Patents Assigned to Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
  • Patent number: 7140618
    Abstract: A gasketed pipe joint including a dual-functional, composite gasket, which in addition to forming a seal between a pipe bell and a spigot provides a molding surface for forming a bent retainer in the hub of the pipe or fitting. The dual-functional composite gasket comprises a first axially disposed portion formed of a non-elastomeric, substantially rigid, substantially non-resilient plastic material and has a first leading edge and a first trailing edge, and a second axially disposed portion, adjacent the first axially disposed portion, formed of an elastomeric material. Preferably, the gasket comprises a major portion of the non-elastomeric, substantially rigid, substantially non-resilient plastic and a minor portion of the elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Vassallo Research & Development Corporation
    Inventor: Jose E. Valls, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6976434
    Abstract: A floating amphibious game table is provided that may be used on both land and water. The game table has a base member that has an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of upper openings in the upper surface of the base member are adapted to receive beverage containers. A plurality of lower openings in the lower surface of the base member are adapted to receive a plurality of legs. The game table floats to allow for use on water. The game table receives the plurality of legs to allow for use on land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Vassallo Research & Development Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio J. Roig, Salvador Vassallo
  • Publication number: 20040173123
    Abstract: A floating amphibious game table is provided that may be used on both land and water. The game table has a base member that has an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of upper openings in the upper surface of the base member are adapted to receive beverage containers. A plurality of lower openings in the lower surface of the base member are adapted to receive a plurality of legs. The game table floats to allow for use on water. The game table receives the plurality of legs to allow for use on land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Vassallo Research & Development Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio J. Roig, Salvador Vassallo
  • Patent number: 6142484
    Abstract: A composite gasket for forming a seal between a pipe bell and a spigot comprises a first axially disposed portion formed of an elastomeric material and has a first leading edge and a first trailing edge, and a second axially disposed portion, adjacent the first axially disposed portion, formed of a generally non-elastomeric substantially rigid plastic, which comprises multiple, axially extending, laterally spaced apart, ramp-like projections separated by circumferential valleys, which expose elastomeric material. Fluid entering the valleys during a high pressure surge force the composite gasket into a tighter seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Vassallo Research & Development Corporation
    Inventor: Jose E. Valls, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5941021
    Abstract: A slat for pivotally mounting between a pair of opposed frame members of an opening. The slat has an elongated member having first and second walls that are coupled together to form first and second longitudinally extending side edges and first and second end edges. First and second coupling members are coupled to the first and second side edges, respectively. The first and second coupling members have first and second coupling ledges spaced from the first and second side edges to form first and second longitudinally extending recesses. Each of the first and second recesses receive an adjacent coupling member on an adjacent slat, respectively. The first recess opens toward the first wall, while the second recess opens toward the second exterior wall. First and second support members are coupled to the first and second ends of the elongated member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Vassallo Research & Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jose E. Valls, Jr., Salvador Vassallo
  • Patent number: 5145216
    Abstract: A pipe connection assembly having a branch pipe extending through an aperture in the side wall of a main, double-walled or ribbed pipe, and an elastomeric, tubular gasket positioned in the aperture of the main pipe and surrounding one end of the branch pipe for sealing between the main pipe and the branch pipe. The main pipe has inner and outer cylindrical walls concentrically connected together by at least one rib member, which forms at least one peripheral channel. The tubular gasket seals the space between the inner and outer walls for preventing fluid flowing through the pipes from leaking into the peripheral channel, or channels, of the main, double-walled pipe. The gasket is provided with an annular flange at one end for ensuring proper positioning of the gasket in the aperture of the main pipe. A pipe clamp can be used to secure the gasket to the branch pipe and to provide additional sealing. Preferably, both the main pipe and the branch pipe are composed of a suitable plastic material such as PVC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventor: Jose E. Valls, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5099888
    Abstract: Plastic pipe has a cylindrical body having longitudinally extending concentric walls spaced from the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The walls are connected by ribs extending generally radially between the walls and longitudinally of the pipe. The pipe is provided with a generally annular resilient axially extending sealing ring entrapped at the end of the pipe by removing an end portion of the ribs, heating and bending an end wall portion so as to entrap a portion of the sealing ring, while permitting a second portion of the ring to axially project beyond the end of the pipe to provide impact resistance to the pipe end. A further embodiment involves omission of the sealing ring and welding the small gap remaining after heating and bending an end wall portion to seal the pipe end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventor: Jose E. Valls, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4723905
    Abstract: Apparatus for seating a gasket in a plastic pipe bell is disclosed which includes providing a peripheral groove in a belling mandrel and seating a specially designed hard plastic ring in the groove. The hard plastic ring is molded to provide exterior ramps for forming an annular pocket in the pipe bell and is inwardly configured to provide a secure seating surface to receive and retain a resilient gasket thereon. The mandrel is urged into a preheated end of the pipe and vacuum forces are employed to pull the end of the pipe about the periphery of the mandrel and tightly against the exterior ramps of the hard plastic ring for forming the bell shape. Upon sufficient cooling of the pipe end, the mandrel is withdrawn and the plastic ring remains encapsulated within the bell shape. Upon removal of the mandrel, a resilient gasket is then seated within the bell in intimate overall contact with the seating surface of the plastic ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: 4693483
    Abstract: A composite gasket for forming a seal between a pipe bell 52 and a spigot 58 comprises a major portion 12 of non-elastomeric plastic material and a minor portion 14 of elastomeric material. The minor portion is axially encased by the major portion. The minor portion includes a sealing lip 16 extending radially inwardly from the major portion. The composite gasket can be manually inserted within a preformed grooved bell or the grooved bell can be formed over the gasket while the gasket is mounted on a mandrel. The composite gasket is particularly useful with relatively large diameter pipe systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Vassallo Research & Development Corporation
    Inventor: Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: 4637618
    Abstract: A composite gasket for forming a seal between a pipe bell 52 and a spigot 58 comprises a major portion 12 of non-elastomeric plastic material and a minor portion 14 of elastomeric material. The minor portion is axially encased by the major portion. The minor portion includes a sealing lip 16 extending radially inwardly from the major portion. The composite gasket can be manually inserted within a preformed grooved bell or the grooved bell can be formed over the gasket while the gasket is mounted on a mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Vassallo Research & Development Corporation
    Inventor: Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: 4625383
    Abstract: A method for seating a gasket in a plastic pipe bell is disclosed which includes providing a peripheral groove in a belling mandrel and seating a specially designed hard plastic ring in the groove. The hard plastic ring is molded to provide exterior ramps for forming an annular pocket in the pipe bell and is inwardly configured to provide a secure seating surface to receive and retain a resilient gasket thereon. The mandrel is urged into a preheated end of the pipe and vacuum forces are employed to pull the end of the pipe about the periphery of the mandrel and tightly against the exterior ramps of the hard plastic ring for forming the bell shape. Upon sufficient cooling of the pipe end, the mandrel is withdrawn and the plastic ring remains encapsulated within the bell shape. Upon removal of the mandrel, a resilient gasket is then seated within the bell in intimate overall contact with the seating surface of the plastic ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: 4583772
    Abstract: The pipe fitting interlocking system includes a central body of predetermined configuration, for example, ell, wye or tee shape of desired large diameter pipe size. The central body terminates at each of its ends in a lock junction to receive thereon in locked relationship an end hub member of the type suitable for receiving and interconnecting the spigot end of a section of plastic pipe. Each lock junction includes a shoulder upon which the end hub member is seated, an endwardly positioned lock and a circular, peripheral recess positioned between the shoulder and the lock. The end hub member includes a radially inwardly inclined projection to cooperate with and securely seat within the central body lock. A circular gasket is secured within the circular recess and biases against a portion of the inner periphery of the end hub to prevent leakage between the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Vassallo Research & Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: 4579354
    Abstract: A resilient gasket is disclosed which includes an annulus of generally U-shaped cross sectional configuration having a circular, arched, radially outwardly positioned base, a first, thin, forward wall extending radially inwardly from the base, a second relatively thick, rearward wall extending radially inwardly from the base, the forward wall and the rearward wall defining a circular, radially inwardly open, retaining ring receiving groove therebetween, the width of the groove being greater than the combined thickneses of the forward and the rearward walls. The forward wall and the rearward wall each terminate radially inwardly in a slanted, forwardly facing lip to facilitate sealing engagement with the spigot end of a section of pipe. The lip of the forward wall serves to center and to wipe the exterior periphery of the spigot end and the lip of the rearward wall serves to seal against the spigot end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: D289078
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: D291480
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: D291481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: D291482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls
  • Patent number: D291483
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Vassallo Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Efrain D. Vassallo, Jose E. Valls