Patents by Inventor Michael W. Kromer

Michael W. Kromer 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: 6267353
    Abstract: A self cleaning and self draining valve. The valve may include a valve body that has an inlet port and an outlet port and a flow control chamber between the inlet and outlet ports wherein a flow control member is operably supported. The inlet and outlet ports may or may not be coaxially aligned. The valve body may have a bottom surface that is substantially coplanar with a bottom surface of the outlet port. The flow control member may have a flow passage that curves downwardly to the bottom of the flow control chamber. The valve may further include a movable seat member that is movably supported within the valve body such that a fluid passage is established between the seat and the flow control member when fluid is flowing through the valve and the passageway is closed when the flow control member is closed. The valve may further have an adjustable bonnet for selectively adjusting the position of the flow control member within the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: PBM, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Friedline, Kenneth R. Graham, Michael W. Kromer
  • Patent number: 6148851
    Abstract: A lock apparatus for a valve that has a valve body and an actuator stem protruding therefrom for selectively rotating a flow control member within the valve body between open and closed positions and a handle attached to the valve stem that defines a first axis. The lock apparatus includes a slider plate that is movably supported on the valve stem and is selectively slidable along a second axis that is substantially transverse to the first axis to a position wherein said slider plate contacts a portion of the valve body when the flow control member is in either of the open and closed positions to retain the flow control member therein and another position wherein the slider plate does not contact the portion of the valve body to permit the valve stem to be rotated. An opening is provided through the slider plate for receiving a portion of a locking device therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: PBM, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Friedline, Michael W. Kromer