Patents by Inventor Dean D. Fritz

Dean D. Fritz 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: 6217082
    Abstract: A swivel fitting includes a first annular member and a second annular member. The first annular member has a second end which is threaded and a first end which receives the first end of the second annular member. The second annular member has a second end which is received within a tube or hose. The members are coupled together by expanding a frusto-conical end section of the second annular member within the first annular member, so that a radial lip on the frusto-conical section seats within an annular grove formed within the first annular member. The swivel fitting is sealed with an O-ring which is sandwiched between the radially extending stop on the first annular member and a shoulder on the second annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Orcutt, Dean D. Fritz
  • Patent number: 5799531
    Abstract: A crimping device for crimping end fittings on hoses and tubes includes a base ring and a pressure ring. The base ring includes a frustoconical inner surface in which is positioned a die assembly which, at its opposite end, abuts a portion of the pressure ring. When the pressure ring is pushed toward the base ring, the dies converge, crimping the fitting to the hose or tube. In order to properly locate the hose or tube, a locator pin is affixed to the pressure ring by an L-shaped bracket. The locator pin, pressure ring and crimping die assembly form a tool package which, upon being initially set, does not have to be reset for subsequent uses. The tool package can be stored while other tool packages of a similar configuration are set, used and then stored for subsequent use. In this way, the irritation and resulting inefficiency of having to continually reset tooling is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Orcutt, Dean D. Fritz