Patents by Inventor Gerald E. Blom

Gerald E. Blom 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: 9022060
    Abstract: A squeeze-off apparatus and method for at least partially locally interrupting the flow of a fluid in a resilient tube or pipe are described. Tubes may be accessed from a single direction, thereby eliminating the need for significant excavation around a buried tube. Squeeze-off is performed using a pair of jaws which close in a parallel manner, the closed distance between the jaws being adjustable depending on the wall thickness of the tubing, thereby permitting the tube to remain integral for at least one such crimping and release cycle. Embodiments of the squeeze-off apparatus may be locked in place once the tube is crimped, thereby permitting the flow to be reduced or shut off without continued application of force to the crimping jaws of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Gerald E. Blom
  • Publication number: 20130207008
    Abstract: A squeeze-off apparatus and method for at least partially locally interrupting the flow of a fluid in a resilient tube or pipe are described. Tubes may be accessed from a single direction, thereby eliminating the need for significant excavation around a buried tube. Squeeze-off is performed using a pair of jaws which close in a parallel manner, the closed distance between the jaws being adjustable depending on the wall thickness of the tubing, thereby permitting the tube to remain integral for at least one such crimping and release cycle. Embodiments of the squeeze-off apparatus may be locked in place once the tube is crimped, thereby permitting the flow to be reduced or shut off without continued application of force to the crimping jaws of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald E. Blom
  • Patent number: 8356791
    Abstract: A squeeze-off apparatus and method for at least partially locally interrupting the flow of a fluid in a resilient tube or pipe are described. Tubes may be accessed from a single direction, thereby eliminating the need for significant excavation around a buried tube. Squeeze-off is performed using two pairs of jaws which close in a parallel manner, the closed distance between the jaws being adjustable depending on the wall thickness of the tubing, thereby permitting the tube to remain integral for at least one such crimping and release cycle. Embodiments of the squeeze-off apparatus may be locked in place once the tube is crimped, thereby permitting the flow to be reduced or shut off without continued application of force to the squeeze-off jaws of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald E. Blom
  • Patent number: 3974588
    Abstract: A fishing lure having a housing designed externally to simulate a bait fish, and arranged to be tied at one end to a line, the other end carrying a hook. The lure may be set so that when a fish pulls lightly on the hook with more than a predetermined force, the hook is first displaced toward the fish and then more strongly away from the fish, thus becoming firmly set in the fish's mouth. To accomplish this, the lure contains a hook shaft, first and second camming means, first and second holding means, first and second spring means, and a triggering disc, interrelated mechanically to give the desired action, together with means manually operable from outside the housing to cooperate with the hook shaft in bringing the lure into its set condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Inventors: Gerald E. Blom, Robert W. VanLeuven
  • Patent number: 3942633
    Abstract: A holder for a book of matches comprised of an enclosure element having a back panel and top and bottom retention lips which partially enclose the match book. First and second side panels restrict lateral movement of the match book to prevent removal of the book by children. The match book strike plate is accessible only through an opening in the back panel of the enclosure which is covered by a movable guard element. The guard element is biased in a closed position by means of a spring mechanism and release tab to prevent access to the strike plate by children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1976
    Inventors: Gerald E. Blom, Robert W. Van Leuven