Patents by Inventor Wade F. Burch

Wade F. Burch 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: 9228832
    Abstract: A level includes a first planar surface having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge and a second planar surface having a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge. The first longitudinal edge and the third longitudinal edge define a first side plane and the second longitudinal edge and the fourth longitudinal edge define a second side plane. A vial has a long axis and contains a liquid and a gas bubble. A web is coupled to the first and second planar surfaces such that the first and second planar surfaces are spaced apart from and parallel to each other. The web includes a first side surface on the first plane and a second side surface. A first recess pattern is arranged to engage a first electrical component and a second recess pattern is arranged to engage a second electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Wade F. Burch, Timothy Albrecht, Michael W. Phillips, Brandon Miller
  • Patent number: 9144891
    Abstract: A nutdriver that includes a socket configured to receive and engage a hex nut to rotate the hex nut relative to a threaded rod. The socket includes a socket opening. The nutdriver further includes a shank including a first end, a second end, and a shank aperture that extends through the first end and the second end of the shank. The nutdriver further includes a handle including a front end, a back end, and a handle aperture that extends through the front end and the back end of the handle, and the second end of the shank is coupled to the handle for co-rotation. The socket opening, the shank aperture, and the handle aperture are aligned and in communication to allow the threaded rod to extend through the socket opening, the shank aperture, the handle aperture, and beyond the back end of the handle while the socket rotates the hex nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Abhijeet A. Khangar, Cheng Zhang Li, Wade F. Burch, Michael S. Steele
  • Patent number: 9089898
    Abstract: A screwdriver includes a handle, a screwdriver head coupled to the handle, and a conduit reamer coupled to the handle. The conduit reamer includes a first cylindrical portion having a first sidewall with a first diameter, and a second cylindrical portion positioned partially within and extending out of the first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion has a second sidewall with a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter such that a gap is formed between the first and second sidewalls. The conduit reamer also includes a blade having a reaming edge positioned in the gap between the first and second sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng Zhang Li, Michael S. Steele, Wade F. Burch
  • Patent number: 9080849
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing assembly having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. A cavity is defined within the housing assembly, and the first side wall defines at least one aperture open to the cavity during use of the tape measure. The peripheral wall defines a tape port. A spool is rotatably supported in the cavity about an axis and includes at least a portion of a measuring tape. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. The spool includes a retraction mechanism with an elongated coiled spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven W. Hyma, Wade F. Burch, Cheng Zhang Li, Scott R. Fischer, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Publication number: 20150085477
    Abstract: A portable light includes an elongated housing having a first end and a second end, and an opening formed in a side of the elongated housing between the first and second ends. The portable light also includes a light source positioned within the opening of the elongated housing, and an actuator positioned within the opening of the elongated housing and electrically coupled to the light source. The actuator is operable to control operation of the light source. The portable light further includes a faceplate removably coupled to the elongated housing over the opening. The faceplate includes a lens that covers the light source and a movable member that covers the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Gareth Mueckl, Timothy Janda, Wade F. Burch, Kyle Harvey
  • Publication number: 20150047216
    Abstract: A tape measure for measuring a workpiece includes a housing, a coilable measuring tape at least partially disposed within the housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage a first surface of the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction substantially normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. The second face faces outward from the end of the tape. A magnet housing is coupled to the end hook member, a first magnet is disposed within the magnet housing and arranged to magnetically engage the workpiece when the workpiece is positioned adjacent the second face, and a second magnet is disposed within the magnet housing and is arranged to magnetically engage the workpiece when the workpiece is positioned adjacent the first face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fischer, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 8910390
    Abstract: A level for indicating the orientation of a surface includes a first planar surface, a second planar surface, a web coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such that the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second planar surface, and a vial having a long axis and containing a liquid and a gas bubble. The level also includes a first magnet coupled to the first planar surface, a second magnet coupled to the first planar surface and spaced apart from the first magnet by a first distance, and a third magnet coupled to the first planar surface and spaced apart from the second magnet by a second distance that is different than the first distance. The first, second, and third magnets are positioned along the first planar surface successively without any additional magnets positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Wade F. Burch
  • Patent number: 8905572
    Abstract: A portable light includes an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, a light source positioned within the elongated housing, and an attachment member movably coupled to the elongated housing to hang the portable light from a support structure. The attachment member is movable to a first position, in which the attachment member generally extends from the elongated housing in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and to a second position, in which the attachment member generally extends from the elongated housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Mueckl, Timothy Janda, Wade F. Burch, Kyle Harvey
  • Publication number: 20140352165
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing arranged to substantially enclose an internal cavity, the housing defining a tape port, and a tape positioned partially within the housing, the tape including an end portion that extends through the tape port and out of the housing. A hook is coupled to the end portion and a finger guard assembly is coupled to the housing and spaced apart from the tape port. The end portion extends through an aperture in the finger guard assembly and is movable between a retracted position in which the hook abuts the finger guard assembly and an extended position in which the hook is spaced apart from the finger guard assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven W. Hyma, Wade F. Burch, Cheng Zhang Li, Scott R. Fischer, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 8863399
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing assembly defining a cavity and a tape port. A measuring tape is selectively extendable and retractable from the tape port. The measuring tape includes a spool portion disposed within the cavity and an end portion. A top surface extends from the end portion to the spool portion, and a bottom surface extends from the end portion to the spool portion opposite the top surface. A hook member is fixedly coupled to a end portion of the measuring tape. A first measurement scale is defined on the top surface and includes indicia having a first orientation relative to a longitudinal tape axis. The bottom surface includes a second measurement scale with indicia having a second orientation relative to the longitudinal tape axis. The second orientation is substantially opposite the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven W. Hyma, Wade F. Burch, Cheng Zhang Li
  • Publication number: 20140240902
    Abstract: A power distribution box apparatus and method for implementing a priority disconnect scheme and a network communication bridge at a worksite, where the power distribution box distributes temporary power. The power distribution box includes a housing portion and a base portion elevating the housing portion off of the ground or another surface. The power distribution box includes a communication module having a network connecting module operable to connect to an external communication network (e.g., the Internet), and a wireless network module operable to wirelessly communicate with an external device (e.g., a smart phone) to, thereby, connect the external device to the external communication network. The power distribution box may also include a priority disconnect module to selectively disconnect AC output receptacles in response to over-current situations based on a priority level associated with each receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Wade F. Burch
  • Publication number: 20140240125
    Abstract: A power distribution box includes a power input configured to receive power from an external power source, an alternating current (AC) output electrically coupled to the power input, a power-line adapter and a gateway device. The power-line adapter is coupled to the power input and configured to receive power via the power input and communicate with an external network. The gateway device is coupled to the power-line adapter and is configured to communicate with the external network. The gateway device includes a wireless network module configured to communicate with at least one power tool device in a wireless network, and a translation controller configured to enable communications between the wireless network module and the external network through the power-line adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Wade F. Burch, Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Leslie J. Reading
  • Publication number: 20140231486
    Abstract: A stapler may generally include a main body having a front side and a bottom side extending from the front side, a staple discharge opening being defined on the bottom side proximate the front side; and a staple puller projecting from the front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Wade F. Burch, Michael S. Steele, Steven W. Hyma
  • Patent number: 8806770
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing assembly defining a cavity and a tape port from which to extend and retract a measuring tape. The measuring tape forms a spool rotatably coupled about an axis. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. A U-shaped guard member extends from the housing assembly adjacent the tape port. The guard member is configured to engage the hook member when the measuring tape is retracted into the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven W. Hyma, Wade F. Burch, Cheng Zhang Li, Scott R. Fischer, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Publication number: 20140166516
    Abstract: A tool storage device and a tool box. The device may include flexible walls cooperating to define a storage area, and a rigid frame supported in the storage area and including a central portion extending in a direction from a bottom wall toward a top wall, one base portion extending from one side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward one side wall, and another base portion extending from an opposite side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward an opposite side wall. The tool box may include a body defining a storage compartment; a lid defining a groove in its outer surface to support an elongated work piece; and a handle engageable with a work piece supported in the groove. The lid may be attachable to the top of the body in a closed position and to the bottom in a stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Mark R. Martinez, Joel Allen, Brandon Miller, Whitney M. Moks, Christopher S. Hoppe, Steven W. Hyma, Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Wade F. Burch, Matthew W. Naiva, Eric Mackey
  • Publication number: 20140119575
    Abstract: Systems and methods including a wireless device in communication with, controlling, and providing streaming media to a worksite audio device. The worksite audio device, such as a radio, includes a rugged structure enabling its use on construction sites. The worksite audio device is powerable via a power tool battery pack or AC source, and includes a charger circuit to charge an inserted power tool battery using power from the AC source. The worksite audio device is in communication with an external wireless device, such as a smart phone. The worksite audio device outputs to the smart phone battery status information, such as temperature and state of charge, as well as other information about the audio device. The smart phone displays the status information received from the audio device. Additionally, a user may control the audio device via a graphical user interface of the smart phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Cole A. Conrad, Jason R. Crowe, Wade F. Burch
  • Patent number: 8631584
    Abstract: A level for indicating the orientation of a surface includes a first planar surface, a second planar surface, and a web coupled to the first planar surface and the second planar surface such that the first planar surface is spaced apart from and is parallel to the second planar surface. A vial defines a long axis and contains a liquid and a gas bubble. The vial is coupled to the web such that the long axis is substantially parallel to the first planar surface. A tube deburring portion is coupled to the web and includes a male conical portion arranged to deburr an inner edge of a tube and a female conical portion arranged to deburr an outer edge of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Wade F. Burch, Timothy Albrecht, Michael W. Phillips, Brandon Miller
  • Publication number: 20130330115
    Abstract: A marking pen including a body including a pen and a cap. The cap includes a clip including a first leg that extends from the cap body and away from the cap body in a first direction that is along a transverse axis of the cap body, a second leg that extends from the first leg and away from the first leg in a second direction to create a gap between the second leg and the cap body, and a third leg that extends from the second leg in a third direction along a longitudinal axis of the cap body and the third leg also extends toward the cap body along the transverse axis of the cap body. The clip is configured to attach the cap to an article of clothing in the gap between the second leg and the cap body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven W. Hyma, Wade F. Burch, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Publication number: 20130269196
    Abstract: A level includes a first planar surface having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge and a second planar surface having a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge. The first longitudinal edge and the third longitudinal edge define a first side plane and the second longitudinal edge and the fourth longitudinal edge define a second side plane. A vial has a long axis and contains a liquid and a gas bubble. A web is coupled to the first and second planar surfaces such that the first and second planar surfaces are spaced apart from and parallel to each other. The web includes a first side surface on the first plane and a second side surface. A first recess pattern is arranged to engage a first electrical component and a second recess pattern is arranged to engage a second electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Wade F. Burch, Timothy Albrecht, Michael W. Phillips, Brandon Miller
  • Publication number: 20130258649
    Abstract: A portable light includes an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, a light source positioned within the elongated housing, and an attachment member movably coupled to the elongated housing to hang the portable light from a support structure. The attachment member is movable to a first position, in which the attachment member generally extends from the elongated housing in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and to a second position, in which the attachment member generally extends from the elongated housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gareth Mueckl, Timothy Janda, Wade F. Burch, Kyle Harvey