Patents by Inventor James A. Inhofe, Jr.

James A. Inhofe, Jr. 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: 6663145
    Abstract: A grip coupling (18) for tubular conduit has a coupling body (20) formed by two halves (22, 24) which are joined along weld lines (26). The two halves (22, 24) each include a tapered entrance section (28) and an interior seal (30). The interior seals (30) are disposed inboard of the tapered entrance sections (28). Two annular-shaped shoulders (32) are formed in the interior surfaces of each of the two halves (22, 24), and are spaced apart to face inboard relative to the respective two halves (22, 24) when the two halves (22, 24) are joined together. Two grip rings (36) are disposed within respective ones of the two halves (22, 24), fitting against respective ones of the two annular-shaped shoulders (32). The grip rings (36) have grip teeth (40) and are tapered to extend radially inward in an inboard direction relative to the body (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Group Timberline, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucian H. Lyall, III, Stephen J. Boros, James A. Inhofe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5476562
    Abstract: Methods of producing electrically fusable sleeve connectors for connecting large diameter thermoplastic pipe sections and the sleeve connectors produced by such methods are provided. Methods of sealingly connecting adjacent ends of a pair of large diameter thermoplastic pipe sections by electric fusion are also provided. The methods of producing electrically fusable thermoplastic sleeve connectors broadly include the steps of winding a tape of molten thermoplastic material onto a large diameter core drum whereby adjacent windings are fused and upon being cooled a solid sleeve is formed, embedding an electric resistance heating wire in a surface of the sleeve while the thermoplastic material is still in the molten state and removing the sleeve after cooling with electric resistance heating wire embedded therein from the core drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Central Plastics Company
    Inventor: James A. Inhofe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5252157
    Abstract: Methods of producing electrically fusable sleeve connectors for connecting large diameter thermoplastic pipe sections and the sleeve connectors produced by such methods are provided. Methods of sealingly connecting adjacent ends of a pair of large diameter thermoplastic pipe sections by electric fusion are also provided. The methods of producing electrically fusable thermoplastic sleeve connectors broadly include the steps of winding a tape of molten thermoplastic material onto a large diameter core drum whereby adjacent windings are fused and upon being cooled a solid sleeve is formed, embedding an electric resistance heating wire in a surface of the sleeve while the thermoplastic material is still in the molten state and removing the sleeve after cooling with electric resistance heating wire embedded therein from the core drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Central Plastics Company
    Inventor: James A. Inhofe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4713129
    Abstract: A device and method for covering pilings of piers and the like includes a plastic cover or sheet which is wrapped around the piling for protecting the piling against rot, weather and wear. The plastic sheet ends overlap as they wrap around the pile. The ends are sealed and secured by a heatable strip extending between the overlapped ends of the sheet and which forms a fused plastic seam between the overlapped ends as the sheet is held tightly about the pile. A strap and a bar which presses over the heatable strip is provided for temporarily cinching the plastic sheet tightly about the pile and holding it while the heat fusing occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Central Plastics Company
    Inventors: James A. Inhofe, Jr., Harold J. Evans
  • Patent number: 4708527
    Abstract: A device and method of covering piles and the like includes a plastic cover or sheet which is wrapped around the pile for protecting the pile against rot, weather and wear. The plastic sheet ends overlap as they wrap around the pile. The ends are sealed and secured by a heating element extending between the overlapped ends of the sheet and which forms a fused plastic seam between the overlapped ends as the sheet is held tightly about the pile. A strap and bar which presses over the heating element are provided for temporarily cinching the plastic sheet tightly about the pile and holding it while the heat fusing occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Central Plastics Company
    Inventors: James A. Inhofe, Jr., Harold J. Evans