Patents by Inventor Richard W. Heath

Richard W. Heath 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: 20130068900
    Abstract: A pipe brace assembly includes a main clamp body that can be secured to a brace pipe. A cable, or other flexible tensioning member, can be wrapped around a braced pipe and secured to the main clamp body. The pipe brace assembly includes a method or mechanism for tensioning the cable or flexible tensioning member around the braced pipe. In some embodiments, the tensioning method or mechanism involves moving, such as rotating, the main clamp body to tension the cable or tensioning member. The clamping of the main clamp body and tensioning of the cable or tensioning member can occur simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: NIBCO, INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 8376289
    Abstract: An offset hanger has a central retainer portion, a first leg and a second leg. The central retainer portion defines a segment of a generally cylindrical shape and retains a conduit, pipe, tube or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cooper B-Line, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20130020447
    Abstract: A beam clamp for mounting to a flange of a beam or other support, having a main body and a set screw. The main body has an end wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls each define a slot having an open end and a closed end. The end wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of the main body are formed by a unitary piece of material having a wall thickness. The main body further includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that extend unitarily from the end wall. A first threaded opening and a second threaded opening pass through the end wall and a respective one of the first and second threaded openings such that each of the first threaded opening and the second threaded opening define a thread length that is greater than the wall thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: NIBCO, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. Heath, Scott Beutler
  • Publication number: 20120305723
    Abstract: A sway brace attachment for firmly connecting to a beam and other flanged structures, and a method for manufacturing the sway brace attachment. The sway brace attachment includes a main body and an insert that is captured within the main body by a pair of set screws which also engage the flange. Preferably, a third set screw is supported by the main body and engages the opposite side of the flange from the pair of set screws. The main body can be generally rectangular in shape, with a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall and a pair of bottom walls, which extend inwardly from respective side walls in an overlapping relationship. The sway brace attachment can be used for bracing pipes and other loads, suspended below ceilings and floors, against sway and seismic disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: NIBCO, INC.
    Inventors: Richard W. Heath, Dallas M. Dworak, JR.
  • Patent number: 8322662
    Abstract: A clevis hanger has an upper strap and a lower strap. The upper strap can be supported by a hang rod or the like. The lower strap and the upper strap can be snapped open and snapped closed such that the lower strap can be secured to the upper strap without additional hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cooper B-Line, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Heath, Dallas M. Dworak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8052099
    Abstract: A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nibco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20110101678
    Abstract: A swivel attachment and/or branch line restraint device with angular versatility and mobility for facilitating connection of installation components to support a pipe or other load relative to a support surface is provided. Advantageously, embodiments of the device provide a plurality of rotational or swivel degrees of freedom, which are substantially independently controllable, for its mating portions, which respectively engage corresponding mating portions of other installation components. The device embodiments can desirably be configured in male-female, male-male or female-female arrangements to enhance device utility and/or versatility, thereby advantageously allowing for use in a myriad of applications and installations, such as construction, utilities and the like, among others, to reliably support loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7887248
    Abstract: A swivel attachment and/or branch line restraint device with angular versatility and mobility for facilitating connection of installation components to support a pipe or other load relative to a support surface is provided. Advantageously, embodiments of the device provide a plurality of rotational or swivel degrees of freedom, which are substantially independently controllable, for its mating portions, which respectively engage corresponding mating portions of other installation components. The device embodiments can desirably be configured in male-female, male-male or female-female arrangements to enhance device utility and/or versatility, thereby advantageously allowing for use in a myriad of applications and installations, such as construction, utilities and the like, among others, to reliably support loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nibco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20100294895
    Abstract: An offset hanger has a central retainer portion, a first leg and a second leg. The central retainer portion defines a segment of a generally cylindrical shape and retains a conduit, pipe, tube or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7832248
    Abstract: A one-piece hanger is formed with a pair of spaced segments or legs joined by an end wall. Each segment has a recess formed in an edge which is open towards the recess on an edge of the opposite segment. The two recesses are aligned so as to create a substantially full opening to receive a pipe. The hanger may be positioned on a pipe with the segments extending substantially parallel to the pipe axis, and the hanger can then be rotated about 90° so that the pipe extends through the substantially full opening formed by the recesses. The hanger end is formed with mounting holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nibco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7744042
    Abstract: An offset hanger has a central retainer portion, a first leg and a second leg. The central retainer portion defines a segment of a generally cylindrical shape. A center axis is defined along the center of the generally cylindrical shape. A first pair of gussets extends from the central retainer portion to the first leg. A second pair of gussets extends from the central retainer portion to the second leg. Each pair of gussets comprises at least two gussets that are spaced apart in the axial direction of the generally cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Nibco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20100146906
    Abstract: A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20100107518
    Abstract: A seismic bracing assembly has a first subassembly and a second subassembly that are connected by a sleeve. The first subassembly has a structural yoke used to secure the first subassembly to a structural member. The second subassembly has another yoke used to secure the second subassembly to an anchoring member. The first and second subassembly have a sufficient length to allow rough in assembly of the two subassemblies with the sleeve that couples them together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: NIBCO, INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7669806
    Abstract: A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7654043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a retrofit connector for fast attachment to an existing system that supports a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. Advantageously, the connector is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The connector is removably or permanently attachable to a sway brace clamp or attachment to form a pivotable connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Nibco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20100006729
    Abstract: A clevis hanger has an upper strap and a lower strap. The upper strap can be supported by a hang rod or the like. The lower strap and the upper strap can be snapped open and snapped closed such that the lower strap can be secured to the upper strap without additional hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: NIBCO, INC
    Inventors: Richard W. Heath, Dallas M. Dworak, JR.
  • Patent number: 7606487
    Abstract: The distortion component of an optical signal received from an optical transmission system, such as an all-optical system, subject to noise and amplitude distortion components, can be evaluated by a method that utilises information derived from analysing the bit error ratio (BER) of the signal as a function of a movable threshold. The analysis is performed in high and low bit error ratio areas of the eye diagram used for data one/zero decision making. The intersections with the threshold axis (where BER=0.25) of extrapolations of the high and low bit error ratio values provide variables V1 and V2 which are divided (V1/V2) to obtain an estimate/prediction of the amplitude closure of the eye diagram resulting from amplitude distortion. The analysis is preferably carried out after Q conversion of the BER values. The method can also be extended to provide indications of Q, bit error ratio and optical signal-to-noise ratio within the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Peter J Anslow, Richard W Heath
  • Publication number: 20090236476
    Abstract: A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20090224127
    Abstract: An offset hanger has a central retainer portion, a first leg and a second leg. The central retainer portion defines a segment of a generally cylindrical shape. A center axis is defined along the center of the generally cylindrical shape. A first pair of gussets extends from the central retainer portion to the first leg. A second pair of gussets extends from the central retainer portion to the second leg. Each pair of gussets comprises at least two gussets that are spaced apart in the axial direction of the generally cylindrical shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: NIBCO, INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20090065657
    Abstract: A one-piece hanger is formed with a pair of spaced segments or legs joined by an end wall. Each segment has a recess formed in an edge which is open towards the recess on an edge of the opposite segment. The two recesses are aligned so as to create a substantially full opening to receive a pipe. The hanger may be positioned on a pipe with the segments extending substantially parallel to the pipe axis, and the hanger can then be rotated about 90° so that the pipe extends through the substantially full opening formed by the recesses. The hanger end is formed with mounting holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath