Patents by Inventor Blaine Childress
Blaine Childress has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230407610Abstract: A sensing device for a hydrant in a fluid distribution system configured to transport a fluid can include a housing defining a portion of an operating stem of the hydrant; a vein connected to the housing, the vein defining a channel; and a sensor received at least partly and within the channel of the vein and configured to measure at least two properties of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Yanlong Li, Haedoo Choi, Emil Simion, Christopher Joseph Duckett, Justin Blaine Childress, Diego Aguilera, Jason Cole Eason
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Publication number: 20230399826Abstract: A nozzle cap for a hydrant can include an inner cap securably engageable with a nozzle of the hydrant, the nozzle configured to connect a fire hose to the hydrant; a communications hub positioned adjacent to the inner cap; and a plug plugging an opening defined in the inner cap and securably engaged with the inner cap, the plug including a material that allows transmission of a wireless signal through the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Haedoo Choi, Timothy J. Mitchell, Rachel Rifenberg, Christopher Joseph Duckett, Justin Blaine Childress, Emil Simion, Diego Aguilera
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Patent number: 11841087Abstract: A check valve can include a valve body defining a valve bore, the valve body comprising an annular body and a cross member secured to and extending in a radial direction across the valve bore from the annular body on one side of the valve body to the annular body on an opposite side of the valve body, the valve bore at the cross member divided into more than one portion by the cross member; a position block extending from the cross member; a pair of valve members, each valve member of the pair of valve members positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate between open and closed positions; and a pivot pin positioned within the valve body and extending through the position block and each valve member of the pair of valve members, the pivot pin being supported only by the position block.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2023Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Patent number: 11725746Abstract: A valve closure device for a check valve can include a first valve member configured to rotate from an open position to a closed position; a second valve member configured to rotate from an open position of the second valve member to a closed position of the second valve member; and a hydraulic dampener coupled to each of the first valve member and the second valve member in each of the open position and the closed position of each of the first valve member and the second valve member, the hydraulic dampener configured to resist rotation of the first valve member towards the closed position of the first valve member and the second valve member towards the closed position of the second valve member.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Patent number: 11692642Abstract: A method of preventing tampering with a hydrant includes inserting an operating stem of the hydrant through a central bore of an operating nut to mount the operating nut on the operating stem; and rotatably threading a grooved nut onto a threaded distal end of the operating stem, the grooved nut defining an indentation in an outer surface of the grooved nut, wherein: rotatably threading the grooved nut onto the threaded distal end of the operating stem comprises engaging the indentation with a mating groove tool and rotating the grooved nut with the mating groove tool.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Justin Blaine Childress
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Publication number: 20230167913Abstract: A check valve can include a valve body defining a valve bore, the valve body comprising an annular body and a cross member secured to and extending in a radial direction across the valve bore from the annular body on one side of the valve body to the annular body on an opposite side of the valve body, the valve bore at the cross member divided into more than one portion by the cross member; a position block extending from the cross member; a pair of valve members, each valve member of the pair of valve members positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate between open and closed positions; and a pivot pin positioned within the valve body and extending through the position block and each valve member of the pair of valve members, the pivot pin being supported only by the position block.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Patent number: 11635150Abstract: A check valve includes a valve body defining a valve bore extending from a first axial end to a second axial end, the valve body including an annular body and a cross member secured to and extending across the valve bore from the annular body on one side of the valve body to the annular body on an opposite side of the valve body, the valve bore at the cross member divided into more than one portion by the cross member; a position block extending from the cross member; a valve member positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position; and a pivot pin extending from the valve member, engaged with the position block, and fixed with respect to the valve member; the valve member and the pivot pin configured to rotate together between the open position and the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Publication number: 20230096696Abstract: A method of preventing tampering with a hydrant includes inserting an operating stem of the hydrant through a central bore of an operating nut to mount the operating nut on the operating stem; and rotatably threading a grooved nut onto a threaded distal end of the operating stem, the grooved nut defining an indentation in an outer surface of the grooved nut, wherein: rotatably threading the grooved nut onto the threaded distal end of the operating stem comprises engaging the indentation with a mating groove tool and rotating the grooved nut with the mating groove tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventor: Justin Blaine Childress
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Patent number: 11543050Abstract: A hydrant includes an operating stem comprising a threaded distal end extending from the hydrant; an operating nut comprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposed second end, and a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the first end to the second end, the operating nut positioned on the operating stem such that a portion of the operating stem is positioned in the central bore and the threaded distal end of the operating stem extends beyond the second end of the operating nut; and a shear nut comprising a breakaway portion coupled to a nut portion, the shear nut rotatably secured to the distal end of the operating stem.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Justin Blaine Childress
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Publication number: 20220390037Abstract: A valve closure device for a check valve can include a first valve member configured to rotate from an open position to a closed position; a second valve member configured to rotate from an open position of the second valve member to a closed position of the second valve member; and a hydraulic dampener coupled to each of the first valve member and the second valve member in each of the open position and the closed position of each of the first valve member and the second valve member, the hydraulic dampener configured to resist rotation of the first valve member towards the closed position of the first valve member and the second valve member towards the closed position of the second valve member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2021Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Publication number: 20220196182Abstract: A hydrant includes an operating stem comprising a threaded distal end extending from the hydrant; an operating nut comprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposed second end, and a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the first end to the second end, the operating nut positioned on the operating stem such that a portion of the operating stem is positioned in the central bore and the threaded distal end of the operating stem extends beyond the second end of the operating nut; and a shear nut comprising a breakaway portion coupled to a nut portion, the shear nut rotatably secured to the distal end of the operating stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventor: Justin Blaine Childress
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Patent number: 11300227Abstract: Example aspects of a hydrant and a method of preventing tampering with a hydrant are disclosed. The hydrant can comprise an operating stem extending from the hydrant, the operating stem defining an elongate stem passage; an operating nut comprising a first end, an opposed second end and a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the first end to the second end, the operating nut further defining a dowel bore, the operating stem extending through the central bore, the operating nut positioned such that the dowel bore and the stem passage are substantially co-axially aligned; and a dowel pin inserted through the dowel bore of the operating nut and the stem passage of the operating stem.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Justin Blaine Childress
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Publication number: 20220074512Abstract: A check valve includes a valve body defining a valve bore extending from a first axial end to a second axial end, the valve body including an annular body and a cross member secured to and extending across the valve bore from the annular body on one side of the valve body to the annular body on an opposite side of the valve body, the valve bore at the cross member divided into more than one portion by the cross member; a position block extending from the cross member; a valve member positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position; and a pivot pin extending from the valve member, engaged with the position block, and fixed with respect to the valve member; the valve member and the pivot pin configured to rotate together between the open position and the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Patent number: 11204102Abstract: A check valve for a fluid distribution system can include a valve body defining a valve bore defining a cylindrical shape, the valve body comprising an annular body and a fixed cross member secured to the valve body and extending across the valve bore, a position block secured to the cross member of the valve body, extending from the cross member, and defining a pivot bore; a pivot pin positioned within the valve body and extending through the pivot bore of the position block, the pivot pin positioned entirely within the cylindrical shape of the valve bore; and a valve member positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate about the pivot pin to a closed position when a pipe system termination fitting attached to the valve body is dislocated fr om the valve body or when the fluid moves in a negative flow direction of the check valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Publication number: 20210372099Abstract: A valve assembly for a hydrant can include a main valve defining a bore; and an auxiliary valve assembled to and extending through the bore of the main valve, the auxiliary valve defining a fluid channel through the auxiliary valve, the auxiliary valve including: an upper auxiliary valve shaft; a lower auxiliary valve shaft, the upper auxiliary valve shaft movable in a vertical direction with respect to the lower auxiliary valve shaft, a position of the lower auxiliary valve shaft restrained with respect to a position of the upper auxiliary valve shaft within a predetermined movement range; and a sealing element preventing fluid flow through the fluid channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Patent number: 11186971Abstract: A valve assembly for a hydrant can include a main valve defining a bore; and an auxiliary valve assembled to and extending through the bore of the main valve, the auxiliary valve defining a fluid channel through the auxiliary valve, the auxiliary valve including: an upper auxiliary valve shaft; a lower auxiliary valve shaft, the upper auxiliary valve shaft movable in a vertical direction with respect to the lower auxiliary valve shaft, a position of the lower auxiliary valve shaft restrained with respect to a position of the upper auxiliary valve shaft within a predetermined movement range; and a sealing element preventing fluid flow through the fluid channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Publication number: 20210293340Abstract: A check valve for a fluid distribution system can include a valve body defining a valve inner cavity defining a valve bore extending from a first axial end to a second axial end; a position block secured to the valve body and defining a pivot bore; a pivot pin positioned within the valve body and extending through the pivot bore of the position block; and a valve member positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate about the pivot pin from an open position to a closed position, the valve member configured to remain in the open position as long as a fluid in the fluid distribution system is moving in a positive flow direction of the check valve, the valve member further configured to close when the fluid is moving in a negative flow direction of the check valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2020Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Sean Michael Allen, Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
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Publication number: 20210131584Abstract: Example aspects of a hydrant and a method of preventing tampering with a hydrant are disclosed. The hydrant can comprise an operating stem extending from the hydrant, the operating stem defining an elongate stem passage; an operating nut comprising a first end, an opposed second end and a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the first end to the second end, the operating nut further defining a dowel bore, the operating stem extending through the central bore, the operating nut positioned such that the dowel bore and the stem passage are substantially co-axially aligned; and a dowel pin inserted through the dowel bore of the operating nut and the stem passage of the operating stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventor: Justin Blaine Childress
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Patent number: 10920906Abstract: A hydrant comprising: an operating stem comprising a threaded distal end extending from the hydrant; an operating nut comprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposed second end, and a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the first end to the second end, the operating nut positioned on the operating stem such that a portion of the stem is positioned in the central bore and the threaded distal end of the stem extends beyond the second end of the operating nut; a snap ring positioned on the stem, the snap ring configured to prevent the operating nut from being removed from the operating stem without removing the snap ring; and a tightening nut rotatably secured to the stem, the tightening nut comprising internal threads configured to matingly engage the threaded distal end of the stem.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Justin Blaine Childress
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Publication number: 20200003329Abstract: A hydrant comprising: an operating stem comprising a threaded distal end extending from the hydrant; an operating nut comprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposed second end, and a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the first end to the second end, the operating nut positioned on the operating stem such that a portion of the stem is positioned in the central bore and the threaded distal end of the stem extends beyond the second end of the operating nut; a snap ring positioned on the stem, the snap ring configured to prevent the operating nut from being removed from the operating stem without removing the snap ring; and a tightening nut rotatably secured to the stem, the tightening nut comprising internal threads configured to matingly engage the threaded distal end of the stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventor: Justin Blaine Childress