Patents Examined by Eric K. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6375226
    Abstract: A pipe connector (1) for a multi-layer composite pipe, the pipe comprising at least one reinforcing layer (13, 14), or layer of high axial strength, at least one inner thermoplastic layer (9, 10) and at least one outer protective layer (15, 16), the connector comprising: (i) a hollow, tubular enclosure (2) adapted to receive the pipe; (ii) fusion means adapted to make a fusion connection with the inner thermoplastic layer of the pipe; (iii) mechanical gripping means (7) adapted to grip the reinforcing layer, or layer of high axial strength of the pipe; and (iv) optionally sealing means (6) adapted to form an environmental seal with the outer protective layer of the pipe, the electrofusion means (8), mechanical gripping means and optional sealing means being disposed within the enclosure and the enclosure being adapted, in use, to apply a constraining force to the mechanical gripping means and the sealing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
    Inventors: Alan John Dickinson, Jyri Jaakko Jarvenkyla
  • Patent number: 6375228
    Abstract: A concrete flow line made up of a plurality of end to end pipe sections with pipes connected to each other by a coupling assembly provides for carrying abrasive fluid concrete to a deposit site. The coupling assembly includes an insulating thin sleeve slid over the connecting end of the pipe and spaced from the pipe to form a heat insulating air space therebetween. The thin sleeve is welded to the pipe prior to the hardening of the pipe. After the sleeve is welded in place the inner wall of the pipe is hardened using an induction coil for concentrating of the heat within the inner wall portion in combination with a quenching unit to affect the desired hardening while maintaining an outer ductile wall portion to which the sleeve has been actually welded. A clamping collar or coupler is welded to the sleeve after hardening and forms a connecting end for receiving of a clamp unit which interconnects the adjacent pipe and pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Construction Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Klemm, Gary D. Lehnhardt
  • Patent number: 6371527
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a swivel joint for fluid conduits which comprises a central axis; a tubular male member having an outer annular surface, a first end and at least first and second outer annular grooves formed on the outer surface coaxial with the central axis; a tubular female member having an inner annular recess, an annular shoulder formed at an inner end of the recess and at least first and second inner annular grooves formed on the recess coaxial with the central axis; wherein the outer surface of the male member is adapted to be received in the recess of the female member such that the first end is disposed proximate the shoulder and each outer groove is aligned with a corresponding inner groove to thereby define at least first and second annular races; a plurality of balls disposed in each race to secure said male and female members together and to facilitate relative rotation of the male and female members about the central axis; wherein the radius of each race as measured from the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Tep Ungchusri, Sergio A. Castillo
  • Patent number: 6371526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a quick cone (1) for pipe assemblies for conducting fiber suspensions wherein the quick cone provides a transition from a pipe (8) with a greater diameter to a pipe (9) with a smaller diameter as seen in the flow direction of the fiber suspension. The invention is characterized therein that the quick cone (1) has a pipe (2) wherein the pipe (2) has a major portion of its axial extension concentrically enclosed by a jacket (3) that includes a conical jacket portion (4) that is shaped as a cut cone and a cylindrical connection segment (5) where a thicker end of the conical jacket portion (4) is in engagement with the cylindrical connection segment (5) that has substantially the same diameter as the larger diameter pipe (8) and the pipe (2) has substantially the same diameter as the smaller diameter pipe (9) and wherein the more pointed end of the jacket portion (4) is tightly attached to the pipe (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB
    Inventor: Rolf Ekholm
  • Patent number: 6371531
    Abstract: A coupling receives a non-metallic tube (12) in an opening of a coupling body (10). A seal assembly (22, 24) disposed inside the coupling body (10) seals between the body (10) and the tube (12). A collet (16) disposed in the coupling body (10) includes a tapered external surface (50) that engages a tapered wall in the coupling body (10) to resist pull-out of the tube (12). The collet (16) includes an inner toothed (52) surface for gripping the tube (12) and has a split (70) or slots (54) that allow the collet (16) to radially expand and contract. A rotation prevention member, which in a preferred embodiment is a longitudinal rib (56) extending inwardly from the collet (16), limits relative rotation between the collet (16) and the tube (12). Moreover, edges (74) of the split (70) are rounded so that the collet can rotate relative to the coupling body (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Perfection Corporation
    Inventor: Dave Robison
  • Patent number: 6367843
    Abstract: At least one fastener and its method of use to securely fasten joints, preferably in pressure vessels, pipes, and other structures, intended to isolate internal volumes from the external environment, or in structural joints. The fastener preferably comprises at least one force reacting or force producing element capable of maintaining a gap between the end of at least one clamp segment of a clamp connector used on flanged structures to isolate a structure's internal environment from its external environment to provide controlled contact with the flange members wherein uniform seal integrity is secured and contact surface wear is dispelled. In a preferred method of use, each fastener is used in conjunction with delayed cokers, wherein extremely high temperature and relatively low pressures are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Automated Connectors Holdings, L.B.
    Inventor: Kelly Fetzer
  • Patent number: 6364373
    Abstract: A corrugated pipe adapter for providing a sealing surface on a corrugated pipe includes a generally cylindrical sleeve having a generally smooth outer clamping surface and at least one protrusion. The protrusions include side walls and an arched structure between the side walls. The protrusions extend from an inside of the generally cylindrical sleeve. The side walls move outwardly against the corrugations on the corrugated pipe when pressure is applied to the generally smooth outer clamping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: NPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Brockway
  • Patent number: 6364367
    Abstract: A clamp of a thermally weldable material for a pipe of a thermally weldable material has two segments surrounding the pipe in a position of use of the clamp. The segments have heating mats of heatable electrical conduits integrated into inner surfaces of the segments. Each segment has two border edges facing one another in the position of use and clamped to one another by fastening elements. A first border edge of each segment has at least one segment flap projecting past the first border edge, and the second border edge has at least one pocket recessed relative to the second border edge. Segment flaps and pockets are complementary to the segment flaps and pockets of the opposed segment in the position of use. The heating mats have projecting flaps integrated into the area of the segment flaps and gaps in the area of the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Manibs Spezialarmaturen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Werner Hintzen
  • Patent number: 6361082
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipe coupling for connection to a pipe end of a pipe made of polymer material and intended preferably for tap water or heating installations. The pipe coupling includes an inner sleeve intended for insertion into the pipe end and for abutment with the inner surface of said pipe end. The coupling further includes an outer sleeve intended for abutment with the outer surface of said pipe end. The outer sleeve is provided with a slot-like opening and means for adjusting the width of said opening. When the outer sleeve is in a tightened, adjusted state, the sleeve will be internally and externally cylindrical. A center axis through the outer cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve is spaced at a distance from a center axis through the inner cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve. In the tightened, adjusted state of the outer sleeve, the internal radius of said sleeve is smaller than the external radius of said pipe end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Wirsbo Bruks AB
    Inventors: Peter Hauki, Yngve Lundequist, Rauno Asplund
  • Patent number: 6354636
    Abstract: A tube connecting structure C1 including a gasket member 10 having annular, tub recesses 12, 13 tube members 20, 30 having folded edge portions 22, 32 formed by folding ends thereof over the outer circumference so that convex ends 23, 33 are brought into tight contact with the annular recesses of the gasket member, outer rings 40, 50 mounted onto the outer circumference of body portions 21, 31 of the respective tube members 20, 30 so that front ends 41, 51 are located behind the convex ends of the folded edge portions and rear ends 42, 52 are out of the folded edge portions, presser members 60, 70 having contact sections 61, 71 with the gasket member and outer ring pressing sections 62, 72 for pushing the rear ends of the outer rings toward the mating outer ring, and a clamp member 80 for compressing the respective presser members together with the gasket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Advance Denki Kougyou Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironori Matsuzawa, Kimihito Sasao
  • Patent number: 6349978
    Abstract: A pipe connection has a coupling with one or more socket ends, the or each of which is defined by a circumferential wall surround in which a plurality of four spaced apertures are provided. An annular seal is provided at the inner end of the or each socket end. A collet is provided for location in the or each socket end, the or each collet has a corresponding plurality of four spaced resiliently mounted legs. The legs are co-parallel with the axis of the collet and has similar barb portions each to enter and be held in a corresponding aperture of the respective socket end whereby to hold the collet and therefore the seal in portion in the or each socket end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Munster Simms Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Robert Stanley McFarland, Norman Andrew Logan, Richard William Henry Kee
  • Patent number: 6345844
    Abstract: A cylindrical elastomeric sleeve 50 is attached to and held in a receive end portion of a tubular female member 40 made of a resin or a metal. When a tubular male member 30 is inserted, an annular projecting portion 31 of the male member 30 is engaged with an engagement inner peripheral groove 56 while a diameter of a swelling portion 53 of the elastomeric sleeve 50 is increased in a first diameter portion 41 of the female member 40. A portion between the male member 30 and the female member 40 is sealed by a seal portion 54 at the other end side of the elastomeric sleeve 50 received in a second diameter portion 43 of the female member 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Miyajima, Kazushige Sakazaki
  • Patent number: 6341804
    Abstract: A slip-out preventive unit of a supply exhaust pipe assembly with a supply exhaust pipe forming a faucet at one end and forming an insertion port at the other end. The faucet having a cut window to allow the lock portion of a lock member to pass through the faucet to engage a circumferential groove of the insertion port. A slip-out prevention unit of which the lock member is a component, to guide and constrain the lock member to engage the circumferential groove, resulting in the holding of the insertion port within the faucet preventing unwanted separation after connection of the assembly. A slide guide allows movement of the lock member in an axial direction of the faucet where the tip of the lock member may be constrained from radial movement of the engagement portion of the lock member by a locking bag wall upon an attempt to separate the insert portion from the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Tosetz Co., LTD
    Inventors: Shuji Ito, Jiro Takahashi, Tomohiko Oka
  • Patent number: 6341802
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a connector assembly and a container. The connector assembly includes a first fitting defining a first aperture, a second fitting that is couplable to the first fitting and defines a second aperture, and a removable contamination containment layer sealing at least one of the first and second apertures. One of the first and second fittings is associated with the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventor: Vlado Ivan Matkovich
  • Patent number: 6338504
    Abstract: The connector comprises two body members for respective connection first and second entities, such as tubes, to be connected. The body members are mutually coupled by a first coupling arrangement on the first body member and a second coupling arrangement on the second body member. The first coupling arrangement comprises a number of discrete segments with surfaces defining formation engageable with formation of second coupling arrangement. It also has supports to support the segments in the respective connection positions on the first body member. It also has a release member selectively operable to disable the support to cause or allow the segments to be displaced from their respective connection positions and disengage from the second coupling arrangement thereby mutually disconnecting the first and second body members of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: National Oilwell (U.K.) Limited
    Inventor: Paul Hilliard
  • Patent number: 6338505
    Abstract: A fluid swivel permitting a large number of revolutions, such as 20, and permitting a large number of fluid, power, and signal paths. The swivel is leak proof and capable of resisting large internal pressures in the conveyed fluid such as 70 MPa. The pipes of the swivel are spooled between two cones in such a manner that the pipe on one cone is spooled from the top down and on the other cone from the bottom up. This method of spooling ensures a constant distance between the unwinding point on one cone and the winding point on the other cone. By providing cones with the apex pointing up, the spooled flexible pipe on either cone is prevented from falling down. An alternative embodiment spools between two cylinders with a common axis. In this embodiment the pipe spooled on one cylinder is supported by a structure resting on the pipe spooled on the other cylinder, thereby preventing the pipe on either cylinder from falling down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Jens Korsgaard
  • Patent number: 6332632
    Abstract: A closet flange having a shoulder and a body portion extending therefrom, the body portion having a substantially cylindrical upstream portion and a smooth tapered downstream portion, the downstream portion configured to receive an elastic o-ring. The o-ring travels up the tapered portion as the closet flange is inserted into a drain pipe, providing an increasingly tighter seal between the closet flange and the pipe. O-rings of various outer diameters may be provided to accommodate pipes having different internal diameters. The flange is installed without tools by pushing the flange into the end of the pipe until the desired tightness is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventor: B. Eugene Hodges
  • Patent number: 6331020
    Abstract: The invention provides a one-piece flex pipe connection that has a bend, and any angle to a termination of a thread, groove or a 360° swivel flange. Additionally the invention provides a flex pipe coupling with a bend and with one end having a groove clamp connection and the other having a thread, groove or the 360° flange swivel. The last piece is a 360° bend swivel to a thread, groove or a 360° flange swivel. A preferred flex pipe coupling apparatus has a connector body with angularly related ends and with a central portion between the ends. At least one of the ends has a cylindrical recess. A shoulder at an axial end of the recess near the central portion cooperates with an end of a flex pipe inserted in the recess. An annular seal receiver in the cylindrical recess near the shoulder holds a resilient seal for sealing the end of the flex pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Pacific Flo-Rite, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred J. Brunella
  • Patent number: 6328347
    Abstract: A system for coupling a ball fitting connected to a first tubing to a socket fitting connected to a second tubing. A first coupling forms an aperture having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the ball fitting, and receives the ball fitting. The first coupling forms an annular race, with an annular surface disposed between the annular race and the aperture. First split ring pieces are assembled into a first ring that forms an aperture having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the ball fitting, and receives the first tubing. The first ring forms an annular ridge that engages the annular race, and aligns the first split ring pieces. The annular surface applies uniform axial pressure to a first surface of the first ring. The first ring has a second surface opposing the first surface that applies uniform axial pressure to a back portion of the ball fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Reder, Preston E. Pillow, William L. Emery
  • Patent number: 6325424
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for conduit or pipe comprising a first coupling member, a second coupling member and a locking member. The first coupling member is optionally a tubular component and the second coupling member or coupler is optionally a belled component. The present invention is also optionally provided with an annular sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventors: Paul Metcalfe, Craig A. Homberg, Walter G. Lockard