Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Gaffney

Thomas M. Gaffney 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).

  • Canted saw blade
    Patent number: 7257900
    Abstract: A saw blade incorporates an integrated cant angle. The saw blade includes a cutting portion having a toothed edge and opposite edge. The toothed edge defines a cutting plane. A shank portion extends from the cutting portion and is laterally offset from the opposite edge of the cutting portion defining a step thereat. The shank includes an end portion including a mounting edge, the mounting edge and step define a mounting plane which is angularly offset from the cutting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wheeler, Nicholas E. Achterberg, Thomas M. Gaffney
  • Saw blade clamp system
    Patent number: 6662698
    Abstract: A saw blade retaining apparatus is provided for selectively retaining one in a series of saw blades having unique thicknesses. The retaining apparatus includes a rocker arm supported by a pair of lateral walls. The rocker arm includes a contoured contact surface which cooperates with a contoured stop segment extending between the lateral walls to securely retain one of a series of saw blades having unique thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wheeler, Nicholas E. Achterberg, Thomas M. Gaffney
  • Saw blade clamp system
    Publication number: 20030121387
    Abstract: A saw blade retaining apparatus is provided for selectively retaining one in a series of saw blades having unique thicknesses. The retaining apparatus includes a rocker arm supported by a pair of lateral walls. The rocker arm includes a contoured contact surface which cooperates with a contoured stop segment extending between the lateral walls to securely retain one of a series of saw blades having unique thicknesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wheeler, Nicholas E. Achterberg, Thomas M. Gaffney
  • Reversible canted saw blade
    Publication number: 20030121388
    Abstract: A saw blade incorporates an integrated cant angle. The saw blade includes a cutting portion having a toothed edge and opposite edge. The toothed edge defines a cutting plane. A shank portion extends from the cutting portion and is laterally offset from the opposite edge of the cutting portion defining a step thereat. The shank includes an end portion including a mounting edge, the mounting edge and step define a mounting plane which is angularly offset from the cutting plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wheeler, Nicholas E. Achterberg, Thomas M. Gaffney
  • Higher order construction algorithm method for rapid prototyping
    Patent number: 5818718
    Abstract: A rapid prototype modeling system operates to first electronically decompose a discrete part represented by an STL file into electronic layers, using a paradigm characterized by a higher than zero order of fit with respect to the surface of the part. Physical layers are generated from the electronic layers by mechanical devices constructed and arranged to operate in accordance with the paradigm. The physical layers are then stacked appropriately to create a physical model of the discrete part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Charles L. Thomas, Cheol H. Lee, Srinivas Kaza, Thomas M. Gaffney