Patents by Inventor Thomas P. James
Thomas P. James 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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Patent number: 9579105Abstract: A sagittal saw includes a blade and an actuator configured to drive the blade. The blade includes a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and second end. The blade first end extends transverse to the longitudinal axis, and its movement defines a blade path. The blade path comprises a closed plane curve consisting of two loops meeting at a node ie, a figure-eight, whereby the blade path crosses over itself. The actuator includes a gear assembly configured to cyclically drive the blade so that the blade path includes multiple impulsive thrusts along the longitudinal axis in each blade path cycle. In addition, the blade cuts the work piece in both a first direction and a second direction in each blade cycle, the second direction opposed to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: TUFTS UNIVERSITYInventors: Matthew P. Kelly, Timothy B. Lannin, Thomas P. James
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Publication number: 20160193824Abstract: The present disclosure relates to micro-forming (e.g., micro-punches) devices and uses thereof. In particular, the present invention relates micro-forming devices and systems made using lithographic techniques, the use of such devices in fabricating a variety of materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2014Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Thomas P JAMES, Robert D. WHITE, Eric C. SCHMITT
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Publication number: 20140243832Abstract: A sagittal saw includes a blade and an actuator configured to drive the blade. The blade includes a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and second end. The blade first end extends transverse to the longitudinal axis, and its movement defines a blade path. The blade path comprises a closed plane curve consisting of two loops meeting at a node ie, a figure-eight, whereby the blade path crosses over itself. The actuator includes a gear assembly configured to cyclically drive the blade so that the blade path includes multiple impulsive thrusts along the longitudinal axis in each blade path cycle. In addition, the blade cuts the work piece in both a first direction and a second direction in each blade cycle, the second direction opposed to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Tufts UniversityInventors: Matthew P. Kelly, Timothy B. Lannin, Thomas P. James
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Patent number: 7793420Abstract: A drive mechanism for a power tool. The power tool includes a motor having a drive shaft and an output member adapted to support a tool element. The drive mechanism includes a drive assembly engaged with and driven by the drive shaft and a drive arm drivingly connected between the drive assembly and the output member to transmit driving force from the drive assembly to the output member. The drive arm is configured to absorb an impact.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: David B. Griep, Richard H. Jungmann, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas P. James, Thomas R. Bednar, Troy Charles Thorson, David Paul Serdynski
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Patent number: 7740425Abstract: Accessories for power tools and combinations are provided. An accessory for a power tool may include a body including a connecting portion for connecting the accessory to the power tool and a communication member positioned on the body for communicating with the power tool. The accessory may be capable of communicating with a power tool and an inventory system via the communication member. A combination may include a power tool including a housing and a motor supported by the housing, and a power tool accessory connectable to the power tool and driveable by the motor, the power tool accessory may communicate with the power tool for affecting operation of the power tool. A combination may include an indication device operable to indicate operation characteristics of the power tool to a user. The communication member may be operable to communicate with the indication device.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Thomas P. James
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Patent number: 7658012Abstract: A reciprocating saw generally includes a housing and a motor supported by the housing. A spindle is mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having a front end for supporting a saw blade and being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, and the cutting stroke may have a stroke length. A rotary member may be supported for rotation about a rotary axis. The saw may further include an adjusting assembly operable to adjust the stroke length of the spindle. Also, the saw may include a counterweight supported for movement relative to the housing, a movement of the counterweight substantially balancing at least a portion of movement of the spindle, and an adjusting assembly operable to adjust the movement of the counterweight.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Thomas P. James, Roger D. Neitzell, David A. Hempe
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Publication number: 20080302549Abstract: Accessories for power tools and combinations are provided. An accessory for a power tool may include a body including a connecting portion for connecting the accessory to the power tool and a communication member positioned on the body for communicating with the power tool. The accessory may be capable of communicating with a power tool and an inventory system via the communication member. A combination may include a power tool including a housing and a motor supported by the housing, and a power tool accessory connectable to the power tool and driveable by the motor, the power tool accessory may communicate with the power tool for affecting operation of the power tool. A combination may include an indication device operable to indicate operation characteristics of the power tool to a user. The communication member may be operable to communicate with the indication device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Thomas P. James
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Patent number: 7431682Abstract: Accessories for power tools and combinations are provided. An accessory for a power tool may include a body including a connecting portion for connecting the accessory to the power tool and a communication member positioned on the body for communicating with the power tool. The accessory may be capable of communicating with a power tool and an inventory system via the communication member. A combination may include a power tool including a housing and a motor supported by the housing, and a power tool accessory connectable to the power tool and driveable by the motor, the power tool accessory may communicate with the power tool for affecting operation of the power tool. A combination may include an indication device operable to indicate operation characteristics of the power tool to a user. The communication member may be operable to communicate with the indication device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Thomas P. James
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Publication number: 20080189963Abstract: A drive mechanism for a power tool. The power tool includes a motor having a drive shaft and an output member adapted to support a tool element. The drive mechanism includes a drive assembly engaged with and driven by the drive shaft and a drive arm drivingly connected between the drive assembly and the output member to transmit driving force from the drive assembly to the output member. The drive arm is configured to absorb an impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: David B. Griep, Richard H. Jungmann, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas P. James, Thomas R. Bednar, Troy Charles Thorson, David Paul Serdynski
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Patent number: 7096590Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Dragomir C. Marinkovich, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas P. James
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Publication number: 20040261273Abstract: A drive mechanism for a power tool, a power tool and a reciprocating saw. The power tool includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing and including a drive shaft, an output member supported by the housing and adapted to support a tool element, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive assembly driven by the drive shaft for rotation about an axis, the drive assembly including a gear, a hub selectively driven by the gear for rotation about the axis, and structure positioned between the gear and the hub, the structure selectively transmitting drive force between the gear and the hub and selectively allows relative movement between the gear and the hub. The drive mechanism may also include a drive arm drivingly connected between the drive assembly and the output member of a tool, and the drive arm may be configured to absorb an impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: David B. Griep, Richard H. Jungmann, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas P. James, Thomas R. Bednar, Troy Charles Thorson
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Publication number: 20040187324Abstract: A reciprocating saw generally includes a housing and a motor supported by the housing. A spindle is mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing, the spindle having a front end for supporting a saw blade and being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, and the cutting stroke may have a stroke length. A rotary member may be supported for rotation about a rotary axis. The saw may further include an adjusting assembly operable to adjust the stroke length of the spindle. Also, the saw may include a counterweight supported for movement relative to the housing, a movement of the counterweight substantially balancing at least a portion of movement of the spindle, and an adjusting assembly operable to adjust the movement of the counterweight.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Thomas P. James, Roger D. Neitzell, David A. Hempe
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Patent number: 6772662Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Dragomir C. Marinkovich, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas P. James
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Publication number: 20030009888Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle mounted for reciprocation relative to the housing and having a front end for supporting a saw blade, the spindle being movable through a cutting stroke and a return stroke, the cutting stroke having a stroke length, and a pivot body interconnecting the spindle and the motor. The position of the pivot axis of the pivot body may be movable relative to the housing to change the stroke length of the spindle. A shock absorber may be operatively positioned between the motor and the front end of the spindle and may be at least partially mounted within the spindle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Dragomir C. Marinkovich, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas P. James
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Publication number: 20020096499Abstract: Methods of manufacturing cutting blades, such as band saw blades. In some aspects of the invention, the method includes cutting blade stock with a laser and welding the blade length with a laser to provide a continuous cutting blade. In some aspects of the invention, the method includes cutting the blade stock to provide an end edge portion oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an edge of the blade stock and welding the blade length to provide a continuous cutting blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Thomas P. James, Ken Rohman, David Simonis, Stephen Lewis
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Publication number: 20020023360Abstract: A circular saw having an improved line-of-sight. The circular saw comprises a motor for rotatably driving a saw blade about an axis to cut a workpiece, a bevel angle being defined between the cutting plane of the saw blade and a surface of the workpiece; a housing supporting the motor; a shoe plate supporting the circular saw on the workpiece to be cut, the shoe plate being pivotably connected to the housing to adjust the bevel angle; a main handle supported by the housing; an auxiliary handle supported by the housing; and an indicator for indicating the bevel angle. Preferably, the main handle, the auxiliary handle and the indicator are arranged so that, in the cutting position, the operator can view the saw blade as the saw blade cuts the workpiece and can view the indicator. The operator holds the main handle with one hand and the auxiliary handle with the other hand.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Applicant: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Brian P. Wattenbach, Richard P. Brault, Jeffrey S. Holly, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Thomas P. James
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Patent number: 6301789Abstract: A circular saw having an improved line-of-sight. The circular saw comprises a motor for rotatably driving a saw blade about an axis to cut a workpiece, a bevel angle being defined between the cutting plane of the saw blade and a surface of the workpiece, a housing supporting the motor; a shoe plate supporting the circular saw on the workpiece to be cut, the shoe plate being pivotably connected to the housing to adjust the bevel angle; a main handle supported by the housing; an auxiliary handle supported by the housing; and an indicator for indicating the bevel angle. Preferably, the main handle, the auxiliary handle and the indicator are arranged so that, in the cutting position, the operator can view the saw blade as the saw blade cuts the workpiece and can view the indicator. The operator holds the main handle with one hand and the auxiliary handle with the other hand.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Brian P. Wattenbach, Richard P. Brault, Jeffrey S. Holly, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Thomas P. James