Snap-On Inc.

Textron Corporation

Snap-On Technologies, Inc.

David A Doerflinger

William T Sharp

Daniel B Guptail

Daniel M Eggert

Ottoleo Kuter-Arnebeck

Todd M Stevenson

Daniel Guptail

Benjamin T Schulz

Charles H Heiligenthal

David D Curry

Nicholas H Weir

Rupak Kumar Paul

Daniel Eggert

Disclosed are systems and methods for reducing friction on a brake arm of a caster wheel brake. A washer can be positioned between the brake arm and the support arm to reduce friction in this area. Lubricant can also be provided between the brake arm and the support arm, and also between the brake arm and the brake cam, to reduce the friction in these areas. The presently disclosed embodiments therefore allow less force to actuate the brake arm as compared to prior art caster wheels.

Caster wheel

An interactive tool storage system may include an enclosure with a storage bin and a sensor system configured to detect the interaction of a person with the storage unit. A data acquisition system may collect data from a sensor in the sensor system. The system may include a power module, electric circuit, and data circuit to operably couple the system components. A network interface may enable the input and output of electrical power and data while a data storage system with a writeable memory may collect and record sensor inputs and system outputs. The system may include a non-transitory machine readable memory to store program instructions and a data processor configured to read/write data to the system memory, manipulate data and perform logical operations, interact with sensor system and networked devices; and present a user interface through which the user may interact with the system.

Interactive tool storage system

Disclosed are latches with pre-molded or pre-assembled fasteners. The latch fastener can include a threaded portion and a lead in portion that is longer than the threaded portion. During installation of the latch, the lead in portion can be inserted into a cavity of a drawer to help align the latch against the cavity during installation. The built-in fastener frees one hand of the user during installation and the additional length of the lead in allows an easier alignment of the latch during installation.

Latch and method of installing a latch

An illumination assembly adapted to be coupled to a storage unit (such as a top portion or working surface area). The illumination assembly may be coupled to a retrofittable or integrated feature of the storage unit to direct or radiate the light into an interior containment space of a work tray (such as a drawer) of the storage unit.

Lighting assembly for storage units

A corner reinforcement gusset with a radial or other shaped cutout at an internal corner of the gusset. The cutout can alleviate the stresses at that corner and reduce failure. The gusset can therefore better reinforce an enclosure or other object to maintain the structural stability of the object better than prior art gussets.

Corner reinforcement gusset

A caster with an elastic member that absorbs impact forces during use. The elastic member can be placed between first and second portions pivotable with respect to each other about a pin. The elastic member can absorb impact forces between the first and second portions when in use. The elastic member can further include grooves that allow portions of the elastic member adjacent the grooves to flow into the grooves during impact, further absorbing impact forces.

Suspension caster

A remote locking system for a storage unit that allows a user device including a security token to remotely lock or unlock the storage unit. The user can include software or an application that communicates with the storage unit to provide locking statuses and tamper alerts for the storage unit. The storage unit can include a proximity sensor so the unit is unlocked when an authorized user device is within a certain distance of the storage unit. The system can further include a timer that disables communication between the user device and storage unit after a predetermined inactive period, so as to reduce cross-talk and power consumption.

Remote locking system architecture and user interface

A dual-bracket roll stability device is disclosed that prevents a roll cab from tipping over when the drawers of the roll cab are in a fully-extended position. A first bracket can be coupled to a side of a roll cab and a second bracket can be coupled to a bottom of the roll cab. The brackets each include portions that extend outward to contact the ground when the roll cab begins to tip. These portions are coupled together to distribute the load along the bottom and side portions of the roll cab. Accordingly, when the drawers of the roll cab are fully extended, the stability device can maintain the roll cab's balance while remaining discrete and spatially compact.

Roll cab stability device

A brake system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels and a frame comprising a mechanically actuated braking assembly operably coupled with at least one of the wheels and being operable between braking and non-braking conditions, a handle coupled to the braking assembly and being mounted to the frame for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis between first and second positions in each of which the braking assembly is in the braking condition, and an actuating mechanism responsive to movement of the handle from either of the first and second positions for actuating the braking assembly into the non-braking condition.

Manually actuated brake system for manually towable vehicle

A cabinet locking system having a drawer having a side panel disposed between a front panel and a back panel and a first corner formed by the intersection of the side and back panels. A lock bar is mounted within the cabinet adjacent a first corner when the drawer is in a closed position and the lock bar includes an aperture. A slide is provided having an integrally formed lock tab and the slide is mounted to the side panel of the drawer so that the lock tab protrudes beyond the back panel. In the closed position, the lock tab is received by the aperture so that the drawer may be locked within the cabinet.

Cabinet locking system

An improved method and apparatus of attaching upper and lower component members of a tool storage assembly. The method and apparatus comprises at least one aperture located on a top ceiling portion of the lower component member, an L-shaped attachment bracket with its short leg penetrating the apertures in the ceiling portion, a supporting means on the bottom of the upper component member, and a fastening means for securing a long leg of the L-shaped attachment bracket to the supporting means.

Method for attaching stackable components

A lawnmower with a tractor and a gang of mowers pivotally supported by the tractor for up and down motion when moving on the ground is provided. A mower support arm is pivoted on the tractor and has a pivot axis for each of the mowers, and a camming action is created by the up and down mower movement and that causes the pivot axis to move horizontally relative to the tractor to thereby avoid having the mowers move horizontally, and it maintains a constant spacing between the mowers and avoids having the mowers collide when moving up and down. Shorter length mowers can thus be used in the gang, thereby following the ground contour more closely.

Tractor-supported lawnmower having mowers movable up and down

A lawnmower with a tractor and a gang of mowers pivotally supported by the tractor for up and down motion when moving on the ground. A mower support arm is pivoted on the tractor and has a pivot axis for each of the mowers, and a camming action is created by the up and down mower movement and that causes the pivot axis to move horizontally relative to the tractor to thereby avoid having the mowers move horizontally, and it maintains a constant spacing between the mowers and avoids having the mowers collide when moving up and down. Shorter length mowers can thus be used in the gang and they follow the ground contour more closely.

Growing community of inventors

Racine, WI, United States of America

David A Doerflinger