Patents by Inventor David C. Sparkes

David C. Sparkes 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: 10384317
    Abstract: A valve position indicator mounting kit and method for mounting a valve position indicator to a manually operated valve. The mounting kit includes a mounting bracket and a stop plate assembly. The mounting bracket is connectable to the valve and has a bottom portion with a stem aperture through which a valve stem is extendable and being configured to be matingly engageable with the valve body. The mounting bracket has an upper portion with a shaft aperture. The locking plate assembly has a base portion matingly engaged with the valve stem and a shaft connection portion mounted to the top portion of the mounting bracket assembly and having a shaft matingly engaged with the shaft connecting portion of the locking plate assembly in a way that rotation of the valve stem via the handle causes the shaft to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Valve Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Scaramucci, David C. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20170348810
    Abstract: A valve position indicator mounting kit and method for mounting a valve position indicator to a manually operated valve. The mounting kit includes a mounting bracket and a stop plate assembly. The mounting bracket is connectable to the valve and has a bottom portion with a stem aperture through which a valve stem is extendable and being configured to be matingly engageable with the valve body. The mounting bracket has an upper portion with a shaft aperture. The locking plate assembly has a base portion matingly engaged with the valve stem and a shaft connection portion mounted to the top portion of the mounting bracket assembly and having a shaft matingly engaged with the shaft connecting portion of the locking plate assembly in a way that rotation of the valve stem via the handle causes the shaft to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: John P. Scaramucci, David C. Sparks
  • Patent number: 6775916
    Abstract: A layout tool for laying out or “marking” positions at a predetermined spacing for the attachment of studs having a nominal thickness to a length of dimensioned lumber comprising a plate, when framing walls during construction of a building. The layout tool includes an elongated rail for placement against the plate, and a first stud marking guide extending perpendicularly from the elongated rail. The first stud marking guide has left and right side edges, and width between the side edges corresponding to the nominal thickness of the studs. A separate stud marking guide extends perpendicularly from the elongated rail. The second stud marking guide likewise has left and right side edges and a width between the side edges corresponding to the nominal thickness of the studs. The left edge of the second stud marking guide is spaced from the left edge of the first stud marking guide a distance equal to the predetermined stud spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: David C. Sparkes
  • Publication number: 20030145475
    Abstract: A layout tool for laying out or “marking” positions at a predetermined spacing for the attachment of studs having a nominal thickness to a length of dimensioned lumber comprising a plate, when framing walls during construction of a building. The layout tool includes an elongated rail for placement against the plate, and a first stud marking guide extending perpendicularly from the elongated rail. The first stud marking guide has left and right side edges, and width between the side edges corresponding to the nominal thickness of the studs. A separate stud marking guide extends perpendicularly from the elongated rail. The second stud marking guide likewise has left and right side edges and a width between the side edges corresponding to the nominal thickness of the studs. The left edge of the second stud marking guide is spaced from the left edge of the first stud marking guide a distance equal to the predetermined stud spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: David C. Sparkes
  • Patent number: 5379267
    Abstract: A buoyancy control system is disclosed for maintaining a buoyant vehicle at a controlled depth by jettisoning either a heavy liquid or a light liquid. The control system monitors the depth of the buoyant vehicle and determines the direction and magnitude of vertical velocity. If it exceeds the threshold velocity the system calculates how much fluid to jettison in order to decelerate the vehicle to a target velocity. The positive and negative threshold velocities are programmed for control of the average vertical velocity and for depth maintenance. First and second bladders contain heavy and light liquids, respectively. The bladders are subjected to ambient water pressure and are spring loaded and each is provided with an discharge valve. A pressure sensor monitors the vehicle depth and generates a depth signal. A computer derives a velocity signal from the depth signal and calculates the quantity of liquid which should be jettisoned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Sparton Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Sparks, Luke Belfie, Dave Bruder, Christian T. Werner, James W. Widenhofer
  • Patent number: 4716554
    Abstract: A tapered wiring harness is disclosed for an array of hydrophones with spaced take-out points on the harness at which a signal wire and a ground wire are connected with a hydrophone. The harness comprises a bundle of signal wires, which diminish in number from one end to the other, and it also comprises a ground wire and a strain cord, which extend throughout the length of the harness. The bundle of wires and the strain cord are held in a bundle of substantially circular cross-section by a lacing of thread formed as a sewing machine stitch of the zig zag type. Hairing members of uniform length are secured to the bundle under the lacing at predetermined intervals with the hairing more closely spaced on the larger diameter of the bundle. In another embodiment, the hairing members are spaced uniformly but are of variable length with longer members on the larger diameter of the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Sparton Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Depew, Robert A. Houghton, David C. Sparks