Patents by Inventor Craig A. Sowada

Craig A. Sowada 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).

  • LOCK DEVICE AND LOCK METHOD FOR KNIFE GATE VALVES
    Publication number: 20020084434
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for locking a knife gate valve in a position, such as an open and/or closed position. The locking device has a pair of first posts disposed substantially parallel to the shaft. A swivel lock member is mounted to rotate substantially about the axis of the shaft and to reciprocate together with the shaft and the knife. The swivel lock member is selectively rotatable between an unlocked position at which the swivel lock member does not engage the first engageable portions and a locked position at which the swivel lock member engages both of the first engageable portions to prevent the swivel lock member from movement in at least one of the back and forth directions along the axis of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Craig A. Sowada, Richard R. Ruegemer
  • Lock device and lock method for knife gate valves
    Patent number: 6398184
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for locking a knife gate valve in a position, such as an open and/or closed position. The locking device has a pair of first posts disposed substantially parallel to the shaft. A swivel lock member is mounted to rotate substantially about the axis of the shaft and to reciprocate together with the shaft and the knife. The swivel lock member is selectively rotatable between an unlocked position at which the swivel lock member does not engage the first engageable portions and a locked position at which the swivel lock member engages both of the first engageable portions to prevent the swivel lock member from movement in at least one of the back and forth directions along the axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Sowada, Richard R. Ruegemer