Patents by Inventor Troy Thorson

Troy 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).

  • Patent number: 8087437
    Abstract: A router includes a base, a motor housing supported by the base for movement along a first axis, and an adjustment mechanism having a shaft, with a thread portion, connected to the motor housing for rotation about a second axis. The adjustment mechanism also includes a unitarily formed lock mechanism supported by the base. The lock mechanism includes a thread-engaging member that, when engaged with the thread portion, causes small changes to the position of the housing relative to the base in response to rotation of the shaft. The lock mechanism is movable between an engaged position, in which the thread-engaging member engages the thread portion, and a disengaged position, in which the thread-engaging member disengages the thread portion and the housing is freely movable relative to the base to provide course adjustment of the position of the housing relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Techtronic Power Tools Technology Limited, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jay A. Goddard, Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey Holly
  • Publication number: 20100126627
    Abstract: A router includes a base, a motor housing supported by the base for movement along a first axis, and an adjustment mechanism having a shaft, with a thread portion, connected to the motor housing for rotation about a second axis. The adjustment mechanism also includes a unitarily formed lock mechanism supported by the base. The lock mechanism includes a thread-engaging member that, when engaged with the thread portion, causes small changes to the position of the housing relative to the base in response to rotation of the shaft. The lock mechanism is movable between an engaged position, in which the thread-engaging member engages the thread portion, and a disengaged position, in which the thread-engaging member disengages the thread portion and the housing is freely movable relative to the base to provide course adjustment of the position of the housing relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Jay A. Goddard, Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey Holly
  • Patent number: 7677280
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing supported by the base, a motor supported by the motor housing, and a hand grip forming at least a portion of one of the base and the housing and being contoured to fit a hand of an operator. The one of the base and the housing may be grasped by the operator when the operator grasps the hand grip to control movement of the router on the work piece surface. In other aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing supported by and movable relative to the base, and a motor supported by the motor housing. The base is contoured to fit a hand of an operator and includes at least one of a slot or a ridge to provide improved gripping for an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 7669620
    Abstract: A router includes a base for supporting the router on a work piece surface, a motor housing coupled to the base for movement along a first axis relative to the base, a motor supported by the housing and operable to drive a tool element, and a cantilevered shaft rotatable about a second axis and oriented substantially parallel with the first axis and offset from the first axis. The shaft includes a first end supported by the motor housing, a second end, and a threaded portion between the first and second ends. The threaded portion is engaged with the base. Rotation of the shaft about the second axis causes movement of the housing relative to the base along the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Publication number: 20090173410
    Abstract: A router includes a base for supporting the router on a work piece surface, a motor housing coupled to the base for movement along a first axis relative to the base, a motor supported by the housing and operable to drive a tool element, and a cantilevered shaft rotatable about a second axis and oriented substantially parallel with the first axis and offset from the first axis. The shaft includes a first end supported by the motor housing, a second end, and a threaded portion between the first and second ends on the outer periphery of the shaft. The threaded portion is engaged with the base. Rotation of the shaft about the second axis causes movement of the housing relative to the base along the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 7556070
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a housing and a hand grip attachable to one of the base and the housing, and the hand grip may be contoured to fit a hand of an operator and may be at least partially formed of an elastomeric material. In some aspects, a router includes a housing and a hand grip connected to the housing. In some aspects, a router is operable above a workpiece and under a table. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing and an adjustment mechanism supported by at least one of the base and the motor housing for adjusting the position of the motor housing relative to the base. In some aspects, a case for a router includes a base plate operable to support a router with a bit attached to the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 7523772
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a housing and a hand grip attachable to one of the base and the housing, and the hand grip may be contoured to fit a hand of an operator and may be at least partially formed of an elastomeric material. In some aspects, a router includes a housing and a hand grip connected to the housing. In some aspects, a router is operable above a workpiece and under a table. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing and an adjustment mechanism supported by at least one of the base and the motor housing for adjusting the position of the motor housing relative to the base. In some aspects, a case for a router includes a base plate operable to support a router with a bit attached to the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 7370679
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a housing and a hand grip attachable to one of the base and the housing, and the hand grip may be contoured to fit a hand of an operator and may be at least partially formed of an elastomeric material. In some aspects, a router includes a housing and a hand grip connected to the housing. In some aspects, a router is operable above a workpiece and under a table. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing and an adjustment mechanism supported by at least one of the base and the motor housing for adjusting the position of the motor housing relative to the base. In some aspects, a case for a router includes a base plate operable to support a router with a bit attached to the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 7207362
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a housing and a hand grip attachable to one of the base and the housing, and the hand grip may be contoured to fit a hand of an operator and may be at least partially formed of an elastomeric material. In some aspects, a router includes a housing and a hand grip connected to the housing. In some aspects, a router is operable above a workpiece and under a table. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing and an adjustment mechanism supported by at least one of the base and the motor housing for adjusting the position of the motor housing relative to the base. In some aspects, a case for a router includes a base plate operable to support a router with a bit attached to the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Publication number: 20070074407
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reciprocating saw that includes a reciprocatable spindle for supporting a saw blade for reciprocating sawing movement. A body houses a motor and a drive mechanism driven by the motor. The drive mechanism selectively drives the spindle and the body supports the spindle. A grip extends outwardly from the body adjacent a center of gravity of the saw so as to allow an operator to operate the reciprocating saw with a first hand and support a workpiece being cut with a second hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: David Serdynski, David Griep, Troy Thorson
  • Publication number: 20060266184
    Abstract: A saw, such as a chop saw, a miter saw, a sliding saw, a compound miter saw, etc. In some constructions, the saw may include a miter adjustment assembly including a coarse adjustment assembly and a fine adjustment assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a bevel adjustment assembly including a brake mechanism and a bevel detent assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a dust collection assembly including a dust chute defining a dust both around the bevel arm. In some constructions, the saw may include a table having a top wall with a peripheral rim and a side wall depending from the top wall, and a base defining an opening in which the side wall is received and a ledge above which the rim is positioned. In some constructions, the saw may include elastomeric material covering a portion of the base, such as a bottom surface, a lateral surface, a grip surface, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Jason Hetcher, Mark Willer, Dennis Cerney, William Elger, Harold Papenfuss, Daryl Richards, David Bauer, Edward Gisske, Edward Raleigh, Michael Weber, Eric Fernandes, David Hlavac, Troy Thorson, Michael Welliver
  • Publication number: 20060249227
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing supported by the base, a motor supported by the motor housing, and a hand grip forming at least a portion of one of the base and the housing and being contoured to fit a hand of an operator. The one of the base and the housing may be grasped by the operator when the operator grasps the hand grip to control movement of the router on the work piece surface. In other aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing supported by and movable relative to the base, and a motor supported by the motor housing. The base is contoured to fit a hand of an operator and includes at least one of a slot or a ridge to provide improved gripping for an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey Holly
  • Publication number: 20060162523
    Abstract: A saw, such as a chop saw, a miter saw, a sliding saw, a compound miter saw, etc. In some constructions, the saw may include a miter adjustment assembly including a coarse adjustment assembly and a fine adjustment assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a bevel adjustment assembly including a brake mechanism and a bevel detent assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a dust collection assembly including a dust chute defining a dust both around the bevel arm. In some constructions, the saw may include a table having a top wall with a peripheral rim and a side wall depending from the top wall, and a base defining an opening in which the side wall is received and a ledge above which the rim is positioned. In some constructions, the saw may include elastomeric material covering a portion of the base, such as a bottom surface, a lateral surface, a grip surface, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Jason Hetcher, Mark Willer, Dennis Cerney, William Elger, Harold Papenfuss, Daryl Richards, David Bauer, Edward Gisske, Edward Raleigh, Michael Weber, Eric Fernandes, David Hlavac, Troy Thorson, Michael Welliver
  • Publication number: 20060119318
    Abstract: A battery pack for powering a cordless power tool. The battery pack includes at least one battery cell operable to supply a discharge current, a switch operable to control the discharge current and a protection device to protect the switch. The protection device is positioned such that the device absorbs a current traveling in a direction opposite to that of the discharge current supplied from the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: David Serdynski, Boyd Miller, Scott Bublitz, Troy Thorson, Thomas Bednar, David Griep, Nancy Uehlein-Proctor, Dennis Grzybowski, Jeffrey Holly, Jeffrey Hessenberger, Mark Kubale, Todd Johnson, Jonathan Lobert, Jay Rosenbecker
  • Publication number: 20060117580
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides a reciprocating saw including a reciprocatable spindle for supporting a saw blade for reciprocating sawing movement and a body housing a motor and a drive mechanism driven by the motor, the drive mechanism selectively driving the spindle, the body having a forward end supporting the spindle, and a battery connectable to the body and having a forward-most point and a lower surface spaced rearwardly from the forward-most point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: David Serdynski, Boyd Miller, Scott Bublitz, Troy Thorson, Thomas Bednar, David Griep
  • Publication number: 20060118205
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a housing and a hand grip attachable to one of the base and the housing, and the hand grip may be contoured to fit a hand of an operator and may be at least partially formed of an elastomeric material. In some aspects, a router includes a housing and a hand grip connected to the housing. In some aspects, a router is operable above a workpiece and under a table. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing and an adjustment mechanism supported by at least one of the base and the motor housing for adjusting the position of the motor housing relative to the base. In some aspects, a case for a router includes a base plate operable to support a router with a bit attached to the router.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey Holly
  • Publication number: 20060112570
    Abstract: A power tool including a body housing a motor and a drive mechanism driven by the motor, the drive mechanism being operable to drive a tool element, the body including a support portion, a battery electrically connectable with the motor such that the battery selectively supplies power to the motor, the battery including an adapter support portion connectable to the body support portion along an adapter attachment axis, one of the support portion of the body and the adapter support portion of the battery including a track and a ramp positioned along the track and angled with respect to the attachment axis, and an other of the support portion of the body and the adapter support portion of the battery including a protrusion engageable with the track to connect the battery to the body and engageable with the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: David Serdynski, Boyd Miller, Scott Bublitz, Troy Thorson, Thomas Bednar, David Griep, Nancy Uehlein-Proctor, Dennis Grzybowski, Jeffrey Holly, Jeffrey Hessenberger, Mark Kubale, Todd Johnson, Jonathan Lobert, Jay Rosenbecker
  • Patent number: 6991008
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a housing and a hand grip attachable to one of the base and the housing, and the hand grip may be contoured to fit a hand of an operator and may be at least partially formed of an elastomeric material. In some aspects, a router includes a housing and a hand grip connected to the housing. In some aspects, a router is operable above a workpiece and under a table. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing and an adjustment mechanism supported by at least one of the base and the motor housing for adjusting the position of the motor housing relative to the base. In some aspects, a case for a router includes a base plate operable to support a router with a bit attached to the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Publication number: 20050262978
    Abstract: A saw, such as a chop saw, a miter saw, a sliding saw, a compound miter saw, etc. In some constructions, the saw may include a miter adjustment assembly including a coarse adjustment assembly and a fine adjustment assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a bevel adjustment assembly including a brake mechanism and a bevel detent assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a dust collection assembly including a dust chute defining a dust both around the bevel arm. In some constructions, the saw may include a table having a top wall with a peripheral rim and a side wall depending from the top wall, and a base defining an opening in which the side wall is received and a ledge above which the rim is positioned. In some constructions, the saw may include elastomeric material covering a portion of the base, such as a bottom surface, a lateral surface, a grip surface, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Jason Hetcher, Mark Willer, Dennis Cerney, William Elger, Harold Papenfuss, Daryl Richards, David Bauer, Edward Gisske, Edward Raleigh, Michael Weber, Eric Fernandes, David Hlavac, Troy Thorson, Michael Welliver
  • Publication number: 20050262983
    Abstract: A saw, such as a chop saw, a miter saw, a sliding saw, a compound miter saw, etc. In some constructions, the saw may include a miter adjustment assembly including a coarse adjustment assembly and a fine adjustment assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a bevel adjustment assembly including a brake mechanism and a bevel detent assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a dust collection assembly including a dust chute defining a dust both around the bevel arm. In some constructions, the saw may include a table having a top wall with a peripheral rim and a side wall depending from the top wall, and a base defining an opening in which the side wall is received and a ledge above which the rim is positioned. In some constructions, the saw may include elastomeric material covering a portion of the base, such as a bottom surface, a lateral surface, a grip surface, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Jason Hetcher, Mark Willer, Dennis Cerney, William Elger, Harold Papenfuss, Daryl Richards, David Bauer, Edward Gisske, Edward Raleigh, Michael Weber, Eric Fernandes, David Hlavac, Troy Thorson, Michael Welliver