Patents by Inventor Michael L. O'Banion

Michael L. O'Banion 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: 6845768
    Abstract: A saw includes a base having a first length extending generally along a first direction, a table disposed on the base, a saw unit disposed on the base, wherein one of the table and the saw unit is movable relative to the base along the first direction over a range which exceeds the first length. The saw may also include a first stationary rail connected to the base and extending generally along the first direction and a first movable rail engaging the first stationary rail and extending generally parallel to the first stationary rail, the first movable rail being connected to the one of the table and saw unit. Preferably, the first movable rail is slidingly received over the first stationary rail. The saw may also include a first rack disposed on the first movable rail, and a first pinion disposed on the base, wherein the first pinion meshes with the first rack so that the first movable rail moves along the first direction upon rotation of the first pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Jason D. Hardebeck
  • Patent number: 6829830
    Abstract: A cut guide for a portable hand-held saw that has a blade with a cutting portion that is disposed along a generally vertical axis. The cut guide includes a mounting portion, which is configured to be coupled to the saw, a guide block portion, a guide portion and an adjustment mechanism. The guide block portion, which defines a generally vertical cutting stroke axis, is pivotally coupled to the mounting portion such that the cutting stroke axis can be pivoted relative to the cutting portion of the blade. The guide portion is movably coupled to the guide block portion along the cutting stroke axis. The guide portion includes an abutment structure with at least one feature for establishing an orientation of the cutting stroke axis relative to a longitudinal axis of a workpiece. The adjustment mechanism pivots the guide block portion relative to the mounting portion to thereby adjust an angular relationship of the cutting stroke axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. O'Banion
  • Patent number: 6823765
    Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Stumpf, Mark E. Brunson, Scott M. Livingston, Michael L. O'Banion, Robert G. Moores, Jr., John W. Miller, Daryl Meredith, Thomas Kaye, William G. Harman, Jr., Adan Ayala
  • Patent number: 6820524
    Abstract: A machine tool has a work table which defines a working surface and has a cutting tool which is attached to and movable with respect to the work table. The position of the cutting tool with respect to the working surface is controlled by a mechanism which elevates the cutting tool with respect to the working surface and angulates the cutting tool with respect to the working surface. The cutting tool is mounted to a support plate which is pivotably attached to the work table. The elevating mechanism includes a threaded rod and a nut which engages a pivoting link. The pivoting link also engages the cutting tool. Rotation of the threaded rod pivots the link which in turn raises and lowers the cutting tool. A spring biases the cutting tool towards its lower position to remove play between the components. The angulating mechanism includes a lever, two cams and a locking rod. Rotation of the lever moves the locking rod longitudinally due to the action between the two cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Warren A. Ceroll, Frederick R. Bean, Maria I. Kenyon, James R. Parks, Robert S. Gehret, David A. Porter, Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Kevin Brewer
  • Publication number: 20040161318
    Abstract: A harpoon nail having two or more sets of teeth on opposite sides of fingers that deform while penetrating the framing members. The teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail having sets of teeth on two edges penetrates through framing members and the teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail with a spring member that deforms as the nail penetrates through framing members engages with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A self-locking nail having two members that move relative to one another when penetrating through framing members fastens the framing members together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Robert A. Berry, Alfred H. Judge, Robert G. Moores
  • Publication number: 20040161319
    Abstract: A harpoon nail having two or more sets of teeth on opposite sides of fingers that deform while penetrating the framing members. The teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail having sets of teeth on two edges penetrates through framing members and the teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail with a spring member that deforms as the nail penetrates through framing members engages with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A self-locking nail having two members that move relative to one another when penetrating through framing members fastens the framing members together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Robert A. Berry, Alfred H. Judge, Robert G. Moores
  • Publication number: 20040159071
    Abstract: A harpoon nail having two or more sets of teeth on opposite sides of fingers that deform while penetrating the framing members. The teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail having sets of teeth on two edges penetrates through framing members and the teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail with a spring member that deforms as the nail penetrates through framing members engages with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A self-locking nail having two members that move relative to one another when penetrating through framing members fastens the framing members together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Robert A. Berry, Alfred H. Judge, Robert G. Moores
  • Publication number: 20040154449
    Abstract: A table saw including a base, a main table supported by the base, first and second rails attached to the table, a sliding table fixedly attached to the rails and sliding along the longitudinal axis of the rails and a cross-cut table slidably movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. The cross-cut table may be adjusted to ensure movement parallel to a blade protruding from the main table. An improved miter gauge assembly is also disclosed. An improved fence assembly is further disclosed herein. In addition, a table saw having an improved panel and leg construction is disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: James Parks, Robert S. Gehret, Scott Livingston, Michael L. O'Banion, Robert P. Welsh, William Scott Taylor, Todd L. Huston, Edwin G. Zehr, Scott Stropkay, David Louis Weissburg, Mark Allen Nichols, William R. Stumpf, Lewis Hampton Rohr, Henry Louis Tew, Thomas S. Paladino, Paul Eichelberger, David Edmund Duncanson, Jerry Wayne Holleman, Adan Ayala
  • Publication number: 20040079214
    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: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Daryl S. Meredith, Thomas R. Kaye, 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
  • Patent number: 6719512
    Abstract: A harpoon nail having two or more sets of teeth on opposite sides of fingers that deform while penetrating the framing members. The teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail having sets of teeth on two edges penetrates through framing members and the teeth engage with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A piercing nail with a spring member that deforms as the nail penetrates through framing members engages with a bottom surface to fasten the framing members together. A self-locking nail having two members that move relative to one another when penetrating through framing members fastens the framing members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Robert A. Berry, Alfred H. Judge
  • Patent number: 6688202
    Abstract: A table saw including a base, a main table supported by the base, first and second rails attached to the table, a sliding table fixedly attached to the rails and sliding along the longitudinal axis of the rails and a cross-cut table slidably movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. The cross-cut table may be adjusted to ensure movement parallel to a blade protruding from the main table. An improved miter gauge assembly is also disclosed. An improved fence assembly is further disclosed herein. In addition, a table saw having an improved panel and leg construction is disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James Parks, Robert S. Gehret, Scott Livingston, Michael L. O'Banion, Robert P. Welsh, William Scott Taylor, Todd L. Huston, Edwin G. Zehr, Scott Stropkay, David Louis Weissburg, Mark Allen Nichols, William R. Stumpf, Lewis Hampton Rohr, Henry Louis Tew, Thomas S. Paladino, Paul Eichelberger, David Edmund Duncanson, Jerry Wayne Holleman, Adan Ayala
  • Publication number: 20040020061
    Abstract: A cut guide for a portable hand-held saw that has a blade with a cutting portion that is disposed along a generally vertical axis. The cut guide includes a mounting portion, which is configured to be coupled to the saw, a guide block portion, a guide portion and an adjustment mechanism. The guide block portion, which defines a generally vertical cutting stroke axis, is pivotally coupled to the mounting portion such that the cutting stroke axis can be pivoted relative to the cutting portion of the blade. The guide portion is movably coupled to the guide block portion along the cutting stroke axis. The guide portion includes an abutment structure with at least one feature for establishing an orientation of the cutting stroke axis relative to a longitudinal axis of a workpiece. The adjustment mechanism pivots the guide block portion relative to the mounting portion to thereby adjust an angular relationship of the cutting stroke axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Michael L. O'Banion
  • Patent number: 6675685
    Abstract: An adjustable rip fence for a machine tool has a fence which is movable with respect to the cutting tool due to a rack and pinion. The rail assembly supporting the fence include a pair of stationary rails which are secure to the machine tool. A movable rail telescopically engages each stationary rail and the movement of each rail is accomplished by the rotation of a pair of pinion gears each of which engages a respective rack on the movable rails. The simultaneous rotation of the pinion gears is the result of both pinion gears being secured to a common pinion shaft which is rotatably secured to the machine tool. The telescoping nature of the rails allows for adjustment of the fence beyond the working surface of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Warren A. Ceroll, Robert S. Gehret, Daniel Puzio, Frederick R. Bean, Michael L. O'Banion, David A. Porter
  • Patent number: 6645058
    Abstract: A clamping assembly adjustable from a first position with a first stack height to a second position with a second stack height less than the first stack height, whereby said clamping force is substantially released, said clamping assembly comprising: a flange nut; a clamp flange connected to the flange nut; a thrust plate having a plurality of axial penetrations and rotatably mounted between the flange nut and clamp flange; a first roller cage having a plurality of penetrations; a first plurality of rolling elements rotatably mounted in the penetrations of the first roller cage; a second roller cage having a plurality of penetrations; a second plurality of rolling elements rotatably mounted in the penetrations of the second roller cage; a ring collar having rotatably mounted between the clamp flange and the flange nut and surrounding and rotationally engageable to the thrust plate, whereby rotation of the ring collar rotates the thrust plate relative to the first and second roller cages from the first positio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Puzio, Michael P. Baron, Michael L. O'Banion
  • Patent number: 6595096
    Abstract: A machine tool has a work table which defines a working surface and has a cutting tool which is attached to and movable with respect to the work table. The position of the cutting tool with respect to the working surface is controlled by a mechanism which elevates the cutting tool with respect to the working surface and angulates the cutting tool with respect to the working surface. The cutting tool is mounted to a support plate which is pivotably attached to the work table. The elevating mechanism includes a threaded rod and a nut which engages a pivoting link. The pivoting link also engages the cutting tool. Rotation of the threaded rod pivots the link which in turn raises and lowers the cutting tool. A spring biases the cutting tool towards its lower position to remove play between the components. The angulating mechanism includes a lever, two cams and a locking rod. Rotation of the lever moves the locking rod longitudinally due to the action between the two cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Warren A. Ceroll, Frederick R. Bean, Maria I. Kenyon, James R. Parks, Robert S. Gehret, David A. Porter, Michael L. O'Banion, Daniel Puzio, Kevin D. Brewer
  • Patent number: 6575067
    Abstract: A table saw including a base, a main table supported by the base, first and second rails attached to the table, a sliding table fixedly attached to the rails and sliding along the longitudinal axis of the rails and a cross-cut table slidably movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails. The cross-cut table may be adjusted to ensure movement parallel to a blade protruding from the main table. An improved miter gauge assembly is also disclosed. An improved fence assembly is further disclosed herein. In addition, a table saw having an improved panel and leg construction is disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James Parks, Robert S. Gehret, Scott Livingston, Michael L. O'Banion, Robert P. Welsh, William Scott Taylor, Todd L. Huston, Edwin G. Zehr, Scott Stropkay, David Louis Weissburg, Mark Allen Nichols, William R. Stumpf, Lewis Hampton Rohr, Henry Louis Tew, Thomas S. Paladino, Paul Eichelberger, David Edmund Duncanson, Jerry Wayne Holleman, Adan Ayala
  • Publication number: 20030089212
    Abstract: The table saw disclosed herein includes a table, a saw assembly pivotally attached to the table, the saw assembly comprising an arbor movable relative to the table, a bevel shaft operatively connected to the saw assembly for pivoting the saw assembly, and a height shaft operatively connected to the saw assembly for moving the arbor relative to the table, wherein distance between the height shaft and the table is larger than distance between the bevel shaft and the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: James R. Parks, Robert S. Gehret, William R. Stumpf, Frederick R. Bean, Daniel Puzio, Michael L. O'Banion, Lewis H. Rohr, Robert P. Welsh, Carl F. Merhar, Scott M. Livingston, David E. Duncanson, Adan Ayala
  • Publication number: 20030070521
    Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: William R. Stumpf, Mark E. Brunson, Scott M. Livingston, Michael L. O'Banion, Robert G. Moores, John W. Miller, Daryl Meredith, Thomas Kaye, William G. Harman, Adan Ayala
  • Patent number: D478917
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Warren A. Ceroll, Robert S. Gehret, Daniel Puzio, Frederick R. Bean, Michael L. O'Banion, David A. Porter, Daniel A. Ferrara, Jr.
  • Patent number: D492707
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Warren A. Ceroll, Robert S. Gehret, Daniel Puzio, Frederick R. Bean, Michael L. O'Banion, David A. Porter, Daniel A. Ferrara, Jr.