Patents by Inventor Charles A. Sunderhaus

Charles A. Sunderhaus 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).

  • Patent number: 6024140
    Abstract: Dispensing nozzles having a spout for dispensing a fluid are provided. The spout comprises a first tube for engaging the dispensing nozzle and having an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and a first passage interconnecting the proximal and distal ends. A second tube is disposed within the first passage of the first tube and communicates with a first opening on the outer surface of the first tube, the first opening being located adjacent the distal end. A valve seat is disposed at least partially within the first passage at the proximal end of the first tube and has a second passage disposed therein. A plug is disposed within the first passage between the valve seat and the distal end and has a third passage extending therethrough. A valve is disposed between the plug and the valve seat for sealingly engaging the valve seat, the valve being biased into engagement with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, Charles A. Sunderhaus
  • Patent number: 5765609
    Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle includes a spout construction comprising an outer aluminum tube and an inner nylon tube. The distal ends of the tubes are joined so that the inner tube defines an central fuel passage and, in combination with the outer tube, defines a generally annular vapor return passage. a distal end portion of the outer tube has a reduced wall thickness and its inner end is expanded to mount a locator ring thereon. The spout assembly is telescoped into an adapter that connects the fuel and vapor passages to corresponding passages in the nozzle body. A spout nut threads into the nozzle body and engages the locating ring to mount the spout on the nozzle. The outer spout tube is formed by lathe operations which include turning a fracture groove adjacent its inner end, and, thereafter bending the tube to angle the distal end portion of the tube downwardly from its inner end. A second embodiment teaches the use of structural, synthetic resins in forming the outer spout tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Dalhart, Charles A. Sunderhaus
  • Patent number: 5695221
    Abstract: A fuel hose breakaway unit comprising couplers that are held in assembled relation by longitudinally extending fingers that are mounted on the outlet coupler and engage abutment lugs on the inlet coupler. When a predetermined longitudinal separation force is applied to the couplers, the fingers flex outwardly to a release position, permitting the couplers to separate. The fingers are provided by finger sets, each of which is provided with three fingers. A locking collar locks the bases of the finger sets onto the outer surface of the housing for the outlet coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Charles A. Sunderhaus
  • Patent number: 5577538
    Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle is provided with a view glass/fuel flow indicator that are disposed between the main fuel valve and a downstream check valve. The view glass/flow indicator means comprise a pair of horizontally aligned view glasses. A plurality of embodiments illustrate the use of different sub-assemblies in providing the view glass/flow indicator functions, as well as different provisions for obtaining a seal that prevents leakage of fuel at the view glass units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Sunderhaus, Jonathan P. Young, David A. Oberrecht, Charles J. Moorman
  • Patent number: 5472012
    Abstract: A valve assembly for automatically shutting off the flow of a pressurized liquid to a storage tank includes a cam that is rotated in response to the level of a liquid in the storage tank. A follower moves a poppet valve axially with a housing as a nonlinear function of rate of cam rotation. The poppet valve is moved to a closed position to terminate flow of a liquid to the storage tank whenever the liquid level within the storage tank reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Chester W. Wood, Charles A. Sunderhaus, Jim E. Kesterman, Lawrence R. Blasch
  • Patent number: 5232028
    Abstract: A drop tube/adapter unit, mounted on the riser pipe of a fuel storage tank, defines a fuel inlet path and an annular vapor return path during a loading operation. A vapor valve, provided in the vapor return path, prevents escape of vapors when a loading operation is not taking place. The drop tube is mounted for universally pivotal movement relative to a vapor valve member thereon, so that the vapor valve will reliably close, if the riser tube is out of plumb. A spring urges the drop tube, valve member to a closed position through a spring support. A stop means engages the spring support and precompress this spring, with the spring support positioned to facilitate its attachment to the adapter. The spring support is attached to the adapter by a threaded connection, comprising a threaded portion at the lower end of the adapter. This threaded portion is interrupted by a recess which positions a ring for sealing the adapter to the upper end of the riser pipe, when the adapter is threaded onto the riser pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Sunderhaus, David R. Pendleton
  • Patent number: 5222832
    Abstract: A below grade, spill containment device for connection with the riser pipe of an underground fuel storage tank. The containment device is disposed within and isolated from a manhole, which is mounted in a concrete apron. The containment device comprises a compositely formed container, rigidly mounted on the riser pipe. The container formed of structural synthetic resin material elements held in assembled relation by snap fitted lugs and notches. A lid, for closing the upper, access opening, is mounted on a pivotable arm. A lever pivoted on the arm selectively engage latch means to lock the lid in a closed position. A projection on the lever prevents the manhole cover from seating if the lever is not in its lock position. A valve for draining fuel from the container to the riser pipe is closed when the lid is open and opened when the lid is closed. The manhole and the containment device are packaged in a shipping carton in spaced relation be corrugated paper sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Sunderhaus, Eric J. Butterfield, James E. Kesterman, Frank G. Lamping
  • Patent number: 5141020
    Abstract: An emergency vent valve for fuel storage tanks comprises a body member and a cover pivotally mounted thereon. The body member has a central passage which is sealed by cover in its closed position. The cover is held in this closed position by resetable latch means, which are responsive to a predetermined storage tank, vapor pressure to release the cover for displacement to an open position. In the open position, the cover is generally upright to provide an alert that the valve has been actuated. The latching means comprise a latch pin, mounted on the cover and a latch link, pivotal on the body member, having a cam surface, which is engaged by the latch pin to hold the cover in its closed position. A screw enables adjustment of the initial position of the latch link to vary the relative angle between the cam surface and the latch pin, to thus adjust the vapor pressure to which the valve is responsive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Sunderhaus, Chester W. Wood
  • Patent number: 5114271
    Abstract: A containment device for minimizing soil contamination in filling underground storage tanks, comprises a bucket member, a bottom member and a bellows connection between the bottom member and a riser pipe extension. These elements comprise an upwardly open spillage container. A lower bellows connects the bottom member and the riser pipe extension, comprising a lower chamber. The containment device is mounted on the riser pipe of an underground tank by threading the lower end of the riser pipe extension thereon. A valve controlled passage, through the bottom member, permits spilled fuel to be drained from the spillage container into the lower chamber and then through openings in the riser pipe extension into the storage tank. The bottom member is releasably secured to the bucket member and the bellows are releasably clamped to the riser pipe extension, to permit these items to be removed from the bucket member for repair and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Sunderhaus, Paul B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4557302
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle has a retainer secured onto its peripheral surface of the nozzle's discharge spout. This retainer extends radially outward from the spout and is designed to engage a radially inwardly extending lip about a fill tank opening to secure the spout in the fill tank opening when the nozzle is operated in an automatic mode. The retainer is secured onto the spout by an annular groove in the spout and a retainer ring fitted in the groove. The retainer is abutted against the retainer ring and means are provided to prevent axial movement of the retainer relative to the spout once the retainer is so abutted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Charles A. Sunderhaus