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).

  • Publication number: 20230264332
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a housing, a nosepiece extending from the housing, a driver blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position the driver blade comprising a plurality of drive teeth on a first side of the driver blade and a plurality of locking projections on a second side of the driver blade, a piston coupled to the driver blade for movement therewith, a driver cylinder within which the piston is movable, a storage chamber cylinder containing pressurized gas therein and in fluid communication with the driver cylinder, a first end of the driver cylinder being affixed to a corresponding first end of the storage chamber cylinder, and a latch actuator assembly adjacent the driver blade, wherein the latch actuator assembly includes a latch to engage one of the plurality of locking projections to prevent the driver blade from moving toward the driven position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20230256498
    Abstract: An expansion tool includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing and including a motor, a mandrel, and a drive mechanism configured to convert a rotational input from a motor shaft into translational movement of the mandrel. The expansion tool includes a first operating mode and a second operating mode. When the expansion tool is operated in the first operating mode, the drive mechanism is configured to reciprocate the mandrel between a retracted position and a first extended position. When the expansion tool is operated in the second operating mode, the drive mechanism is configured to reciprocate the mandrel between the retracted position and a second extended position different than the first extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: James Wekwert, Jacob Lindsey, Peter J. Davies, Justin Miller, Andrew J. Smith, Troy C. Thorson, Ryan J. Denissen, John S. Scott
  • Patent number: 11724413
    Abstract: An accessory for an oscillating power tool that oscillatingly drives a removably attachable output element. The accessory includes an attachment portion configured to be removably attached to a housing of the oscillating power tool on a side of the output element that faces the housing. The attachment portion is at least partially annular and defines an axial opening therethrough. The attachment portion includes a circumferential inner surface defining the axial opening and a circumferential outer surface opposite the inner surface. The attachment portion is configured to snap-fit with the power tool housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Emily Doberstein, James Wekwert
  • Patent number: 11724368
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, and 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 includes a surface facing the anvil, a first through hole formed in the surface and a second through hole formed in the surface. The impulse assembly further includes a biasing member biasing the hammer towards the anvil. The flow of the hydraulic fluid through the first through hole varies as the hammer translates away from the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hugh A. Dales, Michael A. Verhagen, Troy C. Thorson
  • Patent number: 11724376
    Abstract: 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, a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade toward the BDC position, a lifter assembly having a rotary lifter for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position, and an arm upon which the rotary lifter is supported. The fastener driver also includes 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. The fastener driver further includes a brake mechanism which, when activated, redirects torque from the motor away from the rotary lifter and toward the arm, causing the lifter assembly to move from the first position toward a second position in which the rotary lifter is not engageable with the driver blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcus Wechselberger, Troy C. Thorson, David A. Bierdeman
  • Publication number: 20230249332
    Abstract: A telescoping tool includes a pole assembly, a driveshaft, a plurality of bearings, and at least one connection member. The pole assembly includes an outer pole and an inner pole. The inner pole is slidably received in the outer pole. The pole assembly is movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The driveshaft extends longitudinally in the outer pole and the inner pole. Each bearing of the plurality of bearings includes a driveshaft passage defined therein. The driveshaft passage receives the driveshaft therethrough. Each bearing further includes an end connection passage defined therein. The at least one connection member joins adjacent bearings of the plurality of bearings. The at least one connection member is disposed in the end connection passage of each of the adjacent bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Hans T. Banholzer, Troy C. Thorson, Michael R. Sande
  • Publication number: 20230241750
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade attached to the piston and movable between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter engageable with the driver blade to return the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation, and first and second planetary stages. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan A. Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Publication number: 20230243346
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a compressor assembly with a motor and a pump driven by the motor, a battery receptacle, and a battery pack electrically connected to the motor via the battery receptacle for providing electrical power to the motor. The battery receptacle and the battery pack are positioned adjacent the compressor assembly. The compressor also includes a storage tank that receives compressed air from the pump, a case enshrouding the compressor assembly, an outlet port in fluid communication with the storage tank, and an adjustable pressure regulator at least partially positioned within the case. The outlet port configured to discharge compressed air from the storage tank at a regulated pressure determined by the pressure regulator. The compressor further includes an adjustment knob to adjust the regulated pressure of compressed air provided by the outlet port. The case attenuates noise emitted by the compressor assembly to less than 68 decibels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Troy C. Thorson
  • Patent number: 11701789
    Abstract: A hand-held knockout punch driver includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, a head unit removably coupled to the housing, the head unit including a body, an input member movable relative to the body, and a draw rod to which at least one of a punch or a die is attachable. The draw rod is configured to move axially relative to the body in response to movement of the input member relative to the body. A quick-release mechanism removably couples the body to the housing and includes radially inward-extending locking members on one of the housing or the head unit and a plurality of radially outward-extending locking members on the other of the housing or the head unit engageable with the radially inward-extending locking members to lock the head unit to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, Jr., Troy C. Thorson, Koon For Chung
  • Publication number: 20230202018
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, an output mechanism rotatably supported within the housing, and a gear assembly positioned within the housing. The output mechanism is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis. The gear assembly is coupled between the motor and the output mechanism to transfer a torque generated by the motor to the output mechanism. The gear assembly includes a ring gear, a cylindrical interior bearing surface adjacent the ring gear, and a planet gear. The planet gear includes a planet gear portion configured to mesh with the ring gear to rotate the output mechanism about the longitudinal axis, and a planet bearing portion that defines a cylindrical outer bearing surface. The cylindrical outer bearing surface is configured to roll along the cylindrical interior bearing surface to radially support the output mechanism for rotation about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin K. TAYLOR, Troy C. THORSON
  • Publication number: 20230208077
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: John G. Marx, Kyle J. Radovich, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Andrew D. Van Hoorn, Joseph R. Beeson, Troy C. Thorson, Nathan Bandy
  • Publication number: 20230191575
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade and a drive unit having an output shaft for providing torque to move the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and configured to receive torque from the output shaft of the drive unit in a first rotational direction for returning the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position. A kickout arrangement is defined between the lifter and the output shaft and configured to permit limited movement of the lifter relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position. The kickout arrangement having a curvilinear slot defined in the rotary lifter in which a portion of the output shaft is received. Movement of the rotary lifter from the first position toward the second position causes the slot to move relative to the output shaft, while the output shaft remains within the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Jason M. Julius, Rosalie C. Phillips, Beth E. Cholst
  • Publication number: 20230188064
    Abstract: A power tool including a housing, a trigger, a motor coupled to an output member, and a motor drive circuit coupled to the motor. The power tool further includes a motor controller coupled to the motor drive circuit. The motor control circuit is configured to detect a position change of the trigger, determine one or more parameters associated with the position change, and generate an output based on the one or more determined parameters and a variable trigger mapping function. The output is then output to the motor drive circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Parker McColl, Troy C. Thorson, Jonathan E. Abbott
  • Publication number: 20230158621
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Andrew J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20230138234
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center position to a bottom-dead-center position for driving a fastener into a workpiece, a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade toward the top-dead-center position, and a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The lifter having a body and a drive pin coupled to the body. A roller is positioned on the drive pin and engages with a tooth of the driver blade when moving the driver blade from the bottom-dead-center position toward the top-dead-center position. The roller includes a first engagement section that receives an end portion of the tooth and a second engagement section. An engagement member engages the second engagement section for aligning the first engagement section of the roller with the end portion of the tooth to facilitate meshing between the end portion of the tooth and the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger, Leonard F. Mikat-Stevens, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Jason M. Julius, Rosalie C. Phillips, Beth E. Cholst
  • Patent number: 11633775
    Abstract: An expansion tool includes a housing, a motor supported within the housing, a mandrel, and a drive mechanism configured to convert a rotational input from the motor into translational movement of the mandrel. The drive mechanism includes a cam and a drive shaft coupled to the cam. The expansion tool further includes a frame including a hub and a neck extending from the hub and having an opening. A working element is coupled to the neck and has a plurality of jaws movable from a closed position toward an expanded position in response to movement of the mandrel from a retracted position toward an extended position. The mandrel extends through the opening to engage the jaws, and the drive shaft is rotatably supported by the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Wekwert, Jacob Lindsey, Peter J. Davies, Justin Miller, Andrew J. Smith, Troy C. Thorson, Ryan J. Denissen, John S. Scott
  • Patent number: 11633842
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston, a driver blade attached to the piston, the driver blade movable with the piston, a lifter including a rotary component operably coupled to the driver blade to move the driver blade from a driven position to a ready position, and a multi-stage planetary transmission. The transmission includes an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque thereto, a first bearing supporting a first portion of the output shaft for rotation, a second bearing supporting a second portion of the output shaft for rotation. The fastener driver also includes a housing having a cylinder support portion in which the cylinder is received and a transmission housing portion in which the first and second bearings are received to rotatably support the output shaft. The cylinder support portion and the transmission housing portion are integrally formed as a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew R. Wyler, Nathan T. Armstrong, Jason D. Thurner, Troy C. Thorson, John S. Scott, Jeremy R. Ebner, Daniel R. Garces, Ryan A. Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • Publication number: 20230122029
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a storage chamber cylinder having pressurized air in communication with the cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, a driver blade extending from a first side of the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center position and a bottom-dead-center position, a one-way seal carried onboard the piston and disposed between the piston and the cylinder, the one-way seal being configured permit a bypass flow of pressurized air from the first side of the piston, past the one-way seal, and into a space within the cylinder adjacent an opposite, second side of the piston during movement of the piston and driver blade from the top-dead-center position to the bottom-dead-center position, thereby increasing a pressure of the pressurized air within the cylinder and storage chamber cylinder, and a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the storage chamber cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew R. Wyler, Travis W. Leathrum, David C. Graf, Alex J. Brasel
  • Patent number: 11626645
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 11626644
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly