Patents by Inventor James A. Ritchie

James A. Ritchie 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: 11705677
    Abstract: A method of assembling a water-in-fuel sensor assembly. The method includes an initial step of providing a housing that has a recess, at least one pin located within the housing, a circuit board, and at least one terminal configured for engaging the at least one pin. The method also includes forming a board-mounting subassembly by coupling the at least one terminal to the circuit board. The method also includes positioning the board-mounting subassembly within the housing by engaging the at least one terminal with the at least one pin such that the board-mounting subassembly is disposed within the recess of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220094118
    Abstract: A method of assembling a water-in-fuel sensor assembly. The method includes an initial step of providing a housing that has a recess, at least one pin located within the housing, a circuit board, and at least one terminal configured for engaging the at least one pin. The method also includes forming a board-mounting subassembly by coupling the at least one terminal to the circuit board. The method also includes positioning the board-mounting subassembly within the housing by engaging the at least one terminal with the at least one pin such that the board-mounting subassembly is disposed within the recess of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9222211
    Abstract: A water inlet system for a washing machine including a main body, at least one insert and a valve assembly. The main body is made of a first material. The at least one insert is spin welded to the main body. The at least one insert is made of a material substantially the same as the first material. The valve assembly is mechanically coupled and sealed with the insert. The valve assembly has a valve body made of a second material, with the first material and the second material being different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140014211
    Abstract: A water inlet system for a washing machine including a main body, at least one insert and a valve assembly. The main body is made of a first material. The at least one insert is spin welded to the main body. The at least one insert is made of a material substantially the same as the first material. The valve assembly is mechanically coupled and sealed with the insert. The valve assembly has a valve body made of a second material, with the first material and the second material being different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie, JR.
  • Patent number: 8496881
    Abstract: A chemical delivery system includes: a chemical storage device configured for emitting a volatilized chemical therefrom; a heating element which provides an exothermic chemical reaction; an at least substantially rigid housing element containing the heating element; a tray including a well, the well having an absence of a through-hole and defining a space which is slightly larger than the chemical storage device, the tray being attached to the housing element, the chemical storage device being mounted to the well, the heating element being in thermal communication with the chemical storage device via the well; a retainer attached to the well and including at least one hole configured for passing therethrough the volatilized chemical to an ambient environment, the retainer being configured for retaining the chemical storage device in the space; and a removable covering directly attached to the tray and covering the retainer and the well to thereby hermetically seal the chemical storage device within the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Pohl, James A. Ritchie, Jr., Jeffery A. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130031963
    Abstract: A fuel system including a fuel container containing fluid and a water sensor. The water sensor is in at least partial fluid contact with the fluid. The water sensor has a longitudinal axis that is substantially horizontal. The water sensor is configured to sense water in the fluid at a predetermined level in the fuel container. The water sensor is further configured to sense water at the predetermined level regardless of a rotational position of the water sensor about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: James A. Ritchie, JR., Anthony W. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20100247372
    Abstract: A chemical delivery system includes: a chemical storage device configured for emitting a volatilized chemical therefrom; a heating element which provides an exothermic chemical reaction; an at least substantially rigid housing element containing the heating element; a tray including a well, the well having an absence of a through-hole and defining a space which is slightly larger than the chemical storage device, the tray being attached to the housing element, the chemical storage device being mounted to the well, the heating element being in thermal communication with the chemical storage device via the well; a retainer attached to the well and including at least one hole configured for passing therethrough the volatilized chemical to an ambient environment, the retainer being configured for retaining the chemical storage device in the space; and a removable covering directly attached to the tray and covering the retainer and the well to thereby hermetically seal the chemical storage device within the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Pohl, James A. Ritchie, JR., Jeffery A. Clark
  • Patent number: 5131198
    Abstract: A corner bead for drywall construction has a galvanized steel core strip which is formed with a central portion, side flanges, and shoulders joining the central portion and side flanges. The front face of the core strip is covered with a paper layer having an outer protective coating thereon overlying the central portion adjoining said shoulders. A paper reinforcing layer covers the back of the core strip in one embodiment to minimize the thickness of the core strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: BeadeX Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Ritchie, Don E. King
  • Patent number: 4997640
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a toothpaste having antimicrobial activity packaged in a closed container comprising water, an ascorbic acid compound consisting of ascorbic acid, an ascorbic acid salt or an ascorbic acid ester and a copper catalyst for the auto-oxidation of the ascorbic acid compound during use of the toothpaste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co., division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel P. Bird, Geoffrey S. Ingram, Paul I. Riley, James A. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 4056336
    Abstract: An improved apex seal construction for slant axis rotary mechanisms. The mechanism includes a housing defining a chamber having radially inner and outer spherical walls interconnected by opposed, generally radially extending side walls, a shaft journalled in the housing and having an angularly offset portion within the chamber, a rotor within the chamber and journalled on the angularly offset portion. The rotor has a spherical hub and a peripheral, radially outwardly extending flange having plural apexes on each side thereof, each apex being provided with an apex seal receiving groove extending radially the length of the flange and into the hub. An apex seal is loosely received in each groove and extends therefrom to sealingly engage a corresponding one of the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 4028020
    Abstract: An improved slant axis rotary mechanism such as an engine, a compressor, a pump, or the like. The mechanism includes a housing, a shaft journalled in the housing having an angularly offset portion within the housing, and a rotor journalled within the housing on the angularly offset portion. The rotor hub has a pair of opposed grooves, each of which is adapted to receive a closed unitary annular seal which can be inserted therein to a predetermined depth. Additionally situated within each groove is a back-up spring urging the seal to bear against the housing and an O-ring providing a static seal between the seal and the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 4008987
    Abstract: A rotary mechanism including a housing defining an operating chamber, a shaft journalled in the housing and having an eccentric within the chamber, a rotor within the chamber and journalled on the eccentric, a timing gear carried by the housing and within the chamber and having a predetermined number of teeth, an internal ring gear carried by the rotor and meshed with the timing gear, the ring gear having a number of teeth greater than the predetermined number of the timing gear whereby a crescent-shaped gap between the gears exist. A crescent-shaped pad is carried by the eccentric within the gap and an inlet port is provided in the eccentric adjacent one corner of the pad for supplying hydraulic fluid to the gap. An outlet port is located in the eccentric adjacent the other corner of the pad for conveying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a point of use within the mechanism. The invention provides high pressure hydraulic fluid through unique use of the timing and ring gears necessary in such mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 3990819
    Abstract: An improved rotary mechanism having a housing defining an operating chamber, a shaft journalled in the housing and extending through the chamber, a rotor journalled on the shaft and within the operating chamber, at least one seal receiving groove in the rotor and a seal within the groove having a surface sealingly engaging the housing. An elastomeric O-ring is disposed within the groove and sealingly engages the sides of the groove. It is also disposed adjacent the seal oppositely from the sealing surface. A conduit is provided for directing fluid under pressure to the interior of the O-ring to cause the same to bias the seal against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 3989424
    Abstract: An improved ported mechanism such as an engine, compressor or the like. The mechanism includes a housing defining a chamber and a liner is disposed within the housing and supported thereby to define the chamber walls. Coolant passages extend between the housing and the liner and a piston is movable within the chamber. A port receiving opening is located in the housing and a port in the liner is provided and includes a tubular element extending from the liner into the opening. A fluid-impervious heat transfer impeding structure is exteriorly of and surrounds the tubular element and is disposed within the opening. A flexible seal is in the opening and interposed between the housing and the heat transfer impeding device so that the seal prevents leakage at the port and the impeding device prevents rapid deterioration of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Alexander Goloff, Noble G. Barker, James A. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 3989421
    Abstract: A slant axis rotary mechanism such as an engine, pump, or the like. The mechanism includes a shaft having an angularly off-set portion journalling a rotor thereon. The rotor has a peripheral flange with a plurality of apices on each side of the flange. The mechanism further includes a housing defining an operating chamber receiving the rotor and including an outer spherical peripheral wall adapted to be sealingly engaged by a seal carried by the periphery of the flange. The housing also includes spaced, generally radially extending side walls adapted to be sealingly engaged by seals carried by the rotor apices. According to the invention, the housing is defined by a pair of housing segments flanking the rotor, each segment having one of the radially extending side walls formed therein. A liner having a spherical inner surface defining the outer spherical peripheral wall is clamped between the housing segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: James A. Ritchie