Patents Examined by Lisa Douglas
  • Patent number: 6830109
    Abstract: The invention is for a method for firefighting in which a directed jet of extinguisher foam is applied so as to cover the source of the fire, and to a device suitable for implementing this method. The method and device make it possible to extinguish fires which are spreading in area, while at the same time reducing the risk of uncontrolled spread of the fire. According to the invention, this is achieved in that as a supplement to the jet of extinguisher foam, the apparatus discharges individual jets of a mist of firefighting liquid which cools down the space surrounding the source of the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Fogtec Brandschutz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dirk K. Sprakel
  • Patent number: 6758410
    Abstract: A retaining supporter of a rotary sprinkler is disclosed. The retaining supporter has a cruciform cylindrical base at the lower half of the rotary sprinkler. Two plates with equal length are crossed with each other so as to form a cylindrical member with a cruciform cross section. The width of one plate is thicker than the other one, and the vertical surface of the wider plate is a curved surface and has a shape like an inverted triangle. When the lower half section of the fixing supporting element in inserted into the soil, it can be inserted easily. When the top section of the rotary sprinkler is connected with water pipe for water flow, the water flows through the interior of the fixing supporting element of the rotary sprinkler, so that water can be sprayed from the water outlet of the rotary sprinkler and moves the rotary sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Wen-Li Kuo
  • Patent number: 6732946
    Abstract: A lawn irrigation sprinkler head that internally incorporates an alert and retrieval device which indicates the position of the head if damaged, and facilitates in-situ repair of the damaged head. The sprinkler head has a hollow body containing a pop-up riser connected to a nozzle. The alert and retrieval device is positioned between the base of the riser and the nozzle. Should the nozzle become damaged or dislodged, the alert device telescopically extends from the riser and signals the location of the damaged sprinkler head. The device facilitates the repair of the head by lifting the riser from within the sprinkler head so that a replacement nozzle can be attached. In an alternative embodiment the alert device has an integral shut-off valve which prevents the discharge of water in the event that a subsequent irrigation cycle occurs before the damaged head is repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Waldemar Veazie
  • Patent number: 6663018
    Abstract: An assembly for making accurate mixtures of liquid components and feeding that liquid mixture to the inlet port of a sprayer. The assembly includes a container of stiff polymeric material comprising a side wall with a frusto conical inner surface, and a bottom wall at the bottom end of the side wall opposite a top end of the side wall that defines an opening into a cavity in the container. A flexible liner positioned within the cavity in the container has an outer surface corresponding in shape to the inner surface of the container, an inner surface defining a cavity in the liner, and an annular lip along the top end of the side wall defining an opening into the cavity in the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Rothrum, Joel A. Vokaty
  • Patent number: 6663023
    Abstract: The present air gun-tool relates to a multipurpose unit air gun-tool, taking the advantage of a combined snap securing adaptor, air gun-tool which can be changed with several special throttle components on a based common component into different functional air gun-tool for meeting the necessary of the working site and facilitating to carry so that the production cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Wuu-Cheau Jou
  • Patent number: 6655613
    Abstract: A fire-fighting turret or monitor includes a curved pipe formed in three successive sections separated by swivelable joints. The first joint swivels about the axis of the first section; the second joint swivels about an axis disposed at an acute angle to the first axis; and the third section includes a corresponding bend so that the exit from the third section can be pointed anywhere within substantially a hemisphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Arthur Brown, Inc
    Inventor: Arthur E. Brown
  • Patent number: 6651904
    Abstract: A watering nozzle (16) for underground pop-up sprinkler (1) comprises a bottom part (17) and a top part (37) comprising a distribution cylinder (40). The bottom part (17) is provided with an annular opening (100) that receives the flow of water coming from the base of the sprinkler (1) and generates a jet in the form of a spray having pre-established angular extension that flows into a distribution cylinder (40) provided with radial slots (41) arranged as an arc of circumference that proceed from its bottom to its side wall so as to subdivide the single spray jet into single jets. The distribution cylinder (40) has on top a fan wheel (70) having a diameter greater than the cylinder and provided with external fins (71) that extend downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Claber S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Roman
  • Patent number: 6644560
    Abstract: A fountain includes a container having a top with an opening therein, a bottom, and an interior for holding a liquid, such as water. An elongated, hollow support member is positioned within the interior and extending from the opening in the top. This support member has a first end mounted at or near the bottom of the container, a second end terminating a predetermined distance above the opening in the top, and an exterior surface over which liquid flows. A pump positioned within the interior and operably connected to the first end of the support member pumps liquid in the interior into and through the hollow support member to flow out its second end and then along the exterior surface of the support member to return to the interior of the container. A faucet is attached to the second end of the support member in a manner which allows the liquid to flow from the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fancy This!, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Polzin, Deidre Polzin
  • Patent number: 6644564
    Abstract: A self-contained portable plant watering/misting apparatus includes a housing having a liquid reservoir a filling opening communicating with the reservoir and a pouring spout communicating with the reservoir. A sprayer is selectively supported by the housing. A pump is supported by the housing and communicates with the reservoir. A flexible fluid conduit is connected at a first end with the pump and a second end with the sprayer. The housing can also include a handle and a recess. The recess accommodates the sprayer when it is held by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Jerzy Perkitny
  • Patent number: 6641058
    Abstract: A dishwasher spray arm hub assembly includes a hub having a first central bore extending therethrough and a conduit feed extending therefrom. The conduit feed is in flow communication with the central bore and a venturi insert is disposed in the hub central bore. The venturi insert also includes a second central bore extending therethrough. The first bore and the second bore together form a fluid bypass channel in flow communication with the conduit feed. Therefore, a lower spray arm assembly and a spray arm conduit for upper spray arm assemblies may be simultaneously fed through the hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arjan Johannes Hegeman, David V. Helmlinger
  • Patent number: 6641057
    Abstract: A shower head having a plurality of nozzles capable of attachment to a flexible shower arm. The shower head has a unique nozzle construction that allows for the manipulation of an external flexible nozzle to remove mineral deposits and has an internal, rigid nozzle structure for efficiently forming an aesthetically pleasing water stream. The shower head may have two available flow configurations which are selectable by a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Thomas, Russell S. Krajec, William J. Gillette, Timothy A. Bachman
  • Patent number: 6641005
    Abstract: An aerosol device for dispensing texture material for matching existing acoustical ceiling texture. The device comprises a container, a valve assembly, a dispensing nozzle, a hardenable material, and pressurized inert gas as a propelling mechanism. The hardenable material and pressurized inert gas are placed into the container. When the valve assembly is opened, the inert gas forces the hardenable material out of the container through the dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle diverts at least a portion of the hardenable material exiting the container to develop a spray suitable for the application of the hardenable material onto the ceiling surface being textured. The hardenable material preferably comprises at least water, filler, binder, and polystyrene particles. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Stern, James A. Tryon, Eivind Clausen
  • Patent number: 6637672
    Abstract: The adjustable arc spray nozzle allows adjustment of the spray arc, the radius, and flow of the water spray provided by the nozzle. The nozzle includes a top member, a base member, and a discharge orifice defined therebetween. A rotatable external upper collar controls the radius of the pattern, an internal helix member controls the arc of the spray pattern, and an internal flow adjustment screw and an optional rotatable external lower collar control the flow of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Paul M. Cordua
  • Patent number: 6634569
    Abstract: An injector for injecting fuel into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine in which a movable control part is contained in the housing of the injector and is guided in this injector housing to unblock the inlet to an injection nozzle when a closing element relieves the pressure in a control chamber or closes the inlet when a pressure is built up in the control chamber. The nozzle needle of the injector is associated with a piston element which encourages the closing movement of the nozzle needle and counteracts its opening movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 6626369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection device having an injection valve (12), a valve device (18, 20) for controlling the injection, and a setting element (22) for operating the valve device (18, 20), the valve device having at least one first valve (18) and a second valve (20) which can be operated by the settling element (22) via a common hydraulic coupling space (24). The present invention further relates to a method for injecting fluid in which a setting element is (22) is activated, a valve device (18, 20) is operated by the setting element (22), and an injection valve (12) is opened, the first valve (18) and a second valve (20) of the valve device (18, 20) being operated by the setting element (22) via a common hydraulic coupling space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Christoph Magel
  • Patent number: 6622935
    Abstract: Disclosed is a crop spraying system. The system includes an articulated spraying assembly that is secured to a tractor and/or a pull behind crop sprayer. The articulated assembly permits a fluid, such as an insecticide, to be effectively delivered to a commercial crop, such a citrus tree. Specifically, the fluid can be delivered upwardly from a pivotal boom that is preferably horizontally positioned at a location adjacent the ground. In this manner, the fluid is released upwardly from a position beneath crop canopies. The result is a more effective penetration of the crop by the dispensed fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: American Tank & Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Owens, Gregory C. Farrar
  • Patent number: 6622945
    Abstract: A shower head structure, comprising a body, a front housing, a push button, a water guide member, a flow switch disk, a first water outlet panel, a second water outlet panel, and a third water outlet panel. Thus, the user can operate the push button by his one hand only, so as to switch and adjust the water flow, thereby facilitating the user switching and adjusting the water flow of the shower head. In addition, the user can press the push button to switch and adjust the water flow through the first water outlet panel, the second water outlet panel and the third water outlet panel, thereby enhancing the versatility of the shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventors: James Wu, Len Gen Yan
  • Patent number: 6622932
    Abstract: Within an injector housing, a nozzle needle comprising a nozzle needle shaft is accommodated in a first guide boring in a longitudinally displaceable manner. A nozzle prechamber which is arranged in front of the nozzle needle shaft and which is situated on the fore-part of the first guide boring is supplied with fuel via a high pressure channel. A control valve permits a control chamber, which is coupled to the nozzle needle and which is subjected to the action of highly pressurized fuel, to be relieved from pressure by opening the nozzle needle. According to a second embodiment, a spring chamber is configured as a high-pressure chamber on the rear side of the first guide boring that guides the nozzle needle shaft. The spring chamber is separate from the control chamber and contains a readjusting spring that impinges upon the nozzle needle in a direction of closure. This configuration prevents fuel exiting the nozzle prechamber from overflowing over the guide boring which guides the nozzle needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbinen-Union Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Günther Schmidt, Albert Kloos
  • Patent number: 6622931
    Abstract: A dispensing head is provided for actuating a valve or a pump and for dispensing a product through at least one dispensing orifice. The dispensing head comprises a body and an end element. The body may be configured for coupling to an operating stem of the valve or of the pump. The end element includes a dispensing orifice and is movable with respect to the body. When the dispensing head is mounted on the pump stem or valve stem, the dispensing orifice is in communication with the stem via at least one passage. The end element is capable of being positioned to allow the cleaning of all or part of a dispensing duct. The end element is capable of being translated and pivoted relative to the body. A dispenser assembly may be equipped with this dispensing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Bonningue
  • Patent number: 6622946
    Abstract: A device for coating of workpieces has an application unit provided with a distributing plate which has at least one nozzle and at least one valve unit, the at least one valve unit being formed as a plate valve with at least one inlet slider and at least one outlet slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sieghard Schiller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Held, Frank Hummel, Martin Speidel, Andreas Zimmermann