Patents by Inventor Earl Christian
Earl Christian 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: 11898676Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to a quick-connect fitting that provides a leak-proof connection between two components of a waterway. The quick-connect fitting of the present disclosure is releasable and reusable for disconnecting and reconnecting the waterway connection. Moreover, the quick-connect fitting further comprises an audible identifier which identifies the quick-connect fitting has secured the waterway components to be connected.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLCInventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Earl Christian, Donald Currey, Grandin Rushlander, Jay Burnett
-
Patent number: 11629040Abstract: The disclosure described herein relates to a beverage dispensing system mixing nozzle and a process for making or repairing the same. Particular examples of the present disclosure include a manifold comprising multiple tubes where the manifold is inserted into and secured within a seat of the mixing nozzle. In some examples, multiple manifolds are inserted into and secured within a seat of the mixing nozzle. The tubes extend into the body of the manifold to form a leak proof connection.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLCInventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Donald Currey, Earl Christian
-
Patent number: 11591779Abstract: The disclosure described herein relates to waterway assemblies and manifolds for waterway assemblies for use in water fixtures such as, for example, faucets. Examples of the manifold for a waterway assembly of the present disclosure include an insert with a pair of inlet tubes which are offset from a supply tube. A method of manufacture for the waterway assembly and manifold having the insert with a pair of inlet tubes which are offset from a supply tube is also provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Delta Faucet CompanyInventors: Don Currey, Earl Christian, Scott R. Gardner, Adam DeVries, Jonathan Lester
-
Publication number: 20220333723Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to a quick-connect fitting that provides a leak-proof connection between two components of a waterway. The quick-connect fitting of the present disclosure is releasable and reusable for disconnecting and reconnecting the waterway connection. Moreover, the quick-connect fitting further comprises an audible identifier which identifies the quick-connect fitting has secured the waterway components to be connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2021Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Earl Christian, Donald Currey, Grandin Rushlander, Jay Burnett
-
Patent number: 11358851Abstract: Examples herein relate generally to reservoirs for use in water distribution systems within an appliance. The reservoir herein allows for the combination of various components prepared by separate manufacturing processes and for reducing waste of those manufacturing components. Specifically, the reservoir herein provides a daisy-chain structure for forming a ganged reservoir system.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLCInventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Earl Christian, Jr., Donald Currey
-
Publication number: 20210388582Abstract: The disclosure described herein relates to waterway assemblies and manifolds for waterway assemblies for use in water fixtures such as, for example, faucets. Examples of the manifold for a waterway assembly of the present disclosure include an insert with a pair of inlet tubes which are offset from a supply tube. A method of manufacture for the waterway assembly and manifold having the insert with a pair of inlet tubes which are offset from a supply tube is also provided herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Don Currey, Earl Christian, Scott R. Gardner, Adam DeVries, Jonathan Lester
-
Patent number: 11034487Abstract: Examples herein relate generally to reservoirs for use in water distribution systems within an appliance. The reservoir herein allows for the combination of various components prepared by separate manufacturing processes and for reducing waste of those manufacturing components. Specifically, the reservoir herein provides a stopper separable from and for use with a container and a cap.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLCInventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Earl Christian, Jr., Donald Currey, William Blue
-
Patent number: 10760716Abstract: An apparatus and process by which a leak-proof connection with a polymeric tube is described herein. Particular embodiments of the present invention include a leak-proof connection fitting inserted into a bore of a overmolded attachment piece wherein the overmolded attachment piece is overmolded onto the polymeric tube. The leak-proof connection fitting includes multiple surfaces in various configurations. The multiple surfaces include barb(s), raised surface(s), reduced surface(s), and channel(s). O-rings may be further added to the leak-proof connection fitting. In some embodiments, the overmolded attachment piece or the tube itself is secured to the fitting by shape memory.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLCInventors: Donald Currey, Scott R. Gardner, Brock Elsea, Earl Christian, Jr.
-
Patent number: 10082232Abstract: A quick-connect fitting includes a polymeric first connector in fluid communication with a first component, and a polymeric second connector in fluid communication with a second component. The first connector is either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting and female fitting is the second connector. The female fitting includes a longitudinal cylindrical cavity having therein a retaining ring retaining an o-ring, and the male fitting includes a cylindrical body and a tubular sealing element extending longitudinally therefrom positionable within the polymeric female fitting and o-ring in sealing engagement. The quick connect fitting includes a clip pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignees: Mercury Plastics LLC, Delta Faucet CompanyInventors: Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
-
Patent number: 9738018Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Seman, Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
-
Patent number: 9726309Abstract: A nut and ferrule assembly including a nut having an internal-threaded bore along a nut axis and a nut sealing surface, the threads of the internal-threaded bore having a nut thread pitch and a nut thread minor diameter, a ferrule having an annular body forming an axial bore and a ferrule sealing surface, the ferrule sealing surface corresponding to the nut sealing surface, the ferrule further having a protrusion extending outwardly from the body around at least a portion of the body, the outside diameter of the protrusion being greater than the nut thread minor diameter, and the ferrule positioned within the internal-threaded bore.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.Inventors: William Rowley, Donald Currey, Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue
-
Publication number: 20160368192Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2015Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Richard F. Seman, Earl Christian, JR., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
-
Publication number: 20150338004Abstract: A quick-connect fitting includes a polymeric first connector in fluid communication with a first component, and a polymeric second connector in fluid communication with a second component. The first connector is either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting and female fitting is the second connector. The female fitting includes a longitudinal cylindrical cavity having therein a retaining ring retaining an o-ring, and the male fitting includes a cylindrical body and a tubular sealing element extending longitudinally therefrom positionable within the polymeric female fitting and o-ring in sealing engagement. The quick connect fitting includes a clip pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Earl Christian, JR., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
-
Patent number: 9103478Abstract: A quick-connect fitting includes a polymeric first connector in fluid communication with a first component, and a polymeric second connector in fluid communication with a second component. The first connector is either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting and female fitting is the second connector. The female fitting includes a longitudinal cylindrical cavity having therein a retaining ring retaining an o-ring, and the male fitting includes a cylindrical body and a tubular sealing element extending longitudinally therefrom positionable within the polymeric female fitting and o-ring in sealing engagement. The quick connect fitting includes a clip pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignees: Mercury Plastics, Inc., Masco CorporationInventors: Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
-
Patent number: 9096002Abstract: A process for providing an overmolded waterway comprising inserting a shaft portion of a sacrificial core into an end of a tube, the shaft portion having a first opening therein, the sacrificial core having a second portion comprising a second opening and a contact surface about the second opening, the second opening in fluid communication with the first opening and the inside of the tube, in a mold cavity inserting a core pin transverse to the tube end, the sacrificial core contact surface engaging a mating surface of the core pin closing the second opening, injection overmolding over a portion of the tube end and core pin forming an overmolded waterway having an outlet portion in fluid communication with the second opening and the inside of the tube, and removing the core pin from the second opening through the outlet portion and removing the overmolded waterway from the mold cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Seman, Sr., Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler
-
Patent number: 8980161Abstract: A process for making a reservoir including steps of positioning a hollow extrudate at an elevated temperature in a mold cavity, inserting a fitting into an end of the extrudate, sealing an outer surface of the fitting with an interior surface of the extrudate using latent heat within the extrudate, and forming at least a portion of the extrudate against the mold cavity forming a reservoir with the fitting sealed into the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.Inventors: William W. Rowley, Grandin A. Rushlander, Robert Yunk, Earl Christian, Jr.
-
Patent number: 8844111Abstract: The invention described herein relates to method by which a leak-proof connection may be made to a refrigeration device using shape memory characteristics of crosslinking and overmolding to affect the leak-proof connection.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Mercury Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Yunk, Jr., Earl Christian, Jr., William W. Rowley, Scott Gardner
-
Patent number: 8789854Abstract: A flow regulated quick-connect fitting has a polymeric first connector and a polymeric second connector, the first connector being either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting or the female fitting being the second connector. The female fitting has a longitudinal cylindrical cavity therein, and the male fitting has a generally cylindrical body having an end opening. The cylindrical body of the male fitting is positionable within the cylindrical cavity of the female fitting forming the connection. A clip is pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting. A replaceable flow regulator in the male fitting end opening regulates flow through the quick-connect fitting.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignees: Mercury Plastics, Inc., Masco CorporationInventors: Earl Christian, Jr., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler, Matthew L. Kemp, DeWayne Davis
-
Publication number: 20140001751Abstract: A flow regulated quick-connect fitting has a polymeric first connector and a polymeric second connector, the first connector being either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting or the female fitting being the second connector. The female fitting has a longitudinal cylindrical cavity therein, and the male fitting has a generally cylindrical body having an end opening. The cylindrical body of the male fitting is positionable within the cylindrical cavity of the female fitting forming the connection. A clip is pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting. A replaceable flow regulator in the male fitting end opening regulates flow through the quick-connect fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Inventors: Earl Christian, JR., William Blue, Scott R. Gardner, William Shane Hochstetler, Matthew L. Kemp, DeWayne Davis
-
Publication number: 20130256955Abstract: A process for making a reservoir including steps of positioning a hollow extrudate at an elevated temperature in a mold cavity, inserting a fitting into an end of the extrudate, sealing an outer surface of the fitting with an interior surface of the extrudate using latent heat within the extrudate, and forming at least a portion of the extrudate against the mold cavity forming a reservoir with the fitting sealed into the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Mercury Plastics, Inc.Inventors: William W. Rowley, Grandin A. Rushlander, Robert Yunk, Earl Christian, JR.