Patents Assigned to Nibco, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20220042688
    Abstract: A plumbing system pressure protection valve assembly that utilizes a unitary body to connect a hot water tank to a cold water supply, a vacuum breaker, and an expansion tank. The assembly includes two ball valves coupled to the unitary body to isolate the hot water tank from the cold water feed and to isolate and permit draining of the expansion tank. The assembly also includes a rod and foot coupled to a tab on the unitary body to provide support for the expansion tank service valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20220034432
    Abstract: A piping component that includes (i) a piping body with an open end; and (ii) an alloy comprising (by weight percentage) 12% to 16.5% zinc, 0.265% to 1.6% silicon and sufficient copper so that the sum of the weight percentages of the zinc, silicon, and copper in the alloy is at least 99.7%. The alloy exhibits an elongation that is within a range of 60% to 70%. Additionally discloses is a piping component including (i) a piping body with an open end; and (ii) a cold worked alloy comprising (by weight percentage) 12% to 16.5% zinc, 0.265% to 1.8% silicon and sufficient copper so that the sum of the weight percentages of the zinc, silicon, and copper in the alloy is at least 99.7%. In embodiments, the weight percentage of the silicon in the alloys disclosed can be 0.5% to 1.6%, 0.5% to 1.8%, or 0.5% to 2.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Rudy L. Smith, Wesley D. Coy, Kenneth Edgar McCoy, Todd Morehead
  • Patent number: 11131403
    Abstract: An isolation valve has a reversible handle and multiple seals between the valve stem and valve housing. The handle includes a portion that engages a handle stop that is attached to the valve body. When the handle is reversed, the stop is moved to another handle stop opening in the valve body. Thus, the handle direction can be reversed without removal of the handle. A locking plate may be used with the isolation valve. The locking plate includes portions that engage a lock and the handle stop. When the handle direction is reversed, the locking plate can be rotated around the stem to engage the repositioned handle stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: David Andrew Bobo, Daryle Shephard, Matthew J. Krazit, Carla M. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20210247003
    Abstract: An assembly configured to be press joined with a pipe by a pressing tool includes a piping component, which includes a body, a first end having a rim and an inner surface having a plurality of grooves, and a sealing recess wall positioned between the first end and the body and defining a sealing recess. The assembly also includes a sealing element received within the sealing recess of the piping component and having a sealing element thickness. The sealing element thickness of the sealing element is about equal to and not less than a Minimum Sealing Element Thickness Value of the sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: James Stogdill
  • Publication number: 20210222814
    Abstract: A double vented transition elbow can be used when venting a variety of applications, such as for baseboard heaters and hot water heating systems. The double vented elbow allows venting in one orientation or in a different orientation when the elbow is rotated. One end of the elbow couples to copper tubing, while the other end of the elbow couples to PEX tubing. Thus, the elbow not only allows for venting in two different orientations, it also allows for the transition from copper to PEX tubing within the same fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Christopher William Mason, Lisa Lyon
  • Publication number: 20210131576
    Abstract: A gas sediment trap assembly includes a generally cylindrical length with a generally perpendicular tee and a vertically oriented capped portion. The gas sediment trap assembly is coupled to the gas supply line and the gas fired appliance. One or more gas ball valves can be coupled to the gas sediment trap assembly. The gas sediment trap assembly can be used with conventional gas piping, flexible gas piping, and/or other gas line components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Roy, JR., Andrew J. Terry, Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 10955074
    Abstract: A pipe socket for making a threaded pipe connection that includes: a socket body defining a threaded portion, a cavity and a stop; an O-ring positioned within the cavity; and a plurality of interrupted series of tapping threads defined on an internal surface of the socket body in the threaded portion. The cavity is configured to receive a pipe and the stop is configured to stop a pipe received within the cavity. Each of the interrupted series of tapping threads is circumferentially equidistant from the adjacent interrupted series of tapping threads. Further, each of the interrupted series of tapping threads comprises threads arranged axially on the internal surface of the socket body for forming threads on a pipe received within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Richard D. Latham, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige
  • Publication number: 20210048126
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
  • Publication number: 20210025030
    Abstract: A piping article is provided that comprises a piping component comprising a piping body with an open end. The piping component is formed of an alloy comprising from about 12% to about 16% zinc, from about 0.5% to about 2.0% silicon, and a balance of copper (by weight). The alloy comprises an ultimate tensile strength of from about 200 N/mm2 to about 300 N/mm2, a yield strength of from about 75 N/mm2 to about 225 N/mm2, and an elongation of from about 15% to about 60%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Rudy L. Smith, Wesley D. Coy, Kenneth Edgar McCoy, Todd Morehead
  • Patent number: 10895338
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular press connection including a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and comprising: an O-ring portion defining an O-ring recess; a plurality of gripper arrays positioned equidistant along an internal surface of the socket cup; and a plurality of raised ridges positioned equidistant on an exterior surface of the socket cup. The raised ridges may extend over the gripper arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Richard D. Latham, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige
  • Patent number: 10865914
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection that includes: a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion, the sealing portion comprises a primary and a secondary sealing recess; a primary seal positioned within the primary sealing recess, the primary seal comprising an elastomeric material having a service temperature, and a secondary seal positioned within the secondary sealing recess, the secondary seal comprising a metal composition. Further, the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Richard D. Latham, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige
  • Publication number: 20200355294
    Abstract: An isolation valve has a reversible handle and multiple seals between the valve stem and valve housing. The handle includes a portion that engages a handle stop that is attached to the valve body. When the handle is reversed, the stop is moved to another handle stop opening in the valve body. Thus, the handle direction can be reversed without removal of the handle. A locking plate may be used with the isolation valve. The locking plate includes portions that engage a lock and the handle stop. When the handle direction is reversed, the locking plate can be rotated around the stem to engage the repositioned handle stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: David Andrew Bobo, Daryle Shephard, Matthew J. Krazit, Carla M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 10823316
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
  • Publication number: 20200309289
    Abstract: A piping component for a press fitting is provided that includes a body comprising a body inner diameter. A first end includes a first end inner diameter and an inner surface. A sealing recess is positioned between the first end and the body. The inner surface includes a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves is integrally formed with the first end and comprises a blunt surface configured for a press fit between a pipe and the piping component. The plurality of grooves comprises a groove inner diameter that is within about ±10% of the body inner diameter and the first end inner diameter. The plurality of grooves includes an angled edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: James Stogdill, Andrew Stevens
  • Publication number: 20200300391
    Abstract: A press fitting assembly is provided that includes a piping component including a receiving device comprising an open end and a shoulder. The open end includes a continuous stop. A grip ring is positioned within the receiving device abutting the continuous stop. The grip ring comprises a plurality of opposing teeth. A sealing element is positioned within the receiving device abutting the shoulder. The sealing element comprises a plurality of lobes. A separator ring is positioned within the receiving device between the sealing element and the grip ring. The separator ring comprises a base portion and an angled portion. The angled portion is angled toward the sealing element and the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Ronald D Paige, Willis Mitchell, David A Bobo
  • Publication number: 20200300395
    Abstract: A press fitting assembly is provided that includes: a piping component including a receiving device which includes an open end and a shoulder, the open end comprising a continuous stop; a grip ring positioned within the receiving device abutting the continuous stop and comprising a plurality of opposing teeth; a sealing element positioned within the receiving device and abutting the shoulder, wherein the sealing element comprises at least one lobe; and a separator ring positioned within the receiving device between the sealing element and the grip ring, the ring comprises a base portion and an angled portion. Further, the angled portion is angled toward the sealing element and the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Paige, Willis Mitchell, David A. Bobo
  • Patent number: 10760693
    Abstract: A plumbing fitting that includes: a fitting body having a plurality of ends; and a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium. The body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper or copper-silicon alloy having a thermal conductivity of ?45 W/(m*K). Further, the weld has a centerline that is ?6.4 mm from the interface and/or a heat affected zone that has an average width ?400 ?m and is spaced from the interface. The plumbing fittings include but are not limited to ball valves, gate valves, elbows, check valves and other fittings without stems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Keith Yoder, Benjamin L. Lawrence, David Andrew Bobo, Matthew J. Krazit
  • Patent number: 10544888
    Abstract: A crimp connection fitting includes a socket with at least one annular recess axially spaced from an annular O-ring receiving groove. The recess includes a plurality of axially spaced crimping elements such that, when the socket is crimped, it grips a conduit positioned within the socket. The crimping elements preferably are split ring spring clips. In some embodiments, multiple spaced recesses support one or more crimping elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Keith W. Yoder, Paul Frische-Mouri, Justin J. Carey
  • Publication number: 20190331264
    Abstract: A support ring for a tubular connection is provided that comprises a body comprising a first end and a second end. A circumferential ring lip extends from the first end of the body and positioned perpendicular to the body. A protrusion is positioned on the body between the first end and the second end. The protrusion comprises a top surface and a bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Robert B. Kelsey
  • Patent number: 10458662
    Abstract: A boiler loop system including a primary-secondary piping loop interface apparatus including a flow diversion device, and a drain valve, and a drain port in branches from a circumferential sidewall. In an embodiment, supply branch piping and return branch piping connect the primary-secondary piping loop interface apparatus to a boiler and provide attachment points for auxiliary plumbing equipment. In an embodiment, the boiler loop is integrated into the primary loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Lars Olsen, Michael E. Reck