller. Actuation of the actuator causes the pinch roller to translate toward and engage the driver to initiate driving engagement between the driver and the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Gross, James J. Kenney, Larry E. Gregory, Lee M. Brendel
  • Patent number: 8690036
    Abstract: A cordless nailer is provided having a magazine assembly with improved features. An improved latch mechanism for clearing nail jams is provided that reduces wear on the latch. A driver retention feature is provided to retain a drive blade from accidentally escaping the nailer. A pusher assembly is provided having a simplified and efficient construction. A pusher retention feature is provided that prevents the driver blade from impacting a nail pusher. A nail retention feature is provided to allow easy loading and unloading of nails into the nailer. Finally, a method of assembling the magazine assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Schell, Ashok Samuel Baskar, Paul G. Gross, James J. Kenney, Li Xu
  • Publication number: 20130306699
    Abstract: A driving tool with a housing, a motor received in the housing, a control unit and a trigger. The housing defines a handle. The control unit is configured to operate the motor and has a microswitch, an actuator arm and a spring. The actuator arm is biased by the spring toward the microswitch. The spring is configured to move the actuator arm against the microswitch to cause the microswitch to operate in an actuated switch state. The trigger is coupled to the handle and is movable between a first trigger position and a second trigger position. The trigger has a switch arm that cooperates with the actuator arm to form a lost-motion coupling that permits a predetermined amount of movement of the trigger from the first trigger position to the second trigger position before coupling the switch arm to the actuator arm. The actuator member does not contact the microswitch when the trigger is in the second trigger position so that the microswitch operates in a nominal switch state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok S. Baskar, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, Craig A. Schell, James J. Kenney, Paul G. Gross
  • Patent number: 8302833
    Abstract: A power tool that includes a structure; a flywheel coupled to the structure; a driver that is translatable along a driver axis; and a follower assembly having an actuator and an activation arm assembly. The actuator is coupled to the activation arm assembly. The activation arm assembly is coupled to the structure and includes a pinch roller. Actuation of the actuator causes the pinch roller to translate toward and engage the driver to initiate driving engagement between the driver and the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G Gross, James J Kenney, Larry E Gregory, Lee M Brendel
  • Patent number: 8231039
    Abstract: A hand-held tool with a backbone, a motor assembly that is mounted to the backbone, and a plastic housing. The motor assembly can include a driver and can be selectively actuatable to translate the driver along an axis. The plastic housing can be coupled to the backbone and can shroud at least a portion of the backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Buck, Alan Berry, Charles L. Bradenbaugh, IV, Craig A. Schell, Paul Gross, Ashok S. Baskar, Steven R. Colello, James J. Kenney
  • Patent number: 8123099
    Abstract: A power tool with a flywheel, an activation arm, a driver, a cam and a clutch. The activation arm can have a first arm, a second arm, which can be pivotally mounted to the first arm, and a roller that can be coupled to the second arm. The driver can be disposed between the roller and the flywheel. The cam can be moveable in a predetermined direction for causing the activation arm to rotate about a pivot to drive the roller against the driver so that the driver frictionally engages the flywheel. The clutch can cooperate with the cam to inhibit the cam from moving in a direction opposite the predetermined direction in response to a reaction force that is applied by the driver onto the activation arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Kenney, Alan Berry, Craig A. Schell, Paul Gross
  • Publication number: 20110303722
    Abstract: A cordless nailer is provided having a magazine assembly with improved features. An improved latch mechanism for clearing nail jams is provided that reduces wear on the latch. A driver retention feature is provided to retain a drive blade from accidentally escaping the nailer. A pusher assembly is provided having a simplified and efficient construction. A pusher retention feature is provided that prevents the driver blade from impacting a nail pusher. A nail retention feature is provided to allow easy loading and unloading of nails into the nailer. Finally, a method of assembling the magazine assembly is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Craig A. Schell, Ashok Samuel Baskar, Paul G. Gross, James J. Kenney, Li Xu
  • Patent number: D758158
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Beukema, James J. Kenney, Daniel L. Krout, Todd A. Hagan, Dustin L. DeMarr
  • Patent number: D775922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Brent Beukema, James J. Kenney, Daniel L. Krout, Todd A. Hagan, Dustin L. DeMarr
  • Patent number: D907576
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Troy A. Cayon, Seth M. Robinson, James J. Kenney