Patents Examined by L. Watson
  • Patent number: 6581620
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a valve, the valve being attached to a tank, the method including steps of providing a valve tool having a rigid tube and having an elastic air bladder, such bladder having a port, the port being connected to the tube, the valve tool further having a check valve; opening the valve in need of repair; extending the valve tool into such valve; injecting air into the rigid tube, causing the bladder to seal against the tank; detaching and withdrawing such valve; repairing such valve; reattaching such valve; opening the check valve to break the seal; and withdrawing the valve tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis Babcock, Randal Lyon
  • Patent number: 5060428
    Abstract: A prefabricated structure and method for constructing and lifting the same is provided wherein the structure comprises: (a) a wall unit having a plurality of horizontal courses of construction material stacked one atop another and arranged such that they define at least one generally vertical passage therein which opens through the unit's bottom end; (b) lifting means, positioned on the unit's upper end, for lifting and transporting the unit; (c) generally vertically-oriented banding means, which is in contact with the passes under at least a portion of the unit's bottom end, for securing the lifting means to the unit; and (d) spacer means fitted within the opening defined in the unit's bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Resco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben B. Arthur, Jr., James L. Edwards, Ernest H. Jeffries, Jr., Chester O. Westmoreland, Jr., Jerry W. Whitley
  • Patent number: 5033245
    Abstract: An architectural building block is formed of light transmitting, molded plastic material to resemble a common glass block or brick and comprises a pair of halves joined together along a seam to form a hollow block with the seam spaced intermediately between a pair of opposite planar outer side walls of the block. Each half has an inner surface and an outer surface comprising one of the outer side walls of the block integrally joined around its periphery to an inwardly directed peripheral edge wall having a plurality of planar wall segments and having a continuous free edge providing one joining edge of the seam. Integrally formed snap lock connectors are provided adjacent each corner of the block for interconnecting an adjacent block laid up in a wall structure and a flange structure is formed along each wall segment between the connectors providing a surface for backing up joint adhesive applied between adjacent wall segments of laid up blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Glass Alternatives Corp.
    Inventor: James R. Kline
  • Patent number: 5031377
    Abstract: An artificial beam is formed from a sheet of substrate such as particle board which is covered on one side by a vinyl polymer such as polyvinyl chloride. The sheet is grooved longitudinally along the inner surface such that mitered edges at the hinge joints allow the formation of frontal, angled and side panels when the sheet is folded to become the beam structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: McCalla/Lackey Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Beckmann
  • Patent number: 4986048
    Abstract: A glass block wall has a frame member that frictionally engages the glass block adjacent thereto. A continuous flexible spacer member extends along the horizontal end walls of the glass blocks in each course. Separate vertical spacer members abut the adjacent vertical end walls of the glass blocks and a filler material is positioned in the recess formed between the edges of the adjacent glass blocks and the edge of the spacer member. The spacer members have a configuration to align the glass blocks in the wall and to stabilize each of the glass blocks in the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Pittsburgh Corning Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. McMarlin