Patents Examined by Aaron Dunwoody
  • Patent number: 9810349
    Abstract: Modular conduit systems in which a plurality of tubular link components are interconnected to form a continuous conduit. Each adjacent pair of tubular link components has a ball-and-socket joint that enables the pair of tubular link components to be pivoted with respect to each other. The ball-and-socket joint consists of a ball attached to a first one of the pair of adjacent tubular link components and a socket attached to a second one of the pair of adjacent tubular link components, where the ball is positioned within the socket. The amount of friction between the ball and the socket is adjustable, so that the amount of force required to pivot the pair of tubular link components with respect to each other, which is dependent upon the amount of friction between the ball and the socket, is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventors: James M. Lee, Jinze Gong
  • Patent number: 9810333
    Abstract: A flange adapter is provided for positioning an insert device within a pressurized fluid system. A flange adapter assembly includes a pressure containing boundary and a flange adapter configured to be selectively connected to the pressure containing boundary. The adapter is configured to interchangeably fit a plurality of flange standards for the same nominal size. The adapter may also interchangeably fit a plurality of pressure ratings for the same nominal size. The flange adapter may be manufactured separate from the pressure containing boundary to allow for utilizing less costly material and to increase standardization of safety heads. The present invention also includes a gasket design having multi-flange compatibility for use in pressurized fluid systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems Limited
    Inventors: Geof Brazier, Donall Cullinane, John Tomasko
  • Patent number: 9810359
    Abstract: Each gripper washer 22 is disposed between a gasket retaining ring 18 and an end connector 14. The gripper washers 22 can be any size and dimension, and made from any material, including but not limited to plastic, polyvinyl chloride, or metal. The gripper washers 22 are a washer-like structure, typically a metallic structure that comprises an interior diameter, a concentric inner periphery and an exterior periphery 24. Each gripper washer 22 is disposed between a gasket retaining ring 18 and an end connector 14, such that the exterior periphery 24 of the gripper washer 22 is in contact with, or in close proximity to, the shoulder 20 of the gasket retaining ring 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Spears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Wayne Spears, Robert Wayne Spears, II, David E. Littleton
  • Patent number: 9803789
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling formation of a pipetting channel of a pipetting device for coupling of an implement, for instance a pipette tip, or a laboratory instrument, laboratory tool or the like, thereto, wherein the coupling formation surrounds a pipetting channel section which extends along a pipetting channel axis which defines an axial direction, wherein the coupling formation additionally has, at its free longitudinal end, a pressure-imparting orifice into which the pipetting channel section opens and has, at its radially outer surface which surrounds the pipetting channel axis and extends principally in axial direction and in peripheral direction about the pipetting channel axis relative to the pipetting channel axis, a coupling projection which yields in the radial direction, which is characterized in that the coupling projection is provided so as to be essentially undeformable but radially movable on a spring arrangement which is elastic in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON BONADUZ AG
    Inventors: Andreas Städler, Torsten Peetz
  • Patent number: 9803767
    Abstract: Either the base part or the coupling part includes a first coupling member which is substantially circular in cross-section in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis and has a diameter of a first length, while the other of the base part and the coupling part includes a first holding member which, with its inner circumferential surface having a substantially circular shape in cross-section in the radial direction, holds the first coupling member so as to surround its outer circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface of the first holding member is partially opened in the radial direction, and an opening width of an opening part of the first holding member, which is elastically deformable, is narrower than the first length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hasunuma, Shouichi Sakata
  • Patent number: 9797535
    Abstract: A bonding clip is provided in combination with a fluid conduit coupling that interconnects fluid conveying members. The bonding clip conducts electrical charge across the coupling to prevent buildup of electrostatic charges in the coupling. In one aspect of the invention, it may be considered a bonding clip. In another aspect, it may be considered the combination including the bonding clip and coupler. The invention also includes a method for dissipating electrostatic charge across a coupling used to interconnect fluid conveying members. In a preferred embodiment of the bonding clip, it includes a continuous flexible wire element mounted exteriorly of the coupling. The bonding clip is formed in a shape to connect the facing flanges of adjacent fluid conveying lines connected by the coupler, and to pass over the coupler with a defined gap separating a bridge portion of the clip from exterior surfaces of the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Lowell Statler, III, Clifton P. Breay
  • Patent number: 9797529
    Abstract: An arrangement for a hose system (11) having an inner main hose (12) and an outer cover hose (13) delimiting a ring shaped air filled volume (14) to make the hose buoyant in water. At least at one end there is a connector (15) attached to the main hose as well as the cover hose, and which at its free end is attached to, or integrated with, a connector part (16) for connection of the hose system (11) to an external system. The connector (15) includes an inner sleeve (22), to which the end of the main hose (12) is attached to, as the inner sleeve (22) by its free end (26) is equipped with an element, in particular threads, for connection to a pipe system, an outer sleeve (16) to which the end of the cover hose is attached, a connector element (30) for connecting the inner sleeve (22) detachably to the outer sleeve (16), and a connection between the two hose parts (12, 14) having a one way valve which allows draining of the outer hose (14) to the main hose (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SAFEHOSE HOLDING AS
    Inventor: Inge Knotten
  • Patent number: 9791084
    Abstract: A pipe joint made of synthetic resin includes: a joint body including a male screw portion on an outer circumferential portion; and a union nut including a female screw portion formed on an inner circumferential portion such that the female screw portion is tightened onto the male screw portion of the joint body. An outer circumferential surface of the joint body has a projection portion that is integrated therewith and projects radially outward. An inner circumferential surface of the union nut has a convex or concave engagement portion that is integrated therewith and engages with the projection portion when the union nut is tightened up to an appropriate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Fujii, Toshihide Iida
  • Patent number: 9791089
    Abstract: An assembly and method of sealing a junction of a pipe and a second structure are provided. The assembly includes a pipe liner having a tubular portion and a brim portion, and a mechanical anchor adapted to secure the brim portion of the pipe liner to the second structure. The assembly may further include a compression gasket for placement between the pipe liner and the pipe or second structure. The compression gasket may comprise a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material, or a compressible material. The methods of using the assembly include, but are not limited to, the use of a cured-in-place pipe liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9784392
    Abstract: A device for transferring fluids between two elements arranged concentrically within one another, wherein there is a sleeve-shaped hollow-cylindrical first component arranged between the two elements having at least one through-hole for the fluid, wherein the first component is made of steel and sits in a first element, wherein the first component is prevented from turning around a symmetry axis of the first component by at least one safety element engaging form-fittingly in the first element, wherein the first element is at least partially made of a material having a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the steel material, characterized by the fact that between the first component and the first element, a second hollow-cylindrical component is arranged concentric to the first component and that the second component is secured from turning around the symmetry axis by a safety element on the first element and the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heidi Pscherer, Jochen Schaufler, Georg Draser
  • Patent number: 9784389
    Abstract: A pipe joint contains a body having a fluid passage in the interior thereof, a tightening cap screw-engaged with an end of the body for connecting a tube thereto, and an indicator ring interposed between a stopper of the body and an end of the tightening cap. The indicator ring is equipped with a flat section and an inclined section, which is inclined with respect to the flat section, and is formed with a smaller diameter than an outer circumferential surface of the tightening cap. When the tightening cap is screw-rotated to thereby connect the tube, as a result of the inclined section being pressed and deformed by movement of the tightening cap, the inclined section projects radially outward with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the tightening cap, whereby a tightened condition is visually confirmed by the outer edge of the indicator ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 9781886
    Abstract: A coupling for an irrigation system may have a first member and a second member, each of which has threads that engage a threaded fitting of an adjacent component. The first member may have a shank and a flange that has a greater exterior dimension than the shank. The flange may have a first locking extension. The second member may have a bore that receives the shank such that the second member is slidable along the base member between a locked configuration in which rotation of the second member about the centerline induces rotation of the base member about the centerline, and an unlocked configuration, in which the second member is rotatable about the centerline independently of rotation of the base member. The second member may further have a first recess that receives the first locking extension in the locked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Tres Wangsgaard
  • Patent number: 9784720
    Abstract: A fitting for providing a fluid connection between a capillary and a fluidic conduit of a fluidic component, wherein the fitting comprises a capillary reception configured for receiving the capillary, a force applicator configured for being operable to apply a fixing force for fixing the capillary within the fitting, a force limitation mechanism configured for limiting the fixing force being applicable by the force applicator to the capillary, a force splitter configured for splitting the fixing force into an advance force component for advancing the capillary received in the capillary reception towards the fluidic component and into a clamping force component for clamping the capillary received in the capillary reception within the fitting, and a biasing mechanism particularly arranged between the force applicator and the force splitter and configured for biasing the force splitter against the capillary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darijo Zeko, Jose-Angel Mora-Fillat
  • Patent number: 9783180
    Abstract: A banjo fitting is provided that may include an annular portion with an internal bore that extends along a first axis, and a hose attachment portion that extends radially from the annular portion, and has an internal fluid passageway extending along a second axis formed at an angle to the first axis. A seal rupturing structure may be positioned within the internal fluid passageway of the hose attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Osamu Kariyama, Nobuyoshi Fujii, Masahiro Nakakura
  • Patent number: 9777875
    Abstract: A plumbing fitting includes a housing defining a socket with an internal annular shoulder for sealably receiving a cartridge. A two-piece cylindrical cartridge has semi-cylindrical interlocking halves that lockably engage a grab ring positioned between the interlocking halves of the cartridge. The grab ring has inwardly projecting annularly spaced tines for gripping and holding a fluid conduit inserted into the housing and cartridge past the grab ring. The cartridge includes a ring seal positioned against the annular shoulder and internal wall of the socket for sealably coupling the cartridge to the socket and sealably coupling a fluid conduit to the cartridge. The cartridge may be held within the housing socket by a crimped-over end. Also, an integral release ring may be coupled to the cartridge, such that a separate tool is unnecessary to disconnect a fluid conduit from the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: David Bobo, Derek Oldsen, James LaFortune
  • Patent number: 9772055
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling for releasably connecting pipes or pipe-like elements in a fluid-tight manner, having a first coupling part and a second coupling part which are connectable via a screw nut or the like, wherein the coupling parts are each provided with a radially outwardly extending flange and the flanges have end faces which are provided with a profile for sealing off the coupling, wherein the profile comprises at least one circumferential groove and at least one circumferential protrusion engaging in the groove, said groove and protrusion forming a fluid-tight seal between one another in the coupled state, and wherein the protrusion comprises a lateral sealing face which has an outwardly bulging shape in cross section, and wherein the groove has a corresponding lateral counterpart sealing face that is inclined with regard to the longitudinal axis of the coupling, such that, in the installation position, the sealing face of the protrusion is pressed against the counterpart sealing face of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: GEMUE Gebr. Mueller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. Kommand
    Inventor: Lukas Hohenstein
  • Patent number: 9765911
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil pipe coupler that includes a body portion formed from a thermoplastic elastomer. The body portion includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a first and second lip defined by the outer wall. The first lip is disposed proximate a first end, while a second lip is disposed proximate a longitudinally-opposed second end of the body portion. The body portion includes an annular seat and at least one rib member that extend radially inwards from the inner wall and further defines a channel extending from the first to the second end. The soil pipe coupler includes a sheathing member configured to wrap about the body portion and is disposed between the first and second lips. Additionally, the soil pipe coupler includes at least one clamp configured to operably engage the sheathing member. An associated method of installation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: McWane, Inc.
    Inventors: William Martin Kenney, Thomas Leonard
  • Patent number: 9765914
    Abstract: A preassembled line for axial engagement with a mating coupling part. The preassembled line includes a line connector having of a connector body with a connecting portion to which a media line is connected and also includes a coupling portion with sealing means for sealing relative to the mating coupling part. The media line is provided with a heating wire arranged on the coupling portion. The connector body, the media line and the heating wire being surrounded at one end by a housing that has a latching part for connecting with the mating coupling part. The latching part is formed on the housing portion surrounding the coupling portion. Sealing of the preassembled media line to the mating coupling part is separated from connecting of the preassembled media line to the mating coupling part and separately performed by the connector body and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: VOSS Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Isenburg, Frank Peters, Michele Stelluto, Josef Brandt, Sascha Rosenfeldt, Adrian Klehr
  • Patent number: 9765927
    Abstract: There is disclosed a flange fitting for a pipe comprising: a flange ring for locating around the pipe and having a plurality of angularly spaced fixing holes; and a retaining ring for locating around the pipe within a groove in the outer surface thereof which in use restricts axial movement of the flange ring on the pipe; wherein the retaining ring has a plurality of angularly spaced reduced-profile sectors in regions corresponding to the positions of the fixing holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Spirax-Sarco Limited
    Inventors: Charles Zanettacci, Keith Farquhar
  • Patent number: 9763429
    Abstract: An adaptor for coupling pipes together that has a pair of spaced apart pipe members disposed parallel to each other. Each of the pipe members include an opening at a top and at the bottom for receiving an additional pipe. A bridging member connects the pair of pipe members and defines a passage between the pipe members. The bridging member comprises an open top allowing access to the interior of the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Gray