Patents Assigned to GP Companies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10738897
    Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a cylinder and a piston contained in the cylinder. First and second O-rings are attached to the cylinder and configured to form a seal between the cylinder and an interior wall of the piston. The pressure regulator has a lubrication system that includes a lubrication reservoir between the first and second O-rings defined by an annular groove in an exterior surface of the piston and the interior wall of the cylinder, and an input port extending through the cylinder to the lubrication reservoir. The piston is configured to move along a central axis relative to the cylinder between first and second positions. The first and second O-rings are displaced from the input port during movement of the piston between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ted Fick, Scott Maurice Christopherson
  • Patent number: 7866573
    Abstract: A fluid control spray gun stops, starts and controls flow of fluids through a nozzle. The gun has a fluid entry port; a trigger that controls fluid flow by movement of a pin; a handle that moves the trigger; a fulcrum point on the handle; three floating pins comprising in order a first floating pin, a second floating pin and a third floating pin, the three floating pins being present in an upper region of the handle; a hand grip portion in the handle; the upper region of the handle allowing engagement between the first floating pin and the trigger; and the upper region of the handle having a forward end allowing engagement of the third floating pin with a stabilizing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Stenborg
  • Patent number: 6766967
    Abstract: A high-pressure rotary nozzle includes a magnetic coupling for the purposes of driving a rotor body within the nozzle housing. The nozzle housing defines an internal chamber, and a propulsion ring is retained within the housing such that a liquid introduced into the propulsion ring causes the propulsion ring to rotate and passes into the chamber. The rotor body is pivotally supported within the chamber and is operably coupled to the propulsion ring such that the rotor body moves along with the propulsion ring. The rotor body rotates about the housing, such that the liquid exits the chamber in a rotating jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime L. Harris, Gary A. Brown, Brad S. Kessler
  • Patent number: 6528748
    Abstract: A flow switch for a high pressure washing system or other flow-related system is disclosed. The flow switch switches from an open to a closed position in the presence of adequate flow in a water or other fluid-carrying pipe. The flow switch includes a housing with a tubular bore, an inlet port and an outlet port which allow fluid to flow through the housing. Within the housing is a plunger with an attached plunger magnet. The plunger is responsive to fluid flow. A sensor is situated proximate to the housing. A sensor magnet is placed in position near the sensor and opposes the plunger magnet. A third magnet (the alignment magnet) is placed proximate to the housing. When there is no flow within the housing, the plunger is at its rest position as the alignment magnet attracts the plunger magnet to correctly align and position the plunger within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Harris, Gary Brown, Steven Christensen
  • Patent number: 6472624
    Abstract: A flow switch for a high pressure washing system or other flow-related system is disclosed. The flow switch switches from an open to a closed position in the presence of adequate flow in a water or other fluid-carrying pipe. The flow switch includes a cartridge body, a sensor, a plunger, a magnet, and a spring. The cartridge body has an inlet port and an outlet port which allows fluid to flow into the cartridge body, through a flow chamber, and out of the cartridge body. The cartridge body also has a sensor chamber for accommodating the sensor. The sensor is positioned within the sensor chamber and is used to determine whether fluid is flowing through the flow chamber. A plunger is positioned within the flow chamber, and is responsive to fluid flow. Between the plunger and the sensor is a spring. The spring prevents the plunger from coming in close proximity to the sensor absent fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Harris, Gary Brown, Joel Fisher
  • Patent number: 6322696
    Abstract: An inlet filter includes a cap and a body that are securely connectable to one another. Once connected, these elements form the structural backbone of the filter. Disposed between the cap and body is a transparent cover that allows one to view a filtering screen located within. Thus, the inlet filter serves to remove particulate matter from a supply of water prior to supplying it to a high pressure sprayer or similar device. As the filtering screen becomes clogged, its status can be visually determined. Thus a clear and readily apparent indication is presented as to when the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheila S. McKee, Mark B. Kirschenman
  • Patent number: 5755251
    Abstract: An unloader valve for a high pressure pumping system is disclosed. The unloader valve diverts fluid back to the pump inlet when the discharge line is blocked, and directs flow to the pump outlet when the line is unblocked. The unloader valve includes a valve body with a central cavity, a bypass check valve which also functions as a pressure relief valve, a shuttle positioned in the central cavity and a discharge check valve. A spring in the bypass check valve holds the bypass check valve closed while the system is in the spray mode. The discharge check valve closes when the line is blocked, and the line pressure is trapped between the discharge check valve and the spray gun. When the gun is reactivated, the pressure trapped behind the discharge check valve moves the shuttle forward, which opens the bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dallas W. Simonette
  • Patent number: 5700137
    Abstract: A low profile positive displacement pump system is disclosed. The pump system includes a gasoline powered engine with a vertically disposed crank shaft. The system also includes a piston pump with at least one horizontally disposed piston, and a pump shaft assembly which mounts onto the crank shaft. A base includes a cavity configured for retaining the pump. The engine mounts directly onto the base, and fixes the orientation of the pump shaft assembly with respect to a driven end of each piston. The pump shaft assembly includes at least one eccentric camming surface for contacting a driven end of the piston and for causing each piston to complete one stroke per revolution of shaft rotation. The base comprises a main body including an upper surface, wherein the upper surface is suitable for mounting directly to a mounting flange of the gasoline powered engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dallas W. Simonette
  • Patent number: 5641119
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal relief valve that includes a main body with an inner annular surface that includes a shoulder proximal to one end of the main body. The relief valve also includes a spring that rests on the shoulder of the inner annular surface of the main body. The relief valve additionally includes a thermal actuator component with a cup section and a piston section attached to the cup section. The cup section is separated from the piston section by a shoulder. The shoulder rests upon the spring. The relief valve also includes an O-ring that rests upon the shoulder of the thermal actuator and a cap that rests upon an O-ring within the main body of the relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dallas Simonette
  • Patent number: 5584672
    Abstract: A low profile positive displacement pump system is disclosed. The pump system includes a gasoline powered engine with a vertically disposed crank shaft. The system also includes a piston pump with at least one horizontally disposed piston, and a pump shaft assembly which mounts onto the crank shaft. A base including a cavity for retaining the pump is provided. The engine mounts directly onto the base, and fixes the orientation of the pump shaft assembly with respect to a driven end of each piston. The pump shaft assembly includes at least one eccentric camming surface for contacting a driven end of the piston and for causing each piston to complete one stroke per revolution of shaft rotation.A high pressure piston pump base is disclosed, comprising a main body including an upper surface, wherein the upper surface is suitable for mounting directly to a mounting flange of a gasoline powered engine having a vertically disposed drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dallas W. Simonette
  • Patent number: 5556264
    Abstract: A low profile positive displacement pump system is disclosed. The pump system includes a gasoline powered engine with a vertically disposed crank shaft. The system also includes a piston pump with at least one horizontally disposed piston, and a pump shaft assembly which mounts onto the crank shaft. A base including a cavity for retaining the pump is provided. The engine mounts directly onto the base, and fixes the orientation of the pump shaft assembly with respect to a driven end of each piston. The pump shaft assembly includes at least one eccentric camming surface for contacting a driven end of the piston and for causing each piston to complete one stroke per revolution of shaft rotation.A high pressure piston pump base is disclosed, comprising a main body including an upper surface, wherein the upper surface is suitable for mounting directly to a mounting flange of a gasoline powered engine having a vertically disposed drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dallas W. Simonette
  • Patent number: D452554
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheila McKee, Brian A. Kocher
  • Patent number: D382276
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: GP Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dallas W. Simonette, Thomas E. Kramer