Patents by Inventor Larry M. Moeller

Larry M. Moeller 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: 8931677
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a power source including a cylinder, a piston with a driver blade reciprocating in the cylinder, a tool nose associated with the power source for receiving the driver blade for driving fasteners fed into the nose, and a magazine housing a supply of the fasteners. A magazine feeder mechanism is associated with the magazine for sequentially feeding fasteners into the nose, and the feeder mechanism includes a reciprocating feed piston. A conduit is connected between a port in the cylinder and the feed mechanism for diverting combusted gas for activating the feed piston. The port is disposed in the cylinder a specified distance below a piston prefiring position, the distance being reflective of a delay of activating the feed piston until the drive piston finishes a driving stroke and begins a return to the prefiring position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chris H. Porth, Larry M. Moeller
  • Patent number: 8302832
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a power source including a cylinder, a piston with a driver blade reciprocating in the cylinder, a tool nose associated with the power source for receiving the driver blade for driving fasteners fed into the nose, and a magazine housing a supply of the fasteners. A magazine feeder mechanism is associated with the magazine for sequentially feeding fasteners into the nose, and the feeder mechanism includes a reciprocating feed piston. A conduit is connected between a port in the cylinder and the feed mechanism for diverting combusted gas for activating the feed piston. The port is disposed in the cylinder a specified distance below a piston prefiring position, and the distance is reflective of a delay of feeding the gas to the feed piston at least until engagement between an end of the driver blade and a head of a fastener in the tool nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chris H. Porth, Larry M. Moeller
  • Patent number: 8276798
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool including a power source having a reciprocating driver blade, a tool nose associated with the power source for receiving the driver blade for driving fasteners fed into the nose, a magazine constructed and arranged to house a supply of the fasteners and a magazine feeder mechanism associated with the magazine for sequentially feeding fasteners into the nose. The feeder mechanism operates between a retracted position and an advanced position. An electromechanical retention device is operationally associated with the feeder mechanism and is configured for retaining the feeder mechanism in the retracted position until the driver blade is positioned to allow fastener advancement into the nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, James W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8191751
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source including a cylinder head and a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head, a valve sleeve and an upper surface of a reciprocating piston, the valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the cylinder head between a rest position and a pre-firing position. The valve sleeve has a range of positions between a first sealing position in which the combustion chamber is closed, and said pre-firing position in which the valve sleeve is prevented from further movement. A lockout device is associated with the power source and has an actuated position configured for preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve beyond the first sealed position to open the combustion chamber, but permitting movement of the valve sleeve from the first sealed position to the pre-firing position until the piston returns to a piston pre-firing position post combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Hanxin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100258608
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a power source including a cylinder, a piston with a driver blade reciprocating in the cylinder, a tool nose associated with the power source for receiving the driver blade for driving fasteners fed into the nose, and a magazine housing a supply of the fasteners. A magazine feeder mechanism is associated with the magazine for sequentially feeding fasteners into the nose, and the feeder mechanism includes a reciprocating feed piston. A conduit is connected between a port in the cylinder and the feed mechanism for diverting combusted gas for activating the feed piston. The port is disposed in the cylinder a specified distance below a piston prefiring position, and the distance is reflective of a delay of feeding the gas to the feed piston at least until engagement between an end of the driver blade and a head of a fastener in the tool nose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Chris H. Porth, Larry M. Moeller
  • Publication number: 20100163594
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source including a cylinder head and a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head, a valve sleeve and an upper surface of a reciprocating piston, the valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the cylinder head between a rest position and a pre-firing position. The valve sleeve has a range of positions between a first sealing position in which the combustion chamber is closed, and said pre-firing position in which the valve sleeve is prevented from further movement. A lockout device is associated with the power source and has an actuated position configured for preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve beyond the first sealed position to open the combustion chamber, but permitting movement of the valve sleeve from the first sealed position to the pre-firing position until the piston returns to a piston pre-firing position post combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 7673779
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source including a cylinder head and a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head, a valve sleeve and an upper surface of a reciprocating piston, the valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the cylinder head between a rest position and a pre-firing position. The valve sleeve has a range of positions between a first sealing position in which the combustion chamber is closed, and said pre-firing position in which the valve sleeve is prevented from further movement. A lockout device is associated with the power source and has an actuated position configured for preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve beyond the first sealed position to open the combustion chamber, but permitting movement of the valve sleeve from the first sealed position to the pre-firing position until the piston returns to a piston pre-firing position post combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 7591236
    Abstract: A combustion nailer configured for reducing intake of contaminated air during operation, includes a combustion engine having a cylinder with a piston reciprocating between a prefiring position and a fully extended position, and at least one air port in the cylinder below the fully extended position. The at least one air port is provided with a venting check valve configured so that the discharge volume from the cylinder out the at least one air port is greater than the inflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Yury Shkolnikov, Walter J. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090152316
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a power source including a cylinder and a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to the cylinder between a closed position defining and closing a combustion chamber, and an open position allowing venting of the combustion chamber. A lockout device is associated with the power source and is configured for releasably restraining the valve sleeve in the closed position. A control system is connected to the power source, is operable in both a sequential firing mode and a repetitive firing mode, and is configured for activating the lockout device in a first format when in the sequential firing mode, and in a second format when in the repetitive firing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Larry M. Moeller
  • Patent number: 7510105
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a workpiece contact element reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, a control system operationally associated with the power source, a trigger connected to the control system providing operator interface with the control system. The control system is configured so that an operator may select between a sequential firing mode in which the trigger must be released between firings, and a repetitive cycle mode in which the trigger is continually depressed between firings. The trigger is connected to the control system so that at least one of the frequency and duration of pulling of the trigger converts the operating mode from the sequential mode to the repetitive cycle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Joseph E. Fabin, James E. Doherty
  • Patent number: 7497271
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, at least one fan for associated with the power source, at least one temperature sensing device in operational proximity to the power source and a control system operationally associated with the power source and connected to the at least one fan and at least one temperature sensing device for adjusting the length of time for energizing the at least one cooling fan as a function of power source temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Joseph E. Fabin, James E. Doherty, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Yury Shkolnikov
  • Patent number: 7487898
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, and a lockout device in operational proximity to the valve sleeve and configured for automatically preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve from the firing position until a piston in the power source returns to a pre-firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, James E. Doherty, Joseph E. Fabin
  • Publication number: 20080314953
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a power source including a reciprocating driver blade, a tool nose associated with the power source for receiving the driver blade for driving fasteners fed into the nose, a magazine constructed and arranged to house a supply of the fasteners, a magazine feeder mechanism associated with the magazine for sequentially feeding fasteners into the nose, the feeder mechanism including, operating between a retracted position and an advanced position and an electromechanical retention device that is operationally associated with the feeder mechanism and configured for retaining the mechanism in the retracted position until the driver blade is positioned to allow fastener advancement into the nose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, James W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7431185
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source; at least one fan associated with the power source during operation; and a control system operationally associated with the power source and connected to the at least one fan for adjusting the length of time for energizing the at least one fan as a function of the number of combustion firings by the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Joseph E. Fabin, James E. Doherty, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Yury Shkolnikov
  • Publication number: 20080169326
    Abstract: A combustion nailer configured for reducing intake of contaminated air during operation, includes a combustion engine having a cylinder with a piston reciprocating between a prefiring position and a fully extended position, and at least one air port in the cylinder below the fully extended position. The at least one air port is provided with a venting check valve configured so that the discharge volume from the cylinder out the at least one air port is greater than the inflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Yury Shkolnikov, Walter J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7383974
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, and a lockout device in operational proximity to the valve sleeve and configured for automatically preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve from the firing position until a piston in the power source returns to a pre-firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, James E. Doherty, Joseph E. Fabin
  • Patent number: 7341171
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, at least one fan for associated with the power source, at least one temperature sensing device in operational proximity to the power source and a control system operationally associated with the power source and connected to the at least one fan and at least one temperature sensing device for adjusting the length of time for energizing the at least one cooling fan as a function of power source temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Joseph E. Fabin, James E. Doherty, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Yury Shkolnikov
  • Patent number: 7314155
    Abstract: A modular magazine assembly in a fastener-driving tool having a nosepiece includes a first magazine housing portion secured to the tool and at least partially defining a chamber for fasteners. An extension portion is configured for releasable attachment to the first magazine housing portion. Upon assembly of the extension portion, a resulting large capacity magazine is defined and dimensioned to accommodate at least two fastener strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Walter J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7299963
    Abstract: A combustion nailer includes a housing substantially enclosing a combustion engine having a cylinder head, a control unit associated with the housing for controlling operation of the tool, at least one printed circuit board electrically connected to the control unit for maintaining tool operation, and at least one temperature sensor mounted on the at least one printed circuit board for monitoring tool temperature and for signaling sensed temperature to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Mariam Vahabi-Nejad, Jeffry C. Ford, Clayton O. Henry
  • Patent number: 7296719
    Abstract: A combustion tool for use with a fuel cell having a fuel metering valve is provided. The fuel metering valve of the fuel cell emits a prescribed volume of fuel from a fuel metering chamber through a valve stem. The tool includes a fuel cell chamber configured for receiving the fuel cell. A solenoid actuator is in operational relationship to the fuel cell chamber. The solenoid actuator is configured for pushing the fuel cell against a biasing force associated with the fuel cell. When the biasing force is overcome, the fuel cell emits fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Taylor, Larry M. Moeller