Patents Examined by Erik K. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6832789
    Abstract: A threaded pipe connection is shown which features a cylindrical metal-to-metal containment seal. In addition to the cylindrical sealing surfaces, the connection utilizes a separate ramp or ramp regions that simulate a pin swaging or a box expansion which results in the ability of the cylindrical components of the seal to assemble without interference or with only slight interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Torquelock Corporation
    Inventor: Kris L. Church
  • Patent number: 6179342
    Abstract: A bend conduit having a low pressure loss coefficient is provided. The bend conduit includes a first end serving as an inlet of a fluid, a second end serving as an outlet of the fluid, and an intermediate section which is positioned between the first and second ends, which has inner and outer curved portions, and serves to guide the fluid to flow from the first end to the second end, is expanded in volume axially, outwardly oriented at the center of the bend conduit toward outer portion to be a ball-like shape, having a cut off corner with reference to the inlet flow at an inclined angle(&agr;) of 40 to 50 degree in inner curved portion, and cross sectional area ratio between the middle of intermediate section and first end section is larger than 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Hsin-Der Shen
  • Patent number: 6176526
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an expansion joint to connect two or more concentric bodies that are heated/cooled to different temperatures for the passage of liquid or gases. When the connecting portion is at an angle not in plane with the concentric bodies, the design allows for the gravity drainage of fluids and slurries from one connecting body to another without pooling or damming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Lever Brother Company division of Conopco
    Inventors: Fred McRae, R. Dennis Ray, Constance E. Morris
  • Patent number: 6056327
    Abstract: A high pressure connector for engagement with a hydraulic conduit for use in high pressure conditions such as downhole in a wellbore. A housing for receiving a conduit end is attachable to a primary retainer. A primary seal and a second seal are positioned between the primary retainer and the housing to provide redundant sealing capabilities. A secondary retainer holds a third seal against the primary retainer. The third seal provides redundant sealing capability and further provides a secondary gripping connection along the conduit length. The secondary gripping connection provides greater tensile strength and reduces the impact of conduit vibration. A test apparatus can be adapted to test the primary seal and the second and third seals before the connector is installed downhole in the well or other high pressure environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Pes, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bouldin, Napoleon Arizmendi
  • Patent number: 5439257
    Abstract: The present invention is a brazed fitting suitable for use as a hydraulic coupling for pressurized fluids. In the first embodiment, the male component has a tapered surface which mates and creates an interface with a similarly tapered surface of a female component. A brazing material is heated to diffuse and alloy within the interface, forming a connection between the surface portions which is stronger than the metal being connected. A groove on the male component retains the brazing material within the surface portions so that after the components are joined in an interference fit, the assembly is heated and the brazing material melts within the interface and connects together the mating surface by diffusing and alloying. The counterbore of the female component does not require a base, and the resulting structure has improved fluid flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: NWD International Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel D. L. Williamson
  • Patent number: 5332270
    Abstract: A Connector for corrugated pipes or rods comprises a housing (2) having an open end (3) for insertion of a pipe or rod into a bore (5). A pair of resilient locking members of fingers (9) are formed in the housing wall and include projections (10) which extend into the bore (5). The projections are so shaped as to lock into a single valley of the pipe or rod corrugations to prevent withdrawal of the pipe or rod. Also disclosed are methods of moulding the connector in which the fingers (9) are held and/or forced outwardly from the mould during withdrawal of a central core which forms the bore (5) to avoid damage of the fingers by the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Elconnex Pty Limited
    Inventors: John Petty, Sandy McNeil
  • Patent number: 4971371
    Abstract: A door latch formed of transparent elastic plastic is disclosed. The latch has an elastic plastic band with a base segment adapted for mounting on a door and a catch segment flexibly attached to the base segment and extending angularly outward therefrom to project transversely beyond the base segment. The band also has a striker segment flexibly attached to the catch segment and extending angularly outward therefrom and transversely to a position outlying the base segment, and also a return portion flexibly attaching the striker segment to the base segment. The band is adapted to flexibly deform when pressed against a door jamb to selectively engage the jamb. The latch may also have a stiffening rib of plastic material rigidly affixed to the base segment within the band to act to restrict the deflection of the band when the band is pushed against a door jamb. This latch is useful as a transparent latch for a transparent display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Acry Fab, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 4854621
    Abstract: A door security assembly comprises a generally U-shaped striker plate member for fitting transversely around one side edge of a door frame and having a first arm for facing into the door opening having an opening for receiving a door latch, and a second, parallel arm for fitting between the door frame and the surrounding doorway in the wall. The striker plate member is secured to the doorway in the wall by means of a securing device which extends transversely through the first arm, door frame and second arm into a stud member in the surrounding doorway. Additional reinforcement may be provided by a tie plate which is secured to an outer wall surface and extends between the door frame and second arm, the securing device extending through both the striker plate member and tie plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventor: Robert L. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 4846510
    Abstract: A flexible, adjustable tube which comprises a tubular body of pleated asymmetrical accordion fold configuration wherein each pleat is defined by a thrust cone wall segment and a Belleville washer-like wall segment. The narrower ends of the two wall segments are integrally connected to form an annular articulation about a central axis and the wider ends of the individual Belleville washer wall segments of each pleat are integrally connected to the wider ends of the thrust cones of the next succeeding pleat, to form an annular articulation about the central axis. The Belleville washer-like wall segments of each pleat are proportioned to be snap shifted through the articulation of same to the thrust cone of the next adjacent pleat, for shortening or lengthening the tube. Similar partial snap shifting of the individual Belleville washer wall segments may be effected, for angulating the tubular body, by canting the thrust cone wall segment of a selected pleat sidewise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Twentieth Century Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Erwin F. Mikol