Patents Assigned to Valterra Products, Inc.
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Patent number: 7980532Abstract: A leveling device for vehicle wheels comprising a first integral planar member for mating with one or more additional integral planar members of substantially the same shape and dimension in releasable relationship. All integral members have four sides and an upper surface divided into a plurality of vertically projecting rows of pins with a row of projections situated up front. The bottom surface of each of the integral planar members include rows of sockets, each of which is conformable in shape and size to receive an individual pin in releasable frictional engagement. Each planar member also includes one partially beveled side with a sloped projection with one or more openings conformable to the shape and dimensions of the individual pins. Two or more integral planar members are adapted to stack one upon the other by mating pins and sockets of respective planar members so that the sloped projections overlap one another and are positioned in parallel relation.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Valterra Products, Inc.Inventor: Robert Wickwire
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Patent number: 7810786Abstract: In combination with an external actuator for electrically operating a gate valve for use with a recreational vehicle, a gate valve within a housing, a flow passageway, a valve closure member moveable transversely of the flow passageway to cause the passageway to open and close. The valve closure member comprises a valve stem and a connected handle. Also provided is an electrical control unit with a motor, an electrical drive means and a drive shaft to engage the handle. A switch means electrically connected to the control unit has an on and off position. In the on position, the actuator lifts the handle to move the gate and open the flow passageway. In the off position, the actuator retracts the handle to move the gate linearly to close the flow passageway. Also provided is a releasable ring pin which confines the handle and which, when removed, enables the manual override of the external actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Valterra Products, Inc.Inventor: Luis Ontiveros Frias
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Patent number: 7314064Abstract: A valve construction for use with a holding or waste removal tank of a vehicle is provided and includes a gate valve having a valve closure member, and at least one panel having an opening extending from an inside surface to an outside surface connected to the vehicle. Also provided is an axially moveable cable with a first end connected to the gate valve to impart movement to the valve closure member and a second end having a terminus, and a first and second means for securing the second end to the panel. The first means is radially contractible and expandable for penetrating the opening by contracting as it is moved to penetrate through the inside surface of the panel and expanding as it is moved to exit the opening through the outside surface of the panel whereupon it abuts the outside surface. The second means adapts to tightly abut the inside surface of the panel to cooperate with the first means to enable the secure mounting of the second end of the cable to the panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Valterra Products, Inc.Inventor: Luis Ontiveros Frias
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Patent number: 7232523Abstract: An improved device for collecting and removing debris from a swimming pool, pond or the like comprising a mesh material formed into a net for collecting and temporarily storing the debris. The net includes a top open portion with a support frame and a bottom closed portion forming a vertex. A pole or extensible rod is attached to the end of the frame for holding and manipulating the device through the water. Also provided is a means connected to the bottom closed portion of the net enclosed within the netting to maintain the vertex portion of the net in an open and receptive position while it is manipulated and moved along and below the water's surface to collect and remove debris. The means, when rotated to a horizontal position, expands the bottom closed portion of the net to facilitate the collection of debris and is also used as a device for grasping the bottom closed portion of the net in the process of emptying the net of debris.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Valterra Products, Inc.Inventor: Ross Clay
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Patent number: 5711245Abstract: An alignment guide for indicating the location of a waste water outlet port of a large vehicle, such as a motor home, which is not directly visible to the driver of the vehicle. This device is comprised of a brightly-colored indicator flag which is attached to the distal end of an extending arm. The proximal end of the extending arm is mounted directly to, or near the vehicle's waste water drain. When extended, the indicator flag offers the driver of the vehicle a reference point by which he may align the vehicle to the waste water receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1994Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Valterra Products Inc.Inventor: Kenneth John Knirck
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Patent number: 5704659Abstract: An apparatus for attaching and securing a cap to a hose adapter used in connection with an RV waste removal valve assembly to prevent inadvertent sewer or waste spillage in the event of a failure of the primary locking components. The apparatus comprises two principal components, including a Y-branch plumbing fitting with a hose adapter incorporated at one end. On the outside surface of the hose adapter are a coupling pin and an adjacently located coupling tongue. The other component is a closure cap, which includes one or more generally L-shaped coupling arms. The coupling arms form a U-shaped opening with the edge of the cap and include an opening at one end to slidably receive the coupling pin and a grooved or slotted portion along the base of the coupling arm near where the arm attaches to the edge of the cap to slidably receive the coupling tongue.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1996Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Valterra Products, Inc.Inventor: Dennis Lunder
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Patent number: 5678802Abstract: A gate valve having a valve housing with an upper housing member, and a lower housing member, which contains a flow passageway. A valve closure device with a valve stem is moveable transversely of the flow passageway between the upper housing member, to cause the passageway to open, and the lower housing member, to cause the passageway to close. An axially moveable sleeve covered cable, which is connected to the valve closure device at the valve stem, is provided to impart movement to the valve closure device. A clamp assembly which includes identical cooperating members adapted to align in opposing relationship to engage and secure the upper housing and the cable and cable sleeve between them enables the cable to be operated from a remote and convenient location outside the recreational vehicle at any desired angle of bend to engage the valve closure device to cause it to move easily and effectively back and forth within the valve housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Valterra Products, Inc.Inventor: Dennis Lunder
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Patent number: 5417460Abstract: An apparatus for attaching and securing a drain hose to the adapter used with a recreational vehicle ("RV") waste drain assembly or, at the opposite end of the hose, to a sewer fitting used in conjunction with a septic tank or some other type of in or above ground sewer system for receiving drained waste matter. The apparatus comprises a retaining ring, which may include an annular flange formed along one edge, slidably mountable inside the opening at one end of a RV drain hose, for retaining the shape and requisite diameter dimension of the end section of the hose to facilitate its engagement with the adapter or the sewer fitting when those connections are made. The ring is removed before the adapter or the sewer fitting engages the hose opening to enable the hose to contract and form a tight seal with those components.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1993Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: Valterra Products, Inc.Inventor: Dennis Lunder
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Patent number: 5246052Abstract: A generally arcuate shaped device having a unitary construction, including an arcuate main section, which contains a hook element at the distal end and a generally straight proximal end section with an aperture formed therein. The device, which is placed over roller tube in a circumferential fashion and wraps around the tube to a distance of approximately 50% of the tube's circumference in the limited area at each end of the tube where it connects, engages a groove having a distinct downward facing orientation at a point approximately 180.degree. from the place where the proximal end of the device would naturally come to rest.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1992Date of Patent: September 21, 1993Assignee: Valterra Products, Inc.Inventor: Thomas H. Homan