Patents Examined by Heather Chun
  • Patent number: 5364136
    Abstract: Joint formers for coupling between duct components having different cross-sections include a core having holes for fixing members and an opening provided with a hollowed out recess. In the opening there is formed at least one series of stepped spot-faced edges forming a series of cavities, each cavity rotated with respect to the others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Alcatel Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Adriano Forti, Enrico Brambilla
  • Patent number: 5362107
    Abstract: A one-piece pipe coupling includes a cylinder with an axial joint and a sealing plate attached in spaced apart relation to the inner surface of the cylinder with a portion of the sealing plate extending beyond the axial joint for sealing the fluid pathways between a leak location and the outer surface of the coupling. A pair of arcuate gaskets extend around and are attached to the inner surface of the cylinder. The sealing plate carries a first sealing pad on the extending portion of its outer surface, which sealing pad includes circumferential guide channels for engaging the arcuate gaskets of the cylinder. The sealing plate also carries a second sealing pad on the other end of its outer surface, which sealing pad attaches the sealing plate in spaced apart relation to the inner surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventor: Donald Y. Bridges
  • Patent number: 5362110
    Abstract: A new capture device comprising a plurality of axially extending tangs on one of a pair of complementary fittings in a fluid coupling and a polygonal circumferential groove on the other fitting adapted to engage the tangs. Upon rotational engagement of the fittings the tangs engage the polygonal groove and "ratchet" about the junctures between the flats until the coupling is tight. Although not limited to particular materials, the new capture device is particularly suited to very tough, strong and hard materials such as titanium, stainless steel and Inconel alloy because the effectiveness of the capture device is dependent upon the stiffness of the tangs. The new device prevents vibrational disassembly of the complementary fittings without preventing disassembly solely with wrenches. Moreover, the complementary fittings and capture device can be repeatedly assembled and disassembled without any damage to the threads or capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Moeller Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt K. Bynum
  • Patent number: 5360237
    Abstract: A quick connector for fast connection of fluid carrying assemblies such as a mating tube and a fluid unit. The connector includes a connector body which houses the connector components and accepts a redundant clip which is adapted to engage an upset bead of the male tube. The redundant clip is generally L-shaped and includes a retaining head which is inserted into the connector body and is adapted to engage the upset bead, a body portion which extends along the side of the connector body and in the preferred embodiment is contoured to mate with the connector body and a base member which includes a camming edge for facilitating the insertion of the retainer head into the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony K. Carman, Duane J. Pontbriand
  • Patent number: 5360240
    Abstract: A connection for and a method of connecting the ends of two joints of low modulus, low hardness, low strength plastic pipe. The connection includes a threaded box on one joint and a threaded pin on the other joint. The box has tapered, internal, generally dovetail-shaped threads with stab flanks and load flanks and flat roots and crests that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The pin has tapered, external, generally dovetail-shaped threads with stab flanks and load flanks and flat roots and crests that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe for mating with the internal threads of the box. The threads increase in width in one direction on the box and in the other direction on the pin. When the connection is made up the roots, crests, and flanks of the threads move into engagement to form seals that resist the flow of fluids between the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventor: Keith C. Mott
  • Patent number: 5358286
    Abstract: By using fabrication procedures, and not using any casting procedures, a pipe sleeve assembly per se, or with additional components, is made for installation on a pipeline. When this pipe sleeve assembly is fully tightened about a plastic pipe, there is acceptable limited radial deflection of cross-sectional portions of the plastic pipe, being sealed by a surrounding gasket held in place by assembled fabricated parts and bolt and nut fasteners of this pipe sleeve assembly. On opposite sides of each separating gap of the pipe sleeve, side bar and lug units are welded to the pipe sleeve. Between opposite lugs, independently removable bolt and nut fasteners are secured. In one embodiment, opposite lugs both have holes, which are aligned to receive and to hold portions of a bolt. In another embodiment, one of the opposite lugs has a hole, and the other opposite lug has spaced portions thereof, each having an overlapping lip portion, which receive a drop in bolt portion located near the head of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert H. Eaton, Mark W. Kirchner
  • Patent number: 5354101
    Abstract: An evaporator connection assembly in an automobile refrigerant system interconnects the inlet and outlet pipes or lines of an evaporator to supply and suction lines for connection to the condenser and compressor. The assembly utilizes a connection block comprising two halves, namely a plate and block. The block is fixedly connected to the evaporator pipes and the plate is connected to the supply and suction lines. The two halves are thereafter secured to one another. Planar seal surfaces are provided between the block and plate for receiving a sealing washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Russell C. Anderson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5354102
    Abstract: A quick connect connector for fast connection of fluid carrying assemblies such as a mating tube and a fluid unit. The connector includes a connector body which houses the connector components and accepts a redundant clip which is adapted to engage an upset bead of the male tube. The redundant clip is generally L-shaped and include a retaining head which is inserted into the connector body and is adapted to engage the upset bead, a body portion which extends along the side of the connector body and in the preferred embodiment is contoured to mate with the connector body and a base member which includes a camming edge and pivot points for facilitating the insertion of the retainer head into the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony K. Carman
  • Patent number: 5354108
    Abstract: A pipe coupling having a pair of opposed, semi-circular collar halves to be attached via fasteners for clamping the halves together on abutting ends of collinear pipes. The pipe ends have circumferential grooves engaged by ridges on an inside of collar half. A pair of parallel reinforcing wings extend radially by a varying height on an outside of the collar halves, along the axial edges, providing rigidity and strength to the pipe coupling. The wings increase in radial height from the circumferential ends adjacent the tabs to a maximum at the center of the coupling. The wings thereby distribute unequal forces, which are concentrated at the center, to achieve equally distributed deformation with such forces, thereby reducing the possibility of the ridges disengaging the grooves due to concentration of deformation at a local area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Ward Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Sandor
  • Patent number: 5344194
    Abstract: Connectors with a lever in which a pair of male and female connectors are mated with and disconnected from each other by rotating the lever. The lever having cam grooves and a lock portion is rotatably attached to the female connector. Cam pins are attached to the male connector. When both connectors are initially mated with each other, the cam pins engage with the cam grooves, and when the lever is rotated in a direction in which both connectors are mated with each other, the male connector moves toward the female connector. An elastic locking member is interposed between the lever and the female connector. An operational portion, reverse spring portions for urging the lever toward a direction opposite to that in which both connectors are mated, and lock spring portions to be engaged with the lock portion of the lever so as to maintain the lever in a locked position, are all integrally formed in the elastic locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Hatagishi, Naoto Taguchi
  • Patent number: 5344193
    Abstract: A cup shaped collector mounted at one end of an elongate telescopically adjustable pole defines a water receiving chamber for receiving and containing at least a portion of an open sprinkler head and collecting water discharged from the open head. An elongate flexible hose connected to the collector communicates with the water receiving chamber and diverts water from the open head to a friendly location. Fluorescent markings on the collector aid in manually positioning the collector to receive the open head under conditions of darkness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Rite Line Incorporation
    Inventor: Gerald J. Rio
  • Patent number: 5344196
    Abstract: The present invention incorporates a nipple to be inserted inside a hose and a sleeve formed concentrically with the nipple. An annular groove is formed on the outer periphery of the nipple to receive the expanded portion of the rubber toward the tip end of the nipple when the sleeve is caulked and to prevent the rubber from bulging at the tip end of the nipple. The annular groove is configured so that it can receive a portion of the inner rubber wall of hose when the hose is inserted between the nipple and the sleeve when the latter is caulked. The annular groove may be located on the outer periphery of the nipple, such as at a position offset from being in-line with where the sleeve is caulked and nearer to the tip end of the nipple. The number of annular grooves is not limited to one, and may be plural. When plural grooves are formed, they may be arranged adjacent to each other or spaced at a given interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Meiji Gomu Kasei
    Inventors: Hajime Kozuka, Youichi Furuya, Takahiro Yoda, Kazuo Kitamura, Terutsugu Ijima
  • Patent number: 5342095
    Abstract: A high pressure quick connector having a tube which includes an upset adjacent one end. A male locking assembly is positioned about the tube and includes a cavity enclosing the upset and a contoured outer surface defining first and second grooves spaced axially along the male locking assembly. A female member having an internal bore is adapted to receive the male locking member. The female member has an internal bore that includes a locking groove. An expandable annular locking ring is mounted about the contoured outer surface and the locking ring is initially mounted in the first groove and is slidable from the first groove to the second groove upon axial movement of the male locking assembly into the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Klinger, Duane Pontbriand
  • Patent number: 5342096
    Abstract: A seal or connector and seal apparatus which includes a generally annular member having an outer surface and an inner surface and a plurality of tabs extending generally radially from at least one of the surfaces. The tabs are disposed to engage axially spaced teeth of an associated helically shaped threaded surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Walter W. Bachle, Raymond Chase
  • Patent number: 5340161
    Abstract: A tubular coupling for metal pipes has a flange, a tubular element inserted in the flange and having one end connectable to a pipeline and another end and a ring-shaped insulating element arranged at the other end of the tubular element between the tubular element and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Prochind S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Bagnulo
  • Patent number: 5340164
    Abstract: A pipe-to-concrete transition apparatus is disclosed which, in on aspect, includes a flanged end of an HDPE pipe held in sealing contact with a flanged end of an FRP connection by a steel joining assembly, all encased in concrete of a concrete sump, the FRP connection having an outlet in fluid communication with the sump's internal bore. In one aspect an FRP layer covers the FRP-connection-to-sump interface and the steel connection assembly anchors the pipe in the concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Stultz
  • Patent number: 5340167
    Abstract: The invention is a device for providing a clamping force about a connection end of elastomeric hose and tubing. The device includes a heat shrinkable polymer, having a diameter reducing release temperature, formed into a band. The band has a first nominal inside diameter defined as the diameter the band assumes upon being shrunk in free space and being smaller than the outside diameter of the connection end of the elastomeric hose and tubing. The band has a second nominal inside diameter defined as the diameter the band assumes upon being shrunk about the connection end of the elastomeric hose and tubing. The band also has a third nominal inside diameter defined as the diameter of the band after polymer orientation and before shrinkage, the third diameter being greater than the outside diameter of the connection end of the elastomeric hose and tubing. The first inside diameter is no greater than about 80 percent of the third inside diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: The Gates Rubber COmpany
    Inventor: George E. Morse
  • Patent number: 5340162
    Abstract: A nut retention system for nut connected couplings including an end fitting having an outer end wherein interfering abutments are defined upon the end fitting and nut to limit retraction of the nut on the end fitting when the coupling is disconnected whereby the outer end of the nut will always axially extend beyond the outer end of the end fitting to protect the end fitting outer end and seal located thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventors: Troy A. Prendel, Leo Meredith
  • Patent number: 5338071
    Abstract: One end portion of a pipe, which has a circumferentially extending external bead at the one end portion, is insertable into the internal sockets of an array of arms which are axially movably received in one end portion of a sleeve. The arms have external surfaces which cooperate with an internal surface of the sleeve to permit limited axial movements of the arms between first and second positions. When in the first positions, the arms can be flexed radially outwardly to thus permit insertion of the bead into or its extraction from the sockets. The internal surface of the sleeve and/or the external surfaces of the arms can but need not be conical, either entirely or in part. The sleeve can be inserted into a bore or hole of a nipple on a radiator or carburetor in a motor vehicle. One or more O-rings or other suitable sealing elements are installed between the sleeve and the external surface of the one end portion of the properly installed pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Rasmussen GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Hohmann, Bernd Kleinhens, Olaf Kohlhaus, Stephan Mann, Ralf Spors
  • Patent number: 5338070
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a diameter-reducing member joint device, where connecting a first member to be connected as the boss of a flange joint or composed of relatively large-diameter pipes to a second member to be connected and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first member, characterized by interposing a diameter-reducing pipe joint, which has at one end a large-diameter connection portion connected to the first member and also at the other end a small-diameter connection portion connected to the second member, between the first and second members to be connected, and by using a ring-like or cylindrical heat-shrinkable member made of a heat-shrinkable type of shape memory alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Horikawa, Yoshikazu Tsuzuki, Hisashi Mogi, Kazuo Matsubara