Patents by Inventor Tomoyuki Ota
Tomoyuki Ota 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: 20240146079Abstract: An electric power tool includes a main body supporting a tool. An electric motor is housed in the main body and configured to drive the tool. A plurality of battery interfaces is integrally formed on the main body, each battery interface having a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal. Each battery interface is configured to removably receive a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal of a corresponding one of a plurality of battery packs and to electrically connect the plurality of attached battery packs in series with the electric motor. Each of the plurality of battery packs comprises a movable latch configured to engage a corresponding engagement structure defined on or near the corresponding battery interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 11963489Abstract: A gardening trimmer may include: a conversion mechanism for converting rotational motion of a prime mover to linear motion along a first direction; a blade for moving in reciprocating motion relative to a guide bar and including a plurality of slots; and a plurality of guide members each disposed in a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots of the blade. The plurality of slots may include: at least one first slot in which a corresponding guide member of the guide members that is connected to a housing is disposed. A combination of the slots and the guide members may include: a first combination to reduce frictional resistance generated by the reciprocating motion; and a second combination to reduce vibration generated by the reciprocating motion, and at least one combination of the at least one first slot and its corresponding guide member is the second combination.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Mikihiro Kitahara, Tomoyuki Kutsuna, Nozomu Iwamoto, Tomoyuki Ota
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Patent number: 11909236Abstract: An electrical apparatus includes first and second battery interfaces disposed on a housing for electrically and mechanically connecting first and second battery packs in series. A controller is disposed within the housing and includes an apparatus microprocessor that receives first and second communication signals respectively outputted from respective microprocessors of the first and second battery packs. A first signal communication path communicates the first communication signal from the first battery pack microprocessor to the apparatus microprocessor by shifting a first voltage range of the first communication signal to a second voltage range that is suitable for inputting into the apparatus microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Publication number: 20230238806Abstract: An electrical apparatus includes first and second battery interfaces disposed on a housing for electrically and mechanically connecting first and second battery packs in series. A controller is disposed within the housing and includes an apparatus microprocessor that receives first and second communication signals respectively outputted from respective microprocessors of the first and second battery packs. A first signal communication path communicates the first communication signal from the first battery pack microprocessor to the apparatus microprocessor by shifting a first voltage range of the first communication signal to a second voltage range that is suitable for inputting into the apparatus microprocessor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi SUZUKI
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Patent number: 11646590Abstract: An electrical device, such as a power tool, includes a first battery pack receptacle configured to receive a first battery pack and a second battery pack receptacle configured to receive a second battery pack. The second battery pack is electrically connected in a series-type configuration with the first battery pack. The electrical device also includes circuitry with an electronic processor. The circuitry is configured to alter a first signal output from the electronic processor to at least one selected from a group consisting of the first battery pack and the second battery pack, and to alter a second signal received by the electronic processor from at least one selected from the group consisting of the first battery pack and the second battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Publication number: 20210360863Abstract: A gardening trimmer may include: a conversion mechanism configured to convert rotational motion of a prime mover to linear motion along a first direction; a blade configured to move in reciprocating motion relative to a guide bar and including a plurality of slots; and a plurality of guide members each disposed in a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots of the blade. The plurality of slots may include: at least one first slot in which a corresponding guide member of the guide members that is connected to a housing is disposed. A combination of the slots and the guide members may include: a first combination configured to reduce frictional resistance generated by the reciprocating motion; and a second combination configured to reduce vibration generated by the reciprocating motion, and at least one combination of the at least one first slot and its corresponding guide member is the second combination.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Mikihiro KITAHARA, Tomoyuki KUTSUNA, Nozomu IWAMOTO, Tomoyuki OTA
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Patent number: 10779468Abstract: A working machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an operation rod, a leading end unit, a rear end unit, and a drive permitter. The operation rod is configured to be transformable between an extended state and a non-extended state. The leading end unit is provided at one end of the operation rod. The leading end unit comprises a motor configured to drive a working element. The rear end unit is provided at the other end of the operation rod. The rear end unit comprises a controller configured to control driving of the motor. The drive permitter is configured to permit driving of the motor when the operation rod is in the extended state and not to permit driving of the motor when the operation rod is in the non-extended state.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Yoshifumi Morita, Takeshi Nishimiya, Michisada Yabuguchi
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Publication number: 20200127251Abstract: A power supply adapter includes a first portion having first and second battery pack interfaces and a second portion having a power tool interface that connects to a battery pack interface on a power tool. The first and second portions are physically and electrically connected via a flexible electric cord. The first and second battery pack interfaces are physically configured differently than the power tool interface. An attachment device is disposed on the first portion and is configured to attach to an article worn by a user and/or a body part of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 10559789Abstract: An adapter connects a plurality of first battery packs, each having a nominal voltage of about 18-36 volts, in series to an power tool having a rated voltage that is 36 volts or higher. The power tool includes a second battery interface configured to removably attach a second battery pack. The adapter includes a plurality of first battery interfaces configured to removably attach the plurality of first battery packs and having a different physical configuration than the second battery interface. A connector of the adapter is configured to be removably attached to the second battery interface. A plurality of visual indicators is disposed on the adapter such that they have the same or substantially the same illumination direction and they visually indicate at least a level of charge of each of the first battery packs attached to the adapter.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 9782884Abstract: A motor-powered apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a motor, a drive switch, a reverse switch, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to drive the motor in a reverse direction when a drive command is inputted via the drive switch after a reverse command is inputted via the reverse switch and to drive the motor in a forward direction when the drive command is inputted again via the drive switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Hiroshi Nojiri, Takuya Kusakawa
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Publication number: 20170273239Abstract: A working machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an operation rod, a leading end unit, a rear end unit, and a drive permitter. The operation rod is configured to be transformable between an extended state and a non-extended state. The leading end unit is provided at one end of the operation rod. The leading end unit comprises a motor configured to drive a working element. The rear end unit is provided at the other end of the operation rod. The rear end unit comprises a controller configured to control driving of the motor. The drive permitter is configured to permit driving of the motor when the operation rod is in the extended state and not to permit driving of the motor when the operation rod is in the non-extended state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki OTA, Yoshifumi MORITA, Takeshi NISHIMIYA, Michisada YABUGUCHI
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Publication number: 20170125754Abstract: An adapter connects a plurality of first battery packs, each having a nominal voltage of about 18-36 volts, in series to an power tool having a rated voltage that is 36 volts or higher. The power tool includes a second battery interface configured to removably attach a second battery pack. The adapter includes a plurality of first battery interfaces configured to removably attach the plurality of first battery packs and having a different physical configuration than the second battery interface. A connector of the adapter is configured to be removably attached to the second battery interface. A plurality of visual indicators is disposed on the adapter such that they have the same or substantially the same illumination direction and they visually indicate at least a level of charge of each of the first battery packs attached to the adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 9583746Abstract: An electric power tool comprises a main body supporting a tool and an electric motor housed in the main body for driving the tool. A plurality of first battery interfaces is configured to removably receive or attach a plurality of first battery packs and to electrically connect the plurality of attached first battery packs in series with the electric motor. A plurality of indicators is configured to communicate information concerning the respective conditions of the plurality of attached first battery packs. The plurality of indicators is arranged such that all of the indicators are simultaneously viewable by a user of the electric power tool.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Publication number: 20160165328Abstract: A rechargeable radio is provided with battery attachment portion for attaching electric power tool battery and radio communication section. An input section, of which an operation input is performed in rechargeable radio, is connected to control section. Input section includes an operation part and microphone part. Output section, of which a sound output and a display output are performed in rechargeable radio, is connected to control section. Audio output section outputs sound based on sound output signal transmitted from control section. Rechargeable radio is configured to access to radio communication function of smart phone via radio communication section, whereby it is possible to perform sound input and output relating to smart phone through rechargeable radio. As a result, added values of rechargeable radio are improved, thereby achieving improvement in terms of interests of rechargeable radio including convenience.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki OTA, Kazunori TSUGE, Kentaro KOURA, Tomohiro UKAI, Yasushi OGURA, Taosuke UKAI
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Publication number: 20160149520Abstract: A motor-powered apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a motor, a drive switch, a reverse switch, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to drive the motor in a reverse direction when a drive command is inputted via the drive switch after a reverse command is inputted via the reverse switch and to drive the motor in a forward direction when the drive command is inputted again via the drive switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki OTA, Hiroshi NOJIRI, Takuya KUSAKAWA
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Patent number: 9224994Abstract: An adapter for an electric power tool couples battery packs with the electric power tool. The adapter is provided with a voltage regulator circuit interposed between the battery packs and the electric power tool. The voltage regulator circuit regulates a supply voltage from the battery packs to the electric power tool to a level corresponding to a rated voltage of the electric power tool. The voltage regulator is capable of raising the supply voltage higher than nominal voltages of the battery packs.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Shinichi Hira, Tadashi Makihara
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Patent number: 9199353Abstract: An effective technique is provided for rationally clamping and holding various kinds of tool bits which can be selectively replaced with each other and attached to the driving shaft, in a power tool The power tool includes a driving shaft 125 for driving a tool bit 109A or 109B which is arbitrarily selected from various kinds of tool bits, a first clamping element 133 provided on the driving shaft 125 and a second clamping element 135A, 135B provided separately from the driving shaft 125 and can be fixed to the driving shaft 125. The selected tool bit 109A, 109B is clamped and held between the first clamping element 133 and the second clamping element 135A, 135B.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Masanori Furusawa, Ken Yamauchi
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Publication number: 20150333301Abstract: An electric power tool comprises a main body supporting a tool and an electric motor housed in the main body for driving the tool. A plurality of first battery interfaces is configured to removably receive or attach a plurality of first battery packs and to electrically connect the plurality of attached first battery packs in series with the electric motor. A plurality of indicators is configured to communicate information concerning the respective conditions of the plurality of attached first battery packs. The plurality of indicators is arranged such that all of the indicators are simultaneously viewable by a user of the electric power tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Kiyoshi Nishibe, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 9160125Abstract: A battery adapter can include a plurality of machine-side-connecting sections capable of being connected to a plurality of battery-connecting ports provided on an electric machine, and a battery-side-connecting section(s) to which a battery or batteries can be connected. The number of the machine-side-connecting sections is preferably configured to be larger than the number of the battery-side-connecting section(s). Further, the electric machine is preferably connected to the machine-side-connecting sections of the battery adapter through its battery-connecting ports. The electric machine can be driven by the battery or batteries connected to the battery-side-connecting section(s) of the battery adapter.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Hitoshi Suzuki, Yukio Kobayashi, Shingo Umemura
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Patent number: 9017844Abstract: An electric apparatus system includes a tool battery usable as a power source for a power tool, an electric apparatus excluding a power tool, and a battery case capable of receiving the tool battery. The battery case is disposed on one side of the electric apparatus, so that the electric apparatus is stabilized in position by the battery case. The electric apparatus and the battery case are mechanically and electrically connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Makita CorporationInventors: Tomoyuki Ota, Tomonobu Nashimoto