Patents Assigned to Vertex, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11401810
    Abstract: A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. The bottom face may include a set of spaced indentations. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. A respective fin can be provided on opposed side faces of the gasket. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members, fins and indentations, can be snapped into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers, Troy Davidson, James A. Westhoff, George M. Stamper
  • Patent number: 10954668
    Abstract: A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members can be snapped into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers, Troy Davidson, James A. Westhoff
  • Publication number: 20210079791
    Abstract: A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. The bottom face may include a set of spaced indentations. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. A respective fin can be provided on opposed side faces of the gasket. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members, fins and indentations, can be snapped into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers, Troy Davidson, James A. Westhoff, George M. Stamper
  • Patent number: 10662643
    Abstract: A cast-in-place gasket construction for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second gasket portions of the construction extend in different directions and are connected to each other at a first joint. The gasket portions are made of an elastomeric material having a first durometer on the Shore A hardness scale. The joint comprises an elastomeric material having a second and lesser durometer on the Shore A hardness scale. A method for replacing a damaged frame-like gasket construction is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers
  • Publication number: 20190226340
    Abstract: A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members can be snapped into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers, Troy Davidson, James A. Westhoff
  • Publication number: 20190226202
    Abstract: A cast-in-place gasket construction for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second gasket portions of the construction extend in different directions and are connected to each other at a first joint. The gasket portions are made of an elastomeric material having a first durometer on the Shore A hardness scale. The joint comprises an elastomeric material having a second and lesser durometer on the Shore A hardness scale. A method for replacing a damaged frame-like gasket construction is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers
  • Patent number: 7922179
    Abstract: A cast-in-place gasket is provided for an associated pipe joint. The gasket is mounted to a first associated pipe and adapted to provide a seal between the first associated pipe and a second associated pipe. The gasket includes a gasket body formed into an annulus from a resilient material. A first sealing head and a second sealing head protrude from the body in an axially rearward and radially inward direction. The first sealing head is axially spaced from the second sealing head. Each of the first sealing head and the second sealing head include a sealing surface. A first mounting foot and a second mounting foot protrude from the body in a radially outward direction. The first mounting foot is axially spaced from the second mounting foot. An open annular cavity is defined in the body between the first sealing head and the second sealing head. A first lip protrudes from the body proximal to a base of the first sealing head and extends in an axially forward and radially inward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Johann Schlusselbauer
  • Patent number: 7401791
    Abstract: A pipe gasket includes a toroidal gasket body and projections extending away from a peripheral surface of the gasket body. The gasket body is configured to allow the gasket body to roll along a spigot end of a first pipe as the spigot end is received inside a bell end of a second pipe. The projections each include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to facilitate rotation of the gasket body in a first rotational direction. The second surface is configured to inhibit rotation of the gasket body in a second, opposite, rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Michael J. Ferrara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6719302
    Abstract: A gasket for a pipe joint includes an annular gasket body which is symmetrical around an axial centerline and is therefore insensitive to axial orientation. The gasket is formed of a resilient material and includes a base adapted to sealingly engage an annular groove formed in one of the pipe segments to be joined. First and second protrusions run along the length of the gasket body and extend radially therefrom. The first and second projections are spaced apart symmetrically about the centerline. An annular bore, bisected by the center line, extends within the interior of the gasket body, and comprises a central region bridging first and second transversely spaced apart lobes. It is particularly suited for sealing an annular space in a bell-and-spigot pipe joint and provides an increased surface contact area to compensate for defects in the sealing surfaces of the pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Andrick
  • Publication number: 20030001343
    Abstract: A gasket for a pipe joint includes an annular gasket body which is symmetrical around an axial centerline and is therefore insensitive to axial orientation. The gasket is formed of a resilient material and includes a base adapted to sealingly engage an annular groove formed in one of the pipe segments to be joined. First and second protrusions run along the length of the gasket body and extend radially therefrom. The first and second projections are spaced apart symmetrically about the centerline. An annular bore, bisected by the center line, extends within the interior of the gasket body, and comprises a central region bridging first and second transversely spaced apart lobes. It is particularly suited for sealing an annular space in a bell-and-spigot pipe joint and provides an increased surface contact area to compensate for defects in the sealing surfaces of the pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Andrick
  • Patent number: 5687976
    Abstract: A pipe joint includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe inserted into the outer pipe. One of the outer pipe and the inner pipe includes an annular groove and a gasket is positioned in the groove to provide a seal between the outer pipe and the inner pipe. The gasket includes an annular gasket body formed of a resilient material with the gasket body having a centerline. A projection extends radially away from the gasket body. The projection is so located on the gasket body that it is bisected by the centerline thereof. An annular bore extends in the gasket body. The bore is spaced from the projection and is so located in the gasket body that it is bisected by the centerline thereof. The gasket is symmetrical around an axial centerline and is therefore insensitive to axial orientation. It is meant for sealing an annular space in a bell and spigot pipe joint and is capable of sealing against both internal and external pressures and internal and external vacuums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Salvatore R. Brugnano