Patents by Inventor David A. Bobo

David A. Bobo 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: 11796080
    Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes an outer sleeve having first and second pillars and defining an outer sleeve hollow, a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch, wherein the first pillar of the outer sleeve at least partially defines and is positioned between the first and second notches, and the second pillar of the outer sleeve at least partially defines and is positioned between the second and third notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: James Stogdill, David A. Bobo, Matthew J. Krazit
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230287989
    Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes an outer sleeve having first and second pillars and defining an outer sleeve hollow, a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch, wherein the first pillar of the outer sleeve at least partially defines and is positioned between the first and second notches, and the second pillar of the outer sleeve at least partially defines and is positioned between the second and third notches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: James Stogdill, David A. Bobo, Matthew J. Krazit
  • 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: 11402045
    Abstract: A press fitting assembly is provided that includes: a piping component including a receiving device which includes an open end and a shoulder, the open end comprising a continuous stop; a grip ring positioned within the receiving device abutting the continuous stop and comprising a plurality of opposing teeth; a sealing element positioned within the receiving device and abutting the shoulder, wherein the sealing element comprises at least one lobe; and a separator ring positioned within the receiving device between the sealing element and the grip ring, the ring comprises a base portion and an angled portion. Further, the angled portion is angled toward the sealing element and the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D Paige, Willis Mitchell, David A Bobo
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200300395
    Abstract: A press fitting assembly is provided that includes: a piping component including a receiving device which includes an open end and a shoulder, the open end comprising a continuous stop; a grip ring positioned within the receiving device abutting the continuous stop and comprising a plurality of opposing teeth; a sealing element positioned within the receiving device and abutting the shoulder, wherein the sealing element comprises at least one lobe; and a separator ring positioned within the receiving device between the sealing element and the grip ring, the ring comprises a base portion and an angled portion. Further, the angled portion is angled toward the sealing element and the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Paige, Willis Mitchell, David A. Bobo
  • Publication number: 20200300391
    Abstract: A press fitting assembly is provided that includes a piping component including a receiving device comprising an open end and a shoulder. The open end includes a continuous stop. A grip ring is positioned within the receiving device abutting the continuous stop. The grip ring comprises a plurality of opposing teeth. A sealing element is positioned within the receiving device abutting the shoulder. The sealing element comprises a plurality of lobes. A separator ring is positioned within the receiving device between the sealing element and the grip ring. The separator ring comprises a base portion and an angled portion. The angled portion is angled toward the sealing element and the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Ronald D Paige, Willis Mitchell, David A Bobo
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 20180313480
    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: 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
  • 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