Patents by Inventor J. Timothy O'Connor
J. Timothy O'Connor 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).
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Publication number: 20140033418Abstract: A flush valve handle assembly and a check valve assembly are provided for use in a flush valve, wherein the flush valve handle assembly and check valve assembly include improved components. The flush valve handle assembly includes a ball member and a plunger rod, one or both of which can be constructed of a polymeric material. An improved flush file retainer is provided which includes at least one ear integrally formed around a circumferential portion thereof. This at least one ear secures the flush file retainer in a snap-fit configuration in the socket-coupling. The check valve assembly includes a piston/seal having a plurality of ribs having a tapered design extending outwardly from a circumferential periphery of the piston/seal. The piston/seal includes a sealing material located on a top surface thereof. This sealing material can be a thermoplastic elastomeric coating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventor: J. Timothy O'Connor
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Patent number: 8485221Abstract: A flush valve handle assembly and a check valve assembly are provided for use in a flush valve, wherein the flush valve handle assembly and check valve assembly include improved components. The flush valve handle assembly includes a ball member and a plunger rod, one or both of which can be constructed of a polymeric material. An improved flush file retainer is provided which includes at least one ear integrally formed around a circumferential portion thereof. This at least one ear secures the flush file retainer in a snap-fit configuration in the socket-coupling. The check valve assembly includes a piston/seal having a plurality of ribs having a tapered design extending outwardly from a circumferential periphery of the piston/seal. The piston/seal includes a sealing material located on a top surface thereof. This sealing material can be a thermoplastic elastomeric coating material.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventor: J. Timothy O'Connor
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Patent number: 8297296Abstract: A flush valve diaphragm of a flush valve includes a body having a segmented insert within a flexible body portion and a central passageway. The body further includes a peripheral sealing portion with the flexible body portion within the peripheral sealing portion. The peripheral sealing portion can include an integral filter, an exit chamber and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter version will retard clogging of the bypass arrangement. The segmented insert includes a plurality of trapezoidal members with outward protrusions. The plurality of trapezoidal members are connected to each other on their outermost edge by a runner.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: J. Timothy O'Connor, Michael A. Funari
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Publication number: 20110163476Abstract: A flush valve diaphragm of a flush valve includes a body having a segmented insert within a flexible body portion and a central passageway. The body further includes a peripheral sealing portion with the flexible body portion within the peripheral sealing portion. The peripheral sealing portion can include an integral filter, an exit chamber and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter version will retard clogging of the bypass arrangement. The segmented insert includes a plurality of trapezoidal members with outward protrusions. The plurality of trapezoidal members are connected to each other on their outermost edge by a runner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: J. Timothy O'Connor, Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 7922147Abstract: A flush valve diaphragm of a flush valve includes a body having a segmented insert within a flexible body portion and a central passageway. The body further includes a peripheral sealing portion with the flexible body portion within the peripheral sealing portion. The peripheral sealing portion can include an integral filter, an exit chamber and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter version will retard clogging of the bypass arrangement. The segmented insert includes a plurality of trapezoidal members with outward protrusions. The plurality of trapezoidal members are connected to each other on their outermost edge by a runner.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: J. Timothy O'Connor, Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 7802586Abstract: A vacuum breaker that includes a substantially cylindrical tubular body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a rim extending away from the body and a ledge extending axially away from the rim thus defining an L-shaped profile. A retainer bead extends axially away from an end of the ledge toward the vacuum breaker body, wherein the retainer bead is adapted to provide a friction fit for releasably attaching a flow control insert to the first end of the body of the vacuum breaker. The second end of the body includes a plurality of lip seals, wherein each lip seal defines a slit with a molded hinged member at an end thereof. The hinged member is preferably in the shape of a hole to prevent tearing and maintain the correct slit length.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Patent number: 7516938Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Publication number: 20090072177Abstract: A flush valve handle assembly and a check valve assembly are provided for use in a flush valve, wherein the flush valve handle assembly and check valve assembly include improved components. The flush valve handle assembly includes a ball member and a plunger rod, one or both of which can be constructed of a polymeric material. An improved flush file retainer is provided which includes at least one ear integrally formed around a circumferential portion thereof. This at least one ear secures the flush file retainer in a snap-fit configuration in the socket-coupling. The check valve assembly includes a piston/seal having a plurality of ribs having a tapered design extending outwardly from a circumferential periphery of the piston/seal. The piston/seal includes a sealing material located on a top surface thereof. This sealing material can be a thermoplastic elastomeric coating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: J. Timothy O'Connor
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Publication number: 20080290311Abstract: A flush valve diaphragm of a flush valve includes a body having a segmented insert within a flexible body portion and a central passageway. The body further includes a peripheral sealing portion with the flexible body portion within the peripheral sealing portion. The peripheral sealing portion can include an integral filter, an exit chamber and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter version will retard clogging of the bypass arrangement. The segmented insert includes a plurality of trapezoidal members with outward protrusions. The plurality of trapezoidal members are connected to each other on their outermost edge by a runner.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: J. Timothy O'Connor, Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 7108240Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Patent number: 6971634Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Publication number: 20040094734Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor