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: 20220234184
    Abstract: A power tool including a housing that has a handle portion and a trigger mechanism mounted on the handle portion. The trigger mechanism includes a first trigger for initiating an operation and a second trigger, each of the first and second triggers being movable between a first position and a second position. The second trigger, when in the first position, blocks movement of the first trigger from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. Weber, James M. Wentzloff, Nicholas A. Albers, Bradley S. Helm, Troy C. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20220219301
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A kickout arrangement is at least partially defined by an outer surface on one of a torque output member and a torque input member and an aperture formed in the other of the torque output member and the torque input member in which the outer surface is received. The kickout arrangement configured to permit limited rotation of the torque output member relative to the torque input member between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    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: 20220184685
    Abstract: A working element operable to expand an end of a tube includes a main body configured to rotate about an axis, a plurality of roller supports movably coupled to the main body, the roller supports movable relative to the main body between a retracted position and an expanded position, and a plurality of rollers coupled to the roller supports such that a distance between a first roller of the plurality of rollers and a second roller of the plurality of rollers increases when the roller supports move toward the expanded position. The rollers are configured to be inserted into the end of the tube when the roller supports are in the retracted position, and the rollers are engageable with an inner circumference of the tube when the main body rotates about the axis to expand the end of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: James WEKWERT, Jeremy R. EBNER, Troy C. THORSON, Zachary G. STANKE, Gareth MUECKL, Alex H. BOLL
  • Publication number: 20220185639
    Abstract: A wireless hoist system including a first hoist device having a first motor and a first wireless transceiver and a second hoist device having a second motor and a second wireless transceiver. The wireless hoist system includes a controller in wireless communication with the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless. The controller is configured to receive a user input and determine a first operation parameter and a second operation parameter based on the user input. The controller is also configured to provide, wirelessly, a first control signal indicative of the first operation parameter to the first hoist device and provide, wirelessly, a second control signal indicative of the second operation parameter to the second hoist device. The first hoist device operates based on the first control signal and the second hoist device operates based on the second control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Post, Gareth Mueckl, Matthew N. Thurin, Joshua D. Widder, Timothy J. Bartlett, Patrick D. Gallagher, Jarrod P. Kotes, Karly M. Schober, Kenneth W. Wolf, Terry L. Timmons, Mallory L. Marksteiner, Jonathan L. Lambert, Ryan A. Spiering, Jeremy R. Ebner, Benjamin A. Smith, James Wekwert, Brandon L. Yahr, Troy C. Thorson, Connor P. Sprague, John E. Koller, Evan M. Glanzer, John S. Scott, William F. Chapman, III, Timothy R. Obermann
  • Patent number: 11331781
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a driven or bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The drive unit includes an output shaft. The powered fastener driver also includes a rotary lifter engageable with the driver blade. The lifter is configured to receive torque from the drive unit in a first rotational direction for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The powered fastener driver further includes a kickout arrangement located between the lifter and the output shaft. The kickout arrangement is configured to permit limited rotation of the lifter relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Bierdeman, Mackenzie J. Nick, Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Nathan Bandy, Jacob P. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20220143798
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and configured to receive torque from the drive unit for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter has a body, a drive pin coupled to the body, and a roller positioned on the drive pin. The roller includes an engagement section configured to receive an end portion of a tooth of the driver blade. The lifter includes a means for aligning the engagement section with the end portion of the tooth on the driver blade to facilitate meshing between the end portion and the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, David A. Bierdeman, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger
  • Patent number: 11322792
    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: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Publication number: 20220105610
    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 includes 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. The hammer includes a first side facing the anvil and a second side opposite the first side. The impulse assembly further includes a biasing member biasing the hammer towards the anvil, and a valve movable between a first position that permits a first fluid flow rate of the hydraulic fluid in the chamber from the second side to the first side, and a second position that permits a second fluid flow rate of the hydraulic fluid in the chamber from the first side to the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Nathan Bandy, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
  • Publication number: 20220097215
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Hugh A. Dales, Michael A. Verhagen, Troy C. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20220094004
    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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 11278949
    Abstract: A power tool includes an outer housing having a drive unit support portion and a handle portion, an inner housing positioned at least partially within the outer housing, and a drive unit positioned in the drive unit support portion, the drive unit including an output member. The power tool also includes a power screw mechanism with a nut fixed relative to the outer housing and a screw coupled for co-rotation with the output member and axially movable relative to the output member. The screw is in threaded engagement with the nut such that the screw moves axially in response to rotation of the screw relative to the nut. The power tool also includes a working assembly coupled to the inner housing for movement in response to axial movement of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Kyle J. Radovich, Jonathon R. Gasteiner
  • Publication number: 20220032486
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, JR., Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner, Sean T. Kehoe, Joseph H. Ellice, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 11213934
    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 includes 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. The hammer includes a first side facing the anvil and a second side opposite the first side. The impulse assembly further includes a biasing member biasing the hammer towards the anvil, and a valve movable between a first position that permits a first fluid flow rate of the hydraulic fluid in the chamber from the second side to the first side, and a second position that permits a second fluid flow rate of the hydraulic fluid in the chamber from the first side to the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathan Bandy, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
  • Publication number: 20210378173
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20210379717
    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: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Andrew J. Weber
  • Publication number: 20210370487
    Abstract: A fastener driver includes a housing having a handle portion. A motor is positioned within the housing. The fastener driver further includes an air compressor including a compressor cylinder and a compressor piston movable within the compressor cylinder in a reciprocating manner to compress air within the compressor cylinder. The fastener driver further includes a drive train converting torque from the motor to a linear force applied to the compressor piston, causing the compressor piston to move in the reciprocating manner. At least a portion of the drive train extends through the handle portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew J. Weber, James M. Wentzloff, Nicholas A. Albers, Bradley S. Helm, Troy C. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20210347022
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver comprising a housing, a nosepiece coupled to the housing and extending therefrom, a driver blade movable within the nosepiece between a ready position and a driven position, and a pusher mechanism coupled to the nosepiece for individually transferring collated fasteners in a canister magazine to a driver channel in the nosepiece in which the driver blade is movable. The pusher mechanism includes a feeder arm and a linkage positioned between the feeder arm and the driver blade. The feeder arm is engageable with individual fasteners in the nosepiece for sequentially pushing each of the fasteners into the driver channel in response to movement of the feeder arm toward the driver channel. The linkage is movable to advance the feeder arm toward the driver channel in response to contact with the driver blade as the driver blade moves from the driven position toward the ready position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Travis W. Leathrum, Troy C. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20210347026
    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 therewith between a ready position and a driven position, a lifter to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, and a transmission including an output shaft operatively coupled to the lifter to provide torque to the lifter. The fastener driver also includes an input to provide torque to the transmission and a clutch positioned downstream of the input and operably coupled to the output shaft to limit an amount of torque transferred to the output shaft and the lifter. In response to an application of a reaction torque to the output shaft above a predetermined threshold, torque from the input is diverted from the output shaft via the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20210347025
    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: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11148312
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, Jr., Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner, Sean T. Kehoe, Joseph H. Ellice, Jeffrey S. Holly