Patents by Inventor Richard J. LaSota

Richard J. LaSota 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: 20230280157
    Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Richard J. LaSota, Timothy Allen Schultz, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Adam Christopher Resnick
  • Patent number: 11725936
    Abstract: An automatic process and structural features for accurately producing levels is provided. The process enables more rapid production of levels, less operator work or error, and the ability to quantify errors and tolerances in the manufacture of the level. Coupling a level datum plane formed on the endcaps of a vial with a level datum plane of a frame ensures accurate construction of a level that can be automated and toleranced. Ensuring that the level datum plane created at the endcaps remains parallel (or at some other predesigned angle) to the measuring surfaces of the level reduces labor to manufacture the level and ensures measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Millane, Jacob D. Hadfield, Richard J. LaSota
  • Patent number: 11686579
    Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. LaSota, Timothy Allen Schultz, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Adam Christopher Resnick
  • Publication number: 20230083569
    Abstract: A level including level vial(s) having enhanced visibility are provided. The level may include a level vial including a material that is attracted to the interface or border of a globule within the level vial which improves visibility of the interface. The level may include a solid level indicator having easy to see end surfaces that are generally vertically oriented when in the level position. The end surfaces of the solid level indicator may allow the user to more easily compare the position of the solid level indicator to indicating lines formed on the level vial. The level may include a level vial including a first liquid and an immiscible second liquid forming a globule with the first material. The globule formed from the second material may improve visibility compared to a typical air bubble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Daniel L. Block, John Christianson, Richard J. LaSota
  • Patent number: 11506491
    Abstract: A level including level vial(s) having enhanced visibility are provided. The level may include a level vial including a material that is attracted to the interface or border of a globule within the level vial which improves visibility of the interface. The level may include a solid level indicator having easy to see end surfaces that are generally vertically oriented when in the level position. The end surfaces of the solid level indicator may allow the user to more easily compare the position of the solid level indicator to indicating lines formed on the level vial. The level may include a level vial including a first liquid and an immiscible second liquid forming a globule with the first material. The globule formed from the second material may improve visibility compared to a typical air bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Daniel L. Block, John Christianson, Richard J. LaSota
  • Publication number: 20220316875
    Abstract: A level includes a frame having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, and a web coupling the top planar surface to the bottom planar surface. The top planar surface and the bottom planar surface are parallel. The level further includes a vial supported by the frame. The vial has a longitudinal axis passing through a center of the vial and a body defining an interior containing a liquid and an indicator bubble. The level further includes a plurality of LEDs. Each of the LEDs has a light emitting point, and each of the plurality of LEDs is positioned adjacent an end of the vial and is oriented such that the light emitting point is positioned within the interior of the body of the vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Matthew Leidel
  • Patent number: 11391568
    Abstract: A level includes a frame having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, and a web coupling the top planar surface to the bottom planar surface. The top planar surface and the bottom planar surface are parallel. The level further includes a vial supported by the frame. The vial has a longitudinal axis passing through a center of the vial and a body defining an interior containing a liquid and an indicator bubble. The level further includes a plurality of LEDs. Each of the LEDs has a light emitting point, and each of the plurality of LEDs is positioned adjacent an end of the vial and is oriented such that the light emitting point is positioned within the interior of the body of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
  • Publication number: 20220074741
    Abstract: An automatic process and structural features for accurately producing levels is provided. The process enables more rapid production of levels, less operator work or error, and the ability to quantify errors and tolerances in the manufacture of the level. Coupling a level datum plane formed on the endcaps of a vial with a level datum plane of a frame ensures accurate construction of a level that can be automated and toleranced. Ensuring that the level datum plane created at the endcaps remains parallel (or at some other predesigned angle) to the measuring surfaces of the level reduces labor to manufacture the level and ensures measurement accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher R. Millane, Jacob D. Hadfield, Richard J. LaSota
  • Patent number: 11193764
    Abstract: An automatic process and structural features for accurately producing levels is provided. The process enables more rapid production of levels, less operator work or error, and the ability to quantify errors and tolerances in the manufacture of the level. Coupling a level datum plane formed on the endcaps of a vial with a level datum plane of a frame ensures accurate construction of a level that can be automated and toleranced. Ensuring that the level datum plane created at the endcaps remains parallel (or at some other predesigned angle) to the measuring surfaces of the level reduces labor to manufacture the level and ensures measurement accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Millane, Jacob D. Hadfield, Richard J. LaSota
  • Publication number: 20210293539
    Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Richard J. LaSota, Timothy Allen Schultz, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Adam Christopher Resnick
  • Patent number: 11054257
    Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. LaSota, Timothy Allen Schultz, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Adam Christopher Resnick
  • Publication number: 20210025704
    Abstract: A level including level vial(s) having enhanced visibility are provided. The level may include a level vial including a material that is attracted to the interface or border of a globule within the level vial which improves visibility of the interface. The level may include a solid level indicator having easy to see end surfaces that are generally vertically oriented when in the level position. The end surfaces of the solid level indicator may allow the user to more easily compare the position of the solid level indicator to indicating lines formed on the level vial. The level may include a level vial including a first liquid and an immiscible second liquid forming a globule with the first material. The globule formed from the second material may improve visibility compared to a typical air bubble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Daniel L. Block, John Christianson, Richard J. LaSota
  • Publication number: 20200363201
    Abstract: A level includes a frame having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, and a web coupling the top planar surface to the bottom planar surface. The top planar surface and the bottom planar surface are parallel. The level further includes a vial supported by the frame. The vial has a longitudinal axis passing through a center of the vial and a body defining an interior containing a liquid and an indicator bubble. The level further includes a plurality of LEDs. Each of the LEDs has a light emitting point, and each of the plurality of LEDs is positioned adjacent an end of the vial and is oriented such that the light emitting point is positioned within the interior of the body of the vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
  • Patent number: 10823561
    Abstract: A level including level vial(s) having enhanced visibility are provided. The level may include a level vial including a material that is attracted to the interface or border of a globule within the level vial which improves visibility of the interface. The level may include a solid level indicator having easy to see end surfaces that are generally vertically oriented when in the level position. The end surfaces of the solid level indicator may allow the user to more easily compare the position of the solid level indicator to indicating lines formed on the level vial. The level may include a level vial including a first liquid and an immiscible second liquid forming a globule with the first material. The globule formed from the second material may improve visibility compared to a typical air bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Daniel L. Block, John Christianson, Richard J. LaSota
  • Patent number: 10731982
    Abstract: A level includes a frame having a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, and a web coupling the top planar surface to the bottom planar surface. The top planar surface and the bottom planar surface are parallel. The level further includes a vial supported by the frame. The vial has a longitudinal axis passing through a center of the vial and a body defining an interior containing a liquid and an indicator bubble. The level further includes a plurality of LEDs. Each of the LEDs has a light emitting point, and each of the plurality of LEDs is positioned adjacent an end of the vial and is oriented such that the light emitting point is positioned within the interior of the body of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
  • Publication number: 20200232793
    Abstract: An automatic process and structural features for accurately producing levels is provided. The process enables more rapid production of levels, less operator work or error, and the ability to quantify errors and tolerances in the manufacture of the level. Coupling a level datum plane formed on the endcaps of a vial with a level datum plane of a frame ensures accurate construction of a level that can be automated and toleranced. Ensuring that the level datum plane created at the endcaps remains parallel (or at some other predesigned angle) to the measuring surfaces of the level reduces labor to manufacture the level and ensures measurement accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher R. Millane, Jacob D. Hadfield, Richard J. LaSota
  • Patent number: 10661366
    Abstract: A hand-held band saw has a handle for grasping the band saw, a motor, a drive wheel driven by the motor, a driven wheel and a continuous blade disposed about the drive wheel and the driven wheel. A portion of the continuous blade is positioned in a cut zone to perform a cutting operation. A workpiece guard is spaced from the portion of the continuous blade and positioned between the portion of the continuous blade and the handle for limiting movement of the workpiece after the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Holly, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Scott D. Bublitz, Steven W. Hyma, Kurt Limberg, John G. Marx, Ryan J. Denissen, John S. Scott, Richard J. LaSota
  • Publication number: 20190257650
    Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Richard J. LaSota, Timothy Allen Schultz, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Adam Christopher Resnick
  • Patent number: 10317209
    Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. LaSota, Timothy Allen Schultz, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Adam Christopher Resnick
  • Publication number: 20180347977
    Abstract: A level including level vial(s) having enhanced visibility are provided. The level may include a level vial including a material that is attracted to the interface or border of a globule within the level vial which improves visibility of the interface. The level may include a solid level indicator having easy to see end surfaces that are generally vertically oriented when in the level position. The end surfaces of the solid level indicator may allow the user to more easily compare the position of the solid level indicator to indicating lines formed on the level vial. The level may include a level vial including a first liquid and an immiscible second liquid forming a globule with the first material. The globule formed from the second material may improve visibility compared to a typical air bubble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Daniel L. Block, John Christianson, Richard J. LaSota