Patents by Inventor John Witzigreuter

John Witzigreuter 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: 20180001461
    Abstract: An impacting apparatus includes a spring anvil assembly and a drive mechanism that alternatively engages a the spring anvil assembly to actuate the spring anvil assembly to store potential energy in the spring anvil assembly, and which drive mechanism alternatively disengages the spring anvil assembly to allow the spring anvil assembly to launch and accelerate toward an impact target to deliver impact energy from the spring anvil assembly to the impact target. In an embodiment, the spring anvil assembly is biased to a start position by one of the impact target and the weight of the apparatus. The spring anvil assembly may comprise a gas spring or a spring, for example. The apparatus is capable of delivering multiple impacts to an impact target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Publication number: 20170274513
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus comprises an energy storage means, a drive mechanism, and an anvil assembly. The drive mechanism selectively engages the energy storage means to store potential energy within the energy storage means. After the drive mechanism disengages, potential energy previously stored within the energy storage means impart a force on the anvil assembly to launch the assembly (and incorporated anvil) to drive a fastener. The drive mechanism may comprise a cam for engaging and disengaging the energy storage means. The apparatus may also comprise a nail indexing mechanism for supplying fasteners, which indexing mechanism may also be acted and operated on by the cam. The apparatus may further comprise a gas spring as a return mechanism for returning the anvil assembly to a position after the anvil assembly has separated from the energy storage means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Publication number: 20170100829
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a spring anvil assembly that comprises a gas spring and an anvil. The end of the piston that extends out of the gas spring may be fixedly disposed against an object that is capable of exerting a force against the piston for at least a portion of the operational cycle. A drive mechanism acts on the spring assembly to store potential energy in the spring. The drive mechanism thereafter ceases acting on the spring assembly and the potential energy is released, causing the spring anvil assembly move and to separate from the drive mechanism for a period of free flight of the spring anvil assembly, the anvil thereafter moving to strike a fastener to drive the fastener into a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 9555530
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes an extensible polymer assembly and a fastener drive assembly, such that when said extensible polymer assembly is actuated (by a motor and linear motion converter), energy is stored as an extensible polymer of the polymer assembly extends in length and force from said extensible polymer is applied on said fastener drive assembly. When said extensible polymer reaches a sufficient extension, a retention means releases said fastener drive assembly and wherein said fastener drive assembly moves from a first position to a second position such that an anvil of the fastener drive assembly is capable of driving a fastener into a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Publication number: 20150336253
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes an extensible polymer assembly and a fastener drive assembly, such that when said extensible polymer assembly is actuated (by a motor and linear motion converter), energy is stored as an extensible polymer of the polymer assembly extends in length and force from said extensible polymer is applied on said fastener drive assembly. When said extensible polymer reaches a sufficient extension, a retention means releases said fastener drive assembly and wherein said fastener drive assembly moves from a first position to a second position such that an anvil of the fastener drive assembly is capable of driving a fastener into a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 8939341
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a vacuum piston and a drive piston, which vacuum piston, when moved (by way of a motor and linear motion converter), draws a vacuum against the drive piston, which drive piston may be held in place by retention means. An anvil is coupled to the drive piston. The retention means is released electrically or mechanically at or near the point of maximum vacuum volume. This drive piston and anvil assembly is then driven by atmospheric pressure and may strike a fastener to drive it into a substrate. At least one position sensor may be used. Once the fastener is driven, the apparatus may reset to an initial position. At least one parasitic loss seal may be provided to reduce drag force on the drive piston, and a timed dwell may be provided for the vacuum piston for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Publication number: 20140374461
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a vacuum piston and a drive piston, which vacuum piston, when moved (by way of a motor and linear motion converter), draws a vacuum against the drive piston, which drive piston may be held in place by retention means. An anvil is coupled to the drive piston. The retention means is released electrically or mechanically at or near the point of maximum vacuum volume. This drive piston and anvil assembly is then driven by atmospheric pressure and may strike a fastener to drive it into a substrate. At least one position sensor may be used. Once the fastener is driven, the apparatus may reset to an initial position. At least one parasitic loss seal may be provided to reduce drag force on the drive piston, and a timed dwell may be provided for the vacuum piston for operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 8875969
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus for driving fasteners into a substrate. The fastener driving apparatus is a combination of a motor driven linear motion converter; a compression cylinder; an expansion cylinder and a valve arrangement. The linear motion converter converts a rotational motion of a motor to a linear motion of a compression piston within the compression cylinder causing a gas within the compression cylinder to be compressed. The compressed gas is communicated to the expansion cylinder through the valve arrangement wherein the compressed gas expands causing an anvil coupled to an expansion piston within the expansion cylinder to move axially. The axial movement of the anvil causes a fastener to be driven into the substrate. The fastener driving apparatus is an ergonomically designed portable hand held tool providing comfort to a user, meeting safety standards and performance efficiency requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 8800834
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first cylinder, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second cylinder, a second piston, an anvil, a retention element retaining a component of the apparatus, and at least one sensor. During a compression stroke, the first piston compresses gas in a first cylinder to a predetermined pressure. Compressed gas is communicated to the second cylinder and the retention force of the retention element is overcome, to release the retained component of the apparatus, thereby causing the second piston to move linearly and enabling the anvil to drive the fastener into the workpiece. During a return stroke of the first piston, a vacuum created in the first cylinder is communicated to the second cylinder, causing, along with an optional other retraction capacity, the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 8523035
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first hollow guide member having a first volumetric capacity, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second hollow guide member having a second volumetric capacity, a second piston, an anvil, a valve arrangement and at least one sensor. The guide members may have an elliptical or oval cross-section. During a compression stroke, the first piston compresses gas in the first hollow guide member. The valve arrangement opens and communicates the compressed gas to the second hollow guide member, causing the second piston to move the anvil to drive a fastener. During a return stroke of the first piston, the valve arrangement opens, communicating a vacuum created in the first hollow guide member to the second hollow guide member, thereby causing the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Publication number: 20120286014
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first cylinder, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second cylinder, a second piston, an anvil, a retention element retaining a component of the apparatus, and at least one sensor. During a compression stroke, the first piston compresses gas in a first cylinder to a predetermined pressure. Compressed gas is communicated to the second cylinder and the retention force of the retention element is overcome, to release the retained component of the apparatus, thereby causing the second piston to move linearly and enabling the anvil to drive the fastener into the workpiece. During a return stroke of the first piston, a vacuum created in the first cylinder is communicated to the second cylinder, causing, along with an optional other retraction means, the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 8079504
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first cylinder, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second cylinder, a second piston, an anvil, a retention element retaining a component of the apparatus, and at least one sensor. During a compression stroke, the first piston compresses gas in a first cylinder to a predetermined pressure. Compressed gas is communicated to the second cylinder and the retention force of the retention element is overcome, to release the retained component of the apparatus, thereby causing the second piston to move linearly and enabling the anvil to drive the fastener into the workpiece. During a return stroke of the first piston, a vacuum created in the first cylinder is communicated to the second cylinder, causing the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 7984708
    Abstract: Disclosed is a projectile launching apparatus capable of launching a projectile, such as a pellet, a BB, an arrow, a dart and a paintball. The projectile launching apparatus includes a motor driven linear motion converter, a cylinder, a breech assembly and a compression valve arrangement. The linear motion converter converts a rotational movement of a motor into a linear movement of a piston by a gear reduction mechanism. The linear movement of the piston within the cylinder compresses a gas with a high compression exponent. The compressed gas is further released into a barrel of the breech assembly through the compression valve arrangement. The compressed gas expands in the barrel causing a projectile to be launched from the barrel with a force of the compressed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Impulse Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicni, John Witzigreuter
  • Publication number: 20110108600
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first hollow guide member having a first volumetric capacity, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second hollow guide member having a second volumetric capacity, a second piston, an anvil, a valve arrangement and at least one sensor. The guide members may have an elliptical or oval cross-section. During a compression stroke, the first piston compresses gas in the first hollow guide member. The valve arrangement opens and communicates the compressed gas to the second hollow guide member, causing the second piston to move the anvil to drive a fastener. During a return stroke of the first piston, the valve arrangement opens, communicating a vacuum created in the first hollow guide member to the second hollow guide member, thereby causing the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Publication number: 20100307472
    Abstract: The present device is a launcher for a projectile, comprising an enclosure that is adapted to be held by a human hand. The enclosure comprises a barrel aperture, a pump aperture, and a trigger aperture. The launcher further comprises a pump assembly that comprises a pump piston traversing the pump aperture. The pump piston is configured to be actuated by a user and can be reciprocated in and out of a pump cylinder. The launcher comprises a compression chamber in fluid communication with the piston cylinder through a check valve that only allows air to pass from within the piston cylinder into the compression chamber. The launcher comprises a trigger that opens the compression chamber and sends compressed air into a barrel that can have a projectile stored therein. The trigger is configured to be manually operated by a user. The barrel is in fluid communication with the compression chamber through a trigger valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: TECH GROUP HONG KONG
    Inventor: John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 7793811
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first cylinder, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second cylinder, a second piston, an anvil, a valve arrangement and at least one sensor. During a compression stroke, the first piston is configured to compress gas in a first cylinder to a predetermined pressure. At the predetermined pressure, the valve arrangement assumes an open position for communicating the compressed gas to the second cylinder, thereby causing the second piston to move linearly and enabling the anvil to drive the fastener into the workpiece. During a return stroke, at a predetermined position of the first piston in the first cylinder, the valve arrangement assumes the open position for communicating a vacuum created in the first cylinder to the second cylinder and thereby causing the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Publication number: 20100213235
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first cylinder, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second cylinder, a second piston, an anvil, a valve arrangement and at least one sensor. During a compression stroke, the first piston is configured to compress gas in a first cylinder to a predetermined pressure. At the predetermined pressure, the valve arrangement assumes an open position for communicating the compressed gas to the second cylinder, thereby causing the second piston to move linearly and enabling the anvil to drive the fastener into the workpiece. During a return stroke, at a predetermined position of the first piston in the first cylinder, the valve arrangement assumes the open position for communicating a vacuum created in the first cylinder to the second cylinder and thereby causing the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 7712462
    Abstract: A portable motor driven air gun powered by a power source includes a motor that is coupled to a pinion which drives a rack connected to a piston. The piston compresses air in a chamber producing high-pressure air. When sufficient energy is stored within the air stream by the piston, a valve opens which releases the compressed air to push a projectile through a barrel. The pinion rotates until it comes to an interrupted thread surface, at which point the rack and pinion are returned to the starting position via a spring. The piston may be coupled to a bolt thru a lost motion device to facilitate positioning of the projectile for firing. The direction speed and operative modes of the gun may be controlled with an electric circuit. The power source may be rechargeable, allowing the air gun to be operated independent from either a wall outlet or a compressed air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Impulse Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 7686003
    Abstract: The present device is a projectile launcher using compressed air. The device includes a barrel adapted to receive the projectile proximate a rear end. The device further includes a cylinder, a piston, and a firing handle fixed to a rear side of the piston. A valve provides selective fluid communication between the cylinder and the barrel. A bolt rod is fixed to the valve. The valve is actuated when the piston is pushed to a front end of the cylinder and the firing handle comes into contact with the bolt rod. Air compressed within the cylinder by the piston is thereby being released into the barrel to propel the projectile from the barrel. The barrel further includes a bolt slidable within the barrel between a loading position and a firing position. The bolt is fixed to the front end of the bolt rod and includes a bolt air passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: RE44001
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a power source, a control circuit, a motor, a first cylinder, a first piston, a linear motion converter, a second cylinder, a second piston, an anvil, a valve arrangement and at least one sensor. During a compression stroke, the first piston is configured to compress gas in a first cylinder to a predetermined pressure. At the predetermined pressure, the valve arrangement assumes an open position for communicating the compressed gas to the second cylinder, thereby causing the second piston to move linearly and enabling the anvil to drive the fastener into the workpiece. During a return stroke, at a predetermined position of the first piston in the first cylinder, the valve arrangement assumes the open position for communicating a vacuum created in the first cylinder to the second cylinder and thereby causing the second piston and the anvil to retract to their initial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter