Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Pierce
Kenneth R. Pierce 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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Publication number: 20160136741Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
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Patent number: 9278417Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
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Publication number: 20150101471Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a wire cutting member, a plurality of wheels about which the wire cutting member is at least partially wrapped, a first arm member supporting at least one of the plurality of wheels, and a second arm member supporting at least one of the plurality of wheels. The first arm member and the second arm member may be moveable between a first position, in which the cutting apparatus has a first size, and a second position, in which the cutting apparatus has a second size larger than the first size. A wire saw includes an adjustment member coupled to at least one of a plurality of wheels for moving the at least one of the plurality of wheels to adjust a tension of a wire cutting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart, Roy C. Coakley
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Publication number: 20150096421Abstract: In one aspect, a tool support for a pipe machining apparatus includes a support arm defining a groove therein and configured to support a tool, and a guide member at least partially positioned in the groove to allow movement of the support arm in a first direction and inhibit movement of the support arm in a second direction. In one aspect, a tool support includes a one-piece unitarily formed body member defining a cavity there through, and a tool support arm at least partially positioned in the cavity and configured to translate within the cavity. In one aspect, a tool support includes a first translating member configured to translate a tool toward and away from a pipe, and a second translating member configured to translate the tool toward and away from the pipe. The second translating member is coupled to and moveable relative to the first translating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
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Publication number: 20140345431Abstract: A device for cutting a length of pipe includes a clamp portion for clamping around a length of pipe and a bow moveable with respect to the clamp portion that retains a loop of diamond embedded wire. The device further includes a feed for driving the bow with respect to the clamp portion and a detector for detecting bending of the wire and a control responsive to the detector for controlling feed rates. The device is made of modular parts and has synchronizing arms for clamping around a length of pipe. In one embodiment, the wheels are retained in enclosures with slots through which the cutting wire passes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Publication number: 20140278563Abstract: Disclosed herein are means by which a company that is obligated to post collateral to secure contractually arising deductible reimbursement obligation may obtain such collateral from a third party without either using its own credit capacity or its own assets. A third party provider of collateral, the Collateral Provider, is paid a fee by a first party in exchange for posting collateral to secure the first party's contractual obligations to a second party. The collateral may either take the form of a letter of credit, or a trust that names the second party as a beneficiary. Through a contractual relationship, the letter of credit issuer or, as applicable, the trustee, assigns its subrogation rights to the Collateral Provider.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Philip V. Moyles, JR., Kenneth R. Pierce
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Patent number: 8833219Abstract: A device for cutting a length of pipe includes a clamp portion for clamping around a length of pipe and a bow moveable with respect to the clamp portion that retains a loop of diamond embedded wire. The device further includes a feed for driving the bow with respect to the clamp portion and a detector for detecting bending of the wire and a control responsive to the detector for controlling feed rates. The device is made of modular parts and has synchronizing arms for clamping around a length of pipe. In one embodiment, the wheels are retained in enclosures with slots through which the cutting wire passes.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Publication number: 20140196582Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a tool support adapted to both part or completely cut a pipe into multiple portions, and machine a groove in an exterior surface of the pipe. In another aspect, the apparatus has a low radial clearance such that the tool support does not project a significant distance beyond a pipe. In a further aspect, a method of parting and machining a groove in a pipe with a single pipe machining apparatus is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Farhat A. Khan, William M. Pence
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Publication number: 20140191460Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a locking member may be provided to selectively engage with a frame and a tool carrier of a pipe machining apparatus to prevent movement of the tool carrier relative to the frame. In another aspect, a roller bearing assembly for a pipe machining apparatus may be provided and defines a lubricant cavity in a spindle of the roller bearing assembly. In a further aspect, a coupling member for coupling a pipe machining apparatus to either an exterior surface or an exterior surface of a pipe may be provided. In still another aspect, an adjustable pad is provided for coupling a pipe machining apparatus to a pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
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Publication number: 20140190327Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a coupling mechanism adapted to couple a first section and a second section of the pipe machining apparatus together. The coupling mechanism includes a base defining an aperture therein, an arm adapted to selectively couple the first and second sections together, an engagement member positioned in the aperture in the base, and a separation member movably coupled to the base and adapted to engage the engagement member. The separation member is adapted to move to push against the engagement member and separate the first section and the second section. In another aspect, a coupling mechanism includes an arm adapted to selectively couple the first and second sections together and a resistance member engaging the arm and one of a first section and a second section of the pipe machining apparatus to which the arm is coupled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
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Publication number: 20140190321Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses and methods of operating are provided. In one aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes an advancement mechanism coupled to a frame and adapted to move relative to the frame between a first position, in which the advancement mechanism is in a travel path of an advancement member and is adapted to be engaged by the advancement member to advance a tool, and a second position, in which the advancement mechanism is positioned out of the travel path of the advancement member and is not adapted to be engaged by the advancement member. In another aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes multiple motors and pinion gears engaged with a gear rack of a tool carrier. In a further aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a race wiper. In yet another aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a race lubrication member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
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Publication number: 20140190322Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
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Publication number: 20140026731Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses, such as traveling pipe cutters, are provided. One such pipe machining apparatus may cut or bevel a hollow vessel while traveling around the vessel, and include a frame including a top end and a bottom end with the bottom end adjacent an outer surface of the vessel. The apparatus also includes a cable wrapped around the vessel and a pair of rollers coupled to the frame with each roller defining a groove therein for receiving the cable. Each roller rotates about an axis that extends generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the vessel. The cable is positioned in each groove of the pair of rollers and each axis is positioned between the cable and the outer surface of the vessel. The cable is tensioned to provide a force on the frame in a direction toward the outer surface of the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Patent number: 8010393Abstract: A process that provides protection to an entity against the risk that a third party experiences a credit-related problem as a result of, or following a fortuitous, identifiable, insurable event, where the entity is exposed to the credit risk of the third party. The process may comprise the step of entering into, by the entity, an insurance agreement with an insurer, wherein the obligations of the insurer under the insurance agreement are triggered upon the occurrence of both (1) a credit-related problem of the third party and (2) the event. The entity may be, for example, a person or a business. Where the entity is an insurance provider, the insurer may be a reinsurer, and the insurance agreement between the two may be a reinsurance agreement. The credit-related problem of the third party may be a solvency problem or a failure to borrow a certain amount of money on the part of the third party.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Morgan StanleyInventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Publication number: 20100186564Abstract: A device for cutting a length of pipe includes a clamp portion for clamping around a length of pipe and a bow moveable with respect to the clamp portion that retains a loop of diamond embedded wire. The device further includes a feed for driving the bow with respect to the clamp portion and a detector for detecting bending of the wire and a control responsive to the detector for controlling feed rates. The device is made of modular parts and has synchronizing arms for clamping around a length of pipe. In one embodiment, the wheels are retained in enclosures with slots through which the cutting wire passes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Patent number: 6244147Abstract: A weld sample cutter has a rotating saw blade and a vice. The vice has jaws which will retain a cylindrical work piece so that it can be cut either longitudinally or transversely by the blade. The vice is movable along a slide plate so that the work piece held in the vice can be moved toward or away from the saw blade.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: The E. H. Wachs CompanyInventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Patent number: 6112627Abstract: A squaring machine has an elongate housing with a rotatable spindle extending from one end thereof and attached to which is a tool for squaring the end of work piece. At the opposite end of the housing are first and second feed members, the first feed member in the form of a screw which is locked against axial movement within the housing, and the second feed member in the form a nut which is locked against rotation with respect to the housing. The feed nut is rotatably connected to an end of the spindle such that rotation of the feed screw will cause axial movement of the spindle. Also, the machine includes a first and second removable retainers, each of which has a pair of opposing jaws for clamping around a cylindrical work piece, however, the jaws of the first retainer are for grasping a work piece of a different size than the jaws of the second retainer.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: The E. H. Wachs CompanyInventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Patent number: 5933963Abstract: A tube saw has a housing body with a first side, a second side, and a central opening. Surfaces of the first and second sides are machined parallel to each other. A cutter with a rotating blade is mounted on the first side and a vice is mounted on the second side to thereby maintain a work piece held in the vise perpendicular to the cutter. An indicator pin and viewing hole facilitate aligning a work piece within the saw so that the blade will cut the work piece where desired.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: The E. H. Wachs CompanyInventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Patent number: 5794949Abstract: A collet for retaining a work piece comprises a plurality of wedge segments, and each of the wedge segments has inner and outer surfaces which, when the segments are assembled, form a collet having a cylindrical bore and a frustonconical outer surface, and the segments are retained in aligned relationship within a nut attachable to the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1997Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: The E. H. Wachs CompanyInventor: Kenneth R. Pierce
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Patent number: 5720070Abstract: A weld cleaning machine includes a frame which is secured by a roller chain immediately adjacent to a pipe having a weld to be cleaned. A rotary weld cleaning element is mounted to the frame on an oscillating arm such that the weld cleaning element oscillates along an oscillation axis oriented axially with respect to the pipe. A first motorized drive system is mounted on the frame to rotate the frame circumferentially around the pipe. A second motorized drive system is mounted on the frame to oscillate the weld cleaning element along the oscillation axis. A third motorized drive system is included in the oscillating arm to rotate the weld cleaning element. The weld cleaning machine is controlled remotely via a control cable and a control panel such that the operator can stand some distance from the pipe being cleaned. Preferably the machine automatically performs a programmed sequence of motions to clean a strip of substantial width along the axis of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Commonwealth Edison CompanyInventors: Aaron D. Kelley, William B. Bonow, Kenneth R. Pierce