Patents Examined by Dave W. Arola
  • Patent number: 5988699
    Abstract: A tank fitting assembly for an inlet/outlet port in a tank wall. The tank fitting assembly includes first and second fitting elements which are respectively mountable to an interior surface and an exterior surface of a tank and in registry with a drain opening in the tank wall. Stand-offs furnished on the underside of the body of the first fitting element create a gap between the underside of the element body and the tank wall. The gap serves as a fluid passageway, thereby allowing fluid to empty from the tank by passing along the bottom wall of the tank to the tank wall drain opening and then through a drain hole in the second fitting element. The connectors used to connect together the first and second fitting elements extend through bores provided in the first fitting element, through the tank wall, and through bores provided in the second fitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Banjo Corporation
    Inventor: Erik T. Quandt
  • Patent number: 5988692
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved metal to plastic pipe transition fitting. The transition fitting basically comprises a metal sleeve having a pair of metal pipe sections attached thereto and an annular groove within the interior thereof. A plastic pipe is disposed within the metal sleeve which extends through one of the metal pipe sections. The end of the plastic pipe within the metal sleeve includes a plurality of spaced plastic retention rings and a snap ring attached thereto and the snap ring is engaged within the annular groove in the metal sleeve. At least one O-ring is disposed between the retention rings on the plastic pipe and a metal stiffening insert is disposed within the end portion of the plastic pipe within the metal sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Central Plastics Company
    Inventor: Richard E. Springer
  • Patent number: 5988704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hose coupling device, which comprises a male part connectable to a female part. The female part consists of a sleeve, which is provided with a number of resilient tongues extending in equally spaced relationship along the inner wall of the sleeve and protruding inwards form the inner wall and directed away from the mouth of the sleeve. The male part consists of a tube portion with transverse edges in its outer wall. At the insertion of the male part into the female part the resilient tongues are arranged to resiliently snap into place behind the transverse edges of the male part and hence connect the female part to the male part. The parts can be separated by turning them relative to one another to a position where the resilient tongues assume a position laterally of the transverse edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: ABA of Sweden AB
    Inventor: Morgan Ryhman
  • Patent number: 5988695
    Abstract: A pipe sealing gasket is shown which is designed to be received within a groove provided within a socket end of a thermoplastic pipe. The gasket has a ring shaped body of an elastomeric material and includes a metal reinforcing ring. The elastomeric body includes a first portion of relatively low durometer rubber and a second portion of a relatively high durometer rubber. The regions of relative hardness and the placement of the reinforcing ring assist in retention of the gasket during the pipe belling process and in field installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: S&B Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradford G. Corbett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5984371
    Abstract: In the device, the male connection members (3) are carried by a plate (11) provided with a pair of identical downwardly-extending side prongs, each of the prongs being provided with a recess (101) having a forwardly-facing shaped edge, whereas the female members (4) are carried by an upwardly open housing (2) in which a locking shaft (5) is mounted to rotate and guided in rotation, the shaft being provided with two cam-forming portions (50), each of which is suitable for co-operating with the recessed shaped edge of a respective prong (10). Hydraulic connection, e.g. between a machine and a hydraulic source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Souete d'etude et d'Innovation Dans le Materiel Agricole
    Inventor: Loic Mailleux
  • Patent number: 5984372
    Abstract: A vibration decoupling connector apparatus, for decoupling vibrations, for example, along the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. The flexible connector apparatus is provided for connecting first and second components in the exhaust system, and includes a bellows for accommodating relative movement between the first and second components. The flexible connector apparatus includes an annular vibration damping member connecting a down pipe to a mounting member for permitting restricted axial, lateral and angular movement of the down pipe, relative to the mounting member, which may be affixed to an exhaust manifold, for example. The apparatus also includes a sealing construction which enables weldless, gasketless connection of the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Senior Engineering Investments AG
    Inventors: Scott C. Cwik, Robert C. Clarke
  • Patent number: 5984378
    Abstract: A quick connector releasibly connects first and second conduits fixedly mounted in first and second, interconnectable connector bodies. The first body has an axially extending tubular first end, a frusto-conical portion, a reduced diameter shaft and an enlarged second end. A pair of angularly inwardly extending latch arms project from the second body to releasibly engage a peripheral edge on the frusto-conical portion of the first body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Ostrander, Richard Pender, Gary O. Klinger
  • Patent number: 5984373
    Abstract: A luer-type connector comprising a male-component formed with a locking nozzle having a co-axially extending lumen, and a locking collar rotatable over the nozzle and having a rear end, and formed with an internal thread for screw coupling with a radially extending annular lug of a mating female-component of the luer-type connector. The nozzle is formed with ridge having a rear, radially extending abutting wall surface terminating at an acute edge. The locking collar is formed with a ridge-engaging portion consisting of a first wall surface rearwardly tapering, and a second wall surface radially extending and adapted for engagement with the abutting wall surface of the ridge, whereby the first wall surface is adapted for frictional displacement along the acute edge and the second wall surface prevents further forward axial displacement of the locking collar with respect to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Elcam Plastic Kibbutz Bar-Am
    Inventors: Gilles Fitoussi, Elisha Amir
  • Patent number: 5984375
    Abstract: A hose coupling assembly utilizes first and second hose collar halves interacting with a barbed connector for mounting to a PVC spiral hose with screws. The collar halves are identical and may be molded from flexible plastic material for ease of attachment to the spiral hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Leo Merrett
  • Patent number: 5984376
    Abstract: A compact, lightweight closed coupling male spring lock fitting for direct connection to an air-conditioning hose having an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and an annular cage, the inner sleeve having stepped portion that receives an inner surface of the annular cage. The annular cage surrounds the outer diameter of the inner sleeve and is spaced a distance from one end of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve abuts an outer surface of the annular cage and prevents axial movement of the annular cage. The outer sleeve is retained in a retaining groove on the outer diameter of the inner sleeve, adjacent the stepped portion. The closed coupling of the outer sleeve and annular cage significantly reduces the overall length and weight of the fitting in comparison to prior art fittings and the inner sleeve may be machined opposed to conventional tube roll-forming processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Automotive Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur F. Lampe
  • Patent number: 5984374
    Abstract: A pipe bend for integration in a pipeline for conveying concrete has coupling flanges at the ends thereof which radially project beyond the outer surface of the pipe bend. The internal flow cross-section of the pipe bend is dimensioned essentially equal in any length portion of the pipe bend between the coupling flanges. The wall thickness of the radially outer bend portion facing away from the center of curvature increases in the conveying direction, wherein the internal flow cross-section has a ramp-like step in the radially outer bend portion at a distance from the end face of the pipe bend at the exit side corresponding approximately to twice the actual width of the coupling flange on the exit side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Esser-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Esser
  • Patent number: 5979946
    Abstract: An oil-pipe for an auto-engine has a quick-connect coupling. The pipe has a cold-pressed end-shape, which includes a radial flange. A clip abuts the flange, and secures the coupling. The larger the area of the flange, the more secure the clip, and a recess formed into the wall of the pipe immediately behind the flange adds area to the flange without requiring that the flange have a large external diameter. The recess can be rolled in, or can be formed by cold-pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Bend All Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Horst Udo Petersen, Alfred D. Napolitano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5979944
    Abstract: Lower members each have a bolt bore comprising a large-diameter portion larger than the head of a bolt in diameter, and a small diameter portion extending downward from the large-diameter portion with a stepped portion formed therebetween and having a diameter intermediate between the diameter of the bolt head and the diameter of the shank of the bolt. The small-diameter portion of the bolt bore has fitted therein a hollow cylindrical spacer with an inside diameter larger than the diameter of the bolt shank. The spacer has a lower end supported by a support member and an upper end positioned in the large-diameter portion. A hollow cylindrical elastic member is interposed between the bolt head and the stepped portion for biasing the lower member toward the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Kosuke Yokoyama, Tsutomu Shonohara, Shigeru Itoi, Michio Yamaji, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5979943
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a completion riser joint (1) shearing by the shear ram of the blow-out preventer (BOP) (2), to be coupled, at its lower part, to the column hoist running tool and, at its upper part, to the completion riser column, the referred shearing completion riser joint (1) comprising upperly a riser bolt (3), connected at its lower portion to an access pipe (4) to the production column, shearing by the shear ram of the BOP (2), enveloped by hydraulic lines (5, 6) that allow the actuating of the column hoist running tool and the access to the annular, the referred pipe (4) being connected lowerly to a re-entry mandrel (8), which function is to allow the locking of the recovery tool (12) and, through it, allow the hydraulic continuity for actuating the unlocking function of the piping hoist and, following, its release, and lowerly to a riser box (9) on top of the piping hoist running tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventors: Jose Roberto Ferreira Moreira, Orlando Jose Soares Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 5975587
    Abstract: A repair fitting is provided for sealably connecting ends of a pipeline, when a damaged section of the pipeline has been removed. In a preferred embodiment, the pipeline ends are connected using the repair fitting with two stab fittings. The repair fitting includes a first and second piston and a first and second cylinder, wherein the first piston is slidable in the first cylinder and the second piston is slidable in the second cylinder. In an alternate embodiment, two fusion joints are used with the repair fitting to sealably connect the ends of the pipeline. A method is provided for making a repair fitting and a method is also provided for repairing a damaged section of a pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Continental Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy F. Wood, David E. Bentley, Donald W. Wartluft
  • Patent number: 5975588
    Abstract: The turnable connections for pipes and hoses mainly consist of connection nipples which can be linked to the end of these connections and which are partly amable as well as equipped with at least one sealing ring and a connection nipple with a union nut, with the amable tap-type connection nipple showing two ball-shaped bulged sections with different radii but the same center as well as a union not corresponding with the ball-shaped section and the overall sleeve-type connection nipple having a thread on the outer surface, which as well has a corresponding ball-shaped section with the same center M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Jorg Hesseln, Frank Hesseln
  • Patent number: 5975585
    Abstract: A device in a pipe coupling between a pipe end portion and a wall surrounding the pipe end coupling which is constituted by a socket, consists of a stop face device which is fixable in axial directions in relation to the surrounding wall and engages an end surface of the pipe end portion so as to define the final, fully seated position of the pipe end portion in relation to a surrounding wall of the socket when the pipe end portion is introduced therein. The stop face device becomes inactivatable subsequently to defining the position of the pipe end portion in the surrounding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Forsheda AB
    Inventors: Claude de la Llave, Anders Strom
  • Patent number: 5975591
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tube coupling body (13) of circular external cross-section having an internal throughway open at one end to receive a tube with a collet form tube locking device in the open end of the throughway to lock a tube in the coupling body. The coupling body has on its outer side an encircling groove spaced from said one end of the body and a grab ring mounted in the groove of V-shaped cross-section facing the axial direction of the ring towards said one end of the coupling body. One limb of the V-shaped grab ring is lodged in the groove and the other limb projects from the groove at its free end for gripping engagement in a bore in which the coupling body is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: John Derek Guest
  • Patent number: 5971439
    Abstract: A flexible coupler apparatus for decoupling vibrations, for example, along the components of an internal combustion engine exhaust system. First and second adapter members are connected together to accommodate axial and flexural relative movement between two components of an exhaust system. One or more resilient spacer members associated with the adapter members substantially preclude transmission of vibrations from one adapter member to another. Means for imparting an axial bias are provided for giving progressive resilient resistance to compression and/or extension of the coupler apparatus from a preloaded, neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Senior Engineering Investments AG
    Inventor: Scott Cwik
  • Patent number: 5971438
    Abstract: A sewage removal system 10 is provided for quickly, securely and sanitarily connecting the onboard holding tank H of a typical recreational vehicle or travel trailer to an in-ground stationary waste disposal site S. The system 10 includes two hoses 20, 21 which may be coupled via a union 50 to provide hoses 20, 21 of greater combined length to reach the site S when located too far for a single hose 20, 21. The hoses 20, 21 include quick connect couplings 30 secured to each end 22. Locking hooks 40 extend from the annular rims 39 of the couplings 30 to provide a means for securely engaging protrusions 56, 66 to create a sealed joint. The system 10 includes two elbow adapters 60 to allow simple connection to an inlet tube T of the stationary waste disposal site S. The first elbow adapter 60 includes a male threaded connector 70 for coupling with a female threaded fitting F of the inlet tube T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Albert P. Johnson