Patents by Inventor Mark W. Wozniak

Mark W. Wozniak 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: 12129934
    Abstract: A valve operating device includes a defining a transverse axis extending from a first end to a second end. A motor is positioned within the housing. The motor includes a motor output shaft configured to drive at least one gear disposed within the housing. The at least one gear is configured to rotate a key extending substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis to engage a valve. A motor controller unit drives the motor in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction at a variable motor speed to deliver up to a torque limit. A user interface comprises a first motor activation throttle configured to drive the motor in the clockwise direction at a user-controlled speed when activated. A second motor activation throttle drives the motor at a user-controlled speed in the counter-clockwise direction when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wozniak, Michael W. Gearhart, Karl G. Kopija, Ramunas Jonaitis, Kenneth R. Pierce
  • Patent number: 11654583
    Abstract: A valve operating device includes first and second pivots, a first arm portion extending therebetween, a second arm portion extending from the second pivot, a valve operating machine on the second arm portion, and an actuator connected between the first pivot and the first arm portion. The first arm portion can rotate around a first vertical axis defined by the first pivot and can pivot around a horizontal axis defined by the first pivot. The second arm portion can rotate around a second vertical axis defined by the second pivot. The actuator causes the first and second arm portions, the second pivot, and the valve operating machine to pivot upward and downward relative to the first pivot around the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wozniak, Jeffrey M. Swiatowy
  • Publication number: 20220243838
    Abstract: A valve operating device includes a defining a transverse axis extending from a first end to a second end. A motor is positioned within the housing. The motor includes a motor output shaft configured to drive at least one gear disposed within the housing. The at least one gear is configured to rotate a key extending substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis to engage a valve. A motor controller unit drives the motor in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction at a variable motor speed to deliver up to a torque limit. A user interface comprises a first motor activation throttle configured to drive the motor in the clockwise direction at a user-controlled speed when activated. A second motor activation throttle drives the motor at a user-controlled speed in the counter-clockwise direction when activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wozniak, Michael W. Gearhart, Karl G. Kopija, Ramunas Jonaitis, Kenneth R. Pierce
  • Patent number: 11344959
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame base plate movably attached thereto. The frame base plate has a pivotable arm assembly and an arm wheel thereon which accept a cutting member. A visual tension indicator is operably connected to the frame base plate and the arm assembly and configured to indicate an amount of tension applied to the cutting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart, Jeffrey M. Swiatowy, Mark W. Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20200230827
    Abstract: A valve operating device includes first and second pivots, a first arm portion extending therebetween, a second arm portion extending from the second pivot, a valve operating machine on the second arm portion, and an actuator connected between the first pivot and the first arm portion. The first arm portion can rotate around a first vertical axis defined by the first pivot and can pivot around a horizontal axis defined by the first pivot. The second arm portion can rotate around a second vertical axis defined by the second pivot. The actuator causes the first and second arm portions, the second pivot, and the valve operating machine to pivot upward and downward relative to the first pivot around the horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Mark W. Wozniak, Jeffrey M. Swiatowy
  • Publication number: 20200180052
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame base plate movably attached thereto. The frame base plate has a pivotable arm assembly and an arm wheel thereon which accept a cutting member. A visual tension indicator is operably connected to the frame base plate and the arm assembly and configured to indicate an amount of tension applied to the cutting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart, Jeffrey M. Swiatowy, Mark W. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 10562117
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame assembly movably attached thereto. The frame assembly has arm assemblies thereon which accept a cutting member. A liquid spray system is provided for cooling components of the cutting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart, Jeffrey M. Swiatowy, Mark W. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 10434589
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame assembly movably attached thereto. The frame assembly has arm assemblies thereon which accept a cutting member. At least one arm assembly can be pivoted relative to the other arm assembly and relative to the feed tower assembly. One arm assembly can further be moved relative to the other arm assembly and relative to the feed tower assembly in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart, Jeffrey M. Swiatowy, Mark W. Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20180354045
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame assembly movably attached thereto. The frame assembly has arm assemblies thereon which accept a cutting member. At least one arm assembly can be pivoted relative to the other arm assembly and relative to the feed tower assembly. One arm assembly can further be moved relative to the other arm assembly and relative to the feed tower assembly in a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart, Jeffrey M. Swiatowy, Mark W. Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20180354046
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame assembly movably attached thereto. The frame assembly has arm assemblies thereon which accept a cutting member. A liquid spray system is provided for cooling components of the cutting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart, Jeffrey M. Swiatowy, Mark W. Wozniak