Patents by Inventor Eugene A. Ritter, Jr.

Eugene A. Ritter, Jr. 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: 6615858
    Abstract: A water valve assembly includes a valve body having defined therein (i) an inlet, (ii) an outlet, (iii) a central cavity, and (iv) a component access opening, wherein fluid advancing into the valve body through the inlet must pass through the central cavity before exiting out of the valve body through the outlet, and further wherein the component access opening is configured so that a valve component may be advanced into the central cavity through the component access opening. The water valve assembly further includes a retaining bracket having a retaining portion positioned in relation to the valve body so as to block advancement of the valve component from the central cavity to a location outside of the valve body through the component access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. DuHack, Eugene A. Ritter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6422258
    Abstract: A water valve assembly includes a valve body having defined therein a central cavity and a bracket-receiving opening. The valve assembly also includes a first valve component positioned in the central cavity of the valve body. Moreover, the water valve assembly includes a retaining bracket having a flange which has a crimped end portion defined therein. The flange is positioned in the bracket-receiving opening so as to retain the first valve component in the central cavity of the valve opening. The crimped end portion of the flange contacts the valve body so as to retain the flange in the bracket-receiving opening. A method of making an appliance water valve assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. DuHack, Eugene A. Ritter, Jr.