Patents by Inventor R. Winfield Thomas
R. Winfield Thomas 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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Publication number: 20160186897Abstract: A flexible conduit for use in a pipe system such as a vehicular exhaust system to provide a torsional or non-torsional joint between two pipes. The conduit has an outer bellows and an inner liner between which a layer of noise/thermal insulation is sandwiched to attenuate noise, resist thermal transmission and dampen vibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Robert F. Stalcup, II, Scott R. Swank, R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 9261216Abstract: A flexible conduit for use in a pipe system such as a vehicular exhaust system to provide a torsional or non-torsional joint between two pipes. The conduit has an outer bellows and an inner liner between which a layer of noise/thermal insulation is sandwiched.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TRU-FLEX, LLCInventors: Robert F. Stalcup, II, Scott R. Swank, R. Winfield Thomas
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Publication number: 20120056414Abstract: A flexible conduit for use in a pipe system such as a vehicular exhaust system to provide a torsional or non-torsional joint between two pipes. The conduit has an outer bellows, an inner liner and at least one layer of noise/thermal insulation to attenuate noise, resist thermal transmission and dampen vibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventors: R. Winfield THOMAS, Robert F. STALCUP, II, Scott R. SWANK
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Publication number: 20110074147Abstract: A flexible conduit for use in a pipe system such as a vehicular exhaust system to provide a torsional or non-torsional joint between two pipes. The conduit has an outer bellows and an inner liner between which a layer of noise/thermal insulation is sandwiched to attenuate noise, resist thermal transmission and dampen vibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Robert F. Stalcup, II, Scott R. Swank
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Patent number: 7066495Abstract: A flexible bellows tube connecting pipes in a system such as a vehicle exhaust system. Various embodiments are disclosed, with each including two conduit sections having mating corrugations that overlap to provide a seal while allowing the two sections to rotate in response to torsion loading. Different configurations of the interfitting corrugations and related structure are disclosed in the different embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Scott R. Swank
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Patent number: 6893053Abstract: A flexible bellows tube connecting pipes in a system such as a vehicle exhaust system. Various embodiments are disclosed, with each including two conduit sections having mating corrugations that overlap to provide a seal while allowing the two sections to rotate in response to torsion loading. Different configurations of the interfitting corrugations and related structure are disclosed in the different embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Scott R. Swank
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Publication number: 20040100094Abstract: A flexible bellows tube connecting pipes in a system such as a vehicle exhaust system. Various embodiments are disclosed, with each including two conduit sections having mating corrugations that overlap to provide a seal while allowing the two sections to rotate in response to torsion loading. Different configurations of the interfitting corrugations and related structure are disclosed in the different embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Scott R. Swank
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Publication number: 20030047941Abstract: A flexible bellows tube connecting pipes in a system such as a vehicle exhaust system. Various embodiments are disclosed, with each including two conduit sections having mating corrugations that overlap to provide a seal while allowing the two sections to rotate in response to torsion loading. Different configurations of the interfitting corrugations and related structure are disclosed in the different embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Scott R. Swank
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Patent number: 6497254Abstract: A self-sealing flexible metal hose includes a band adapted for winding on conventional winding equipment. The band includes receiver and insert assemblies adapted for interlocking with adjacent windings or turns of the band. A sealing flange provides continuous contacts and is urged into sealing engagement with the band by exhaust gas pressure within the hose bore. Alternative embodiments include different configurations of the flanges and legs which form the contacts, and accommodate packing material for greater sealing performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose CorporationInventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Scott R. Swank
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Patent number: 6488313Abstract: A flexible connector assembly is provided for an exhaust system. The exhaust system includes first and second rigid exhaust pipes. The flexible connector assembly includes a flexible metal hose section and a liner tube. The liner tube has a first, enlarged-diameter section and a second, reduced-diameter section. The liner tube first section is fixedly secured within the hose section. An annular clearance is formed between the liner tube second section and the hose section. The connector assembly effectively resists vibration and provides a relatively fluid-tight passage for exhaust gasses between the first and second exhaust pipes.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1999Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Publication number: 20020117227Abstract: A self-sealing flexible metal hose includes a band adapted for winding on conventional winding equipment. The band includes receiver and insert assemblies adapted for interlocking with adjacent windings or turns of the band. A sealing flange provides continuous contacts and is urged into sealing engagement with the band by exhaust gas pressure within the hose bore. Alternative embodiments include different configurations of the flanges and legs which form the contacts, and accommodate packing material for greater sealing performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: R. Winfield Thomas, Scott R. Swank
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Patent number: 6427727Abstract: A length-controlled flexible hose includes a body formed by spiral-winding a continuous metal band with interlocked leading and trailing edges. A length control adhesive strip is applied to the flexible hose along a surface thereof and minimizes length changes of the flexible hose whereby a design or engineered length can be maintained. A method of manufacturing a length-control flexible hose includes the steps of spiral-winding a continuous metal band, interlocking leading and trailing edges thereof and applying a length control adhesive strip to a surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose CorporationInventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 6378561Abstract: A self-sealing flexible metal hose includes a band adapted for winding on conventional winding equipment. The band includes receiver and insert assemblies adapted for interlocking with adjacent windings or turns of the band. A sealing flange provides continuous contacts and is urged into sealing engagement with the band by exhaust gas pressure within the hose bore. Alternative embodiments include different configurations of the flanges and legs which form the contacts, and accommodate packing material for greater sealing performance.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2001Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 6341805Abstract: An exhaust piping system is provided for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an exhaust system including an emission control device. The exhaust piping system includes an exhaust pipe connected to the engine and an emission pipe connected to the emission control device. The exhaust and emission pipes include ends which are tapered to form reduced outside diameters. A flexible hose coupling includes a bore which telescopically receives the exhaust and emission pipe ends. First and second annular clearances are formed between the reduced-diameter pipe ends and the flexible hose coupling bore, which clearances reduce wearing and abrasion of the flexible hose coupling associated with vibration and relative movement between the pipe ends and the flexible hose coupling.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1998Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose CorpInventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 6312021Abstract: An end-slotted flexible metal hose includes a hose section with body and end sections and a hose clamp. The hose section forms a bore therethrough having a relatively constant diameter. The end section includes a plurality of slots which extend through a sidewall of the hose section to the bore and permit the end section to be constricted by the hose clamp to reduce the bore diameter to provide a relatively tight engagement with a tube on which the hose assembly is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 6102446Abstract: A polygonal flexible metal hose coupling assembly for connecting first and second pipes of a vehicle exhaust system includes a polygonal coupling body. The coupling body is formed by spiral-winding a metal strip with interlocking leading and trailing edges. The polygonal configuration of the coupling body prevents the strip turns or windings from sliding with respect to each other along their interlocked seams. A pair of clamps are provided for connecting the coupling body ends to the pipe ends. Each clamp includes an annular band with a first section having a generally round cross-sectional configuration for receiving a pipe end and a second section with a polygonal cross-sectional configuration for receiving a coupling body end.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose CorporationInventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 6102445Abstract: A coupling system for corrugated, flexible metal hoses includes fitting and washer assemblies. The fitting assembly comprises inner and outer fittings, the inner fitting being received on the hose and having a bore adapted to receive the washer assembly. The washer assembly includes an O-ring, a backer washer and an expandable washer. The O-ring forms a seal connection with the flexible metal hose and the fitting assembly. The expandable washer provides a stop against which the backer ring is pushed by the O-ring. The expandable washer is also clamped between the fitting assembly and a corrugation of the flexible hose to resist withdrawal of the latter. Modified embodiment hose coupling systems are also disclosed and include inner and outer gaskets, compression gaskets, termination plates mounting the outer fitting and different combinations of retainer rings, backer rings and gasket rings.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1997Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose CorporationInventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 6053212Abstract: A length-controlled flexible hose includes a body formed by spiral-winding a continuous metal band with interlocked leading and trailing edges. A length control adhesive strip is applied to the flexible hose along a surface thereof and minimizes length changes of the flexible hose whereby a design or engineered length can be maintained. A method of manufacturing a length-control flexible hose includes the steps of spiral-winding a continuous metal band, interlocking leading and trailing edges thereof and applying a length control adhesive strip to a surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Tru--Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 5924282Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an improved exhaust system including an exhaust pipe connected to the internal combustion engine and a flexible hose connected to the exhaust pipe and to an emission control device. A clamp assembly connects ends of the exhaust pipe and the flexible hose and includes a gasket received within a band subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose Corp.Inventor: R. Winfield Thomas
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Patent number: 5882046Abstract: A flexible hose section for connecting upstream and downstream exhaust pipe sections of an exhaust system includes a corrugated body with opposite ends. The ends are fastened to ends of the exhaust pipe sections to convey fluids or bulk materials through the pipe system. The corrugations or the connections between the flexible hose and pipe section ends are arranged to accommodate axial, lateral, diagonal and torsional displacement between the system components.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1996Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Tru-Flex Metal Hose CorporationInventor: R. Winfield Thomas