Patents by Inventor Chris A. Vinson

Chris A. Vinson 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).

  • Patent number: 6669111
    Abstract: A removable protector for protecting a thermally responsive member of a sprinkler head includes first and second shields each having protective surfaces. The protective surfaces are positioned to protect portions of the thermally responsive members that are exposed to potential contact with objects that are external to the sprinkler head. Each of the shields has a receiving end which slides over the sprinkler head during attachment of the protector. Each of the shields also has a connecting end attached to a cross member which connects the two shields and which provides an appropriate amount of spacing between the shields to permit clearance for accommodating various sprinkler head components when the protector is attached to the sprinkler head. A releasable fastener attaches the protector to the sprinkler head and secures the major protective surfaces of the first and second shields proximate the exposed portion of the thermally responsive member of the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Polymer Molding, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Vinson, Thomas E. Dorich
  • Publication number: 20030173094
    Abstract: A removable protector for protecting a thermally responsive member of a sprinkler head includes first and second shields each having protective surfaces. The protective surfaces are positioned to protect portions of the thermally responsive members that are exposed to potential contact with objects that are external to the sprinkler head. Each of the shields has a receiving end which slides over the sprinkler head during attachment of the protector. Each of the shields also has a connecting end attached to a cross member which connects the two shields and which provides an appropriate amount of spacing between the shields to permit clearance for accommodating various sprinkler head components when the protector is attached to the sprinkler head. A releasable fastener attaches the protector to the sprinkler head and secures the major protective surfaces of the first and second shields proximate the exposed portion of the thermally responsive member of the sprinkler head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Chris A. Vinson, Thomas E. Dorich
  • Patent number: 5622208
    Abstract: A plug for ports having a flexible handle to facilitate the removal of the plug from a port. A flange is integrally attached to an end of the plug body and extends radially outwardly from the body. One or more openings are formed in the flange which form handles concentric to the body. The openings have ends spaced from each other providing lands that attach the handles to the flange. The openings are spaced inward from the outer edges of the flange and the handles provided can be swung toward each other and grasped by a hand to pull the plug out of a port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Polymer Molding, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris A. Vinson