Patents Examined by Trevor E. McGraw
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Patent number: 8181892Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge device for a cleaning fluid or treatment fluid, in particular to a lance for a high-pressure cleaner, comprising a pivotable head piece and an elongate holder which carries the head piece at its one end and is made at its other end for holding and for remotely controlled pivoting of the head piece, wherein the holder includes a carrier for the holding of the head piece and an actuation member adjustable relative to the carrier for the pivoting of the head piece relative to the carrier, and wherein the carrier and the actuation member extend up to the head piece in an at least approximately axially parallel arrangement, and in particular coaxial arrangement, with the carrier extending inside the actuation member.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Inventor: Anton Jäger
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Patent number: 8181889Abstract: The invention relates to irrigation by means of sprinklers for agriculture, lawns, golf courses and other applications. More particularly, the invention provides a sprinkler arranged to distribute water evenly over a field area of almost any shape. Preferably the invention relates to a pop-up sprinkler thus, when not in use, i.e., when no water pressure is applied, the entire device is level or below ground surface. The invention comprises: a lower water inlet, an inner member, within an upper housing, suspended on a vertical axis within the lower water inlet. An inner member within the upper housing being free to revolve around a vertical axis and revolvably supporting; at least one nozzle assembly having at least one water inlet and an outlet jet and being supported on a horizontal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Accurate Watering Ltd.Inventor: Haim Shahak
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Patent number: 8177148Abstract: One embodiment provides an asymmetrical nozzle housing within a nozzle base of a sprinkler which, when rotated, changes its angular orientation relative to the nozzle base. Since the nozzle is disposed within the nozzle housing, it similarly changes angular orientation relative to the nozzle base, thereby modifying the trajectory of ejected water during irrigation. In this respect, a user can change the trajectory of a watering stream by simply rotating the nozzle housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Steven C. Renquist, James T. Wright, III, Miguel A. Santiago
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Patent number: 8136744Abstract: An extendable sprinkler device comprises a base cylinder having a first end fluidly communicable with a second end via a through passageway. A primary extension assembly is coupled within the through passageway of the base cylinder and is positionable between collapsed and extended positions. The primary extension assembly comprises a primary extension cylinder having a first end fluidly communicable with a second end via a through passageway. A stop is coupled to the first end of the primary extension cylinder. An actuator cylinder is coupled within the primary extension cylinder. The actuator cylinder comprises a first end fluidly communicable with a second end via a through passageway. The second end of the actuator cylinder is coupled with the second end of the primary extension cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Inventors: Herb Gerard, William Cole
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Patent number: 8122968Abstract: A sprinkler system comprises a network of CPVC conduits and a plurality of sprinklers. The system includes an electrically activated solenoid control valve to allow fluid to flow in the pipe network. One or more fire detectors operate independently of the condition of the sprinklers. Upon detection of an incipient fire situation, a fire detector sends an electrical signal to cause activation of the control valve. Upon activation of the control valve, fire suppression fluid is caused to flow through the conduits before the incipient fire situation matures into a sprinkler-triggering event. The cooling effect of fluid flowing through the conduit enables the conduit to resist structural failure prior to sprinkler deployment. The control valve may be disposed at a remote location in the sprinkler line and be operable as part of an inspector's test connection.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.Inventor: Gary L. Johnson
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Patent number: 8118240Abstract: A pull-out wand is disclosed for use with a water delivery device. The pull-out wand may include one or more sensors, such as a touch sensor and/or a proximity sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Masco Corporation of IndianaInventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, Anthony G. Spangler, Michael J. Veros, Paul D. Koottungal
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Patent number: 8096450Abstract: A fluid spray device comprising a reservoir (10) containing fluid; a pump or a valve (20) mounted on the reservoir (10) by means of a fixing ring (30) for selectively dispensing the fluid; and a dispenser head (40) including a dispenser orifice (45), the device further comprising an actuator device (50) that is displaceable between a rest position and a dispensing position, the actuator device (50) being displaced in a direction that is different from the direction in which the fluid is sprayed through the dispenser orifice (45), said fluid spray device being characterized in that said actuator device (50) is formed on the dispenser head (40), and co-operates with the fixing ring (30), or with an element secured thereto, in order to actuate the pump or the valve (20).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Valois S.A.S.Inventors: Serge Herry, Ludovic Petit
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Patent number: 8079421Abstract: A method and device for preventing fire and for extinguishing fire in an enclosed space in which a permanent negative pressure is set, includes fresh air being supplied in a regulated manner to the compartment atmosphere as supply air and exhaust air being discharged from the compartment atmosphere in a regulated manner, and wherein should a fire occur or to prevent a fire, an extinguishing agent which is gaseous under normal conditions is supplied to the compartment atmosphere as the supply air. In order to achieve a relieving of pressure without changing the set negative pressure, or upon a sudden flooding of the space with the gaseous extinguishing agent, the total volume flow of fresh air and/or extinguishing agent supplied to the compartment atmosphere as supply air is at all times less than or equal to the volume flow of the exhaust air discharged from the compartment atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Amrona AGInventor: Ernst-Werner Wagner
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Patent number: 8079532Abstract: An energy efficient water sprinkler has a housing with primary and secondary water chambers each with a turning wheel for translating the force of impacting water to rotational motion of a central shaft journal. Water is forced through a central channel in the rotating shaft and discharged from the housing. A portion of the discharged water is directed to deflection fins on the outer surface of the housing to further impart rotational or energy to the rotating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Inventor: Jeffery D. Baird
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Patent number: 8066206Abstract: A portable game feeder backpack that is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game or other granular material, e.g. seed, grain, or fertilizer. The invention provides a bucket mounted on a tubular frame. A funnel and a downspout direct granular material to a motorized spreader plate mounted below the bucket. A handheld switch remotely activates the motor. The device is worn as a backpack and has two removable padded shoulder straps. A detachable bracket allows the device to be attached to the rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or pickup. The device also can be used as a swiveling hunting seat having a padded cover on the lid of the bucket. The lid draining accumulated water to protect interior contents. Motor control is easily interchangeable among pushbutton, remote and timer control.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Inventor: Leon David Cotham
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Patent number: 8056827Abstract: A jet dispenser is provided with a giant magnetostrictive actuator which expands or contracts in response to electric currents. A set of flexural elements is coupled to first and second ends of the giant magnetostrictive actuator and flexes when the giant magnetostrictive actuator expands or contracts. The jet dispenser further comprises a chamber containing fluid and the fluid is dispensable through a nozzle which is in communication with the chamber. A piston coupled to the set of flexural elements is slidably located in the chamber and is actuable by flexion of the flexural elements to apply a force against the fluid for dispensing fluid through the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation LtdInventor: Wenbin Xu
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Patent number: 8028930Abstract: A fuel injector for delivering fuel to an engine in which a housing of the injector has an internal fuel chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the fuel chamber whereby fuel exits the fuel injector at the at least one exhaust port for delivery to the engine. An ultrasonic waveguide is separate from the housing, and is elongate and disposed at least in part within the fuel chamber to ultrasonically energize fuel within the fuel chamber prior to the fuel exiting through the at least one exhaust port. An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide. A mounting member interconnects the waveguide to the housing, with the mounting member configured to substantially vibrationally isolate the housing from the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Timothy R. Zuehlke, Andrew Enis Meyer, George Bromfield
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Patent number: 8020789Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines includes a solenoid coil; an armature acted upon in a closing direction by a restoring spring; and a valve needle, which is connected to the armature in force-locking manner and on which a valve-closure member is formed, which forms a sealing seat together with a valve seat surface. The armature strikes against a stop face of an inner pole of the solenoid coil by way of a stop face, and the armature stop face is provided with a coating. The coating has a surface structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Manfred Roessler, Achim Degel, Rolf Keller, Markus Gesk, Guido Pilgram, Bernd Einwiller, Norbert Keim, Michael Lingner
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Patent number: 8002204Abstract: A tool for cutting up coke in containers. The tool includes a housing mounted on a drill stem in the operating condition. The tool also includes at least one cutting nozzle for cutting and a boring nozzle for boring coke by means of a water jet, and a switching apparatus for controlling the feeding of pressurized water flowing through the drill stem and the housing. The switching apparatus includes a linearly moveable switching element, a driving apparatus and a control apparatus, which is rotatable as a function of a change of the water pressure by the driving apparatus to switch a valve to distribute the water and to pass it on. The angular position of the control apparatus controls whether the flow path of the water to the boring nozzle or the flow path to the cutting nozzle is free or obstructed.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Ruhrpumpen GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Paul, Dirk Heidemann, Kay Simon, Maciej Barcikowski, Thomas Graefenstein, Steffen Krenzer
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Patent number: 7997511Abstract: This invention is related to a portable texture-spraying apparatus for uniformly dispersing a viscous material. This apparatus broadly includes a tank assembly having a body with an inner wall that defines a sealed cavity, and a piston assembly slidably disposed within the sealed cavity. The piston assembly divides the sealed cavity into an air-side chamber and a material-side chamber by providing an airtight seal therebetween. Additionally an air-control assembly is provided that broadly includes a pressure-control mechanism configured for receiving compressed air and routing a controlled pneumatic pressure to a directional valve configured for adjusting between a dispensing mode and a loading mode. In dispensing mode, the directional valve routes the controlled pneumatic pressure to the air-side chamber biasing the piston assembly toward the material-side chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Marshalltown CompanyInventors: John Reynolds, Troy Thurber
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Patent number: 7992809Abstract: Provided is a manual air-actuated spray paint apparatus and associated method for evenly disbursing paint in a controlled manner. Such an apparatus preferably includes a portable reservoir for holding the paint therein and a hand-actuated paint applicator removably coupled thereto. A mechanism for simultaneously discharging a single stream of paint and a volume of air may also be included. A discharge spout is removably mated to and in fluid communication with the paint applicator for mixing the single paint stream and the volume of air as they pass through the spout. A trigger is pivotally mated to the housing and is articulated between tensioned and released positions to activate the paint discharging mechanism. When the trigger is engaged, the paint is directed upwardly out of the reservoir and travels out the discharge spout to be applied to the surface intended to receive the paint.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Inventor: Leonard Barnett
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Patent number: 7988068Abstract: The liquid ejection head comprises: a pressure chamber which is connected to a nozzle; a diaphragm which constitutes one face of the pressure chamber; and a piezoelectric element which deforms the diaphragm for ejecting liquid inside the pressure chamber through the nozzle, wherein the liquid is ejected by driving the piezoelectric element in a temperature region in which a tendency of increase or decrease in viscosity of the liquid with respect to temperature of the liquid and a tendency of increase or decrease in a piezoelectric d constant of the piezoelectric element with respect to temperature of the piezoelectric element have a prescribed relationship.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventor: Tsuyoshi Mita
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Patent number: 7988075Abstract: A coating dispensing device includes a trigger assembly for actuating the coating dispensing device to dispense coating material and a nozzle through which the coating material is dispensed. The coating dispensing device also includes a first port adapted to supply compressed gas to the coating dispensing device and a second port adapted to supply coating material to the coating dispensing device. The coating dispensing device further includes a generator having a shaft and a turbine wheel mounted on the shaft. Compressed gas coupled to the first port impinges upon the turbine wheel to spin the shaft, producing voltage. The dispensing device further includes an electrode adjacent the nozzle and coupled by circuitry to the generator to receive electricity therefrom to electrostatically charge the coating material. A circuit board assembly containing components of the circuitry is configured to partially surround and partially enclose the generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Gene P. Altenburger
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Patent number: 7980485Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a housing, a valve seat, a metering orifice disc, and a needle. The housing has an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The valve seat is disposed proximate the outlet and includes a passage having a sealing surface and an orifice. The metering orifice disc is located at the outlet and has a plurality of metering openings extending therethrough. The needle is reciprocally located within the housing along the longitudinal axis between a first position wherein the needle is displaced from the valve seat, allowing fuel flow past the needle, and a second position wherein the needle is biased against the valve seat, precluding fuel flow past the needle. A generally annular channel is formed between the valve seat and the metering orifice disc. The channel tapers outwardly from a large height to a smaller height toward the orifice openings.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventor: William A. Peterson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7963343Abstract: A Christmas tree fire prevention device preferably includes an air-pressurized reservoir containing fire-retardant agent and a mechanism for automatically discharging the fire-retardant agent. The discharging mechanism may be connected to the reservoir via a flexible hose may also be removably attached to the apex of an existing Christmas tree and camouflaged as a holiday decoration. A mechanism for automatically emitting an alarm signal when the automatic fire-retardant agent discharging mechanism is activated may further be included. The discharging mechanism may include a valve with a metal-alloy plug which has a relatively low melting point. Flame heated air preferably causes the plug to melt and activates the discharging mechanism, which ejects the plug from the valve. The pressurized fire-retardant may then egress through the valve, deflect off a guard located on top of the discharging mechanism, and cover the Christmas tree.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Inventor: James Hopkins