Patents Examined by James M. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 10145497
    Abstract: A pipe-connecting device including a resin-made tube and an inner ring. The inner ring has a flared portion and a tip-contracted outer-circumferential flared surface. The tip-contracted outer-circumferential flared surface is press-inserted into an end portion of the tube to cause the end portion of the tube to be flared and deformed. A section shape of the outer-circumferential flared surface in a direction extending along an axis of the inner ring body is formed into a convex curved surface passing through a first place, which is a maximum-diameter portion of the flared portion, a second place, which is the tip end side of the flared portion of the inner ring body, and a third place, which is between the first place and the second place, and in which a diameter is equal to an outer diameter of the tube with respect to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON PILLAR PACKING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Fujii, Toshihide Iida
  • Patent number: 10119642
    Abstract: A vacuum coupling applies vacuum from a vacuum source to a rotating tool attached to a rotating end of a robotic arm. The vacuum coupling includes a rotating portion attaching the rotating tool to the rotating end of the robotic arm. The rotating portion communicates vacuum with the rotating tool. A fixed portion is positioned around the rotating portion such that the rotating portion is rotatable relative to the fixed portion. The fixed portion communicates vacuum to the rotating portion. At least one rotating vacuum seal is positioned between the fixed portion and the rotating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Girtman
  • Patent number: 10113678
    Abstract: Sliding quick-coupling joints are provided. Such joints have a tubular coupling element, in which an inner duct extends. The inner duct has a cylindrical chamber with an open end, an intermediate cylindrical section narrower than the cylindrical chamber, a central duct section, an inner transverse shoulder surface which connects the intermediate cylindrical section to the central section of duct, and a transverse surface that connects the cylindrical chamber and the intermediate cylindrical section. The cylindrical chamber accommodates a slidably movable annular locking element, a movable shoulder, and a sealing device. A pipe may be inserted into the cylindrical chamber and through these elements. The annular locking element is interposed between the transverse surface and the movable shoulder. The joint keeps the pipe mechanically coupled while providing fluid-tight seal and allowing the pipe to undergo thermal expansion. Methods of mounting such sliding quick-coupling joints are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Roberto Messana
  • Patent number: 10107429
    Abstract: A connection assembly comprising a motor vehicle fluid line and a connection fitting, wherein the motor vehicle fluid line includes an inner tube made of aluminum. The connection fitting is in contact with the inner tube. At least the surface of the connection fitting is made of aluminum, at least in the region of the contact surface between the connection fitting and the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: TI Automotive (Heidelberg) GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Jensen
  • Patent number: 10098816
    Abstract: A medical connector includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending between the distal end and the proximal end, a helical thread extending radially outward from a surface of the sidewall and comprising a crest portion, flank portions, and a root portion with the flank portions connecting the root portion to the crest portion, and at least one micro-thread extending radially outward from the surface of the sidewall. At least a portion of the micro-thread is spaced apart from the helical thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Carney, Paul Paia Marici
  • Patent number: 10100955
    Abstract: A ferrule for a metal tube fitting includes a body having a cylindrical interior wall that extends through the ferrule from a front end to a back end, a circumferential recess in the cylindrical interior wall so that the cylindrical interior wall has a first cylindrical portion that is axially forward of the recess and a second cylindrical portion that is axially rearward of the recess. The body includes a nose portion with a tapered outer surface and a flange. The body also includes an outer wall having a first outer wall portion that extends from the tapered outer surface of the nose portion. The first outer wall portion extending rearward to a tapered outer wall portion, the tapered outer wall portion extending from the first outer wall portion to the flange, the diameter of the first cylindrical portion being less than the diameter of the second cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SWAGELOK COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter C. Williams, Howard C. B. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 10094501
    Abstract: A connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp two hubs together, and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. Another connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures, each having a recess which receives hubs therein, and a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. A method of making a connection to a wellhead can include applying pressure to a connector, thereby allowing multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures to displace outward to an open configuration thereof, and displacing one hub of the connector into contact with another hub secured to the wellhead, the engagement structures axially aligning the hubs during the displacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, William D. Kendrick
  • Patent number: 10094497
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tube with coupling according to which liquid leakage and the like can be suppressed as much as possible when couplings are connected. A tube with coupling (10) according to the present invention is a tube with coupling (10) obtained by forming a coupling (30) on a leading end portion (22) of a tube (20) through injection molding, and the leading end portion (22) of the tube (20) is arranged at a position set back from a leading end portion (32) of the coupling (30), at least a portion of the leading end portion (22) of the tube (20) being covered by the coupling (30). It is desirable that a flange (36) is provided so as to protrude outward at a position set back from the leading end portion (32) of the coupling (30) and the leading end portion (22) of the tube (20) is arranged at a position set further back from the flange (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignees: Yodogawa Hu-Tech Co., Ltd., CKD Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Ogawa, Yujiro Deguchi, Masayoshi Kaneko, Ryuma Kumo, Hideyuki Takeda
  • Patent number: 10093063
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a clamping ring for use on a pipe when making a pipe connection is configured such that when establishing the pipe connection an end of a pipe and the surrounding clamping ring are expanded simultaneously, wherein the clamping ring is made of a plastic material having memory properties such that after expanding, the clamping ring shrinks or contracts automatically, the clamping ring further comprising a chamfer on the inlet inner diameter edge of the clamping ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Uponor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn Marie Olinger, Tim Cota
  • Patent number: 10086154
    Abstract: A high-flow luer lock connector is disclosed. A high-flow luer lock connector comprises a connector body defining an interior region, a lumen, and an extended passageway. The interior region is bounded by a cylindrical side wall and a base wall. The lumen is defined at the base wall of the interior region and extends no more than 0.274 of an inch into the interior region. The extended passageway comprises a first and second end and passes through the connector body and the lumen. The extended passageway is in communication with the interior region to allow insufflation gas to flow through the interior region and extended passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Northgate Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Mantell
  • Patent number: 10082233
    Abstract: A hose quick coupling used to connect and buckle a nozzle includes a hose coupling main body and at least one buckle device. The buckle device includes a buckle handle pivotally connected to the hose coupling main body, an engaging pin movably disposed in the buckle handle, and a locking piece pivoted to the inner side of the buckle handle. When the engaging pin is biased by an elastic member, the upper end of the engaging pin extends out of the buckle handle and engages with the side wall of the hose coupling main body so that the buckle handle cannot be turned. Conversely, when the engaging pin is pulled to retract into the buckle handle, the engaging pin is disengaged and the buckle handle can be turned so that the nozzle can disengage from the hose coupling main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Yueh-Lin Lee
  • Patent number: 10077859
    Abstract: A system for the automated compression connection of fluidic components includes receiving hardware configured to align an insert placed therein: an interchangeable plug-and-play consumable insert configured for automated connection to the receiving hardware: a drive force mechanism: and at least one mechanical support wherein the drive force mechanism is configured to apply a substantially axial drive force opposed by the at least one mechanical support to align and compress the insert to create a leak-resistant seal between the insert and the receiving hardware, such that the system provides automated alignment and sealing of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: CORSOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventor: Colleen K. Van Pelt
  • Patent number: 10066774
    Abstract: A fitting for attaching to double wall tubes includes a body, a fitting center port, an outer seal, a tube connection, a pad connection, an inner seal, a groove, and a diagnostic port. The body has a first surface on a first side of the body and a second surface on a second side of the body. The fitting center port extends through the body for passing a primary fluid flow. The tube connection is on the first side of the fitting, and includes an inner connection and an outer connection. The groove is in the second surface surrounding the inner seal and the groove is configured to receive an outer seal. The diagnostic port is in the second surface for transferring a collected fluid through the body to the outer connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peter S. Matteson, Joseph Martin Gambill, Leslie Charles Kurz, Richard Joseph Bulkovitch, Pawel Socha, Michael Luther Comeau, Usman Khan
  • Patent number: 10066446
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SUNSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane, Gary Marshall Briggs
  • Patent number: 10066773
    Abstract: A piping connection structure which assigns a function to restrict a pipe body from coming off to a member other than a resin tube, improves in sealing performance and can suppress the amount of fuel permeation. A resin tube comprises a tube body portion; a first diameter-expanding portion formed to increase in diameter from an axial end of the tube body portion and axially positioning seal members by holding the seal members in an axial gap with a retainer; and a second diameter-expanding portion formed to further increase in diameter from the first diameter-expanding portion, and to contact an outer circumferential side of the seal members and be connected to the retainer while in contact with the retainer. Thickness of the first diameter-expanding portion is equal to or greater than thickness of the tube body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yorihiro Takimoto, Koji Mizutani, Kazutaka Katayama
  • Patent number: 10060197
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SUNSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane
  • Patent number: 10047892
    Abstract: The invention provides improvements to electrofusion fitting methods that allow for continuity and repeatability of welds between an electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining (or stand-alone pipe). An electrofusion fitting for joining sections of lined pipe has heating elements configured to create at least one weld between the electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining, however prior to the weld step taking place the electrofusion fitting is heated and expands accordingly to ensure contact with the pipe lining. Preheating the electrofusion fitting also provides a predetermined starting temperature for the fitting and the lining which results in improved fusion cycle reliability. Furthermore, the need for clamps or support frames to support the electrofusion fitting in situ is removed, with corresponding reductions in cycle times, complexity, and hence cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Pioneer Lining Technology Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Barnes
  • Patent number: 10047891
    Abstract: A multi-coupling includes a fixed plate and a free plate, and a primary locking mechanism for locking the free plate to the fixed plate aligned to form multiple fluid passages through the multi-coupling. The primary locking mechanism may include a drive screw secured to the fixed plate engaged with a drive nut secured to the free plate, and a clam shell securing mechanism that secures the drive screw to the fixed plate. The clam shell halves are moveable to release the drive screw from the fixed plate independently of releasing drive screw from the drive nut. The multi-coupling further may include satellite locking mechanisms in combination with the primary locking mechanism. The satellite locking mechanisms may include satellite securing mechanisms that are moveable to release the satellite locking mechanism from the fixed plate. The locking mechanisms are removable while retaining the fixed plate fixed to base equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Mikulski, Leonard Nick, Andrew Holst, Timothy Marquis, Jason Richard Koller
  • Patent number: 10047888
    Abstract: A quick connector, which can securely demonstrate the lock confirmation function by a checker when a piped body is reinserted, is provided. A checker includes reinsertion-inhibiting bosses. Thus, when a piped body is inserted through an opening of a retainer again in such a state as the checker is moved to the lock confirmation position after the piped body has been pulled from out of a housing and the retainer in such a state as the checker is moved to the release position, the reinsertion-inhibiting bosses hock up onto an annular boss, thereby inhibiting the piped body from being inserted into the retainer and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Takahiro Nishiyama, Kazuki Hatanaka, Hisashi Terayama, Soutaro Kumeno
  • Patent number: 10030797
    Abstract: An irrigation pipe and method of fabrication that utilizes a pipe that is made of a durable material, e.g., stainless steel or aluminum. During fabrication, the pipe is equipped with a plurality of components, i.e., a flange assembly, a truss mount, and an outlet, without drilling, welding, or the like. In this manner, a method of fabrication is provided that enables a plurality of components to be assembled to the pipe without compromising the integrity of the pipe material or treated surface so that galvanizing or painting is not required after the plurality of components have been fitted to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Charles H. Meis