Patents by Inventor Benjamin L. Lawrence

Benjamin L. Lawrence has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230296196
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
  • Patent number: 11708922
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
  • Patent number: 11466802
    Abstract: A support ring for a tubular connection is provided that comprises a body comprising a first end and a second end. A circumferential ring lip extends from the first end of the body and positioned perpendicular to the body. A protrusion is positioned on the body between the first end and the second end. The protrusion comprises a top surface and a bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Robert B. Kelsey
  • Patent number: 11427891
    Abstract: A piping article is provided that comprises a piping component comprising a piping body with an open end. The piping component is formed of an alloy comprising from about 12% to about 16% zinc, from about 0.5% to about 2.0% silicon, and a balance of copper (by weight). The alloy comprises an ultimate tensile strength of from about 200 N/mm2 to about 300 N/mm2, a yield strength of from about 75 N/mm2 to about 225 N/mm2, and an elongation of from about 15% to about 60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Rudy L. Smith, Wesley D. Coy, Kenneth Edgar McCoy, Todd Morehead
  • Publication number: 20220034432
    Abstract: A piping component that includes (i) a piping body with an open end; and (ii) an alloy comprising (by weight percentage) 12% to 16.5% zinc, 0.265% to 1.6% silicon and sufficient copper so that the sum of the weight percentages of the zinc, silicon, and copper in the alloy is at least 99.7%. The alloy exhibits an elongation that is within a range of 60% to 70%. Additionally discloses is a piping component including (i) a piping body with an open end; and (ii) a cold worked alloy comprising (by weight percentage) 12% to 16.5% zinc, 0.265% to 1.8% silicon and sufficient copper so that the sum of the weight percentages of the zinc, silicon, and copper in the alloy is at least 99.7%. In embodiments, the weight percentage of the silicon in the alloys disclosed can be 0.5% to 1.6%, 0.5% to 1.8%, or 0.5% to 2.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Rudy L. Smith, Wesley D. Coy, Kenneth Edgar McCoy, Todd Morehead
  • Patent number: 10955074
    Abstract: A pipe socket for making a threaded pipe connection that includes: a socket body defining a threaded portion, a cavity and a stop; an O-ring positioned within the cavity; and a plurality of interrupted series of tapping threads defined on an internal surface of the socket body in the threaded portion. The cavity is configured to receive a pipe and the stop is configured to stop a pipe received within the cavity. Each of the interrupted series of tapping threads is circumferentially equidistant from the adjacent interrupted series of tapping threads. Further, each of the interrupted series of tapping threads comprises threads arranged axially on the internal surface of the socket body for forming threads on a pipe received within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Richard D. Latham, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige
  • Publication number: 20210048126
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
  • Publication number: 20210025030
    Abstract: A piping article is provided that comprises a piping component comprising a piping body with an open end. The piping component is formed of an alloy comprising from about 12% to about 16% zinc, from about 0.5% to about 2.0% silicon, and a balance of copper (by weight). The alloy comprises an ultimate tensile strength of from about 200 N/mm2 to about 300 N/mm2, a yield strength of from about 75 N/mm2 to about 225 N/mm2, and an elongation of from about 15% to about 60%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Rudy L. Smith, Wesley D. Coy, Kenneth Edgar McCoy, Todd Morehead
  • Patent number: 10895338
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular press connection including a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and comprising: an O-ring portion defining an O-ring recess; a plurality of gripper arrays positioned equidistant along an internal surface of the socket cup; and a plurality of raised ridges positioned equidistant on an exterior surface of the socket cup. The raised ridges may extend over the gripper arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Richard D. Latham, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige
  • Patent number: 10865914
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection that includes: a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion, the sealing portion comprises a primary and a secondary sealing recess; a primary seal positioned within the primary sealing recess, the primary seal comprising an elastomeric material having a service temperature, and a secondary seal positioned within the secondary sealing recess, the secondary seal comprising a metal composition. Further, the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Richard D. Latham, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige
  • Patent number: 10823316
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
  • Patent number: 10760693
    Abstract: A plumbing fitting that includes: a fitting body having a plurality of ends; and a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium. The body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper or copper-silicon alloy having a thermal conductivity of ?45 W/(m*K). Further, the weld has a centerline that is ?6.4 mm from the interface and/or a heat affected zone that has an average width ?400 ?m and is spaced from the interface. The plumbing fittings include but are not limited to ball valves, gate valves, elbows, check valves and other fittings without stems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Keith Yoder, Benjamin L. Lawrence, David Andrew Bobo, Matthew J. Krazit
  • Patent number: 10544888
    Abstract: A crimp connection fitting includes a socket with at least one annular recess axially spaced from an annular O-ring receiving groove. The recess includes a plurality of axially spaced crimping elements such that, when the socket is crimped, it grips a conduit positioned within the socket. The crimping elements preferably are split ring spring clips. In some embodiments, multiple spaced recesses support one or more crimping elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Keith W. Yoder, Paul Frische-Mouri, Justin J. Carey
  • Publication number: 20190331264
    Abstract: A support ring for a tubular connection is provided that comprises a body comprising a first end and a second end. A circumferential ring lip extends from the first end of the body and positioned perpendicular to the body. A protrusion is positioned on the body between the first end and the second end. The protrusion comprises a top surface and a bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Robert B. Kelsey
  • Publication number: 20190186660
    Abstract: A crimp connection fitting includes a socket with at least one annular recess axially spaced from an annular O-ring receiving groove. The recess includes a plurality of axially spaced crimping elements such that, when the socket is crimped, it grips a conduit positioned within the socket. The crimping elements preferably are split ring spring clips. In some embodiments, multiple spaced recesses support one or more crimping elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Keith W. Yoder, Paul Frische-Mouri, Justin J. Carey
  • Publication number: 20190154160
    Abstract: A plumbing fitting that includes: a fitting body having a plurality of ends; and a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium. The body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper or copper-silicon alloy having a thermal conductivity of ?45 W/(m*K). Further, the weld has a centerline that is ?6.4 mm from the interface and/or a heat affected zone that has an average width ?400 ?m and is spaced from the interface. The plumbing fittings include but are not limited to ball valves, gate valves, elbows, check valves and other fittings without stems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Keith Yoder, Benjamin L. Lawrence, David Andrew Bobo, Matthew J. Krazit
  • Patent number: 10240698
    Abstract: A crimp connection fitting includes a socket with at least one annular recess axially spaced from an annular O-ring receiving groove. The recess includes a plurality of axially spaced crimping elements such that, when the socket is crimped, it grips a conduit positioned within the socket. The crimping elements preferably are split ring spring clips. In some embodiments, multiple spaced recesses support one or more crimping elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Keith W. Yoder, Paul Frische-Mouri, Justin J. Carey
  • Patent number: 10234043
    Abstract: A plumbing fitting that includes: a fitting body having a plurality of ends; and a cover element joined to the body with a weld in proximity to and spaced from an interface in contact with a potable or non-potable aqueous medium. The body and the cover element are fabricated from a lead-free or low lead, copper or copper-silicon alloy having a thermal conductivity of ?45 W/(m*K). Further, the weld has a centerline that is ?6.4 mm from the interface and/or a heat affected zone that has an average width ?400 ?m and is spaced from the interface. The plumbing fittings include but are not limited to ball valves, gate valves, elbows, check valves and other fittings without stems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Keith Yoder, Benjamin L. Lawrence, David Andrew Bobo, Matthew J. Krazit
  • Publication number: 20180313478
    Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
  • Publication number: 20180313476
    Abstract: A pipe socket for making a threaded pipe connection that includes: a socket body defining a threaded portion, a cavity and a stop; an O-ring positioned within the cavity; and a plurality of interrupted series of tapping threads defined on an internal surface of the socket body in the threaded portion. The cavity is configured to receive a pipe and the stop is configured to stop a pipe received within the cavity. Each of the interrupted series of tapping threads is circumferentially equidistant from the adjacent interrupted series of tapping threads. Further, each of the interrupted series of tapping threads comprises threads arranged axially on the internal surface of the socket body for forming threads on a pipe received within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Richard D. Latham, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige