Patents by Inventor William Hickerson

William Hickerson 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: 11511139
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb to force open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 11224770
    Abstract: A portable rescue tool that is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor has a drive output shaft that transfers rotational power to an angle rotary gearbox. The angle rotary gearbox has an output shaft that is oriented about 90 degrees from the rotational axis of the motor output shaft and is geared so as to increase the torque and reduce the speed of the rotational power. The angle rotary gearbox provides a reduced speed, high torque output at an output shaft that is delivered by a single chain drive to a main rotary actuator where two actuator arms are controlled to move away from each other and toward each other in the operation of the rescue tool. The portable rescue tool is designed to be of a low weight and enhanced cooling properties as present rescue tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 10974082
    Abstract: A portable rescue tool that is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor has a drive output shaft that transfers rotational power to an angle rotary gearbox. The angle rotary gearbox has an output shaft that is oriented about 90 degrees from the rotational axis of the motor output shaft and is geared so as to increase the torque and reduce the speed of the rotational power. The angle rotary gearbox provides a reduced speed, high torque output at an output shaft that is delivered by a single chain drive to a main rotary actuator where two actuator arms are controlled to move away from each other and toward each other in the operation of the rescue tool. The portable rescue tool is designed to be of a low weight and enhanced cooling properties as present rescue tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20200030641
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb to force open the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 10413759
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20190240513
    Abstract: A portable rescue tool that is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor has a drive output shaft that transfers rotational power to an angle rotary gearbox. The angle rotary gearbox has an output shaft that is oriented about 90 degrees from the rotational axis of the motor output shaft and is geared so as to increase the torque and reduce the speed of the rotational power. The angle rotary gearbox provides a reduced speed, high torque output at an output shaft that is delivered by a single chain drive to a main rotary actuator where two actuator arms are controlled to move away from each other and toward each other in the operation of the rescue tool. The portable rescue tool is designed to be of a low weight and enhanced cooling properties as present rescue tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20190240514
    Abstract: A portable rescue tool that is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor has a drive output shaft that transfers rotational power to an angle rotary gearbox. The angle rotary gearbox has an output shaft that is oriented about 90 degrees from the rotational axis of the motor output shaft and is geared so as to increase the torque and reduce the speed of the rotational power. The angle rotary gearbox provides a reduced speed, high torque output at an output shaft that is delivered by a single chain drive to a main rotary actuator where two actuator arms are controlled to move away from each other and toward each other in the operation of the rescue tool. The portable rescue tool is designed to be of a low weight and enhanced cooling properties as present rescue tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 10307621
    Abstract: A portable rescue tool that is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor has a drive output shaft that transfers rotational power to an angle rotary gearbox. The angle rotary gearbox has an output shaft that is oriented about 90 degrees from the rotational axis of the motor output shaft and is geared so as to increase the torque and reduce the speed of the rotational power. The angle rotary gearbox provides a reduced speed, high torque output at an output shaft that is delivered by a single chain drive to a main rotary actuator where two actuator arms are controlled to move away from each other and toward each other in the operation of the rescue tool. The portable rescue tool is designed to be of a low weight and enhanced cooling properties as present rescue tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20190022431
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20160199672
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 9238154
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Power Hawk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20150083982
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 8899553
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Power Hawk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20140260504
    Abstract: A portable rescue tool that is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor has a drive output shaft that transfers rotational power to an angle rotary gearbox. The angle rotary gearbox has an output shaft that is oriented about 90 degrees from the rotational axis of the motor output shaft and is geared so as to increase the torque and reduce the speed of the rotational power. The angle rotary gearbox provides a reduced speed, high torque output at an output shaft that is delivered by a single chain drive to a main rotary actuator where two actuator arms are controlled to move away from each other and toward each other in the operation of the rescue tool. The portable rescue tool is designed to be of a low weight and enhanced cooling properties as present rescue tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20130320278
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 7708244
    Abstract: A vehicle stabilization device for use in stabilizing a vehicle to enable safe and rapid victim extrication operations by first responder and other personnel. The device includes a base plate for enabling its emplacement on an underlying support surface beneath the vehicle to be stabilized. First and second extender members, each having a base end and a distal end, are hingedly connected to each other at their distal ends. The base ends are rotably mounted to the base plate and are moveable toward each other from an initial spaced position. This reduction of spacing between the base ends acts in conjunction with the hinged attachment between the distal ends to increasingly incline the extender members with respect to the base plate and thereby increasingly elevate the distal ends above the base plate. A vehicle contact and support member is secured to the distal hinged ends, and elevates with the distal ends of the extender members until contact is made with the overlying portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Power Hawk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Publication number: 20070252065
    Abstract: A vehicle stabilization device for use in stabilizing a vehicle to enable safe and rapid victim extrication operations by first responder and other personnel. The device includes a base plate for enabling its emplacement on an underlying support surface beneath the vehicle to be stabilized. First and second extender members, each having a base end and a distal end, are hingedly connected to each other at their distal ends. The base ends are rotably mounted to the base plate and are moveable toward each other from an initial spaced position. This reduction of spacing between the base ends acts in conjunction with the hinged attachment between the distal ends to increasingly incline the extender members with respect to the base plate and thereby increasingly elevate the distal ends above the base plate. A vehicle contact and support member is secured to the distal hinged ends, and elevates with the distal ends of the extender members until contact is made with the overlying portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 5544862
    Abstract: A light weight, quiet and emergency safe, portable "jaws of life" spreading tool actuated by an electric motor. Full high torque at any position, with selectable spreading or cutting motions under high loads is achieved by the use of a rotary, multiple stage, speed reducing gearbox driven by the motor. The gearbox contains an input stage from the electric motor running on a 12 volt DC power supply, and a compound planetary output stage. The arms or jaws of the device are separately driven by the planetary or spindle gears and, for convenience, are attached to external rings on the gears, by heavy duty pins. The arms or jaws are removable for interchanging between cutting and spreading configurations, or replacement with general purpose arms capable of both cutting and spreading operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Curtiss Wright Flight Systems Inc.
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 5520064
    Abstract: A portable rescue tool which operates off electric power and which comprises a clutch mechanism for orienting high torque spreading and/or cutting motion that is produced by the portable rescue tool in a plurality of possible directions with respect to the portable rescue tool. The portable rescue tool comprises a rotary switch for controlling the operation of the portable rescue tool, a DC motor connected to the rotary switch for providing a high speed, low torque output, a gear reduction assembly coupled to the DC motor for decreasing the speed and increasing the torque of the DC motor output, an actuator assembly coupled to the gear reduction assembly for providing a low speed, high torque output, and a clutch mechanism associated with the actuator assembly for orienting the direction of the low speed, high torque output with respect to the portable rescue tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Curtiss Wright Flight Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William Hickerson, John D. McCarthy, Bradley C. Litz, Edward A. Mayer
  • Patent number: 5297780
    Abstract: A light weight, quiet and emergency safe, portable "jaws of life" spreading tool actuated by an electric motor. Full high torque at any position, with spreading or cutting motions under high loads is achieved by the use of a rotary, multiple stage, speed reducing gearbox driven by the motor. The gearbox contains an input stage from the electric motor running on a 12 volt DC power supply, and a compound planetary output stage. The arms or jaws of the device are separately driven by the planetary or spindle gears and, for convenience, are attached to external rings on the gears, by heavy duty pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Curtiss Wright Flight Systems Inc.
    Inventor: William Hickerson