Patents Examined by Patrick Brinson
  • Patent number: 6945279
    Abstract: An impermeable rubber hose is thinned for the purpose of reducing weight and costs. A rigid resin film is used as an intermediate layer. When the resin film is gradually rolled up into a cylindrical shape from a planar shape and fed to an extrusion head and rubber is simultaneously extrusion-molded inside and outside the cylindrical film, the film produces a break or a twist to make extrusion molding difficult. It is an object of the present invention to make simultaneous extrusion molding possible even in such a condition. To attain the above object, a thermoplastic resin film (5) which forms an intermediate layer (2) and of which the melting point is lower than the vulcanizing temperature is formed in a long belt-shape. Slits (7) are provided at fixed intervals on the right and left long side sections (8, 8) of the film (5) in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Yamashita Rubber Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Baba, Yuji Hirano, Hiromi Fujii, Takafumi Matano
  • Patent number: 6945482
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a chassis and a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body. A conveyor assembly for selectively conveying materials from the body is also included. A tailgate is pivotally connected to the body and has an opening therein to permit material to be transported therethrough. A rear feed gate assembly for selectively covering the opening of the tailgate is provided. The vehicle includes a rear diverter chute that is operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct the materials to a rear spreader. A front feed gate assembly for selectively covering an opening of a front end of the body is provided. First and second side chutes are operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct materials to a side spreader and a surface, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Henderson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Hollinrake, Mart E. Ward, Wade J. Burken, Glenn Ungerer
  • Patent number: 6941975
    Abstract: A hose suitable for use in refrigerant systems. The hose has a barrier layer formed of at least two layers of thermoplastic resin. At least one of the layers is a vinyl resin. The resins are selected so that the hose has a permeation rate of virtually zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Reji Paul Wilson, Brian Henry
  • Patent number: 6938645
    Abstract: An annulated tubular sheath which is split down a longitudinal section thereof. According to the invention, a longitudinal strip of the sleeve is made of a flexible material and is disposed in an angular position of 5-180 degrees in relation to the longitudinal section or is disposed in the region of the sheath in which the longitudinal section is made. Preferably, the flexible material is a thermoplastic elastomer. The invention also relates to a method for producing a sleeve by extruding a plastic material, a longitudinal strip made of a flexible material obtained by co-extruding an elastomer material. A device for carrying out said method comprises an extrusion head provided with an insert for placing the co-extrusion in a stop position on a die in order to block the flow of the extruded plastic material and to enable the flow of elastomer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sofanou S.A.
    Inventors: Domingos Domingues Duarte, Emmanuel Klinklin, Pascal Commeaux
  • Patent number: 6935377
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel injection pipe has a connecting head with an outer circumference formed for a mating seat portion. A shallow annular groove is formed in the inner side of the connecting head while shaping the head. A connecting washer is fit on the outer circumference of the lower neck of the connecting head. The injection pipe is characterized in that the lower neck of the connecting head is provided with an at least two-stepped portion having no slope, and in that the connecting washer is provided with a stepped portion corresponding at least partially to the stepped portion of the connecting head, so that the stepped portions may abut against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventor: Munekatsu Furugen
  • Patent number: 6935379
    Abstract: An improved insulation and an improved method for preparing and installing sheets of insulation having a vapor-barrier jacket or “finish” to ductwork and other fluid conduits or other surfaces. Anchor tabs are provided on the insulation, as are also studs for anchorage and mechanical attachment. Pressure sensitive tape with a split release strip is applied to the sheets prior to the installation of the sheets to the ductwork or other fluid conduits. The pressure sensitive tape is for sealing of any penetrations in the vapor-barrier by the mechanical attachment devices and for sealing of the edge of the vapor barrier jacket flange to the adjacent piece vapor-barrier jacket. The insulation is configured such that during storage and shipment, the jacket attachment flanges are positioned to avoid crumpling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Marvin C. Buchanan, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6935380
    Abstract: A plumbing end cap for sealing an end of a selected pipe having either a first outer diameter or a second outer diameter includes a fluid impervious base for overlying the end of the selected pipe. The end cap also includes an endless wall fixed to a perimeter of the base and configured to seal the end of the selected pipe. The endless wall is pivotable between a first configuration to fit the first outer diameter and a second configuration to fit the second outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: California Plumbing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Rahimzadeh, John Hanna
  • Patent number: 6935378
    Abstract: A vibration absorbing hose including a corrugated portion 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 providing reinforcing yarns, so as to have corrugations along the corrugated portion of the inner rubber layer. The inner rubber layer contains scaly filler in an amount of 50 phr to 200 phr so as to be oriented in a stretching direction of the inner rubber layer. The scaly filler has an aspect ratio of 2 to 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Ikemoto, Tetsuya Arima
  • Patent number: 6932116
    Abstract: A reinforced liner for cured in place pipe rehabilitation of an existing pipeline having a plurality of high-strength low-elongation fiber bundles disposed circumferentially around the tubular liner at both inner and outer surfaces of a resin absorbent layer of the liner is provided. The bundles of reinforcing fibers are continuous lengths of high modulus fibers laid circumferentially with the ability to stretch to accommodate variations in host pipe diameter. The ends of reinforcing fibers on the inner and outer reinforcing layers overlap so that the ends slide past each other as the liner is expanded prior to cure. The reinforcing fibers may be secured to a porous scrim to form an inner tubular reinforcing layer. An outer layer of bundles of reinforcing fiber are formed into a tube about the absorbent layer. An outer impermeable tubular layer is wrapped around the inner layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventors: E. Peter Smith, David Hahn, John Ernest Gumbel
  • Patent number: 6926039
    Abstract: A flexible pipe for transporting a fluid comprising an outer sealing polymer sheath, at least a pair of armor wraps helically and long-pitch wound, and a polymer pressure sheath. The pressure sheath consists of an inner tube arranged in an outer tube, and grooves are arranged on at least one of the surfaces opposite the inner and outer tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Alain Marion
  • Patent number: 6926040
    Abstract: A thermally insulated pipeline assembly comprises an inner pipe surrounded by and spaced from a jacket, which is in turn surrounded by and spaced from an outer casing. The annular space between the inner pipe and the jacket is substantially filled with thermal insulating material such as open cell polyurethane foam, which is preferably injected into the jacket and cured in situ. The space between the jacket and the outer casing may be filled with pressurized gas. The jacket may have apertures to allow the gas access to the annular insulated space. The arrangement provides improved thermal insulation, particularly when the casing is pressurized, by reducing thermal transfer by convection between the inner pipe and the outer casing. The arrangement is also applicable to pipeline bundles, with a plurality of inner pipes each having an associated jacket and insulation, all surrounded by a common casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Coflexip SA
    Inventors: Neal Prescott, Ravil Perera
  • Patent number: 6923217
    Abstract: A reinforced liner for cured in place pipe rehabilitation of an existing pipeline having a plurality of high-strength low-elongation fiber bundles disposed circumferentially around the tubular liner at both inner and outer surfaces of a resin absorbent layer of the liner is provided. The bundles of reinforcing fibers are continuous lengths of high modulus fibers laid circumferentially with the ability to stretch to accommodate variations in host pipe diameter. The fibers on the inner surface are secured to a porous scrim to form an inner tubular reinforcing layer. A resin absorbent layer is formed into a tube about the inner layer. An outer layer of bundles of reinforcing fiber are formed into a tube about the absorbent layer. An outer impermeable tubular layer is wrapped around the inner layers. The reinforcing layer may include longitudinal reinforcing fiber in either or both reinforcing layers to increase the longitudinal strength of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventor: E. Peter Smith
  • Patent number: 6915821
    Abstract: A small diameter metal tube whose inner surface is smooth and its production method are provided. The metal tube has an inner diameter of up to 1.0 mm and its inner surface has a maximum height difference (Rf) in the surface roughness of up to 3 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignees: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha, Okano Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ooyauchi, Masayuki Okano
  • Patent number: 6915819
    Abstract: A unitary removable barrier for installation in a cylindrical water line to selectively block the water line to passage of water therethrough. The unitary removable barrier is composed of a single piece body having at least one cylindrical section sized to receive upstream and downstream pipes of the water line. A unitary planar disk is molded with the cylindrical section and is of a circular circumference which completely blocks the water line when in place but which is selectively removable from the cylindrical section thus removing the barrier to the passage of water through the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: MCP Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Duncan
  • Patent number: 6910646
    Abstract: An aggregate spreader having a container, a mounting flange, and a spreading assembly is provided. The container has an aggregate receiving cavity. The mounting flange extends from the container to removably connect the container to a stick of a tractor so that the container is movable by a hydraulic cylinder of the tractor between a spreading position and a loading position. The spreading assembly spreads aggregate disposable in the aggregate receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Vernon
  • Patent number: 6907906
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an improved flexible hose (10). The hose (10) is comprised of at least a flexible material (28) and a reinforcing rod (12) positioned externally of the flexible material (28). Terminal ends (16, 18) define both the flexible material (28) and the reinforcing rod (12). At least one terminal end (16) of the reinforcing rod (12) is located short of the terminal ends (18) of the flexible material (28), so that the non-reinforced end of the flexible material (28) forms a soft cuff (20) adapted to be received by a hose fitting. Also disclosed is an improved method of manufacturing the flexible hose (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Andre Georges Cook, Jacques Bernard Emond, Pascal Langlois
  • Patent number: 6908046
    Abstract: A self propelled fence painting system for painting a length of fence. The self propelled fence painting system includes a housing that includes a front wall, a back wall and an upper end wall that is coupled to and extends between the front and back walls. The front and back walls are spaced away from each other defining a paint spraying space between the front and back walls of the housing. In one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the fence to be painted is positionable in the paint spraying space. A drive assembly is mounted on the front wall of the housing for driving the housing on a surface. A spraying assembly is mounted on the front and back walls of the housing for spraying paint into the paint spraying space of the housing. A plurality of guide assemblies guides the system along the length of the fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventor: Danny E. Jordan
  • Patent number: 6904939
    Abstract: A flexible tubular pipe for hydrocarbon transport, comprising from inside to outside at least a carcass, an inner sheath, tensile armoring plies and an outer sheath, wherein the carcass is formed by winding of at least an anti-corrosive elongated metal element with large cross-section, with successive windings stapled with a thin anti-corrosive metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Patrice Joël Louis Jung, François Dupoiron
  • Patent number: 6904941
    Abstract: A variable diameter cylinder made from a sheet having first and second edges that are opposite to each other and that slideably connect with each other to form a helical joint of a cylinder such that sliding the edges of the sheet along the joint varies a diameter and length of the cylinder. When marked with a scale, the cylinder acts as a measuring device that is both highly accurate and easy to use. A helical-based scale can be used alone, or a linear scale can be used in combination with a Vernier scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: David W. Howard
  • Patent number: 6901966
    Abstract: A seal device is constituted of a plurality of seal tubes. After a connected-tube body having base members disposed at a fore end and a rear end is inserted into a fluid passage such as a tubular member, the seal tubes are expanded by injecting gaseous nitrogen into each of the seal tubes. The intermediate portions of the seal tubes along a longitudinal direction are press-fitted to the inner surface of the fluid passage over the entire circumference thereof, whereby the fluid passage is sealed. Since the connected-tube body is easily bent in the vicinity of a connecting base member between the tubes, the connected-tube body can be easily curved along the fluid passage, thus facilitating an operation for inserting the connected-tube body into the fluid passage and also enhancing a sealing property with respect to the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Giichi Onuki, Hirohito Nishimura