Patents by Inventor Robert D. Brockway

Robert D. Brockway 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: 7243956
    Abstract: The expandable band is used to secure a sealing element within a generally cylindrical structure, such as a pipe or manhole, or other round hole. The expandable band includes a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion. The first band end portion includes a plurality of slots, and the second band end portion includes a first and second aperture. A locking member is a separate element adapted to fit within the first and second apertures and includes a first tab for extending through the first aperture and into one of the plurality of slots to lock the expandable band at the desired diameter and a second tab for engaging the second aperture. The second tab is designed not to interfere with the first band end portion while expanding the band. The locking member may also include at least one rib or protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: NPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Patent number: 6953194
    Abstract: The expandable band is used to secure a sealing element within a generally cylindrical structure, such as a pipe or manhole, or other round hole. The expandable band includes a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion. The first band end portion includes a plurality of slots, and the second band end portion includes a first and second aperture. A locking member is a separate element adapted to fit within the first and second apertures and includes a first tab for extending through the first aperture and into one of the plurality of slots to lock the expandable band at the desired diameter and a second tab for engaging the second aperture. The second tab is designed not to interfere with the first band end portion while expanding the band. The locking member may also include at least one rib or protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: NPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Patent number: 6866301
    Abstract: The expandable band is used to secure a sealing element within a generally cylindrical structure, such as a pipe or manhole, or other round hole. The expandable band includes a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion. A plurality of slots are disposed in the first band end portion, and a locking member extends from the second band end portion. The locking member is an integral element of the second band end portion and includes a tab for extending through the second band end portion and into one of the plurality of slots to lock the expandable band at the desired diameter. The locking member may also include at least one rib or protrusion. When the band is expanded, the tab is disengaged from the slots and slides over the slots, allowing the first and second band end portions to move relative to one another. At the desired diameter, the tab engages one of the slots to lock the band at the desired diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: NPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Publication number: 20040036279
    Abstract: The expandable band is used to secure a sealing element within a generally cylindrical structure, such as a pipe or manhole, or other round hole. The expandable band includes a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion. A plurality of slots are disposed in the first band end portion, and a locking member extends from the second band end portion. The locking member is an integral element of the second band end portion and includes a tab for extending through the second band end portion and into one of the plurality of slots to lock the expandable band at the desired diameter. The locking member may also include at least one rib or protrusion. When the band is expanded, the tab is disengaged from the slots and slides over the slots, allowing the first and second band end portions to move relative to one another. At the desired diameter, the tab engages one of the slots to lock the band at the desired diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: NPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Publication number: 20040021317
    Abstract: The expandable band is used to secure a sealing element within a generally cylindrical structure, such as a pipe or manhole, or other round hole. The expandable band includes a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion. The first band end portion includes a plurality of slots, and the second band end portion includes a first and second aperture. A locking member is a separate element adapted to fit within the first and second apertures and includes a first tab for extending through the first aperture and into one of the plurality of slots to lock the expandable band at the desired diameter and a second tab for engaging the second aperture. The second tab is designed not to interfere with the first band end portion while expanding the band. The locking member may also include at least one rib or protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Patent number: 6641176
    Abstract: The clamping band is used to clamp a connector boot within a hole in a manhole riser or other generally cylindrical structure, particularly where the depth of the hole is greater than the thickness of the manhole riser. The clamping band has a width such that a portion of the band extends beyond the hole surface. The clamping band preferably overhangs both the inner surface and outer surface of the generally cylindrical wall of the manhole riser. In one embodiment, the clamping band is used to affect a pipe-to-manhole connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: NCP, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Publication number: 20020140224
    Abstract: The clamping band is used to clamp a connector boot within a hole in a manhole riser or other generally cylindrical structure, particularly where the depth of the hole is greater than the thickness of the manhole riser. The clamping band has a width such that a portion of the band extends beyond the hole surface. The clamping band preferably overhangs both the inner surface and outer surface of the generally cylindrical wall of the manhole riser. In one embodiment, the clamping band is used to affect a pipe-to-manhole connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: NPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Patent number: 6364373
    Abstract: A corrugated pipe adapter for providing a sealing surface on a corrugated pipe includes a generally cylindrical sleeve having a generally smooth outer clamping surface and at least one protrusion. The protrusions include side walls and an arched structure between the side walls. The protrusions extend from an inside of the generally cylindrical sleeve. The side walls move outwardly against the corrugations on the corrugated pipe when pressure is applied to the generally smooth outer clamping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: NPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Patent number: 6152455
    Abstract: The expandable band is used to secure a sealing element within a generally cylindrical structure, such as a pipe or manhole, or other round hole. The expandable band includes a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion. A plurality of slots are disposed in the first band end portion, and a locking member extends from the second band end portion. The locking member includes a tab for extending through the second band end portion and into one of the plurality of slots to lock the expandable band at the desired diameter. An end section of the second band end portion extends beyond the tab of the locking member to ease the transition between the overlapping first and second band end portions. When the band is expanded, the tab is disengaged from the slots and slides over the slots, allowing the first and second band end portions to move relative to one another. At the desired diameter, the tab engages one of the slots to lock the band at the desired diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: NPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Brockway, Lester F. Richardson