Patents Examined by Thomas A Beach
  • Patent number: 8382171
    Abstract: A self-adjusting striker assembly, for use with a box having a lid, a box body and a latch, includes a striker bar mounted to the lid which is operative to move linearly relative to the latch in the event of misalignment between the lid and box body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daws Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8381819
    Abstract: A system for rotating an element inside a pressure containing housing. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes a pressure containing housing having an opening through a wall of the housing into an internal chamber in which, in use, the element to be rotated is located, a bushing located within the opening, and a worm gear rotatably mounted in the bushing. The worm gear is offset from the axial center of the bushing such that rotation of the bushing moves the worm gear between an extended position, wherein the thread of the worm gear engages an element in the chamber, and a retracted position, wherein the thread is disengaged from the element in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Fern, Ted Thornburrow
  • Patent number: 8381818
    Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section, the shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members being rotatable with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Archer Rental Services, LLC
    Inventors: Burt A. Adams, Norman A. Henry
  • Patent number: 8376421
    Abstract: A magnetic gate latch device to secure a gate in a locked position to a fence or other barrier to close or block a portal formed therein comprising a latch assembly including a lower latch pin coupled to an upper latch pin actuator by an intermediate interconnecting element mounted to the fence or other barrier adjacent the portal wherein the lower latch pin is normally biased in upper or unlocked position and a keeper assembly including a keeper base affixed to the gate and a keeper arm extending outwardly therefrom having a latch pin recess formed therein with a latch pin positioner comprising a vertically disposed magnet disposed adjacent the latch pin recess such that when the gate is closed the vertically disposed magnet of the latch pin positioner moves the lower latch pin, intermediate interconnecting element and upper latch pin from the normally biased upper or unlocked position to a lower or locked position drawing the latch pin into the latch pin recess against the force of the bias and when as the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nationwide Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Simmonds
  • Patent number: 8376042
    Abstract: A method and vessel for installing an expandable tubular in a subsea wellbore, wherein said expandable tubular is assembled from expandable tubular segments, said expandable tubular being adapted to be expanded diametrically when positioned in said wellbore by means of expansion tooling, wherein a multitude of expandable tubular segments are provided, and wherein use is made of a surface vessel, said vessel comprising: at least one assembly station adapted for the assembly of at least one intermediate tubular assembly by interconnection of multiple expandable tubular segments, an intermediate tubular assembly suspension storage device adapted for storage of one or more intermediate tubular assemblies, said intermediate tubular assemblies being suspended from the vessel into the water by said storage device, a guide and handling system for intermediate tubular assemblies, said guide and handling system having an entry and an exit, said entry being spaced from said exit, the entry being arranged and adapted t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Diederick Bernardus Wijning, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8376422
    Abstract: A door latch assembly is attachable to a door jamb. The door latch assembly includes a base member and an extension member. The base member is mountable to the door jamb. The extension member is connectable to the base member such that the extension member extends from the base member. The extension member has a door stop member and a latch cup member. The door stop member is disposed substantially perpendicular to the latch cup member so that the door stop member provides a support for the door and the latch cup member receives a latch of the door so that the door is maintained in an ajar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Kerry Swink
  • Patent number: 8376053
    Abstract: The invention concerns a section of tubing or other conduit having a flow passage. The flow passage extends through the tubing and incorporates a member extending through the passage and guides which constrain a fluid flowing through the flow passage to flow around the member along a path which is longer than an axial length of the flow passage in a fluid flow direction. The guides may define an annular path. The conduit may comprise an inside wall and the guides may comprise a combination of at least one spiral channel defined along the inside wall and the member may be a sucker rod extending along the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Premium Artificial Lift Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Marcel Obrejanu
  • Patent number: 8376055
    Abstract: A shearing tool for shearing, trimming, or reducing objects being pulled through a drill string and methods for retrieving retrievable tools with fins from the drill string, where the retrievable tools must pass through restrictions in the drill string having interior diameters less than the outer diameters of the fins. The fins, affixed to the retrievable tools, provide stability to the tools, while within the drill string, and can be made of rubber, plastic, other shearable materials, or combinations thereof. The apparatuses and methods include inserting a shearing tool with a flange into a box end of a section of drill string, where the flange keeps the shearing tool in place. The shearing tool further comprising a cutting surface for cutting materials pulled through the shearing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: James Edward Chambers, II, Gerald Robert Byrd
  • Patent number: 8376049
    Abstract: A running tool for use in handling control modules on a subsea production tree. The running tool is deployable on wire line and includes a column like body and a connector adapted for connection to the production tree. The running tool also includes a hoist system that is selectively positioned by a swiveling jib crane for handling the control modules. A replacement control module can be included with the running tool when the tool is deployed from above the sea surface. After the running tool connects to the production tree, the jib crane can position the hoist for attachment to and removal of an existing control module on the production tree. The hoist can then to attach to and install the replacement control module and can be further manipulated to retrieve the existing control module and stow it onto the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Bell
  • Patent number: 8371385
    Abstract: The device described herein combines a subsea wellhead and a tree mandrel into a single piece. The wellhead includes a tree valve block having an upper and lower section. The lower valve block section is integral with the wellhead and includes access between the production line and the tubing annulus to the main bore of the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Caspar G. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8366159
    Abstract: An inertia blocking mechanism operably connected to a door handle on a vehicle having a handle chassis. A counterweight is operably connected to the handle chassis and is pivotally rotatable about a first pivot axis between a non-actuated position and an actuated position. Stanchions extends from the handle chassis. A spring-biased primary inertia lever is operably connected with the stanchions and is pivotally rotatable about a second pivot axis. The spring-biased primary inertia lever is biased to a first position out of rotational alignment with the counterweight. An auxiliary inertia lever is pivotally rotatable about the second pivot axis and is adapted to move the primary inertia lever into a second position in rotational alignment with the counterweight, which prevents the counterweight from rotating downward into the actuated position, thereby actuating the exterior door handle thereby preventing the exterior handle from actuating and releasing the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Rajesh K Patel
  • Patent number: 8360487
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a housing having a cavity between first and second end walls. The housing includes first and second journal members and first and second swing arm apertures at the second end wall. A swing arm member having a joining end is positioned within the cavity having first and second swing arms connected to the joining end having portions extending freely through the first and second swing arm apertures. A keeper/catch member is rotatably connected to the first and second journal members. Keeper/catch member rotation from an orientation rotated away from a longitudinal axis defined by a portion of the first and second swing arms extending through the swing arm apertures to an orientation approximately parallel with the longitudinal axis creates an over-center locking condition for the housing and a pushing force acting through the keeper/catch member to push a first component into contact with a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Howard M. Sheehan, Brian E. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8356672
    Abstract: An offshore riser system has riser joints, each having a pin and a box. The pin has an external grooved profile that is engaged by a locking element carried by the box of another riser joint. An actuating ring engages with the locking element to move it into the locked position. A retractable spider supports the string of riser while the new joint is being made up. A makeup tool on the riser deploying floor moves the ring relative to the locking element, causing the locking element to move to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fraser, John E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8353544
    Abstract: A locking magnet closure consists of a first closure module and a second closure module and comprises a magnet-keeper construction with at least one magnet in the first closure module and a keeper or second magnet in the second closure module, wherein on closing the magnet-keeper construction pulls the first closure module and the second closure module together in a closing direction. The closure further comprises a locking device for positively locking the closure modules between the first closure module and the second closure module. The locking device comprises at least one spring locking element, consisting of an engaging protrusion and a spring, wherein the spring locking element is arranged in the first closure module, and a locking piece which is arranged in the second closure module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: FIDLOCK GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8353543
    Abstract: A locking arrangement for a door includes an upright operating bar (1) mounted on the door for angular movement about its axis and a handle (3) which is connected to the operating bar by a pivotal connection for engagement with a closure mechanism (7,8). The handle and the closure mechanism include co-operating apertures (9). A housing (11) is adapted to cover the pivotal connection of the handle and at least a part of the closure mechanism. A releasable securing means (35) passes through apertures formed in both the handle and the closure mechanism and secures the housing relative to the handle and the closure mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Loksys Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew Charles Harrison
  • Patent number: 8353348
    Abstract: Method and required apparatus to provide the closed-loop feedback control of a remote electric motor that has specific required operating parameters which is used to turn a rotary drill bit to drill a borehole in the earth that receives electrical energy through a long umbilical possessing insulated electrical conduits that includes the steps of measuring a set of electrical parameters with a multiplicity of sensors located near the electric motor, sending that measured information to a computer on the surface of the earth, comparing the measured information with the required operating parameters within the computer, adjusting an uphole power generator system to adjust its electrical output parameters to provide electrical energy to a portion of the umbilical located on the surface of the earth, repeating the measurements and adjustments to provide the closed-loop feedback control of the electric motor having specific required operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, III, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle, William G. Crossland
  • Patent number: 8353540
    Abstract: A battery cover latching mechanism comprises a housing, a cover and a latch. The housing has at least one hook protruding therefrom. The cover has at least one latching hole defined therethrough and releasably latching with the hook. The latch is rotatably mounted to the cover and resisting the hook. When the latch is rotated relative to the cover, the latch pushes the hook to release the latching engagement of the hook and the latching hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Shui-Jin Dong
  • Patent number: 8348310
    Abstract: A compartment latch is shown. It includes a fork bolt that moves between an open position and a closed position and a first detent lever that that cooperates with the fork bolt and that moves between a latched position and a released position. A support for holding the fork bolt and the detent lever is also provided. A second detent lever for biasing against the first detent lever when the first detent lever is in the released position is provided. The second detent lever is connected to the support at a hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inteva Products, LLC
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Vázquez, Eduardo Estrada, Alfredo Martinez
  • Patent number: 8342581
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch assembly is provided, the vehicle door latch assembly having: a release lever pivotally secured to the latch assembly for movement between a locked position and an unlatched position; a pendulum stop pivotally secured to the release lever for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position, wherein the release lever is prevented from moving to the locked position when the pendulum stop is in the blocking position; and a spring for biasing the pendulum stop into the unblocking position wherein the pendulum stop is configured such that movement of the release lever from the unlatched position towards the locked position will cause the pendulum stop to move from the unblocking position to the blocking position such that movement of the release lever from the unlatched position towards the locked position is limited to a predetermined position between the locked position and the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Inteva Products, LLC
    Inventor: Ian J. Dow
  • Patent number: 8333243
    Abstract: A tensioner anti-rotation device and method that transfers rotational force from an offshore platform deck to a riser in response to waves and currents. The device includes a bracket mounted on the deck, and a rib that transfers force from the deck through the bracket, to the rib, and into the riser such that the tensioners on the riser are not subjected to torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Jr., Fife B. Ellis