Patents by Inventor Michael W. Gearhart

Michael W. Gearhart 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: 9399306
    Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a coupling mechanism adapted to couple a first section and a second section of the pipe machining apparatus together. The coupling mechanism includes a base defining an aperture therein, an arm adapted to selectively couple the first and second sections together, an engagement member positioned in the aperture in the base, and a separation member movably coupled to the base and adapted to engage the engagement member. The separation member is adapted to move to push against the engagement member and separate the first section and the second section. In another aspect, a coupling mechanism includes an arm adapted to selectively couple the first and second sections together and a resistance member engaging the arm and one of a first section and a second section of the pipe machining apparatus to which the arm is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20160136741
    Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Patent number: 9278417
    Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20160039106
    Abstract: A wire saw for cutting pipe is provided including a saddle forming a saddle surface for abutting against a cylindrical pipe, an elongate guide fixed to the saddle, a bow having a first and second end, a bridge portion joining the first and second ends, and an open end having a length L from the first end to the second end which is greater than a diameter D of the pipe, a wire loop movable along a track formed within the bow, and a cooling system for actively cooling the wire loop. The elongate guide has an axis approximately perpendicular to an axis of the pipe when the pipe is abutting against the saddle. An exposed portion of the wire loop extends across the open end. The bow is moveable on the elongate guide toward and away from the pipe when the pipe is abutting against the saddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Swiatowy, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Patent number: 9186805
    Abstract: A wire saw for cutting pipe is provided including a saddle forming a saddle surface for abutting against a cylindrical pipe, an elongate guide fixed to the saddle, a bow having a first and second end, a bridge portion joining the first and second ends, and an open end having a length L from the first end to the second end which is greater than a diameter D of the pipe, a wire loop movable along a track formed within the bow, and a cooling system for actively cooling the wire loop. The elongate guide has an axis approximately perpendicular to an axis of the pipe when the pipe is abutting against the saddle. An exposed portion of the wire loop extends across the open end. The how is moveable on the elongate guide toward and away from the pipe when the pipe is abutting against the saddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Switatowy, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20150101471
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a wire cutting member, a plurality of wheels about which the wire cutting member is at least partially wrapped, a first arm member supporting at least one of the plurality of wheels, and a second arm member supporting at least one of the plurality of wheels. The first arm member and the second arm member may be moveable between a first position, in which the cutting apparatus has a first size, and a second position, in which the cutting apparatus has a second size larger than the first size. A wire saw includes an adjustment member coupled to at least one of a plurality of wheels for moving the at least one of the plurality of wheels to adjust a tension of a wire cutting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart, Roy C. Coakley
  • Publication number: 20150096421
    Abstract: In one aspect, a tool support for a pipe machining apparatus includes a support arm defining a groove therein and configured to support a tool, and a guide member at least partially positioned in the groove to allow movement of the support arm in a first direction and inhibit movement of the support arm in a second direction. In one aspect, a tool support includes a one-piece unitarily formed body member defining a cavity there through, and a tool support arm at least partially positioned in the cavity and configured to translate within the cavity. In one aspect, a tool support includes a first translating member configured to translate a tool toward and away from a pipe, and a second translating member configured to translate the tool toward and away from the pipe. The second translating member is coupled to and moveable relative to the first translating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20140191460
    Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a locking member may be provided to selectively engage with a frame and a tool carrier of a pipe machining apparatus to prevent movement of the tool carrier relative to the frame. In another aspect, a roller bearing assembly for a pipe machining apparatus may be provided and defines a lubricant cavity in a spindle of the roller bearing assembly. In a further aspect, a coupling member for coupling a pipe machining apparatus to either an exterior surface or an exterior surface of a pipe may be provided. In still another aspect, an adjustable pad is provided for coupling a pipe machining apparatus to a pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20140190322
    Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In some aspects, a pipe machining apparatus may include a hinge to allow two sections of the pipe machining apparatus to move relative to one another. In another aspect, a support member may be provided to support a pipe machining apparatus on a surface. In a further aspect, a support member may be provided that allows lifting of a pipe machining apparatus in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20140190327
    Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a coupling mechanism adapted to couple a first section and a second section of the pipe machining apparatus together. The coupling mechanism includes a base defining an aperture therein, an arm adapted to selectively couple the first and second sections together, an engagement member positioned in the aperture in the base, and a separation member movably coupled to the base and adapted to engage the engagement member. The separation member is adapted to move to push against the engagement member and separate the first section and the second section. In another aspect, a coupling mechanism includes an arm adapted to selectively couple the first and second sections together and a resistance member engaging the arm and one of a first section and a second section of the pipe machining apparatus to which the arm is coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20140190321
    Abstract: Pipe machining apparatuses and methods of operating are provided. In one aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes an advancement mechanism coupled to a frame and adapted to move relative to the frame between a first position, in which the advancement mechanism is in a travel path of an advancement member and is adapted to be engaged by the advancement member to advance a tool, and a second position, in which the advancement mechanism is positioned out of the travel path of the advancement member and is not adapted to be engaged by the advancement member. In another aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes multiple motors and pinion gears engaged with a gear rack of a tool carrier. In a further aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a race wiper. In yet another aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a race lubrication member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pierce, Michael W. Gearhart
  • Publication number: 20130061730
    Abstract: A wire saw for cutting pipe is provided including a saddle forming a saddle surface for abutting against a cylindrical pipe, an elongate guide fixed to the saddle, a bow having a first and second end, a bridge portion joining the first and second ends, and an open end having a length L from the first end to the second end which is greater than a diameter D of the pipe, a wire loop movable along a track formed within the bow, and a cooling system for actively cooling the wire loop. The elongate guide has an axis approximately perpendicular to an axis of the pipe when the pipe is abutting against the saddle. An exposed portion of the e loop extends across the open end. The how is moveable on the elongate guide toward and away from the pipe when the pipe is abutting against the saddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Swiatowy, Michael W. Gearhart