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).

  • PEX EXPANSION TOOL
    Publication number: 20200261959
    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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: James Wekwert, Jacob Lindsey, Peter J. Davies, Justin Miller, Andrew J. Smith, Troy C. Thorson, Ryan J. Denissen, John S. Scott
  • RECIPROCATING SAW
    Publication number: 20200222996
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson
  • LIFTER MECHANISM FOR A POWERED FASTENER DRIVER
    Publication number: 20200164498
    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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Marcus Wechselberger, Troy C. Thorson, David A. Bierdeman
  • BATTERY-POWERED STAND-ALONE MOTOR UNIT
    Publication number: 20200076337
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Abbott, James Wekwert, Logan M. Hietpas, John S. Scott, Troy C. Thorson
  • IMPULSE DRIVER
    Publication number: 20200023501
    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: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan Bandy, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Maxwell L. Merget, Justin A. Evankovich, Jacob P. Schneider, Jonathan E. Abbott
  • BLADE CLAMP FOR RECIPROCATING SAW
    Publication number: 20190381586
    Abstract: A blade clamp, for use with a power tool having a reciprocating spindle, includes a cover rotatably coupled to the spindle and a detent received within a bore of the spindle. The detent is movable in a radial direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the spindle 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 blade clamp further includes a sleeve in which the detent is slidably received. The sleeve includes a non-corrosive material for inhibiting corrosion of the detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Hans T. Banholzer
  • PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR
    Publication number: 20190338763
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a compressor assembly having an electric motor and a pump driven by the motor, a battery pack electrically connected to the motor for providing electrical power thereto, a storage tank that receives compressed air from the pump, and a case enclosing at least the compressor assembly and the storage tank. The case attenuates noise emitted by the compressor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Troy C. Thorson
  • PRECISION TORQUE SCREWDRIVER
    Publication number: 20190283222
    Abstract: A rotary power tool comprises a motor, an output shaft that receives torque from the motor, a clutch positioned between the motor and the output shaft for selectively engaging the output shaft to the motor, and a transducer for detecting an amount of torque transferred through the clutch to the output shaft. The clutch is capable of being actuated from a first mode in which the output shaft is engaged to the motor, to a second mode in which the output shaft is disengaged from the motor, in response to feedback from the transducer of the detected amount of torque transferred through the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Matthew J. Mergener, John S. Dey, IV, Toby Lichtensteiger, Jacob P. Schneider, Trent Sheffield
  • Reciprocating saw, such as a jigsaw
    Patent number: 10413980
    Abstract: A jigsaw includes a housing having a body portion and a handle portion. The body portion has a forward end and a rearward end. The jigsaw also includes a motor positioned within the body portion of the housing. The motor is located forward of the handle portion. The jigsaw further includes a drive mechanism positioned within the body portion of the housing. The drive mechanism is coupled to the motor for driving a saw blade in a reciprocating motion. The jigsaw also includes a shoe assembly coupled to the body portion of the housing between the forward end and the rearward end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Naughton, Troy C. Thorson, Sean T. Kehoe, Steven G. Melnyk
  • Auto sizing chuck
    Patent number: 10376966
    Abstract: A chuck for a power tool includes a chuck body extending along a longitudinal axis. The chuck also includes a plurality of jaws, each with a jaw end, and each movable along a respective jaw axis between a closed position and an open position. Each respective jaw axis is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis. A biasing member is coupled to the jaws and is operable to bias the jaws toward the closed position. The biasing member includes a spring. The chuck also includes a rotating assembly selectively engageable with the jaws such that, when engaged, the jaws are movable in response to rotation of the rotating assembly. The biasing member includes a guide sleeve coupled to each of the jaws and movable axially along the longitudinal axis in response to each of the jaws moving along its respective jaw axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey Holly
  • HAND-HELD KNOCKOUT PUNCH DRIVER
    Publication number: 20190224879
    Abstract: A hand-held knockout punch driver includes a housing, a motor, a drive assembly with an output member movable relative to the housing, and a head unit removably coupled to the housing. The head unit includes a body, an input member movable relative to the body, and a draw rod to which 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. The knockout punch driver also includes a quick-release mechanism to removably couple the body to the housing. The output member is configured to engage the input member such that the input member moves relative to the body in response to movement of the output member relative to the housing, and the body engages the quick release mechanism separately from engagement between the output member and the input member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, JR., Troy C. Thorson, Koon For Chung
  • Precision torque screwdriver
    Patent number: 10357871
    Abstract: A transducer assembly for use in a power tool includes a bracket affixed to a housing of the power tool and a protrusion having an arcuate outer periphery. The protrusion is offset from a central axis of the bracket and extends from the bracket in a direction parallel with the central axis. The transducer assembly also includes a transducer having an inner hub with an aperture through which a distal end of the protrusion is received. The arcuate outer periphery of the protrusion is in substantially line contact with a wall segment at least partially defining the aperture. The transducer also includes an outer rim affixed to a ring gear of the power tool, a flexible web interconnecting the inner hub to the rim, and a sensor affixed to the flexible web for detecting strain of the flexible web in response to a reaction torque applied to the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Matthew J. Mergener, John S. Dey, IV, Toby Lichtensteiger, Jacob P. Schneider, Trent Sheffield
  • SUPPORT MEMBER FOR BATTERY PACK TOP HOUSING
    Publication number: 20190198829
    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: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • POWER TOOL INCLUDING A BATTERY PACK ISOLATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190193223
    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: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Andrew J. Weber
  • PEX CRIMPING TOOL
    Publication number: 20190176207
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Kyle J. Radovich, Jonathon R. Gasteiner
  • Battery pack with phase change material
    Patent number: 10305155
    Abstract: A bladder configured to support a phase change material in a heat transfer relationship with at least one battery cell including a wall defining a channel, the phase change material surrounding a portion of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Ebner, Cameron R. Schulz, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, Michael Kolden
  • HYDRAULIC HAND-HELD KNOCKOUT PUNCH DRIVER
    Publication number: 20190152083
    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: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, JR., Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner, Sean T. Kehoe, Joseph H. Ellice, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • PNEUMATIC FASTENER DRIVER
    Publication number: 20190143498
    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: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew J. Weber, James M. Wentzloff, Nicholas A. Albers, Bradley S. Helm, Troy C. Thorson
  • Hand-held knockout punch driver
    Patent number: 10252438
    Abstract: A hand-held knockout punch driver includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, and a head unit removably coupled to the housing. The head unit includes a draw rod to which at least one of a punch or a die is attachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James O. Myrhum, Jr., Troy C. Thorson, Koon For Chung
  • Support member for battery pack top housing
    Patent number: 10249854
    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: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly