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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Publication number: 20170129123Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Emily Doberstein, James Wekwert
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Patent number: 9555554Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Emily Doberstein, James Wekwert
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Publication number: 20160359151Abstract: 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: June 3, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Andrew T. Beyerl, Michael Kolden, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Jeffrey S. Holly
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Patent number: 9511923Abstract: A powered dispensing tool includes a housing, a motor positioned within the housing, a rack coupled to the motor for powered translation in at least one of a forward direction and a reverse direction, and a transmission selectively coupling the motor and the rack. The transmission includes an input ring rotatable in response to rotation of the motor in a first direction corresponding with powered translation of the rack in the forward direction, a first clutch member engaged with the rack through an intermediate gear, and a second clutch member that receives torque from the input ring and that is movable in response to rotation of the motor in the first direction toward a first position engaging the first clutch member. The second clutch member is also movable in response to rotation of the motor in an opposite, second direction toward a second position disengaged from the first clutch member.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Naughton, Troy C. Thorson, Brandon L. Verbrugge, William E. Check, Thomas G. Simeone, Scott D. Eisenhardt, Scott Schneider
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Publication number: 20160318165Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Matthew J. Mergener, John S. Dey, IV, Toby Lichtensteiger, Jacob P. Schneider, Trent Sheffield, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz
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Publication number: 20160303755Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: James O. Myrhum, JR., Troy C. Thorson, Koon For Chung
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Publication number: 20160288193Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey M. Wackwitz, Kyle J. Radovich, Jonathon R. Gasteiner
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Publication number: 20160252112Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Sean T. Kehoe, James G. Ballard, Troy C. Thorson, Marc S. D'Antuono, Alex Huber
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Publication number: 20160229043Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: 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: 20160221200Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Steven N. Winkel, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, William W. Strohfeldt, Matthew Mergener, Scott Anderson
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Publication number: 20160214265Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Patent number: 9393711Abstract: A hand-held knockout punch driver for use with a punch and a die. The hand-held knockout punch driver having a body with a handle portion and a contact surface, a motor positioned within the body, a draw stud moveable with respect to the body, and a magnetic coupling member configured to releaseably couple the die to the contact surface of the body.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: James O. Myrhum, Jr., Troy C. Thorson, Koon For Chung
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Publication number: 20160193664Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey Holly
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Patent number: 9339938Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Steven N. Winkel, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, William W. Strohfeldt, Matthew Mergener, Scott Anderson
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Patent number: 9316352Abstract: An electrical tool includes a trigger lock assembly having a trigger lock member, a detent assembly, and a return spring. The trigger lock member is movable relative to a trigger between a neutral position, in which the trigger is movable between an off position and an on position, a lock-off position, in which the trigger is prevented from moving from the off position, and a lock-on position, in which the trigger is maintained in the on position. The detent assembly is operable to releaseably retain the trigger lock member in each position and includes a recess associated with each position. The detent assembly also includes a projection selectively engageable in one of the recesses to releasably retain the trigger lock member in the associated position, and a biasing member biasing the projection into engagement. The return spring is operable to bias the trigger lock member toward the neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Scott D. Eisenhardt, Terry L. Timmons
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Patent number: 9302402Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Daniel J. Alberti, Thomas R. Bednar, John S. Scott, Scott Anderson
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Patent number: 9283625Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey Holly
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Publication number: 20160039108Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: 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: 20160043453Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Jeremy R. Ebner, Cameron R. Schulz, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, Michael Kolden
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Patent number: 9221112Abstract: A power tool includes a motor having a can and a shaft extending axially from the can, a gear case having an inner surface that defines an opening, a bearing positioned around a portion of the shaft that extends from the can and at least partially within the opening in the gear case, and a motor mount coupled to the motor. The motor mount includes a flange extending away from the motor. The flange of the motor mount and the inner surface of the gear case axially and laterally locate the motor and the gear case on the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Sean T. Kehoe, Benjamin Ludy, Troy C. Thorson, Michael Naughton