Patents by Inventor James R. Brehm

James R. Brehm 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).

  • Patent number: 8665058
    Abstract: A variable speed toggle switch that allows a user to reverse a rotational direction of a motor and supply variable amounts of power to a motor, such as in a power tool, for example, a power drill. A trigger can include a gear segment that meshingly engages a gear on a potentiometer to electrically communicate the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger to a microprocessor. The microprocessor can then signal to an H-bridge, or to a series of transistors, the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger. A motor or other device can be powered by a power source in an amount corresponding to the actuation amount, and in a direction corresponding to the actuation direction of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel Pusateri, Kenneth C. Happ, James R. Brehm
  • Publication number: 20130285789
    Abstract: A variable speed toggle switch that allows a user to reverse a rotational direction of a motor and supply variable amounts of power to a motor, such as in a power tool, for example, a power drill. A trigger can include a gear segment that meshingly engages a gear on a potentiometer to electrically communicate the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger to a microprocessor. The microprocessor can then signal to an H-bridge, or to a series of transistors, the actuation direction and actuation amount of the trigger. A motor or other device can be powered by a power source in an amount corresponding to the actuation amount, and in a direction corresponding to the actuation direction of the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel Pusateri, Kenneth C. Happ, James R. Brehm
  • Patent number: 7445055
    Abstract: A tip valve assembly for a pneumatic tool with an integrated wear surface. The tool has a portion with an air channel bore housing. The tip valve assembly includes a first valve member having a bore and defining a valve seat about the bore and a second valve member capable of forming a seal with the valve seat. The second valve member can be tilted from the valve seat to permit air flow through the bore of the first valve member. The wear surface projects over only a portion of the cylindrical wall in the bore housing in conjunction with an edge of the second valve member that can be tilted farthest, so the second valve member does not contact the cylindrical wall of the bore housing. As an anti-rotation feature, the second valve member may have an outer periphery with a shaped recess between lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel S. Pusateri, James R. Brehm
  • Publication number: 20080105846
    Abstract: A tip valve assembly for a pneumatic tool with an integrated wear surface. The tool has a portion with an air channel bore housing. The tip valve assembly includes a first valve member having a bore and defining a valve seat about the bore and a second valve member capable of forming a seal with the valve seat. The second valve member can be tilted from the valve seat to permit air flow through the bore of the first valve member. The wear surface projects over only a portion of the cylindrical wall in the bore housing in conjunction with an edge of the second valve member that can be tilted farthest, so the second valve member does not contact the cylindrical wall of the bore housing. As an anti-rotation feature, the second valve member may have an outer periphery with a shaped recess between lobes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel S. Pusateri, James R. Brehm
  • Patent number: 6547015
    Abstract: A housing for a pneumatic tool includes a head portion, a middle portion, and a handle portion. A sleeve is disposed over the middle portion of a pneumatic tool with a rear portion of the sleeve spaced from the outer surface of the housing. A grip made of pliant material, preferably rubber or a synthetic rubber compound encloses the handle portion. The grip includes a front lip, and a rear flange. Once fully inserted on the handle, the sleeve and the external surface of the housing cooperate to retain the front lip therebetween, preventing the front lip from peeling off the handle portion. An adaptor engages an air inlet at a distal end of the handle portion. The adaptor can include a washer engageable with the air inlet for limiting the depth of insertion of the adaptor in the air inlet and for inhibiting rearward movement of the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Nowak, Jr., Joshua M. Beer, James R. Brehm
  • Patent number: 6155354
    Abstract: A replaceable, flexible and resilient grip is slidably fitted over a generally cylindrical handle portion of a power hand tool housing. In one embodiment, for use with a pistol grip housing with a separable end cap, the grip has a flange which is clamped between the end cap and the barrel of the housing and has lugs which fit in recesses in the barrel and end cap. The grip also has a strap portion which fits between the trigger and the barrel and a flange which fits in a groove adjacent to the barrel. In another embodiment, the tool has an air exhaust port adjacent to the handle portion and the grip defines an exhaust air passage alongside the handle portion, the grip being held in place by a retaining plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Company
    Inventors: Daniel S. Pusateri, James R. Brehm
  • Patent number: 6082468
    Abstract: A replaceable, flexible and resilient grip is slidably fitted over a generally cylindrical handle portion of a power hand tool housing. In one embodiment, for use with a pistol grip housing with a separable end cap, the grip has a flange which is clamped between the end cap and the barrel of the housing and has lugs which fit in recesses in the barrel and end cap. The grip also has a strap portion which fits between the trigger and the barrel and a flange which fits in a groove adjacent to the barrel. In another embodiment, the tool has an air exhaust port adjacent to the handle portion and the grip defines an exhaust air passage alongside the handle portion, the grip being held in place by a retaining plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Company
    Inventors: Daniel S. Pusateri, James R. Brehm
  • Patent number: 6062323
    Abstract: A pneumatic tool includes a housing defining an air inlet and first and second exhaust passages and an air motor fluidly coupled to the air inlet and disposed in the housing. The motor produces exhaust air in operation and is fluidly coupled to the first and second exhaust passages. The tool also includes an exhaust valve carried by housing for selectively opening and closing only the second exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Company
    Inventors: Daniel S. Pusateri, James R. Brehm, Joshua M. Beer
  • Patent number: D507732
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis A. Nowak, Joshua M. Beer, Raymond E. Kinsley, Daniel S. Pusateri, James R. Brehm, John A. Pierman
  • Patent number: D455327
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Beer, Dennis A. Nowak, James R. Brehm
  • Patent number: D472782
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Pusateri, Joshua Beer, Susan C. Melvin, Raymond E. Kinsley, James R. Brehm, John A. Pierman
  • Patent number: D410830
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Pusateri, James R. Brehm, Joshua M. Beer