Patents by Inventor Eugene M. Gravatt

Eugene M. Gravatt 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: 5930852
    Abstract: A pump which is designed to be mounted within a recirculating water system where a portion of the recirculating water is diverted and caused to flow through the pump with this recirculating water to absorb heat that is produced during the operation of the motor. The heated diverted water is then added back to the recirculating water system. The pump includes an electric motor which is mounted within a motor housing and is completely enclosed therein. An electrically insulative mounting arrangement mounts the motor relative to the motor housing preventing the conductance of electricity therebetween. The motor housing is filled with oil thereby submerging of the electric motor in oil. The motor housing is enclosed within a seal plate. Surrounding the motor housing is an annular chamber through which the liquid is caused to flow. A baffle arrangement is located within the annular chamber to direct the flow of the liquid so that all area across the surface of the pump housing has liquid flowing thereacross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Aqua-Flo, Incorporated
    Inventors: Eugene M. Gravatt, Dirk A. Caudill
  • Patent number: 5657496
    Abstract: An adjustable rotating hydrotherapy jet that rotates around primary and secondary rotation axes and includes a housing, a water inlet to the housing, and a water nozzle within the housing that forms water flowing through the inlet into a drive jet. A primary outlet is rotatably mounted on the housing about a primary rotation axis and holds the outlet downstream from the water nozzle to receive the jet flow and discharge the flow along an outlet axis. The jet flow through the primary outlet imparts a turning moment to the outlet, causing it to rotate relative to the primary rotation axis and discharge a first stage jet. A secondary outlet is rotatably mounted on the primary outlet about a secondary rotation axis to receive the jet flow from the primary outlet. The jet flow imparts a turning moment to the secondary outlet that causes it to rotate relative to the secondary rotation axis and discharge a second stage jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: B&S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Corb, Eugene M. Gravatt, Robert Spears
  • Patent number: 5353447
    Abstract: An adjustable rotating hydrotherapy jet has a rotatable support structure for a jet outlet nozzle that holds the outlet nozzle with its axis offset from the rotation axis, and at a non-intersecting and non-zero angle thereto. The jet flow through the outlet nozzle thus imparts a turning moment to the support structure, causing it to rotate along with the nozzle. The outlet is preferably provided as an eyeball-type fitting, with the eyeball adjustable over a range of angles relative to its support structure to allow for a selection of the jet's angle and rotational speed; this preferably includes an adjustment position at which the eyeball axis is parallel to the rotational axis and the jet does not rotate. A tab in the eyeball's support structure preferably lodges in a track in the eyeball member to restrict the eyeball adjustment to a plane that develops the maximum rotational thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: B&S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene M. Gravatt
  • Patent number: 5269029
    Abstract: A hydrotherapy jet has a push-pull adjustment that enables a discharge to be turned off or on without rotating the discharge nozzle. This allows an off-axis discharge, useful for a neck massage, to be maintain in a constant direction despite adjustments in the discharge flow level. Inlets are provided in the rear of the nozzle, with the inlets closed off by a surrounding sleeve when the nozzle is pushed in but exposed to receive a discharge flow when the nozzle is pulled out. The sleeve is carried by a mounting member, with water flow passages to the nozzle inlet formed between the sleeve and its mounting member. The adjustment mechanism is preferably contained within a pivotable eyeball fitting, and air passageways can be added to provide a mixed water/air discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: B&S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Spears, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr., Eugene M. Gravatt, Michael D. Holtsnider
  • Patent number: 5226601
    Abstract: A greater volume of air is entrained in the water flow from a hydrotherapy jet by directing the discharge from a first venturi nozzle through a second nozzle that constrains and accelerates the flow. For greatest aeration the ratio of the discharge orifice diameter for the first nozzle to that of the second nozzle is about 0.7-0.85, the ratio of the distance between the discharge orifices for the two nozzles and the diameter of the first nozzle's discharge orifice is about 0.85-1.5, air is introduced into the discharge from the first nozzle from a location fully behind that nozzle's discharge orifice, the flow of air to the downstream side of the second nozzle's discharge orifice is blocked, and the upstream end of the second nozzle overlaps the downstream end of the first nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: B&S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Hinojosa, Jr., Eugene M. Gravatt
  • Patent number: 4972531
    Abstract: An adjustable jet nozzle assembly for directing the flow of fluid through the nozzle. The assembly comprises a jet body on the exterior of the tub mounted in an aperture in the wall of the tube with a wall fitting on the interior of the tub threadably engaging the jet body. An apertured eyeball jet portion is pre-mounted in a face plate threadably engaging the wall fitting providing a smooth continuous flush appearance when installed. The eyeball jet portion is self-lubricating thereby requiring little maintenance while providing smooth operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Eugene M. Gravatt