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).

  • Patent number: 7467765
    Abstract: It is one advantage of the invention to provide an interlocking swivel connector for attachment to an existing system supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. 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 connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances. It is another advantage of the invention to provide a sway cable brace clamp or fitting for securely attaching to a bracing cable and for supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor. The cable clamp is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The cable clamp is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Nibco Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7455268
    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: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Nibco, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7441730
    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: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Nibco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20080258461
    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: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20080129040
    Abstract: A double offset hanger and restrainer device for securely supporting a pipe or the like against undesirable sway and seismic disturbances is provided. The hanger and restrainer device includes a proximal portion mountable to a beam or the like and a specially contoured distal portion with an opening that can receive the pipe in a “snap-on” manner. The snap-on or press-fit feature also provides the advantage of retrofit installation, thereby permitting one or more of the devices to be added on without disassembly of an existing installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7219862
    Abstract: It is one advantage of the invention to provide an interlocking swivel connector for attachment to an existing system supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. 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 connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances. It is another advantage of the invention to provide a sway cable brace clamp or fitting for securely attaching to a bracing cable and for supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor. The cable clamp is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The cable clamp is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Nibco Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7191987
    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: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tolco Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7097141
    Abstract: It is one advantage of the invention to provide an interlocking swivel connector for attachment to an existing system supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. 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 connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances. It is another advantage of the invention to provide a sway cable brace clamp or fitting for securely attaching to a bracing cable and for supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor. The cable clamp is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The cable clamp is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Nibco Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 6980737
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining an error ratio of individual channels of a WDM optical signal comprises a wavelength-selective filter for separating the individual channels of the WDM signal and a measurement circuit for measuring an error ratio of one channel using a first decision threshold level. The measurement circuit is operable to cycle through all channels, taking an error ratio measurement for each channel in sequence with a predetermined decision threshold level. Control circuitry alters the decision threshold level for successive cycles of the measurement circuit. The apparatus measures error ratio values for each channel in turn, building up an error ratio vs. threshold pattern enabling the Q value to be obtained. Although the time taken to build up the error ratio pattern for an individual channel is not shortened, measurements are taken on each channel at much shorter intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Peter J Anslow, Richard W Heath
  • Patent number: 6953174
    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: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Tolco Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 6937821
    Abstract: A method for detecting power transients in a signal wavelength carried by an optical transmission medium in a band consisting of a first plurality of wavebands, such as a wavelength division multiplexed signal, comprises dividing the band into a second plurality of wavebands, equal to or less than the first plurality, and detecting power transients within each of the second plurality of wavebands. The power of each wavelength in the second plurality of wavebands is determined by detecting the power level in each second plurality of wavebands as a function of the contribution from each of the wavebands in the second plurality of wavebands to derive a plurality of simultaneous equations, equal in number to the second plurality of wavebands, and solving the plurality of simultaneous equations to determine the levels of each wave-length component of each waveband in the second plurality of wavebands. Correlation with error bursts detected in the optical receiver enable an audit of the error event to be conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Richard W Heath, Duncan J Forbes
  • Patent number: 6907197
    Abstract: A WDM optical network comprising a plurality of nodes has a first apparatus for optical analysis at the site of a first optical amplifier upstream of the first node, a second apparatus for optical analysis at the site of a second optical amplifier at the downstream output of the first node, and a third apparatus for optical analysis at the site of a third optical amplifier further downstream of the first node, where knowledge of the optical sin to noise ratio (OSNR) is desired. The first, second and third apparatus are for measuring the signal level at frequencies both at and in-between the channel frequencies. The signal levels at the channel frequencies and between the channel frequencies at the first, second and third apparatus are used to derive the OSNR at the third apparatus. This enables the OSNR to be measured accurately at any site in the network, using calculations in which noise shaping of the nodes can be factored in to the calculation of OSNR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Richard W Heath, Peter J Anslow
  • Patent number: 6896226
    Abstract: It is one advantage of the invention to provide an interlocking swivel connector for attachment to an existing system supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. 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 connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances. It is another advantage of the invention to provide a sway cable brace clamp or fitting for securely attaching to a bracing cable and for supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor. The cable clamp is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The cable clamp is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Nibco Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20040238697
    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: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 6708930
    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: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Tolco Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20040031887
    Abstract: It is one advantage of the invention to provide an interlocking swivel connector for attachment to an existing system supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. 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 connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances. It is another advantage of the invention to provide a sway cable brace clamp or fitting for securely attaching to a bracing cable and for supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor. The cable clamp is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The cable clamp is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20040031896
    Abstract: It is one advantage of the invention to provide an interlocking swivel connector for attachment to an existing system supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. 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 connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances. It is another advantage of the invention to provide a sway cable brace clamp or fitting for securely attaching to a bracing cable and for supporting a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor. The cable clamp is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The cable clamp is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 6634606
    Abstract: A hanger for attaching pipe used in fire protection sprinkler systems to structural framing members. The hanger is substantially horseshoe shaped, the pipe being held in the arched section of the hanger by snapping it between protrusions formed on either side of the arch. A support web positioned in slots in the hanger legs restrains movement of the pipe in the event of a strong surge caused by a sudden release of water pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Tolco Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20030062453
    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: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Publication number: 20030052235
    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: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath