Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Luebke
Thomas M. Luebke 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).
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Publication number: 20100039279Abstract: A hand tool (10) that provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool (10) comprises a tool head coupled to a handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit including an antenna is provided in the handle of the tool (10). As the tool (10) approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage, triggering an alarm circuit that provides a visual or audio signal to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2005Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, Patrick John Radle, Daryl Charles Brockman, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
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Publication number: 20090013938Abstract: A pet repellent plastic cover is placed over cords to prevent pets from chewing the cords. This cover prevents injury to the pet and damage to the cord.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Matthew D. Miller, Thomas M. Luebke
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Patent number: 7468674Abstract: A hand tool and an accessory which provide an alarm signal to a user as the tool or accessory approaches a live electrical wire are disclosed. The hand tool or accessory include a non-contact voltage sensing circuit. As the tool or accessory approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user. The hand tool can be selectively coupled to the tool head.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventors: Michael D. Onachilla, Patrick J. Radle, Daryl C. Brockman, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Thomas M. Luebke
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Publication number: 20080196910Abstract: A power hand drill or other power tool includes at least one of a detachable non-contact voltage sensing device and a detachable subsurface object locator for detecting the presence of an object beneath a surface being probed with the locator. The drill has a housing with a flat accessory mounting surface including coupling elements for coupling the sensing module to the drill. The accessory device includes a mating coupling element to engage with the coupling element in the drill housing. The non-contact voltage sensing circuitry includes sensing circuitry contained within a housing with an antenna that is positioned opposite a tool head of the power tool, and an indicator mounted to the module for indicating the presence of a voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Patrick J. Radle, Daryl C. Brockman, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Thomas M. Luebke
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Patent number: 7295130Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a tool head and coupled to a handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Actuant corporationInventors: Thomas M. Luebke, Patrick John Radle, Daryl Charles Brockman, David Wiesemann, George R. Steber
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Patent number: 6926473Abstract: A power hand drill has a subsurface object locator for detecting the presence of an object beneath a surface being probed with the locator. The drill has a housing with a flat accessory mounting surface having a pair of attachment tabs. The locator has a locator housing with a flat base and a pair of key hole slots engaged with the tabs for detachably mounting the locator housing to the accessory mounting surface of the drill housing. The locator includes sensing circuitry contained within the locator housing for detecting subsurface objects and has an object indicator mounted to the locator housing and connected to the sensing circuitry for indicating the presence of a subsurface object. A contoured surface on the locator housing provides a handrest for gripping when operating the drill.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventor: Thomas M. Luebke
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Patent number: 6844819Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
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Patent number: 6844713Abstract: A pocket-sized object finder has a compact housing containing a battery, circuitry and a capacitor plate for detecting an object hidden behind a wall. The battery powered circuitry includes multiple signal indicators that illuminate in a serial manner when the object is being detected. The signal indicators are successively tapered and are mounted at a front side of a tapered end of the housing. The capacitor plate is disposed in the housing along its rear wall and is responsive to variations in capacitance that occur as the object finder is brought near and over the object. The compact housing defines a cavity with a width that is no more than two inches and one third its length. A removable access door, with a pocket clip, at an end opposite the signal indicators allows access to the battery within the housing cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventors: George R. Steber, Thomas M. Luebke, Stephen J. Skeels, David L. Wiesemann
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Patent number: 6820457Abstract: A plastic conduit bender comprises an integrally molded handle and head portion. A steel hook reinforcement is molded directly into the head portion to provide sufficient force for bending the conduit. Steel reinforcements can also be provided in a grip region of the handle. A plurality of vertical sight lines, indicating bend angles, are provided from an apex molded into the handle and extending to an arcuate shoe portion, allowing the user to gauge the approximate bend angle. A flat surface including rounded saddle portions for receiving the conduit is positioned on the handle to allow the conduit to be bent back or straightened, the rounded saddle contact surfaces preventing damage to the conduit as it is bent back.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David A. Huebschen, Gary Janquart, Bernard J. Ziebart, David Weismann, Thomas Strunsee
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Patent number: 6812685Abstract: An electrical testing device has non-contact AC voltage sensing, single probe contact AC voltage testing and voltage metering functions. Non-contact voltage sensing is used to detect the vicinity of a live AC conductor and single probe contact sensing is used to determine which conductor of a number of conductors in the vicinity is live. More specific information about the magnitude of the voltage can then be determined using both contact probes. The electrical testing device automatically determines the type (AC or DC) and polarity (if DC) of a voltage applied to test terminals, and provides an indication of the voltage range (AC or DC), without the need to operate any switches or other electrical actuators.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventors: George R. Steber, David L. Wiesemann, Thomas M. Luebke
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Publication number: 20040183689Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
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Publication number: 20040118251Abstract: A hand held wire stripper has ergonomic handles and special cutting blades on two pivotally connected lever members defining the handles and offset jaws having working edges adjacent each other when the wire stripper is in a closed position. The jaws have aligned cutting blade sections at the working edges that taper from the edges in at least two oblique angles with respect to the edges. In addition or alternatively, the cutting blade section defines a plurality of serrations aligned with the serrations of the other lever member. The elongated handles each have a rear grip and a forward grip separated by an outward extension. The forward grips extend forward from the outward extensions toward the hinge point so as to receive a thumb and forefinger of a user and allow gripping of the handles adjacent the hinge point.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Craig Wilson, Thomas M. Luebke
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Patent number: 6731218Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
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Patent number: 6674276Abstract: A housing for a subsurface object locator has a bubble level vial for leveling surfaces using the housing and a scribe tip for marking a surface being probed with the locator.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventors: Wayne D. Morgan, Chris W. Martin, Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann
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Publication number: 20030233859Abstract: A plastic conduit bender comprises an integrally molded handle and head portion. A steel hook reinforcement is molded directly into the head portion to provide sufficient force for bending the conduit. Steel reinforcements can also be provided in a grip region of the handle. A plurality of vertical sight lines, indicating bend angles, are provided from an apex molded into the handle and extending to an arcuate shoe portion, allowing the user to gauge the approximate bend angle. A flat surface including rounded saddle portions for receiving the conduit is positioned on the handle to allow the conduit to be bent back or straightened, the rounded saddle contact surfaces preventing damage to the conduit as it is bent back.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David A. Huebschen, Gary Janquart, Bernard J. Ziebart, David Weismann, Thomas Strunsee
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Publication number: 20030201783Abstract: A pocket-sized object finder has a compact housing containing a battery, circuitry and a capacitor plate for detecting an object hidden behind a wall. The battery powered circuitry includes multiple signal indicators that illuminate in a serial manner when the object is being detected. The signal indicators are successively tapered and are mounted at a front side of a tapered end of the housing. The capacitor plate is disposed in the housing along its rear wall and is responsive to variations in capacitance that occur as the object finder is brought near and over the object. The compact housing defines a cavity with a width that is no more than two inches and one third its length. A removable access door, with a pocket clip, at an end opposite the signal indicators allows access to the battery within the housing cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: George R. Steber, Thoma M. Luebke, Stephen J. Skeels, David L. Wiesemann
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Publication number: 20030182806Abstract: A hand tool which provides an alarm signal to a user as the tool approaches a live electrical wire is disclosed. The hand tool comprises a conductive tool head and a non-conductive handle. A non-contact voltage sensing circuit is provided in the handle of the tool. As the tool head approaches a live electrical wire, the non-contact voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage across the air gap between the tool head and the electrical wire, triggering an alarm circuit. The alarm circuit provides a visual or audio signal to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber
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Patent number: 6593754Abstract: A hand held subsurface object locator has a pocket sized housing that contains circuitry and a power source for electrically detecting substratum objects hidden behind a surface. The housing is preferably less than two inches wide and at least three times as long as it is wide. The housing has a pocket clip preferably affixed to a battery compartment door at one end of the housing and the other end of the housing is tapered and includes a plurality of tapered indicators.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventors: George R. Steber, Thomas M. Luebke, Stephen J. Skeels, David L. Wiesemann
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Publication number: 20030038723Abstract: An electrical circuit tracing device comprising a transmitter that includes a pocket for storing the receiver is disclosed. The transmitter further comprises a storage compartment for maintaining a plurality of pre-wired connectors, and a clip which can be used to attach the transmitter to a pocket, a belt, or another carrying device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2001Publication date: February 27, 2003Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Raymond H. Klein
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Patent number: 6525665Abstract: An electrical circuit tracing device comprising a transmitter that includes a pocket for storing the receiver is disclosed. The transmitter further comprises a storage compartment for maintaining a plurality of pre-wired connectors, and a clip which can be used to attach the transmitter to a pocket, a belt, or another carrying device.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: GB Tools and Supplies, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Luebke, David L. Wiesemann, George R. Steber, Raymond H. Klein