Patents by Inventor James L. Lawrence

James L. Lawrence 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: 10399845
    Abstract: A testable overfill prevention valve (“TOPV”) for a liquid storage container. The TOPV allows an individual to readily verify the operability of the TOPV. Preferably, a test member of directly contacts a portion of a latch to release a flow control member so that the flow control member can move from an open position to a closed position wherein in the closed position liquid is generally prevented from flowing out the TOPV. The test member preferably directly contacts the flow control member to move the control member to an intermediate position between open and closed positions allowing an individual looking down into the TOPV to see that the flow control member has moved sufficiently to confirm operability of the TOPV. Preferably, the test member is spring biased to a non-testing position and the entire test member is disposed in the housing of the TOPV when in a testing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: EMCO WHEATON RETAIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James L. Lawrence, Nicholas P. Clontz
  • Patent number: 10352017
    Abstract: A manhole cover assembly removably supported by a manhole skirt or rim wherein when the manhole cover assembly is removed from the manhole skirt or rim an individual can access one or more components (e.g., underground fuel storage tank) through an opening in the manhole skirt or rim. Preferably, the manhole cover assembly is light weight and very strong so that there is little or no deflection of the cover of the manhole cover assembly when subjected to a predetermined load. Preferably, the manhole cover assembly is adapted for use in refueling stations to withstand the load placed thereon when a refueling tanker or other vehicle runs over the manhole cover assembly with little or no deflection of the cover of the manhole cover assembly. Preferably, the assembly forms a liquid tight seal with the manhole skirt to prevent liquid from passing into the storage area below the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: EMCO WHEATON RETAIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Steven Granger, James L. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20190092618
    Abstract: A testable overfill prevention valve (“TOPV”) for a liquid storage container. The TOPV allows an individual to readily verify the operability of the TOPV. Preferably, a test member of directly contacts a portion of a latch to release a flow control member so that the flow control member can move from an open position to a closed position wherein in the closed position liquid is generally prevented from flowing out the TOPV. The test member preferably directly contacts the flow control member to move the control member to an intermediate position between open and closed positions allowing an individual looking down into the TOPV to see that the flow control member has moved sufficiently to confirm operability of the TOPV. Preferably, the test member is spring biased to a non-testing position and the entire test member is disposed in the housing of the TOPV when in a testing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: James L. Lawrence, Nicholas P. Clontz
  • Patent number: 9228690
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing an existing spill containment manhole operably associated with an underground fuel storage tank. The apparatus includes a containment vessel for containing fuel spilled during filling of the underground fuel storage tank. A major portion of the containment vessel is adapted to be inserted into an existing spill containment manhole. Preferably, the containment vessel includes an upper annular flange that extends over and surrounds a portion of an existing cover rim of an existing spill containment manhole thereby isolating an upper portion of the containment vessel from an upper portion on the existing spill containment manhole when the containment vessel is installed. Optionally, a replacement cover is provided to replace an existing cover of the existing spill containment manhole. The replacement cover may include at least one sealing member that engages the inner surface of the at least one wall of the containment vessel when installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Emco Wheaton Retail Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20130233402
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing an existing spill containment manhole operably associated with an underground fuel storage tank. The apparatus includes a containment vessel for containing fuel spilled during filling of the underground fuel storage tank. A major portion of the containment vessel is adapted to be inserted into an existing spill containment manhole. Preferably, the containment vessel includes an upper annular flange that extends over and surrounds a portion of an existing cover rim of an existing spill containment manhole thereby isolating an upper portion of the containment vessel from an upper portion on the existing spill containment manhole when the containment vessel is installed. Optionally, a replacement cover is provided to replace an existing cover of the existing spill containment manhole. The replacement cover may include at least one sealing member that engages the inner surface of the at least one wall of the containment vessel when installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Emco Wheaton Retail Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8425145
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing an existing spill containment manhole operably associated with an underground fuel storage tank. The apparatus includes a containment vessel for containing fuel spilled during filling of the underground fuel storage tank. A major portion of the containment vessel is adapted to be inserted into an existing spill containment manhole. The containment vessel includes at least one wall that surrounds an existing pipe section operably associated with the underground fuel storage tank when the containment vessel is installed. The at least one wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. Preferably, the containment vessel includes an upper annular flange that extends over and surrounds a portion of an existing cover rim of an existing spill containment manhole thereby isolating an upper portion of the containment vessel from an upper portion on the existing spill containment manhole when the containment vessel is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Emco Wheaton Retail Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8066037
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle having a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle during refueling. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout. A fuel collector collects fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel flow control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the body portion and the spout. Preferably, the fuel collector is configured to allow fuel collected in the fuel collector when the vehicle is being refueled to drain into the fuel tank of the vehicle after the flow control member prevents fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout but prior to removal of the spout from the fuel tank of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: EMCO Wheaton Retail Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Lawrence, Charles S. Pearson, Didier Kaczmarek
  • Publication number: 20110243658
    Abstract: An apparatus for repairing an existing spill containment manhole operably associated with an underground fuel storage tank. The apparatus includes a containment vessel for containing fuel spilled during filling of the underground fuel storage tank. A major portion of the containment vessel is adapted to be inserted into an existing spill containment manhole. The containment vessel includes at least one wall that surrounds an existing pipe section operably associated with the underground fuel storage tank when the containment vessel is installed. The at least one wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. Preferably, the containment vessel includes an upper annular flange that extends over and surrounds a portion of an existing cover rim of an existing spill containment manhole thereby isolating an upper portion of the containment vessel from an upper portion on the existing spill containment manhole when the containment vessel is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7735529
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzles includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. Preferably, at least one fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout to prevent dripping of fuel from the end of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: EMCO Wheaton Retail Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Lawrence, Charles S. Pearson, Jose Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20090050233
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzles includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle during refueling. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. A fuel collector collects fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel flow control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the body portion and the spout. Preferably, the fuel collector is configured to allow fuel collected in the fuel collector when the vehicle is being refueled to drain into the fuel tank of the vehicle after the flow control member prevents fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout but prior to removal of the spout from the fuel tank of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: James L. Lawrence, Charles S. Pearson, Didier Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 7216680
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzle includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. Preferably, at least one fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout to prevent dripping of fuel from the end of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: EMCO Wheaton Retail Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Lawrence, Charles S. Pearson, Jose Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6983772
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle. The nozzles includes a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout into the vehicle. The spout has first and second portions. The first portion of the spout is positioned adjacent the body portion and the second portion of the spout is removed from the body portion. Preferably, at least one fuel collection member is provided for collecting fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the spout to prevent dripping of fuel from the end of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Emco Wheation Retail Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Lawrence, Charles S. Pearson, Jose Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6161591
    Abstract: A flexible hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the flexible hose construction comprising an inner tube made of polymeric material, an outer sleeve of reinforcing material disposed in telescoping relation on the inner tube from one end thereof to the other end thereof, rib structure disposed between the sleeve of reinforcing material and the inner tube, the rib structure being disposed on the inner tube so as to define alternating coil structure of rib structure and coil structure of non-rib structure serially along the longitudinal axis of the inner tube in a like repeating pattern thereof, the coil structure of non-rib structure comprise coil structure of void space, and an outer tube of polymeric material disposed between the rib structure and the sleeve of reinforcing material so as to extend in a generally straight-line manner from coil structure of the rib structure to coil structure of the rib structure so as to tend to prevent the sleeve of reinforcing material from entering i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Winter, Homer N. Holden, James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6039082
    Abstract: A flexible hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the flexible hose construction comprising an inner tube made of polymeric material, an outer sleeve of reinforcing material disposed in telescoping relation on the inner tube from one end thereof to the other end thereof, rib structure disposed between the sleeve of reinforcing material and the inner tube, the rib structure being disposed on the inner tube so as to define alternating coil structure of rib structure and coil structure of non-rib structure serially along the longitudinal axis of the inner tube in a like repeating pattern thereof, the coil structure of non-rib structure comprise coil structure of void space, and an outer tube of polymeric material disposed between the rib structure and the sleeve of reinforcing material so as to extend in a generally straight-line manner from coil structure of the rib structure to coil structure of the rib structure so as to tend to prevent the sleeve of reinforcing material from entering i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Winter, Homer N. Holden, James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6000434
    Abstract: A flexible hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the flexible hose construction comprising an inner tube made of polymeric material, an outer sleeve of reinforcing material disposed in telescoping relation on the inner tube from one end thereof to the other end thereof, rib structure disposed between the sleeve of reinforcing material and the inner tube, the rib structure being disposed on the inner tube so as to define alternating coil structure of rib structure and coil structure of non-rib structure serially along the longitudinal axis of the inner tube in a like repeating pattern thereof, the coil structure of non-rib structure comprise coil structure of void space, and an outer tube of polymeric material disposed between the rib structure and the sleeve of reinforcing material so as to extend in a generally straight-line manner from coil structure of the rib structure to coil structure of the rib structure so as to tend to prevent the sleeve of reinforcing material from entering i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Winter, Homer N. Holden, James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5901755
    Abstract: A flexible hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the flexible hose construction comprising an inner corrugated hose made of polymeric material and having a plurality of outwardly convex projections with recesses therebetween and extending from one end thereof to the other end thereof, an outer sleeve of reinforcing material disposed in telescoping relation on the inner hose, and a tube of polymeric material disposed between the sleeve of reinforcing material and the inner hose and extending in a generally straight-line manner from projection to projection of the inner hose so as to tend to prevent the sleeve of reinforcing material from entering into the recesses of the inner hose an amount that would tend to substantially reduce the flexibility characteristics of the inner hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Winter, Homer N. Holden, James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5894865
    Abstract: A flexible hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the flexible hose construction comprising an inner corrugated hose made of polymeric material and having a plurality of outwardly convex projections with recesses therebetween and extending from one end thereof to the other end thereof, an outer sleeve of reinforcing material disposed in telescoping relation on the inner hose, and a tube of polymeric material disposed between the sleeve of reinforcing material and the inner hose and extending in a generally straight-line manner from projection to projection of the inner hose so as to tend to prevent the sleeve of reinforcing material from entering into the recesses of the inner hose an amount that would tend to substantially reduce the flexibility characteristics of the inner hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Winter, Homer N. Holden, James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5715870
    Abstract: A flexible hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the flexible hose construction comprising an inner corrugated hose made of polymeric material and having a plurality of outwardly convex projections with recesses therebetween and extending from one end thereof to the other end thereof, an outer sleeve of reinforcing material disposed in telescoping relation on the inner hose, and a tube of polymeric material disposed between the sleeve of reinforcing material and the inner hose and extending in a generally straight-line manner from projection to projection of the inner hose so as to tend to prevent the sleeve of reinforcing material from entering into the recesses of the inner hose an amount that would tend to substantially reduce the flexibility characteristics of the inner hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Winter, James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5462090
    Abstract: A flexible hose construction and method of making the same are provided, the flexible hose construction comprising an inner corrugated hose made of polymeric material and having a plurality of outwardly convex projections with recesses therebetween and extending from one end thereof to the other end thereof, an outer sleeve of reinforcing material disposed in telescoping relation on the inner hose, and a tube of polymeric material disposed between the sleeve of reinforcing material and the inner hose and extending in a generally straight-line manner from projection to projection of the inner hose so as to tend to prevent the sleeve of reinforcing material from entering into the recesses of the inner hose an amount that would tend to substantially reduce the flexibility characteristics of the inner hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Winter, Homer N. Holden, James L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5450975
    Abstract: A fluid storage vessel and providing spacing protrusions for creating interstitial spaces to permit fluid flow about the outer wall of the inner tank to a collection zone where leaked fluid may be detected. Leak detection devices are provided to determine if the inner tank is leaking fluid. A sump base is formed during the rotomolding process to create a secondary containment layer including a sump base of one-piece construction. The sump base includes entry ports for facilitating the insertion of conduit to access the fluid stored in the fluid storage vessel. The method used to create the secondarily contained fluid storage vessel includes a rotomolding process which provides a seamless construction and eliminates mechanical connections of either the outer shell or the sump base and the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Total Containment, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Lawrence