Patents by Inventor Michael L. Foster

Michael L. Foster 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).

  • Publication number: 20240131680
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering a work part to an assembly line worker using a dolly assembly in a first configuration and retrieving the work part from the dolly assembly by the assembly line work while the dolly assembly is in a second configuration. According to some embodiments, a dolly assembly is provided comprising a base assembly having a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The dolly assembly also includes a part-carrying member rotationally connected to the support member and having a part-holding structure for receiving a work part. The part-carrying member extends downward at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and extends upward from at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: LLOYD R. HOLLAND, SCOTTIE L. FOSTER, BRADLEY J. GARCIA, MICHAEL C. GREENLEE, JEFFREY L. JAMES, ANNETTA L. ALLEN, JOHNNY O. BOARMAN 4TH, DAVID A. LAJOICE
  • Patent number: 7975576
    Abstract: A low clearance drive system includes a low clearance socket and/or a low clearance male driver (50). The socket has a reduced depth drive receptacle and a reduced-depth output fastener receiving receptacle. Each of the male driver and the socket drive receptacle has an axial length (L3) or depth which is less than its nominal transverse width (w). The male driver may have a detent ball (55) adapted to be engaged in a detent recess in the female drive receptacle, such that the ball diameter is less than half the nominal transverse drive width and may be either equal to or less than the diameter of the detent recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Dean J. Iwinski, Michael L. Foster
  • Patent number: 7213491
    Abstract: A ratcheting tool having an axial pawl ratcheting mechanism is provided that may be used for a screwdriver or wrench and comprises a first gear including axial gear teeth on a first side providing for ratcheting in a first direction. A second bidirectional gear has axial teeth on both sides. The second gear is mounted to the first side of the first gear so that the first gear axial gear teeth engage the second gear axial gear teeth and provide an axial pawl ratchet assembly. A ratchet head is provided having an opening for receiving the axial pawl ratchet assembly therein in order to transfer torque between the ratchet head and the axial pawl ratchet assembly. An actuator is provided for adjusting the positioning of the axial pawl ratchet assembly between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thompson, Michael L. Foster
  • Patent number: 6920810
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling an attachable tool to a handle comprising a coupler device fixedly attached to the handle and having a locking structure moveable between locking and release conditions and being carried by a coupler body having an inner wall defining a cavity that is accessible via a cavity dimensioned and shaped to receive the attachable tool and having a first locking member for cooperative abutting engagement with the attachable tool to temporarily move the locking structure to its release condition when the attachment shaft is inserted into the cavity and a second locking member for cooperative engagement with the locking structure when the attachment shaft is inserted substantially into the cavity and the locking structure is moved to the locking position to inhibit removal of the attachment shaft from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher D. Thompson, Charles H. Heiligenthal, Michael L. Foster
  • Patent number: 6805029
    Abstract: An extensible ratcheting-type wrench head for imparting torque to a fastener having a plurality of sides. The wrench head comprises a lug aperture for mateably receiving a drive lug disposed on an extension handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael L. Foster, Michael T. DeKeuster
  • Patent number: 6792830
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench is provided which includes a handle having a head on the handle, a rotatable gear disposed in the head and having ratchet teeth, and a pivotable pawl engaged with the gear to allow ratcheting rotation of the gear in a first direction and prevent ratcheting rotation of the gear in a second direction. An obstruction is engageable with a cam surface at the base of the pawl in order to prevent the pawl from self-reversing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael T. DeKeuster, Michael L. Foster
  • Publication number: 20030209108
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench is provided which includes a handle having a head on the handle, a rotatable gear disposed in the head and having ratchet teeth, and a pivotable pawl engaged with the gear to allow ratcheting rotation of the gear in a first direction and prevent ratcheting rotation of the gear in a second direction. An obstruction is engageable with a cam surface at the base of the pawl in order to prevent the pawl from self-reversing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Michael T. DeKeuster, Michael L. Foster
  • Patent number: 4602248
    Abstract: The atmospheric pressure actuated alarm of the present invention comprises a pressure transducer which senses the atmospheric pressure and produces an electrical transducer signal in response thereto. A difference amplifier is connected to the pressure transducer for measuring the transducer signal and for producing an output signal whenever the transducer signal is of a magnitude outside a predetermined range. An operational amplifier is connected to the difference amplifier for amplifying the transducer signal. A latch is connected to the operational amplifier for receiving the amplified signal. A signal alarm and a power source are connected in series with the latch. The latch is changeable from an open condition to a closed condition in response to the amplified signal being greater than a predetermined magnitude. When the latch moves to the closed condition, it connects the power source to the alarm signal and causes actuation of the alarm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Inventors: Michael L. Foster, Harold L. Foster, Michael A. Powers
  • Patent number: 4416338
    Abstract: Control mechanism for a pneumatic hand tool which provides improved performance, speed regulation and control of the tool in air pressure ranges up to at least 116 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). A pneumatic hand tool embodying subject control mechanism includes a cylinder having an implement, such as a chisel, secured thereto and a reciprocating piston in the cylinder, the piston adapted to be driven by pressurized air into impact engagement with the front head of the cylinder, and returned to the rear cylinder end without impact. The control mechanism comprises an adjustable control valve which meters the volume of incoming pressurized air to that amount which produces desired tool operation, and an improved ball valve between the control valve and the cylinder. The control valve includes a radially movable spring-biased valve pin which cooperates with a valve seat, and a rotatable control ring in effective relation with the valve pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Nelson, Raymond R. Zuzinec, Michael L. Foster