Patents by Inventor Ken A. Rinkenberg

Ken A. Rinkenberg 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: 9541218
    Abstract: An indicator post has a head assembly for use with an underground post indicator valve or a wall mounted post indicator valve. The head assembly includes an upper body having a removable cap rotatably supporting an operating stem coupled to an operating rod for engaging the valve. A leading bogie assembly is threadably mated to a threaded sleeve of the operating stem and includes open and shut targets slideably supported on the bogie assembly to allow adjustment of the targets for valves that open and shut with different numbers of revolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Philip A. Liles, Ken A. Rinkenberg
  • Patent number: 9447906
    Abstract: A universal self-locking push-to-connect plumbing insert assembly provides flexibility to an installer to use the assembly in the field with a variety of different plumbing fittings for coupling conduits to such fittings. The assembly comprises first and second interlocking cartridges holding a dual function gripping ring. The gripping ring has inwardly projecting tines for gripping and holding a fluid conduit and outwardly projecting tines for holding the assembly within a plumbing fitting. A sealing ring is captively held by the first cartridge and is positioned to seal the insert assembly to a plumbing fitting when inserted therein and also seal a conduit extended into the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly further includes a release ring held within the second cartridge for selectively engaging the inwardly projecting tines of the gripping ring to allow a fluid conduit to be removed from the insert assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventors: David Bobo, James LaFortune, Derek Oldsen, Paul Frische-Mouri, Robert B. Kelsey, Ken Rinkenberg
  • Publication number: 20150159792
    Abstract: A universal self-locking push-to-connect plumbing insert assembly provides flexibility to an installer to use the assembly in the field with a variety of different plumbing fittings for coupling conduits to such fittings. The assembly comprises first and second interlocking cartridges holding a dual function gripping ring. The gripping ring has inwardly projecting tines for gripping and holding a fluid conduit and outwardly projecting tines for holding the assembly within a plumbing fitting. A sealing ring is captively held by the first cartridge and is positioned to seal the insert assembly to a plumbing fitting when inserted therein and also seal a conduit extended into the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly further includes a release ring held within the second cartridge for selectively engaging the inwardly projecting tines of the gripping ring to allow a fluid conduit to be removed from the insert assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: David Bobo, James LaFortune, Derek Oldsen, Paul Frische-Mouri, Robert B. Kelsey, Ken Rinkenberg
  • Publication number: 20140360422
    Abstract: An indicator post has a head assembly for use with an underground post indicator valve or a wall mounted post indicator valve. The head assembly includes an upper body having a removable cap rotatably supporting an operating stem coupled to an operating rod for engaging the valve. A leading bogie assembly threadably mated to a threaded sleeve of the operating stem and includes open and shut targets slideably supported on the bogie assembly to allow adjustment of the targets for valves that open and shut with different numbers of revolutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: NIBCO INC.
    Inventors: Philip A. Liles, Ken A. Rinkenberg
  • Patent number: 4646578
    Abstract: A sampling device for obtaining samples from a molten metal bath includes a pair of concentric vitreous tubes spaced from one another and coupled to each other such that the inner tube can be readily removed once the sample is taken. The outer tube is cylindrical and includes a restriction at one end defining a circular opening smaller than an adjacent end of the inner tube for supporting the end of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Leco Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis A. Lawrenz, Ken A. Rinkenberg
  • Patent number: 4643032
    Abstract: A sampling device for obtaining samples from a molten metal bath includes a pair of concentric tubes spaced from one another and coupled at at least one end by a frangible interconnection such that the inner tube can be readily removed once the sample is taken and the frangible connection broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Leco Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis A. Lawrenz, Ken A. Rinkenberg
  • Patent number: 4624149
    Abstract: A sampling tube includes a sealed metallic tube having a fusible end cap at an extending end which, when submerged in a molten bath, admits the molten sample into the evacuated tube. The tube has a liner which is either frangible or has a nonadhering surface defining a substantially uniform, cross-sectional diameter to freely allow the molten sample to enter the tube and solidify in the liner as the sample tube is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Leco Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis A. Lawrenz, Ken A. Rinkenberg