Patents by Inventor Michael D. Blackston

Michael D. Blackston 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: 6684741
    Abstract: A tool adapted to releasably retain a fastener. The tool includes a driving portion having a plurality of tool surfaces adapted to form an interface with a fastener. At least one fastener engaging member is attached to the driving portion that extends above one or more of the tool surfaces. The fastener engaging member is adapted to form an interface with at least one surface on the fastener such that the fastener can be releasably retained to the driving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Bondhus Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Blackston
  • Patent number: 6681662
    Abstract: A tool adapted to releasably retain a fastener. The tool includes a driving portion having a plurality of tool surfaces adapted to form an interface with a fastener. At least one fastener engaging member is attached to the driving portion that extends above one or more of the tool surfaces. The fastener engaging member forms an interface with at least one surface on the fastener such that the fastener is releasably retained to the driving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Bondhus Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Blackston
  • Publication number: 20030164075
    Abstract: A tool adapted to releasably retain a fastener. The tool includes a driving portion having a plurality of tool surfaces adapted to form an interface with a fastener. At least one fastener engaging member is attached to the driving portion that extends above one or more of the tool surfaces. The fastener engaging member is adapted to form an interface with at least one surface on the fastener such that the fastener can be releasably retained to the driving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Michael D. Blackston
  • Publication number: 20030164074
    Abstract: A tool adapted to releasably retain a fastener. The tool includes a driving portion having a plurality of tool surfaces adapted to form an interface with a fastener. At least one fastener engaging member is attached to the driving portion that extends above one or more of the tool surfaces. The fastener engaging member forms an interface with at least one surface on the fastener such that the fastener is releasably retained to the driving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Michael D. Blackston
  • Patent number: 6345798
    Abstract: A low-cost holder for labeling and displaying a tool. A tool can be inserted into the holder using high-speed automated assembly equipment. The tools are typically hex wrenches, screwdrivers, TORX drivers, open end wrenches, box end wrenches or some combination thereof. The holder includes a substrate having at least one housing defining a tool conduit with first and second openings. The tool conduit defines a cross sectional area capable of receiving the tool. At least one tool retaining structure extends across at least a portion of the tool conduit so that a frictional engagement force is generated between the tool and the tool retaining structure. The housing, substrate and tool retaining structure are integrally formed as a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Bondhus Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Bondhus, Michael D. Blackston, Eric G. Bondhus, Mark L. Petroske
  • Patent number: 6128981
    Abstract: A folding hand tool set having a one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle and a plurality of hand tools rotatably mounted thereto. The one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle is preferably constructed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic. Spacers may be provided for rotationally isolating the hand tools. The folding hand tool set is capable of transmitting more then 110.0 Newton meters of torque without compromising the integrity of the one-piece, completely integral plastic handle. A one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle for receiving hand tools is also disclosed. The handle can withstand at least 30 Newton meters of torsional force without compromising the integrity of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Bondhus Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Bondhus, Michael D. Blackston, Barry Bondhus, Dennis A. Burda, Mark L. Petroske
  • Patent number: 5970828
    Abstract: A folding hand tool set having a one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle and a plurality of hand tools rotatably mounted thereto. The one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle is preferably constructed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic. In one embodiment, spacers are provided for mechanically isolating the hand tools. The folding hand tool set is capable of transmitting more then 110.0 Newton.multidot.meters of torque without compromising the integrity of the one-piece, completely integral plastic handle. The present invention is also directed to a one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle for receiving hand tools. The handle can withstand at least 30 Newton.multidot.meters of torsional force without compromising the integrity of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Bondhus Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Bondhus, Michael D. Blackston, Barry Bondhus, Dennis A. Burda, Mark L. Petroske
  • Patent number: 5791211
    Abstract: A folding hand tool set having a one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle and a plurality of hand tools rotatably mounted thereto. The one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle is preferably constructed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic. Spacers may be provided for rotationally isolating the hand tools. The folding hand tool set is capable of transmitting more then 110.0 Newton.meters of torque without compromising the integrity of the one-piece, completely integral plastic handle. A one-piece, completely integral, plastic handle for receiving hand tools is also disclosed. The handle can withstand at least 30 Newton.meters of torsional force without compromising the integrity of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventors: John R. Bondhus, Michael D. Blackston, Barry Bondhus, Dennis A. Burda, Mark L. Petroske
  • Patent number: 5251521
    Abstract: A drive element for use with TORX.sup..RTM. compatible fasteners with an elliptical cross-section attached to an elongated shaft along the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. The minor axis of the ellipse extends along the central longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft. The elliptical cross-sections of the drive element are located on planes which pass through the minor axis. A major axis plane perpendicular to the minor axis is located at the center of the drive element. The drive element has elevations forming drive lobes and depressions which traverse a longitudinal elliptical path on the surface of the drive element. The lobes and depressions are substantially complimentary to the inner surface of a fastener cavity at the major axis plane. Starting at the major axis plane, the lobes become narrower as they approach the minor axis. The centers of curvature for the tops of the lobes are a series of points which define a first reference circle on the major axis plane with the minor axis as the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Bondhus Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis A. Burda, Michael D. Blackston
  • Patent number: 4562665
    Abstract: A magnetic door breakaway system for remote unlocking of doors and apertures. An electromagnet (80), and armature (82) are mounted within a doorframe. Within either the magnet or armature are depressions (220) and (222) in one member and lands (206) and (208) in the other. In the preferred embodiment, the armature is movably affixed to the top of the doorframe and with energizing of the electromagnet, the lands mate with the depressions, making movement of the door impossible. In an emergency situation, the magnet is de-energized, the two members separate, and the door may open freely.In an alternative embodiment, an electromagnet (304) is connected to a plunger (310) which is received within the striker plate (320).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Heise Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Blackston
  • Patent number: 4534131
    Abstract: A revolving door system has a central axis defining a center shaft and three wing hangers rigidly joined and extending in a equidistant spaced apart relationship about the center shaft's upper portion.A pair of facing substantially semicircular walls, spaced apart to define regions of ingress and egress, partially surrounds the wings and shaft on opposite sides.The system allows free passage of persons in an authorized direction while preventing, and driving out, intruders attempting to pass in an unauthorized direction. If an intruder enters the system in an unauthorized direction, the door stops before the intruder has free passage to the other side, reverses direction and forces the intruder back toward the entrance. In one configuration, the door then rotates in its forward direction to permit the authorized passenger to escape the system, but not far enough to allow the intruder to pass. In another configuration, the reversal of the door allows the passenger to escape from the side in which it entered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Heise Manufacturing
    Inventors: Michael D. Blackston, Gary Reinecke
  • Patent number: 4530183
    Abstract: A controller driven revolving door system has facing spaced apart curved panels partially enclosing three equiangularly spaced center shaft coupled wings and defining entry and exit openings. The controller automatically selectively directs traffic flow through the entry and exit openings and is responsive to a microwave motion detector at the entry and a mat switch in a quarter-point position accessable to the exit. A DC motor is coupled by a gearing assembly to the center shaft. The controller monitors current passing through the motor windings sensing shaft rotation. Responsive to the mat switch, the controller applies a resistive load to the DC motor windings to regeneratively brake the rotation of the door. The controller thereafter reverses the polarity of the motor windings causing the door to rotate in a reverse direction and back any individual out of the exit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignees: Heise Manufacturing Co., Inc., Related Energy & Security Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley R. Heise, Michael D. Blackston, Michael B. Zekich, John L. B. Parselle
  • Patent number: 4475308
    Abstract: A controller driven revolving door system has facing spaced apart curved panels partially enclosing three equiangularly spaced center shaft coupled wings and defining entry and exit openings. The controller automatically selectively directs traffic flow through the entry and exit openings and is responsive to a microwave motion detector at the entry and a mat switch in a quarter-point position accessable to the exit. A DC motor is coupled by a gearing assembly to the center shaft. The controller monitors current passing through the motor windings sensing shaft rotation. Responsive to the mat switch, the controller applies a resistive load to the DC motor windings to regeneratively brake the rotation of the door. The controller thereafter reverses the polarity of the motor windings causing the door to rotate in a reverse direction and back any individual out of the exit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignees: Heise Manufacturing Co., Inc., Related Energy & Security
    Inventors: Stanley R. Heise, Michael D. Blackston, Michael B. Zekich, John L. B. Parselle
  • Patent number: 4458447
    Abstract: A revolving door system has a central axis defining center shaft and three wing hangers rigidly joined and extending in equidistant spaced apart relationship about the center shaft's upper portion. Pivots couple three planar upright wings in closely spaced apart relationship to the center shaft. A magnetic latch on each wing hanger is spaced apart from the central axis more remote than the pivot, releasably maintaining the wings in ganged alignment with the hangers.A pair of facing substantially semicircular walls, spaced apart to define regions of ingress and egress, partially surrounds the wings and shaft on opposite sides. Each wall has two adjacent movable side panels hinged on opposite sides of a center panel, movable from a nominally enclosing position to an open panic position.Disposed remote from the adjacent side panel, a magnetic latch releasably maintains the side panels in circular alignment with the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Heise Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley R. Heise, Michael D. Blackston, Michael B. Zekich
  • Patent number: D382190
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Bondhus Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Blackston, Dennis A. Burda, Mark L. Petroske