Patents by Inventor James F. Shuler

James F. Shuler 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: 6206039
    Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant for delivery of hot or cold water from a single discharge conduit has first and second fluid inlet pipes in parallel spaced relation. The pipes have forward and rearward ends and are connected respectively to sources of hot and cold pressurized water. A laterally extending fluid conduit member connects the forward ends of the first and second fluid inlet pipes and is in communication therewith. A fluid closure valve is located in the rearward ends of each of the first and second fluid pipes. A check valve is in each of the pipes forwardly of the fluid closure valves and is capable of permitting fluid flow in the pipes in a direction from the closure valve, but prevents fluid flow towards the closure valves. A valve rod having forward and rearward ends rotatably extends through the laterally extending fluid conduit and through the forward ends of the first and second inlet pipes and has one end operatively connected to the check valves in the rearward ends of the fluid inlet pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Shuler, Alfred F. Dickey, William L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6142172
    Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant/faucet has an inlet pipe with one end connected to a source of pressurized water, a water discharge conduit, and an elongated control rod extending through the inlet pipe to open and close a fluid valve. A bore is inserted through the fluid valve with the bore being in communication with both the source of pressurized water and the interior portion of the inlet pipe. A check valve is placed in the bore of the valve body to open only when extreme water pressure within the inlet valve moves a seated ball to permit the highly pressurized water to move through the bore in the valve body and be relieved as it escapes rearwardly into the original source of pressurized water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Shuler, Lawrence Almasy
  • Patent number: 6135359
    Abstract: A freezeless yard hydrant comprises a single length, electrically heated, hydrant apparatus that does not have an underground drain port. The operating mechanisms are located in the outlet head, above ground, to facilitate the assembly, operation and repair of the hydrant. A single length heater is provided to prevent the hydrant and the water supply connection from freezing under the coldest environmental conditions expected where this type of hydrant would be used. Heat conduction through the water directly from the heating element and the casing materials permits a single length hydrant and heater to be used. By using the electric heater to prevent the freezing, the water does not have to be drained out of the hydrant. The use of such a heater also makes the hydrant very simple to construct and operate. No cumbersome reservoirs or expulsion apparatus are needed to draw water out of the hydrant. This results in an efficient and relatively inexpensive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Almasy, James F. Shuler
  • Patent number: 5813428
    Abstract: A fluid hydrant has an outlet with a threaded outer surface, and a backflow preventor is mounted on the inlet of the hydrant. The backflow preventor has an inlet and outlet end. Male hose threads are formed on the exterior of the outlet end of the backflow preventer. Interior female threads are on the inlet end thereof. A bushing adapter is interposed between the inlet end of the backflow preventor and the threaded nozzle of the hydrant with the threads connecting the adapter and the backflow preventor being of a size different than the threads connecting the adapter and the threaded nozzle of the hydrant. The bushing adapter extends over the threaded outer surface of the outlet of the hydrant, and a locking cement between the threaded outer surface of the outlet of the hydrant and the interior female threads on the inlet end of the bushing adapter rigidly fix these threads together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Almasy, James F. Shuler, Robert J. Vandepas
  • Patent number: 5701925
    Abstract: A yard hydrant of the venturi check valve-fluid reservoir type has a manually operable flow diverter valve which will provide full fluid flow through the hydrant to effectively siphon residual fluid from the reservoir without removal of hoses, backflow preventers or the like from the nozzle of the hydrant. The flow diverter valve is located upstream of the fluid discharge nozzle of the hydrant. A tube connects the venturi check valve with the extreme bottom of the reservoir so that all the residual fluid in the reservoir can be removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun T. Mulligan, Robert J. Vandepas, James F. Shuler, Lawrence Almasy
  • Patent number: 5632303
    Abstract: A wall mounted water hydrant has an elongated hollow housing with water inlet and outlet ends, and a center axis; an inlet valve in the housing adjacent to the inlet end, including a valve seat and a valve body; a water outlet port in the housing adjacent to its outlet end; a valve operating rod in the housing with its an inner end secured to the valve body and extending along the center axis to the outlet end of said housing, terminating in an outer end; a handle attached to the rod outer end, which when rotated in one direction closes the valve body against the valve seat, and in the other opposite direction moves the valve body away from the seat, thus allowing pressurized water from the inlet to flow downstream through the housing and outlet port; and a backflow preventor secured to the valve downstream from its seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Almasy, James F. Shuler, Robert J. Vandepas, William L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5590679
    Abstract: A wall mounted water hydrant has an elongated hollow housing with water inlet and outlet ends, and a center axis; an inlet valve in the housing adjacent to the inlet end, including a valve seat and a valve body; a water outlet port in the housing adjacent to its outlet end; a valve operating rod in the housing with an inner end secured to the valve body and extending along the center axis to the outlet end of said housing, terminating in an outer end; a handle attached to the rod outer end, which when rotated in one direction closes the valve body against the valve seat, and in the other opposite direction moves the valve body away from the seat, thus allowing pressurized water from the inlet to flow downstream through the housing and outlet port; and a backflow preventor secured to the valve downstream from its seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Almasy, James F. Shuler, Robert J. Vandepas, William L. Carlson
  • Patent number: RE39235
    Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant for delivery of hot or cold water from a single discharge conduit has first and second fluid inlet pipes in parallel spaced relation. The pipes have forward and rearward ends and are connected respectively to sources of hot and cold pressurized water. A laterally extending fluid conduit member connects the forward ends of the first and second fluid inlet pipes and is in communication therewith. A fluid closure valve is located in the rearward ends of each of the first and second fluid pipes. A check valve is in each of the pipes forwardly of the fluid closure valves and is capable of permitting fluid flow in the pipes in a direction from the closure valve, but prevents fluid flow towards the closure valves. A valve rod having forward and rearward ends rotatably extends through the laterally extending fluid conduit and through the forward ends of the first and second inlet pipes and has one end operatively connected to the check valves in the rearward ends of the fluid inlet pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Shuler, Alfred F. Dickey, William L. Carlson