Patents by Inventor Mark E. Brunson

Mark E. Brunson 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: 10556329
    Abstract: A tool bit assembly includes a tool bit having a shaft with a first working region disposed at a first end of the shaft and a first reduced diameter portion proximate the working region and disposed between a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A floating sleeve has a rear portion with a pair of opposed window openings, a front portion supporting a magnet, and a pair of balls, with each ball disposed in one of the window openings. The floating sleeve is receivable over the tool bit with the magnet proximate the first working regions and the balls received in the first reduced diameter portion to allow the floating sleeve to move between a first position in which the balls abut the first shoulder and a second position in which the balls abut the second shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Peters, Denny Jiang, Michael Huang, Darren B. Moss, Aland Santamarina, David B. Lee, Mark E. Brunson, Ruth E. Mitchener Keffer
  • Patent number: 10150205
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a shaft with a working region disposed at a first end of the shaft and configured to drive a fastener, a shank portion disposed proximate a second end of the shaft and configured to couple the shaft to a power tool, and a reduced diameter torsion zone disposed between the shank portion and the working region, the torsion zone extending from a first shoulder closer to the working region to a second shoulder closer to the shank portion. A length (L) and a radius (c) of the torsion zone have been optimized so that approximately half of breakages occur in the working region and approximately half of breakages occur in the torsion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Aland Santamarina, Michael P. Peters, Mark E. Brunson, Darren B. Moss, David B. Lee, Ruth E. Mitchener Keffer, Denny Jiang, Michael Huang
  • Patent number: 10040179
    Abstract: A bit holder assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end and a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A coil spring biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of an angular slot formed in the body. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. A ring magnet is disposed at the forward end of the retraction collar to magnetize a fastener to retain the fastener to the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Peters, Mark E. Brunson, Darren B. Moss, David B. Lee, Ruth E. Mitchener Keffer
  • Patent number: 9943946
    Abstract: A tool bit assembly includes a tool bit having a shaft with a first working region disposed at a first end of the shaft and a first reduced diameter portion proximate the working region and disposed between a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A floating sleeve has a rear portion with a pair of opposed window openings, a front portion supporting a magnet, and a pair of balls, with each ball disposed in one of the window openings. The floating sleeve is receivable over the tool bit with the magnet proximate the first working regions and the balls received in the first reduced diameter portion to allow the floating sleeve to move between a first position in which the balls abut the first shoulder and a second position in which the balls abut the second shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Peters, Denny Jiang, Michael Huang, Darren B. Moss, Aland Santamarina, David B. Lee, Mark E. Brunson, Ruth E. Mitchener-Keffer
  • Publication number: 20180071899
    Abstract: A tool bit assembly includes a tool bit having a shaft with a first working region disposed at a first end of the shaft and a first reduced diameter portion proximate the working region and disposed between a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A floating sleeve has a rear portion with a pair of opposed window openings, a front portion supporting a magnet, and a pair of balls, with each ball disposed in one of the window openings. The floating sleeve is receivable over the tool bit with the magnet proximate the first working regions and the balls received in the first reduced diameter portion to allow the floating sleeve to move between a first position in which the balls abut the first shoulder and a second position in which the balls abut the second shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Michael P. PETERS, Denny JIANG, Michael HUANG, Darren B. MOSS, Aland SANTAMARINA, David B. LEE, Mark E. BRUNSON, Ruth E. MITCHENER-KEFFER
  • Publication number: 20170036329
    Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a shaft with a working region disposed at a first end of the shaft and configured to drive a fastener, a shank portion disposed proximate a second end of the shaft and configured to couple the shaft to a power tool, and a reduced diameter torsion zone disposed between the shank portion and the working region, the torsion zone extending from a first shoulder closer to the working region to a second shoulder closer to the shank portion. A length (L) and a radius (c) of the torsion zone have been optimized so that approximately half of breakages occur in the working region and approximately half of breakages occur in the torsion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Aland SANTAMARINA, Michael P. PETERS, Mark E. BRUNSON, Darren B. MOSS, David B. LEE, Ruth E. MITCHENER KEFFER, Denny JIANG, Michael HUANG
  • Patent number: 9314852
    Abstract: A right angle attachment for use with a power tool that includes a housing having a handle portion and a gear case attached to the handle portion and supporting first and second right angle gears wherein the first right angle gear is driven by an input shaft that is connected to the drill and the second right angle gear has an opening therein for receiving a hex bit directly therein. A floating magnet head can surround the hex bit to aid in fastener retention and can be movable out of proximity of the hex bit to facilitate easy removal of the hex bit for replacement. An additional magnet can be disposed within the gear case at the base of the hex bit in order to magnetize the hex bit and further enhance the retention of the fastener therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Aland Santamarina, Darren B. Moss, Mark E. Brunson, David B. Lee
  • Patent number: 9227309
    Abstract: A bit holder assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end and a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A coil spring biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of an angular slot formed in the body. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. A ring magnet is disposed at the forward end of the retraction collar to magnetize a fastener to retain the fastener to the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Darren B. Moss, Aland Santamarina, David B. Lee, Michael P. Peters, Mark E. Brunson, Ruth E. Mitchener Keffer
  • Publication number: 20150367486
    Abstract: A bit holder assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end and a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A coil spring biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of an angular slot formed in the body. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. A ring magnet is disposed at the forward end of the retraction collar to magnetize a fastener to retain the fastener to the bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Michael P. PETERS, Mark E. BRUNSON, Darren B. MOSS, David B. LEE, Ruth E. MITCHENER-KEFFER
  • Patent number: 9156147
    Abstract: A bit holder assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end and a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A coil spring biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of an angular slot formed in the body. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. A ring magnet is disposed at the forward end of the retraction collar to magnetize a fastener to retain the fastener to the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Peters, Mark E. Brunson, Darren B. Moss, David B. Lee, Ruth E. Mitchener Keffer
  • Publication number: 20150114196
    Abstract: The miter saw includes a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably connected to the base assembly and having a plane, a saw assembly including a motor and a blade disposed on an arbor, and a pivot arm pivotally attached to the table and supporting the saw assembly. The motor preferably drives a belt, which drives a first gear. The first gear meshes with an idler gear, which in turn meshes with a gear disposed on the arbor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Daryl S. Meredith, Thomas R. Kaye, Jr., Thomas Trevor Bludis, Maria I. Kenyon, William R. Stumpf, Michael L. O'Banion, Craig A. Oktavec, Stuart J. Wright, Mark E. Brunson, Carrie L. Puschmann
  • Publication number: 20140174263
    Abstract: A driver for driving a threaded fastener includes a shank and a sleeve. The shank has a rear portion configured to be coupled to a power tool. The sleeve defines a bore having a round rear portion and a polygonal front socket. An inner shaft has a round rear portion received in the bore and a polygonal front portion that matches the polygonal socket and that includes a magnet holder with front and rear magnetic portions. An actuator is coupled to the inner shaft to move the inner shaft between a rear position where the front magnetic portion is within the socket, and a front position where the front magnetic portion is exposed from the socket for cleaning. The rear magnetic portion magnetically attracts the inner shaft toward a rear end of the internal bore to bias the inner shaft toward the rear position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Darren B. MOSS, Michael P. PETERS, Mark E. BRUNSON, Aland SANTAMARINA, Glen V. STEINBRUNNER
  • Patent number: 8740513
    Abstract: A dust collector is disclosed for use with a drill bit or a depth stop that is coupled to a drill bit. The dust collector includes a rear attachment portion configured to be axially fixed to a drill bit or to a drill bit depth stop that is axially fixed to a drill bit. An intermediate non-collapsible portion is attached to a front end of the rear attachment portion. The intermediate non-collapsible portion defines a dust-collecting pocket and is structured to inhibit collapse as the drill bit is inserted into a workpiece. A front collapsible portion is attached to a front end of the intermediate non-collapsible portion and at least partially collapses as the drill bit is inserted into a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Aland Santamarina, Darren B. Moss, Mark E. Brunson, David B. Lee
  • Patent number: 8721234
    Abstract: A depth gauge for use with a drill bit includes a body configured to receive a drill bit, a retention mechanism coupled to the body and configured to removably couple the body to the drill bit, and a cap configured to be removably coupled to the body. The cap can be coupled to the body in one of a first position relative to the body where the cap contacts a workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a first depth, and a second position relative to the body where the cap contacts the workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a second depth that is different from the first depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Aland Santamarina, Joseph Kelleher, Scott Muhlbaier, Darren B. Moss, Mark E. Brunson, David B. Lee, Michael Peters, Rickey J. Thomas, Craig A. Schell, Robert S. Gehret
  • Patent number: 8662801
    Abstract: A drill bit has a shank portion having a plurality of SDS-type slots, a cutting portion comprising at least one cutting flute, and an intermediate portion connecting the shank to the cutting portion, the intermediate portion including at least one additional slot. A depth gauge includes a body configured to receive the drill bit, a retention mechanism coupled to the body and having an inward projection to removably couple the body to the at least one additional slot in the drill bit, and a cap coupled to the body such that the cap contacts a workpiece surface to prevent the drill bit from entering the workpiece more than a predetermined depth, wherein the cap is movable relative to the body among a plurality of positions, wherein each of the plurality of positions corresponds to a different predetermined drilling depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Aland Santamarina, Joseph Kelleher, Scott Muhlbaier, Darren B. Moss, Mark E. Brunson, David B. Lee, Michael Peters, Rickey J. Thomas, Craig A. Schell, Robert S. Gehret
  • Publication number: 20130328276
    Abstract: A bit holder assembly for a rotary hand or powered tool, includes a body having a hex shank at its rearward end and a retraction collar slidably disposed on the body. The body has a coaxial hex socket formed therein to allow a tool bit to be inserted thereinto. A coil spring biases the retraction collar forwardly and biases a retaining clip toward the bottom of an angular slot formed in the body. The bit is removed by sliding the retraction collar rearwardly, to compress the coil spring and allow the retaining clip to retract back up the slot. A ring magnet is disposed at the forward end of the retraction collar to magnetize a fastener to retain the fastener to the bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Darren B. MOSS, Aland SANTAMARINA, David B. LEE, Michael P. PETERS, Mark E. BRUNSON, Ruth E. MITCHENER KEFFER
  • Patent number: 8602285
    Abstract: An anchor installation tool has an elongated driving member with a body portion and a head portion. A retaining mechanism retains the anchor installation to the drill bit. The mechanism has a housing on the body portion with a pair of bias lugs that project through the body portion to contact the drill bit. An anchor guide slides on the body and head portion and has a holding member to hold an anchor. The anchor is held in the anchor guide and a drill bit is inserted into the driving member. Axial movement of the drill bit is transferred into axial movement of the driving member. The movement strikes the anchor and ejects the anchor from the anchor guide into a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker
    Inventors: Aland Santamarina, Scott Muhlbaier, Mark E. Brunson, Darren B. Moss
  • Patent number: D725984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Darren B. Moss, David B. Lee, Mark E. Brunson
  • Patent number: D726521
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Darren B. Moss, David B. Lee, Mark E. Brunson, Aland Santamarina
  • Patent number: D752408
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Darren B. Moss, David B. Lee, Mark E. Brunson, Aland Santamarina