Patents by Inventor Kenneth G. Vos

Kenneth G. Vos 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: 8373085
    Abstract: Plasma cutter and welder units are provided for fabricating a pipe. The plasma cutter and welder unit include a support structure having a carriage rotatably supported thereon. A plasma cutter nozzle and a weld nozzle are mounted to the carriage. A drive mechanism adjusts positioning of the plasma cutter and weld nozzles through varying control by a controller during operation. Additionally, a bearing support is provided for cradling the pipe during fabrication. The bearing support includes a plurality of bearing plates. A wedge structure is secured to each of the bearing plates and to a fixture base to form a nest for receiving the pipe. An isolation pad is disposed between the wedge structure and the fixture base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Ryan H. Hansen, William J. Evans, IV
  • Patent number: 8087467
    Abstract: A pendant sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body, with an orifice that forms an inlet and an outlet. A deflector is movably supported by a deflector support assembly and is movable between a retracted position wherein the deflector is adjacent the outlet and an extended position where the deflector is spaced from the outlet. At least a portion of the deflector support assembly is located in the orifice when the deflector is in its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Andrew T. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20100301019
    Abstract: Plasma cutter and welder units are provided for fabricating a pipe. The plasma cutter and welder unit include a support structure having a carriage rotatably supported thereon. A plasma cutter nozzle and a weld nozzle are mounted to the carriage. A drive mechanism adjusts positioning of the plasma cutter and weld nozzles through varying control by a controller during operation. Additionally, a bearing support is provided for cradling the pipe during fabrication. The bearing support includes a plurality of bearing plates. A wedge structure is secured to each of the bearing plates and to a fixture base to form a nest for receiving the pipe. An isolation pad is disposed between the wedge structure and the fixture base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Ryan H. Hansen, William J. Evans, IV
  • Publication number: 20030209353
    Abstract: A quick response trigger assembly for an automatic sprinkler head comprises an inherently unstable compression element positioned between the frame of the sprinkler body and sealing assembly. A thermal sensor surrounds the periphery of the compression element and includes at least one heat gathering element positioned a preselected distance from the compression element. The thermal sensor maintains the compression element in compression when the sprinkler head is in the non-activated condition. The presence of a heat gathering member spaced a preselected distance from the compression element increases the surface area through which conduction occurs, and thus, enables the trigger assembly to exhibit sufficient thermal sensitivity necessary to classify the sprinkler head as a quick response. Additionally, the thermal sensor is formed of two or more members which are substantially identical in configuration to thereby decrease manufacturing costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Franson, Kenneth G. Vos
  • Publication number: 20010042795
    Abstract: A pendant sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body formed with a central orifice, and a sealing member positioned within the orifice and in sealing engagement with the inlet. A deflector assembly is at least partially positioned within the orifice and includes an annular ring having a pair of attachment arms secured to a deflector plate positioned in proximity to, or partially within the outlet. A retaining ring positioned within the orifice acts as a stop, preventing the annular ring from being expelled from the orifice. According to another aspect of the invention, a pendent sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body and a body extension connected to the body. A deflector plate is formed with a plurality of support members received by a retaining ring positioned in proximity to the bottom of the sprinkler body, and within the body extension. The body extension is configured to capture the retaining ring upon activation, enabling the deflector plate to depend below the body extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Andrew T. Thompson