Patents by Inventor Michael W. Freeman

Michael W. Freeman 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).

  • Manual tensioner for non-metallic straps
    Patent number: 7455080
    Abstract: A tensioner is disclosed for applying a non-metallic strap around a load. The tensioner includes a base and a lever that can pivot. A drive gear is mounted to the lever and rotates clockwise. A tension gear engages the drive gear and rotates counter-clockwise. A feed wheel is coupled to the tension gear and rotates counter-clockwise. A gripper is attached to the base. The strap is held stationary by the gripper, wrapped around the load, is fed underneath and is in contact with the feed wheel. When the lever is rotated down, the feed wheel rotates counter-clockwise. The strap is pulled toward a distal end of the tensioner and is tensioned in a clockwise direction around the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Crittenden, Janusz Figiel, Michael W. Freeman