Patents by Inventor Roger D. Neitzell

Roger D. Neitzell 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: 20200318961
    Abstract: A level includes a frame supporting a plurality of vials and having an aperture disposed on an end of the level. The level also includes an end cap assembly detachably coupled to the end of the frame. The end cap assembly includes an end cap and a retainer. A portion of the end cap is received in the aperture and is maintained in engagement with the frame by the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, John Christianson, Fraizier Reiland, Christopher F. Boehme
  • Patent number: 10767970
    Abstract: A tape measure including a housing defining an interior and an exterior, where the housing has an opening. A spool is rotatable within the interior of the housing. A tape is at least partially coiled around the spool and extends through the opening of the housing. The tape is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A biasing member is disposed within the interior of the housing, and the biasing member biases the tape towards the retracted position. The tape measure further includes a bumper disposed at least partially within the housing and having a channel that receives the tape such that the tape extends through the channel. The bumper is movable relative to the housing and is configured to move in response to movement of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Feuerstein, Roger D. Neitzell, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10697770
    Abstract: A level includes a frame supporting a plurality of vials and having an aperture disposed on an end of the level. The level also includes an end cap assembly detachably coupled to the end of the frame. The end cap assembly includes an end cap and a retainer. A portion of the end cap is received in the aperture and is maintained in engagement with the frame by the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, John Christianson, Fraizier Reiland, Christopher F. Boehme
  • Patent number: 10591298
    Abstract: A level including a first plate defining a top surface of the tool, and a second plate defining a bottom surface of the tool. The bottom plate extends generally parallel to the first plate. The level also includes a center plate having two opposing side surfaces extending generally perpendicular to the first plate and the second plate. The center plate connects the first plate and the second plate. The level further includes a plurality of apertures extending through the center plate, and a plurality of tubular vials disposed within the plurality of apertures. Each tubular vial contains fluid and air. The level also includes a slot extending along the first plate from a first end of the tool to a second end of the tool. The slot is configured to receive a straight edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan D. Schwoegler, Roger D. Neitzell
  • Publication number: 20200030897
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a hub coupled to the gear, a spindle, and a connecting rod. A clutch assembly is coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively transmit drive force form the gear to the hub. The clutch assembly includes a first disk coupled to the gear, a second disk coupled to the hub, a biasing member, and a threaded fastener. The biasing member is positioned between the hub and the gear to bias the first and second disks into frictional engagement. The threaded fastener extends through the gear and threadably engages the hub to couple the hub to the gear. Tightening the threaded fastener pulls the hub toward the gear to preload the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Patent number: 10464148
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly, a motor, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a gear coupled to and driven by a pinion of the motor for rotation about a first axis. The gear is vertically-oriented within the housing assembly and has an outer periphery. The drive mechanism also includes a spindle reciprocatable relative to the housing assembly, a connecting rod having a first end coupled to the gear and a second end coupled to the spindle to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle, and a counterweight rotatably coupled to the housing assembly for rotation about the first axis within the outer periphery of the gear. The counterweight is also coupled to the first end of the connecting rod such that the counterweight is moved in a substantially opposite direction than the spindle to counterbalance reciprocation of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKWEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20190168322
    Abstract: A saw blade for use with a power tool includes a body with a first planar surface and a second planar surface opposite the first planar surface. The saw blade also includes an attachment portion that is configured to couple to the power tool. The attachment portion includes a tang and an aperture. The saw blade further includes a cutting edge with a plurality of cutting teeth and a plurality of hexagons formed on the first planar surface. The plurality of hexagons are arranged in a honeycomb pattern in which at least one side of each hexagon is substantially parallel to a corresponding side of an adjacent hexagon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Robert W. Butzen, Erich Herman, Austin J. Kazda, Ryan J. Malloy, Roger D. Neitzell, Andrew J. Schulz, James M. Schreiber, Courtney D. McCool
  • Patent number: 10293422
    Abstract: A blade is usable with a reciprocating saw. The blade includes an attachment portion configured to couple to the reciprocating saw and a body extending from the attachment portion. The body includes a first profile portion and a second profile portion extending from the first profile portion. The second profile portion has a height less than a height of the first profile portion. The blade also includes a plurality of teeth formed on the body and defining a toothed cutting edge. The blade also includes a tip portion formed at a distal end of the second profile portion and terminating in a pointed tip. The pointed tip is configured to punch a hole through the workpiece and includes a toothless cutting edge extending substantially parallel to the toothed cutting edge. The toothless cutting edge extends from the toothed cutting edge to the pointed tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Austin J. Kazda, Ryan J. Malloy, Robert W. Butzen, Andrew J. Schulz, Roger D. Neitzell, Courtney D. McCool
  • Patent number: 10247552
    Abstract: A level is selectively coupled to a work piece and includes a housing, an adjustable clamping mechanism configured to selectively couple the housing to the work piece, a first bubble vial coupled to the housing and operable to indicate a first levelness of the work piece, and a second bubble vial rotatably coupled to the housing about a first axis. The second bubble vial is operable to indicate a second levelness of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Grant T. Squires, Roger D. Neitzell, Ryan D. Schwoegler
  • Patent number: 10245881
    Abstract: A chalk line device includes a housing, a spool, a chalk line, a hook, and a cap. The housing defines an outer surface and an internal chamber, and the housing includes an opening. The spool is supported in the internal chamber for rotation relative to the housing. The chalk line extends through the opening of the housing and the chalk line includes a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the chalk line is wrapped around the spool. The hook is secured to the first end of the chalk line and includes a tip adapted to engage a work piece. The cap is removably coupled to the housing to cover the opening. The cap includes a nozzle through which the chalk line extends and a projection for engaging and releasably securing the hook against the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Abhijeet A. Khangar, Andrew G. Gongola, Christopher S. Hoppe, Michael S. Steele, Collin J. Nelson, Daniel H. Schneider, Roger D. Neitzell, Steven W. Hyma
  • Patent number: 10226829
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw, the saw blade including a body including a first substantially planar surface and a second substantially planar surface opposite the first surface, an attachment portion for coupling the saw blade to the reciprocating saw, a cutting edge including a plurality of cutting teeth, and a rib element including a pair of outermost rib members. One of the outermost rib members is proximate the cutting edge and the other of the outermost rib members is proximate a back edge of the blade opposite the cutting edge. Each outermost rib member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portions of each of the ribs are substantially parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. Butzen, Erich Herman, Austin J. Kazda, Ryan J. Malloy, Roger D. Neitzell, Andrew J. Schulz, James M. Schreiber, Courtney D. McCool
  • Publication number: 20180356197
    Abstract: A tape measure including a housing defining an interior and an exterior, where the housing has an opening. A spool is rotatable within the interior of the housing. A tape is at least partially coiled around the spool and extends through the opening of the housing. The tape is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A biasing member is disposed within the interior of the housing, and the biasing member biases the tape towards the retracted position. The tape measure further includes a bumper disposed at least partially within the housing and having a channel that receives the tape such that the tape extends through the channel. The bumper is movable relative to the housing and is configured to move in response to movement of the tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jacob Feuerstein, Roger D. Neitzell, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10118238
    Abstract: A blade for use with a reciprocating saw includes an attachment portion configured to couple to the reciprocating saw and a body extending from the attachment portion. The body includes a first portion, a tip portion, and a second portion extending from the first portion to the tip portion. The first portion has a height between about 0.625 inches and about 1.0 inches and the second portion has a height between about 0.18 inches and about 0.25 inches. The blade also includes a blunt tip formed at a distal end of the tip portion. An overall length of the blade is between about 2.4 inches and about 3.25 inches, measured from a proximal edge of the attachment portion to the blunt tip. The blade also includes a plurality of teeth arranged along the second portion and defining a cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Austin J. Kazda, Ryan J. Malloy, Robert W. Butzen, Andrew J. Schulz, Roger D. Neitzell, Courtney D. McCool
  • Publication number: 20180311798
    Abstract: A tool bit includes a hexagonal drive portion and a working end having a core material and a cladding layer surrounding the core material. The cladding layer has a first hardness. The tool bit includes a shank interconnecting the drive portion and the working end. The shank has a second hardness. The first hardness is higher than the second hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Roger D. Neitzell
  • Publication number: 20180266819
    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: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
  • Patent number: 10054415
    Abstract: A tape measure including a housing defining an interior and an exterior, where the housing has an opening. A spool is rotatable within the interior of the housing. A tape is at least partially coiled around the spool and extends through the opening of the housing. The tape is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A biasing member is disposed within the interior of the housing, and the biasing member biases the tape towards the retracted position. The tape measure further includes a bumper disposed at least partially within the housing and having a channel that receives the tape such that the tape extends through the channel. The bumper is movable relative to the housing and is configured to move in response to movement of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Feuerstein, Roger D. Neitzell, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 10022845
    Abstract: A tool bit includes a hexagonal drive portion, a working end made of a first material having a first hardness, and a shank interconnecting the drive portion and the working end. The shank is made of a second material having a second hardness, and the first hardness is higher than the second hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Roger D. Neitzell
  • Patent number: 10001371
    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: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel