Patents by Inventor Christopher W. Mason

Christopher W. Mason 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: 20240123375
    Abstract: A water sediment filter assembly includes a screen member and a drain port which permits the removal of collected debris. The water sediment filter assembly includes a valve member which can be moved to different positions to permit the draining of collected sediment through the drain port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20240125485
    Abstract: A plumbing system pressure protection valve assembly that utilizes a unitary body to connect a hot water tank to a cold water supply, a vacuum breaker, and an expansion tank. The assembly includes two ball valves coupled to the unitary body to isolate the hot water tank from the cold water feed and to isolate and permit draining of the expansion tank. The assembly also includes a rod and foot coupled to a tab on the unitary body to provide support for the expansion tank service valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 11913569
    Abstract: A ball check valve assembly includes a combination ball valve and spring check valve within a valve assembly. The use of union ends on the valve assembly permits the easy removal and replacement of the components of the valve assembly from a plumbing system. An integral bleeder valve allows for the pressure release and drainage of the ball check valve assembly before the union ends are decoupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 11898643
    Abstract: A dual union drain valve has union couplings to permit a variety of fitting ends. The dual union drain valve has a T-valve member at the intersection of the tee-shaped valve body that can be rotated within the fluid passageway to provide a variety of options for selectively closing sections of the fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 11873999
    Abstract: A plumbing system pressure protection valve assembly that utilizes a unitary body to connect a hot water tank to a cold water supply, a vacuum breaker, and an expansion tank. The assembly includes two ball valves coupled to the unitary body to isolate the hot water tank from the cold water feed and to isolate and permit draining of the expansion tank. The assembly also includes a rod and foot coupled to a tab on the unitary body to provide support for the expansion tank service valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 11802625
    Abstract: A ball drain wye strainer valve assembly includes a wye strainer located adjacent to a T-ball valve within a unitary body. The ball drain wye strainer valve assembly includes an additional valve member. The combination of the valve members permits the flushing of the wye strainer screen from either upstream or downstream. A drain is also incorporated to allow for the system draining, flushing, or air-purging during the initial installation and subsequent maintenance of the screen and wye strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
  • 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: 11725747
    Abstract: A water arrestor valve assembly permits the servicing and/or replacement of a water hammer arrestor in a segment of a plumbing system. The water hammer arrestor can be isolated from the incoming and outgoing water supply by a valve or a tee-shaped valve body. In addition, the bleeder drain valve(s) can be located on the tee-shaped valve body to reduce the pressure and drain fluid before removal of the water hammer arrestor and can also be used to isolate, reduce the pressure and drain the length of piping of the fixture/appliance that is downstream of the water hammer arrestor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Mason, Lisa Lyon, Andrew J. Terry
  • Publication number: 20230241534
    Abstract: A water sediment filter assembly includes a screen member and a drain port which permits the removal of collected debris. The water sediment filter assembly includes a valve member which can be moved to different positions to permit the draining of collected sediment through the drain port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON
  • Patent number: 11707705
    Abstract: A hydronic system separator has an air separator with a vent release mechanism to remove air from the fluid within a hydronic system. The separator includes a magnetic assembly for collecting ferrous particles from the fluid. One or more screens are used to remove other particles from the fluid. The separator housing includes a removable debris collection receptacle that has a drain assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Mason, Andrew J. Terry
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230145680
    Abstract: An isolation assembly for a boiler unit that incorporates a pressure relief valve and an automatic air vent to a valve body that includes a valve positioned adjacent to the automatic air vent. The unitary valve body reduces the number of components and leak paths and incorporates a ball valve to permit removing and/or securing the automatic air vent without having to purge the adjacent plumbing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON, Lisa Lyon, Andrew J. Terry
  • Publication number: 20230141143
    Abstract: An isolation assembly for a boiler unit that incorporates a pressure relief valve and an automatic air vent to a valve body that includes a valve positioned adjacent to the automatic air vent. The unitary valve body reduces the number of components and leak paths and incorporates a ball valve to permit removing and/or securing the automatic air vent without having to purge the adjacent plumbing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20230128634
    Abstract: An isolation mounting arm for use with an expansion tank has a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion with the drain port located at the terminal end of the second end portion. A first tee is located in the first end portion with oppositely disposed first and second ports. A second tee is located in the second end portion, with oppositely disposed fourth and fifth ports. A first valve member is coupled to the first port, a second valve member is coupled to the second port, and a third valve member is located adjacent to the drain port. An expansion tank is coupled to either the fourth port or the fifth port with a plug coupled to the other port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20230130688
    Abstract: An isolation mounting arm for use with an expansion tank has a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion with the drain port located at the terminal end of the second end portion. A first tee is located in the first end portion with oppositely disposed first and second ports. A second tee is located in the second end portion, with oppositely disposed fourth and fifth ports. A first valve member is coupled to the first port, a second valve member is coupled to the second port, and a third valve member is located adjacent to the drain port. An expansion tank is coupled to either the fourth port or the fifth port with a plug coupled to the other port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 11624467
    Abstract: An isolation valve unit with a fusion outlet including a valve body comprised of a metal, such as brass, and having at least two ports, at least one of the ports including an overmolded thermoplastic end surrounding and enclosing the port from which the fusion outlet extends. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic end is composed of a PP-RCT material and is securely formed over the port by way of an over molding technique. The valve unit further includes a ball valve accommodated within the valve body and a handle for actuating the ball valve. The isolation valve unit is configured to couple to a larger polymeric pipe and to control the flow of fluids in a plumbing system via actuation of the ball valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 11566721
    Abstract: A dielectric union ball valve utilizes a non-conductive separation sleeve to prevent contact between the union and the nut of a dielectric valve assembly. The valve assembly can optionally include an independently operated drain valve port to permit draining of the valve assembly. The use and positioning of a non-conductive separation sleeve mitigates potential galvanic reaction between dissimilar pipes and/or fittings that are connected to the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Publication number: 20220363574
    Abstract: A magnetic water filter assembly with a removable lighter weight lower section to permit access to the internal components of the filter assembly. The removable lower section allows the servicing and/or replacement of the internal filter as well as cleaning of the assembly. The lighter weight lower section reduces the stress placed on the surrounding plumbing components, including the piping/tubing that couples to the filter assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON
  • Publication number: 20220355230
    Abstract: A hydronic system separator has an air separator with a vent release mechanism to remove air from the fluid within a hydronic system. The separator includes a magnetic assembly for collecting ferrous particles from the fluid. One or more screens are used to remove other particles from the fluid. The separator housing includes a removable debris collection receptacle that has a drain assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. MASON, Andrew J. Terry
  • 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