Patents by Inventor Ralf Strauss
Ralf Strauss 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: 20250108487Abstract: A clamp includes a bar having top and bottom surfaces, a fixed jaw fixed to the bar, and a movable assembly movable along the bar. The movable assembly includes a movable jaw, an actuator that incrementally moves the movable assembly to apply a clamp force to a clamp load, a release lever to disengage the movable assembly to release a clamp force and permit free sliding of the movable assembly along the bar. The movable assembly may support a bearing surface formed of a low-friction material, positioned to prevent the movable assembly from binding to the bar when a clamp load is released. The release lever may be movable between a position engaging the bar, a position where the release lever disengages the bar, and another position engaging the bar, the third position being opposite the first position with the second position therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2022Publication date: April 3, 2025Inventors: Robin E. Smith, Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20250083344Abstract: A utility knife includes a housing and a slidable blade assembly configured to selectively receive a removable blade in a blade channel thereof and to slide relative to the housing, such that the removable blade is stored within the housing when the slidable blade assembly is in a retracted position, and a portion of the blade extends outwardly from the housing when the slidable blade assembly is in an extended position. The slidable blade assembly comprises a plurality of notch engaging protrusions configured to move to selectively enter the blade channel to engage one or more notches of the removable blade. The housing comprises a blade release actuator configured to move or permit movement of the plurality of notch engaging protrusions out of the blade channel to permit removal of the removable blade from the slidable blade assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Inventor: Ralf Strauss
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Patent number: 12246464Abstract: Certain embodiments of a folding knife are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example knife may include a handle and a blade carrier. The blade carrier may be rotatable about the handle and may include a left and a right cap. A blade may be removably disposed within the blade carrier. The knife may further include a blade release mechanism. In one embodiment, the blade release mechanism may include a compression spring and a lift bar. In another embodiment, the blade release mechanism may further include a wheel. In yet another embodiment, the blade release mechanism may include a leaf spring and a slide bar. When the blade carrier is rotated such that the knife is not in a cutting position, at least a portion of the blade release mechanism is exposed. When the blade release mechanism is activated, the blade may be removed from within the blade carrier.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.Inventors: Kara Nicole Ebert, Ralf Strauss, Gregory David Parker
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Patent number: 12179374Abstract: A knife includes a handle, a neck configured to hold a blade, and a lever configured to selectively release the blade from the neck. The lever is coupled to a blade lock arm configured to extend along a side of the blade. A ramped surface pushes the blade lock arm into the blade to press the blade against a side of the neck to clamp the blade to the side of the neck when the blade lock arm is in a blade locked position.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Rowlay, Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20240417224Abstract: A lifting and lowering tool includes a foot configured to be supported on a surface, a bar extending therefrom, and a movable assembly including a housing, a movable platform shaped to support a load that extends from the housing, a lifting actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the bar away from the foot, a lowering actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the bar towards the foot, and a release actuator configured to disengage the movable assembly from the bar to allow free movement of the movable assembly along the bar. In embodiments, the movable assembly engages the bar through locking plates that extend through a flange of the movable assembly. In embodiments the release actuator is spaced from the lifting actuator and the lowering actuator to prevent inadvertent actuation of the release actuator. In embodiments a flange of the movable assembly surrounds the bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2022Publication date: December 19, 2024Inventors: Ralf Strauss, Robin E. Smith, Stephen Rowlay
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Patent number: 12151388Abstract: A utility knife includes a housing and a slidable blade assembly configured to selectively receive a removable blade in a blade channel thereof and to slide relative to the housing, such that the removable blade is stored within the housing when the slidable blade assembly is in a retracted position, and a portion of the blade extends outwardly from the housing when the slidable blade assembly is in an extended position. The slidable blade assembly comprises a plurality of notch engaging protrusions configured to move to selectively enter the blade channel to engage one or more notches of the removable blade. The housing comprises a blade release actuator configured to move or permit movement of the plurality of notch engaging protrusions out of the blade channel to permit removal of the removable blade from the slidable blade assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.Inventor: Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20240270544Abstract: A lifting and lowering tool includes a foot configured to be supported on a surface, a bar extending therefrom, and a movable assembly including a housing, a movable platform shaped to support a load that extends from the housing, a lifting actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the bar away from the foot, a lowering actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the bar towards the foot, and a release actuator configured to disengage the movable assembly from the bar to allow free movement of the movable assembly along the bar. In embodiments, the movable assembly engages the bar through locking plates that extend through a flange of the movable assembly. In embodiments the release actuator is spaced from the lifting actuator and the lowering actuator to prevent inadvertent actuation of the release actuator. In embodiments a flange of the movable assembly surrounds the bar.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2024Publication date: August 15, 2024Inventors: Ralf Strauss, Robin E. Smith, Stephen Rowlay
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Publication number: 20240139976Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle, a blade assembly, a stop member, and a locking arm. The blade assembly is rotatably interconnected with the handle and is moveable between an extended position and a closed position. In the extended position, the locking arm exerts a bias force to wedge a releasable wedge member laterally between the stop member and the blade assembly to inhibit a transition of the folding knife out of the extended position. In the extended position, an unlocking force applied to the locking arm displaces the releasable wedge member from a space between the blade assembly and the stop member to permit the transition of the folding knife out of the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Stephen Rowlay, Ralf Strauss
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Patent number: 11833658Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool container system includes a container with base and cover pivotably attached by a hinge, base and cover locking members, and a latch moveable between unlatched and latched positions to allow or prevent movement of the cover relative to the base. The system also includes a utility knife blade retainer configured to be received in and held by the container, the retainer configured to define a generally trapezoidal shape and contact multiple faces of blades received therein. The retainer comprises an engagement feature to engage with the container to limit movement of the retainer. In another embodiment, a knife blade retainer is configured to be received in a container. The retainer includes a generally trapezoidal shape defined therein to contact multiple faces of a trapezoidal shape of blades received therein. An engagement feature engages with the container to limit movement of the retainer within the container.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.Inventors: John Kenneth Adams, Gregory Tropea, Austin Charles Allessio, Aaron Jonathan Jones, Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20230015233Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool container system includes a container with base and cover pivotably attached by a hinge, base and cover locking members, and a latch moveable between unlatched and latched positions to allow or prevent movement of the cover relative to the base. The system also includes a utility knife blade retainer configured to be received in and held by the container, the retainer configured to define a generally trapezoidal shape and contact multiple faces of blades received therein. The retainer comprises an engagement feature to engage with the container to limit movement of the retainer. In another embodiment, a knife blade retainer is configured to be received in a container. The retainer includes a generally trapezoidal shape defined therein to contact multiple faces of a trapezoidal shape of blades received therein. An engagement feature engages with the container to limit movement of the retainer within the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: John Kenneth Adams, Gregory Tropea, Austin Charles Allessio, Aaron Jonathan Jones, Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20220395991Abstract: A knife includes a handle, a neck configured to hold a blade, and a lever configured to selectively release the blade from the neck. The lever is coupled to a blade lock arm configured to extend along a side of the blade. A ramped surface pushes the blade lock arm into the blade to press the blade against a side of the neck to clamp the blade to the side of the neck when the blade lock arm is in a blade locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Stephen Rowlay, Ralf Strauss
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Patent number: 11472020Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool container system includes a container with base and cover pivotably attached by a hinge, base and cover locking members, and a latch moveable between unlatched and latched positions to allow or prevent movement of the cover relative to the base. The system also includes a utility knife blade retainer configured to be received in and held by the container, the retainer configured to define a generally trapezoidal shape and contact multiple faces of blades received therein. The retainer comprises an engagement feature to engage with the container to limit movement of the retainer. In another embodiment, a knife blade retainer is configured to be received in a container. The retainer includes a generally trapezoidal shape defined therein to contact multiple faces of a trapezoidal shape of blades received therein. An engagement feature engages with the container to limit movement of the retainer within the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.Inventors: John Kenneth Adams, Gregory Tropea, Austin Charles Allessio, Aaron Jonathan Jones, Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20220226981Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool container system includes a container with base and cover pivotably attached by a hinge, base and cover locking members, and a latch moveable between unlatched and latched positions to allow or prevent movement of the cover relative to the base. The system also includes a utility knife blade retainer configured to be received in and held by the container, the retainer configured to define a generally trapezoidal shape and contact multiple faces of blades received therein. The retainer comprises an engagement feature to engage with the container to limit movement of the retainer. In another embodiment, a knife blade retainer is configured to be received in a container. The retainer includes a generally trapezoidal shape defined therein to contact multiple faces of a trapezoidal shape of blades received therein. An engagement feature engages with the container to limit movement of the retainer within the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: John Kenneth Adams, Gregory Tropea, Austin Charles Allessio, Aaron Jonathan Jones, Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20220184825Abstract: Certain embodiments of a folding knife are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example knife may include a handle and a blade carrier. The blade carrier may be rotatable about the handle and may include a left and a right cap. A blade may be removably disposed within the blade carrier. The knife may further include a blade release mechanism. In one embodiment, the blade release mechanism may include a compression spring and a lift bar. In another embodiment, the blade release mechanism may further include a wheel. In yet another embodiment, the blade release mechanism may include a leaf spring and a slide bar. When the blade carrier is rotated such that the knife is not in a cutting position, at least a portion of the blade release mechanism is exposed. When the blade release mechanism is activated, the blade may be removed from within the blade carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Kara Nicole Ebert, Ralf Strauss, Gregory David Parker
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Publication number: 20220032484Abstract: A utility knife includes a housing and a slidable blade assembly configured to selectively receive a removable blade in a blade channel thereof and to slide relative to the housing, such that the removable blade is stored within the housing when the slidable blade assembly is in a retracted position, and a portion of the blade extends outwardly from the housing when the slidable blade assembly is in an extended position. The slidable blade assembly comprises a plurality of notch engaging protrusions configured to move to selectively enter the blade channel to engage one or more notches of the removable blade. The housing comprises a blade release actuator configured to move or permit movement of the plurality of notch engaging protrusions out of the blade channel to permit removal of the removable blade from the slidable blade assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventor: Ralf Strauss
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Patent number: 9566995Abstract: A hinge for pivotally joining a first frame member and a second frame member of a frame of a stroller may include a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a release actuator and a locking member. The first housing portion may be operably coupled to the first frame member. The second housing portion may be operably coupled to the second frame member. The release actuator may be configured to operate to enable the hinge to shift between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking member may be configured to move in an axial direction responsive to shifting between the locked state and the unlocked state. The external periphery of the locking member may include a first incline surface that engages both the first housing portion and the second housing portion in the locked state.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: BRITAX CHILD SAFETY, INC.Inventor: Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20160347344Abstract: A brake system for applying frictional braking to a mobility assembly of a stroller may include a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, an operator and a brake balancer. The first brake assembly may be operably coupled to a first wheel of the mobility assembly and to a first cable. The second brake assembly may be operably coupled to a second wheel of the mobility assembly and to a second cable. The operator may be configured to be actuated by a user to apply tension to a third cable. The brake balancer may be operably coupled to the first and second brake assemblies and to the operator via the first, second and third cables, respectively. The brake balancer may be configured to substantially equalize braking applied to the first and second brake assemblies responsive to actuation of the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventor: Ralf Strauss
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Publication number: 20160059876Abstract: A hinge for pivotally joining a first frame member and a second frame member of a frame of a stroller may include a first housing portion, a second housing portion, a release actuator and a locking member. The first housing portion may be operably coupled to the first frame member. The second housing portion may be operably coupled to the second frame member. The release actuator may be configured to operate to enable the hinge to shift between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking member may be configured to move in an axial direction responsive to shifting between the locked state and the unlocked state. The external periphery of the locking member may include a first incline surface that engages both the first housing portion and the second housing portion in the locked state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventor: Ralf Strauss
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Patent number: 8567071Abstract: A utility knife comprises a blade carrier movable between retracted, extended and positions. A latch is movable with the blade carrier for locking the blade carrier in position. The blade carrier comprises a locking tab movable between a first position where the locking tab is engaged with the blade and a second position where the locking tab is released from the blade. An actuator moves the locking tab from the first position to the second position when the blade carrier is in the intermediate position and the actuator is moved to the unlocked position. The latch is engageable with a holder when the blade carrier is in the intermediate position. A retention member holds the blade on the plate where the retention member cannot be inserted into a notch on the blade. A blade guide guides the blade between the retention member and the plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventor: Ralf Strauss
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Patent number: 8539677Abstract: A utility knife comprises a first housing portion carrying a strike plate and a second housing portion movable relative to the first housing portion between a closed position and an open position. The second housing portion carries a locking member. An overlapping locking mechanism locks the first housing portion to the second housing portion in a first direction when the first housing portion is moved relative to the second housing portion in a second direction. The locking member is movable between a first position in which it engages the strike plate to prevent the first housing from moving relative to the second housing in the first direction and a second position in which it does not engage the strike plate and allows the first housing to move relative to the second housing in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventor: Ralf Strauss