Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Bednar

Thomas R. Bednar 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).

  • Patent number: 11919097
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a hub coupled to the gear, a spindle, and a connecting rod. A clutch assembly is coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively transmit drive force form the gear to the hub. The clutch assembly includes a first disk coupled to the gear, a second disk coupled to the hub, a biasing member, and a threaded fastener. The biasing member is positioned between the hub and the gear to bias the first and second disks into frictional engagement. The threaded fastener extends through the gear and threadably engages the hub to couple the hub to the gear. Tightening the threaded fastener pulls the hub toward the gear to preload the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20200030897
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a hub coupled to the gear, a spindle, and a connecting rod. A clutch assembly is coupled to the drive mechanism to selectively transmit drive force form the gear to the hub. The clutch assembly includes a first disk coupled to the gear, a second disk coupled to the hub, a biasing member, and a threaded fastener. The biasing member is positioned between the hub and the gear to bias the first and second disks into frictional engagement. The threaded fastener extends through the gear and threadably engages the hub to couple the hub to the gear. Tightening the threaded fastener pulls the hub toward the gear to preload the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Patent number: 10464148
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly, a motor, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a gear coupled to and driven by a pinion of the motor for rotation about a first axis. The gear is vertically-oriented within the housing assembly and has an outer periphery. The drive mechanism also includes a spindle reciprocatable relative to the housing assembly, a connecting rod having a first end coupled to the gear and a second end coupled to the spindle to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle, and a counterweight rotatably coupled to the housing assembly for rotation about the first axis within the outer periphery of the gear. The counterweight is also coupled to the first end of the connecting rod such that the counterweight is moved in a substantially opposite direction than the spindle to counterbalance reciprocation of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKWEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Patent number: 10046470
    Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting a pipe includes a cutting head assembly having a first carriage and a second carriage spaced apart to define a cutting area. The first carriage supports a cutting mechanism, and the second carriage is configured to support a pipe within the cutting area. The carriages have a locked state and an unlocked state such that when the carriages are in the unlocked state, the carriages are movable relative to each other and biased into the cutting area. The pipe cutter also includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the cutting head assembly and a locking mechanism configured for changing the carriages from the unlocked state to the locked state and for holding the carriages in the locked state. The locking mechanism includes an actuation member rotatably coupled to the first carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Publication number: 20170129026
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly, a motor, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a gear coupled to and driven by a pinion of the motor for rotation about a first axis. The gear is vertically-oriented within the housing assembly and has an outer periphery. The drive mechanism also includes a spindle reciprocatable relative to the housing assembly, a connecting rod having a first end coupled to the gear and a second end coupled to the spindle to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle, and a counterweight rotatably coupled to the housing assembly for rotation about the first axis within the outer periphery of the gear. The counterweight is also coupled to the first end of the connecting rod such that the counterweight is moved in a substantially opposite direction than the spindle to counterbalance reciprocation of the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Patent number: 9579735
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned substantially within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned substantially within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a spindle, and a connecting rod to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle. A bushing is positioned substantially within the housing assembly about at least a portion of the spindle. The bushing is pivotable relative to the housing assembly to accommodate non-linear rocking motion of the spindle. A seal surrounds a portion of the bushing and includes a first lip extending radially from the bushing and a second lip spaced apart from the first lip and extending radially from the bushing. The second lip is movable relative to the first lip. Both the first lip and the second lip continuously engage the housing assembly when the bushing pivots relative to the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20160214265
    Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting a pipe includes a cutting head assembly having a first carriage and a second carriage spaced apart to define a cutting area. The first carriage supports a cutting mechanism, and the second carriage is configured to support a pipe within the cutting area. The carriages have a locked state and an unlocked state such that when the carriages are in the unlocked state, the carriages are movable relative to each other and biased into the cutting area. The pipe cutter also includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the cutting head assembly and a locking mechanism configured for changing the carriages from the unlocked state to the locked state and for holding the carriages in the locked state. The locking mechanism includes an actuation member rotatably coupled to the first carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 9302402
    Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting a pipe includes a cutting head assembly having a first carriage and a second carriage spaced apart to define a cutting area. The first carriage supports a cutting mechanism, and the second carriage is configured to support a pipe within the cutting area. The carriages have a locked state and an unlocked state such that when the carriages are in the unlocked state, the carriages are movable relative to each other and biased into the cutting area. The pipe cutter also includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the cutting head assembly and a locking mechanism configured for changing the carriages from the unlocked state to the locked state and for holding the carriages in the locked state. The locking mechanism includes an actuation member rotatably coupled to the first carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 8763257
    Abstract: A power tool, such as a pipe cutter, includes a rotatable cutting head assembly, an electric motor connectable to a rechargeable battery, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor the state of charge on the battery, compare the state of charge to one or more thresholds, and prevent or limit operation of the power tool when the state of charge is less than or equal to one or more of the thresholds. In some embodiments, the threshold includes the state of charge required to cut a pipe, the state of charge required to return the cutting head assembly to a home position, and a state of charge indicative of an overdischarged condition of the battery. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to detect when the pipe cutter has completed cutting the pipe and returns the cutting head assembly to the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Publication number: 20130008031
    Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting a pipe includes a cutting head assembly having a first carriage and a second carriage spaced apart to define a cutting area. The first carriage supports a cutting mechanism, and the second carriage is configured to support a pipe within the cutting area. The carriages have a locked state and an unlocked state such that when the carriages are in the unlocked state, the carriages are movable relative to each other and biased into the cutting area. The pipe cutter also includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the cutting head assembly and a locking mechanism configured for changing the carriages from the unlocked state to the locked state and for holding the carriages in the locked state. The locking mechanism includes an actuation member rotatably coupled to the first carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 8266991
    Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting a pipe includes a cutting head assembly having a first carriage and a second carriage spaced apart to define a cutting area. The first carriage supports a cutting mechanism, and the second carriage is configured to support a pipe within the cutting area. The carriages have a locked state and an unlocked state such that when the carriages are in the unlocked state, the carriages are movable relative to each other and biased into the cutting area. The pipe cutter also includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the cutting head assembly and a locking mechanism configured for changing the carriages from the unlocked state to the locked state and for holding the carriages in the locked state. The locking mechanism includes an actuation member rotatably coupled to the first carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110107608
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing assembly and a motor positioned substantially within the housing assembly. The motor includes a pinion. A drive mechanism is positioned substantially within the housing assembly and includes a gear driven by the pinion, a spindle, and a connecting rod to transmit rotation of the gear into reciprocation of the spindle. A bushing is positioned substantially within the housing assembly about at least a portion of the spindle. The bushing is pivotable relative to the housing assembly to accommodate non-linear rocking motion of the spindle. A seal surrounds a portion of the bushing and includes a first lip extending radially from the bushing and a second lip spaced apart from the first lip and extending radially from the bushing. The second lip is movable relative to the first lip. Both the first lip and the second lip continuously engage the housing assembly when the bushing pivots relative to the housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
  • Publication number: 20110005084
    Abstract: A power tool, such as a pipe cutter, includes a rotatable cutting head assembly, an electric motor connectable to a rechargeable battery, and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor the state of charge on the battery, compare the state of charge to one or more thresholds, and prevent or limit operation of the power tool when the state of charge is less than or equal to one or more of the thresholds. In some embodiments, the threshold includes the state of charge required to cut a pipe, the state of charge required to return the cutting head assembly to a home position, and a state of charge indicative of an overdischarged condition of the battery. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to detect when the pipe cutter has completed cutting the pipe and returns the cutting head assembly to the home position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 7793420
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Griep, Richard H. Jungmann, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas P. James, Thomas R. Bednar, Troy Charles Thorson, David Paul Serdynski
  • Publication number: 20100088898
    Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting a pipe includes a cutting head assembly having a first carriage and a second carriage spaced apart to define a cutting area. The first carriage supports a cutting mechanism, and the second carriage is configured to support a pipe within the cutting area. The carriages have a locked state and an unlocked state such that when the carriages are in the unlocked state, the carriages are movable relative to each other and biased into the cutting area. The pipe cutter also includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the cutting head assembly and a locking mechanism configured for changing the carriages from the unlocked state to the locked state and for holding the carriages in the locked state. The locking mechanism includes an actuation member rotatably coupled to the first carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 7523823
    Abstract: A mixing container system for separating two or more ingredients and maintaining multiple temperatures of the two or more ingredients. The mixing container system includes an outer unit including a support member, a pouch member including at least one first reservoir portion and an inner unit including a second reservoir portion, wherein the pouch member is positioned on the support member and wherein the second reservoir portion of the inner unit extends through the outer unit sandwiching the pouch member between the inner unit and the outer unit. The first reservoir portion contains at least one first substance and the second reservoir portion contains a second substance, wherein the first substance is forced out of the first reservoir portion and into the second reservoir portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas R. Bednar
  • Patent number: 7492125
    Abstract: A battery pack for powering a cordless power tool. The battery pack includes at least one battery cell operable to supply a discharge current, a switch operable to control the discharge current and a protection device to protect the switch. The protection device is positioned such that the device absorbs a current traveling in a direction opposite to that of the discharge current supplied from the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Serdynski, Boyd J. Miller, Scott D. Bublitz, Troy C. Thorson, Thomas R. Bednar, David B. Griep, Nancy Uehlein-Proctor, Dennis J. Grzybowski, Jeffrey S. Holly, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Mark A. Kubale, Todd W. Johnson, Jonathan P. Lobert, Jay J. Rosenbecker
  • Publication number: 20080189963
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: David B. Griep, Richard H. Jungmann, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas P. James, Thomas R. Bednar, Troy Charles Thorson, David Paul Serdynski
  • Patent number: D538618
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Serdynski, Boyd J. Miller, Scott D. Bublitz, Troy C. Thorson, Thomas R. Bednar, David B. Griep, Nancy Uehlein-Proctor, Dennis J. Grzybowski, Jeffery S. Holly, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Mark A. Kubale, Todd W. Johnson, Jonathan P. Lobert, Scott H. Micoley
  • Patent number: D627203
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Serdynski, Boyd J. Miller, Scott D. Bublitz, Troy C. Thorson, Thomas R. Bednar, David B. Griep, Nancy Uehlein-Proctor, Dennis J. Grzybowski, Jeffrey S. Holly, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Mark A. Kubale, Todd W. Johnson, Jonathan P. Lobert, Scott H. Micoley