Patents Examined by Eric K. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6695356
    Abstract: A connector for securing tubular members or conduits in sealed end to end relationship is disclosed. A split ring biased to an unlocked position is carried on the pin connection member in a recess. After the connection is made, the split ring is expanded through a window in the box connection member and locked in place. Alternative embodiments showing a split ring biased to a locked position and a split ring with an articulated joint are shown. A fourth embodiment that allows preloading of the split ring is shown also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Delbert E. Vanderford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6692038
    Abstract: A plug connection device for pressure medium conduits, for binding or connection of fuel conduits has a housing provided with arresting edges, a plug insertable in the housing and having holding elements which form-lockingly engage the arresting edges, the plug having a coupling region which in a not plugged in condition of the plug is formed as a substantially ring-shaped circumferential collar and during insertion in an associated receiving portion of the housing is deformed so that the holding elements engaging the arresting edges are formed, or the holding elements are formed at an end side on a tubular plug portion produced by extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Braun
  • Patent number: 6692037
    Abstract: A flat water hose is disclosed having a plurality of water passages arranged in parallel and extended through two distal ends of the body of flat cross section thereof, and two hose connectors at the ends of the body of flat cross section for connection to a water tap and a sprinkler respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Global Industries Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Pei-Ying Lin
  • Patent number: 6688650
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a dry disconnect coupling. The dry disconnect coupling includes a first coupling member for coupling to a second coupling member. A circuit provides a first signal based on when the first coupling member is disconnected to the second coupling member. Thermally coupled to the first coupling member is a first heater. The first heater generates heat based on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Shlomo Novotny
  • Patent number: 6688652
    Abstract: A locking segment for use in connecting two lengths of pipe has a radically extending heel that serves as a rotational brake. By mating the brake into an annular trough, that is, by placing it between two walls, the rotation of the segment can continue only until points on the brake mure between the two walls. Rotation of the segment in response to increasing thrust pressures can thereby be arrested before the rotation causes the segment to bear on the spigot with a radically inward force great enough to penetrate the spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: U.S. Pipe and Foundry Company
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, Daniel A. Copeland
  • Patent number: 6685234
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a pair of glands having ends that seal on opposite faces of a seal member. A coupling nut assembly cooperates with the glands to urge the ends against the seal member. A torque suppression assembly is mounted on a groove of the gland to limit rotational forces from the coupling nut assembly to the gland. The torque suppression assembly includes a thrust member that engages the coupling nut assembly and a bearing member that transfers axial make-up forces from the thrust member to the gland and rotates relative to the thrust member to reduce the torque transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventor: Paul G. Eidsmore
  • Patent number: 6685229
    Abstract: A hose having clamps secured at opposing ends is disclosed. The clamps provide a compressive force to secure the hose to an appropriately sized tube. A portion of the clamp is disposed between an inner surface and an outer surface of the hose to help prevent accidental removal. A portion of the clamp may extend out an opening expending from a passageway formed between the inner and outer surface. The openings at the opposing end of the hose may be rotational aligned relative to each other and optionally to curves in the hose itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: MPDI
    Inventor: Mark D. Morrison
  • Patent number: 6682101
    Abstract: A high strength Wedgethread Pipe Connection having a ratio of the radius change per turn to the thread width change per turn, as is required to maintain both a thread seal and tightness, even when the connection is subjected to transient service loads such as vibrations, shock, bending, tension, compression, torsion and/or thermal changes. The thread form may be Open or Trapped for use on large or small diameter pipe, configured such as: a flush joint; with collars of larger diameter than the pipe; with double-pin couplings; tool and accessory connections; or it may also be used to reversibly connect such as solid structural posts to base members where a wide range of repeatable makeup torque is desired. The threads have provisions for ease of manufacture and assembly, and to minimize handling damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: John Dawson Watts
  • Patent number: 6682102
    Abstract: A Hose-In-Hose coupler having a primary or inner hose assembly and a surrounding secondary or outer hose assembly. The secondary hose assembly is connected by slideable sleeves which when disconnected may by extended or separated to expose the primary hose assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: James C. Betz
  • Patent number: 6679526
    Abstract: A threaded joint for an oil well pipe is provided which prevents the occurrence of galling at the time of repeated tightening and loosening and which provides a high degree of air tightness and has excellent galling resistance and air tightness without using a liquid lubricant such as a compound grease. 1. A lubricating film of an inorganic polymeric compound which has an M (metal element)—O (oxygen) backbone and has a solid lubricant dispersed therein is formed on a threaded portion or an unthreaded metal contact portion. 2. A phosphate film and the lubricating film of the inorganic polymeric compound is formed on the threaded portion or the unthreaded metal contact portion. 3. A Cu plating layer and the lubricating film of the inorganic polymeric compound or a lubricating film of a resin in which a solid lubricant is dispersed is formed on the threaded portion or the unthreaded metal contact portion. 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Yamamoto, Kazuyuki Nakasuji
  • Patent number: 6672630
    Abstract: A flange (20) for connection between an axial compressor and high-pressure rotor disc unit (14) in a gas turbine (10), wherein the flange (20) has a body (22) with a frusto-conical shape which is joined to a shaft (12) of the axial compressor by means of a hub (24) which has a cylindrical shape and which, at the larger base of the frustum of the cone of the body (22) is connected to the rotor disc unit (14) by means of an extension (26) of the hub in the form of a circular ring, a circumferential recess (28) provided in a surface (29) of the extension (26) which faces the rotor disc unit (14) being connected by interference with a projection, which is complementary to the recess and is provided on the rotor disc unit (14); the body (22) has an outer generatrix which is inclined relative to the direction at right-angles to the axis (X) by an angle &agr;1 of between 25° and 35° and an inner generatrix which is inclined by an angle &agr;2 of between 12° and 18°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Holding S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Pinzauti, Carlo Bacciottini
  • Patent number: 6659509
    Abstract: This invention relates to a threaded joint for steel pipes which comprises a pin and a box each having a contact surface including a threaded portion and an unthreaded metal contact portion and which guarantees galling resistance and gas tightness in a stable manner without application of a compound grease. A solid lubricating coating comprising a lubricating powder (e.g., molybdenum disulfide) and an organic or inorganic binder is formed on the contact surface of at least one of the pin and the box. The proportion of area of a cross section along the thickness of the solid lubricating coating which is occupied by secondary particles of the lubricating powder having an equivalent circular diameter of 15-60 &mgr;m is from 5-90%. Alternatively, the solid lubricating coating comprises, in addition to the lubricating powder, a fibrous filler (e.g., inorganic whiskers) in such an amount that the mass ratio of the fibrous filler to the binder is 0.01-0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Goto, Keishi Matsumoto, Kazuyuki Nakasuji, Toshiro Anraku, Shigeo Nagasaku
  • Patent number: 6648376
    Abstract: A flexible, sectioned plastic arm for a showerhead comprises a series of interconnected ball-and-socket (B&S) sections (10) with a proximal (shower pipe) end piece (12) and a distal (showerhead) end piece (14). Each B&S section has a proximal (cup or socket) end (10S) and a distal (ball) end (10B). The proximal end piece has a proximal end with female threads which can be screwed onto a shower pipe and a ball-shaped distal end for snapping into the socket of the most proximal section of the shower arm. The distal end piece has a proximal end with a socket for snapping onto the most distal end section of the shower arm and a distal end with male threads (12T) which can be screwed onto the showerhead. The arm has a through hole containing a series or chain of cylindrical brass or other metal sections, tubes, or sleeves (16). These prevent the arm from being bent too far, thereby to keep the B&S from separating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: ShowerTek, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Christianson
  • Patent number: 6641178
    Abstract: A copper pipe has a circumferential groove formed in an outer wall to receiver an O-ring seal. The groove is formed a pre-set distance from a free end of the pipe. Two pipe lengths are jointed together by a coupling having a housing with pipe seal-receiving seats at each end for receiving the O-ring seal fitted to the pipe. Caps screw threadingly engage the housing to clamp the pipe lengths in the housing. The fitting can be pre-assembled and used as a push-in fitting with a subsequent tightening by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Coda Limited
    Inventor: Denis Brendan Gowing
  • Patent number: 6641179
    Abstract: An improved fitting for mobile air conditioning systems is disclosed that reduces the risk of damage to fitting O-rings during assembly, the fitting male member being compatible with the fitting female member of many existing fittings currently in service. In particular, the male fitting (152) is compatible with female fitting (72) that comply with the IMACA 305 Standard. The male fitting includes a circumferential bead (158) that engages the distal end of the female member, an intermediate tubular portion (155) that extends distally from the bead, a tubular pilot portion (156) that extends distally from the intermediate portion, and a retainer bead (157) disposed between the intermediate and pilot portions. The retainer bead is positioned to retain the O-ring (51) near the circumferential bead, without interfering with proper compression of the O-ring, and full insertion of the male member into the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Paccar Inc
    Inventors: Ronald Allen Decoteau, Steven Jay Wierlo
  • Patent number: 6637779
    Abstract: A fluid quick connector includes a connector body which receives a retainer having a radially inward extending projection which is releasably engagable with an annular recess formed in an endform to releasably latch the endform in the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Andre
  • Patent number: 6637781
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for coupling fluid components includes a female coupler having a receiver defined therein. A male coupler has an insert, the insert being receivable within the female coupler receiver in sealing engagement. And, a spacer is matable to both the female coupler and the male coupler when the female coupler and the male coupler are in sealing engagement, the spacer effecting positive engagement of the female and the male couplers. A method of coupling/uncoupling a coupling assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Seymour, II
  • Patent number: 6637776
    Abstract: The high-pressure fluid manifold connection assembly includes a one-piece tube collar with an annular relief cavity that surrounds a high-pressure fluid tube. The tube includes a hole that passes through the tube and which is not aligned with an exit hole in an annular relief cavity of the tube collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo D. Tikk, Yul J. Tarr, Donald J. Benson, John T. Carroll, III, Ed Morris
  • Patent number: 6637782
    Abstract: An end-sided closure of a pipe having the following features: a flanged-socket metallic member one end of which is welded to the pipe to be closed and the other end of which is designed for being orbitally welded to a pipe joining it and the outer surface of which has formed thereon an annular flange which has axially parallel threaded bores at circumferential spacings, a cap-shaped closing member adapted to be placed onto the other end of the flanged-socket member with a ceiling portion and an annular wall portion wherein the inner surface of the ceiling portion is adapted to sealingly bear against the front-end face of the other pipe end and wherein the wall portion has axially parallel through bores which can be aligned with the threaded bores, and headed screws which are adapted to be inserted through the through bores from the ceiling portion and can be turned into the threaded bores wherein the heads of the screws bear against an abutment surface of the sealing portion in order to press the inner sur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Dockweiler AG
    Inventor: Klaus Dieter Fiebig
  • Patent number: 6634677
    Abstract: A pipe joint assembly includes a cylindrical pipe and a pipe element having a generally cylindrical terminal portion for receiving the end of the pipe. The terminal portion is formed with a roughly straight open ended channel extending in a direction tangential to, but intersecting, the cylindrical pipe. A lock pin is insertable along the open ended channel so as to cause local inward deformation of the end, thereby locking the end and the pipe element together. The lock pin has a parallel-sided shaft portion of minimum transverse dimension d and a tapered portion of length l tapering to a point, where l is no less than twice d and is no greater than four times d. This geometry facilitates insertion of the lock pin through a combined linear and rotational displacement which is highly effective for ensuring effecting and reliable interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Ralph R. Mehr