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).

  • OSCILLATING MULTI-TOOL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190091888
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing and a motor disposed in the housing. The motor has an axial face and a motor shaft extending from the axial face. The power tool also includes a spindle driven by the motor about an output axis, a motor plate having a central opening defining an inner surface of the motor plate, and a tolerance ring coupled to the inner surface of the motor plate. The tolerance ring has deformable waves. The motor plate is coupled to the motor by engagement of the deformable waves with the motor to take up tolerances between the motor plate and the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Emily Doberstein, James Wekwert
  • GAS SPRING-POWERED FASTENER DRIVER
    Publication number: 20190091845
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver including 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 operable to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, a transmission for providing torque to the lifter, a first clutch mechanism permitting a transfer of torque to an output shaft of the transmission in a single rotational direction, and a second clutch mechanism limiting an amount of torque transferred to the transmission output shaft and the lifter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    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
  • Power tool including a battery pack isolation system
    Patent number: 10232479
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Andrew J. Weber
  • STRING TRIMMER HEAD AND SPOOL
    Publication number: 20190075721
    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: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson
  • Hydraulic power tool
    Patent number: 10226826
    Abstract: A hydraulic power tool includes a housing defining a cylinder, a piston at least partially positioned within the cylinder and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid, a pump for transferring hydraulic fluid in the reservoir to the cylinder, causing the piston to move from the retracted position toward the extended position, a return valve defining a rotational axis and positioned between the cylinder and the reservoir, and a valve actuator driven by the pump for opening the return valve, thereby fluidly communicating the cylinder and the reservoir, in response to a predetermined pressure being reached in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean T. Kehoe, James G. Ballard, Troy C. Thorson, Marc S. D'Antuono, Alex Huber
  • PEX crimping tool
    Patent number: 10213821
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having an output shaft, an extensible member driven by the motor, a working assembly movable in response to contact with a distal end of the extensible member, a first sensor configured to detect a home position of the extensible member, a second sensor configured to detect rotation of the motor output shaft, and a controller in electrical communication with the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to drive the motor output shaft in a first rotational direction a predetermined number of revolutions counted by the second sensor, thereby displacing the extensible member from the home position. The controller is also configured to drive the motor output shaft in an opposite, second rotational direction to thereby return the extensible member until the home position is detected by the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Kyle J. Radovich, Jonathon R. Gasteiner
  • Hydraulic hand-held knockout punch driver
    Patent number: 10195755
    Abstract: A hand-held knockout driver includes a main housing having a handle portion, a motor positioned within the main housing, a hydraulic assembly driven by the motor and including a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid, a secondary housing coupled to the main housing and defining a bore therein, a working piston moveable within the bore between a rest position and an actuated position, and a work zone defined between the secondary housing and the working piston into which pressurized hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic assembly is received. One unit of fluid is added to the work zone to move the working piston from the rest position to the actuated position. The reservoir has a fill capacity no greater than about 1.5 units of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    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
  • Gas spring-powered fastener driver
    Patent number: 10173310
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver including 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 operable to move the driver blade from the driven position to the ready position, a transmission for providing torque to the lifter, a first clutch mechanism permitting a transfer of torque to an output shaft of the transmission in a single rotational direction, and a second clutch mechanism limiting an amount of torque transferred to the transmission output shaft and the lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    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 Allen Dedrickson, Luke J. Skinner, Benjamin R. Suhr
  • SUPPORT MEMBER FOR BATTERY PACK TOP HOUSING
    Publication number: 20180358589
    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: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Oscillating multi-tool system
    Patent number: 10137592
    Abstract: A power tool having a housing, a motor, a tool holder driven about an output axis by the motor, and an output element for performing an operation on a workpiece. The tool holder has a locating feature including a tapered portion becoming narrower in a direction away from the surface of the tool holder. The output element has an aperture for receiving the locating feature and a face facing the surface of the tool holder when the locating feature is received. The power tool also includes a flange for transferring a clamping force for urging the output element towards the tool holder and a tab projecting from the flange for finger tightening the flange. A biasing member provides the clamping force toollessly. A gap is defined between the surface of the tool holder and the face when the tapered portion of the locating feature is fully received in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Emily Doberstein, James Wekwert
  • AUTO SIZING CHUCK
    Publication number: 20180272436
    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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey Holly
  • Pipe cutter
    Patent number: 10046470
    Abstract: A pipe cutter for cutting a pipe includes a cutting head assembly having a first carriage and a second carriage spaced apart to define a cutting area. The first carriage supports a cutting mechanism, and the second carriage is configured to support a pipe within the cutting area. The carriages have a locked state and an unlocked state such that when the carriages are in the unlocked state, the carriages are movable relative to each other and biased into the cutting area. The pipe cutter also includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the cutting head assembly and a locking mechanism configured for changing the carriages from the unlocked state to the locked state and for holding the carriages in the locked state. The locking mechanism includes an actuation member rotatably coupled to the first carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
  • Auto sizing chuck
    Patent number: 10005133
    Abstract: A chuck includes a chuck body extending along a longitudinal axis, the chuck body including a plurality of slots each arranged at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of jaws each includes a first engagement portion, a jaw end, and a drive end. Each of the jaws is disposed within one of the plurality of slots and is movable between a close position and an open position. A biasing member is coupled to the plurality of jaws and is operable to bias the plurality of jaws toward the close position and a rotating assembly is selectively engageable with the plurality of jaws such that when engaged, the plurality of jaws are movable in response to rotation of the rotating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey Holly
  • PEX CRIMPING TOOL
    Publication number: 20180021840
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having an output shaft, an extensible member driven by the motor, a working assembly movable in response to contact with a distal end of the extensible member, a first sensor configured to detect a home position of the extensible member, a second sensor configured to detect rotation of the motor output shaft, and a controller in electrical communication with the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to drive the motor output shaft in a first rotational direction a predetermined number of revolutions counted by the second sensor, thereby displacing the extensible member from the home position. The controller is also configured to drive the motor output shaft in an opposite, second rotational direction to thereby return the extensible member until the home position is detected by the first sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Kyle J. Radovich, Jonathon R. Gasteiner
  • BATTERY PACK WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20170331163
    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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Ebner, Cameron R. Schulz, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, Michael Kolden
  • PEX crimping tool
    Patent number: 9808851
    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 handle, and a drive unit positioned in the drive unit support portion. The drive unit includes an output shaft extending at least partially through the handle portion. The power tool also includes a ball screw mechanism having a nut supported at least partially within the inner housing and a screw coupled to the nut for relative axial displacement therewith in response to relative rotation between the screw and the nut. Torque from the output shaft is applied to one of the nut and the screw to cause the relative rotation. The handle portion exerts a reaction torque on the inner housing in response to the relative rotation between the nut and screw to prevent the inner housing from rotating relative to the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Kyle J. Radovich, Jonathon R. Gasteiner
  • BIT RETENTION ASSEMBLY FOR ROTARY HAMMER
    Publication number: 20170282345
    Abstract: A rotary hammer includes a motor, a spindle coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor, a piston at least partially received within the spindle for reciprocation therein, and an anvil received within the spindle for reciprocation in response to reciprocation of the piston. The anvil imparts axial impacts to a tool bit in response to reciprocation of the piston. The rotary hammer also includes a bit retention assembly for securing the tool bit to the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner
  • Powered cutting tool
    Patent number: 9757868
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a housing and a pair of cutting blades at least partially extending from the housing. At least a first of the cutting blades is movable. The cutting tool also includes a drive mechanism including a cam and a ratchet mechanism. At least a portion of the ratchet mechanism is drivably coupled to the first cutting blade. The cutting tool further includes a motor for providing torque to the cam to actuate the ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a follower that is translatable in a direction transverse to a rotational axis of the cam in response to rotation of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven N. Winkel, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, William W. Strohfeldt, Matthew Mergener, Scott Anderson
  • Battery pack with phase change material
    Patent number: 9742047
    Abstract: A battery pack may include a housing; at least one battery cell supported in the housing; a phase change material; and a bladder containing the phase change material, the bladder defining a channel having an opening, the bladder being in a heat transfer relationship with the at least one battery cell. The phase change material in the bladder may also surround a portion of the channel. The phase change material may include a paraffin wax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Ebner, Cameron R. Schulz, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, Michael Kolden
  • Bit retention assembly for rotary hammer
    Patent number: 9662778
    Abstract: A rotary hammer includes a motor, a spindle coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor, a piston at least partially received within the spindle for reciprocation therein, and an anvil received within the spindle for reciprocation in response to reciprocation of the piston. The anvil imparts axial impacts to a tool bit in response to reciprocation of the piston. The rotary hammer also includes a bit retention assembly for securing the tool bit to the spindle. The bit retention assembly includes a collar with an indicator thereon. The indicator is at least partially visible to a user of the rotary hammer when the tool bit is improperly inserted within the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner