Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Zikowski

Thomas J. Zikowski 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).

  • Power tool with detachable drive end
    Patent number: 7083003
    Abstract: A rotary tool includes a housing structure with a plurality of apertures therein, drive mechanism disposed within the housing structure, a detachable drive end mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism, and a retaining structure received by the apertures. The drive mechanism is coupled to the detachable drive end mechanism by a splined sleeve. The detachable drive end mechanism includes a detachable drive end and a collar which engages the retaining structure. Several embodiments of collars and retaining structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, the retaining structure includes a generally U-shaped flexible and resilient spring clip which is flexed when installed to frictionally hold itself and the drive end and collar in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel S. Pusateri, Thomas J. Zikowski
  • Power tool with detachable drive end
    Patent number: 7025149
    Abstract: A rotary tool includes a housing structure with a plurality of apertures therein, drive mechanism disposed within the housing structure, a detachable drive end mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism, and a retaining structure received by the apertures. The drive mechanism is coupled to the detachable drive end mechanism by a splined sleeve. The detachable drive end mechanism includes a detachable drive end and a collar which engages the retaining structure. Several embodiments of collars and retaining structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, the retaining structure includes a generally U-shaped flexible and resilient spring clip which is flexed when installed to frictionally hold itself and the drive end and collar in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel S. Pusateri, Thomas J. Zikowski