Patents by Inventor Charles A. Willetts

Charles A. Willetts 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: 6018859
    Abstract: The method of forming a seamed metal tube having a metal coating of this invention includes applying a metal coating to the upper face of a metal strip prior to welding. The strip is then formed into an open seam tube and welded, preferably in a non-oxidizing atmosphere with the seam preferably located in the lower portion of the tube. Finally, at least a lower portion of said tube is reheated with the seam located in the lower portion of the tube, thereby causing the metal coating to flow downwardly over the seam, coating the seam. In one embodiment, the strip is preformed into an arcuate shape and coated, wherein the metal coating increases in thickness toward the lateral strip edges, such that the coating will flow over the seam following welding. The inside coated seamed tube may also be immersed in a galvanizing or metal coating bath to coat the outside of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: The Idod Trust
    Inventors: John J. Borzym, Theodore H. Krengel, Charles A. Willetts, Curtis R. Brown, Edward Wiesenthal, III
  • Patent number: 5915421
    Abstract: The method of forming a seamed metal tube having a metal coating of this invention includes applying a metal coating to the upper face of a metal strip prior to welding. The strip is then formed into an open seam tube and welded, preferably in a non-oxidizing atmosphere with the seam preferably located in the lower portion of the tube. Finally, at least a lower portion of said tube is reheated with the seam located in the lower portion of the tube, thereby causing the metal coating to flow downwardly over the seam, coating the seam. In one embodiment, the strip is preformed into an arcuate shape and coated, wherein the metal coating increases in thickness toward the lateral strip edges, such that the coating will flow over the seam following welding. The inside coated seamed tube may also be immersed in a galvanizing or metal coating bath to coat the outside of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: The IDOD Trust
    Inventors: John J. Borzym, Theodore H. Krengel, Charles A. Willetts, Curtis R. Brown, Edward Wiesenthal, III
  • Patent number: 5732874
    Abstract: The method of forming a seamed metal tube having a metal coating of this invention includes applying a metal coating to the upper face of a metal strip prior to welding. The strip is then formed into an open seam tube and welded, preferably in a non-oxidizing atmosphere with the seam preferably located in the lower portion of the tube. Finally, at least a lower portion of said tube is reheated with the seam located in the lower portion of the tube, thereby causing the metal coating to flow downwardly over the seam, coating the seam. In one embodiment, the strip is preformed into an arcuate shape and coated, wherein the metal coating increases in thickness toward the lateral strip edges, such that the coating will flow over the seam following welding. The inside coated seamed tube may also be immersed in a galvanizing or metal coating bath to coat the outside of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: The IDOD Trust
    Inventors: John J. Borzym, Theodore H. Krengel, Charles A. Willetts, Curtis R. Brown, Edward Wiesenthal, III
  • Patent number: 5344062
    Abstract: The method of forming a seamed metal tube having a metal coating of this invention includes galvanizing the strip prior to welding. The strip is then formed into an open seam tube and welded in an inert atmosphere with the seam located in the lower portion of the tube. Finally, the metal coating is caused to flow downwardly over the seam, coating the seam by several means. In one embodiment, the strip is preformed into an arcuate shape and galvanized, wherein the zinc coating increases in thickness toward the lateral strip edges, such that the coating will flow over the seam following welding. The tube may also be reheated following welding, preferably in an enclosure containing an inert atmosphere which includes the weld apparatus. In another embodiment, an inert gas is directed over the inner and outer surfaces of the tube, adjacent the seam, driving the molten metal downwardly over the seam to coat the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: The IDOD Trust
    Inventors: Theodore H. Krengel, John J. Borzym, Charles A. Willetts
  • Patent number: 4915535
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a member, having a recess, connected by a connector to a component having an outwardly presented surface part, the connector comprising at least one pair of elements pivotally joined together by a pivotal joint means, each element having a female part and a male part which co-operate, respectively, to provide the connector with a female portion in which said surface part of the component is received and a male portion which is engaged in the recess of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Charles A. Willetts
  • Patent number: 4611480
    Abstract: An elongated wall formed substantially of metallic material. The wall includes a first surface and a second surface spaced from the first surface. A plurality of spaced knockout portions are disposed in incipient apertures extending through the wall and these knockout portions are adapted to be selectively removed from the remainder of the wall by application of force to the portion to be removed. This force could be applied as by subjecting the knockout to a sharp blow directed to the portion. Each knockout portion so completely fills its corresponding aperture as to render the wall substantially impervious to the passage of fluid. The wall further comprises a coating applied to one of its surfaces. A method of forming the wall is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation
    Inventor: Charles A. Willetts
  • Patent number: 4600179
    Abstract: A module for use in forming a barrier such as a fence. The module includes a pair of aligned tubular rails having facing inside walls with a plurality of spaced apertures therealong and with respective apertures in each inside wall corresponding to one another and forming pairs. A bushing formed of a resilient material lines each of the apertures. The module further includes a plurality of spaced metallic rungs extending between the rails with each rung having end portions received by a respective pair of the apertures in the inside walls so that the rung end portions extend inside the respective rails. A retainer is held in each rail end portion and it includes an abutment wall positioned for bearing on one of the rung end portions and an attachment wall positioned adjacent the rail end. A method of assembly of the module is also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation
    Inventor: Charles A. Willetts
  • Patent number: RE35378
    Abstract: The method of forming a seamed metal tube having a metal coating of this invention includes galvanizing the strip prior to welding. The strip is then formed into an open seam tube and welded in an inert atmosphere with the seam located in the lower portion of the tube. Finally, the metal coating is caused to flow downwardly over the seam, coating the seam by several means. In one embodiment, the strip is preformed into an arcuate shape and galvanized, wherein the zinc coating in creases in thickness toward the lateral strip edges, such that the coating will flow over the seam following welding. The tube may also be reheated following welding, preferably in an enclosure containing an inert atmosphere which includes the weld apparatus. In an other embodiment, an inert gas is directed over the inner and outer surfaces of the tube, adjacent the seam, driving the molten metal downwardly over the seam to coat the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: The IDOD Trust
    Inventors: Theodore H. Krengel, John J. Borzym, Charles A. Willetts