Patents by Inventor Stephen S. Hodgson

Stephen S. Hodgson 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: 10683648
    Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a clog-catching member detachably connected to the handle. Wings, barbs or hooks project radially from the clog-catching member. The wings, barbs or hooks provide an angled projection that catches and holds a clump of debris in a drain pipe for pulling the clump out and unclogging the drain. Different end tools can be removably connected to a clog-catching member or to a smooth extension member to provide multifunctionality. The handle, clog-catching members, smooth extension members and tools can be connected together using a quick-connect connector, such as a snap fastener, a keyhole fastener or a side-release buckle, or a threaded connector. In addition to drain cleaning, the apparatus can be fitted with tools such as a magnet, grabber, light, camera and/or video for retrieval of objects and inspection of a space that is difficult to view directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: PF Waterworks LP
    Inventors: Harold Kent Beck, Sanjay Ahuja, Stephen S. Hodgson, Rainer Kuenzel
  • Publication number: 20180066420
    Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a clog-catching member detachably connected to the handle. Wings, barbs or hooks project radially from the clog-catching member. The wings, barbs or hooks provide an angled projection that catches and holds a clump of debris in a drain pipe for pulling the clump out and unclogging the drain. Different end tools can be removably connected to a clog-catching member or to a smooth extension member to provide multifunctionality. The handle, clog-catching members, smooth extension members and tools can be connected together using a quick-connect connector, such as a snap fastener, a keyhole fastener or a side-release buckle, or a threaded connector. In addition to drain cleaning, the apparatus can be fitted with tools such as a magnet, grabber, light, camera and/or video for retrieval of objects and inspection of a space that is difficult to view directly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: PF Waterworks LP
    Inventors: Harold Kent Beck, Sanjay Ahuja, Stephen S. Hodgson, Rainer Kuenzel
  • Patent number: 6029702
    Abstract: An internal diffuser on a diffuser stem is disposed in a bore of a rotary control valve for attenuating vibration in gas service or cavitation in liquid service. The valve has a valve body and a valve element, and the valve element is rotatable with respect to the internal diffuser. The internal diffuser can be rotatable or non-rotatable with respect to the valve body. The valve element has a valve stem, and the internal diffuser can be arranged coaxially with the valve stem, but this is not a necessary requirement. In one embodiment the internal diffuser is positioned in the bore of the valve element, and the diffuser stem is parallel with the valve stem and spaced laterally apart from it. In another embodiment the internal diffuser is located in the bore of the valve outside of the valve element in either an inlet or an outlet passage of the valve body. The diffuser stem has an axis which can be nonparallel with respect to the axis of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Dresser Equipment Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris M. Leinen, Stephen S. Hodgson