Patents by Inventor Troy C. Thorson
Troy C. Thorson 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: 12377478Abstract: A reciprocating saw including a motor defining a motor axis, the motor including a front end and a back end, the front end including a front face defining a first vertical plane, and the back end including a rear face defining a second vertical plane parallel to the first vertical plane. The reciprocating saw also includes a dual-eccentric scotch yoke mechanism coupled to the motor. The scotch yoke mechanism includes a spindle driven to reciprocate relative to the motor along a spindle axis parallel to the motor axis, the spindle including a rear end nearest to the motor. The scotch yoke mechanism also includes a counterweight driven to reciprocate relative to the motor. The spindle is arranged above the motor. As the spindle reciprocates forward and backward, the rear end extends into a space defined between the first and second vertical planes.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: August 5, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson
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Patent number: 12368205Abstract: A battery pack that is connectable to and supportable by a power tool (e.g., a hand-held power tool). The battery pack includes a top housing having a support member. The support member of the battery pack top housing is configured or operable to reinforce a support portion of the battery pack that is used to connect the battery pack to the power tool. By reinforcing the support portion of the battery pack, an interface between the battery pack and the power tool is able to withstand greater forces (e.g., from vibrations caused by the power tool).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: July 22, 2025Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
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Publication number: 20250233243Abstract: A battery pack that is connectable to and supportable by a power tool (e.g., a hand-held power tool). The battery pack includes a top housing having a support member. The support member of the battery pack top housing is configured or operable to reinforce a support portion of the battery pack that is used to connect the battery pack to the power tool. By reinforcing the support portion of the battery pack, an interface between the battery pack and the power tool is able to withstand greater forces (e.g., from vibrations caused by the power tool).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2025Publication date: July 17, 2025Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
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Publication number: 20250222579Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, an electric motor, a spindle, a retainer, a reciprocation drive assembly, a striker, and an anvil. The retainer is at least partially received into the spindle. The anvil includes a front anvil impact surface and a rear anvil surface opposite the front anvil impact surface. The retainer defines a retainer impact surface that contacts the front anvil impact surface in response to the anvil moving in a first direction along a reciprocation axis. The spindle defines a spindle impact surface that contacts the rear anvil impact surface in response to the anvil moving in a second direction opposite the first direction along the reciprocation axis. The retainer impact surface and the spindle impact surface limit a travel distance by which the anvil translates along the reciprocation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2025Publication date: July 10, 2025Inventors: Tanner J. Vaculik, Kyle W. Schultz, Troy C. Thorson
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Publication number: 20250214160Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a blade assembly having a spindle and a blade clamp. The blade clamp selectively secures a blade to the spindle. The blade clamp includes a cover rotatably coupled to the spindle. The blade clamp is adjustable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The cover is rotatable between a first rotational position relative to the spindle coinciding with the locked configuration, and a second rotational position relative to the spindle coinciding with the unlocked configuration. The reciprocating saw further includes a barrel surrounding at least a portion of the blade clamp. The barrel includes a plurality of projections extending from the barrel toward the blade clamp. At least one of the projections is engageable with the cover to rotate the cover from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, thereby adjusting the blade clamp from the unlocked configuration toward the locked configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2025Publication date: July 3, 2025Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Hans T. Banholzer
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Patent number: 12347968Abstract: A power tool including a housing that has a battery pack receiving portion configured to receive an interface of a battery pack, device contacts extending from the housing and configured to mechanically and electrically engage with the battery pack, and a latching mechanism supported by the housing and including an actuator and a latch member configured to selectively engage the interface of the battery pack. The actuator is pivotable to operatively pivot the latch member.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2022Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: John G. Marx, Kyle J. Radovich, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Andrew D. Van Hoorn, Joseph R. Beeson, Troy C. Thorson, Nathan Bandy
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Patent number: 12343833Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor positioned substantially within the housing, a drive mechanism supported by the housing and coupled to the motor, a battery pack electrically coupled to the motor, and an isolation system. The isolation system includes an interface member positioned substantially within the housing. The interface member receives a portion of the battery pack to electrically couple the battery pack to the motor. The isolation system also includes a plurality of isolators coupled between the housing and the interface member to isolate the battery pack from the housing during operation of the power tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2023Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Andrew J. Weber
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Patent number: 12337450Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a housing, a nosepiece coupled to the housing, a driver blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position, a canister magazine coupled to the nosepiece and including collated fasteners arranged in a coil, and a pusher mechanism coupled to the nosepiece for individually transferring collated fasteners from the canister magazine to a driver channel in the nosepiece, wherein the pusher mechanism includes: a linkage assembly having a support arm, a finger pivotably coupled to the support arm, a lever pivotably coupled to the support arm via and a fork pivotably coupled to the lever via a second fixed pivot, and a feeder arm engaged with the fork. The feeder arm pushes fasteners into the driver channel as the pusher mechanism is actuated by the impact of the driver blade during a retraction stroke of the driver blade.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2023Date of Patent: June 24, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Travis W. Leathrum, Troy C. Thorson
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Patent number: 12325112Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, an impulse assembly coupled to the motor to receive torque therefrom, the impulse assembly including a cylinder at least partially forming a chamber containing a hydraulic fluid, an anvil positioned at least partially within the chamber, and a hammer positioned at least partially within the chamber and engageable with the anvil for transferring rotational impacts to the anvil, the hammer including a through hole, and a valve configured to control flow of the hydraulic fluid through the through hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2023Date of Patent: June 10, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Hugh A. Dales, Michael A. Verhagen, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob R. Seifert
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Patent number: 12322819Abstract: A battery pack that is connectable to and supportable by a power tool (e.g., a hand-held power tool). The battery pack includes a top housing having a support member. The support member of the battery pack top housing is configured or operable to reinforce a support portion of the battery pack that is used to connect the battery pack to the power tool. By reinforcing the support portion of the battery pack, an interface between the battery pack and the power tool is able to withstand greater forces (e.g., from vibrations caused by the power tool).Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2023Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
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Publication number: 20250153327Abstract: A fastener driver includes housing having a handle portion. A trigger is mounted to the handle portion. A magazine is coupled to the housing and configured to receive fasteners. The fastener driver further includes a nosepiece through which consecutive fasteners from the magazine are driven. The fastener driver further includes a dry-fire lockout mechanism having a latch pivotably coupled to the magazine, and a link is coupled to the trigger for movement with the trigger. The latch is pivotable between a first position, in which the latch is disengaged from the link, and a second position, in which the latch is engaged with the link and inhibits movement of the link, and therefore the trigger, in response to the trigger being depressed. The latch moves from the first position to the second position in response to a number of fasteners remaining in the magazine being less than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2025Publication date: May 15, 2025Inventors: Andrew J. Weber, James M. Wentzloff, Nicholas A. Albers, Bradley S. Helm, Troy C. Thorson
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Publication number: 20250153329Abstract: A driver may include a cylinder. A driver may include a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder. A driver may include a driver blade attached to the piston and moveable therewith along a driving axis between a ready position and a driven position. A driver may include a lifter configured to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position. A driver may include a housing including a handle portion configured to be grasped by a user to maneuver the gas spring-powered fastener driver, and a cylinder support portion within which the cylinder is at least partially positioned. A driver may include a fill valve in fluid communication with the cylinder, wherein the fill valve is configured to fill the cylinder with compressed gas from a source of compressed gas, and wherein the fill valve extends from the cylinder and into the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2025Publication date: May 15, 2025Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan Allen Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
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Publication number: 20250135561Abstract: A power tool is disclosed and includes a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. The power tool further includes a first blade and a second blade movable relative to the first blade by the motor. During operation, a cutting stroke length of the first blade relative to the second blade is selectively adjustable based on a direction of rotation of the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: May 1, 2025Inventors: Carmen J. Castanos, Kallol Barai, Hans T. Banholzer, Evan Brown, Julia C. Marsh, Coby A. Nettleton, Dominick S. Ropella, Troy C. Thorson, Terry L. Timmons, Kailie M. Romanski, Justin T. Bickman, Jacob R. McDonald
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Patent number: 12289073Abstract: A stand-alone motor unit for use with a piece of power equipment includes a housing and a flange coupled to the housing on a first side thereof. A plurality of apertures through the flange defines a first bolt pattern that matches an identical, second bolt pattern defined in the piece of power equipment. An electric motor has a power output of at least about 2760 W. The motor includes a stator having a nominal outer diameter of up to about 80 mm and a rotor supported for rotation within the stator. A power take-off shaft receives torque from the rotor and protrudes from one of the flange or a second side of the housing. A controller is positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the motor. A battery pack for powering the motor has battery cells having a nominal voltage of up to about 80 V.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2024Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, James Wekwert, Logan M. Hietpas, John S. Scott, Troy C. Thorson
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Patent number: 12275076Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a blade assembly having a spindle and a blade clamp. The blade clamp includes a cover rotatably coupled to the spindle, and a detent movable in a radial direction to adjust the blade clamp between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The cover is rotatable between a first rotational position relative to the spindle coinciding with the locked configuration, and a second rotational position relative to the spindle coinciding with the unlocked configuration. The reciprocating saw further includes a barrel surrounding at least a portion of the blade clamp. The barrel includes a plurality of projections extending from the barrel toward the blade clamp. At least one of the projections is engageable with the cover to rotate the cover from the second rotational position to the first rotational position, thereby adjusting the blade clamp from the unlocked configuration toward the locked configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2023Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C Thorson, Hans T. Banholzer
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Publication number: 20250114926Abstract: A powered fastener driver comprising a housing, a nosepiece extending from the housing, a workpiece contact bracket at least partially surrounding the nosepiece, wherein the workpiece contact bracket slides on the nosepiece, a driver blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position, and a drive mechanism operatively coupled with the driver blade to drive the driver blade. The nosepiece includes a tail extending outwardly at least partially along a length of the nosepiece and the workpiece contact bracket includes an internal bore having a tail socket extending at least partially along a length of the workpiece contact bracket, wherein the tail of the nosepiece fits into the tail socket of the workpiece contact bracket to form a slip fit elongated dovetail joint between the nosepiece and the workpiece contact bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Inventors: Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Ivan N. Zozulya, Travis W. Leathrum, Troy C. Thorson, Michael B. Koeppel, Bradley S. Houskamp, Lokeshwaran Rajendran, Mitchell A. Ellena, David C. Graf, Caleb M. Schober
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Publication number: 20250100118Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position toward a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece, a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade toward the BDC position, and a lifter assembly having a rotary lifter for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The powered fastener driver further includes an arm upon which the rotary lifter is supported, a motor which, in a first position of the rotary lifter, provides torque to the rotary lifter to return the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position, and a brake mechanism including an electromagnet which, when activated, causes the rotary lifter to move from the first position toward a second position in which the rotary lifter is not engageable with the driver blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Inventors: Marcus Wechselberger, Troy C. Thorson, David A. Bierdeman
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Publication number: 20250083353Abstract: A hand-held knockout driver includes a main housing having a handle portion, a motor positioned within the main housing, a pump assembly driven by the motor, and a secondary housing coupled to the main housing and defining a bore therein. The hand-held knockout driver also includes a working piston moveable within the bore from a rest position to an actuated position to define a piston throw distance therebetween. The hand-held knockout driver also includes a draw stud coupled to the working piston, a die coupled to the secondary housing, and a punch coupled to the draw stud opposite the working piston for movement therewith relative to the die. The die has a depth greater than the piston throw distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Inventors: James O. Myrhum, JR., Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner, Sean T. Kehoe, Joseph H. Ellice, Jeffrey S. Holly
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Publication number: 20250073773Abstract: A method of identifying a leak around a fitting in a tubing system includes connecting a source of heated air to an inlet of the tubing system, inspecting segments of the tubing system using a thermal detector, identifying segments of the tubing system that are warmer than other segments of the tubing system, and following the warmer segments of the tubing system to identify the leak around the fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Inventors: James Wekwert, Jeremy R. Ebner, Troy C. Thorson, Zachary G. Stanke, Gareth Mueckl, Alex H. Boll
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Patent number: 12213403Abstract: A spool and a trimmer head. The trimmer head includes a housing defining a cavity and rotatable about an axis. A spool is supported in the cavity and operable to support line to be dispensed. The spool is movable along the axis relative to the housing, and the spool and the housing define cooperating conical surfaces to center the spool during movement of the spool toward and in a position relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson