Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Beckmann

Thomas P. Beckmann 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: 20010006014
    Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a driving tool for use in driving at least two drivable objects, including a first drivable object and a second drivable object. The tool includes: a tubular body having an inner surface defining a longitudinal bore which includes a front socket portion adapted to drive the first drivable object; a retractable bit disposed within the longitudinal bore, the bit being axially, non-rotatably movable within the longitudinal bore, and the bit having a tip portion adapted to drive the second drivable object; a spring disposed in the longitudinal bore behind the retractable bit for forwardly biasing the bit; and a cap removably disposed on the rear of the tubular body, the cap closing the rear of the longitudinal bore and supporting the rear of the spring. Thus, the retractable bit is removably disposed in the longitudinal bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: G. STEPHEN COWART, THOMAS P. BECKMANN
  • Patent number: 5226277
    Abstract: A fastener joins a pair of ends of a weather-strip, where the weather-strip has a channel shaped weather-strip carrier of elastomeric material with an encapsulated U-shaped reinforcement. The spaced apart walls of the carrier are connected by a base and one of the walls of the carrier carries a bulbous weather-strip portion of the weather-strip. The fastener has a base for engaging the base of the carrier. A first wall of the fastener is formed integrally with the base and projects normally from the base for engaging one of the walls of the carrier. A second wall of the fastener is formed integrally with the base and projects normally from the base for engaging the other wall of the carrier. A pair of prongs is formed integrally with the base and projects normally from the base with each prong piercing the base of the carrier near one of the ends and each prong being bent after piercing the base for mechanically retaining the base of the carrier near the end of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Beckmann, Ronald E. Vezza