Patents by Inventor Richard C. Nickels

Richard C. Nickels 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: 7478987
    Abstract: A pin with threads that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin pierces and is axially driven through the framing members. The interaction of the threads with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the threads pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L O'Banion, Scott Rudolph, Richard C Nickels, Jr., Robert A Berry
  • Publication number: 20090004909
    Abstract: A power tool having a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a power cord connected to the motor, and a cord protector operably engaging the power cord for movement therewith. The cord protector comprises a cam follower bracket having a camming slot sized to receive a cam follower. The cam follower bracket being biased into an initial position and exerting a biasing force upon the power cord in response to a load being applied to the power cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: DANIEL PUZIO, Robert Opsitos, Richard C. Nickels, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090000821
    Abstract: A power tool having a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a power cord connected to the motor, and a cord protector operably engaging the power cord. The cord protector comprising a spring member coupled to the housing on a first end and engaging the power cord on a second end. The spring member exerting a biasing force upon the power cord in response to a load being applied to the power cord and recovering to an initial position in response to removal of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: James Parks, Daniel Puzio, Scott Rudolph, Richard C. Nickels, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090004908
    Abstract: A power tool having a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a power cord connected to the motor, and a cord protector operably engaging the power cord. The cord protector comprising at least one elastically-deformable biasing member engaging the power cord and exerting a biasing force upon the power cord in response to a load being applied to the power cord and recovering to an initial position in response to removal of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: WARREN A. CEROLL, Daniel Puzio, Robert Gehret, Richard C. Nickels, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080148915
    Abstract: A power tool is provided with a hanger having multiple discrete width positions to engage materials of different thicknesses. The power cord is installed in the tool housing with an extra length of cable between the cord clamp and the portion of the tool housing that secures the cord protector. A crimp-on device is installed on the power cord cable next to the cord protector. When the cord is subjected to jerking, the cable moves axially relative to the cord protector. As the cable moves, the crimp-on device compresses the extended end of the cord protector absorbing energy and reducing the forces transmitted to the cord set conductors. A rip guide includes a long guide edge and two attachment points to the shoe/base of the saw. The rip guide is attached to the base/shoe via a pair of L-shaped openings that accept L-shaped support arms of the rip guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Michael I. McDowell, David L. Wikle, Tim J. Bowman
  • Publication number: 20070266837
    Abstract: A clamping assembly is provided for retaining an accessory on the spindle of a power tool. The clamp assembly preferably includes a planetary gear system for transmitting torque applied to the clamp assembly to the accessory, wherein the planetary gear system multiplies the torque transmitted to the accessory so that the torque transmitted to the accessory is greater than the torque applied to the clamp assembly. An extendable lever or a handle may also be included for increasing the amount of torque applied to the clamp assembly by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Philip T. Miller, Gregg L. Sheddy
  • Patent number: 7077613
    Abstract: A pin with threads that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin is driven through the framing members. The interaction of the threads with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the threads pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together. A pin with curved wings that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin is driven through the framing members. The interaction of the wings with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the wings pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Rudolph, Richard C. Nickels, Jr., Robert A. Berry
  • Publication number: 20030012620
    Abstract: A pin with threads that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin is driven through the framing members. The interaction of the threads with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the threads pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together. A pin with curved wings that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin is driven through the framing members. The interaction of the wings with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the wings pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Scott Rudolph, Richard C. Nickels, Robert A. Berry
  • Publication number: 20020046469
    Abstract: A platen for supporting a wooden workpiece relative to cutting heads of a planing machine, said platen having an upper surface and a lower surface and said platen being integrally composed of a fiber reinforced composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Karen M. DiLaura, Richard Hurn, Richard C. Nickels
  • Patent number: 6286217
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw 11 comprises an output shaft 21 mounted for reciprocal motion in a housing 13. A counterweight 27 is mounted in the housing for reciprocal movement relative to the output shaft. A first drive 37 is connected between a motor and the output shaft for reciprocally driving the output shaft. A second drive 39 is connected between the motor 19 and the counterweight for reciprocally driving the counterweight. The second drive 39 preferably comprises a pivot arm 41 pivotally mounted about an axis transverse to the output shaft for receiving at a first location a reciprocating input in a first direction 40 and for producing at a second location a reciprocating output in a second direction 42 different from the first direction. The first and second drives provide a compact, low vibration, relatively simple, counterbalanced drive train for the saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Dassoulas, Richard C. Nickels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6202311
    Abstract: The present invention provides a circular saw including a housing, a motor within the housing, a circular saw blade rotatably driven by the motor, a base and a bevel angle adjustment mechanism. The bevel angle adjustment mechanism pivotally interconnects the base to the housing such that the circular saw blade is adjustable relative to the base through a range of bevel angles. The bevel angle adjustment mechanism includes a first member carrying a detent and a second member defining a cooperating recess. The detent and the cooperating recess positively define at least one predetermined bevel angle setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Nickels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6145205
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having a first shaft, a transmission mechanism operatively connected to the first shaft, a second shaft operatively connected to the transmission mechanism, a housing enclosing the transmission mechanism and adapted to contain a quantity of lubricating grease, and an auger rotatably disposed within the housing on at least one of the first and second shafts for circulating the grease within the housing. A blade may be operatively connected to the second shaft. The transmission mechanism includes a first gear operatively connected to the first shaft, and a second gear operatively connected to the second shaft, where the second gear operatively meshes with the first gear. It may be advantageous to dispose the first and second gears in such a manner so that distance between the blade and the second gear is larger than the distance between the blade and the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Jr., Judd Staples
  • Patent number: 6000140
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having a first shaft, a transmission mechanism operatively connected to the first shaft, a second shaft operatively connected to the transmission mechanism, a housing enclosing the transmission mechanism and adapted to contain a quantity of lubricating grease, and a grease propeller rotatably disposed within the housing on at least one of the first and second shafts for circulating the grease within the housing. A blade may be operatively connected to the second shaft. The transmission mechanism includes a first gear operatively connected to the first shaft, and a second gear operatively connected to the second shaft, where the second gear operatively meshes with the first gear. It may be advantageous to dispose the first and second gears in such a manner so that distance between the blade and the second gear is larger than the distance between the blade and the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Jr., Judd Staples
  • Patent number: 5369236
    Abstract: A hand-held orbital polisher includes a housing, an electric motor and hand-operated motor control device mounted in the housing, and a pair of handles closely coupled to a housing to position an operator's thumbs adjacent the control device. The control device includes an electrical switch having a slidable actuator and a pair of thumb-actuated levers to selectively move the actuator into either of two on positions or into an off position. The levers are pivotably mounted to the housing, have a collar drivingly connected to the actuator, and a thumb pad at one end. The pivots can be defined at the other end of the levers and the collar at the center, or at the center of the lever and the collar at the other end of the lever. One or both of the user's thumbs can be used to apply a force with a force on one lever being transmitted simultaneously to the actuator and thereby against the other beam whereby to force the two levers in one or the other position, the operator's hand never having to leave the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Nickels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5349785
    Abstract: In the construction of a motor driven tool, a bucket-shaped housing having upper and lower parts, a preassembly of a motor support, and a motor assembly including an armature and stator mounted on the support and in coaxial relation to the housing parts, and bearing means for supporting the opposite ends of the armature, respectively, in the motor support and in one said housing part, the armature being fixedly connected to the support and the stator being magnetically retained to the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Jr., David M. Rider
  • Patent number: 5347673
    Abstract: A hand-held orbital polisher includes a manually actuatable coupling arrangement operating between a motor driven support platen and a polisher pad assembly having a backing platen connected to the support platen for rotation therewith. Respective pairs of manually actuatable shoulders are driven by a tool to simultaneously drive an array of coupling lugs on one of the platen into and locked engagement with the other platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Nickels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4800357
    Abstract: A transformer support assembly for holding primary and secondary coils and a pair of U-shaped cores in operative relation, the assembly comprising first and second integrally-formed, one-piece bobbins, each bobbin including a post axially extending between opposed flanges spaced for windingly receiving one of the coils around the post, each bobbin having an axial bore through the post and flanges for receiving one leg of each held core in opposed relation, and an integrally-formed, one-piece separator including C-shaped channels for engaging corresponding flanges of both the bobbins to position the posts in generally parallel, spaced relation and opposed pairs of jaws adapted to grip base portions of held cores for biasing the legs thereof toward one another in axially opposed relation in said bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Jr., Gary S. Podhorniak
  • Patent number: 4684792
    Abstract: Tickets with customer markable areas are insertable into an input slot facing the agent side of the processor, an input slot facing the customer side of the processor, or by either the agent or the customer into an input slot located on the top of the processor. The slots feed different points along an arcuate channel. The end of the channel is located at the beginning of a straight line transport path passing through a ticket reader and a ticket printer to an output slot facing the agent side of the processor. A single drive motor, actuated by a ticket sensor at the end of the channel, provides power to all of the drive rollers. A lock-out mechanism located in the channel prevents tickets from being inserted from the agent side or the top surface if a ticket has been received from the customer side, and prevents tickets from being inserted from the customer side if a ticket has been received from the agent side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: General Instrument Corp.
    Inventor: Richard C. Nickels, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4590853
    Abstract: A print head for use in a dot matrix printer or the like which comprises a plurality of non-magnetic frames which carry aligned magnets, the frames being arranged in a stack with spaces formed by projecting parts on the frames between the magnets carried thereby, the printer hammers being movably located in those spaces and extending out between the frames to the printing station. A head comprising a desired number of hammers is built up by stacking the appropriate numbers of alternating frames and hammers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Jr., Richard L. Allgaier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4552352
    Abstract: The stack of sheets is urged towards a rotatable removal roller located at the top of the magazine. The roller is mounted on a frame which is pivoted relative to the magazine to provide access to the stack for reloading. Pivoting of the frame automatically actuates a spring-loaded rachet-type mechanism which prevents movement of the stack towards the open top end of the magazine, without interfering with the placement of additional sheets onto the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: General Instrument Corp.
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Jr., Gerald S. Stevens, Jr.