Patents Examined by Macade Brown
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Patent number: 7757707Abstract: The well head valve insulator provides insulation to a gas or oil well head. The insulator is formed with a two-piece outer shell that has a height and diameter custom-fitted to the well head, which is filled with foam insulation, preferably polyurethane foam that is molded to the configuration of the particular well head. The insulator includes heating element supports for supporting a hose or heating coil that is used to periodically heat the valve through the flow of warm fluid. The two halves of the insulator can be opened and reclosed around the well head in order to provide access for routine maintenance. Optionally, the insulator may be furnished with a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the well head, or with a thermostatic control for regulating heat delivered by the heating coil.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Inventors: Bill Chitwood, Jerome D. Chitwood
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Patent number: 7748404Abstract: An exhaust valve includes a valve body that is fixed for rotation with a shaft supported by at least one bushing. A single spring is used to bias the shaft to hold the valve body in a valve closed position, and to exert an axial load on the shaft to seal the shaft against the bushing to prevent exhaust gas leakage.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Emcon Technologies LLCInventors: Kwin Abram, Govindaraj Kalyanasamy
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Patent number: 7743784Abstract: A bursting disc assembly has a bursting disc and an outlet side support ring. In order to provide a safety warning, when the bursting disc assembly is incorrectly installed in a reversed orientation, the outlet side ring has a passage through it from its radial interior to its exterior, in the form of a full thickness slot or a groove. In an incorrect installation, this passage provides a leak path from the pressurized side of the disc.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Eco Rupture Disc LimitedInventor: Benjamin Rutter
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Patent number: 7735511Abstract: A modular utility box system includes separate supply and drain boxes. The supply box has at least one supply opening and the drain box has a drain opening but no supply openings. The supply and drain boxes are interconnectable by a generally U-shaped clip having legs spaced apart a distance selected to accept the narrow dimension of a wall stud therebetween so that the supply and drain boxes may be mounted on opposite sides of a stud. The clip also spaces the supply and drain boxes in the proper vertical and horizontal alignment to facilitate securement of a cover plate to the boxes once installed. The clips engage the boxes to permit interconnected of the boxes in multiple orientations. Elongate brackets may be used to support the erboxes between adjacent studs.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventor: Dominic P. Ismert
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Patent number: 7735512Abstract: A floor drain installation system includes an adaptor attached to a drain pipe projecting from the ground, a coring sleeve having a bowl-shaped upper end attached to or integral with the adaptor, and a coring plug received within the bowl of the receiver to close off the drain pipe during pouring of a concrete floor and to create a space for subsequent reception of a drain head and grate.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Joseph P. Ismert, Frank D. Julian
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Patent number: 7721763Abstract: A one-way flow valve is provided wherein the one-way flow valve may comprise a first section and a second section of a housing. A valve member may be disposed between the first and second sections of the housing that permit fluid flow through one direction of the one-way flow valve but prevents fluid from flowing in the reverse direction. The opening pressure (i.e., the pressure differential across the valve member) to permit flow through the one-way flow valve may be increased or decreased by inserting (e.g., threadably engaging) the second section of the housing deeper into the first section of the housing or withdrawing (e.g., threadably disengaging) the second section of the housing from the first section of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Inventor: Pradip Choksi
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Patent number: 7721756Abstract: A combined spring and poppet assembly incorporated into a valve housing which communicates with a fluid inlet and outlet. The integral assembly includes an elongated and three dimensional shaped, resilient body positioned in linearly displaceable fashion within the valve housing, and along a path established between the fluid inlet and outlet. The body includes a forward-most disposed poppet which seats against the fluid inlet in a normally flow disrupting fashion. The body further includes an integrally formed spring biasing portion. Upon a pressure in the fluid inlet exceeding a predetermined value, the poppet being caused to unseat from the inlet and to displace linearly against the spring portion, concurrent with fluid flow being established across the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Inventor: Paul Hedding
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Patent number: 7708031Abstract: A check valve and method for manufacture of the check valve. The check valve comprises a substrate and a channel in the substrate. The channel has an anchor region, a channel corridor and a valve seat region. There is an elastomeric valve mechanism in the channel. The valve mechanism has an anchor portion anchored in the anchor region, an elastomeric web portion in the channel corridor and a valve plug in the valve seat region. The elastomeric web portion interconnects the anchor portion and the valve plug. The elastomeric web portion is in a stretched state such that the valve plug is forced by the elastomeric web portion against the valve seat region to seal the valve seat region. The force of the elastomeric web portion can be overcome by operative fluid pressure within the channel to separate the valve plug from the valve seat region and thereby open the channel at the valve seat region to allow the fluid to exit the channel via the valve seat region.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Joseph J. Fatula, Jr.
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Patent number: 7690394Abstract: A crossover manifold system for hot and cold water faucet pairs arranged back to back on opposite sides of a partition, the system comprising a pair of manifold tubes, wherein each tube comprises a central section; a first intermediate section and a second intermediate section, wherein each intermediate section is adjacent to and angled with respect to the central section; and a first distal section and a second distal section, wherein each distal section is adjacent to and angled with respect to the first and second intermediate sections, respectively. The first and second distal sections are approximately parallel to one another, and the manifold tubes cross over one another.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Inventor: Michael Graybeal
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Patent number: 7686033Abstract: A connector housing of a valve connector integrally has a tube connecting portion on one axial end thereof, a pipe inserting portion on the other axial end thereof, and a valve housing between the tube connecting portion and the pipe inserting portion. A valve housing houses a valve body and a compression spring that biases the valve body in an axial direction into abutment with a housing inner surface. Anti-rotation ribs are provided integrally on an inner peripheral surface of the valve housing. The anti-rotation ribs abut the valve body so as to restrain the valve body from rotating.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries Ltd.Inventors: Nobuaki Niki, Takahiro Nishiyama
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Patent number: 7681583Abstract: A double-walled contained shear valve comprises of an inner housing forming a fuel flow path, and a containment housing surrounding the inner housing, either partially or wholly, to provide a secondary containment. An interstitial space is formed between the inner housing and the containment housing as a result, and may be placed under a vacuum or pressure level to monitor for leaks. A vacuum actuator coupled to the interstitial space automatically opens and closes the fuel flow path of the shear valve in response to the vacuum level in the interstitial space to prevent leaks to the environment. The shear valve may contain a flange for connection to internal fuel dispenser piping that either does or does not includes interstitial space orifices to couple the shear valve interstitial space to the fuel dispenser piping interstitial space to monitor the vacuum or pressure level in these interstitial spaces as one contiguous space.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Veeder-Root CompanyInventors: David J. Bolt, Dale Ewing, Shane Reese, Kent Reid
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Patent number: 7681587Abstract: A protective sleeve for use in connection with valve stems for gas bottles is provided, the protective sleeve being comprised of an elongated body of such length as to extend along at least a portion of the length of the valve stem. A projection extends from an interior surface of the protective sleeve and is adapted to physically engage with an orifice in an opposing surface of the valve stem in locking engagement whereby the protective sleeve is prevented from being easily removed from the valve stem upon being placed thereover due to engagement of the projection with the orifice. At least one tear strip is provided within at least a portion of at least one side surface of the protective sleeve, whereby at least a portion of the side surface of the protective sleeve may be removed by tearing the tear strip so as to permit disengagement and removal of the protective sleeve from the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Protective Industries, Inc.Inventor: Frederick W. Zeyfang
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Patent number: 7673651Abstract: The device comprises a stationary body which has, defined inside it, a passage for a flow of liquid with at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening for the flow and in which at least one valve seat directed towards the outlet opening is defined in the vicinity of the inlet opening and in a middle portion of which a shaped transverse annular surface is formed. A movable body is arranged in the passage and co-operates in the manner of a flow throttling member with the transverse annular surface so as to define for the liquid flowing from the inlet opening to the outlet opening a flow cross section variable depending on the pressure of the liquid at the inlet of the support body. The movable body co-operates moreover in the manner of a obturator with the seat and a return spring tends to push it against this seat away from said shaped annular surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Elbi International S.p.A.Inventor: Michele Farano
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Patent number: 7644726Abstract: A flow shut off valve for residential water line pressure includes a self cleaning valve element held in a housing having an inlet, an outlet section and an outlet adapter with a fluid passage connecting the inlet and the outlet adapter. The inlet and the outlet adapter include exterior threads for connection to a further item. The valve element is slidably mounted within a passage in a poppet guide and metering slot insert having one or more metering slots that allow variable fluid flow between the inlet and outlet adapter. A spring biases the valve element toward the inlet. Reduced back pressure at the outlet adapter drives the valve element into a closed position with a sealing surface against the valve seat to terminate flow. The flow shutoff valves are contemplated for integration with stop valves supplying water to employment with household appliances, sinks, toilets and the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Kermit L. Achterman, & Associates, Inc.Inventor: Kermit L. Achterman
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Patent number: 7631656Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a housing, a piston within the housing, a biasing means within the housing for biasing the piston to seat in a first position for limiting fluid communication between an inlet port of the housing and an outlet port of the housing, and an insert cooperating with the biasing means for setting a pressure differential between an inlet side of the piston and an outlet side of the piston that unseats the piston from the first position for establishing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Fred Hoffman, Leonard Quinn
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Patent number: 7617840Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for dispensing and retrieving a length of hose. A housing contains upper and lower roller guides, a brake drum, a ratchet mechanism and a block and tackle assembly. As the hose is pulled out of the housing the upper roller guides move towards the lower roller guides and energy is stored in the block and tackle mechanism. The break drum and ratchet mechanism prevent the hose from being wound into the housing until the release mechanism is activated. One the release mechanism is activated the hose is wound into the housing by the energy stored in the block and tackle mechanism causing the upper roller guides to move away from the lower roller guides.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Inventor: Robert A Zinda
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Patent number: 7614425Abstract: Overmolding of softer materials onto ends of rigid plastic pipes is detailed. The pipes typically are components of automatic swimming pool cleaners and connect to valves made of softer, flexible material. Because of the overmolding, flexing of the valves during operation of the cleaners does not cause significant wear of the valves in the regions where they connect to the pipes.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.Inventor: Mark Bauckman
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Patent number: 7610930Abstract: A discharge valve comprising a valve body, a valve member, and a valve seat. The valve body has a first end; a second end; a central axis therebetween; an inlet formed through the first end; a flow channel extending from the inlet to the second end; a valve channel extending from the inlet and terminating within the valve body; and at least one discharge port extending from the valve channel to an outer surface of the valve body. The valve member is substantially-spherical and movably disposed within the valve channel. The valve seat is disposed adjacent the first end of the valve channel. The valve seat has an orifice defined therethrough The valve member is movable between a first position, engaging the valve seat to substantially seal the orifice, and a second position adjacent the second end of the valve channel to permit fluid to flow through the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Inventors: Tommy W. Weaver, Sydney E. Pogue
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Patent number: 7600531Abstract: The invention relates to a valve with a central guide and a check valve. The check valve and valve form an integrated component, the check valve being formed by a band which is shaped into a ring and is arranged in an internal groove.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbHInventors: Helmut Patze, Marius Cornea, Uwe Paschen
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Patent number: 7591282Abstract: The valve comprises a housing defining a flow passage, an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical wall, and a valve seat. An annular cavity is formed between the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall. A valve member is slidably mounted within the housing. The valve member includes an annular skirt section extending in the downstream direction. A downstream-facing portion of the valve member comprises a sealing portion configured to selectively engage the valve seat. The valve member is movable between an upstream no flow position, a downstream shutoff position, and a normal flow position intermediate the no flow position and the shutoff position. A biasing element is disposed between the housing and the valve member so as to bias the valve member away from the valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Kermit L. Achterman & Associates, Inc.Inventor: Kermit L. Achterman