Patents by Inventor Francis W. Fuller

Francis W. Fuller 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).

  • Apparatus and method for forming an external guard member on a hose
    Patent number: 4446607
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a method for forming, in situ, an external guard member (12), preferably of a spring steel wire material, on a hose (14).Spring steel wire is highly desirable as a material for guard members. Heretofore it has been necessary to preform the spring steel wire on a coiling machine and install precut lengths of the coil onto partially assembled hoses.The present invention overcomes the above problems of construction and assembly by providing an apparatus (10) and method for forming the preferred spring steel wire guard member (12) in situ on a hose (14) having fittings preassembled on both ends. The apparatus (10) includes a forming head (20) having separable first and second portions (46,48). A plurality of radially spaced die members (60) are provided on the first and second portions (46,48) to fully form two complete coils of a guard member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Paul H. Merritt, Francis W. Fuller