Patents by Inventor Raymond C. Minich

Raymond C. Minich 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: 12292154
    Abstract: A conduit coupling assembly having an arcuate middle ring extending axially between first and second arcuate clamp rings, an arcuate gasket configured to be positioned radially between the first clamp ring and the fluid conduit, the middle ring comprising an outwardly extending annular flange disposed axially between and radially overlapping at least a portion of the first clamp ring and at least a portion the gasket, the annular flange comprising an axially extending retention rim axially overlapping and disposed radially between a first retained portion of the gasket and an opposed portion of the first clamp ring, the retention rim and the gasket forming a gasket retaining element restraining radial movement of a side surface of the gasket relative to the annular flange of the middle ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Dresser Water, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Patent number: 12173819
    Abstract: A conduit coupling assembly having an arcuate clamp ring having first and second longitudinal edges, a spanner configured to extend across a longitudinal ring gap between the first and second longitudinal edges, a connecting assembly configured to tighten the spanner and clamp ring to the fluid conduit from a non-actuated position to a tightened position, an arcuate gasket configured to be positioned between the clamp ring and spanner on an outer side of the gasket and the fluid conduit on an inner side of the gasket, and the gasket comprising a spanner recess in the outer side of the gasket configured to receive at least a portion of the spanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Dresser Water, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Publication number: 20230167929
    Abstract: A conduit coupling assembly having an arcuate clamp ring having first and second longitudinal edges, a spanner configured to extend across a longitudinal ring gap between the first and second longitudinal edges, a connecting assembly configured to tighten the spanner and clamp ring to the fluid conduit from a non-actuated position to a tightened position, an arcuate gasket configured to be positioned between the clamp ring and spanner on an outer side of the gasket and the fluid conduit on an inner side of the gasket, and the gasket comprising a spanner recess in the outer side of the gasket configured to receive at least a portion of the spanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Publication number: 20230160517
    Abstract: A conduit coupling assembly having an arcuate middle ring extending axially between first and second arcuate clamp rings, an arcuate gasket configured to be positioned radially between the first clamp ring and the fluid conduit, the middle ring comprising an outwardly extending annular flange disposed axially between and radially overlapping at least a portion of the first clamp ring and at least a portion the gasket, the annular flange comprising an axially extending retention rim axially overlapping and disposed radially between a first retained portion of the gasket and an opposed portion of the first clamp ring, the retention rim and the gasket forming a gasket retaining element restraining radial movement of a side surface of the gasket relative to the annular flange of the middle ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Patent number: 10767806
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a spanner extending across a gap between first and second longitudinally extending edges of a band clamped onto a fluid conduit having a circumference orientated about an axis; a connecting assembly configured to tighten the spanner and band to the conduit and a gasket between the band and spanner and the conduit; the gasket comprising a first circumferential seal bead protruding from an inner side of the gasket and having a circumferential length that is equal to or greater than the circumference of the conduit and at least one standalone header bead protruding from the inner side of the gasket and disposed at least partially between the spanner and the conduit and having a circumferential length that is substantially less than the circumference of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Total Piping Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Patent number: 10544894
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a band, the band comprising first and second edges, first and second lug elements connected proximate to the first and second band edges, multiple bolts extending transversely between the first and second lug elements, the first lug element comprising a transversely extending lug finger having a finger bearing surface, the second lug element comprising a lug finger land having a bearing surface, the lug finger extending transversely between the first and second lug elements, the finger bearing surfaces of the lug finger and the lug finger land contoured relative to each other such that tightening the band to reduce a gap between the edges of the band in a first range causes the first lug element to rotate in a first direction of rotation and in a second range causes the first lug element to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Total Piping Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Publication number: 20190120417
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a spanner extending across a gap between first and second longitudinally extending edges of a band clamped onto a fluid conduit having a circumference orientated about an axis; a connecting assembly configured to tighten the spanner and band to the conduit and a gasket between the band and spanner and the conduit; the gasket comprising a first circumferential seal bead protruding from an inner side of the gasket and having a circumferential length that is equal to or greater than the circumference of the conduit and at least one standalone header bead protruding from the inner side of the gasket and disposed at least partially between the spanner and the conduit and having a circumferential length that is substantially less than the circumference of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Patent number: 10197204
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a spanner extending across a gap between first and second longitudinally extending edges of a band clamped onto a fluid conduit having a circumference orientated about an axis; a connecting assembly configured to tighten the spanner and band to the conduit and a gasket between the band and spanner and the conduit; the gasket comprising a first circumferential seal bead protruding from an inner side of the gasket and having a circumferential length that is equal to or greater than the circumference of the conduit and at least one standalone header bead protruding from the inner side of the gasket and disposed at least partially between the spanner and the conduit and having a circumferential length that is substantially less than the circumference of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Total Piping Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Patent number: 10190714
    Abstract: An improved tapping sleeve assembly (114) comprising a sleeve (115) configured to clamp a main fluid conduit (116) oriented about a longitudinal axis (x-x), the sleeve having a first member (134), a second member (140) separate from the first member, and a connection assembly (121) between the first member and the second member, the first member having a branch aperture (123) configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit (129), the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second members to the main fluid conduit, a gasket (132) disposed between the first member and the main fluid conduit, the gasket comprising a flexible sheet (133) and a thickened aperture seal (122) configured to extend around the branch aperture between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit, the gasket comprising an inwardly protruding circumferential seal bead (137a) extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis and intersecting an inwardly protruding portion of the aperture seal, the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Total Piping Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Minich, Daryl M. Piontek
  • Publication number: 20180224048
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a band, the band comprising first and second edges, first and second lug elements connected proximate to the first and second band edges, multiple bolts extending transversely between the first and second lug elements, the first lug element comprising a transversely extending lug finger having a finger bearing surface, the second lug element comprising a lug finger land having a bearing surface, the lug finger extending transversely between the first and second lug elements, the finger bearing surfaces of the lug finger and the lug finger land contoured relative to each other such that tightening the band to reduce a gap between the edges of the band in a first range causes the first lug element to rotate in a first direction of rotation and in a second range causes the first lug element to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Patent number: 9970584
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a band, the band comprising first and second edges, first and second lug elements connected proximate to the first and second band edges, multiple bolts extending transversely between the first and second lug elements, the first lug element comprising a transversely extending lug finger having a finger bearing surface, the second lug element comprising a lug finger land having a bearing surface, the lug finger extending transversely between the first and second lug elements, the finger bearing surfaces of the lug finger and the lug finger land contoured relative to each other such that tightening the band to reduce a gap between the edges of the band in a first range causes the first lug element to rotate in a first direction of rotation and in a second range causes the first lug element to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Total Piping Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Patent number: 9857007
    Abstract: A repair clamp bolt retaining assembly having a band with first and second edges and a gap there between, first and second lug elements extending from the band on opposite sides of the gap, multiple bolts configured to extend transversely from bolt receiving openings in the first lug element to bolt receiving openings in the second lug element, and a bolt retainer on at least one of the multiple bolts on the inner side of the opening in the second lug element and configured such that the bolt retainer does not pass through the openings in the second lug element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Total Piping Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Publication number: 20170343137
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a band, the band comprising first and second edges and a gap there between, first and second lug elements extending from the band on opposite sides of the gap, multiple bolts configured to extend transversely from bolt receiving openings in the first lug element to bolt receiving openings in the second lug element, at least one of the multiple bolts having a bolt retainer on the bolt configured such that the bolt retainer does not pass through the openings in the second lug element, and the bolt retainer positioned on the bolt on an inner side of the opening in the second lug element and closer to a second end portion of the bolt outside the second lug element than a first end portion of the bolt outside the first lug element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Publication number: 20170241584
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a spanner extending across a gap between first and second longitudinally extending edges of a band clamped onto a fluid conduit having a circumference orientated about an axis; a connecting assembly configured to tighten the spanner and band to the conduit and a gasket between the band and spanner and the conduit; the gasket comprising a first circumferential seal bead protruding from an inner side of the gasket and having a circumferential length that is equal to or greater than the circumference of the conduit and at least one standalone header bead protruding from the inner side of the gasket and disposed at least partially between the spanner and the conduit and having a circumferential length that is substantially less than the circumference of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Publication number: 20160298802
    Abstract: A clamp comprising a band, the band comprising first and second edges, first and second lug elements connected proximate to the first and second band edges, multiple bolts extending transversely between the first and second lug elements, the first lug element comprising a transversely extending lug finger having a finger bearing surface, the second lug element comprising a lug finger land having a bearing surface, the lug finger extending transversely between the first and second lug elements, the finger bearing surfaces of the lug finger and the lug finger land contoured relative to each other such that tightening the band to reduce a gap between the edges of the band in a first range causes the first lug element to rotate in a first direction of rotation and in a second range causes the first lug element to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Daryl M. Piontek, Raymond C. Minich
  • Patent number: 9217530
    Abstract: A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve configured to clamp a main conduit, a gasket between the sleeve and main conduit, the gasket having a protruding aperture seal offset a distance from a branch aperture in the sleeve, the aperture seal having a first inwardly protruding portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main conduit, an inwardly protruding circumferential seal bead extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis from the first portion of the aperture seal, the seal bead having a main length portion having a thickness less than the thickness of the first portion of the aperture seal, the seal bead having a junction end portion between the main length portion and the first portion of the aperture seal, the junction end portion having a non-uniform thickness, the aperture seal having a non-uniform thickness, and the offset distance being non-uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Total Piping Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Minich, Daryl Piontek
  • Patent number: 8857858
    Abstract: A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve having first and second shells, a gasket, a connection assembly comprising first and second side bar elements connected to the first and second shells, respectively, multiple lugs extending from the first and second side bar elements, and a bolt extending between each of the respective lugs, the first side bar element comprising an upper leg connected to the first shell at an upper connection, a lower leg supporting at least one of the lugs, an intermediate bearing unit configured to bear against the first shell, and the bearing unit having at least one bearing surface not affixed to the outer surface of the first shell, whereby the first and second side bar elements may be drawn towards each other to tighten the sleeve to a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Total Piping Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Minich, Daryl M. Piontek
  • Publication number: 20140261760
    Abstract: A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve having first and second shells, a gasket, a connection assembly comprising first and second side bar elements connected to the first and second shells, respectively, multiple lugs extending from the first and second side bar elements, and a bolt extending between each of the respective lugs, the first side bar element comprising an upper leg connected to the first shell at an upper connection, a lower leg supporting at least one of the lugs, an intermediate bearing unit configured to bear against the first shell, and the bearing unit having at least one bearing surface not affixed to the outer surface of the first shell, whereby the first and second side bar elements may be drawn towards each other to tighten the sleeve to a conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Raymond C. Minich, Daryl M. Piontek
  • Publication number: 20120193909
    Abstract: A tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve (15) configured to clamp a main fluid conduit (16) oriented about a longitudinal axis (x-x), the sleeve having a first member (34), a second member (40) separate from the first member, and a connecting assembly (21) between the first member and the second member, the first member having a branch aperture (23) configured to communicate with a branch fluid conduit (29), the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second members to the main fluid conduit, a gasket (32) disposed between the first member and the main fluid conduit, the gasket having a protruding aperture seal (22) configured to extend around the branch aperture between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit and to be offset a distance (57) from the branch aperture, the aperture seal having a first inwardly protruding portion (35) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and having a thickness (53), at least one inwardly protruding circumferential seal be
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Raymond C. Minich, Daryl Piontek
  • Publication number: 20120192963
    Abstract: An improved tapping sleeve assembly comprising a sleeve configured to clamp a main fluid conduit oriented about a longitudinal axis, the sleeve having a connecting assembly between a first member and a second member, the connection assembly configured and arranged to tighten the first and the second members to the main fluid conduit, a gasket disposed between the first member and the main fluid conduit, the gasket comprising a flexible sheet having an inwardly facing surface and an outwardly facing surface and a thickened aperture seal configured to extend around a branch aperture in the first member between the sleeve and the main fluid conduit, and the aperture seal having a non-uniform radial thickness around the branch aperture when the connection assembly is in a non-actuated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Raymond C. Minich, Daryl M. Piontek