Patents by Inventor James C. Roberts

James C. Roberts 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: 5673852
    Abstract: A drip irrigation hose is formed from an elongated flat strip of flexible material. One side edge portion of the strip is deformed to form a series of indented channel formations deformed out of the plane of the strip, and the strip is then folded with the deformed side edge portion outermost and the channel formations facing inwardly and overlapping the underlying opposite side edge portion of the strip. The opposite side edge portions are sealed together to form a main conduit within the strip and a series of secondary conduits along the channel formations. Each channel formation has a series of spaced inlet channels extending transversely across the innermost side edge of the strip and into the secondary conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: James C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5387307
    Abstract: A drip irrigation tape consists of a strip of flexible material having an elongated, indented channel formed along a first side edge, the channel being of serpentine configuration, the strip being folded lengthwise so that the side edges overlap to form a first conduit, and the opposite side edges being joined together at least along spaced seal lines along opposite edges of the channel to define a secondary conduit. Inlets and outlets are provided along the length of the channel. A method for manufacturing the tape includes the steps of forming the indented channel on a mandrel before sealing the overlapping edges of the strip together by heat sealing or ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventor: James C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5375770
    Abstract: A drip irrigation tape is formed from a strip of flexible material having a series of spaced indented grooves of serpentine shape extending along one side edge, the strip being folded with its opposite side edges overlapping and sealed together on opposite sides of the grooves to form a main conduit within the folded strip and a series of secondary conduits along the grooves. Breaks in the seal form inlets between the main conduit and each secondary conduit, and raised outlet ports connect the secondary conduit to the exterior of the tape. The grooves each have a series of elongated chambers offset alternately on opposite sides of the grooved region and interconnected by orifices of smaller dimensions than the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: James C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5342117
    Abstract: A brake pulsing apparatus for use in vehicles having vacuum hydraulic, pneumatic or electric brake systems. The brake pulsing apparatus includes a solenoid valve, for vacuum hydraulic and pneumatic brake systems, or a relay, for electric brake systems, mounted in a vacuum, pressurized air or electrical line that transmits a brake signal to a brake assembly of the vehicle when the brake system is engaged, a pendulum and proximity switch that sense deceleration of the vehicle, and a timer relay connected between the proximity switch and the solenoid valve or relay to repetitively close the valve or open contacts of the relay when the brake system is engaged. The pendulum and timer relay are adjustable to adapt the brake pulsing apparatus to the type of vehicle in which the apparatus is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventors: Thomas D. Price, James C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5318657
    Abstract: A drip irrigation tape consists of a strip of flexible material having an elongated, indented channel formed along a first side edge, the channel being of serpentine configuration, the strip being folded lengthwise so that the side edges overlap to form a first conduit, and the opposite side edges being joined together at least along spaced seal lines along opposite edges of the channel to define a secondary conduit. Inlets and outlets are provided along the length of the channel. A method for manufacturing the tape includes the steps of forming the indented channel on a mandrel before sealing the overlapping edges of the strip together by heat sealing or ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: James C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5246171
    Abstract: A drip irrigation tape is formed from a strip of flexible material having a series of spaced indented grooves of serpentine shape extending along one side edge, the strip being folded with its opposite side edges overlapping and sealed together on opposite sides of the grooves to form a main conduit within the folded strip and a series of secondary conduits along the grooves. Breaks in the seal form inlets between the main conduit and each secondary conduit, and raised outlet ports connect the secondary conduit to the exterior of the tape. The grooves each have a series of elongated chambers offset alternately on opposite sides of the grooved region and interconnected by orifices of smaller dimensions than the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: James C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4807668
    Abstract: A plastic drip irragation tape of unitary construction is disclosed that employs a water impervious polyethylene film folded lengthwise with the edges overlapped and joined together in a heat sealed seam to form a flat flexible conduit. A narrow preformed groove along one edge defines a small secondary conduit within the seam that resists deformation to maintain a consistent controlled drip rate along the tape. Breaks in the seam at regular intervals form inlets through which irrigation water flows from the main conduit into the secondary conduit and outlets through which the water is emitted from the secondary conduit to the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Inventor: James C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4722759
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for fabricating drip irrigation tape from a water impervious polyethelene film. A shaping assembly with a water-cooled vacuum drum preforms a groove along one edge, a folding device folds the strip lengthwise to form a first conduit, and a sealing assembly with an electrically-heated heat sealing wheel joins the edges along opposite sides of the groove to form a seam in which the groove defines a secondary conduit that is resistant to deformation. Flat spots on a pair of outwardly-extending annular ribs around the circumference of the heat sealing wheel produce breaks in the seam for inlet ports and outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: James C. Roberts
    Inventors: James C. Roberts, David E. Mominee