Patents by Inventor Todd Gerlach

Todd Gerlach 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: 11117176
    Abstract: A one-piece stud and clip is provided by a process working sheet material into a monolithic stud and U-clip fastener. The process includes forming an elongated stud from the sheet material, and bending the sheet material to form the clip. The stud can be a rolled cylinder of the sheet material, or an uninterrupted stud drawn from the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Gerlach, Nicholas Capito, Jr., Hector A. Molina
  • Patent number: 10343302
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a high stability saw chain comprising a first drive link including a first mating surface; a second drive link including a second mating surface; a first tie strap coupling the first drive link to the second drive link; wherein the first mating surface of the first drive link is configured to contact the second mating surface of the second drive link when the first and second drive links traverse an elongate portion of a guide bar to prevent reverse articulation of the saw chain less than a minimum radius of 20 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20180133926
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a high stability saw chain comprising a first drive link including a first mating surface; a second drive link including a second mating surface; a first tie strap coupling the first drive link to the second drive link; wherein the first mating surface of the first drive link is configured to contact the second mating surface of the second drive link when the first and second drive links traverse an elongate portion of a guide bar to prevent reverse articulation of the saw chain less than a minimum radius of 20 inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventor: Todd Gerlach
  • Patent number: 9895825
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide an abrasive saw chain that includes drive links and tie straps coupled to one another. Cutting elements, such as diamond cutting elements, may be coupled to upper surfaces of respective drive links. An upper surface of the tie strap may contact a lower surface of a cutting element to provide support for the cutting element. The tie strap may include a limiting feature to contact front and/or back surfaces of adjacent cutting elements when the links traverse an elongate portion of a guide bar. Alternatively, or additionally, the drive links may include a mating surface that contacts a mating surface of an adjacent drive link when the drive links traverse the elongate portion of the guide bar. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20170335879
    Abstract: A one-piece stud and clip is provided by a process working sheet material into a monolithic stud and U-clip fastener. The process includes forming an elongated stud from the sheet material, and bending the sheet material to form the clip. The stud can be a rolled cylinder of the sheet material, or an uninterrupted stud drawn from the sheet material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Todd GERLACH, Nicholas CAPITO, JR., Hector A. MOLINA
  • Publication number: 20170292557
    Abstract: A compensation nut fastener assembly may include a first nut including a first channel, a second nut including a second channel configured to receive a portion of the first nut, and a torque clip including at least one securing member radially extending from the shaft. The shaft is securely fixed within the first channel. The securing member(s) may include a fixing clip that securely fixes the torque clip to the first nut, and an offset tab that defines a minimum offset distance between the first nut and the second nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander W. SHERRILL, Nicholas CAPITO, JR., Jason DOBSON, Todd GERLACH, Kent S. GIMMY
  • Publication number: 20170157798
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide an abrasive saw chain that includes drive links and tie straps coupled to one another. Cutting elements, such as diamond cutting elements, may be coupled to upper surfaces of respective drive links. An upper surface of the tie strap may contact a lower surface of a cutting element to provide support for the cutting element. The tie strap may include a limiting feature to contact front and/or back surfaces of adjacent cutting elements when the links traverse an elongate portion of a guide bar. Alternatively, or additionally, the drive links may include a mating surface that contacts a mating surface of an adjacent drive link when the drive links traverse the elongate portion of the guide bar. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventor: Todd Gerlach
  • Patent number: 8863629
    Abstract: Embodiments provide various saw chain links which may be combined to form a utility saw chain. In various other embodiments, cutting system fixtures are disclosed which may facilitate the cutting of pipes and other materials from an axis point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: James Yancey, Charlie Bailey, Todd Gerlach
  • Patent number: 8651005
    Abstract: Embodiments provide various saw chain links which may be combined to form a utility saw chain. In various other embodiments, cutting system fixtures are disclosed which may facilitate the cutting of pipes and other materials from an axis point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: James Yancey, Charlie Bailey, Todd Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20140013918
    Abstract: Embodiments provide various saw chain links which may be combined to form a utility saw chain. In various other embodiments, cutting system fixtures are disclosed which may facilitate the cutting of pipes and other materials from an axis point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: BLOUNT, INC.
    Inventors: James Yancey, Charlie Bailey, Todd Gerlach
  • Patent number: 8099454
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for staging a file within a distributed computing system are disclosed that include defining a topology of the network; mapping each computer to a network location in the topology of the network; selecting, in dependence upon the topology of the network and the network locations of the computers in the network, one or more servers on which to stage the file for use by clients in the network; and staging the file on the one or more selected servers. The distributed computing system includes a plurality of computers coupled for data communications through a data communications network, the distributed computing system also includes files of computer data and computer program instructions for use by the computers, the computers include clients that use the files and servers capable of functioning as staging locations for files for use by the computers in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Achtermann, Todd Gerlach, Terence J. Quinn, Patrick L. Woods
  • Publication number: 20100008740
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a helical cutting tool and a helical cutting bit that may be utilized to cut various materials. The helical cutting bit and cutting tool include a variety of features to increase the efficiency of the cutting tool during cutting operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: BLOUNT, INC.
    Inventors: Todd Gerlach, Monty Lightner
  • Publication number: 20100005668
    Abstract: Embodiments provide various saw chain links which may be combined to form a utility saw chain. In various other embodiments, cutting system fixtures are disclosed which may facilitate the cutting of pipes and other materials from an axis point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: BLOUNT, INC.
    Inventors: James Yancey, Charlie Bailey, Todd Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20090037428
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for staging a file within a distributed computing system are disclosed that include defining a topology of the network; mapping each computer to a network location in the topology of the network; selecting, in dependence upon the topology of the network and the network locations of the computers in the network, one or more servers on which to stage the file for use by clients in the network; and staging the file on the one or more selected servers. The distributed computing system includes a plurality of computers coupled for data communications through a data communications network, the distributed computing system also includes files of computer data and computer program instructions for use by the computers, the computers include clients that use the files and servers capable of functioning as staging locations for files for use by the computers in the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Achtermann, Todd Gerlach, Terence J. Quinn, Patrick L. Woods
  • Publication number: 20080011144
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a saw chain having cutter links having a cutting edge on a first end and an opposite second end adapted for riding on or along a rail of a guide bar. First drive links are coupled with the cutter links and are adapted to ride in a groove of a guide bar. The first drive links have a clean out tang sized and shaped to scoop debris from within the groove, and have two first drive link side surfaces on opposite sides thereof adapted to have at least occasional wearing contact with interior side walls of the groove. Second drive links are coupled with the first drive links and the cutter links, and are adapted to ride in the groove of the guide bar. Each second drive link has second drive link side surfaces adapted to have at least occasional wearing contact with the interior side walls of the groove. The second drive link side surfaces have a greater surface area than the first drive link side surfaces, and in some embodiments may be featured rudder links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Blount, Inc., a limited liability company of Delaware
    Inventors: Michael D. Harfst, Mark D. Lamey, Mike Goettel, Lewis Scott, Kent Huntington, Mike Patterson, Todd Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20070114802
    Abstract: A door striker for use with an automobile door latching assembly having a latch positioned within a gap defined by an edge. The door striker includes a bar configured to be securably engaged by the latch of the latching assembly and a bumper positioned proximate the bar and configured to be received within the gap of the latching assembly to resistably engage the edge of the gap when the latching assembly moves with respect to the bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Lawrence Johnson, Todd Gerlach