Patents by Inventor Mark D. Swinford

Mark D. Swinford 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: 6776186
    Abstract: A tool assembly for connection to a charging inlet tube of a fluid receiving system, and for evacuating and dispensing a charging fluid to the fluid receiving system. The tool assembly includes a tool housing having an upper and a lower housing half and including a plurality of internal valve components. The internal valve components are assembled in sliding engagement with each other within the tool housing and are held in assembled engagement by assembly of the upper and lower housing halves together whereby the tool assembly may be quickly disassembled and assembled for replacement of components. Fluid flow through the tool assembly is directed by an inner body positioned between the upper and lower housing halves, and vacuum and fluid charging is controlled by a vacuum control poppet and fluid control poppet, respectively, which poppets are longitudinally moveable relative to the inner body and to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Machine Design Specialists, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Swinford
  • Publication number: 20030226598
    Abstract: A tool assembly for connection to a charging inlet tube of a fluid receiving system, and for evacuating and dispensing a charging fluid to the fluid receiving system. The tool assembly includes a tool housing having an upper and a lower housing half and including a plurality of internal valve components. The internal valve components are assembled in sliding engagement with each other within the tool housing and are held in assembled engagement by assembly of the upper and lower housing halves together whereby the tool assembly may be quickly disassembled and assembled for replacement of components. Fluid flow through the tool assembly is directed by an inner body positioned between the upper and lower housing halves, and vacuum and fluid charging is controlled by a vacuum control poppet and fluid control poppet, respectively, which poppets are longitudinally moveable relative to the inner body and to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Machine Design Specialists, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Swinford
  • Patent number: 6029720
    Abstract: A generally oval upper body supports a generally cylindrical lower body comprising an outlet tube on which is mounted an inner piston containing an annular resilient sealing member adapted to be connected to the tubular inlet fitting of a liquid coolant system. The lower body supports a set of arcuate collar sections which are cammed inwardly for gripping external threads on the inlet fitting in response to axial movement of an outer air actuated annular piston surrounding the outlet tube. The sealing member is compressed axially into the upper face of the inlet fitting in response to axial movement of the inner air actuated annular piston confined between the outlet tube and the outer piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Mark D. Swinford
  • Patent number: 5873793
    Abstract: A golf club shaft having a spar, a tube, and a skin is formed which reduces shaft aerodynamic drag. The skin transforms in cross-sectional shape from a circular one at the grip, to a streamlined shape at the shaft tip. The spar introduces stiffness in the plane generally perpendicular to the direction of swing, thereby offsetting the effect of unequal sectional moments of inertia of the streamlined skin. Manufacturing methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Mark D. Swinford
  • Patent number: 5560407
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical body supports an outlet tube on which is mounted a resilient annular sealing member adapted to be inserted into the tubular inlet fitting of a liquid coolant system. The body also supports a set of arcuate collar sections which surround the sealing member and are cammed inwardly for gripping external threads on the inlet fitting in response to axial movement of a first air actuated annular piston surrounding the outlet tube. The sealing member is expanded radially outwardly into sealing engagement with the inlet fitting in response to axial movement of a second air actuated annular piston confined between the outlet tube and the first piston. A tubular valve member is supported for axial movement within the body in alignment with the outlet tube and moves in response to a third air actuated annular piston for selectively connecting the passage within the outlet tube to a suction passage for evacuating the coolant system and then to a liquid supply passage for filling the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Swinford