Patents Examined by John Fristoe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11571051
    Abstract: The disclosure herein includes an expandable luggage assembly, which expandable luggage assembly may include: an upper shell having a plurality of sidewalls; a lower shell having a plurality of sidewalls removably coupled to one more of the plurality of sidewalls of the upper shell; a shelf coupled to the upper shell; a plurality of wheels coupled to the lower shell; and two handles, each handle of the two handles comprising: a crossbar disposed above the upper shell; a first tube coupled to the crossbar and slidably coupled to the upper shell; a second tube slidably coupled to the first tube and capable of being abutted against the upper shell; a third tube slidably coupled to the second tube and coupled to the lower shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Trung Tieu
  • Patent number: 9217512
    Abstract: A combined faucet handle and control valve assembly has a faucet handle, a plurality of connecting joints and a control valve. The faucet handle provided with a chamber, with an engaging space formed by a dividing member and a base in the chamber, an assembly aperture disposed in the base and passing through the faucet handle. The assembly aperture is engaged with a corresponding first securing member. Each connecting joint has a rod, an end of the rod provided with a connecting portion having an engaging aperture, the engaging aperture having a shape corresponding to a valve rod of the control valve, another end of the rod provided with a first section and a second section, the first section provided with a through aperture disposed axially through the rod and the connecting portion and engaging with a second securing member, and the second section is provided with a positioning aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: ALEXANDER YEH INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Li-Chen Huang
  • Patent number: 8376313
    Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus comprises a spout, a fluid supply conduit supported by the spout, a valve assembly to supply fluid through the fluid supply conduit, and a capacitive touch sensor. The capacitive touch sensor is coupled to a controller. The controller is also coupled to the valve assembly. The controller is configured to detect a user touching the sensor and to control flow of fluid through the fluid supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: David M Burke, Fabio Pandini
  • Patent number: 8262057
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating a device such as a self-closing internal valve is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing assembly having an internal chamber, a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber, and an actuator stem extending from the housing assembly. The actuator stem is moveable in response to the addition or removal of a fluid into or out of the internal chamber. To control the flow rate of a fluid into and out of the internal chamber, the apparatus includes a fluid control valve in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the housing assembly, wherein the fluid control valve is adapted to restrict the rate of fluid flow into the internal chamber of the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Chun Lin, Yin Zhuang, Lu Cang, Fan Jian Jun
  • Patent number: 8256459
    Abstract: A fluid conduit connector apparatus that approximates pneumatic characteristics of a removed pneumatic system component when a fluid conduit is removed from a pneumatic system. The fluid conduit connector apparatus includes a port portion having a valve disposed therein. The valve closes to provide a reduced fluid orifice when a fluid conduit is removed from the port. The reduced fluid orifice is configured to provide pneumatic characteristics of the device being disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Christopher Tesluk, Malcolm Bock
  • Patent number: 8251348
    Abstract: The present invention relates to valve plugs for reducing erosion of the valve plug head and/or seat. More specifically, this invention comprises a valve plug incorporating a choke transfer trim that reduces the time of exposure of the plug head and/or seat to high velocity and high pressure drop at the interface of the plug head and seat when the valve is in the closed position. The choke transfer trim transfers the flow control area of the valve away from the plug head/seat interface to a location downstream, thereby reducing erosion at the interface between the valve plug head and/or seat that is typically used for fluid throttling and shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Caldera Engineering, LC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Robison, Frank Redd
  • Patent number: 8245728
    Abstract: A miniature quantum fluid transfer system configured to regulate the flow rate of a fluid by allowing passage of very small, discrete increments of fluid through the valve including a valve body having at least one inlet to receive fluid and at least one outlet to release fluid. The quantum fluid transfer system includes a valve rod movably disposed in a first chamber in the valve body. The valve rod has a plurality of fluid passages spaced longitudinally along the valve rod, and the valve rod is movable to align each fluid passage with an inlet or outlet port in the first chamber to allow fluid to flow through selected inlet or outlet ports corresponding to selected fluid passages. The quantum fluid transfer system has a plug movably disposed in a second chamber in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Shane Olsen
  • Patent number: 8245723
    Abstract: A device for conveying and/or distributing fluids comprises a housing with connection portions, one or more threaded ring nuts that can be screwed to the connection portions in order to join them, a control handle and a tightening seat formed in the housing and adapted to support the control handle in a tightening position, rotatable around a tightening axis. The control handle comprises a drive portion which, in the tightening position, engages with a coupling portion of the ring nut, in a manner such that a rotation of the control handle around the tightening axis leads to a screwing or an unscrewing of the ring nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: F.I.P. Formatura Iniezione Polimeri S.p.A.
    Inventors: Corrado Mazzacano, Andrea Bisio
  • Patent number: 8246005
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic fuel injection valve in which: a suction tubular part projecting toward an inside of a nonmagnetic cylindrical body is provided to a front end portion of a stationary core; and a front end of the suction tubular part and a rear end of a movable core are opposed to each other in the inside of the nonmagnetic cylindrical body, an annular gap allowing influx of pressure fluid used for a check of liquid-tightness between the nonmagnetic cylindrical body and the stationary core is provided between an outer peripheral surface of the suction tubular part and an inner peripheral surface of the nonmagnetic cylindrical body. Accordingly, it enables a quick and efficient judgment to be made on a check on liquid-tightness of a welded part by applying fluid pressure to the inside of the valve housing after the valve housing of the electromagnetic fuel injection valve is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Toshikazu Sakai, Ryuji Aoki
  • Patent number: 8240636
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve that has an orifice closing member adjacent to an orifice through which fluid can flow, a displacement member having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is adjacent to the orifice closing member when the valve is in an open position, a first magnet and a second magnet where the first and second magnets are sufficiently proximate to the displacement member to exert a magnetic force on the displacement member, and an actuator for generating a magnetic field to move the displacement member toward the first magnet, cause the first portion to press against the orifice closing member, and cause the orifice closing member to close the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Forrest Smith
  • Patent number: 8240634
    Abstract: A high-pressure valve assembly includes a flange defining an axis. Projecting into the flange is a valve body which is sealed against the flange by a static ring seal. Provided on one side of the valve body is a spring-loaded closure member which is supported for movement in a direction of the axis to form a suction valve, and on another side of the valve body in opposition to the one side is a spring-loaded tappet which is supported for movement in the direction of the axis to form a pressure valve. A channel connects the suction valve with the pressure valve and has one end porting into a pressure chamber of the valve body adjacent to the pressure valve. The pressure chamber extends in axial direction of the tappet and is sized to extend substantially above a bottom edge of the ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hammelmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jarchau, Axel Sommerkamp
  • Patent number: 8240637
    Abstract: The device includes a spindle rotatably supported perpendicular to a value displacement direction and is made of a first spindle part and a second spindle part. The two parts are provided with outside threads configured in opposite directions to each other. On the first spindle part, a first nut having a complementary inside thread is applied. On the second spindle part, a second nut having a complementary inside thread is applied. The first nut includes a first bearing for the rotatable support of one end of a first connecting rib. The second nut comprises a second bearing for the rotatable support of one end of a second connecting rib. The other end of the first connecting rib and the other end of the second connecting rib are rotatably supported on a third bearing. Parallel to the spindle, on the side thereof facing away from the valve member, a stop is provided for the first nut and for the second nut, the stop surface extends perpendicular to the displacement direction of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Hannewald
  • Patent number: 8240635
    Abstract: Improving the accuracy of the flow rate of a valve in a fluidic delivery device in which a desired flow rate may be achieved by varying the duty cycle of the valve. The flow rate of fluid delivery from the valve over its lifetime is stabilized by minimizing the voltage OPENING time of the valve to account for valve and piezoelectric actuator drift. Also, the valve OPENING time of one or more fluidic parameters that impact on the flow rate delivery by the valve and differ among fluidic delivery devices is compensated to optimize the flow rate accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Codman Neuro Sciences Sárl
    Inventors: Rocco Crivelli, Alec Ginggen, Toralf Bork
  • Patent number: 8240329
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing in-line, three-state, dual flow metering, high pressure relief, for use in a system utilizing compressible or incompressible media, which includes a centrally disposed magnetically homed ball with opposing axially aligned ball mating valve seats, with a high pressure relief spring deployed to control the pressure necessary to trigger high pressure relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robust Systems Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Shore, Aron Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 8235355
    Abstract: A slide valve, in particular for blocking a line conveying media, is provided with a multi-part housing (2) having a passage opening (3). Disposed in this housing (2) are two slider plates (4, 5), parallel to one another, moveable at right angles to the passage opening (3), and which can be moved from an open position into a closed position tightly blocking the passage opening (3) by means of a common drive mechanism (10). Means are provided for connecting the two slider plates (4, 5) to one another and to the drive mechanism (10), and which in the closed position allow a pre-determined relative movement of the slider plates (4, 5) in relation to one another in their direction of movement. Thus, even with tolerance deviations with regard to the slider plates and/or their counter-surfaces, a long-lasting blocking function of both slider plates is guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: SISTAG AG Absperrtechnik
    Inventor: Hans-Jörg Sidler
  • Patent number: 8235352
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve for use in an irrigation system is disclosed that is adapted to reduce the water hammer effect, reduce debris in a flow path through a valve seat, improve bleed operation and/or reduce manufacturing and materials costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Irwin, Clint R. Haas
  • Patent number: 8235353
    Abstract: The present invention is a water faucet device (2a) connected to pipes and buried in a mounting surface (W1), including: a water conveying portion main body (20) having an inflow-side connecting portion (20a), an outflow-side connecting portion (20b), and double pipe connecting portions (20c, 20d) respectively communicating with these; a push valve (30) opened and closed by a pushing operation; a valve receiving main body, positioned at a predetermined position relative to the mounting surface, and having double pipe joining portions (26a, 26b) slidably joined to a double pipe connecting portion in a direction approximately perpendicular to the mounting surface, and a push valve receiving recess (26c) for receiving the push valve; and a push button unit (10a) disposed on the mounting surface, furnished with a push button (12b) for pushing the operating portion of a push valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Miyagi, Shoji Miura
  • Patent number: 8231105
    Abstract: The metering servovalve (7) includes a valve body (8, 30), a shutter (45), and an electromagnet (15), and is housed inside a casing (2) of the injector (1). The electromagnet (15) activates a movable armature (16) performing a travel defined by a stop member (19) carried by the electromagnet (15), which is fixed inside the casing by a threaded ring nut (40) with the interposition of at least one deformable shim (48). The ring nut (40) is screwed to a predetermined tightening torque to a thread (46) on the casing (2) to elastically deform the shim (48). And the shim (48) is defined by a metal ring with, for example, an L-, C-, S-, Z- or ?-shaped cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Adriano Gorgoglione, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis
  • Patent number: 8231101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a duct connector for working fluid, that is durable and corrosion resistant, and a valve with the duct connector. The duct connector has a head portion with an internal fitting portion that fluidly communicates with the inside of a cylinder housing of the valve. It is affixed to the housing in such a manner that the head portion protrudes from the outer surface of the housing with the fitting portion being positioned outside the outer surface of the housing. Duct connectors may be formed by insert molding using a resin with a tensile elongation ratio of 50%-400% and tensile strength of 50 Mpa -200 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Organic Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunichiro Hagihara
  • Patent number: 8231104
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solenoid valve including a valve housing. A valve seat sleeve is fixed in the valve housing and defines a valve seat. A magnet armature defining a blind hole with a valve closing element positioned therein is movably positioned relative to the valve seat sleeve with the valve seat positioned in and engaging the blind hole such that the valve closing element is aligned with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Christoph Voss