Patents by Inventor Curtis E. Dame

Curtis E. Dame 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: 20040060612
    Abstract: The present invention is a drip retainer for liquid dispensers, such as fuel pumps. The device itself has a semicylindrical body adapted for insertion into the nozzle of a fuel dispenser pump. The semicylindrical body is open at the inflow end and has a crescent-shaped lip for restricting fluid flow at the outflow end. The retainer gradually increases in thickness from the inflow end to the outflow end, forming a ramp up to the crescent-shaped lip. The retainer has a slightly smaller radius of curvature at the inflow end than at the outflow end, so that the retainer is inserted into the nozzle, inflow end first, and forms a press fit or friction fit in the nozzle. Fuel under pressure passes over the crescent shaped lip. When the nozzle is shut off, any residual fuel trickling through the nozzle is stopped by the crescent-shaped lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Curtis E. Dame
  • Patent number: 5620032
    Abstract: An improved non-drip nozzle valve which can be retro-fitted onto existing fuel dispensing nozzles comprises an expanding integral wire frame made from two spaced, interconnected C-shaped springs. Once inserted into the throat of the fuel dispensing nozzle, the C-shaped springs expand the frame to engage the inner wall of the nozzle. Each C-shaped portion of the frame is provided with a rubber flap valve half. The two halves of the flap valve overlap each other when the fuel flow is discontinued to prevent any remaining fuel from dripping or spilling out of the end of the nozzle. When the fuel is being pumped, the flow pressure is great enough to unseat the flap valve halves allowing fuel to freely flow past the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Curtis E. Dame