Patents by Inventor Michael S. Steele
Michael S. Steele 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).
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Publication number: 20240003667Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fischer, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
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Patent number: 11768066Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fischer, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
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Publication number: 20220107166Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fischer, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
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Patent number: 11215435Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fischer, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
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Patent number: 11192235Abstract: A merchandise product includes a tool bit case having first and second housing members pivotally coupled together. The tool bit case includes a first and a second modular tool bit holder. The first modular tool bit holder is movably coupled to the first housing member. The second modular tool bit holder is movably coupled to the first or second housing member. The modular tool bit holders are each moveable between a storage position and an in-use position. The merchandise product further includes a clamshell packaging having a front clamshell portion coupled to a rear clamshell portion. The clamshell packaging fully encloses the tool bit case between the front and rear clamshell portions while the tool bit case is in an open position. The tool bit case further includes the first modular bit holder in the storage position and the second modular bit holder in the in-use position.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Edward Landon, James Grow, Ryan Rudzinski, Brian Dieck, Adam Eller
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Patent number: 10953482Abstract: A band saw kit including a band saw and an angle guide. The band saw includes at least one wheel for supporting a saw blade, a motor operable to drive the blade to cut a workpiece, a frame, and a workpiece bumper coupled to the frame. The workpiece bumper includes a slot configured to receive the blade, a first engaging surface defining a first plane, and is configured to be generally perpendicular to the blade as the blade passes through the slot. An angle guide is configured to be coupled to the workpiece bumper and includes a second engaging surface for engaging a workpiece. The second engaging surface defines a second plane. A cut angle is defined by an angle between the second plane and the first plane when the angle guide is coupled to the workpiece bumper.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Michael S. Steele, Timothy Kenney, Steven F. Thiel
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Patent number: 10942018Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fisher, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
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Publication number: 20210025684Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fisher, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
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Publication number: 20200363182Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fischer, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
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Patent number: 10739122Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fischer, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
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Publication number: 20200078928Abstract: A merchandise product includes a tool bit case having first and second housing members pivotally coupled together. The tool bit case includes a first and a second modular tool bit holder. The first modular tool bit holder is movably coupled to the first housing member. The second modular tool bit holder is movably coupled to the first or second housing member. The modular tool bit holders are each moveable between a storage position and an in-use position. The merchandise product further includes a clamshell packaging having a front clamshell portion coupled to a rear clamshell portion. The clamshell packaging fully encloses the tool bit case between the front and rear clamshell portions while the tool bit case is in an open position. The tool bit case further includes the first modular bit holder in the storage position and the second modular bit holder in the in-use position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Edward Landon, James Grow, Ryan Rudzinski, Brian Dieck, Adam Eller
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Patent number: 10576553Abstract: A hole cutter assembly is operable to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes in a work piece. The hole cutter assembly includes an arbor configured to connect to a power tool for rotation about an axis, a drill bit coupled to the arbor for rotation with the arbor, a first arm moveable relative to the axis, a first cutting blade coupled to the first arm and moveable with the first arm, a second arm moveable relative to the axis, and a second cutting blade coupled to the second arm and moveable with the second arm. The first and second cutting blades are selectively moveable relative to the axis to adjust a cutting diameter of the hole cutter assembly. The drill bit engages the first and second arms to inhibit movement of the first and second cutting blades relative to the drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Michael S. Steele, Robb Dennert, Bryan C. Ward
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Patent number: 10500711Abstract: A merchandise product includes a tool bit case having first and second housing members. The tool bit case also includes a first modular tool bit holder and a second modular tool bit holder each movably coupled to the first housing member. The merchandise product includes a clamshell packaging having a front clamshell portion defining a first cavity and a rear clamshell portion defining a second cavity. The front clamshell portion is coupled to the rear clamshell portion at an interface. The interface defines a plane between the front clamshell portion and the rear clamshell portion. The first cavity and the second cavity contain the tool bit case while the tool bit case is in an open position. A first portion of the tool bit case extends beyond the plane in a first direction, and a second portion of the tool bit case extends beyond the plane in a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Edward Landon, James Grow, Ryan Rudzinski, Brian Dieck, Adam Eller
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Publication number: 20190337143Abstract: A tool storage device and a tool box. The device may include flexible walls cooperating to define a storage area, and a rigid frame supported in the storage area and including a central portion extending in a direction from a bottom wall toward a top wall, one base portion extending from one side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward one side wall, and another base portion extending from an opposite side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward an opposite side wall. The tool box may include a body defining a storage compartment; a lid defining a groove in its outer surface to support an elongated work piece; and a handle engageable with a work piece supported in the groove. The lid may be attachable to the top of the body in a closed position and to the bottom in a stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Mark R. Martinez, Joel Allen, Brandon Miller, Whitney M. Moks, Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Wade F. Burch, Matthew W. Naiva, Eric Mackey
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Publication number: 20190275598Abstract: A band saw kit including a band saw and an angle guide. The band saw includes at least one wheel for supporting a saw blade, a motor operable to drive the blade to cut a workpiece, a frame, and a workpiece bumper coupled to the frame. The workpiece bumper includes a slot configured to receive the blade, a first engaging surface defining a first plane, and is configured to be generally perpendicular to the blade as the blade passes through the slot. An angle guide is configured to be coupled to the workpiece bumper and includes a second engaging surface for engaging a workpiece. The second engaging surface defines a second plane. A cut angle is defined by an angle between the second plane and the first plane when the angle guide is coupled to the workpiece bumper.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Timothy Kenney, Steven F. Thiel
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Patent number: 10357835Abstract: An angle guide for a band saw having a guide body for coupling to the band saw and a first engaging surface of the body for engaging a workpiece during a cutting operation of the band saw. The first engaging surface defines a first plane. The angle guide also has a second surface of the body defining a second plane. The second plane is substantially non-parallel to the first plane. The angle guide also includes a tool side edge of the body for being positioned adjacent the band saw, the tool side edge defining a third plane. A cut angle is defined by an angle between the first plane and the third plane.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Michael S. Steele, Timothy Kenney, Steven F. Thiel
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Patent number: 10350746Abstract: A tool storage device and a tool box. The device may include flexible walls cooperating to define a storage area, and a rigid frame supported in the storage area and including a central portion extending in a direction from a bottom wall toward a top wall, one base portion extending from one side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward one side wall, and another base portion extending from an opposite side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward an opposite side wall. The tool box may include a body defining a storage compartment; a lid defining a groove in its outer surface to support an elongated work piece; and a handle engageable with a work piece supported in the groove. The lid may be attachable to the top of the body in a closed position and to the bottom in a stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Mark R. Martinez, Joel Allen, Brandon Miller, Whitney M. Moks, Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Wade F. Burch, Matthew W. Naiva, Eric Mackey
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Patent number: 10245881Abstract: A chalk line device includes a housing, a spool, a chalk line, a hook, and a cap. The housing defines an outer surface and an internal chamber, and the housing includes an opening. The spool is supported in the internal chamber for rotation relative to the housing. The chalk line extends through the opening of the housing and the chalk line includes a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the chalk line is wrapped around the spool. The hook is secured to the first end of the chalk line and includes a tip adapted to engage a work piece. The cap is removably coupled to the housing to cover the opening. The cap includes a nozzle through which the chalk line extends and a projection for engaging and releasably securing the hook against the cap.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Abhijeet A. Khangar, Andrew G. Gongola, Christopher S. Hoppe, Michael S. Steele, Collin J. Nelson, Daniel H. Schneider, Roger D. Neitzell, Steven W. Hyma
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Publication number: 20190022771Abstract: A hole cutter assembly is operable to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes in a work piece. The hole cutter assembly includes an arbor configured to connect to a power tool for rotation about an axis, a drill bit coupled to the arbor for rotation with the arbor, a first arm moveable relative to the axis, a first cutting blade coupled to the first arm and moveable with the first arm, a second arm moveable relative to the axis, and a second cutting blade coupled to the second arm and moveable with the second arm. The first and second cutting blades are selectively moveable relative to the axis to adjust a cutting diameter of the hole cutter assembly. The drill bit engages the first and second arms to inhibit movement of the first and second cutting blades relative to the drill bit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Robb Dennert, Bryan C. Ward
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Patent number: 10124417Abstract: A hole cutter assembly is operable to cut a plurality of different sized diameter holes in a work piece. The hole cutter assembly includes an arbor configured to connect to a power tool for rotation about an axis, and a body coupled to the arbor for rotation with the arbor. The body defines an aperture. The hole cutter assembly includes a drill bit removably received in the aperture of the body for rotation with the arbor, an arm moveably coupled to the body, and a cutting blade coupled to the arm and moveable with the arm relative to the body. The arm is moveable relative to the body to adjust a cutting diameter of the hole cutter assembly when the drill bit is not received within the aperture. The arm is fixed relative to the body when the drill bit is received within the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Michael S. Steele, Robb Dennert, Bryan C. Ward