Patents Assigned to Catlow, Inc.
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Patent number: 7987878Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle has a body defining a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage each having a control valve operated by a hand actuated lever pivotally connected to an axially movable tubular member retained by a diaphragm actuated clutch. A fuel spout extends from the body and is surrounded by an annular plastic socket assembly to define therebetween a vapor return passage. The socket assembly includes a first socket member supporting an annular vapor seal for engaging a fuel tank fill tube. The first socket member is supported for universal free tilting movement by a second socket member supported by the body for axial movement. The second socket member supports a pin connected to a crank arm for blocking operation of the clutch, and an annular flexible cover surrounds the socket assembly to protect the socket members which provide unrestricted flow of fuel vapors.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventor: David L. Imler
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Patent number: 7980173Abstract: A hydraulic compactor system includes a portable container adapted to be transported by a truck and having a chamber for receiving a waste material to be compacted. The container has a self-contained compacting ram actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, and a remote hydraulic power supply unit is connected to the hydraulic cylinder by flexible hydraulic hoses. Each of the hoses is provided with a breakaway hydraulic coupling having two sections connected by tension releasable coupling means with the sections having spring biased valves which are open when the sections are coupled together and automatically close when the sections separate due to a predetermined tension force on the hoses. Each breakaway coupling compensates for increases in hydraulic fluid pressure to prevent separation of the coupling sections when the fluid pressure increases to actuate the hydraulic compacting cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: Cameron D. Carmack, David L. Imler, Kelly Grant Fleener
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Patent number: 7487796Abstract: A breakaway coupling for a fuel supply hose includes a male valve body interfitting with a female valve body for defining a fuel passage, and the valve bodies enclose axially movable spring biased poppet valve members. The valve bodies are connected by a permanent magnetic coupling system which provides for moving the valve bodies from a connected position to a disconnected position in response to a substantial axial tension force on the valve bodies. In one embodiment, the coupling system includes an annular strike member surrounding the fuel passage and a mating annular magnet member supporting a plurality of circumferentially spaced permanent magnets of rare earth materials. In another embodiment, the valve bodies define a vapor return passage with a poppet valve member and disposed either radially outboard or inboard of the fuel passage. The magnetic coupling system also simplifies reconnecting the valve bodies.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: David L. Imler, Paul D. Carmack, Robert M. Csortos
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Patent number: 7252112Abstract: A breakaway coupling for a fuel supply hose includes a male valve body interfitting with a female valve body for defining a fuel passage, and the valve bodies enclose axially movable spring biased poppet valve members. The valve bodies are connected by a permanent magnetic coupling system which provides for moving the valve bodies from a connected position to a disconnected position in response to a substantial axial tension force on the valve bodies. In one embodiment, the coupling system includes an annular strike member surrounding the fuel passage and a mating annular magnet member supporting a plurality of circumferentially spaced permanent magnets of rare earth materials. In another embodiment, the valve bodies define a vapor return passage with a poppet valve member and disposed either radially outboard or inboard of the fuel passage. The magnetic coupling system also simplifies reconnecting the valve bodies.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: David L. Imler, Paul D. Carmack, Robert M. Csortos
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Patent number: 7165576Abstract: A breakaway coupling for a fuel supply hose includes a male tubular valve body interfitting with or female tubular valve body and defining a fuel supply passage, and the valve bodies enclose axially moveable spring biased valve members. The valve bodies are connected by releasable connecting means which provide for moving the valve bodies from a connected position to a disconnected position in response to a substantial axial tension force on the valve bodies. The valve bodies have cooperating peripherally extending and opposing cam surfaces effective to move the valve bodies from the connected position to the disconnected position in response to relative rotation of the valve bodies and cam surfaces. The valve bodies may also define a vapor return passage with an axially movable valve member and disposed either radially outboard or inboard of the fuel supply passage.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: Cameron D. Carmack, David L. Imler
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Patent number: 6899131Abstract: A breakaway coupling for a fuel supply hose includes a male tubular valve body interfitting with or female tubular valve body and defining a fuel supply passage, and the valve bodies enclose axially moveable spring biased valve members. The valve bodies are connected by releasable connecting means which provide for moving the valve bodies from a connected position to a disconnected position in response to a substantial axial tension force on the valve bodies. The valve bodies have cooperating peripherally extending and opposing cam surfaces effective to move the valve bodies from the connected position to the disconnected position in response to relative rotation of the valve bodies and cam surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: Cameron D. Carmack, David L. Imler
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Publication number: 20040045627Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a nozzle body defining a fuel supply passage in which a main control valve is operated by a hand actuated lever pivotally connected to an automatic shut-off mechanism. A protective guard member encloses the lever, and a trigger member is pivotally connected to the lever for manual movement to engage a stop supported by the guard member. A torsion wire coil spring includes a plurality of helical turns surrounding the pivot pin for the trigger member and has one projecting end portion engaging the lever and an opposite end portion biasing the trigger member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Catlow, Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Carmack
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Patent number: 6698471Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a nozzle body defining a fuel supply passage in which a main control valve is operated by a hand actuated lever pivotally connected to an automatic shut-off mechanism. A protective guard member encloses the lever, and a trigger member is pivotally connected to the lever for manual movement to engage a stop supported by the guard member. A torsion wire coil spring includes a plurality of helical turns surrounding the pivot pin for the trigger member and has one projecting end portion engaging the lever and an opposite end portion biasing the trigger member.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Carmack
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Patent number: 6520222Abstract: A vapor assisted fuel dispensing nozzle has a projecting aluminum outer spout tube surrounding an internal fuel supply tube, and the tubes define therebetween a vapor return passage. The inner fuel supply tube extends from a spring biased poppet valve for producing a venturi suction in response to fuel flow. The outer spout tube encloses a stainless steel spout extension reinforcing tube having peripherally spaced vapor return flutes or grooves and an internal valve seat at the distal end for receiving a recessed valve member. In one embodiment, the valve member is connected by a stiff wire to a spring biased fuel pressure sensing disk slidable within a cylinder located upstream of the poppet valve. In another embodiment, the valve member is guided by a cup-shaped cage recessed within a tip chamber of the extension tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Carmack, Robert D. Murphy
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Patent number: 5615706Abstract: A coaxial breakaway coupling and a coaxial hose connect a fuel dispensing pump to a coaxial fuel dispensing nozzle, and the coupling includes first and second tubular valve bodies releasably coupled together by an annular canted coil spring. Each valve body supports therein an axially movable tubular valve member for defining an inner vapor return passage and an outer fuel supply passage, and a vapor return check valve member is supported for axial movement within the vapor return passage upstream of an annular valve seat. All of the valve members are spring biased towards closed positions and move to open positions when the valve bodies are coupled together. When the valve bodies are uncoupled or separate in response to an axial breakaway force, the valve members close, and suction from a vacuum pump connected to the vapor return passage pulls the check valve member towards it closed position against the valve seat. In a modification, the breakaway coupling is integrated with a 45.degree.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1995Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventor: Robert W. Guertin
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Patent number: 5433247Abstract: A coaxial breakaway coupling and a coaxial hose connect a fuel dispensing pump to a coaxial fuel dispensing nozzle, and the coupling includes first and second tubular valve bodies releasably coupled together by an annular canted coil spring. Each valve body supports therein an axially movable tubular valve member for defining an inner vapor return passage and an outer fuel supply passage, and a vapor return check valve member is supported for axial movement within the vapor return passage upstream of an annular valve seat. All of the valve members are spring biased towards closed positions and move to open positions when the valve bodies are coupled together. When the valve bodies are uncoupled or separate in response to an axial breakaway force, the valve members close, and suction from a vacuum pump connected to the vapor return passage pulls the check valve member towards it closed position against the valve seat. In a modification, the breakaway coupling is integrated with a 45.degree.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1994Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventor: Robert W. Guertin
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Patent number: 5255723Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a nozzle body and a projecting spout and surrounding bellows which define a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage connected to corresponding concentric passages within flexible coaxial hoses. The body supports a manually actuated control valve within the fuel passage, and a pressure responsive check valve is also located within the fuel passage adjacent the spout. The check valve includes a valve member normally biased against a tapered valve seat, and a first venturi suction passage extends from the valve seat to control a pressure responsive diaphragm mechanism for automatically closing the manually actuated valve when fuel blocks a suction vent line within the of the spout. A second venturi suction passage extends from the valve seat through the nozzle body and connects with a fuel evacuation passage within a flexible tube which extends downwardly into the vapor passage within the coaxial hoses.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1992Date of Patent: October 26, 1993Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Carmack, Rodger P. Grantham
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Patent number: 5141037Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a nozzle body and a projecting spout and surrounding bellows which define a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage connected to corresponding concentric passages within flexible coaxial hoses. The body supports a manually actuated control valve within the fuel passage, and a pressure responsive check valve is also located within the fuel passage adjacent the spout. The check valve includes a valve member normally biased against a tapered valve seat, and a first venturi suction passage extends from the valve seat to control a pressure responsive diaphragm mechanism for automatically closing the manually actuated valve when fuel blocks a suction vent line within the of the spout. A second venturi suction passage extends from the valve seat through the nozzle body and connects with a fuel evacuation passage within a flexible tube which extends downwardly into the vapor passage within the coaxial hoses.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1991Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Carmack, Rodger P. Grantham
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Patent number: 5035271Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a nozzle body and a projecting spout and surrounding bellows which define a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage connected to corresponding concentric passages within flexible coaxial hoses. The body supports a manually actuated control valve within the fuel passage, and a pressure responsive check valve is also located within the fuel passage adjacent the spout. The check valve includes a valve member normally biased against a tapered valve seat, and a first venturi suction passage extends from the valve seat to control a pressure responsive diaphragm mechanism for automatically closing the manually actuated valve when fuel blocks a suction vent line within the of the spout. A second venturi suction passage extends from the valve seat through the nozzle body and connects with a fuel evacuation passage within a flexible tube which extends downwardly into the vapor passage within the coaxial hoses.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1990Date of Patent: July 30, 1991Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Carmack, Rodger P. Grantham
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Patent number: 4763683Abstract: A first valve body has a tubular portion which releasably connects with a second valve body, and each valve body defines a center fuel supply passage in which a movable valve closure member is spring biased against an annular seat. Each valve body also defines a set of circumferentially spaced arcuate fuel vapor passages spaced outwardly from the corresponding fuel passage, and corresponding vapor passages within the valve bodies are connected by an annular chamber within the tubular body portion. Each fuel passage receives a closure ring which cooperates with an internally threaded end portion of the valve body for threadably receiving a coaxial fuel fitting, and resilient rings form fluid-tight seals between corresponding fuel and vapor passages.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1987Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Assignee: Catlow, Inc.Inventor: Paul D. Carmack