Patents by Inventor Paul Blalock

Paul Blalock 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: 9565904
    Abstract: A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael “Woody” Blackford, Gary Davis, Paul Blalock
  • Publication number: 20150237974
    Abstract: A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Michael "Woody" Blackford, Gary Davis, Paul Blalock
  • Patent number: 9068424
    Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Steele, Douglas Paul Blalock, Steve Eggert, Chau Nguyen, Paul Sheperd, Trevor Smith, David Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 9027209
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael “Woody” Blackford, Gary Davis, Paul Blalock
  • Publication number: 20130048295
    Abstract: A device for capturing hydrocarbons discharged from a subsea flow passage comprises an elongate tubular structure having a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is open and in fluid communication with the first end. The tubular structure includes a rigid stabbing member extending axially from the second end and configured to he inserted into the flow passage. In addition, the device comprises an annular flexible skirt disposed about the stabbing member. The skirt is secured to the stabbing member and extends radially outward from the stabbing member. The skirt is configured to flex from an unflexed position to a flexed position upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage. The skirt is biased to the unflexed position and has an outer diameter in the unflexed position that is greater than the inner diameter of the flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Albert Beynet, Douglas Paul Blalock, Kevin James Devers, Trent James Fleece, Kinton Lowell Lawler, Jason Edward Waligura
  • Publication number: 20120325489
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a seal head having first and second ends and a sidewall having an internal diameter. The first end of the seal head is open to the environment, and the second end is closed to the environment by an end cap. The seal head includes an aperture configured to accommodate a subsea source. A tubular seal head extension is fluidly connected to the seal head end cap. The seal head extension has an external diameter, an external surface, and a length. A movable element having first and second ends and a sidewall structure having an internal diameter sufficiently larger than the external diameter of the extension forms an annulus between the movable element and the extension. The movable element first end opens to the environment, while its second end is closed by an end cap defining an exit fluidly connectable to a subsea collection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Albert Beynet, Douglas Paul Blalock, Kevin James Devers
  • Publication number: 20120273213
    Abstract: A riser system connects a subsea source of hydrocarbons to a collection vessel. The system includes a riser, a lower end of the riser fluidly coupled to a seal stem, the seal stem in turn fluidly attached to a lower riser assembly through a polished bore receptacle. The upper end of the riser is connected to the collection vessel, the riser being maintained in a near vertical position. Methods of installing and using the riser systems for killing and cementing wells are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Paul Blalock, Michael Patrick Cleary, Thomas Patrick Mataway, Steven Dirk Koepke
  • Publication number: 20120273216
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed of establishing and maintaining flow of hydrocarbon-bearing fluid from a subsea source while controlling or limiting hydrocarbon gas hydrate formation in a riser and a collection tool fluidly connected to a distal end of the riser during subsea positioning of the riser and tool. Riser sections are connected at or near the sea surface, and a collection tool may be connected to the distal end of the riser at the surface or picked up subsea by the riser. The riser and tool are deployed subsea near a subsea source of hydrocarbons. A low-density fluid is forced down the riser and tool, and then the riser and tool are positioned to collect hydrocarbons from the subsea source of hydrocarbons. Flow of a low-density fluid is gradually reduced to initiate flow of hydrocarbons up the tool and riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Pierre Albert Beynet, Kevin James Denver, Norman Dennis McMullen, Douglas Paul Blalock
  • Publication number: 20120273215
    Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Steele, Douglas Paul Blalock, Steve Eggert, Chau Nguyen, Paul Shepherd, Trevor Smith, David Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20100192332
    Abstract: A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael "Woody" Blackford, Gary Davis, Paul Blalock