Patents by Inventor Michael W. Eskridge

Michael W. Eskridge 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: 11426842
    Abstract: A release wrench for a tie down ratchet strap, having an elongated body with a first wrench end positioned at a first end of the elongated body, and a second wrench end positioned at a second end of the elongated body. Each of the first and second wrench ends are notched such that either end can be inserted into the rotating ratchet of a tie down ratchet strap such that rotation of the release wrench causes the rotating ratchet to move. The first wrench end extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongated body of the release wrench, and the second wrench end extends in a direction parallel to the elongated body of the release wrench. As a result, the wrench can be positioned at four different (i.e.: 90 degrees apart) positions when the release wrench is first turned to cause the rotating tie down ratchet to move. This provides a simple and effective way to “un-stick” a dirty ratchet by prying it loose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: Michael W. Eskridge
  • Publication number: 20210237234
    Abstract: A release wrench for a tie down ratchet strap, having an elongated body with a first wrench end positioned at a first end of the elongated body, and a second wrench end positioned at a second end of the elongated body. Each of the first and second wrench ends are notched such that either end can be inserted into the rotating ratchet of a tie down ratchet strap such that rotation of the release wrench causes the rotating ratchet to move. The first wrench end extends in a direction perpendicular to the elongated body of the release wrench, and the second wrench end extends in a direction parallel to the elongated body of the release wrench. As a result, the wrench can be positioned at four different (i.e.: 90 degrees apart) positions when the release wrench is first turned to cause the rotating tie down ratchet to move. This provides a simple and effective way to “un-stick” a dirty ratchet by prying it loose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventor: Michael W. ESKRIDGE
  • Patent number: 6843666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manually installing a surface mount connector having at least one ground bar on printed circuit board (PCB). The method and apparatus include inserting a ground bar along a length of a channel of an installation tool, where the channel is sized to receive the ground bar such that a portion of the ground bar extends from the channel. Both the ground bar and installation tool are disposed over a particular area of the PCB, and the tool is used to align the ground bar. The exposed portion of the ground bar is then soldered to the PCB, and the tool is used to repeat the method for the remaining unsoldered portions of the ground bar. The connector is then installed over the soldered ground bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Eskridge
  • Publication number: 20030229984
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manually installing a surface mount connector having at least one ground bar on printed circuit board (PCB). The method and apparatus include inserting a ground bar along a length of a channel of an installation tool, where the channel is sized to receive the ground bar such that a portion of the ground bar extends from the channel. Both the ground bar and installation tool are disposed over a particular area of the PCB, and the tool is used to align the ground bar. The exposed portion of the ground bar is then soldered to the PCB, and the tool is used to repeat the method for the remaining unsoldered portions of the ground bar. The connector is then installed over the soldered ground bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Michael W. Eskridge