Patents by Inventor Nathan J. Cruise

Nathan J. Cruise 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).

  • Publication number: 20240421365
    Abstract: A battery pack comprises a set of battery cells, a battery cell holder holding the battery cells, at least one battery strap having a first end connected to a terminal of one of the battery cells and a second end extending from the battery cell holder, a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, components mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board, a trace on the second side of the printed circuit board extending from one components to a contact connected to the trace and mated with the second end of the at least one battery strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Moriah Counts, Vy Ho, Alexander R. Barton, Nathan J. Cruise
  • Patent number: 12127362
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an encapsulated printed circuit board populated with a variety of components and a method of encapsulating a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is partially encapsulated with a low pressure molded material to form at least a portion of a potting boat. The potting boat is filled with an encapsulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Michael Varipatis, Nathan J. Osborne, Alfred M. Irungu, Ryan Klee, Nicholas J. Garibaldi, William T. Lunsford, V, Nathan J. Cruise
  • Patent number: 12095046
    Abstract: A battery pack comprises a set of battery cells, a battery cell holder holding the battery cells, at least one battery strap having a first end connected to a terminal of one of the battery cells and a second end extending from the battery cell holder, a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, components mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board, a trace on the second side of the printed circuit board extending from one components to a contact connected to the trace and mated with the second end of the at least one battery strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Moriah Counts, Vy Ho, Alexander R. Barton, Nathan J. Cruise
  • Publication number: 20240274944
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery pack including improved fuse arrangement. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery cell holder holding the battery cells in a fixed position relative to each other, a printed circuit board attached to the battery cell holder and a busbar attached to the printed circuit board. The busbar may include a first leg extending away from the printed circuit board and a second leg extending away from the printed circuit board. The second leg is generally parallel to the first leg. The battery pack may further include a fuse. The fuse may include a first terminal connected to the first leg of the busbar and a second terminal connected to the second leg of the busbar such that the fuse is generally parallel to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Nathan J. Cruise, Alexander R. Barton, Ralphy A. Louis
  • Patent number: 11962021
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery pack including improved temperature sensing features. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery cell holder holding the battery cells in a fixed position relative to each other, a printed circuit board attached to the battery cell holder and a thermistor attached to the printed circuit board in a position between the printed circuit board and at least one of the plurality of battery cells to sense a temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells. The printed circuit board includes a cutout to retain heat in the thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Cruise, Alexander R. Barton, Ralphy A. Louis
  • Publication number: 20230386310
    Abstract: A theft deterring system includes a power tool with a motor connectable to a power source, a switch connected to the motor, a controller controlling to the switch for controlling an amount of power provided to the motor, and a state circuit having a memory for storing a state value. The controller activates the switch to provide power to the motor when the state value stored in the memory equals a desired value. The system may also include a tag programmer for changing the stored value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Daniele C. BROTTO, Nathan J. CRUISE, Jeremy D. ASHINGHURST, Jason K. LEH, Richard HAGGARTY, Michael J. STOLLER, Brice D. FARRELL, Regina Garcia C. CUNANAN, Raghavendra R. BYATNAL, Matthew J. VELDERMAN
  • Patent number: 11763649
    Abstract: A theft deterring system includes a power tool with a motor connectable to a power source, a switch connected to the motor, a controller controlling to the switch for controlling an amount of power provided to the motor, and a state circuit having a memory for storing a state value. The controller activates the switch to provide power to the motor when the state value stored in the memory equals a desired value. The system may also include a tag programmer for changing the stored value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Jeremy D. Ashinghurst, Jason K. Leh, Richard Haggarty, Michael J. Stoller, Brice D. Farrell, Regina Gracia C. Cunanan, Raghavendra R. Byatnal, Matthew J. Velderman
  • Publication number: 20230207899
    Abstract: A battery pack comprises a set of battery cells, a battery cell holder holding the battery cells, at least one battery strap having a first end connected to a terminal of one of the battery cells and a second end extending from the battery cell holder, a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, components mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board, a trace on the second side of the printed circuit board extending from one components to a contact connected to the trace and mated with the second end of the at least one battery strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Moriah Counts, Vy Ho, Alexander R. Barton, Nathan J. Cruise
  • Publication number: 20230107795
    Abstract: A theft deterring system includes a power tool with a motor connectable to a power source, a switch connected to the motor, a controller controlling to the switch for controlling an amount of power provided to the motor, and a state circuit having a memory for storing a state value. The controller activates the switch to provide power to the motor when the state value stored in the memory equals a desired value. The system may also include a tag programmer for changing the stored value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Jeremy D. Ashinghurst, Jason K. Leh, Richard Haggarty, Michael J. Stoller, Brice D. Farrell, Regina Gracia C. Cunanan, Raghavendra R. Byatnal, Matthew J. Velderman
  • Patent number: 11563239
    Abstract: A battery pack comprises a set of battery cells, a battery cell holder holding the battery cells, at least one battery strap having a first end connected to a terminal of one of the battery cells and a second end extending from the battery cell holder, a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, components mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board, a trace on the second side of the printed circuit board extending from one components to a contact connected to the trace and mated with the second end of the at least one battery strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Moriah Counts, Vy Ho, Alexander R. Barton, Nathan J. Cruise
  • Patent number: 11557187
    Abstract: A theft deterring system includes a power tool with a motor connectable to a power source, a switch connected to the motor, a controller controlling to the switch for controlling an amount of power provided to the motor, and a state circuit having a memory for storing a state value. The controller activates the switch to provide power to the motor when the state value stored in the memory equals a desired value. The system may also include a tag programmer for changing the stored value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Jeremy D. Ashinghurst, Jason K. Leh, Richard Haggarty, Michael J. Stoller, Brice D. Farrell, Regina Gracia C. Cunanan, Raghavendra R. Byatnal, Matthew J. Velderman
  • Patent number: 11303067
    Abstract: It is common for a power tool system from a manufacturer to include a battery pack that is designed and configured to mate and operate with at least one power tool and a battery charger. However, as systems have evolved it has become desirable to provide a battery pack that is designed and configured to mate and operate with at least one power tool and a first battery charger but not a second battery charger. The present disclosure provides a battery pack including a housing, a terminal block, a plurality of terminals, and a mechanical lockout for allowing engagement with a power tool and a first battery charger while preventing engagement with a second battery charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Cruise, Daniel J. White, Robert J. Marcinkowski, Geoffrey S. Howard, Alexis W. Johnson, Nathan J. Osborne, Michael W. Roberts, Steven J. Phillips, Michelle L. Bowers
  • Patent number: 11211664
    Abstract: This application relates to a power tool system including a plurality of power tools, a plurality of battery packs and at least one battery pack charger and method for operating the power tools with the battery packs. This application also relates to a method for charging the battery packs and a method for monitoring a state of charge of the battery pack. In one implementation, the system includes an existing battery pack designed to provide (output) a relatively low voltage, an existing power tool designed to operate at the relatively low voltage, a new battery pack designed to provide (output) the relatively low voltage and a relatively high voltage, and a new power tool designed to operate at the relatively high voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Luke R. Barton, Nathan J. Cruise, Abhisheka Moturu, Dustin Jefferies, Christine H. Potter, Michael W. Roberts, Michael Varipatis, Fugen Qin, Daniel J. Albrecht, Michael J. Aronoff
  • Publication number: 20210328280
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery pack including improved temperature sensing features. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery cell holder holding the battery cells in a fixed position relative to each other, a printed circuit board attached to the battery cell holder and a thermistor attached to the printed circuit board in a position between the printed circuit board and at least one of the plurality of battery cells to sense a temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells. The printed circuit board includes a cutout to retain heat in the thermistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan J. CRUISE, Alexander R. BARTON, Ralphy A. LOUIS
  • Patent number: 11056895
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a battery charger capable of charging a plurality of battery packs. The charger includes the ability to cool electronic components of the charger with a first fan and to cool the battery packs with a set of second fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Fugen Qin, Hussein M. Nosair, Paul A. Stephenson, Brian K. Wohltmann, Marc W McKinley, Nathan J. Cruise
  • Patent number: 11031795
    Abstract: A system including a carrier having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive rechargeable, removable battery packs, an AC power input connector for connecting to an AC power supply, a power output connector, a discharge/charge mode switch for switching between (1) a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs using electrical power input through at least one of the power input connectors and (2) a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical power from the battery packs through the power output connector, the charge/discharge control module controlling a plurality of charging switches to provide a charging current to the battery packs and an inverter electrically connected to the power output connector for providing an AC output signal at the power output connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Velderman, Daniel J. White, Andrew E. Seman, Jr., David A. Miller, Nathan J. Cruise, Geoffrey S. Howard
  • Patent number: 11011919
    Abstract: A system including a carrier having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive rechargeable, removable battery packs, an AC power input connector for connecting to an AC power supply, a power output connector, a discharge/charge mode switch for switching between (1) a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs using electrical power input through at least one of the power input connectors and (2) a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical power from the battery packs through the power output connector, the charge/discharge control module controlling a plurality of charging switches to provide a charging current to the battery packs and an inverter electrically connected to the power output connector for providing an AC output signal at the power output connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Velderman, Daniel J. White, Andrew E. Seman, David A. Miller, Nathan J. Cruise, Geoffrey S. Howard
  • Publication number: 20200350635
    Abstract: A battery pack comprises a set of battery cells, a battery cell holder holding the battery cells, at least one battery strap having a first end connected to a terminal of one of the battery cells and a second end extending from the battery cell holder, a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side, components mounted on the second side of the printed circuit board, a trace on the second side of the printed circuit board extending from one components to a contact connected to the trace and mated with the second end of the at least one battery strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Moriah Counts, Vy Ho, Alexander R. Barton, Nathan J. Cruise
  • Publication number: 20200342728
    Abstract: A theft deterring system includes a power tool with a motor connectable to a power source, a switch connected to the motor, a controller controlling to the switch for controlling an amount of power provided to the motor, and a state circuit having a memory for storing a state value. The controller activates the switch to provide power to the motor when the state value stored in the memory equals a desired value. The system may also include a tag programmer for changing the stored value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Nathan J. Cruise, Jeremy D. Ashinghurst, Jason K. Leh, Richard Haggarty, Michael J. Stoller, Brice D. Farrell, Regina Gracia C. Cunanan, Raghavendra R. Byatnal, Matthew J. Velderman
  • Publication number: 20200295582
    Abstract: A system including a carrier having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive rechargeable, removable battery packs, an AC power input connector for connecting to an AC power supply, a power output connector, a discharge/charge mode switch for switching between (1) a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs using electrical power input through at least one of the power input connectors and (2) a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical power from the battery packs through the power output connector, the charge/discharge control module controlling a plurality of charging switches to provide a charging current to the battery packs and an inverter electrically connected to the power output connector for providing an AC output signal at the power output connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew J. VELDERMAN, Daniel J. WHITE, Andrew E. SEMAN, JR., David A. MILLER, Nathan J. CRUISE, Geoffrey S. HOWARD