Patents by Inventor Gary William PLEYTE

Gary William PLEYTE 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).

  • Publication number: 20240198151
    Abstract: Fire protection systems and methods having piping interconnections for connecting a fire protection device to a fluid source. The piping interconnections include a branch connector connected to a pipe header. The branch connector includes a tubular member and an internal annular seal member housed in an internal gasket chamber of the tubular member. The tubular member includes an internal stepless surface between a terminal end of the tubular member and the internal gasket chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Gary William Pleyte, Derek John Scheffers
  • Patent number: 11998938
    Abstract: Sprinkler guards to protect fire protection sprinklers in their installed and operative positions. A fire protection sprinkler guard includes a structure with a hinged arrangement to flexibly receive a fire protection sprinkler. A latch connection operates in combination with the hinge of the guard to form a rigid cage structure to shield and protect the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignees: Viking Group, Inc., Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Martin H. Workman, Gary William Pleyte, Scott T. Franson
  • Patent number: 11872425
    Abstract: Fire protection systems and methods having piping interconnections for connecting afire protection device to a fluid source. The piping interconnections include a branch connector connected to a pipe header. The branch connector includes a tubular member and an internal annular seal member housed in an internal gasket chamber of the tubular member. The tubular member includes an internal stepless surface between a terminal end of the tubular member and the internal gasket chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Gary William Pleyte, Derek John Scheffers
  • Publication number: 20230398389
    Abstract: Fire protection systems and methods having piping interconnections for connecting afire protection device to a fluid source. The piping interconnections include a branch connector connected to a pipe header. The branch connector includes a tubular member and an internal annular seal member housed in an internal gasket chamber of the tubular member. The tubular member includes an internal stepless surface between a terminal end of the tubular member and the internal gasket chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Gary William PLEYTE, Derek John SCHEFFERS
  • Publication number: 20230149963
    Abstract: Sprinkler guards to protect fire protection sprinklers in their installed and operative positions. A fire protection sprinkler guard includes a structure with a hinged arrangement to flexibly receive a fire protection sprinkler. A latch connection operates in combination with the hinge of the guard to form a rigid cage structure to shield and protect the sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Martin H. WORKMAN, Gary William Pleyte, Scott T. Franson
  • Publication number: 20230100701
    Abstract: A method and device for protecting and installing a fire protection sprinkler assembly having a thermally responsive trigger. The method includes shielding and torquing a fire protection sprinkler with a protective device having a torque assist feature. The protective device includes a first member and a second member opposed and spaced about a plane to define an internal void and a lateral slot for strapping about the sprinkler. The torque assist feature includes a first confronting segment of the first member and a second confronting segment of the second member. The first and second confronting segments are disposed on opposite sides of the plane and spaced apart laterally about the device axis. Each of the first and second confronting segments define an internal surface of the device that form a contact surface engagement with one arm in the pair of frame arms to transfer a torque or rotational force to the sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Gary William Pleyte
  • Publication number: 20230088036
    Abstract: A device and method of protecting and installing a fire protection sprinkler. The device includes a tubular cap that axially receives the sprinkler. The device also includes torque assist features including an external rotational drive feature and an internal rotational drive feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Gary William Pleyte
  • Publication number: 20230087195
    Abstract: A device and method of protecting and installing a fire protection sprinkler. The protective device is embodied as a tubular cap that axially receives the sprinkler. The protection and installation device includes an internal gripping portion for engaging the sprinkler. The protection and installation device includes a wall that maintains its geometry before receiving the sprinkler the same after receiving the fire protection sprinkler. Moreover, the protective installation device maintains its geometry constant to sufficiently torque the sprinkler into a fitting for installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Martin H. WORKMAN, Shawn J. FEENSTRA, Gary William PLEYTE, Scott T. FRANSON
  • Publication number: 20230089748
    Abstract: A device for protecting and installing a fire protection sprinkler. The protective device is embodied as a tubular cap that axially receives the sprinkler. The protection and installation device includes a wall with a stiffening element to facilitate the strength and rigidity of the device so that it can sufficiently transfer a torque to install the protected sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jason T. Watson, Scott T. Franson, Martin H. Workman, Shawn J. Feenstra, Gary William Pleyte
  • Patent number: 11577108
    Abstract: An automatic fire protection sprinkler assembly for fire protection systems that includes a tubular outer housing having an inlet, an outlet opening and an internal shelf proximate the outlet opening. A fluid deflection member is spaced from the outlet opening along a fluid flow path of the assembly. A fluid control assembly is disposed within the outer housing for axial translation from an unactuated state to an actuated state of the sprinkler assembly. The fluid control assembly includes a seal subassembly, a fluid flow tube; and an ejectable support subassembly. The support subassembly includes a projection member. Upon actuation of a thermally responsive trigger, the support subassembly is ejected out the outlet opening such that the projection member comes into contact with the internal shelf of the housing to pivot the support subassembly out of the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew T. Thompson, Gary William Pleyte, Sylvain Coupal
  • Patent number: 11548027
    Abstract: Sprinkler guards to protect fire protection sprinklers in their installed and operative positions. A fire protection sprinkler guard includes a structure with a hinged arrangement to flexibly receive a fire protection sprinkler. A latch connection operates in combination with the hinge of the guard to form a rigid cage structure to shield and protect the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: Viking Group, Inc., Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH
    Inventors: Gary William Pleyte, Scott T. Franson, Martin H. Workman
  • Publication number: 20220347504
    Abstract: An automatic fire protection sprinkler assembly for fire protection systems that includes a tubular outer housing having an inlet, an outlet opening and an internal shelf proximate the outlet opening. A fluid deflection member is spaced from the outlet opening along a fluid flow path of the assembly. A fluid control assembly is disposed within the outer housing for axial translation from an unactuated state to an actuated state of the sprinkler assembly. The fluid control assembly includes a seal subassembly, a fluid flow tube; and an ejectable support subassembly. The support subassembly includes a projection member. Upon actuation of a thermally responsive trigger, the oa support subassembly is ejected out the outlet opening such that the projection member comes into contact with the internal shelf of the housing to pivot the support subassembly out of the fluid flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew T. THOMPSON, Gary William PLEYTE, Sylvain COUPAL
  • Publication number: 20220203395
    Abstract: Sprinkler guards to protect fire protection sprinklers in their installed and operative positions. A fire protection sprinkler guard includes a structure with a hinged arrangement to flexibly receive a fire protection sprinkler. A latch connection operates in combination with the hinge of the guard to form a rigid cage structure to shield and protect the sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Gary William PLEYTE, Scott T. FRANSON, Martin H. WORKMAN