Patents by Inventor Lawrence W. Thau, Jr.
Lawrence W. Thau, Jr. 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).
-
Publication number: 20150075821Abstract: A dry sprinkler is provided that includes a conduit with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve positioned near the fluid inlet and a fire sprinkler head that is positioned near the fluid outlet. The fire sprinkler head is operably connected to the valve by a tie. When the fire sprinkler head reacts to an elevated temperature condition, the tie is engaged and is operable to open the valve. In a normal state, before the fire sprinkler head reacts, the tie can be unbiased toward the fire sprinkler head. The tie can also be non-rigid and/or in a non-compressed state within the conduit. The conduit of the dry sprinkler can be flexible.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Richard A. BUCHER, Frank J. CYGLER, William J. REILLY, Yi LIU, Lawrence W. THAU, JR., Robert BALLARD
-
Publication number: 20140332707Abstract: A valve has a housing defining an inlet and an outlet and a cavity therebetween which receives a valve seat. The valve seat defines a slot which receives a gate. The valve seat is sealingly engaged with the housing, the gate sealingly engages the valve seat and is movable within the slot between an open and a closed position using an actuator. An opening in the housing provides access to the cavity. The valve seat may be removed from the housing through the opening by attaching the valve seat to the gate, thereby attaching the valve seat to the actuator, and withdrawing the gate from the housing using the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: William J. Reilly, Lawrence W. Thau, JR., Michael Davis, Michael Prince
-
Publication number: 20140231103Abstract: A sprinkler assembly has a sleeve covering at least a portion of a conduit connecting the sprinkler to a branch line of a fire suppression system. The sleeve may have a color field, contrasting color patterns, symbols, indicia, or combinations of these elements and may be used to visibly indicate characteristics of the sprinkler assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventors: Thomas C. Savage, Lawrence W. Thau, JR.
-
Publication number: 20140174768Abstract: A dry sprinkler is provided that includes a conduit with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve positioned near the fluid inlet and a fire sprinkler head that is positioned near the fluid outlet. The fire sprinkler head is operably connected to the valve by a tie. When the fire sprinkler head reacts to an elevated temperature condition, the tie is engaged and is operable to open the valve. In a normal state, before the fire sprinkler head reacts, the tie can be unbiased toward the fire sprinkler head. The tie can also be non-rigid and/or in a non-compressed state within the conduit. The conduit of the dry sprinkler can be flexible.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventors: Richard A. Bucher, Frank J. Cygler, William J. Reilly, Yi Liu, Lawrence W. Thau, JR.
-
Publication number: 20130233430Abstract: An assembly for connecting a sprinkler to a branch line of a fire suppression system includes a flexible conduit having one end attached to the branch line. The opposite end is attached to the sprinkler. The conduit is corrugated and has an outer surface with a plurality of crests and troughs. A sleeve co-axially surrounds a portion of the flexible conduit proximate to the sprinkler. The sleeve has a corrugated inwardly facing surface comprising a plurality of crests and troughs spaced so as to fit within the crests and troughs of the conduit and thereby prevent axial sliding motion of the sleeve relatively to the conduit. The sleeve and the flexible conduit are rotatable relatively to one another thereby preventing torque being applied to the flexible conduit through the sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: John M. Stempo, Rudolf Szentimrey, Lawrence W. Thau, JR.
-
Publication number: 20130049354Abstract: An expansion joint is used to accommodate changes in length of above-ground pipe lines due to thermal expansion. A tube is surrounded by a ring attached to a sleeve. One end of the tube is attached to a pipe of the pipeline, one end of the sleeve is attached to another pipe of the pipe line. The tube and the ring and sleeve are movable axially relatively to one another when the pipe line expands or contracts linearly. A seal between the ring and the tube ensures fluid tightness of the joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: Victaulic CompanyInventors: Randy L. Chase, Douglas R. Dole, Lawrence W. Thau, JR., Wayne M. Biery, Scott D. Madara, Ryan D. Kuehner
-
Patent number: 8336920Abstract: An assembly for connecting a sprinkler to a branch line of a fire suppression system includes a flexible conduit having one end attached to the branch line. The opposite end is attached to the sprinkler. An adapter is positioned between the conduit and the sprinkler. A sleeve is positioned surrounding the conduit. The sleeve may have a hexagonal outer surface and rotates freely about the conduit to prevent torque from being applied to the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: John M. Stempo, Rudolf Szentimrey, Lawrence W. Thau, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20120031632Abstract: An emitter system capable of discharging an atomized liquid-gas stream or a liquid stream which atomizes into a spray has a source of pressurized gas and one or more sources of pressurized liquids. Flow of gas and liquid to an emitter is controlled by valves, and the emitter can be used to discharge either the atomized liquid-gas stream or the liquid stream. The emitter system may be used for fire suppression.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: Victaulic CompanyInventors: William J. Reilly, Lawrence W. Thau, JR.
-
Publication number: 20110215566Abstract: An assembly for connecting a sprinkler to a branch line of a fire suppression system includes a flexible conduit having one end attached to the branch line. The opposite end is attached to the sprinkler. An adapter may be positioned between the conduit and the sprinkler, between the conduit and the branch line, or between the conduit and both the branch line and the sprinkler. The adapter contains a rotating joint which prevents torque from being applied to the conduit. The joint may be a ball joint, a coaxial joint or an external sleeve. The sleeve is positioned surrounding the conduit. The sleeve may have a hexagonal outer surface and rotates freely about the conduit to prevent torque from being applied to the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: Victaulic CompanyInventors: John M. Stempo, Rudolf Szentimrey, Lawrence W. Thau, JR.
-
Patent number: 7500699Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe segments together is disclosed. The coupling is derived from a standard fitting and has a housing with a socket and a first expanded region adjacent to the socket and a second expanded region adjacent to the first expanded region. A sealing member is positioned in the first expanded region, a retainer is positioned in the second expanded region and a support washer having transversely oriented radial and coaxial flanges is positioned adjacent to the retainer. A clamping tab turned inwardly on the second expanded region overlaps the radial flange and clamps the support washer and retainer against a shoulder within the second expanded region thereby also capturing the sealing member within the coupling. The retainer has a plurality of radial teeth angularly oriented to engage a pipe and prevent its removal from the coupling. The teeth are twisted about their longitudinal axes.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: Ronald R. Snyder, Sr., Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Douglas R. Dole, Terrance M. Carom
-
Patent number: 7472911Abstract: The present invention relates to leak preventing gaskets contemplated for use with segmented pipe couplings, which include a pair of coupling segments adapted to receive a gasket which surrounds a pair of pipe ends to join pipes together or to join a nipple or fitting. The couplings contemplated for use with the gasket of the invention includes types adapted to attach grooved and flare end pipes, or non-grooved pipes in sealed relation to withstand fluids at temperatures up to 230° F. and higher, and at pressures of up to 1,000 psi. The ring-type gasket of the present invention is made of an elastomeric material such as synthetic or natural rubber or combinations thereof, preferably, ethylene polypropylene diene monomer, commonly referred to as “EPDM”. The gasket provides improved sealing through a pair of sealing flanges having relative planar and expansive inner walls, shorter sealing lips, and particular dimensional relationships with the grooved pipe ends.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: Jianyong Sun, Lawrence W. Thau, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7121593Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe segments together is disclosed. The coupling is derived from a standard fitting and has a housing with a socket and a first expanded region adjacent to the socket, a second expanded region adjacent to the first expanded region and a third expanded region adjacent to the second. A sealing member is positioned in the first expanded region, a retainer is positioned in the second expanded region and a support washer having transversely oriented radial and coaxial flanges is positioned adjacent to the retainer in the third expanded region. A lip turned inwardly on the second expanded region overlaps the radial flange and captures the support washer, retainer and sealing member within the coupling. The retainer has a plurality of radial teeth angularly oriented to engage a pipe and prevent its removal from the coupling.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: Ronald R. Snyder, Sr., Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Douglas R. Dole, Terrance M. Carom
-
Patent number: 6913292Abstract: A coupling for joining pipe segments together is disclosed. The coupling is derived from a standard fitting and has a housing with a socket and a first expanded region adjacent to the socket and a second expanded region adjacent to the first expanded region. A sealing member is positioned in the first expanded region, a retainer is positioned in the second expanded region and a support washer having transversely oriented radial and coaxial flanges is positioned adjacent to the retainer. A lip turned inwardly on the second expanded region overlaps the radial flange and captures the support washer, retainer and sealing member within the coupling. The retainer has a plurality of radial teeth angularly oriented to engage a pipe and prevent its removal from the coupling.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Victaulic Company of AmericaInventors: Ronald R. Snyder, Sr., Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Douglas R. Dole, Terrance M. Carom
-
Patent number: D483094Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Victaulic Company of AmericaInventors: Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Douglas R. Dole, Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Ronald R. Snyder, Sr.
-
Patent number: D483095Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Victaulic Company of AmericaInventors: Ronald R. Snyder, Sr., Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Douglas R. Dole
-
Patent number: D483441Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Victaulic Company of AmericaInventors: Douglas R. Dole, Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Ronald R. Snyder, Sr.
-
Patent number: D493214Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Victaulic Company of AmericaInventors: Ronald R. Snyder, Sr., Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Douglas R. Dole
-
Patent number: D493512Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Victaulic Company of AmericaInventors: Douglas R. Dole, Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Ronald R. Snyder, Sr.
-
Patent number: D495404Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Victaulic Company of AmericaInventors: Charles E. Wilk, Jr., Douglas R. Dole, Lawrence W. Thau, Jr., Ronald R. Snyder, Sr.
-
Patent number: D724187Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Victaulic CompanyInventors: Thomas C Savage, Lawrence W Thau, Jr.