Patents by Inventor Kelly Kirks

Kelly Kirks 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: 8307679
    Abstract: A method monitoring crimping of a fitting onto a hose, or the like, includes monitoring fluid pressure for carrying out the crimp at discrete diameters of the crimp, during the crimp, and analyzing crimp data reflecting the fluid pressure with respect to the diameters of the crimp during the crimp to determine if the fluid pressure is above a minimum pressure at particular diameters during the crimp, below a maximum pressure during the particular diameters during the crimp, and/or varies significantly from earlier crimps, to determine if the crimp is acceptable. A system for monitoring crimping of a fitting onto a hose end or the like might include a pressure sensor deployed in conjunction with a crimper to measure fluid pressure employed by the crimper during the crimp, a die diameter monitor and, a controller operatively connected to the crimper and sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Hoskins, Dennis Irwin, Kelly Kirks
  • Publication number: 20100326156
    Abstract: A method monitoring crimping of a fitting onto a hose, or the like, includes monitoring fluid pressure for carrying out the crimp at discrete diameters of the crimp, during the crimp, and analyzing crimp data reflecting the fluid pressure with respect to the diameters of the crimp during the crimp to determine if the fluid pressure is above a minimum pressure at particular diameters during the crimp, below a maximum pressure during the particular diameters during the crimp, and/or varies significantly from earlier crimps, to determine if the crimp is acceptable. A system for monitoring crimping of a fitting onto a hose end or the like might include a pressure sensor deployed in conjunction with a crimper to measure fluid pressure employed by the crimper during the crimp, a die diameter monitor and, a controller operatively connected to the crimper and sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Jeff Hoskins, Dennis Irwin, Kelly Kirks
  • Patent number: 6014891
    Abstract: A container end leak testing device used for testing a container end. The container end having a score line defining an opening in the container end and a pull tab. The pull tab used for creating the opening therein. The leak testing device includes a pressure transducer disposed directly above a top of the container end to be tested. The pressure transducer, under computer control, is able to test for small volumes of air pressure leaks, ie. 0.1 cubic centimeters and less. The leak testing device also includes a tester housing, an upper housing member, a lower housing member and a container end test pocket disposed between the two housing members. The upper housing member includes the pressure transducer mounted thereon and having an air passage communicating with the test pocket. Also, the upper housing member includes two downwardly extending guide pins and an air actuated stop pin for centering the container end inside the test pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Conal Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly Kirks
  • Patent number: 5971352
    Abstract: An ice bar tray for making various lengths of ice bars for use in different types and sizes of water bags. Each ice bar has a round cross section for ease in inserting into circular water fill openings in a water bag. The ice bar tray includes at least one elongated bar cylinder with a tray handle on each end. The bar cylinder has an elongated cylinder opening in a top of the cylinder for receiving water into a water channel. The water channel has a circular cross section. The water channel is disposed along a length of the elongated cylinder. When the water channel is filled with water and the water frozen, a round ice bar is formed therein. By flexing the ice bar tray, which is made of a flexible PVC plastic material and the like, the frozen ice bar is released outwardly from the water channel and through the cylinder opening. The ice bar is then inserted into the water fill opening in the water bag. The ice bar tray also includes a tray slide with at least one cylinder divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Kelly Kirks