Patents by Inventor Steven William Smock

Steven William Smock 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: 5810331
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a residential water line to a household appliance, solenoid controlled, inlet water valve such as that used on a refrigerator freezer icemaker is disclosed. A residential water line, typically a 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) diameter copper or plastic line, is connected to an all plastic inlet connector. The inlet connector has an integral ferrule seat. A ferrule nut designed to cooperate with the ferrule seat is slipped over the water line. The water line is positioned against a shoulder in the inlet connector that properly positions the water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Steven William Smock, Neil Edward Grah, Michael Roy DuHack
  • Patent number: 5655750
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a residential water line to a household appliance, solenoid controlled, inlet water valve such as that used on a refrigerator freezer icemaker is disclosed. A residential water line, typically a 0.25 inch (0.635 cm) diameter copper or plastic line, is connected to an all plastic inlet connector. The inlet connector has an integral O-ring seat. A gripper nut that is designed to cooperate with an O-ring and the O-ring seat is slipped over the water line. The water line is positioned against a shoulder in the inlet connector that properly positions the water line. The gripper nut is tightened to compress the O-ring, and seal and fix the water line in the inlet connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Steven William Smock, Neil Edward Grah, Michael Roy DuHack