Patents by Inventor James Wekwert
James Wekwert 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).
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Patent number: 12289073Abstract: A stand-alone motor unit for use with a piece of power equipment includes a housing and a flange coupled to the housing on a first side thereof. A plurality of apertures through the flange defines a first bolt pattern that matches an identical, second bolt pattern defined in the piece of power equipment. An electric motor has a power output of at least about 2760 W. The motor includes a stator having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 mm and a rotor supported for rotation within the stator. A power take-off shaft receives torque from the rotor and protrudes from one of the flange or a second side of the housing. A controller is positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the motor. A battery pack for powering the motor has battery cells having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 V.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2024Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, James Wekwert, Logan M. Hietpas, John S. Scott, Troy C. Thorson
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Publication number: 20250128639Abstract: A vehicle battery jump starter that is powered by a removable and rechargeable battery pack, such as a battery pack used with various hand-held power tools. The battery pack removably connects to a vehicle battery jump starter and can be selectively used to charge a power boost module within the vehicle battery jump starter. The power boost module includes, for example, a plurality of supercapacitors or lithium polymer battery cells. The power boost module in combination with the battery pack 100 can be used to jump start a vehicle battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2024Publication date: April 24, 2025Inventors: James Wekwert, Gareth Mueckl, Randolph McHugh
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Publication number: 20250114921Abstract: A pipe fitting tool is configured to loosen a first pipe element with respect to a second pipe element. The pipe fitting tool includes a motor, a holdback assembly configured to clamp and hold the second pipe element, the holdback assembly including a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, and a plurality of teeth sections, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is configured to clamp and rotate the first pipe element with respect to the second pipe element in response to a first linear motion of the reciprocating member, and release the first pipe element in response to a second linear motion of the reciprocating member, the second linear motion being in a direction opposite the first linear motion. At least one of the plurality of teeth sections is pivotally coupled to the fixed jaw.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2023Publication date: April 10, 2025Inventors: Benjamin A. Smith, James Wekwert, Brandon L. Yahr
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Patent number: 12269715Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Matthew Post, Isabel M. Lloyd, Gareth Mueckl, John S. Scott, Matthew N. Thurin, Timothy J. Campbell, Jonathan L. Lambert, James Wekwert
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Publication number: 20250079610Abstract: A system including a power tool and a battery pack. The system includes a power tool including a housing. The housing includes a battery pack interface that includes a first battery pack terminal and a first retaining element. The power tool also includes an electric motor and a controller. The electric motor includes an inner stator, an outer rotor, and a fan. A battery pack includes a base, a stem, a second retaining element, and a single battery cell connected to a second battery pack terminal. The battery pack produces at least a 170 watt output. The stem of the battery pack is configured to be inserted into the battery pack interface of the power tool. The second retaining element is configured to engage the first retaining element. The controller is and configured to control power supplied from the second battery pack terminal to the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2023Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: James Wekwert, Zachary G. Stanke, Gareth Mueckl, Christopher J. Kujawski, Daniel M. Blau
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Publication number: 20250073773Abstract: A method of identifying a leak around a fitting in a tubing system includes connecting a source of heated air to an inlet of the tubing system, inspecting segments of the tubing system using a thermal detector, identifying segments of the tubing system that are warmer than other segments of the tubing system, and following the warmer segments of the tubing system to identify the leak around the fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: James Wekwert, Jeremy R. Ebner, Troy C. Thorson, Zachary G. Stanke, Gareth Mueckl, Alex H. Boll
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Publication number: 20250073786Abstract: A chuck assembly for use with a rotary power tool. The chuck assembly includes a chuck body, a plurality of jaws, and a plate. The chuck body has a plurality of passageways, a plurality of jaws, and a plate. The plurality of jaws are each received within one of the plurality of passageways for co-rotation with the chuck body about the axis, each of the jaws comprises a groove extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis and along a first radial side, an inner side, and a second radial side of the jaw. The plate comprises a plurality of notches, each notch receiving the groove of one of the plurality of jaws to couple the plate to the plurality of jaws, the plate moving with the plurality of jaws to set an axial stop for the tool bit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: James Wekwert, Kyle Reeder
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Patent number: 12226879Abstract: A pipe fitting tool configured to loosen a first section of pipe with respect to a second section of pipe. The pipe fitting tool includes a motor, a reciprocating member that reciprocates in response to activation of the motor, a holdback assembly configured to clamp and hold the second section of pipe, and a loosening mechanism configured to clamp and rotate the first section of pipe with respect to the second section of pipe in response to a first linear motion of the reciprocating member, and to release the first section of pipe in response to a second linear motion of the reciprocating member, the second linear motion being in a direction opposite the first linear motion.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Benjamin A. Smith, James Wekwert
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Patent number: 12179378Abstract: An oscillating power tool includes a housing, a motor, a tool holder driven oscillatingly, a flange threadedly coupled to a plunger, and a lever pivotable between a clamping position and a release position. The flange is configured to be movable in an axial direction. The flange is configured to clamp the output element onto the tool holder in the clamping position and configured to be displaced a first distance from the tool holder in the release position. The lever includes a cam surface including a substantially flat surface configured to engage the plunger in the release position. In the release position, a gap is disposed between the lever and the housing to allow the lever to be rotated past the release position. The lever is configured to displace the flange a second distance from the tool holder, larger than the first distance, when rotated past the release position.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Emily Doberstein, James Wekwert
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Patent number: 12162374Abstract: A vehicle battery jump starter that is powered by a removable and rechargeable battery pack, such as a battery pack used with various hand-held power tools. The battery pack removably connects to a vehicle battery jump starter and can be selectively used to charge a power boost module within the vehicle battery jump starter. The power boost module includes, for example, a plurality of supercapacitors or lithium polymer battery cells. The power boost module in combination with the battery pack 100 can be used to jump start a vehicle battery.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2023Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: James Wekwert, Gareth Mueckl, Randolph McHugh
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Publication number: 20240390989Abstract: A tool bit including a tip configured to engage a work surface, a shank extending from the tip and defining a longitudinal axis, and a drive portion coupled to an end of the shank opposite from the tip and configured to be engaged by a tool, wherein the drive portion includes a plurality of splines circumferentially spaced around the longitudinal axis, each spline having opposing sidewalls which extend through the drive portionType: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: November 28, 2024Inventors: Kyle Reeder, James Wekwert, Jeremy R. Ebner, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Douglas W. Allen, James J. Van Essen, Ian H.A. Blair, John J. Springer
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Patent number: 12145189Abstract: A working element operable to expand an end of a tube includes a main body configured to rotate about an axis, a plurality of roller supports movably coupled to the main body, the roller supports movable relative to the main body between a retracted position and an expanded position, and a plurality of rollers coupled to the roller supports such that a distance between a first roller of the plurality of rollers and a second roller of the plurality of rollers increases when the roller supports move toward the expanded position. The rollers are configured to be inserted into the end of the tube when the roller supports are in the retracted position, and the rollers are engageable with an inner circumference of the tube when the main body rotates about the axis to expand the end of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: James Wekwert, Jeremy R. Ebner, Troy C. Thorson, Zachary G. Stanke, Gareth Mueckl, Alex H. Boll
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Patent number: 12134173Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a first chamber, and a movable piston positioned within the first chamber. The fastener driver also includes a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a ready position and a driven position. The fastener driver further includes a second chamber containing pressurized gas. The second chamber is in fluid communication with the first chamber via a flow passage. The fastener driver also includes a throttle mechanism configured to throttle flow of the pressurized gas through the flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Logan M. Hietpas, James Wekwert, Matthew N. Thurin, John S. Scott, Caroline Fox
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Publication number: 20240356467Abstract: A stand-alone motor unit for use with a piece of power equipment includes a housing and a flange coupled to the housing on a first side thereof. A plurality of apertures through the flange defines a first bolt pattern that matches an identical, second bolt pattern defined in the piece of power equipment. An electric motor has a power output of at least about 2760 W. The motor includes a stator having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 mm and a rotor supported for rotation within the stator. A power take-off shaft receives torque from the rotor and protrudes from one of the flange or a second side of the housing. A controller is positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the motor. A battery pack for powering the motor has battery cells having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 V.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2024Publication date: October 24, 2024Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, James Wekwert, Logan M. Hietpas, John S. Scott, Troy C. Thorson
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Patent number: 12040732Abstract: A stand-alone motor unit for use with a piece of power equipment includes a housing and a flange coupled to the housing on a first side thereof. A plurality of apertures through the flange defines a first bolt pattern that matches an identical, second bolt pattern defined in the piece of power equipment. An electric motor has a power output of at least about 2760 W. The motor includes a stator having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 mm and a rotor supported for rotation within the stator. A power take-off shaft receives torque from the rotor and protrudes from one of the flange or a second side of the housing. A controller is positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the motor. A battery pack for powering the motor has battery cells having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 V.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, James Wekwert, Logan M. Hietpas, John S. Scott, Troy C. Thorson
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Publication number: 20240217794Abstract: A material transport cart includes a cart body, a wheel coupled to the cart body, a motor operable to drive the wheel, a powered lift assembly coupled to the cart body, the powered lift assembly including an attachment receiving portion translatable relative to the cart body, an attachment removably connected to the attachment receiving portion of the powered lift assembly, and a removable battery electrically coupled to both the motor and the powered lift assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Inventors: David M. Schwalbach, Christina Prestidge-Kadrlik, Paul Rossetto, Logan M. Hietpas, Matt Thurin, Kathleen M. Keegan, James Wekwert
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Publication number: 20240182278Abstract: A wireless hoist system including a first hoist device having a first motor and a first wireless transceiver and a second hoist device having a second motor and a second wireless transceiver. The wireless hoist system includes a controller in wireless communication with the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless. The controller is configured to receive a user input and determine a first operation parameter and a second operation parameter based on the user input. The controller is also configured to provide, wirelessly, a first control signal indicative of the first operation parameter to the first hoist device and provide, wirelessly, a second control signal indicative of the second operation parameter to the second hoist device. The first hoist device operates based on the first control signal and the second hoist device operates based on the second control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Matthew Post, Gareth Mueckl, Matthew N. Thurin, Joshua D. Widder, Timothy J. Bartlett, Patrick D. Gallagher, Jarrod P. Kotes, Karly M. Schober, Kenneth W. Wolf, Terry L. Timmons, Mallory L. Marksteiner, Jonathan L. Lambert, Ryan A. Spiering, Jeremy R. Ebner, Benjamin A. Smith, James Wekwert, Brandon L. Yahr, Troy C. Thorson, Connor P. Sprague, John E. Koller, Evan M. Glanzer, John S. Scott, William F. Chapman, III, Timothy R. Obermann
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Patent number: 11952249Abstract: A material transport cart includes a cart body, a material support body coupled to the cart body, a wheel coupled to the cart body, a motor operable to drive the wheel, and a powered lift assembly. The powered lift assembly is coupled to the cart body and to the material support body. The powered lift assembly is operable to lift the material support body relative to the cart body. A removable battery is electrically coupled to and operable to supply power to both the motor and the powered lift assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: David M. Schwalbach, Christina Prestidge-Kadrlik, Paul Rossetto, Logan M. Hietpas, Matt Thurin, Kathleen M. Keegan, James Wekwert
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Publication number: 20240083717Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Matthew Post, Isabel M. Lloyd, Gareth Mueckl, John S. Scott, Matthew N. Thurin, Timothy J. Campbell, Jonathan L. Lambert, James Wekwert
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Publication number: 20240075845Abstract: A vehicle battery jump starter that is powered by a removable and rechargeable battery pack, such as a battery pack used with various hand-held power tools. The battery pack removably connects to a vehicle battery jump starter and can be selectively used to charge a power boost module within the vehicle battery jump starter. The power boost module includes, for example, a plurality of supercapacitors or lithium polymer battery cells. The power boost module in combination with the battery pack 100 can be used to jump start a vehicle battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: James Wekwert, Gareth Mueckl, Randolph McHugh