Patents by Inventor James A. Westhoff

James A. Westhoff 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: 11401810
    Abstract: A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. The bottom face may include a set of spaced indentations. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. A respective fin can be provided on opposed side faces of the gasket. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members, fins and indentations, can be snapped into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers, Troy Davidson, James A. Westhoff, George M. Stamper
  • Patent number: 10954668
    Abstract: A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members can be snapped into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers, Troy Davidson, James A. Westhoff
  • Publication number: 20210079791
    Abstract: A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. The bottom face may include a set of spaced indentations. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. A respective fin can be provided on opposed side faces of the gasket. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members, fins and indentations, can be snapped into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers, Troy Davidson, James A. Westhoff, George M. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20190226340
    Abstract: A gasket for concrete structures such as tunnel segments includes a gasket body having a bottom face configured to be positioned against a surface of an associated tunnel segment. First and second anchor members protrude from opposed side edges of the gasket adjacent the bottom face of the gasket. The anchor members are configured to attach the gasket to the tunnel segment during casting of a precast concrete member. The gasket body forms a groove in the concrete member and the anchor members form side channels in the groove. Should a defect be found in the original gasket, the gasket body can be removed from the groove of the concrete member relatively easily, even in the field, and a replacement gasket having corresponding anchor members can be snapped into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Vertex, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Richard J. Bowers, Troy Davidson, James A. Westhoff
  • Patent number: 8794639
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a liquid conveying system includes a first structure defining an aperture, such as a pipe receiving aperture. A second structure, such as a pipe is received in the aperture. And an annular seal is disposed within the aperture for radially sealing between the first structure and the second structure. The seal includes an outer radial portion embedded in the first structure and an inner radial portion in sealing engagement with the second structure. The inner radial portion defines an internal cavity containing a substantially incompressible fluid or gel that is movable within the cavity to provide a dynamic seal with the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: A-LOK Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly, Christopher Handago
  • Publication number: 20120025471
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a self adjusting gasket to prevent leakage at a joint between an associated first pipe and an associated second pipe including a wedge shaped body made of a generally compressible, leak proof material. The wedge shaped body having a profile that includes a tapered front portion, a planar rear portion, a first contact surface, an inclined second contact surface, including a first fin having a trailing edge oriented generally normal to the first contact surface and a second fin spaced from the first fin. A generally continuous annular cavity is located in the wedge shaped body wherein the cavity is not symmetrically shaped and a fluid disposed in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: William C. Andrick, Ronald M. Mayfield, James A. Westhoff
  • Patent number: 7918464
    Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting to an associated enclosure body, and a pipe engaging end, for receiving an associated pipe. An intermediate section is located between the mounting end and the pipe engaging end. A mounting element is of one piece with one of the mounting end, the pipe engaging end and the intermediate section. A clamping member is used with the gasket. The clamping member is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member extends through an aperture located in the mounting element and through the clamping member for retaining the clamping member to the gasket in a transport position of the gasket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: A-Lok Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly, Christopher Handago
  • Publication number: 20100148452
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a liquid conveying system includes a first structure defining an aperture, such as a pipe receiving aperture. A second structure, such as a pipe is received in the aperture. And an annular seal is disposed within the aperture for radially sealing between the first structure and the second structure. The seal includes an outer radial portion embedded in the first structure and an inner radial portion in sealing engagement with the second structure. The inner radial portion defines an internal cavity containing a substantially incompressible fluid or gel that is movable within the cavity to provide a dynamic seal with the second structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly, Christopher Hangdago
  • Patent number: 7677829
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing inserts, such as lift inserts and step inserts, in cast members. The inserts have breakaway tabs mounted in receiving slots in either a reusable holder or disk-shaped member. The assembled insert and holder are inserted through a collar on the outer jacket of a mold assembly and a locking pin passes through cooperating openings in the holder and collar to retain the lift insert/holder in place during the casting operation. The disk-shaped member is fixed to a jacket of the mold assembly. The breakaway tabs break away from the insert when the cast member is separated from the mold assembly, the breakaway tabs being discarded and the holder (disk-shaped member) being reusable many times for subsequent casting operations. The slots, in one embodiment, have a locking shoulder to lock the tabs in their slots. In another embodiment, a cam surface on the tabs lock the tabs in the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly, James Mirales
  • Patent number: 7624992
    Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting in an opening of an associated enclosure body, and a pipe engaging end, for receiving an associated pipe. An intermediate section is located between the mounting end and the pipe engaging end. A clamp assembly is used on the pipe engaging end of the gasket. The clamp assembly is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member, of one piece with the gasket, extends from a wall of the gasket, for retaining the clamp assembly to the gasket in a transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: A-Lok Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly, Christopher Handago
  • Publication number: 20070252343
    Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting to an associated enclosure body, and a pipe engaging end, for receiving an associated pipe. An intermediate section is located between the mounting end and the pipe engaging end. A mounting element is of one piece with one of the mounting end, the pipe engaging end and the intermediate section. A clamping member is used with the gasket. The clamping member is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member extends through an aperture located in the mounting element and through the clamping member for retaining the clamping member to the gasket in a transport position of the gasket assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly, Christopher Handago
  • Patent number: 7108101
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming cast members. Steps are provided in the cast member by sliding mounting flanges of hollow plastic step inserts into slots provided in the inner mold shell. The cast material is then poured into the mold. Once the cast material has set, the cast member is withdrawn from the mold assembly. The step insert mounting flanges are broken away, leaving hollow step inserts into which manhole steps are force-fittingly mounted. The inserts are provided with integral cover tabs which cover larger slots provided to facilitate insertion of the step inserts, preventing leakage of the cast material into the mold assembly. Integral cover tabs are similarly provided on enforcement ring support members mounted in a similar fashion to insertion slots provided on one of the mold members to cover larger width slot portions to prevent seepage of cast material. Similar seals are provided by cylindrical-shaped inserts for use in wetcast and drycast fabrication methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly, Craig B. Williams
  • Patent number: 6921085
    Abstract: A package comprising gasket mounting clamps and instructions for mounting same. The mounting clamps include an expansion clamp and a takedown clamp. The expansion clamp engages an interior of a gasket inserted. The takedown clamp is looped in the gasket. The takedown clamp is urged against surface of either the expansion clamp or the gasket. A flexible fastener loops through the expansion clamp and around the takedown clamp passing through an opening in an instruction card retaining the card and takedown clamp within the gasket. The expansion clamp enables installation of gasket and expansion of the clamp without removing the fastener and without interference of the takedown clamp, fastener and card and permits observation of the card. The fastener loops through the expansion clamp and does not interfere with the expansion operation. The fastener remains intact until mounting a pipe to the gasket, assuring retention of the takedown clamp and instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mirales, James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20030230860
    Abstract: A package comprising gasket mounting clamps and instructions for mounting same. The mounting clamps include an expansion clamp and a takedown clamp. The expansion clamp engages an interior of a gasket inserted. The takedown clamp is looped in the gasket. The takedown clamp is urged against surface of either the expansion clamp or the gasket. A flexible fastener loops through the expansion clamp and around the takedown clamp passing through an opening in an instruction card retaining the card and takedown clamp within the gasket. The expansion clamp enables installation of gasket and expansion of the clamp without removing the fastener and without interference of the takedown clamp, fastener and card and permits observation of the card. The fastener loops through the expansion clamp and does not interfere with the expansion operation. The fastener remains intact until mounting a pipe to the gasket, assuring retention of the takedown clamp and instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mirales, James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20030218304
    Abstract: A gasket having an intermediate portion provided with convolutions which are capable of expanding/contracting enabling an anchoring end to be cast in a curve and a pipe receiving end to be maintained lying in a plane, and a method for forming and using the gasket including the employment of a mandrel assembly to conform the anchoring end to the curvature of the cast member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Poly-Tech Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6651949
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting a gasket into a cast member utilizing a one-piece mandrel assembly provided within a mold assembly. The resilient, compressible gasket is mounted upon the mandrel assembly during the casting operation. The mandrel assembly is withdrawn from the cast member after it has cured. The mandrel assembly may also be utilized to form a knockout barrier a pipe stop and a mounting fixture for mounting a baffle to the interior wall of the cast member through a snap on fastening arrangement. The mandrel assembly is preferably designed to facilitate stripping of the mandrel assembly from the cast member after the cast member is cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6607219
    Abstract: An annular-shaped, expansion type clamping band has laterally overlapping ends, each having a skewed surface, the skewed surfaces slidably engaging one another. The ends are further provided with elongated guide slots for receiving a threaded bolt. A threaded nut threadly engaging the bolt, when tightened, moves the overlapping ends toward a longitudinal central axis of the band whereby the band expands to exert an outward radial force against an interior surface of a gasket to provide a liquid-tight fit between the gasket and an opening having a surface engaging an outer periphery of the gasket. The band may be a one-piece or two-or-three-piece assembly and may be formed of an suitable metallic or plastic material. The threaded member is slidable along the aforesaid guide slots enabling the bolts to be self-centered. The nut and bolt assembly, in one embodiment is designed to require only one tightening tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mirales, James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6568691
    Abstract: A molded annular gasket is placed upon a mandrel for embedment of its annular-shaped embedment portion within an opening in a cast member. After the cast member has been cured and removed from a molding assembly, including the mandrel, the pipe attachment end of the gasket is pulled through the center of the gasket so that its pipe attachment end extends beyond the embedment end, to facilitate the placement of a take-down clamp which secures the pipe attachment end to a pipe inserted there through thereby providing a fluid-tight joint. The mandrel is preferably a one-piece member. The gasket may have a cylindrical or conical-shaped intermediate portion provided with spaced-apart annular projections at the pipe attachment end, between which the takedown clamp is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20020190478
    Abstract: An annular-shaped, expansion type clamping band has laterally overlapping ends, each having a skewed surface, the skewed surfaces slidably engaging one another. The ends are further provided with elongated guide slots for receiving a threaded bolt. A threaded nut threadly engaging the bolt, when tightened, moves the overlapping ends toward a longitudinal central axis of the band whereby the band expands to exert an outward radial force against an interior surface of a gasket to provide a liquid-tight fit between the gasket and an opening having a surface engaging an outer periphery of the gasket. The band may be a one-piece or two-or-three-piece assembly and may be formed of an suitable metallic or plastic material. The threaded member is slidable along the aforesaid guide slots enabling the bolts to be self-centered. The nut and bolt assembly, in one embodiment is designed to require only one tightening tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: POLY-TEC PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: James Mirales, James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6406025
    Abstract: A resilient compressible gasket having an embedment portion, a pipe engaging portion and a intermediate “radius” portion integral with the embedment and pipe engaging portions. The gasket assumes a “pleated” configuration when in the operative position, the pipe engaging portion extending through the embedment portion, yielding a gasket which compensates for deviation of the pipe from a nominal horizontal alignment without any reduction in the water-tight seal provided by the gasket. The gasket is sized to provide for easy insertion of a corrugated pipe into the pipe engaging portion while providing an excellent water-tight seal when clamped into position about one or more annular recesses and peaks of the corrugated pipe. Another embodiment of the gasket is designed to be secured to a cored or performed opening in a cast member through the use of an expansion-type clamping assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Poly-Tec Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Westhoff, James A. Kelly, William C. Andrick