Patents by Inventor Richard J. Ernst

Richard J. Ernst 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: 6598499
    Abstract: A universal setting tool comprises a collet housing for mounting within a chuck mechanism of a rotary drive tool. An axially oriented bore extends into the interior of the collet housing, and a radially expansible and contractible coil spring is disposed within the bore. After the free end portion of an anchor member has been inserted into the spring member, the rotary drive tool, and therefore the collet housing member, is rotated in the clockwise direction so as to effectively cause radial contraction of the spring member such that the spring member tightly engages the anchor member. Rotation of the rotary drive tool in the opposite direction releases the grip of the spring member upon the anchor member. The spring member can engage different anchors having different diametrical extents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Ernst
  • Publication number: 20020111126
    Abstract: An abrading tool forms a plurality of grooves in an inner wall surface of a hole having a diameter and a depth, and defining a longitudinal axis, into which an anchor is installed. The tool is configured for mounting to a rotating driver to provide rotational movement to the tool. The tool has a shank having a first end for securing to the rotating driver and a second, free end. The shank has a diameter. A first abrading element is mounted to the shank proximal to the free end. A second abrading element is mounted to the shank spaced from the first abrading element and proximal to the rotating driver. The first and second abrading wheels have a diameter greater than the diameter of the shank. The tool is inserted into the hole and held at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the hole. With the rotating driver actuated, the tool is rotated around the hole to form first and second grooves in the inner wall surface of the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, Clayton Peterson
  • Patent number: 6420458
    Abstract: A chemical anchoring adhesive having a solid, putty-like consistency includes two parts in direct contact with each other along an interface. The first part includes about 20-45% by weight of an epoxy resin, about 10-40% by weight of a first particulate filler having an oil absorption value of at least about 30, and about 40-65% by weight of a second particulate filler, at least about 70% of which has a U.S. Sieve size between 16 and 45. The second part includes about 5-20% by weight of an aliphatic amine compound, about 0.1-15% by weight of a tertiary amine compound, about 1-23% by weight of a first particulate filler having the oil absorption described above, and about 52-87% by weight of a second particulate filler having the U.S. Sieve size described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Surjan, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman, Cyndie S. Hackl, Jeffrey C. Warmolts, Eldridge Presnell
  • Patent number: 6416256
    Abstract: A method of making and applying a chemical anchoring adhesive in the form of a highly viscous, self-contained rope or slug is provided. The rope or slug has an average cross-sectional area determined from a formula that takes into account the cross-sectional area of a borehole, the average cross-sectional area of an anchor pin to be inserted into the borehole, and a penetration factor which reflects penetration of the adhesive into the walls of the borehole. By selecting the proper area for the anchoring adhesive, the rope can be cut into slugs having depths equal to the depths of boreholes. When the slugs are inserted into the boreholes, and anchor pins are driven, the amount of adhesive provided by each slug will be just enough to completely fill the interstitial spaces between the anchor pin and inner wall of the borehole, accounting for penetration of some adhesive into the borehole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Surjan, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman, Cyndie S. Hackl, Jeffrey C. Warmolts, Eldridge Presnell
  • Patent number: 6403678
    Abstract: A rope of chemical anchoring adhesive useful in heavy construction applications includes first and second parts in continuous contact along an interface extending the length of the rope. The first part includes a resin and has a highly viscous, putty-like consistency. The second part includes a curing agent and has a highly viscous putty-like consistency. The rope can be cut into slugs at the construction site which are sized according to the depth of the borehole, into which the anchor pin is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Surjan, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman, Cyndie S. Hackl, Jeffrey C. Warmolts, Eldridge Presnell
  • Patent number: 6402434
    Abstract: A method of applying a chemical anchoring adhesive to the interior of a borehole includes the steps of providing a highly viscous, self-contained slug of chemical anchoring adhesive, inserting the slug into the borehole, providing an anchor pin, and driving the anchor pin into the borehole using a driving tool that imparts rotary motion to the anchor pin. The adhesive slug includes a first part having a first color and including a resin, and a second part having a second color different from the first and including a curing agent. The rotary motion of the anchor pin mixes the first and second parts together to form a substantially homogeneous composition having a third color different from the first and second colors. The visual indication provided by the third color notifies the worker when the mixing is complete, saving time and money at the construction site while minimizing the occurrence of defective or insufficient mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Surjan, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman, Cyndie S. Hackl, Jeffrey C. Warmolts, Eldridge Presnell
  • Patent number: 6393795
    Abstract: An adhesive anchor system having a ribbed anchor member with a threaded opening therein, a tube member having a first end portion connected to an end of the anchor member in alignment with the opening thereof, and a cap covering the opening at another opposite end of the anchor member. In some embodiments the tube member includes measurement indicia thereon for accurate depth placement, and may include a severable portion protruding beyond the work surface and/or a removable tube cover to prevent contamination of the threaded opening of the anchor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Irwin, Mark S. Timmerman, Richard J. Ernst
  • Patent number: 6296433
    Abstract: A masonry anchor is provided with a reaming portion which includes recessed portions for defining reservoir regions for accumulating debris generated by the reaming operation when the anchor is installed within a masonry structure. The accumulation of the debris within the reservoir regions reduces torsional friction and installation torque characteristic of the anchor installation operation. Masonry anchors which are self-tapping or self-threading and which do not have reaming portions operatively associated therewith can also have such recessed reservoir structure defined thereon for such similar dust and debris accumulation and discharge purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David Forsell, Richard J. Ernst
  • Patent number: 6293743
    Abstract: An expansion anchor installable in a pre-drilled hole formed in a base material. The expansion anchor includes a bolt having a shaft with a head portion, an opposing end portion, and a threaded portion. A shoulder is disposed on the shaft intermediate the head portion and the end portion thereof, and an expandable sleeve is disposed about the shaft between the shoulder and the end portion of the shaft. The expandable sleeve has an expandable upper sleeve portion and an expandable lower sleeve portion wherein the expandable lower sleeve portion is expandable outwardly before the expandable upper sleeve portion is expandable outwardly. A nut having a substantially conical surface is fixed rotationally in the pre-drilled hole and is engagable with the threaded portion of the shaft. The substantially conical surface of the nut is engageable with the expandable lower sleeve portion so as to expand the lower sleeve portion until the nut is axially fixes in the pre-drilled hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, Sigismund G. Paul, Edward D. Yates
  • Patent number: 6291555
    Abstract: A chemical anchoring adhesive includes first and second parts each having a highly viscous, putty-like consistency. The first and second parts are joined directly to each other along an interface. The first part includes a resin, and the second part includes a curing agent. The anchoring adhesive does not require separate encapsulation of one or both parts, and can be formed and cut to desired sizes and quantities at any stage before insertion into a borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: James E. Surjan, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman, Cyndie S. Hackl, Jeffrey C. Warmolts, Eldridge Presnell
  • Patent number: 5931622
    Abstract: The present invention is a fastener assembly including a row of fasteners maintained in position by a carrier. The carrier includes a plurality of adjacent sleeves, each of which includes an upper breakable portion, a middle wall portion, and a lower breakable portion. When a fastener is driven into a work piece, the upper and middle portions of the fastener sleeve break away and the lower portion breaks into fragments, so that no residual sleeve parts remain with the fastener. This is accomplished by forming the carrier from a mixture of a stiff polyolefin material and a particulate filler to impart the necessary brittleness to the carrier sleeves. The plurality of carrier sleeves include two end sleeves. At least one end sleeve includes a lateral end extension in the lower breakable portion which helps to balance and stabilize the fastener assembly in the shear block and magazine holder of a fastener driving tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Harish C. Gupta, Richard J. Ernst
  • Patent number: 5836732
    Abstract: The present invention is a fastener assembly including a row of fasteners maintained in position by a carrier. The carrier includes a plurality of adjacent sleeves, each of which includes an upper breakable portion, a middle wall portion, and a lower breakable portion. When a fastener is driven into a work piece, the upper and middle portions of the fastener sleeve break away and the lower portion breaks into fragments, so that no residual sleeve parts remain with the fastener. This is accomplished by forming the carrier from a mixture of a stiff polyolefin material and a particulate filler to impart the necessary brittleness to the carrier sleeves. Also, the lower portion of the sleeve includes fragmentable tabs joined at wall junctions which are structurally weaker than the tabs, to facilitate fragmentation between the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Harish C. Gupta, Richard J. Ernst
  • Patent number: 5816759
    Abstract: An expansion anchor installable in a pre-drilled hole formed in a base material. The expansion anchor includes a bolt having a shaft with a head portion, an opposing end portion, and a threaded portion. A shoulder is disposed on the shaft intermediate the head portion and the end portion thereof, and an expandable sleeve is disposed about the shaft between the shoulder and the end portion of the shaft. The expandable sleeve has an expandable upper sleeve portion and an expandable lower sleeve portion wherein the expandable lower sleeve portion is expandable outwardly before the expandable upper sleeve portion is expandable outwardly. A nut having a substantially conical surface is fixed rotationally in the pre-drilled hole and is engagable with the threaded portion of the shaft. The substantially conical surface of the nut is engageable with the expandable lower sleeve portion so as to expand the lower sleeve portion until the nut is axially fixed in the pre-drilled hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, Sigismund G. Paul, Edward D. Yates
  • Patent number: 5720418
    Abstract: An adjustable tool is disclosed for dispensing a two-part adhesive from a two-chamber cartridge having a mixing nozzle with each chamber having a plunger. Pistons are insertable into the respective chambers. Piston rods and a drive rod move conjointly with the pistons. A lever is pivotable on the frame. A feed nut is mounted loosely on the drive rod so as to be capable of gripping the drive rod when canted for moving the feed nut, the drive rod, the piston rods, and the pistons conjointly to a forward limiting position of the feed nut when the lever is actuated. A spring biases the feed nut backwardly and permits the feed nut to be canted, to grip the drive rod, and to be moved forwardly and conjointly with the drive rod, the piston rods, and the pistons when the lever is pivoted into an actuated position. A set screw threaded adjustably into a threaded hole in the frame defines a backward limiting position of the feed nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Timmerman, Terry R. Walker, Richard J. Ernst, Daniel L. Downey
  • Patent number: 5711132
    Abstract: A screen for anchoring a fastener to a hollow block or brick wall which includes an elongate tubular plastic screen member having first and second opposite ends and a uniform diameter along its length. The first end is formed substantially into a frusto-conical shape that includes at least a portion thereof where the mesh of the screen is closed off. At least one reinforcement member is formed along the length of the elongate screen member that enables the elongate screen member to be inserted within a first aperture formed in a first wall of a hollow block and maintain the desired stiffness of the tubular screen member so that it can extend across the interior of the hollow block for blind insertion into a second aperture formed in a second opposite wall of the hollow block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Kish, Michael A. Rancich, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 5653563
    Abstract: A construction anchor for mounting an object on a structure of masonry, concrete, wood, metal or the like includes an anchoring portion and a cap. The anchor is adapted to be inserted, anchoring portion first into a pre-drilled adhesive-filled hole. The anchoring portion has a threaded bore, which includes an unthreaded close-fit-counterbore portion outward of a threaded portion. The cap prevents dust, dirt and adhesive from entering the threaded bore, and has an upper surface with a removable central area. When the adhesive has set, holding the construction anchor within the hole, the central area is removed, and a screw or bolt is inserted through the hole left by the removal and engaged with the threaded portion of the threaded bore. The unthreaded close-fit-counterbore portion of the threaded bore provides a stretch zone for the screw or bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 5632839
    Abstract: A screen for anchoring a fastener to a hollow block or brick wall which includes an elongate tubular plastic screen member having first and second opposite ends and a uniform diameter along its length. The first end is formed substantially into a frusto-conical shape that includes at least a portion thereof where the mesh of the screen is closed off. At least one reinforcement member is formed along the length of the elongate screen member that enables the elongate screen member to be inserted within a first aperture formed in a first wall of a hollow block and maintain the desired stiffness of the tubular screen member so that it can extend across an interior of the hollow block for blind insertion into a second aperture formed in a second opposite wall of the hollow block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Kish, Michael A. Rancich, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 5553436
    Abstract: A screen for anchoring a fastener to a hollow block or brick wall which includes an elongate tubular plastic screen member having first and second opposite ends and a uniform diameter along its length. The first end is formed substantially into a frusto-conical shape that includes at least a portion thereof where the mesh of the screen is closed off. At least one reinforcement member is formed along the length of the elongate screen member that enables the elongate screen member to be inserted within a first aperture formed in a first wall of a hollow block and maintain the desired stiffness of the tubular screen member so that it can extend across the interior of the hollow block for blind insertion into a second aperture formed in a second opposite wall of the hollow block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Kish, Michael A. Rancich, Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 5483781
    Abstract: A construction fastener assembly to be secured with an adhesive within an aperture of a structure such as masonry, concrete, metal or the like where the fastener assembly includes an elongate fastener member having a first end for insertion within the aperture and a second opposite end accessible from the exterior of the aperture. An adhesive retaining member is secured to the first end of the fastener member for accepting adhesive therein, for flexibly collapsing upon insertion of the retaining member and the fastener member within the aperture and for ejecting the adhesive from the retaining member into the aperture to secure the fastener member therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman
  • Patent number: RE35659
    Abstract: A construction anchor for mounting an object on a structure of masonry, concrete, metal or the like includes a metal anchoring portion and a plastic cap. The anchor is adapted to be inserted, metal end first, into a pre-drilled adhesive-filled hole. The cap has a flange that is larger than the hole diameter, so that the anchor may be inserted and seated in the hole at a consistent depth. When the adhesive has set, a screw or bolt is inserted through the plastic cap to engage the threads in an internal bore in the anchoring portion. The plastic cap serves not only to determine the depth of the anchor in the hole, but also to prevent adhesive and other material from entering the threaded interior of the anchor prior to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, Mark S. Timmerman, Peter G. Ham