Patents Examined by Patrick Brinson
  • Patent number: 7017614
    Abstract: A repositionable downspout extension is formed as an integral blow molded plastic component having three distinct sections. A downspout connector end merges with a corrugated extendible middle section which terminates in a drainage pipe connector. The downspout connector includes two rectangular sections of different sizes defining two different securing segments for engaging two different sizes of downspouts. The middle section is of a pleated configuration and is of variable length by expanding or collapsing of the pleats. The drainage pipe connector is a circular connector for connecting with commonly used corrugated plastic pipe or rigid plastic pipe. In a preferred embodiment the downspout connector end also includes a connector for insertion and retention in the corrugated middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: GSW Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Handley
  • Patent number: 7013924
    Abstract: A fluid pressure system (S) includes a flexible diaphragm bladder (172) located inside a pressure tank (164) installed within a fluid system such as well (168). In preferred aspects, the bladder (172) can be inflated by the introduction of air and is located within a flexible confining tube (198) for preventing over expansion of the bladder (172) and in the preferred form being of a cylindrical configuration and arranged concentrically around the bladder (172). The bladder (172) and the confining tube (198) are free floating in and without physical connection with the pressure tank (164) in preferred forms. The pressure tank (164) includes a flexible side wall (196) to allow folding or willing of the assembled fluid pressure system (S) in preferred forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: In-Well Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Meyers, Thomas A. Moon
  • Patent number: 7013925
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an accumulator tank assembly and method in which a flexible bladder is received within an accumulator tank. The accumulator tank and the flexible bladder can each have an inlet aperture through which fluid is received within the accumulator tank assembly and an outlet aperture through which fluid exits the accumulator tank assembly. In some embodiments, inlet and outlet flanges positioned adjacent the inlet and outlet apertures of the accumulator tank are used to couple the flexible bladder to internal or external surfaces of the accumulator tank, thereby creating fluid tight seals between the flexible bladder and the accumulator tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: SHURflo, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Saveliev, Steven T. Jersey
  • Patent number: 7013926
    Abstract: A plumbing pipe plug apparatus configured for insertion into a section of pipe and adapted to radially expand so as to engage the inner surface of the pipe and form a positive seal therewith is disclosed. The pipe plug is adapted with a conduit having a check valve that opens in response to fluid pressure to enable the injection into the plumbing system of a pressurized fluid, such as water, to pressurize the system downstream of the plug to allow for leak inspection and pressure testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: Randy Storey, Michael Anthony
  • Patent number: 7013927
    Abstract: A protective sleeve system for use by plumbers during installation of riser pipes in buildings, surrounds a pipe and maintains a space around the pipe. A sleeve surrounds the pipe such that a space is defined between the pipe and the sleeve and a plurality of spacers disposed between the sleeve and the pipe, maintain the space between the pipe and the sleeve. The plurality of spacers are separate from the sleeve. An annular cover ring covers the annular space. In use, the protective sleeve system is installed prior to pouring the concrete floor. After pouring and setting of the concrete floor, the cover ring is removed, followed by the removal of the spacers. The sleeve is then cut to floor level and the pipe riser is cut down to a suitable level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Beaumont
  • Patent number: 7011234
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser device comprising a body (1), dispensing means (30) for dispensing the fluid, a first reservoir (10) containing a first fluid and a second reservoir (20) containing a second fluid, the first and second fluids being to be mixed prior to dispensing so as to form one or more doses of fluid to be dispensed, said fluid dispenser device being characterized in that it further comprises a mixture-forming system for mixing the first and second fluids in one of said reservoirs (10, 20), said mixture-forming system having a manual actuating element (50) that is mounted to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the fluid is dispensed, said manual actuating element (50) being actuatable with one hand and acting, after said first and second fluids have been mixed, to actuate the dispensing means (30) for dispensing the fluid, without any further manipulation of the device being necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Valois SAS
    Inventor: Giuseppe Stradella
  • Patent number: 7011114
    Abstract: An automotive fuel hose having a three-layer structure excellent in sour-gasoline resistance and impact resistance. The automotive fuel hose includes a tubular inner layer in which fuel is adapted to flow; a low fuel permeability layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the inner layer; and an outer layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the low fuel permeability layer. The inner layer and the outer layer each including at least one of a polyolefin resin having a functional group and a polyamide resin and the low fuel permeability layer including a polyphenylene sulfide resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichiro Suzuki, Kazutaka Katayama, Hiroaki Ito
  • Patent number: 7004359
    Abstract: A spraying cap for a spray container with a valve includes an attachment for the spray container with a connection piece that is connectable with the valve, which runs into a spray nozzle. The spraying cap further includes an actuator element, slewably mounted on the attachment, which in a locked position at least partly covers the spray nozzle and in an opened position sticks off from the spraying cap, and a pressure region in the attachment proximate to the connection piece. A force on the pressure region or on the actuator element in its opened position, wholly or partly pointing into the actuation direction of the valve, opens the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lindal Ventil GmbH
    Inventor: Alain Marroncles
  • Patent number: 7004202
    Abstract: A composite strip 10 windable to form a helical pipe is disclosed. The composite strip 10 comprises: an elongate plastic strip 11 having a base portion 12 and at least one lengthwise extending rib portion 20 upstanding from the base portion 12; and an elongate reinforcing strip 30 extending lengthwise and supported laterally by the rib portion 20, the reinforcing strip 30 having a height to thickness ratio of at least three to one and orientated substantially perpendicular to the base portion 12. When wound into a helical pipe, the reinforcing strip 30 reinforces the pipe against radial crushing loads. A bead 40 seals the reinforcing strip 30 from the environment. Desirably the composite strip 10 further comprises: a planar lamina 50 extending lengthwise and bonded to the base portion 12, the lamina 50 having a higher Young's modulus and strength than those of the plastic strip 11. The lamina 50 greatly improves the pressure rating of a pipe wound from the strip 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Rib Loc Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Roger Bateman, Gulcay Uysal
  • Patent number: 7004201
    Abstract: A vibration absorbing hose has a corrugated portion extending substantially entire part of the hose and end portions of straight cylindrical shape. The vibration absorbing hose has multi-layered construction of tubular inner rubber layer, pressure resistant reinforcement layer circumscribing an outer side of the inner rubber layer and outer rubber layer as outermost cover layer. The pressure resistant reinforcement layer is formed, for example, by braiding reinforcing yarns, so as to have corrugations along the corrugated portion of the inner rubber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Arima, Norihiko Furuta, Ayumu Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 7004357
    Abstract: An apparatus converts rotary motion of a motor drive shaft into oscillatory motion of a work piece, for example, in a power tool. The apparatus comprises a planetary gear assembly connected to the motor for rotating an output gear. The output gear meshes with a drive gear including a drive pin. The drive pin fits in a yoke slot for reciprocation of the yoke upon rotation of the drive gear. The yoke is operatively connected to the work piece. An air flow system cools the power tool housing. The housing has an inlet aperture in the handle portion and an outlet aperture for placing the interior of the housing in communication with the atmosphere. A wall integral with the handle portion engages the body of the motor housing between a first end and openings in the body. The wall provides a barrier to minimize air flow between an intake air portion of the interior of the housing and an exhaust air portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Alemite, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry D. Shew
  • Patent number: 7004200
    Abstract: A flow control valve controls a flow of water through a passage to a brine tank of a water treatment apparatus. A valve seat is between first and second sections of the passage. The valve seat has a first end with a concave surface facing the first section and an aperture extending from the concave surface to a second end that faces the second section. A groove in the concave surface extends from the first end to the aperture. A valve element moves within the first section in response to pressure of the water in the first section thereby varying the size of a path through the passage by an amount that varies as a function of the water pressure. The action of the valve element maintains a substantially constant flow rate through the flow control valve regardless of water pressure variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Wittig, Kenneth J. Sieth, John D. Stolz, Jeffrey G. Franks
  • Patent number: 7000643
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bladder system for use in conjunction with a conduit expansion process and system. In addition, the bladder system is in operative communication with an injection material handling system. The bladder system includes a bladder element with injection hardware positioned on one end and distal end hardware positioned on the other end. The injection hardware and the distal end hardware are integrally attached to the bladder element, and the bladder element is capable of expanding and contracting inside the liner conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Underground Solutions Technologies Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan St. Onge, Henri St. Onge
  • Patent number: 6997214
    Abstract: An intake tubing includes a tubular member having a number of helical protuberances and a number of helical grooves formed in an inner peripheral surface, an inlet end for receiving fluid, and an outlet end for coupling to an engine. The helical protuberances and the helical grooves of the tubular member may guide the fluid to flow through the tubular member in great speed and to increase power of the engine when the fluid flows quickly toward the inlet end of the tubular member, and to generate eddy current and to lower the flowing speed of the fluid when the fluid flows slowly toward the inlet end of the tubular member, in order to economize fuel or fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Lin Lin Kuo
  • Patent number: 6994119
    Abstract: A flexible fiber inforced hose comprises an inner rubber layer, an outer rubber layer, and a fiber reinforced layer provided between the inner rubber layer and the outer rubber layer, wherein the fiber reinforced layer is constructed by using a reinforcing fiber of at least one raw yarn, which is a spanized yarn consisting of monofilaments made of a para aromatic polyamide material. Such a fiber reinforced hose has excellent heat resistance, tensile strength, and adhesiveness with the rubber layers, as well as durability against repetitive pressurizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Mori
  • Patent number: 6988514
    Abstract: A hydroaccumulator, in particular a bladder accumulator, includes a pressurized container (1) and a separation element (5) located in the container to separate a gas chamber (7) lying adjacent to an inlet on the gas side from a fluid chamber (9) lying adjacent to an inlet on the fluid side inlet (3), having a fluid connecting sleeve (11) and a valve arrangement located in the connecting sleeve (11). The valve body (17) has a transversal bore (33). The valve body is pretensioned in an open position which allows the passage of fluid and can be displaced into a closed position by a displacement of the separation element (5). The interior surface (15) of the connecting sleeve (11) lies directly against the valve body (17) and guides the displacement of the body between the open and closed positions. The side of the valve body (17?) that faces the separation element (5) is configured as a planar plate extending partially into the fluid chamber (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Hydac Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Weber
  • Patent number: 6988515
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide ultra-low permeation hoses which have at the interior thereof a refrigerant barrier layer that consists in large part of a metal layer and is capable of conforming to hose deformation, which have an excellent resistance to refrigerant permeation (i.e., barrier properties to refrigerants), particularly an excellent CO2 permeation resistance and an excellent heat resistance when CO2 is used as the refrigerant. The object can be accomplished by an ultra-low permeation hose having at least a refrigerant barrier layer and a rubber layer and/or a resin layer; wherein the refrigerant barrier layer is a laminated film comprising a resin layer and, on the outside thereof, a metal layer, which the resin layer and the metal layer are bonded together by a polyamide-epoxy reactive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignees: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Nihon Matai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Oishi, Yuuji Kawamori, Hiroaki Shibano, Fumio Tashiro
  • Patent number: 6983769
    Abstract: A vibration absorbing hose including a corrugated portion has multi-layered construction of tubular inner rubber layer, pressure resistant reinforcement layer formed on an outer side of the inner rubber layer by providing reinforcing yarns. A radial depth B of the pressure resistant reinforcement layer at a position of each of corrugation valleys of the rubber layer has such relationship with respect to a corrugation valley depth A of the rubber layer as 0< or =B< or =0.7×A, and an opening angle ? of each of the corrugation valleys of the rubber layer satisfies ?< or =100°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Arima, Norihiko Furuta, Ayumu Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 6983770
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing pipe body by which pipe body with precise quality and closely contacted seam can be made stably by pressing process, and pipe body manufactured by the method are provided. To manufacture a pipe body 1 made of metal with circular or polygonal cross section comprising a seam 5e and a wall 2 or plurality of walls 2, 3 and 4, a pipe-like intermediate product 14 is made by bending a metal plate 6 of which edges to be seam 5e have not yet contacted together. In case for prism pipe, the intermediate product comprises walls 5a, 5b to be contacted and be a wall including seam, and other walls, and both angles of both ends of one specified wall 15 of the intermediate product are larger than those of completed pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Kondou, Keiji Ishino
  • Patent number: 6981524
    Abstract: A tube plug kit including a tube plug having a housing member and a locking member, the housing member having a smooth longitudinal bore communicating with a threaded portion, the locking member mounted on the housing member. An insert member having a first threaded end portion is received within the threaded portion of the bore, an enlarged portion positioned to be drawn within the smooth portion of the longitudinal bore in response to rotation of the insert member in the longitudinal bore and a drive portion configured to receive a torque applying tool in a rotationally driving manner. A torque limiting region is located in the insert member to limit an amount of torque the drive portion can transmit to the first threaded end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: JNT Technical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn F. Jorgensen