Patents Examined by Cody Lieuwen
  • Patent number: 10010730
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly (10) having a receiving member (12), a fluid tight seal (44) and a sprinkler frame (14). The receiving member includes an inner surface (22) defining an internal passageway and a central axis (A-A) of the assembly. The frame of the sprinkler includes an internal surface (38) that defines a fluid passage. The sprinkler assembly includes cooperating positioning elements (28, 40) which engage and couple the sprinkler frame to the receiving member for at least one of an axial and rotational adjustment between the frame and receiving member. The engaged positioning elements facilitate formation or location of the fluid tight seal between the sprinkler frame and receiving member, the seal being spaced from the engaged positioning elements. In one aspect of the assembly, the sprinkler frame and receiving member are made of plastic material (e.g. CPVC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Bernhard Abels, Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Mathew R. Ancone
  • Patent number: 10010893
    Abstract: A nozzle capable of removing a surplus liquid material, which is adhered to outer surfaces of the nozzle and which affects a discharge operation, without undergoing a special process, and a liquid material discharge device provided with the nozzle. The nozzle (1) includes a body (2) having a liquid inflow space, and a discharge tube (4) communicating with the liquid inflow space and extending downwards from the body (2). A liquid removing member (16) is disposed at a lower end of the body (2) in a state laterally surrounding the discharge tube (4), and the liquid removing member (16) includes a groove-like space (15) that is formed between adjacent to of plural surrounding surfaces (10), and that generates capillary force acting in a direction laterally away from the discharge tube (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 9993832
    Abstract: A valve gun for a high-pressure cleaner is provided, including an inlet channel with an inlet for supplying a pressurized liquid and an outlet channel with an outlet for discharging the liquid, a valve arranged in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet, a triggering member manually movable between a rest position and a release position for opening and closing the valve, a first locking member manually movable between a locking position and an unlocking position for locking the triggering member in the rest position, and a handgrip graspable by the user. In order to further develop the valve gun such that it is easier to handle, the triggering member can be arranged at the rear side of the handgrip that faces away from the outlet, and that the first locking member can be arranged at the front side of the handgrip that faces the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Breuer, Daniel Knoedler
  • Patent number: 9981150
    Abstract: A fire suppression apparatus for fighting fires from a vehicle configured for flight is disclosed, comprising a foam and water held in separate containers aboard the vehicle that when mixed forms a fire retardant, a pump driven by an electric motor to pressurize the fire retardant, the pump including an air induction valve where air is drawn into a suction end of the pump and pressurized together with the fire retardant, and an aimable boom connected to the pump by a conduit, the boom including a nozzle on a distal end of the boom from which the pressurized fire retardant and air is dispensed toward a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventors: Mark D. Zimmerman, David M. Kruithoff
  • Patent number: 9976529
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an injection valve includes a valve body with a central longitudinal axis, the valve body having a valve body groove extending circumferentially around the valve body and being designed to take in a gasket, the valve body groove having a first wall section and a second wall section, the wall sections configured to be coupled to the gasket in a manner that the valve assembly is sealingly coupable with a cylinder head of a combustion engine, and an injection nozzle enabling a fluid flow through the valve assembly. The second wall section is arranged relative to the first wall section in axial direction away from the injection nozzle. The first wall section extends to a first radius and the second wall section extends to a second radius, and the first radius is bigger than the second radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Marco Mechi, Roberto Ricci, Nicola Iannaccone, Luigi Gargiulo
  • Patent number: 9974988
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve with a valve body and chamber. A poppet with a stem and piston is slidably engaged inside the valve body. A poppet release mechanism is included for releasing the poppet from a closed position. A mechanism cover is attached to the valve body. A safety mechanism with a pin, spring, and lever is included for preventing the poppet from moving into a fully open position. A first end of the pin extends into the chamber into a pathway of the poppet and a second end of the pin extends into the valve body of the valve. The spring is positioned between and in contact with the pin and the mechanism cover to bias the pin toward the poppet. A first end of the lever is pivotably attached to the pin and a second end of the lever extends out from the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug John Baxendell, David William Frasure
  • Patent number: 9968811
    Abstract: A firefighting or rescue apparatus includes an extendable crosslay hose bed which facilitates access to the crosslay bed for loading and pulling flexible fire hose. The bed is mounted to a frame, generally behind the cab of the apparatus, which can be a fire truck. The bed includes a moveable tray extending laterally, across a width of the truck. The tray can be oriented generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the truck as well. The tray and/or an optional underlying support frame can be coupled to a power unit adapted to extend and retract the support frame and moveable tray from stored position to a deployed position. A control can be in communication with the power unit and operable by a user to control movement of the tray from the stored position to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: HME, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Lenz, Jr., Kevin J. Longhurst
  • Patent number: 9956566
    Abstract: A coating material is uniformly applied on an inner wall surface of a container while preventing leakage of the coating material and an increase in an installation space. An application apparatus (10) that applies a coating material (L) on an inner wall surface of a container (C) includes: a spray gun (20) having a spray nozzle (22); an outgoing pipe (30) and a return pipe (33); a supply control unit (50); a rotary drive unit (60); and a moving unit (70), wherein the outgoing pipe (30) and the return pipe (33) are each provided with a resilient-shape part (32, 35) capable of extending and contracting resiliently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Okada, Keisuke Nyuu, Tomoyuki Miyazaki, Yoshitsugu Kawai
  • Patent number: 9943869
    Abstract: The showerhead includes a main body; a power generator disposed in the main body; a power monitor module, disposed in the main body, electrically connected to the power generator, and configured for monitoring quality of power from the power generator and switching on/off power supply of the power generator; and a control module, disposed in the main body, electrically connected to the power monitor module, and configured for controlling functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL APPLIED RESEARCH LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Huang, Chen-Chia Chen, Chien-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 9927205
    Abstract: A vortex ring producing gun includes a body defining a first interior volume. The vortex ring producing gun includes a movable nozzle coupled with the body, comprising at least one nozzle opening, and defining a second interior volume. The vortex ring producing gun includes one or more conduits providing fluid communication between said first interior volume and said second interior volume. The vortex ring producing gun includes an energy storage element configured to bias the movable nozzle in a first direction. The vortex ring producing gun includes a latching key configured to hold the movable nozzle in a retained position against the bias from the energy storage element. The vortex ring producing gun includes a movable cocking/firing element configured to interact with the body, the energy storage element, the latching key, and the movable nozzle to selectively cock or fire the vortex ring-producing gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Jeffery M. Davis
  • Patent number: 9919347
    Abstract: A spray device comprises a container for detergent, a spray head for mounting on the container, and a liquid supply for transferring liquid from the container to the spray head. The spray head comprises: a body, a chamber in communication with the atmosphere, an elongate outlet bore extending to an outlet of the body, a detergent inlet aperture in a surface of the chamber, communicating with the liquid supply for communication with the interior of the container, and a water inlet for the chamber. The water inlet is configured to direct a jet of water over the detergent inlet aperture towards the outlet bore. Passage of the water jet over the inlet aperture causes detergent from the container to be drawn into the chamber. The inner surface of the foam generating outlet bore is formed as an aerating surface. Spray heads for use with such spray devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Tetrosyl Limited
    Inventors: Stuart Hyram Haworth, Anthony Dymond
  • Patent number: 9919335
    Abstract: An applicator head for a vacuum coating system includes a manifold shell having opposing shell plates, each including a conduit attachment coupled to a shell aperture. An applicator manifold is affixed to each shell plate. Each applicator manifold includes two coupled manifold plates, with one including a manifold aperture, and each is affixed to the respective shell plate so that each manifold aperture aligns with the respective shell aperture. An applicator channel is formed between the manifold plates of each applicator manifold, and the applicator channel is fluidically coupled to the manifold aperture of each respective applicator manifold. Each applicator channel forms an applicator port at a leading edge of each respective applicator manifold, and each leading edge is configured to be complementary in shape to an edge of a workpiece to be coated. First and second face plates are disposed over the leading edges of the applicator manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Sebastien G. Nalin, Scott L. Huntzinger, John J. Hartman, Jr., Lida Lu, Eric D. Kragness
  • Patent number: 9909796
    Abstract: A snow making system, suitable for making man-made snow for ski-runs or ski-slopes, uses a snow making machine, where ice is converted into snow-like particles and directed in an upwardly-directed stream, into which a spray or mist of water droplets is introduced. The snow-like particles operate as nucleating agents for the water droplets to convert the droplets into flakes of snow. The flakes of snow may be introduced into the snow making machine, converted into snow-like particles and be incorporated into the stream to produce further flakes of snow. The flakes of snow can be “recycled” to the snow making machine until the desired quantity of snow has been produced. The system enables snow to be made at ambient air temperatures just above, or below, the freezing point of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Alfio Bucceri
  • Patent number: 9907877
    Abstract: A sanitization mist shower apparatus includes a water tank that stores water, a plasma generator that causes a plasma discharge in water inside the water tank and generates reformed water, an air blower that blows pressurized air, and a mist nozzle that spouts fine mist obtained by mixing the reformed water supplied from the water tank and the pressurized air supplied from the air blower. A liquid pressure of the reformed water supplied to the mist nozzle and air pressure of the pressurized air are substantially the same as each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Minamio, Akira Isomi, Daisuke Tabata, Yukiko Kitahara
  • Patent number: 9908512
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a pane of glass and a flush mount washer assembly. The flush mount washer assembly includes a panel, and the panel includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The panel defines an aperture through the outer and inner surfaces. The assembly further includes a mount coupled to the inner surface of the panel. The assembly also includes a nozzle secured to the mount. The nozzle includes a show surface substantially aligning with the aperture and positioned such that the show surface does not extend beyond the outer surface of the panel to create a flush exterior appearance of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David T. Renke, Jeffrey T. Arnone
  • Patent number: 9856794
    Abstract: In one featured embodiment, a nozzle for a valve comprises a nozzle body surrounding a center axis and defined by an overall length extending from an inlet end to an outlet end. The nozzle body has a nozzle bore defined by an outlet bore inner diameter at the outlet end and an inlet bore inner diameter at the inlet end. The inlet bore inner diameter is greater than the outlet bore inner diameter, and the nozzle body has a nozzle face defined at the outlet end. The nozzle face is defined between the outlet bore inner diameter and an outlet bore outer diameter spaced radially outwardly of the outlet bore inner diameter. A ratio of the outlet bore inner bore diameter to the outlet bore outer diameter at the nozzle face is between 0.95 and 0.98.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Rickis, Francis P. Marocchini
  • Patent number: 9855572
    Abstract: A mixing and dispensing device comprising an outer casing including a body portion, a handle portion, and a nozzle portion with a nozzle. A mixing manifold disposed in the body portion including a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the nozzle. Canisters within the body portion each including a valve connected to the mixing manifold movable between preventing and providing fluid communication between the canister and the mixing chamber. A trigger disposed within the handle portion and configured to move from a trigger passive to dispensing position causing the valves of each canister to move from a valve passive position to the valve dispensing position. A pull safety including a central cover and a tail tip removably disposed on the outer casing such that the central cover occludes the nozzle and the tail tip prevents movement of the trigger from the trigger passive position to the trigger dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Decon7 Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Bluhm, Meggie L. Oudheusden, Mark R. Clark, Joseph R. Drake, Thomas William Murray, Jonathan D. Albert
  • Patent number: 9856072
    Abstract: A mixing and dispensing device comprising an outer casing including a body portion, a handle portion, and a nozzle portion with a nozzle. A mixing manifold disposed in the body portion including a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the nozzle. Canisters within the body portion each including a valve connected to the mixing manifold movable between preventing and providing fluid communication between the canister and the mixing chamber. A trigger disposed within the handle portion and configured to move from a trigger passive to dispensing position causing the valves of each canister to move from a valve passive position to the valve dispensing position. A pull safety including a central cover and a tail tip removably disposed on the outer casing such that the central cover occludes the nozzle and the tail tip prevents movement of the trigger from the trigger passive position to the trigger dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Decon7 Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Clark, Meggie L. Oudheusden, Matthew A. Bluhm, Joseph R. Drake, Thomas William Murray, Jonathan D. Albert
  • Patent number: 9849320
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly that includes a sprinkler frame, preferably formed from a plastic material. The sprinkler frame has a proximal portion, a distal portion, an external surface and an internal surface. The internal surface defines an internal passageway extending from an inlet formed in the proximal portion to an outlet formed in the distal portion to define a longitudinal sprinkler axis of the sprinkler assembly. A support member is preferably formed about the distal portion of the frame for supporting a deflector assembly with a pair of projection members. A deflector assembly including a deflector member and a receiving structure is engaged with the projection members to locate the deflector member at a fixed distance from the outlet of the sprinkler frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: Yoram Ringer
  • Patent number: 9849319
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly that includes a sprinkler frame, preferably formed from a plastic material and a deflector assembly that translates with respect to the sprinkler frame upon actuation of the sprinkler from an unactuated state. Moreover, the deflector assembly includes a first portion which axially translates relative to the sprinkler outlet in the actuated state of the sprinkler assembly and a second portion that remains fixed with respect to the sprinkler outlet to support a thermally responsive trigger and seal assembly in an unactuated state of the sprinkler assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: Yoram Ringer