Patents Examined by Thomas L. McShane
  • Patent number: 6164318
    Abstract: A valve locking system for safely and economically locking out control valves. The valve locking system includes a valve locking assembly for preventing manipulation of a valve including a rotating handle. The handle includes at least one aperture extending through the handle. The assembly includes a brace designed for coupling around a neck of the valve such that the brace is prevented from rotating around the neck of the valve. A cable includes a first end loop and a second end loop. The first end loop is coupled to the brace. The second end of the cable is insertable through the aperture in the handle. A locking member for coupling the first end loop to the second end loop such that the cable ties the handle to the brace whereby the handle is prevented from being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth Dixon
  • Patent number: 6164317
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a sewer vent pipe having a dome-shaped cap member with a plurality of brackets affixed to the inner surface thereof and extending to surfaces in a common plane for supporting the cap upon the open, upper end of the sewer pipe. A circular support plate is fixedly attached to the surfaces of the brackets and has a central opening for loose passage of a screw a first plurality of additional openings having centers lying on a circle concentrically surrounding the central opening, and a second plurality of additional openings. The screw is threadedly engaged with a tapped opening in a spreader plate. A plurality of lock arms extend through corresponding ones of said first plurality of additional openings. Each lock arm has an edge engaged in a notch in the periphery of the spreader plate, inhibiting rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Robert Hanson
  • Patent number: 6161568
    Abstract: A decorative pipe protector that can be positioned around a copper water supply pipe to both provide a decorative appearance and protect the copper water supply pipe from corrosion. The pipe protector includes a trim tube extending axially between a first end and a second end. The trim tube includes an inner surface having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the water supply pipe such that the trim tube can be slid onto the water supply pipe. The second end of the trim tube includes an attachment portion formed along its inner surface having a reduced diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the water supply pipe. The attachment portion of the trim tube is sweat soldered to the outer diameter of the water supply pipe to provide a liquid-tight seal between the two components. The second end of the trim tube includes external threads that receive a water shut-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Dragotta
  • Patent number: 6155287
    Abstract: In a fluid pressure control device such as a solenoid-controlled valve having an operating piece for manual operation which is a selector-type operating piece, a cover for preventing misoperation is attached to the selector-type operating piece. Consequently, a cover 6 for preventing misoperation comprised of a base part 10 having an attaching part 14 to be fixed to the casing and a lid part 11 which is integrally connected with the base part 10 via a bending part 12 which can be bent and stretched is attached to a selector-type operating piece 5 having a handle 5a for manual operation at the top. By bending the bending part 12, the lid part 11 can be closed between a closed position covering the handle 5a and opened an open position to release the handle 5a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Matarai, Yoshio Aso, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6152421
    Abstract: A valve body includes: a main body having a recess formed in a surface thereof facing a valve seat. A sealing member fills the recess of the main body. The sealing member is made of annealed nickel. The annealed nickel has a low hardness, so that the sealing member is slightly depressed by abutment thereof against the valve seat. The sealing member is then hardened by further application of stresses. Therefore, complete sealing between the sealing member and the valve seat can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: MKS Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Isao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6148850
    Abstract: A washing machine outlet box includes a bottom wall having a first drain port for a washing machine hose and a second drain port for a condensate line. Communicating with both drain ports is a common tailpiece integral with the bottom wall. The common tailpiece includes an outlet for connection to a drain pipe and wall sections defining a first passageway from the first drain port to the outlet and a second passageway from the second drain port to the outlet. This allows both drain ports to be connected to the drain pipe with only one solvent weld between the tailpiece and drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Oatey Co.
    Inventors: Raun A. Kopp, Michael W. Minnick, Robert S. Kane
  • Patent number: 6148863
    Abstract: A multi-compartment tank structure for an agricultural air cart is formed in a modular configuration with two, three or more containers operable to carry different supplies of materials to the field. Each container is formed with an interlocking mating wall structure having a pair of spaced apart geodesic-like lobes separated by a curved key portion recessed with respect to the lobes. One container having a convex mating wall configuration interfits with another container having a complementary concave mating wall structure. In the three or more compartment configuration, the interior container is provided with both convex and concave opposing mating walls to cooperate with the adjacent containers. The lobes are formed from a number of planar surface segments to create the geodesic-like appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Flexi-Coil Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell J. Memory, Montgomerie B. Summach, Cameron D. Bodie
  • Patent number: 6145534
    Abstract: A valve guard for a water faucet with a manually operated control valve. The guard has two substantially identical sections that when joined together in a closed position form a generally spherical surface with a lower cut off opening portion. A spring hinge joins the sections together at facing side edges to normally maintain the sections together in a closed position. A child has insufficient hand strength to pry the two joined sections apart while an adult may easy separate them. The guard is placed over the valve to be controlled with the opened lower portion first. Due to the exposed spherical shape of the closed guard enclosure and the flat bottom opening edge, the guard is difficult for small hands to grasp and when touched may freely rotate about the enclosed valve. The guard is sized relative to the valve structure to be protected. Thus, it may be fitted over the hot water control valve of a two control valve faucet or over the one control valve of a single control valve lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Shawna Romero
  • Patent number: 6135146
    Abstract: An automatic faucet device capable of cleaning and sterilizing a human body of a user with no stress given to the user. The device includes: a water supply head; a first solenoid valve interposed in the course of a pipe connecting the water supply head to a pre-cleaning water source; a second solenoid valve interposed in the course of a pipe connecting the water supply head to an ozone-water source; and a sensor for detecting the presence of a substance such as a hand of a human body under a discharge port of the water supply head. The first solenoid valve is opened for a specific period of time A in response to a signal detected by the sensor, and the second solenoid valve is opened for a specific period of time C after an elapse of a specific period of time B since starting of the opening of the first solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Take-One Office, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa Koganezawa, Yukio Akahori
  • Patent number: 6135417
    Abstract: An actuator for controlling the rotation of a valve spindle relative to a valve body (5). The actuator is in the form of an actuator body which receives a rotatable hub (6). The actuator body (3) is secured to the valve body by for example a mounting plate (7) which is bolted to the valve body or straps which are clamped to pipework connected to the valve body. The hub is retained in a predetermined position adjacent the valve body by the actuator body such that it may rotate with the valve spindle. Jaws (15) are mounted on the hub which may be clamped into engagement with the valve spindle so that torque applied to the hub by for example an actuator bar (12) is transmitted to the valve spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: EJA Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Wadsworth, Stephen L. Foster
  • Patent number: 6131603
    Abstract: A poppet valve in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle consists of a valve body which comprises a valve stem and a valve head at one end of the valve stem. An oxidized layer is formed on portions of the valve body which contacts another valve-operating member. On the oxidized layer, a carburized layer is formed to cover the whole surface to increase wear resistance and fatigue strength of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Oozx Inc.
    Inventors: Yuji Takano, Hiroaki Asanuma, Ryousuke Hada, Masahito Hirose
  • Patent number: 6131604
    Abstract: A lockout device is designed for preventing unauthorized use of a valve located below ground level, the valve having a rotatable valve actuator. The device includes an elongated tubular housing of a length to have a lower end at the valve actuator and an upper end accessible generally at ground level. An encapsulating mechanism including a trap door are provided at the lower end of the tubular housing for securing the lower end to the valve and encapsulating the rotatable valve actuator, with the tubular housing being freely rotatable relative to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Michael W. Harriss
  • Patent number: 6125874
    Abstract: There are disclosed three embodiments of a gate valve having a fail safe actuator which is especially useful in a subsea environment at considerably depth below water surface. The gate is urged to open position by control pressure and is moved to closed position, upon loss of a controlled condition, by means of a spring acting between the actuator and the stem. In one embodiment, when the body pressure is low, a floating ring sealably shiftable within an annular space between the stem and actuator is urged by body pressure into a position to engage a stop on the stem, and thus provide a force urging it in a direction to close the gate, when body pressure is below ambient, and by ambient pressure to a position to engage a stop on the actuator when body pressure is above ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc
    Inventor: David G. Holliday
  • Patent number: 6125880
    Abstract: Subject of the invention is a mass flow (volume flow) stabilising circulation system, which consists of independently operated circulation loops via two or more mass flow stabilising bridges (6). (FIG. 2)Furthermore the subject of the invention is a mass flow (volume flow) stabilising bridge (6), which consists of the hydraulic bridge (9) with inlet (7) and outlet (8) primary couplings, the outlet (10) and inlet (17) secondary couplings, furthermore the secondary delivery pipe (2b) with outlet connection (12) and the secondary return pipe (3b) with inlet connection (13). An equipment for circulation (4) is installed into the secondary return pipe (3b). (FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Komfort 2001 Ltd.
    Inventor: Sandor Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 6125881
    Abstract: Improved outlet boxes are provided for installation in a wall to connect water supply lines and drain lines to the corresponding lines from an appliance. Molded plastic outlet boxes having dual drains; left-to-right reversibility; adaptability to multiple drain and inlet line configurations, including top, bottom and side inlets; inclined bottom walls with gutters and removable webs facilitating drainage; and rear walls with recesses accommodating flushable water supply line connections are disclosed. Dual drain connectors adapted to combine the flows from dual drain outlets into a single drain pipe and knock-outs with downwardly extending, elongated tabs are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: LSP Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Billy J. Hobbs, Philip A. Mulvey, Jerry P. Mitchell, Sam H. Howe, Charles T. Crisman
  • Patent number: 6123106
    Abstract: A thrust washer for a mounting assembly disposed below an opening in a deck for mounting a faucet above the opening in the deck. A plurality of water lines extend through the opening in the deck to be connected to the faucet. The thrust washer being wider than the opening in the deck and formed in the shape of a "W" with a central opening at its midpoint for connection thereof to the mounting assembly. The thrust washer has a pair of outer legs defining wings which create an enlarged space above the central opening thereof adjacent the top of the "W". The thrust washer defines a solid, squat member having a height substantially equal to one-half the distance of the enlarged space thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Evan A. Benstead
  • Patent number: 6119718
    Abstract: An integral, one piece cover for a cylinder tank vessel valve is provided with a flexibly expandable housing, preferably formed of resilient molded plastic. The housing has a slot at the bottom, along one side. There is an opening formed adjacent to the slot. Dual locking tabs on the housing are adapted to receive a locking device. The cover is placed over the valve of a tank or any other upwardly extending valve by spreading the tabs apart, thus causing the slot to open and expand the lower portion of the housing. In this expanded state, the slot passes over the valve's hose or piping connection. The connection is then positioned within the opening and the tabs are released. The resilient nature of the housing biases the slots to close around the connector. The housing can At then be secured with a lock through the locking tabs. Once secured, the valve cannot be accessed without removal of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Louis W. Cappuccio
  • Patent number: 6116266
    Abstract: An improved open topped vessel (10) for receiving and containing a liquid, substantially made from plastics, comprises a housing having an upper wall (11) defining a catchment area with a well (17) at its lowermost point; a sump (19) remote from the well (17); and a pipe (18) connecting the well (17) to the sump (19). The vessel (10) is constructed so that thermal expression of the upper wall (11) and causes controlled downward movement of the well (11) without resulting in low point liquid traps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Retriever Products Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Max Dickison, Anthony Kearney, David Pullman
  • Patent number: 6113070
    Abstract: An aerosol valve assembly(12) has a mounting cup(18) with an arcuate bottom portion(43) that distorts during pressurization to absorb some of the pressure shock to enable pressurization at higher levels and a valve stem(22) with grooves(25) that define passageways through a bore(21) within which the valve stem(22) is slideably mounted to eliminate leakage through the bore and to reduce back pressure to enable good flow rates at reduced pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Delta Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Holzboog
  • Patent number: 6113072
    Abstract: An access port or drain for liquids held in a container, having a port member having a bore communicating with the interior of the container. A valve member seals the bore. A spigot member having an internal bore is adapted to connect by complementary connection means to valve member and to move the valve member inwardly of the container to open the valve such that liquid in the container is able to flow through the spigot member via opening in the spigot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Geoffrey Malcolm Wickett