Patents by Inventor Kirk A. Norris

Kirk A. Norris 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).

  • Publication number: 20120199587
    Abstract: A container configured to hold fluid, and a lid and tab for use with the container, are provided that allow for venting the container when dispensing fluid therefrom. The lid includes scored portions configured to be severed from a surface of the lid for venting the container and dispensing fluid from the container. A scored venting portion of the lid has a protrusion, and the tab has a raised portion that generally aligns with the protrusion when the tab is coupled to the lid. To open and vent the container, the tab is moved to sever a scored pouring portion from a surface of the lid, and the raised portion of the tab is deformed to engage the protrusion of the lid to sever the scored venting portion from the surface of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Kirk Norris
  • Patent number: 7237627
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining lubrication of rolling cone cutters mounted on journal pins. Embodiments comprise a rotating cone disposed on a journal pin and forming a journal gap there between. A cylindrical journal sleeve is disposed in the journal gap. The journal sleeve has a longitudinal gap forming opposing end portions, which are continuously contoured. A lubrication port is disposed in the journal pin and in fluid communication with a lubrication supply. The lubrication port has an outlet located in a recess in the journal gap. Each end of the recess comprises a transitioning surface extending between the bottom of the recess and the outer surface of the journal pin to prevent sharp transitions. In certain embodiments, the journal pin may comprise two or more lubrication ports, each located in a recess with transitioning surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance T. Richman, Chris Edward Cawthorne, Kirk A. Norris, Robert H. Slaughter, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050077087
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining lubrication of rolling cone cutters mounted on journal pins. Embodiments comprise a rotating cone disposed on a journal pin and forming a journal gap there between. A cylindrical journal sleeve is disposed in the journal gap. The journal sleeve has a longitudinal gap forming opposing end portions, which are continuously contoured. A lubrication port is disposed in the journal pin and in fluid communication with a lubrication supply. The lubrication port has an outlet located in a recess in the journal gap. Each end of the recess comprises a transitioning surface extending between the bottom of the recess and the outer surface of the journal pin to prevent sharp transitions. In certain embodiments, the journal pin may comprise two or more lubrication ports, each located in a recess with transitioning surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Richman, Chris Cawthorne, Kirk Norris, Robert Slaughter
  • Patent number: 6619412
    Abstract: A rotary cone rock bit, comprises a bit body including a plurality of legs extending therefrom, each of the legs having an outer surface that includes a leading surface and a trailing surface, a roller cone rotatably supported on each of the legs, a bearing system between each cone and the leg on which it is supported, and a lubricant reservoir in fluid communication with the bearing system. The reservoir can be provided with a wear resistant plug, if desired. In the present bit, the reservoir has at least one opening positioned in either the leg's leading surface, trailing surface, center surface, shoulder surface or some combination of these. Alternatively, the reservoir can be formed inside the bit body, preferably by a canister or the like, which can be provided with a venting as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Slaughter, Jr., Peter T. Cariveau, Kirk A. Norris, Roger Didericksen, William M. Conn
  • Publication number: 20010050187
    Abstract: A rotary cone rock bit, comprises a bit body including a plurality of legs extending therefrom, each of the legs having an outer surface that includes a leading surface and a trailing surface, a roller cone rotatably supported on each of the legs, a bearing system between each cone and the leg on which it is supported, and a lubricant reservoir in fluid communication with the bearing system. The reservoir can be provided with a wear resistant plug, if desired. In the present bit, the reservoir has at least one opening positioned in either the leg's leading surface, trailing surface, center surface, shoulder surface or some combination of these. Alternatively, the reservoir can be formed inside the bit body, preferably by means of a canister, which can be provided with venting means as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Robert H. Slaughter, Peter T. Cariveau, Kirk A. Norris, Roger Didericksen, William M. Conn
  • Patent number: 6296067
    Abstract: A rotary cone rock bit, comprises a bit body including a plurality of legs extending therefrom, each of the legs having an outer surface that includes a leading surface and a trailing surface, a roller cone rotatably supported on each of the legs, a bearing system between each cone and the leg on which it is supported, and a lubricant reservoir in fluid communication with the bearing system. The reservoir can be provided with a wear resistant plug, if desired. In the present bit, the reservoir has at least one opening positioned in either the leg's leading surface, trailing surface, center surface, shoulder surface or some combination of these. Alternatively, the reservoir can be formed inside the bit body, preferably by means of a canister, which can be provided with venting means as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Slaughter, Jr., Peter T. Cariveau, Kirk A. Norris, Roger Didericksen, William M. Conn
  • Patent number: 6206110
    Abstract: A rotary cone rock bit, comprises a bit body including a plurality of legs extending therefrom, each of the legs having an outer surface that includes a leading surface and a trailing surface, a roller cone rotatably supported on each of the legs, a bearing system between each cone and the leg on which it is supported, and a lubricant reservoir in fluid communication with the bearing system. The reservoir can be provided with a wear resistant plug, if desired. In the present bit, the reservoir can be pressured-balanced with fluid in the bit plenum or the borehole annulus, or maintained at some desired differential with respect to either of these. Alternatively, the reservoir can be formed inside the bit body, preferably by means of a canister, which can be provided with venting means as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Slaughter, Jr., Peter T. Cariveau, Kirk A. Norris, Roger Didericksen, William M. Conn
  • Patent number: D887492
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventor: Kirk Norris Hovious