Patents by Inventor Paul J. Lake

Paul J. Lake 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: 20240011578
    Abstract: A snap-fit lever for actuation of a valve assembly has an elongated valve stem with a ball. The snap-fit lever has a handle portion and a seat portion coupled to the handle portion. The seat portion defines an entry, a retention cavity, and a passage from the entry to the retention cavity. The passage guides the ball from the entry to the retention cavity. The snap-fit lever has deflectable fingers protruding from the seat portion to form part of the retention cavity and the passage. The deflectable fingers deflect to allow the ball to move from the passage into the retention cavity and capture the ball. The deflectable fingers enable rotation of the handle portion about a first axis of the elongated valve stem and allow rotation of the handle portion about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis for moving the elongated valve stem into an actuated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Philip S. Sweeting, Mahyar Esmaili, Paul J. Lake
  • Patent number: 11054129
    Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly has a normal mode and a regulated fast-fill mode and includes a spring cage and a body coupled together. The spring cage and body define an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet as well as an interior between the inlet and the outlet. A diaphragm assembly mounts in the interior for selectively closing a flowpath between the inlet and the outlet. A preload spring in the interior applies force on the diaphragm assembly so that in the normal mode, the flowpath is closed if a downstream pressure is above a first pressure. An actuation assembly includes a lever coupled to the spring cage and a push rod mounted so that in the regulated fast-fill mode, the lever slides so that the push rod further compresses the preload spring to open the flowpath and regulate flow therethrough if the downstream pressure is below a second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Watts Water Technologies
    Inventors: Jason Doughty, Matthew Fratantonio, Paul J. Lake, Frank DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 10373471
    Abstract: A leak detector assembly for use with a backflow prevention device includes a housing defining a passageway for receiving a fluid. A flap assembly couples to the housing for generating a low flow error signal indicating minimal fluid passing through the passageway and a fully actuated error signal indicating significant fluid passing through the passageway. The flap assembly includes a flap mounted in the passageway such that significant flow of the fluid moves the flap to generate the fully actuated error signal. The flap assembly also includes a sensing element on the flap to determine a presence of the fluid without movement of the flap to generate the low flow error signal based on a low flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Jason W Doughty, Peter P Bouchard, Paul J Lake, Joseph M Burke
  • Publication number: 20190154252
    Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly has a normal mode and a regulated fast-fill mode and includes a spring cage and a body coupled together. The spring cage and body define an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet as well as an interior between the inlet and the outlet. A diaphragm assembly mounts in the interior for selectively closing a flowpath between the inlet and the outlet. A preload spring in the interior applies force on the diaphragm assembly so that in the normal mode, the flowpath is closed if a downstream pressure is above a first pressure. An actuation assembly includes a lever coupled to the spring cage and a push rod mounted so that in the regulated fast-fill mode, the lever slides so that the push rod further compresses the preload spring to open the flowpath and regulate flow therethrough if the downstream pressure is below a second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Jason Doughty, Matthew Fratantonio, Paul J. Lake, Frank DiBenedetto
  • Patent number: 10247327
    Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly including a regulator valve, a spring guide, a spring extending between the spring guide and regulator valve for setting operation of the regulator valve, a sleeve coupled to the spring guide, a spring cage coupled to the sleeve, an adjustment stem coupled to the sleeve, a dial assembly coupled to the spring cage, and an adjustment cap coupled to the adjustment stem, wherein when the cap is depressed, interaction between the spring cage, spring guide and sleeve causes the spring guide to selectively rotate between a normal mode and a fast-fill mode. In the normal mode, adjustment of the cap determines an output pressure. In the fast-fill mode, the spring is further compressed by movement of the spring guide to a predetermined setting to provide a predetermined output pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Jason Doughty, Matthew Fratantonio, Paul J. Lake
  • Publication number: 20190035252
    Abstract: A leak detector assembly for use with a backflow prevention device includes a housing defining a passageway for receiving a fluid. A flap assembly couples to the housing for generating a low flow error signal indicating minimal fluid passing through the passageway and a fully actuated error signal indicating significant fluid passing through the passageway. The flap assembly includes a flap mounted in the passageway such that significant flow of the fluid moves the flap to generate the fully actuated error signal. The flap assembly also includes a sensing element on the flap to determine a presence of the fluid without movement of the flap to generate the low flow error signal based on a low flow of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Jason W. Doughty, Peter P. Bouchard, Paul J. Lake, Joseph M. Burke
  • Patent number: 10127790
    Abstract: A leak detector assembly for use with a backflow prevention device includes a housing defining a passageway for receiving a fluid. A flap assembly couples to the housing for generating a low flow error signal indicating minimal fluid passing through the passageway and a fully actuated error signal indicating significant fluid passing through the passageway. The flap assembly includes a flap mounted in the passageway such that significant flow of the fluid moves the flap to generate the fully actuated error signal. The flap assembly also includes a sensing element on the flap to determine a presence of the fluid without movement of the flap to generate the low flow error signal based on a low flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Jason W. Doughty, Peter P Bouchard, Paul J. Lake, Joseph M. Burke
  • Publication number: 20170278372
    Abstract: A leak detector assembly for use with a backflow prevention device includes a housing defining a passageway for receiving a fluid. A flap assembly couples to the housing for generating a low flow error signal indicating minimal fluid passing through the passageway and a fully actuated error signal indicating significant fluid passing through the passageway. The flap assembly includes a flap mounted in the passageway such that significant flow of the fluid moves the flap to generate the fully actuated error signal. The flap assembly also includes a sensing element on the flap to determine a presence of the fluid without movement of the flap to generate the low flow error signal based on a low flow of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Jason W. Doughty, Peter P/ Bouchard, Paul J. Lake, Joseph M. Burke
  • Publication number: 20170198830
    Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly including a regulator valve, a spring guide, a spring extending between the spring guide and regulator valve for setting operation of the regulator valve, a sleeve coupled to the spring guide, a spring cage coupled to the sleeve, an adjustment stem coupled to the sleeve, a dial assembly coupled to the spring cage, and an adjustment cap coupled to the adjustment stem, wherein when the cap is depressed, interaction between the spring cage, spring guide and sleeve causes the spring guide to selectively rotate between a normal mode and a fast-fill mode. In the normal mode, adjustment of the cap determines an output pressure. In the fast-fill mode, the spring is further compressed by movement of the spring guide to a predetermined setting to provide a predetermined output pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Jason Doughty, Matthew Fratantonio, Paul J. Lake
  • Patent number: 8657343
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a connector body having a coupling end and sealing means. A collet couples to the connector body and has resilient fingers. An adjustment ring has a stop and defines guide tracks. A collar has protrusions coupled in the guide tracks. A ferrule is slidingly housed within the collar and adjustment ring. A locking split ring clips onto the adjustment ring to limit travel of the collar. In a locked position, the locking split ring is installed and a pipe, inserted into the connector body is retained in place by the resilient radially inward fingers of the collet and sealed by the sealing means. In the released position, the collar has been moved to force the ferrule into the collet to splay the resilient fingers such that the pipe is freely insertable and removeable from the connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Rodenberg, Paul J. Lake
  • Publication number: 20130200607
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a connector body having a coupling end and sealing means. A collet couples to the connector body and has resilient fingers. An adjustment ring has a stop and defines guide tracks. A collar has protrusions coupled in the guide tracks. A ferrule is slidingly housed within the collar and adjustment ring. A locking split ring clips onto the adjustment ring to limit travel of the collar. In a locked position, the locking split ring is installed and a pipe, inserted into the connector body is retained in place by the resilient radially inward fingers of the collet and sealed by the sealing means. In the released position, the collar has been moved to force the ferrule into the collet to splay the resilient fingers such that the pipe is freely insertable and removeable from the connector assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew W. Rodenberg, Paul J. Lake
  • Patent number: 8419842
    Abstract: An air eliminator including a housing having first and second portions, the housing defining: a chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and an axis extending from the first portion to the second portion, a float assembly connected to the first portion of the chamber for releasing air from the chamber, and degassing disks stacked within the chamber along an axis, wherein each disk includes a plurality of rings such that the degassing disks cause micro gas pockets in water passing through the chamber to combine into relatively large and buoyant air pockets that collect and pass along the axis to the float assembly for release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Company
    Inventors: Steven Castrigno, James Erhardt, Paul J. Lake, Jeffrey A. Scilingo
  • Patent number: 8261772
    Abstract: A fluid distribution system including an elongated manifold defining fluid ports, lengthwise ridges, and radial ridges. Label plates couple to the manifold and have a planar body with a front side for indicating information related to the respective port. A finger extends from each label plate and has two inwardly turned prongs for coupling to a first lengthwise ridge. The prongs form a space for capturing a radial ridge. A collar also extends from the planar body for coupling to the port. The planar body also has three stiffening bars on a back side thereof. Each stiffening bar includes a feature for coupling to a second lengthwise ridge on the manifold body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Lake, Jeffrey A. Scilingo
  • Publication number: 20120048404
    Abstract: A fluid distribution system including an elongated manifold defining fluid ports, lengthwise ridges, and radial ridges. Label plates couple to the manifold and have a planar body with a front side for indicating information related to the respective port. A finger extends from each label plate and has two inwardly turned prongs for coupling to a first lengthwise ridge. The prongs form a space for capturing a radial ridge. A collar also extends from the planar body for coupling to the port. The planar body also has three stiffening bars on a back side thereof. Each stiffening bar includes a feature for coupling to a second lengthwise ridge on the manifold body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Lake, Jeffrey A. Scilingo
  • Publication number: 20110107915
    Abstract: An air eliminator including a housing having first and second portions, the housing defining: a chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and an axis extending from the first portion to the second portion, a float assembly connected to the first portion of the chamber for releasing air from the chamber, and degassing disks stacked within the chamber along an axis, wherein each disk includes a plurality of rings such that the degassing disks cause micro gas pockets in water passing through the chamber to combine into relatively large and buoyant air pockets that collect and pass along the axis to the float assembly for release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: WATTS REGULATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Castrigno, James Erhardt, Paul J. Lake, Jeffrey A. Scilingo
  • Patent number: D600546
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Scilingo, Paul J. Lake
  • Patent number: D699771
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Barrett, Steven Castrigno, Paul J. Lake