Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Foran
Thomas P. Foran 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: 20240426608Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2024Publication date: December 26, 2024Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Patent number: 12055415Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Publication number: 20220316875Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher Frederick Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Patent number: 11391568Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Publication number: 20200363201Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Patent number: 10731982Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Publication number: 20180266819Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Patent number: 10001371Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Publication number: 20160138916Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Richard J. LaSota, Thomas P. Foran, Matthew Doyle, Christopher F. Boehme, Matthew Leidel
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Patent number: 7086167Abstract: A vial for use in a level and a method of forming such a vial are disclosed. The vial includes a cylinder having an inner surface defining a cavity, and a material molded around the cylinder. The vial preferably includes at least one marker ring positioned between the cylinder and the material. The method comprises providing the cylinder; molding a material around the cylinder; machining the inner surface to a desired shape; and positioning a bubble in the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Empire Level Mfg. Corp.Inventor: Thomas P. Foran
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Patent number: 6957494Abstract: A vial, level including such vial, and method of using such level are disclosed. The vial comprises a body having first and second ends, a midpoint, and interior and exterior surfaces, at least one marker ring connected with respect to the body, a bubble positioned in the cavity and defined by an interface, and first and second dark-colored bands circumscribing the cavity. The vial enhances the visibility of the bubble through the reflection of the first and second bands on the interface such that the interface along the perimeter of the bubble appears dark-colored.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Empire Level Mfg. Corp.Inventor: Thomas P. Foran