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).
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Patent number: 11919097Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
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Publication number: 20200030897Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
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Patent number: 10464148Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: MILWAUKWEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
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Patent number: 10046470Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Publication number: 20170129026Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
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Patent number: 9579735Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
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Publication number: 20160214265Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Patent number: 9302402Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Patent number: 8763257Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Publication number: 20130008031Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Patent number: 8266991Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Publication number: 20110107608Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Brian Wattenbach, Jeffrey Holly, Benjamin Ludy, Roger D. Neitzell, Thomas R. Bednar
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Publication number: 20110005084Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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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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Publication number: 20100088898Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Patent number: 7523823Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Inventor: Thomas R. Bednar
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Patent number: 7492125Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: 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
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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: D538618Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: D627203Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: 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