Patents by Inventor Mikhail German
Mikhail German 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).
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Patent number: 9506591Abstract: A self-restrained pipe joint system and method of assembly to connect two lengths of pipe in a mechanical joint, which maximizes the advantages of both restrained push-on joints as well as mechanical joints, as are known commonly in the art. The invention has application to long-run pipe lengths as well as to appurtenances, including fittings and connections. The gasket contains locking members that act to restrain separation upon the instance of any force tending to separate the connected pipe lengths.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Mikhail German, Jr., Leo W. Fleury, Jr.
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Patent number: 9441771Abstract: A device for coupling a male piping member to a female piping member includes a compressible sealing gasket and a gripping ring surrounding the male piping member, the gripping ring including at least one gripping member and at least one overlapping surface. An intermediate ring surrounding the male piping member at least partially overlaps an overlapping surface of the gripping ring and communicates with the compressible sealing gasket. A locking ring surrounding the male piping member communicates with the gripping ring, wherein through a tightening connection between the locking ring and the female piping member, the locking ring communicates with the gripping ring forcing the intermediate ring into the compressible sealing gasket to form a seal between the male piping member and the female piping member and subsequently to force the gripping ring to grip the male piping member.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Mikhail German, Leo W. Fleury, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140360004Abstract: A self-restrained pipe joint system and method of assembly to connect two lengths of pipe in a mechanical joint, which maximizes the advantages of both restrained push-on joints as well as mechanical joints, as are known commonly in the art. The invention has application to long-run pipe lengths as well as to appurtenances, including fittings and connections.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Mikhail German, JR., Leo W. Fleury, JR.
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Patent number: 8857861Abstract: A mechanical pipe joint system for joining a male piping member and a female piping member, the female piping member having a bell portion to receive a portion of the male piping member, includes a retaining flange and a restraining gasket, the restraining gasket including a sealing portion, a flange portion, and a restraining portion, the restraining portion including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced restraining segments.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Mikhail German, Leo Fleury
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Patent number: 8739834Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of use of a plug assembly are disclosed herein. The plug assembly includes an expandable plug for use with a pipe having an annular wall defining an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Mikhail German, Leo Fleury
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Publication number: 20120097283Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of use of a plug assembly are disclosed herein. The plug assembly includes an expandable plug for use with a pipe having an annular wall defining an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Mikhail German, Leo Fleury
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Patent number: 8104517Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods for stopping the flow of media within a pipeline. The pipeline generally includes one or more pipes connected end-to-end, where each of the pipes has a longitudinal axis with an annular wall. The annular wall has an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface, where the inner wall surface defines an inner pipe diameter. In various embodiments, a hole is formed in the pipeline substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the annular wall and extending through the opposing pipe wall. A resilient plug is positioned within the pipeline such that it extends between the holes and is selectively expanded in a radial direction to create a seal with the inner surface of the pipe and holes to prevent flow of the media within the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Mueller International, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo Fleury
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Publication number: 20110210543Abstract: Disclosed is a device for coupling a male piping member to a female piping member including a compressible sealing gasket and a gripping ring surrounding the male piping member, the gripping ring including at least one gripping member and at least one overlapping surface; an intermediate ring surrounding the male piping member, the intermediate ring at least partially overlapping the overlapping surface of the gripping ring, the intermediate ring communicating with the compressible sealing gasket; and a locking ring surrounding the male piping member and communicating with the gripping ring, wherein through a tightening connection between the locking ring and the female piping member, the locking ring communicates with the gripping ring forcing the intermediate ring into the compressible sealing gasket to form a seal between the male piping member and the female piping member and subsequently to force the gripping ring to grip the male piping member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Mikhail German, Leo W. Fleury, JR.
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Publication number: 20110084484Abstract: A self-restrained pipe joint system and method of assembly to connect two lengths of pipe in a mechanical joint, which maximizes the advantages of both restrained push-on joints as well as mechanical joints, as are known commonly in the art. The invention has application to long-run pipe lengths as well as to appurtenances, including fittings and connections. The gasket contains locking members that act to restrain separation upon the instance of any force tending to separate the connected pipe lengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo Fleury
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Patent number: 7901162Abstract: Pipe tapping apparatuses, devices, methods, and systems are provided for hot-tapping a pipe or fluid conduit containing a pressurized fluid. According to an embodiment, a pipe-tapping device can comprise a machine lower portion, a machine feed portion, and a machine drive portion. The machine lower portion can be disposed proximate to a pipe and can include a threaded insert situated distal to the pipe. The machine feed portion can include a first thread set and a second thread set. The first thread set can correspond to the threaded insert so that the machine feed portion is adapted to move axially relative to the machine lower portion. The machine drive portion can include a threaded interior. The threaded interior can correspond to the second thread set so that the machine drive portion is adapted to move axially relative to the machine feed portion. Other various embodiments are also claimed and described.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Mueller International, Inc.Inventor: Mikhail German
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Publication number: 20100307604Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods for stopping the flow of media within a pipeline. The pipeline generally includes one or more pipes connected end-to-end, where each of the pipes has a longitudinal axis with an annular wall. The annular wall has an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface, where the inner wall surface defines an inner pipe diameter. In various embodiments, a hole is formed in the pipeline substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the annular wall and extending through the opposing pipe wall. A resilient plug is positioned within the pipeline such that it extends between the holes and is selectively expanded in a radial direction to create a seal with the inner surface of the pipe and holes to prevent flow of the media within the pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo Fleury
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Patent number: 7748411Abstract: The present invention is a plug system having a plug for insertion into a pipeline, wherein the plug system is insertable via a fitting attached to the pipeline. A pre-drilled aperture of the pipeline positioned normal to the cylindrically-shaped pipeline may interfere with a pig traveling through the pipeline. In one embodiment, the plug includes two coaxial cylindrical portions. A first cylindrical portion has a diameter greater than the aperture diameter, while the second cylindrical portion has a diameter less than the aperture diameter. Additionally the plug defines a hole that is oriented perpendicular to an axis of the cylindrical portions, wherein the diameter of the hole is approximately the size of inside diameter of the pipe. The plug has a retaining member to stabilize the plug system. When the plug is installed in the pipe it permit a pig to flow freely, thereby eliminating pigging hazards.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Mueller International, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo W. Fleury
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Patent number: 7686031Abstract: A fire hydrant system relating to protection of a water supply from contamination. The fire hydrant system includes a barrel adapted to communicate at least indirectly with a water supply; a nozzle extending from the barrel; a hydrant valve adapted to controllably regulate communication between the barrel and the water supply; a valve actuator adapted to allow actuation of the hydrant valve; a nozzle cap adapted to at least close off the nozzle opening; and a hydrant shoe in communication with the water supply, the hydrant shoe comprising a backflow prevention assembly, wherein water can flow from the water supply through the hydrant shoe into the barrel at an open position of the backflow prevention assembly disc, and wherein media cannot enter the water supply via the barrel when the backflow prevention assembly disc is in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Mueller International, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo W. Fleury, Ken Clark
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Publication number: 20090183783Abstract: A fire hydrant system relating to protection of a water supply from contamination. The fire hydrant system includes a barrel adapted to communicate at least indirectly with a water supply; a nozzle extending from the barrel; a hydrant valve adapted to controllably regulate communication between the barrel and the water supply; a valve actuator adapted to allow actuation of the hydrant valve; a nozzle cap adapted to at least close off the nozzle opening; and a hydrant shoe in communication with the water supply, the hydrant shoe comprising a backflow prevention assembly, wherein water can flow from the water supply through the hydrant shoe into the barrel at an open position of the backflow prevention assembly disc, and wherein media cannot enter the water supply via the barrel when the backflow prevention assembly disc is in a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo W. Fleury, Ken Clark
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Patent number: 7520294Abstract: A fire hydrant system relating to protection of a water supply from contamination. The fire hydrant system includes a barrel adapted to communicate at least indirectly with a water supply; a nozzle extending from the barrel; a hydrant valve adapted to controllably regulate communication between the barrel and the water supply; a valve actuator adapted to allow actuation of the hydrant valve; a nozzle cap adapted to at least close off the nozzle opening; and a hydrant shoe in communication with the water supply, the hydrant shoe comprising a backflow prevention assembly, wherein water can flow from the water supply through the hydrant shoe into the barrel at an open position of the backflow prevention assembly disc, and wherein media cannot enter the water supply via the barrel when the backflow prevention assembly disc is in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Mueller International, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo W. Fleury, Ken Clark
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Publication number: 20070295406Abstract: A fire hydrant system relating to protection of a water supply from contamination. The fire hydrant system includes a barrel adapted to communicate at least indirectly with a water supply; a nozzle extending from the barrel; a hydrant valve adapted to controllably regulate communication between the barrel and the water supply; a valve actuator adapted to allow actuation of the hydrant valve; a nozzle cap adapted to at least close off the nozzle opening; and a hydrant shoe in communication with the water supply, the hydrant shoe comprising a backflow prevention assembly, wherein water can flow from the water supply through the hydrant shoe into the barrel at an open position of the backflow prevention assembly disc, and wherein media cannot enter the water supply via the barrel when the backflow prevention assembly disc is in a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2007Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: Mueller International, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail GERMAN, Leo W. Fleury, Ken Clark
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Publication number: 20070095398Abstract: Pipe tapping apparatuses, devices, methods, and systems are provided for hot-tapping a pipe or fluid conduit containing a pressurized fluid. According to an embodiment, a pipe-tapping device can comprise a machine lower portion, a machine feed portion, and a machine drive portion. The machine lower portion can be disposed proximate to a pipe and can include a threaded insert situated distal to the pipe. The machine feed portion can include a first thread set and a second thread set. The first thread set can correspond to the threaded insert so that the machine feed portion is adapted to move axially relative to the machine lower portion. The machine drive portion can include a threaded interior. The threaded interior can correspond to the second thread set so that the machine drive portion is adapted to move axially relative to the machine feed portion. Other various embodiments are also claimed and described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Applicant: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Mikhail German
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Patent number: D591831Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Mueller International, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo W. Fleury, Ken Clark
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Patent number: D607541Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Mueller International, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail German, Leo W. Fleury, Ken Clark
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Patent number: D631134Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Mueller International, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail German, Christopher Joseph Duckett