Patents Examined by Craig J. Price
  • Patent number: 11168678
    Abstract: An inflation pump including a body having a cylinder and a head integrally formed with the cylinder. The cylinder includes a pressurizing space. The head includes a through-hole extending along a longitudinal axis. An intercommunication passage is disposed between and intercommunicates with the through-hole and the pressurizing space. A pressurizing unit is slidably received in the pressurizing space and is reciprocally slidable relative to the body. A nozzle unit includes a pressing device disposed in the through-hole. The pressing device includes a push seat having a check ring. The check ring includes an inner side abutting against the push seat and an outer side abutting against a portion of an inner periphery of the through-hole. The portion of the inner periphery of the through-hole is located between the intercommunication passage and the coupling end. The check ring permits air to flow only from the intercommunication passage towards the coupling end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Scott Wu
  • Patent number: 11162629
    Abstract: A quick coupling assembly includes a first coupling element (10) and a second coupling element (50) that is inserted into the first coupling element. The first coupling element has a coupling body (12) and a valve (20), which define a volume displacement passage. When the second coupling element (50) is inserted, the second coupling element mechanically acts on the valve (20) to expel contaminants from the quick coupling assembly via the volume displacement passage. The valve includes a poppet (22) and a biasing spring (24), and the volume displacement passage includes a leak path (66) defined between the coupling body and the poppet. The poppet has an inward contour (68) that is spaced apart from the coupling body to define the leak path. The poppet has a widened portion (70) that provides a sealing surface when the assembly is fully coupled. The second coupling element (50) mechanically acts on the poppet (22) during insertion to expel the contaminants via the volume displacement passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard Nick, Timothy Marquis, Paul Lemay, Jason Koller
  • Patent number: 11156304
    Abstract: A check valve provided in a bore of a modulator block having inlet and outlet passages comprises a valve housing having an upper portion and a seat portion formed with a lower portion of the valve housing and having inlet and outlet ports communicating with the inlet and outlet passages, respectively; a cap sealing the upper portion of the valve housing and secured to the modulator block; a plunger movable up and down in the valve housing to open and close an internal flow passage between the inlet and outlet ports; an elastic member provided between the cap and the plunger and elastically pressing the plunger against the seat portion; a sealing member installed on the plunger; and an anti-jamming member provided between the sealing member and a contact surface to prevent the sealing member from being caught in the contact surface between the plunger and the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiwon Kang
  • Patent number: 11143310
    Abstract: Novel air valve includes a valve stem assembly and a storage space provided on one side of the valve stem assembly and used for storing an inflating component; the valve stem assembly includes a valve base and a valve core capable of elastically retactable relative to the valve base; the valve base is provided with an opening, and the bottom of the opening having a core cavity enabling the valve core to expand and contract elastically therein; and vents are disposed in a circumferential direction of the core cavity; the valve core is provided with a sealing block for sealing the opening; and a pressure spring is disposed between the sealing block and the bottom of the core cavity for pressing the sealing block to block the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ZHONG SHAN SMART PLASTIC MANUFACTURING LTD.
    Inventor: Shouguo Long
  • Patent number: 11143287
    Abstract: A hydraulic control valve for controlling hydraulic circuits comprises a valve housing defining a valve bore, a first spool valve slidably positioned within the valve bore and adapted to control a first hydraulic circuit, and a second spool valve slidably positioned within the valve bore and adapted to control a second hydraulic circuit. The first spool valve and the second spool valve are positioned co-axially within the valve bore and are independently slidable within the valve bore to allow the first and second spool valves to control the first and second hydraulic valves independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Dale A. Frank
  • Patent number: 11144076
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for fluid flow control. A container is shaped to receive a liquid, and includes an outlet configured to allow the liquid to exit the container. A valve is configured to control a fluid flow based on a liquid level in the container. An output line coupled to the valve is configured to convey the fluid flow from the valve to a location outside the container. The location outside the container does not receive the liquid directly from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Justin C. Sitz
  • Patent number: 11136750
    Abstract: A handle assembly for an in-wall plumbing fixture includes a control valve having a rough plumbing attachment interface that is configured to connect to a rough valve. The control valve includes a control stem having a first number of teeth. The assembly includes a lever handle, with a second number of teeth that is different than the first number of teeth, and which is configured for attachment to the control valve. An adapter couples the control stem to the lever handle. The adapter has a set of adapter internal teeth corresponding in number to the first number of teeth and a set of adapter external teeth corresponding in number to the second number of teeth. The adapter can be included in an adjustment kit to align the handle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Brasstech, Inc.
    Inventor: Vinh Trong Vu
  • Patent number: 11137085
    Abstract: Described are valve stems for wheels or other pressure vessels that may be installed from the exterior of a wheel or pressure vessel without access to the interior, pressure retaining areas. The valve stem may include a body with a barrel and taper. A neck may be between the body and a base that includes a flange, a flange landing, and an air aperture. An air channel runs vertically through the valve stem to allow air to pass from one side of the valve stem to another with a valve core or other flow control device. The base of the valve stem may include a groove that allows the valve stem to be installed into a hole by twisting such that the groove may ride along the rim of the hole and guide the valve stem into a fully seated and sealed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Raymond H. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11125351
    Abstract: A pilot-operated hydraulic directional cartridge valve includes an installation sleeve and a control slide. The installation sleeve includes a bore, a first portion towards its front end face, a third portion towards its rear end face, and a second portion between the first and third portions. The first portion has a first external sealing diameter and the third portion has a second external sealing diameter greater than the first external sealing diameter. The second portion includes radial openings and possesses an external diameter greater than first external sealing diameter and smaller than the second external sealing diameter in the region of the radial openings. The control slide is guided in the axial direction on a guide diameter of the installation sleeve, behind the radial openings. The ratio between the first external sealing diameter and the guide diameter is in the range between 1.10 and 1.22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Reith, Bernd Urlaub, Binh Nguyen-Xuan, Johannes Wolf
  • Patent number: 11118688
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluid supply system for a machine. The fluid supply system includes a throttle assembly having a first shaft attached to a valve member and a fluid shutoff assembly. The fluid shutoff assembly includes a second shaft, a locking member having an axis parallel to an axis of the second shaft and comprising a locking arm extending toward the second shaft, a biasing member fixedly attached to the second shaft, a releasing mechanism adjacent to the locking member that rotates the locking member about the longitudinal axis of the locking member, and a coupler comprising a first coupling hub attached to the first shaft and a second coupling hub attached to the second shaft and interfaced with the first coupling hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Lawrence, Brandyn Stack, Evan Ramey, Anthony Kramer
  • Patent number: 11111127
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and apparatus for refilling a reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with liquid from a dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Fontem Holdings 1 B.V.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott, Stephen J. McDonald, Thomas S. Sudlow, David Jones, Christopher Lord
  • Patent number: 11112016
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided, the valve assembly comprising a body that defines a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet with a frangible member between the inlet and the outlet across the fluid flow path so as to block fluid flow The valve assembly also includes a member for rupturing the frangible member, a spring biasing the rupturing member into contact with the frangible member and a member for retaining the rupturing member away from the frangible member. A magnet is spaced apart from the retaining member, and a non-magnetic sleeve is disposed between the magnet and the retaining member. The non-magnetic sleeve blocks a magnetic field provided by the magnet. Also included is a trigger for removing the non-magnetic sleeve, wherein, when the non-magnetic sleeve is removed, in use, the magnetic field attracts the retaining member to release the rupturing member to cause rupture of the frangible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ɓukasz Wiktorko, Pawel Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 11105438
    Abstract: A valve for a flush-mounted body of a sanitary fitting, at least having a valve housing with a longitudinal axis, a rotatable flow control element for adjusting a flow volume of a liquid flowing through the valve, and a valve knob for opening and closing the valve. The valve knob can be adjusted via the flow control element, rotationally and parallel to the longitudinal axis, by a control knob for the valve, and the control knob is fastened to the valve knob by a rotary coupling so that the control knob can be non-rotatably fastened relative to the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Grohe AG
    Inventor: Yukiko Toyoda
  • Patent number: 11097611
    Abstract: A vent control valve includes: a first case shaped in a tube that forms a passage for ventilation; a movable valve object arranged in the first case to open and close the passage; an inner case arranged in the first case to support the movable valve object; a second case disposed at a lower end of the first case; a first connection mechanism defined between the first case and the inner case, the first connection mechanism connecting the first case and the inner case with each other; and a second connection mechanism defined between the first case and the second case, the second connection mechanism connecting the first case and the second case with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Mukasa, Nobuharu Muto
  • Patent number: 11079030
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a three-function check valve that in one embodiment is attached to a vacuum bladder full of media (foam beads). This three-function check valve is comprised of a selection piece, silicone membrane, and a mounting base all in one sub-assembly. Furthermore, this valve has three positions with three distinct functions. These functions are to create an airtight seal, allow for free flow in and out of the bladder, and restrict flow of air based on a differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Mary Pilotte, Regina Pilotte, Geza Lanczy
  • Patent number: 11079052
    Abstract: A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body. The coupling system includes a male coupling device, the male coupling device including a second main body with a second front face, the second front face defining a second opening leading into a second fluid passageway; a valve member and a second spring positioned within the second fluid passageway; and a major seal that seals between the second main body and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: David J. Vranish
  • Patent number: 11073224
    Abstract: A valve assembly may be used with a container for holding a fluid including a liquid and a gas. The valve assembly may have a chamber, inlet, and outlet. The chamber may provide an exhaust route for fluid from the container to the outlet. A check valve including a sealing member with a through hole may move between an open and closed position. In the open position, check valve may provide a main flow route for fluid leaving the internal chamber. The through hole may provide a limited return flow route for gas returning to the internal chamber when the check valve is closed. The valve assembly may include a breather check valve movable between a closed and open position in which it provides fluid communication between the exhaust route and externally of the housing. A filter may communicate with the breather check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: John James Fulford
  • Patent number: 11072236
    Abstract: A fuel supply device includes an inlet pipe, a first end of the inlet pipe configured to be connected to an oil supply port and a second end of the inlet pipe configured to be connected to a fuel tank and an air flow path, an upstream side end of the air flow path configured to be open to the outside and a downstream side end of the air flow path configured to be connected to the fuel tank. The air flow path includes a negative pressure valve configured to move a valve body to open a valve port when the pressure in the fuel tank becomes a negative pressure and an air filter disposed upstream of the negative pressure valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Sakai, Shinji Shimokawa, Toshikazu Ito, Kazuhiro Tashiro
  • Patent number: 11067188
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pressure control valve including an electromagnetic actuator configured to position a piston that is received axially movable in a receiving opening of a valve housing of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston facilitates opening and closing flow connections of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston receives a pin at a piston face that is oriented away from the electromagnetic actuator, wherein a relative movement is enabled between the pin and the piston, wherein the pin includes a pin face that is arranged in the valve housing and oriented away from the piston and arranged opposite to a stop, and wherein the pin is fixed at the stop so that a movement of the pin in a direction towards the stop is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Braun, Viktor Unruh, Eike Winzer
  • Patent number: 11067210
    Abstract: A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: David J. Vranish