Patents Assigned to Shaw Industries
  • Patent number: 6126358
    Abstract: A furniture panel stabilizer, having a first lifting member moveably interlocked with a second lifting member, for preventing relative vertical movement between two adjoining furniture panels forming a corner. The first lifting member has a first end, an opposite second end, a top end, an opposite bottom end, and a first longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The second lifting member has a forward end, an opposite back end, an upper end, an opposite lower end, and a second longitudinal axis extending between the forward end and the back end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dana Bryson Waits
  • Patent number: 6030004
    Abstract: A double shouldered high torque resistance threaded connection for drill stem components having enhanced resistance to torque forces, tensile loads and material stress and fatigue is disclosed. The tool joint is provided with threads having a 75.degree. included angle between the thread flanks thereof and with generally elliptical root surfaces to minimize material stress and fatigue during operation under high torque and high tensile loads. When made up, the double intrerengaging shoulders of the threaded tool joint are in firm face to face engagement permitting torque forces and tensile loads to propagate through the tool joint in a manner that minimizes bending forces and minimizes high stress concentration so that the resulting service life of the tool joint is significantly enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Shaw Industries
    Inventors: William H. Schock, Steven P. Howard, James G. Vogelsang, Richard L. Clark, Jr., Michael D. Rose
  • Patent number: 5851595
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and composition for treating carpet yarn and carpet to thereby enhance its repellency. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a carpet yarn comprising polymeric fibers. An anionic or nonionic fluorochemical compound is provided in an aqueous medium, the aqueous medium having a pH below about 3.5. The carpet yarn is immersed in the aqueous medium. The carpet yarn and aqueous medium are heated after which excess water is removed from the carpet yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5821461
    Abstract: A waterproof splice for use in connecting two multiconductor electric cables having jackets of different insulation material and a method of making the splice are disclosed. The splice consists of a mechanical electrical connection between the conductors, a mechanical bond formed on the insulation of one of the conductors and a sheath of insulation material molded over the splice and adjacent cables. The sheath bonds with the jacket of one cable and the mechanical bond formed on the insulation of the other cable. The mechanical bond is a seal ring of elastomeric material that is compressed between glands to move the seal ring into sealing engagement with the conductor. The disclosed splice is both strong and waterproof in spite of the poor bonding characteristics between the two different insulation materials on the two conductors. The splice is appropriate for cables having surface, subsurface and underwater applications and is specifically designed for use in conducting seismic surveying operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Limited
    Inventor: James A. Sackett
  • Patent number: 5786053
    Abstract: An article, for example a pipe, has a first covering such as a polymer layer, and a second covering, such as a repair patch or a repair deposit of melt-on adhesive or a wrap or a sleeve protecting a welded joint between two lengths of such pipe. The second covering may have a functional coating on an underside which is applied on and is at least partially superimposed over the first covering. A cured deposit of thermoset resin is applied at least over the edges of the second covering, for example in the form of a fibrous tape impregnated with a curable resin composition, and bonds to the first and second coverings. The resin deposit provides the second covering with increased stability against displacement laterally of said first covering, for example as a result of soil stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Alfredo Andrenacci, Michael A. Romano, John H. Oliver
  • Patent number: 5769012
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the stopping point of a tufting machine in relation to a preset stitch pattern. The system includes a controller and an encoder to detect the current location of a tufting machine needle bar in the stitch pattern. Upon receipt of a stop signal, the controller insures that the needle bar is stopped at a preset stop step in the stitch pattern. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller first slows the main drive shaft of the tufting machine to a jogging speed prior to stopping the tufting machine, and stops the machine at the home position of the carpet pattern. Introducing a delay between receipt of the stop signal and deceleration of the main drive shaft minimizes the jogging time of the machine. The method is directed to stopping the tufting machine at a predetermined stop step and at a position relative to degrees of mainshaft rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William N. Vaughan, Douglas L. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5743301
    Abstract: A method for making an internal upset (20A) on metal drill pipe (10) having a transition section (24A) with a curved inner periphery (28A) of a concave curvature extending continuously between the central portion (12) of the pipe (10) and the increased thickness end section (22A) and formed from a radius (R2). An external upset (20) is first formed in forging steps as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 by radially expanding and squeezing the end of pipe (10). Then the final forging step radially contracts the external upset (20) to form the internal upset (20A) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The finished internal upset 20A as shown in FIG. 7 has a transition section 24A with an inner peripheral curved surface 28A formed from a radius (R2). The forging steps are performed with a single heating of the metal drill time in a minimum of time preferably within around one (1) minute but in any event less than around two (2) minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Winship
  • Patent number: 5720834
    Abstract: A pipeline is covered with a continuous wrapping sheet having heat-activatable adhesive on its inner side. The wrapping may be helically applied or may be heat shrunk to impart a circumferential stress conforming the wrapping tightly to the surface of the pipe. High frequency induction heating is applied to cause the adhesive to wet and bond to the pipe surface. The wrapping can be applied progressively and continuously along a pipeline excavated from the ground while the pipeline is in service. The product conveyed within the pipe assists in rapidly cooling the adhesive and wrapping sheet so that the pipe can be promptly relaid in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Edward Steele, Michael A. Romano, Donald C. Warren, Alfredo Andrenacci
  • Patent number: 5662974
    Abstract: An article, for example a pipe, has a first covering such as a polymer layer, and a second covering, such as a repair patch or a repair deposit of melt-on adhesive or a wrap or a sleeve protecting a welded joint between two lengths of such pipe. The second covering may have a functional coating on an underside which is applied on and is at least partially superimposed over the first covering. A cured deposit of thermoset resin is applied at least over the edges of the second covering, for example in the form of a fibrous tape impregnated with a curable resin composition, and bonds to the first and second coverings. The resin deposit provides the second covering with increased stability against displacement laterally of said first covering, for example as a result of soil stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Alfredo Andrenacci, Michael A. Romano, John H. Oliver
  • Patent number: 5555222
    Abstract: An improved reduced distortion spring spider for geophones is disclosed that has the desired ratio of spurious resonant frequency to the natural frequency of the geophone and can absorb the sharp lateral forces imposed on the geophone during destructive testing and field usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Ming-Kwong Woo
  • Patent number: 5520962
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and composition for treating carpet yarn and carpet to thereby enhance its repellency, and preferably to enhance its stain resistance as well. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a carpet yarn comprising polymeric fibers. An anionic or nonionic fluorochemical compound is provided in an aqueous medium, the aqueous medium having a pH below about 3.5. The carpet yarn is immersed in the aqueous medium. The carpet yarn and aqueous medium are heated after which excess water is removed from the carpet yarn. The aqueous medium preferably also includes an anionic binding compound that acts to impart stain resistance to the yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5517843
    Abstract: A method for making an internal upset (20A) on metal drill pipe (10) having a transition section (24A) with a curved inner periphery (28A) of a concave curvature extending continuously between the central portion (12) of the pipe (10) and the increased thickness end section (22A) and formed from a radius (R2). An external upset (20) is first formed in forging steps as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 by radially expanding and squeezing the end of pipe (10). Then the final forging step radially contracts the external upset (20) to form the internal upset (20A) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The finished internal upset 20A as shown in FIG. 7 has a transition section 24A with an inner peripheral curved surface 28A formed from a radius (R2). The forging steps are performed with a single heating of the metal drill time in a minimum of time preferably within around one (1) minute but in any event less than around two (2) minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Winship
  • Patent number: 5469408
    Abstract: A geophone is disclosed that has a cylindrical housing closed at one end by a bottom and the other end by a top. A magnet assembly of a rare earth magnet with pole pieces at each end of the magnet is centrally mounted in the housing providing an annular space between the magnet assembly and the housing. A coil form is located in the annular space. Springs support the coil form for axial movement relative to the magnet assembly along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The rare earth magnet produces a magnetic field sufficiently strong that the pole pieces can be made longer than the coils on the coil form thereby provided a uniform magnetic field in which the coils move thereby reducing the amount of harmonic distortion produced by the geophone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Limited
    Inventor: Daniel M. Woo
  • Patent number: 5450375
    Abstract: A geophone is disclosed that has a cylindrical housing closed at one end by a bottom and the other end by a top. A magnet assembly with pole pieces at each end of the magnet is centrally mounted in the housing providing an annular space between the magnet assembly and the housing. A coil form is located in the annular space. Springs support the coil form for axial movement relative to the magnet assembly along the longitudinal axis of the housing. Washers are included on the upper and lower sides of each of the springs to enhance the life span of the springs by reducing the damage caused by torsional forces experienced by the springs during normal operation and rough handling. Also incorporated in the geophone are resilient members mounted between the coil form and the housing to prevent the coil form from directly hitting the housing and thereby reduce the amount of frequency shift experienced by the geophone over its life span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Limited
    Inventor: Daniel M. Woo
  • Patent number: 5439031
    Abstract: Heat-shrinkable cap comprising a heat-shrinkable tube sealed at one end by heat recovering that end of tube over a dimensionally stable, solid plug. The tube and plug are mutually weldable under heat, or are bonded together, thereby providing an air and water-tight seal at the sealed end. The open end of the cap may be internally coated with adhesive to provide an air and water-tight seal over an object such as a cable-end when the cap is heat recovered over said object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert E. Steele, Peter Jackson, Marcus P. W. Heydrich
  • Patent number: 5411777
    Abstract: A heat shrinkable wrap-around sleeve comprises a heat shrinkable sheet with a heat stable strip welded on one end. The free end of the heat stable strip is overlapped on the outer side of the opposite end of the sheet and welded thereto by heating applied directly on the outer side. This allows the material of the strip to differ in its properties from the material of the sheet, so that the nature of welded closure can be tailored to particular applications. It also allows manufacture of sleeves having hold-down adhesives applied on them to be conducted with greater ease and economy. The sleeve can be manufactured using continuous welding, for example by heated wedge welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert E. Steele, Michael A. Romano, Peter Jackson
  • Patent number: 5371972
    Abstract: Surface anomalies on pipe are removed preparatory to corrosion coating. The removal is conducted by brushing with wire brush elements or Comax brush elements which may rotate about axes parallel to the pipe axis or substantially radially off the pipe. Both kinds of brush elements may be used in combination. Before subjecting the pipe to brushing, the surface is particulate blasted to remove ferric oxide and better expose surface anomolies. After wire brushing, the surface is again particulate blasted to provide an anchor pattern of indentations promoting adhesion of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen E. McConkey, Guntrum N. Franzky
  • Patent number: 5358537
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process and a composition for dyeing polymeric fibers which have limited dye sites and/or difficult to penetrate chemical structures. Briefly stated, the process comprises the steps of contacting polymeric fibers with a dye composition comprising a disperse dye and a swelling agent. The fibers in contact with said dye composition are then preferably heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect dispersion of a portion of said dye into said polymeric fibers. Subsequently, the fibers are treated to remove residual dye composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Shaw Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Kelly, Richard Castle, Christopher Bryant
  • Patent number: 5311652
    Abstract: Surface anomalies on pipe are removed preparatory to corrosion coating. The removal is conducted by brushing with wire brush elements or COMAX brush elements which may rotate about axes parallel to the pipe axis or substantially radially off the pipe. Both kinds of brush elements may be used in combination. Before subjecting the pipe to brushing, the surface is particulate blasted to remove ferric oxide and better expose surface anomolies. After wire brushing, the surface is again particulate blasted to provide an anchor pattern of indentations promoting adhesion of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen E. McConkey, Guntrum N. Franzky
  • Patent number: 5302428
    Abstract: A multiple layer wraparound sleeve having a heat shrinkable backing layer and at least one functional layer has the functional layer as a discrete sheet which is connected to one end of the backing layer, and is of at least sufficient length that, when the sleeve is wrapped around the pipe or other substrate at least twice, the functional layer sheet wraps around the substrate first with its ends overlapping and the backing layer wraps around the functional layer sheet with its ends overlapping. This allows wrappings of reduced thickness to be employed without problems of voids occurring between the functional layer and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert E. Steele, Alfredo Andrenacci