Patents by Inventor John L. Whealon

John L. Whealon 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: 20250033171
    Abstract: A rotary power tool assembly including a rotary power tool and an accessory. The rotary power tool includes a rotatable spindle and a first mating member. The accessory includes a housing, a hub configured to be coupled to the spindle, a ball detent disposed selectively engageable with the spindle to axially lock the accessory to the power tool, and a sleeve axially slidable between a first position in which the sleeve biases the ball detent radially inward and into engagement with the spindle, and a second position in which the ball detent is disengageable from the spindle to release the accessory from the rotary power tool. The accessory further includes a second mating member received within the sleeve and axially fixed to the arms of the housing. The first and second mating members rotationally fix the accessory to the rotary power tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Ben Gordon, Peter Malak, John L. Whealon
  • Patent number: 12137641
    Abstract: An outdoor tool includes a powerhead, a tool unit powered by the powerhead, and a shaft assembly extending between the powerhead and the tool unit. The tool unit includes a transmission housing, a support plate, a guide bar adjustably supported by the support plate, a drive gear, and a chain circumscribing a portion of the drive gear and a portion of the guide bar, the drive gear operatively coupled to the powerhead. The tool unit further includes a tension adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position of the guide bar relative to the drive gear to increase and decrease a tension in the chain. The tension adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment screw, a threaded adjustment bolt, at least one adjustment gear, and a member coupled to the adjustment bolt and the guide bar. Rotation of the adjustment screw causes translation of the guide bar relative to the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Shane McCue, John L. Whealon
  • Patent number: 12128531
    Abstract: An accessory for use with a rotary power tool having a rotatable spindle and a first mating member. The accessory includes a housing having a body and a plurality of arms extending therefrom, a hub selectively engagable with the spindle to lock the accessory to the power tool, and a sleeve slidable along the arms between a first position and a second position, where the sleeve includes a plurality of apertures through which the corresponding plurality of arms extend. When the sleeve is in the first position the sleeve locks the hub to the spindle to secure the accessory to the power tool, and wherein when the sleeve is in the second position the sleeve disengages the hub from the spindle to release the accessory from the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ben Gordon, Peter Malak, John L. Whealon
  • Publication number: 20240324496
    Abstract: A walk-behind mower has a mower deck, a plurality of wheels, a head, and a plurality of light sources. The wheels are rotatably coupled to the mower deck. The wheels move the walk-behind mower over a support surface in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The head is coupled to the mower deck. The head can store at least one battery pack. The light sources are coupled to at least one of the mower deck and the head. The light sources project light through a continuous illumination angle about the walk-behind mower. The illumination angle extends along an arc from the forward direction toward the rearward direction and is at least 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Tyler L. Graham, Anthony J. Buxton, Benjamin F. Shaske, Adam N. Carter, Shane McCue, John L. Whealon, Christopher Shawn Bullington, Zachary Self
  • Publication number: 20240280110
    Abstract: A fan includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from the hub and spaced circumferentially about the hub. The plurality of blades includes a reference blade, a first blade, and a second blade. The reference blade is disposed after the first blade in a circumferential direction about the hub. The second blade is disposed after the reference blade in the circumferential direction. The first blade is circumferentially spaced a first distance from the reference blade. The second blade is circumferentially spaced a second distance from the reference blade. The first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Nathaniel A. Herrera, Beth E. Cholst, Shannon C. Bartlett, John L. Whealon
  • Publication number: 20240246216
    Abstract: An outdoor tool includes a powerhead unit and an attachment unit. The powerhead unit includes a motor, a housing assembly housing the motor and including a handle portion, and a first shaft segment supported within the housing assembly and extending along a shaft axis to a first connecting portion. The powerhead unit also includes a first driveshaft segment coupled to the motor and extending within the first shaft segment, a switch supported within the handle portion and operable to activate the motor, and a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger configured to selectively actuate the switch, a first lock-off member, and a second lock-off member. The attachment unit is selectively couplable to and powered by the powerhead unit. The attachment unit includes an operational unit configured to be driven by the motor, a second shaft segment, and a second connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Shane McCue, John L. Whealon, Kyle D. Korn
  • Publication number: 20240243598
    Abstract: A method of switching between groups of battery packs for supplying power to a power tool includes connecting a first group of battery packs and a second group of battery packs to a battery pack interface, discharging the first group to supply power to the power tool, and determining, using an electronic controller, a first condition of the first group. The method also includes discharging the second group to supply power to the power tool based on the first condition, determining, via the electronic controller, a second condition of the second group, determining, via the electronic controller, whether the first group has reached end of discharge, and discharging, in response to determining that the first group has not reached end of discharge, the first group based on the second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Samuel Golding, Connor E. Gulliksen, Shannon C. Bartlett, John L. Whealon, Drake J. Schlosser, Christopher S. Bullington, Benjamin Gordon, Mitchell E. Carpenter, John C. Butera
  • Patent number: 12035653
    Abstract: A walk-behind mower has a mower deck, a plurality of wheels, a head, and a plurality of light sources. The wheels are rotatably coupled to the mower deck. The wheels move the walk-behind mower over a support surface in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The head is coupled to the mower deck. The head can store at least one battery pack. The light sources are coupled to at least one of the mower deck and the head. The light sources project light through a continuous illumination angle about the walk-behind mower. The illumination angle extends along an arc from the forward direction toward the rearward direction and is at least 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler L. Graham, Anthony J. Buxton, Benjamin F. Shaske, Adam N. Carter, Shane McCue, John L. Whealon, Christopher Shawn Bullington, Zachary Self
  • Publication number: 20240186638
    Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed and includes a core case, an outer housing, and a fastener. The core includes an interior cavity and at least two lobes. The lobes project outwardly away from the interior cavity. The outer housing surrounds the core case and includes a set of protrusions that fit between the two lobes of the core case. The fastener extends through the lobes and protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Carmen J. Castaños, Wyatt R. Silha, John L. Whealon, Alexander R. Schenk, Eli M. Zidel, Zachery Meyer, John G. Marx
  • Publication number: 20240186637
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing, a flexible button, and a switch. The housing includes an opening and a groove. The groove is disposed at least partially about the opening. The flexible button is molded onto the housing in the opening. The flexible button includes a user engagement portion, a sidewall, a lip, and a post. The sidewall extends from the user engagement portion into the housing. The lip extends laterally from the sidewall. The lip includes a ridge protruding into the groove of the housing. The post extends from the user engagement portion. The switch is disposed in the housing. The switch is positioned to be engaged by the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, Carmen J. Castaños, Eli M. Zidel, Zachery Meyer, John L. Whealon, Jonathan Quenzer
  • Publication number: 20240186631
    Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed and includes a battery housing, a core housing disposed within the battery housing, and at least one pouch cell disposed within the core housing, the pouch cells including at least one corner, wherein the core housing includes a baseplate, at least one sidewall extending from the baseplate, and a rear wall extending from the baseplate to the sidewall, wherein the rear wall meets the sidewall at a partial-cylindrical corner and wherein the partial-cylindrical corner provides clearance for the corner of the pouch cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Eli M. Zidel, Zachery Meyer, Wyatt R. Silha, Thomas A. Schmeling, John G. Marx, Carmen J. Castaños, John L. Whealon
  • Patent number: 11945090
    Abstract: A powered device includes a powerhead unit and an attachment unit selectively attachable to and powered by the powerhead unit. The powerhead unit includes a motor, a first shaft segment having a first driveshaft segment coupled to the motor, and a first connecting portion attached to the first shaft segment. The attachment unit includes an operational unit configured to be driven by the motor, a second shaft segment having a second driveshaft segment coupled to the operational unit, and a second connecting portion attached to the second shaft segment for coupling to the first connecting portion. One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion defines an axial opening having a keyway and includes a button having a hook portion. The other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion defines a slot and includes a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shane McCue, John L. Whealon, Kyle D. Korn
  • Publication number: 20240074347
    Abstract: A discharge accessory for a lawnmower includes an inlet end and a hook disposed at the inlet end. The hook defines a channel. A lever arm extends from the hook in a direction transverse to the channel, and a protrusion is disposed in the channel. The protrusion extends in a first direction transverse to the channel and to the lever arm, and the protrusion extends in a second direction transverse to the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: David Marolla, Shane McCue, Hans T. Banholzer, John L. Whealon, Ryan Gunderson
  • Patent number: 11844306
    Abstract: A discharge accessory for a lawnmower includes an inlet end and a hook disposed at the inlet end. The hook defines a channel. A lever arm extends from the hook in a direction transverse to the channel, and a protrusion is disposed in the channel. The protrusion extends in a first direction transverse to the channel and to the lever arm, and the protrusion extends in a second direction transverse to the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: David Marolla, Shane McCue, Hans T. Banholzer, John L. Whealon, Ryan Gunderson
  • Publication number: 20230296102
    Abstract: An axial blower includes a fan, housing, and intake grate. The fan has a rotational axis. The housing surrounds the fan. The housing includes an inlet, fluid intake volume, outlet, and battery interface. The inlet is disposed at a position along the rotational axis upstream of the fan. The fluid intake volume is upstream of the inlet. The outlet is disposed at a position along the rotational axis downstream of the fan. The distal projection extends away from the inlet in an upstream direction. The battery interface is coupled to the distal projection, upstream of the inlet, and suspends a battery pack in the fluid intake volume. The intake grate is positioned between the fluid intake volume and the inlet. The intake grate permits fluid flow between the fluid intake volume and the inlet. The fluid intake volume is unobstructed between the battery interface and the intake grate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Nathaniel A. Herrera, Adam F. Czerwonka, Marcus T. Jenkins, Shannon C. Bartlett, John L. Whealon, Drake J. Schlosser
  • Publication number: 20230286119
    Abstract: A ratchet tool including a handle housing including a grip, the handle housing defining a longitudinal axis. The ratchet tool also includes a ratchet assembly including a pawl and an output shaft. The pawl is moveable between a first position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a first direction and a second position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. A switch is disposed in an aperture in the generally tubular surface of the handle housing, the switch having an external actuation surface for engagement with an operator's hand. The switch is slideable with respect to the handle housing in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. A linkage is disposed between the switch and the ratchet assembly configured to move the pawl between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Hans T. Banholzer, John L. Whealon, Ryan A. Dedrickson
  • Publication number: 20230276731
    Abstract: A walk-behind mower has a mower deck, a plurality of wheels, a head, and a plurality of light sources. The wheels are rotatably coupled to the mower deck. The wheels move the walk-behind mower over a support surface in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The head is coupled to the mower deck. The head can store at least one battery pack. The light sources are coupled to at least one of the mower deck and the head. The light sources project light through a continuous illumination angle about the walk-behind mower. The illumination angle extends along an arc from the forward direction toward the rearward direction and is at least 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Tyler L. Graham, Anthony J. Buxton, Benjamin F. Shaske, Adam N. Carter, Shane McCue, John L. Whealon, Christopher Shawn Bullington, Zachary Self
  • Patent number: 11691253
    Abstract: A ratchet tool has a handle housing and a ratchet assembly including a pawl and an output shaft. The pawl is moveable between a first position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a first direction and a second position in which the pawl is operatively coupled to drive the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction. A switch in the handle housing has an external actuation surface for engagement with an operator's hand. The ratchet tool also has a rotatable gear having at least one tooth, the rotatable gear operatively coupled to the pawl such that rotation of the rotatable gear effectuates movement of the pawl between the first and second positions. A linkage is operatively coupled to the rotatable gear to effectuate rotation of the rotatable gear by actuation of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans T. Banholzer, John L. Whealon, Ryan A. Dedrickson
  • Patent number: 11684009
    Abstract: A walk-behind mower has a mower deck, a plurality of wheels, a head, and a plurality of light sources. The wheels are rotatably coupled to the mower deck. The wheels move the walk-behind mower over a support surface in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The head is coupled to the mower deck. The head can store at least one battery pack. The light sources are coupled to at least one of the mower deck and the head. The light sources project light through a continuous illumination angle about the walk-behind mower. The illumination angle extends along an arc from the forward direction toward the rearward direction and is at least 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Tyler L. Graham, Anthony J. Buxton, Benjamin F. Shaske, Adam N. Carter, Shane McCue, John L. Whealon, Christopher Shawn Bullington, Zachary Self
  • Patent number: D980875
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Neil Carter, Adam A. Ostrowski, Shane McCue, John L. Whealon