Patents Assigned to Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5868435
    Abstract: A coupling for use with conduits (10) comprise a bi-conical fitting (20) which is inserted into the conduit end, a frusto-conical locking sleeve (22) which is located about the rearward end of the fitting (20) and compressed about the outer wall of the conduit (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5853204
    Abstract: A conduit coupling comprises a male conduit, a mating female member. The male conduit is constrained as part of the conduit leading to the coupling. The male conduit includes a member for limiting the movement of the male conduit within the female member, means for sealing, and a retainer to couple the male conduit to the female member. The female member is defined as an open port, and it is possible to be no more in diameter and depth than a screw-in connection. The connection may be a quick-connect type (in which case a tool is required for disconnection) or a non-quick-connect type (in which case a tool is required for connection and disconnection). The male conduit may either be composed of a substantially non-elastic material such as a metal or a plastic or a substantially elastic material such as a soft plastic or a hard rubber. If composed of an elastic material, the bulged area is formed by use of a rigid liner having a formed bulged area that is inserted into the elastic conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5826920
    Abstract: A conduit coupling (20) is comprised of a male conduit (22), a mating female member (24), means for sealing (26) and a fastener (28) to couple the male conduit (22) to the female member (24). The male conduit (22) has a first and second expanded diametral portions (46 and 50) separated by a nominal diametral portion (48). The sealing means (26) externally surrounds the nominal diametral portion (48) and prevents fluid from passing between an exterior surface (40) of the male conduit (22) and an adjacent inside surface (74) of the female member (24). Thus, the total longitudinal length of the conduit coupling (20) is less than most threaded couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5823077
    Abstract: A double-ended wrench is described with a movable gripping means to improve user comfort, torque and continuous-use capabilities. The double-ended wrench has two wrench heads positioned, one at each end of an elongated handle. The gripping means is formed shorter than and for movement along the elongated handle of the wrench so that the gripping means may be positioned at each end of the wrench handle without obstructing the other end of the wrench. In addition, the gripping means has features specific to the application and a cavity therein with a dimension less than a dimension of each of the wrench heads so that the movement of the wrench grip along the elongated wrench handle is confined by the two wrench heads, keeping the grip upon the wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Macor
  • Patent number: 5794984
    Abstract: A quick connector (10) has a pair of waist segments (76 and 81), a shoulder segment (163), a body segment (72) with an aperture (156) therein, and a leg segment (78). The leg segment (78) is defined by a pair of projecting elements (163) which are at least partially compressible toward one another thereby causing the pair of waist segments (76 and 81) to move toward one another. Thus, a swivellable connection is made which has the equivalent length and diameter of a convention non-swivellable threaded coupling. The quick connector (10) may be released by hand or a snap ring tool inserted into holes (410).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5782508
    Abstract: A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed as comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seal disposed in the bore for providing a fluid-tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer detachably secured to the housing and cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore, the retainer having resilient deformable portions which are adapted to snap over the locking wall upon insertion of the conduit into the housing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5779279
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector assemblies (10, 110, 210) including a secondary latching mechanism (48, 148, 220) which engages a second annular projections (26, 126, 226) provided on a tubular conduit (12, 112, 212). The latching mechanisms (48, 148, 220) extend outside of the female housing (14, 114, 214) which receives the conduit thus allowing for an inspection of the assembly to insure that a complete connection has been accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5732984
    Abstract: A swivelable quick connect assembly for use with tubular conduits is disclosed comprising a housing having an axial bore for receiving one end of the conduit, an elastomeric ring-like seal disposed in the bore for providing a fluid tight seal between confronting portions of the conduit and the housing, an annular bushing is disposed in the bore for positioning the seal and for guiding the one end of the conduit into nesting relationship with the bore, and a retainer detachably secured to the housing and cooperable with an annular projection on the conduit for securing the conduit in its operative position within the bore. The retainer is a one piece metal retainer element which includes at least two circumferentially spaced leg members which extend from an integral collar member at one end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5716079
    Abstract: The present invention hose assembly (10) having a distortion limiting wall for creating a dynamic seal comprises a seal (14), a male hose subassembly (12) and a female hose subassembly (16). The seal (14) is concentrically mounted within the female hose subassembly (16) against a radially flanged segment (92) and an extension segment (94) of a female ferrule (74) with a lip (46) of a male ferrule (22) compressing against the seal (14) when the female and male hose subassemblies (16 and 12) are connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5655796
    Abstract: The present invention tubular assembly comprises a tubular member (14), an annular bushing (17) therearound and a ferrule (21) therewithin. The bushing (17) is fit around a predetermined portion of the tubular member (15) and the ferrule (21) is then inserted within a distal end (35) thereof. The ferrule (21) acts to expand portions of the inside and outside surfaces (33 and 31) of the tubular member (15) which are longitudinally adjacent to the bushing (17). A ferrule (75) may further have an outwardly projecting flange (79) at its trailing end which serves to retain a seal (83) thereupon. Also, in another embodiment, a lip (103) located around the diameter of the ferrule's flange (101) and projecting normal thereto serves to center the distal end of the tubular member (91) within a connected female housing (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Dekle Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5621959
    Abstract: Snap-on bead assemblies for providing blocking walls for the attachment of connectors, and more particularly quick connectors, are disclosed as comprising an open-ended ring member having an outer surface, an inner surface and two extending flanges. The ring members are formed of a resilient material, such as high gauge steel, which allows the ring members to be expanded and positioned over a tubular conduit. In a first embodiment, the flanges (16a) and (16b) project downwardly and embed within depressions (34) formed upon outer surface (32) of the conduit (30) to lock the ring member (10) onto the conduit. In the second embodiment, the flanges (116a) and (116b) project upwardly and the inner surface (112) of the ring member (110) is positioned within a depression (134) formed on the surface (132) of the conduit (130) which locks the ring member (110) onto the conduit (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5592862
    Abstract: A screwdriver is described having two double-ended driving bits, each having dimensions of length greater than width and a driving head at either end capable of controlling fastener rotation. The screwdriver also has a handle with dimensions of length greater than width, and width greater than thickness forming a somewhat flat handle that is appropriate for pocket storage and transportation. Extending out from the screwdriver handle is a screwdriver shank that is positioned to the side and off-center relative to the handle width to increase leverage and torque capabilities while maintaining a compact design. One of the two double-ended driving bits is stored within the handle while the other is temporarily held and secured within the screwdriver shank with one head exposed for fastener engagement. The components and their arrangement combine to form the present invention, a compact, high torque, four way multi-drive screwdriver that is user-friendly and cost efficient for manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Macor
  • Patent number: 5582210
    Abstract: A fluid flow control apparatus 10 which uses a plurality of deformable metal springing arms 98, 108 to position a plurality of metal plates 40, 50, 70 within a chamber 34. The metal plates 40, 50, 70 define a plurality of flow paths to vary the amount of flow through the flow control apparatus 10. By changing the size and quantity of the various flow paths F.sub.1, F.sub.2, F.sub.3 and F.sub.4 the flow control apparatus can be tailored to each specific application. The fluid flow control apparatus thus has the durability advantages associated with metal flow controls by using metal spring arms instead of coil springs, and provides the smaller packaging advantages associated with molded rubber flow controls. The apparatus utilizes the deflection of the metal springs instead of the deformation of rubber which will change. The diameter of the apparatus can be as small as 3/8 inch larger than the inlet diameter, and have a length of as little as 3/8 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5582437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a swivelable connector 10 for plain end flexible conduit 12 which includes a tubular conduit 22 having an annular projection 28 disposed a predetermined distance from a first end thereof, a sealing element 70 and a rotatable retainer 48 disposed within the axial bore of the plain end flexible conduit and a retainer element 34 positioned over the outer surface of the flexible conduit 12 which secures the flexible conduit between the rotatably retainer and the retainer elements and provides a relative rotation between the flexible conduit 12 and conduit 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5582436
    Abstract: A hose coupling for use with flexible hose comprises a biconical fitting which is inserted into a hose end and a frusto-conical locking sleeve located about the hose portion which grips the rearward conical section of the fitting. Sealing arrangements for specific embodiments of hose are disclosed. The double included angle of the conical portion of the sleeve and fitting, which engages the hose, is between one degree but less than ten degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 5568948
    Abstract: A hose coupling for use with flexible hose comprises a biconical fitting which is inserted into a hose end and a frusto-conical locking sleeve located about the hose portion which grips the rearward conical section of the fitting. Sealing arrangements for specific embodiments of hose are disclosed. The double included angle of the conical portion of the sleeve and fitting, which engages the hose, is between one degree but less than ten degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: D375667
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Macor
  • Patent number: D380363
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Macor
  • Patent number: D396785
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Macor
  • Patent number: D402867
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Macor