Patents Examined by Meredith H Schoenfeld
  • Patent number: 6460560
    Abstract: A low profile inflation valve intended to be installed with an article to inflated with air, water or other fluid. The valve of the invention comprises a valve body which is sealed, such as by an adhesive, heat-sealing or RF sealing, to a corresponding opening in the article to be inflated. The body comprises a generally circular cylindrical configuration with internal threads for receiving a cap. The cap correspondingly comprises a circular cylindrical configuration having exterior threads for threaded engagement into the valve body. A flapper is affixed to the underside of the cap and functions as a one-way valve to prevent fluid from within the article from escaping therefrom when the cap is partially threaded within the body and yet which allows inflation of the article. Moreover, full tightening of the cap within the body sealingly entraps the flapper between the cap in a lower portion of the body so as to create an airtight seal and prevent further inflation (or deflation) of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    Inventors: Jacek M. Weinheimer, Lyman W. Fawcett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6446658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bleed member provided in a bleed valve assembly having a wall member defining a fluid chamber for retaining a fluid therein. The bleed member has an aperture defined in the wall member and a flexible sealing member located inside the fluid chamber for selectively covering and sealing the aperture. According to the present invention, in a preloading state, the flexible sealing member covers and seals the aperture and, in a venting state, the sealing member is forced to be unseated from the aperture to vent fluid from the valve member. The wall member is preferably flexible and the sealing member may be formed of a material which is flexible and conforms to the shape and configuration of the wall member to seal the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Bic Corporation
    Inventor: Richard C. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6443184
    Abstract: A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of said valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof and at least one valve assembly disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing, and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction, axially moveable toward the valve seat in response to fluid flow in an upstream direction, and in sealing engagement against the valve seat in the absence of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert V. Funderburk
  • Patent number: 6443183
    Abstract: The fluid flow check valve uses a flexure plate or plates to accommodate the valve disk's axial motion required to open and close the valve. The flexure plate also limits the disk's motion in any lateral direction, so the valve disk will align properly with the valve seat and seal when it closes. The flexure plate is a flat, axial spring, made by cutting or otherwise manufacturing spiral cuts in a round, sheet metal disk. Valve qualities such as closing force, size and rigidity to lateral disk motion can be modified by varying the number and configuration of the plates, and by modifying plate characteristics. The compactness of the flexural plate design allows for a shorter valve length and cost as well as increased opportunity for flow optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Transcend Inc.
    Inventor: Oene Roorda
  • Patent number: 6443182
    Abstract: A check valve is provided for stopping the reverse flow of fluid through a fluid-carrying conduit and includes a fluid dampening device to dampen the closing movement of the valve upon flow reversal. The fluid dampening device includes a member for containing a fluid that becomes compressed upon a reverse flow of fluid through a conduit that houses the check valve. As the check valve is forced by a reverse fluid flow in a reverse direction, fluid in the fluid dampening device becomes compressed and is permitted to slowly seep out of the fluid dampening device via fluid passageways that permit only the slow escape of fluid from a compressed fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Lance Scott Hathcock
  • Patent number: 6439263
    Abstract: The pressure regulating valve (2) proposed here can be designed with the aid of the outflow throttle restriction (28) downstream of the valve seat (22) in such a way that the pressure regulating valve (2), as the fluid flow becomes greater, sets or adjusts a smaller pressure difference at the pressure regulating valve (2), as a result of which the line losses that can never be avoided can be compensated for. The pressure regulating valve is suitable in particular for a fuel supply system of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Schwegler, Ralph Ittlinger, Wolfgang Bueser, Martin Maier, Lorenz Drutu
  • Patent number: 6435208
    Abstract: A flame-retardant pressure equalizing valve contains a valve body that is guided in a housing. Under the influence of excess pressure, the valve body is displaceable from a closing position into a blow-off position. The housing and the valve body form a first closure and, in a series therewith, a second closure. The surface of the second closure projected in the opening direction is larger than the surface of the first closure projected in the opening direction and the first closure opens during opening before the second closure, so that, during opening, the excess pressure acts on an enlarged surface and the valve is opened promptly. The second closure is spaced from the first closure in opening direction. As a result, a better closing behavior and an increased outlet velocity of the outflowing gas are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Ide Albert Van der Velde
  • Patent number: 6427714
    Abstract: An improved fluid flow valve (10) for a fluid flow control system. The flow valve (10) includes a flow-regulating assembly (40) having a housing (44) having a piston bore (15) within which is slideably disposed a piston-like member (42). The piston-like member (42) has a primary flow passage (52) and at least one secondary flow passage (54) formed therein. A first portion (42a) of the pistonlike member (42) is configured for mating with a seat (46) of the housing (44), and a resilient member (48) biases the piston-like member (42) away from the seat (46). When at least a predetermined fluid pressure differential exists, the first portion (42a) mates with the seat (46) and causes the at least one secondary flow passage (54) to be at least substantially closed such that fluid can substantially flow only through the primary flow passage (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Freigang, James A. Beverly, Kurt R. Gerlofs
  • Patent number: 6425416
    Abstract: A directional control apparatus for a solenoid valve assembly, including a solenoid valve assembly including a supply/exhaust device and solenoid valves connected together, and a manual directional control valve. The supply/exhaust device is configured to supply to and exhaust from the solenoid valve assembly pressure fluids, and includes a supply-side connection port for connecting to a fluid supply tube and an exhaust-side connection port for connecting to a fluid exhaust tube. The manual directional control valve is configured to be connected between the supply/exhaust device and the fluid supply and exhaust tubes. The manual directional control valve has a supply channel for communicating the supply-side connection port and the fluid supply tube and an exhaust channel for communicating the exhaust-side connection port and the fluid exhaust tube. The manual directional control valve is configured to manually divert the pressure fluids between the supply and exhaust channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Narita, Bunya Hayashi, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6416534
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable heating pad capable of transferring heat to an anatomical region of a subject by means of a removable gel pack member which is releasably attached to a heat pad member with a detachable electrical power cord. The present invention can also include an inflatable bladder having an integrally formed pump. The portable heating pads of the present invention are useful for the rapid and convenient treatment of various muscular and orthopedic aches and pains of a mobile subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Montagnino, Arnold V. DeCarlo
  • Patent number: 6415816
    Abstract: A one directional flow valve assembly for a fluid system. The valve assembly is comprised of a valve body having an internal valve chamber in communication with the ambient environment with a valve seat of a predetermined configuration. The assembly further has a cap structure with means to position and align a sealing membrane with respect to the valve seat. A flexible elastomeric sealing diaphragm is provided which is under tension when the diaphragm is in a sealing configuration. A carrier plate structure may be provided to position the sealing diaphragm. The sealing member is in tension adjacent to the sealing seat when in a sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Cherne Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Beckey, Richard T. Stone, Peter J. Nyvall
  • Patent number: 6409746
    Abstract: The eye pillow of the present invention has a steam-generating unit that uses chemical energy. The temperature of steam released from the surface of the eye pillow which is applied to the eyes and the area around the eyes is kept at 50° C. or lower and total weight of the eye pillow is 50 g or more. Preferably, the eye pillow has the steam-generating unit and a cooler which are attached to the eye pillow body removably. Thus, the moisture as with a steamed towel and the cold as with a cold towel can be continuously introduced to the eyes and the area around the eyes easily and safely to relieve the dry eyes, etc., while applying an appropriate pressure to the eyes and the area around the eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Michihito Igaki, Takeshi Oka, Tadayuki Tokunaga, Shinichi Sato
  • Patent number: 6408876
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a control valve which can reduce the number of external lines connected to a hydraulic remote control valve. A control valve 1 for controlling hydraulic cylinders 2,2′ is provided, in one 26 of spool covers, with fluid passages 27,27′, a shuttle valve 28 for selecting higher one of pilot pressures to be transmitted to these fluid passages 27,27′, and a fluid passage 29 for transmitting the pressure selected by the shuttle valve 28. The fluid passages 27,27′ are in communication with pressure fluid ports 25,25′ as connection ports for pilot lines 24a,24c. The control valve 1 is also provided, in the other spool cover 32, with fluid passages 33,33′, a shuttle valve 34 for selecting higher one of pilot pressures to be transmitted to these fluid passages 33,33′, and a fluid passage 35 for transmitting the pressure selected by the shuttle valve 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshizumi Nishimura, Yusaku Nozawa, Kinya Takahashi, Mitsuhisa Tougasaki
  • Patent number: 6401743
    Abstract: Alternate embodiments of a vehicle tire inflation system equipped with a low tire pressure warning device are illustrated wherein a pressure regulating valve controls the pressure delivered to the tires from a pressurized air source and has an integrated electrical switch to indicate if the pressure regulating valve is supplying air to a tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Vehicle Inflation Technologies
    Inventor: Mark H. Naedler
  • Patent number: 6401744
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide a valve actuator with an activating pin of a simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: NVB International
    Inventor: Nicolaas Van Der Blom
  • Patent number: 6397889
    Abstract: A method for assembling a rotary valve for hydraulic power assisted steering systems may be used for a rotary valve having the following features: both valve elements of the rotary valve have longitudinal control grooves, interacting control edges of the longitudinal control grooves of the control bushing and of the rotary slide being formed parallel to each other and converging in an oblique manner at the same angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the rotary valve. The method includes the following steps: the rotary slide is pushed into the control bushing up to a point just ahead of a stop in the region of the valve output member. The two valve elements of the rotary valve are aligned in their central position and are clamped there in a manner secure against rotation in relation to a torsion bar spring. In order to determine the profile of a basic characteristic curve, the rotary valve is deflected fully in both directions and the pressure/angle or the pressure/torque ratio is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Rieger
  • Patent number: 6397884
    Abstract: A connection member includes a nipple portion formed at one end and a first end face portion formed at an end part of the nipple portion. A valve cap includes a small-diameter portion; a large-diameter portion; a valve seat portion having a valve seal surface formed on an inner circumferential surface of the valve cap and located between the small-diameter portion and the large-diameter portion; and a fitting end portion fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the end part of the nipple portion. A valve body includes a bottom portion having an abutment part to abut the valve seal surface; a cylindrical open end portion extending from the bottom portion; a second end face portion formed at the open end portion in such a manner as to face the first end face portion; a first sliding portion provided on the open end portion; and a first flow path portion provided in the first sliding portion. The valve body is accommodated within the large-diameter portion in an axially slidable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Miyajima, Tomohide Ito
  • Patent number: 6390121
    Abstract: A check valve (4) controlled by differential pressure, preferably in form of a disk valve, having a closing element (5) that impacts a valve seat (8) with a force by means of an elastic (resilient) element, preferably a closing spring (6). The closing element (5) is provided with an additional mass (11), which is larger in its amount than the mass of the closing element (5) itself to dampen the closing shock in a manner whereby the closing element (5) does not rebound even once or several times and also to dampen the opening shock of a valve of this type as a matter of course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Ventilwerke GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Steinrück, Franz Paset
  • Patent number: 6386227
    Abstract: A non-flowing pilot valve is disclosed having a sense piston assembly (16) and a feedback sleeve (40) co-axially mounted within a valve body (12). A dome-line chamber (32) and an exhaust-line chamber (34) are isolated from each other by a feedback sleeve top shoulder (48) contacting a pop seal (52) on the valve body (12) below set pressure. At a few percentage points of inlet (19) pressure below set pressure, a reseat seal of a foot (20) portion of the sense piston (16) contacts the bottom shoulder (48) of the feedback sleeve (40) thereby closing off the dome-line chamber (32) from below and above and “locking in” dome line pressure. An increase in inlet (19) pressure above set pressure causes the sense piston (16) to move up simultaneously carrying feedback sleeve (40) with it thereby opening the dome-line chamber (32) to the exhaust-line chamber (34) below the open top shoulder (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Flow Safe, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter W. Powell
  • Patent number: 6386506
    Abstract: An improved snap action valve construction is disclosed in which a compensator blade has deflection resisting ribs positioned along a weld line defined between an active blade and the compensator blade. Additionally, the compensator blade may have a recessed tab for securing a spring between the compensator blade and a snap blade. In one embodiment, the snap blade includes one or more longitudinal recesses to increase the deflection of the snap blade in the area of the recesses. In another embodiment, the snap blade has an arc-shaped rib surrounding a portion of a valve member opening. The arc-shaped rib resists flexing of the snap blade in the area of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Maxitrol Company
    Inventor: Donald W. Cox