Patents Examined by David E. Bochna
  • Patent number: 9556982
    Abstract: A device includes a sealing ring that clamps around facing ends of two tubes, and that has first and second free ends, each of which is provided with a sealing arrangement suitable for coming into leaktight contact. First and second tightening lugs are fastened to the sealing ring in the vicinities of the first and the second free ends. The device has a bridge covering the sealing arrangements, the bridge being mounted to be stationary relative to the first free end of the ring and suitable for sliding relative to the second free end of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ETABLISSEMENTS CAILLAU
    Inventors: Fabrice Prevot, Nicolas Rigollet, Cyriaque Fouqueray
  • Patent number: 9556986
    Abstract: A dielectric fitting (10, 10?, 110) assembly includes a hose (14, 114) connected between two end fittings (12, 121, 112), and a structural reinforcement portion having at least an inner layer (26, 26?,126) formed of a first composite material having a high strength and a second composite material having a high electrical resistance. The first and second composite materials cover the assembly and provide a smooth transition of radial stiffness as the inner layer transitions from a high strength portion to a high electrically resistant portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Heinrich Mueller, Mark James Fahey
  • Patent number: 9556985
    Abstract: A coupling for coupling pipe segments (2,4). The coupling includes a first housing component (12), a second housing component (14), and a fastener coupling the first and second components together. The fastener (22) has an aligned configuration defining an axis of alignment such that first and second housing components are in a closed configuration to define a central axis of the coupling. The fastener has a skewed configuration to define a pivot axis of the fastener such that the first and second housing components are in an open configuration. The pivot axis is substantially parallel to the central axis and substantially perpendicular to the axis of alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: Michael W. Horgan
  • Patent number: 9543695
    Abstract: Connector (100) with locking components (107) about a peripheral section of the connector. The locking components extend in an axial direction engage with the connector (100) at a first end and engage with a connecting part (201) at an opposite locking end with a locking profile (109). A radial locking movement of the locking end is provided by an axial movement of an actuation sleeve (113). The locking components (107) are arranged to pivot in a substantially radial direction, about their section of engagement with the connector (100), into and out of a locking position. The connector (100) comprises guiding plates (111) between the locking components (107) in the area of their locking ends. The guiding plates exhibit protective faces (111a) that extend further radially inwards than the locking profile (109) of the locking components (107) when the latter are in the outwardly pivoted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventors: Knut Møgedal, Steingrim Thommesen
  • Patent number: 9541225
    Abstract: A bushing including a first annular internal rib adapted and configured to engage a corrugation valley of corrugated tubing and a second annular internal rib adapted and configured to press against a conductive layer surrounding the corrugated tubing is provided. The second annular internal protrusion has a rounded, substantially non-piercing profile. Also provided is a sealing device for connecting a length of tubing. The sealing device includes a body member defining a sleeve portion and the bushing as described herein adapted and configured to be received in the sleeve portion. Also provided is a length of tubing including: an inner tubing layer and the fitting as described herein engaged with the inner tubing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Titeflex Corporation
    Inventor: Jordan Strunk
  • Patent number: 9539449
    Abstract: A fire hose coupling comprises a body having a first end connected to a fire hose and a second end having threads. The fire hose coupling comprises a recessed portion formed in an outer surface of the body. The recessed portion is shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator such as an arrow. The recessed portion may include a light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility such as a super reflective metal film, a photo luminescent coating, or a phosfluorescent coating. The recessed directional indicator may be formed in either female or male couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Mercedes Textiles Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Richardson
  • Patent number: 9534718
    Abstract: A joint restraint is provided for a curved pipe joint having a curved pipe section joining two adjacent pipe sections. The pipes are joined using tubular sleeves held by hose clamps to form fluid tight seals, with two clamps on each end of the curved pipe sections and two clamps on each proximal end of the adjacent pipe sections. An inner strap extends between and fastens to one of the clamps on each adjacent pipe section forming a chord of an arc. An outer strap extends along an outer periphery of the joined pipes and fastens to the other clamps on each adjacent pipe section. The straps are in a plane through a center of the flow path of the joined pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil E. O'Neil, James F. LeStage
  • Patent number: 9534723
    Abstract: A brazing method connects an assembly made up of a pipe, a component provided with an opening, and a compensation element. The compensation element includes a support section and an insertion section that is arranged between an end of the pipe and the opening of the component. An inside diameter of the compensation element is smaller than a diameter of the opening in the component. The insertion section is inserted into the end of the pipe, and the support section is located between the pipe and the component and rests on the component at the edge of the opening. The compensation element, the pipe, and the component are heated, preferably inductively, in a region of the compensation element to a temperature above the melting temperature of brazing material that is present in the region of the brazing points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, Germany GMBH
    Inventor: Alfred Steck
  • Patent number: 9534721
    Abstract: A high pressure fluid conduit connector includes male and female connector components that releasably snap into engagement with each other to fluidically connect two fluid conduits. The male connector component includes opposing latch arms that extend along a majority of the length of the female connector component when these connector components are engaged with each other. As a result, the engagement of latch catches on the latch arms and latching shoulders on the female connector component occurs near a rear proximal end of the female connector component. This enables a maximum amount of deflection of the latch arms for a given force applied by the user to pivot the latch arms, and the manufacturing of the male and female connector components may be reliably performed by conventional molding processes. Therefore, the fluid conduit connector provides reliable and advantageous operation, especially in high pressure fluid contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Francis J. Lombardi, III
  • Patent number: 9534714
    Abstract: A fitting includes a hollow body, a sealing member, and a draw mechanism. The fitting mechanism includes a primary actuation element coupled with the body at a first end, and a plurality of secondary actuation elements coupled to the sealing member. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are positioned in an interior of the hollow body and circumferentially spaced from each other. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are also engaged with the primary actuation element such that actuation of the primary actuation element draws the plurality of secondary actuation elements axially towards the opening at the first end of the hollow body thereby translating the sealing member from an open position to a sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Eaton, Lee Getzewich, David R. Albin
  • Patent number: 9528643
    Abstract: A connector is provided for connecting a pneumatic hose having an end to a structural member of an agricultural implement. A tubular grommet extends through a port in the structural member. A flange extends radially from the outer surface from the tubular grommet and is engageable with a first side of the structural member. A locking barb also extends from the outer surface from the tubular grommet adjacent a second end thereof. The locking barb is engageable with a second side of the structural member with the second end of the tubular grommet received within the interior of structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Anderson, Chance Peutert, Chad Johnson, Scott Long, Rick Justice, Travis Harnetiaux, Johnathon Dienst, Patrick Dinnon, Ryan Raetzman, Michael Connors
  • Patent number: 9528645
    Abstract: A device for receiving or providing a fluid and a method of selectively coupling a tube (22) to the device with the tube receiving or providing the fluid. The device includes a housing (24) and a female port (26) extending from the housing. The female port has an engagement surface (28) and defines an interior chamber (30) with a retainer (62) disposed in the interior chamber. The retainer has a base (64), a finger (66) extending from the base to selectively engage the engagement surface, and a barb (88) proximate to the finger for selectively engaging the tube. A seal (52) is disposed in the interior chamber of the female port adjacent the retainer. The retainer (90) has a stud extending from the base beyond the barb to engage the seal for biasing the retainer away from the housing to facilitate movement of the finger against the engagement surface and engagement of the tube with the barb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventors: Frank Dankbaar, Anders Gronhage
  • Patent number: 9512944
    Abstract: A flange clamp with an automatic fail safe preferably includes a first clamp half, a second clamp half, a lock lever, a hook member and a quick release pull pin. One end of the first clamp half is pivotally attached to one end of the second clamp half. A hook opening is formed on an opposing end of the first clamp half. The lock lever is pivotally retained on an opposing end of the second clamp half. The hook member includes a hook rod and a pivot block. The hook rod is threadably retained in the pivot block. The pivot block is pivotally retained by the lock lever. A mounting plate is attached to an outer surface of the second clamp half. The quick release pull pin is slidably retained in the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventors: Mirko Buzdum, Jonathan Peter Wade
  • Patent number: 9512772
    Abstract: A flexible conduit assembly for transmitting exhaust from a combustion engine to an atmosphere includes first and second conduits and a coupler for coupling the first and second conduits. The coupler includes a bellows, a flexible intermediate element surrounding the bellows, first and second flanges disposed over the intermediate element, and an outer insulating element surrounding the intermediate element and supported by the flanges. The coupler further includes first and second extensions coupled to the intermediate element and projecting outwardly from the intermediate element. The first extension spaces the first flange from the intermediate element to define a first air gap, and the second extension spaces the second flange from the intermediate element to define a second air gap. The first and second flanges dispose a portion of the outer element above the intermediate element to define a third air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: KATCON USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lucky, José De Nigris
  • Patent number: 9512949
    Abstract: Connector part comprising a body part for connecting to a counterpart for creating a fluid tight seal when fitted together. The connector part also comprises a seal element made of resilient material and a space which is capable to receive the seal element made of resilient material when the fluid tight seal is made. The connector part can be used for forming a fluid tight connection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CAREFUSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jani Kauppi, Heikki Haveri
  • Patent number: 9512683
    Abstract: An assembly for disconnecting portions of a downhole tubular string, such as a drill stem or drill string, and removing an upper portion of the tubular string from the lower stuck portion in a well, includes a connection between joints of two portions of the tubular string. The assembly includes two tubular members and an inner sleeve having two splines each with different angular pitches or teeth counts. The assembly may include a rotary shouldered threaded connection, wherein the two tubular portions are disconnectable at the rotary shouldered threaded connection in the assembly. The assembly may include a sleeve lock, a selective no-go for landing in a profile, and a selectively deployable unlocking and unblocking tool for activating the assembly. The assembly may include connectable cylindrical members other than downhole tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventors: Neil H. Akkerman, John A. Barton
  • Patent number: 9506310
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flow block for use as a T-Block, tree block, manifold block or valve block, the method including: machining a main bore in a body; forming an opening in the body in a side wall of the main bore; providing an insert including a first bore intersecting with a second bore and being in fluid communication with each other; forming a substantially curved surface on at least part of the intersection between the first bore and the second bore; and inserting the insert into the opening, such that the first bore is substantially aligned with the main bore in order to provide a fluid flow path between the main bore and the second bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Andrew Bean
  • Patent number: 9506587
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a pipe, such as a fuel pipe, to another fuel pipe or pipe terminal, having a first connector element including a first female sub-element and a concentric second female sub-element, a first seal seat positioned within the first female sub-element, a second seal seat positioned in the concentric second female sub-element, a first seal retained within the first seal seat, a second seal retained the second seal seat, and a second connector element providing a connection for a pipe at one end and connection to the first connector element at a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: David Petit
  • Patent number: 9504864
    Abstract: A containment apparatus includes a clamp having an axially extending passage and a containment assembly having an engagement element and a flexible elongated hose connected to the engagement element. A method of removing a fire sprinkler head from a pipe entails installing the clamp onto the pipe such that an end of said pipe and the sprinkler head extend from the clamp, and attaching the engagement element to the clamp so that the sprinkler head and the pipe end reside in the interior of the hose. The method further entails grasping the sprinkler head through the hose without breaching the sidewall of the hose, detaching the sprinkler head from the pipe, and releasing the sprinkler head to allow the sprinkler head and any residual water in the pipe to fall into and be contained by a lower portion of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Donald H. Cole, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9493314
    Abstract: A wear resistant pipe fitting includes an inlet end in fluid communication, in use, with a first linear pipe segment, and an outlet end in fluid communication, in use, with a second linear pipe segment. The pipe fitting includes a first eccentric reducer arranged to receive a slurry or pipeline fluid from the first linear pipe section and deliver the slurry or pipeline fluid to a second eccentric reducer; the second eccentric reducer arranged to receive the slurry or fluid from the first eccentric reducer and deliver the slurry or pipeline fluid to the second linear pipe section; and, a flow interrupter device is positioned within the first eccentric reducer for disrupting the flow of the slurry or pipeline fluid before the slurry or fluid enters the second eccentric reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Doig