Patents by Inventor Robert J. Vandepas

Robert J. Vandepas 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: 5813428
    Abstract: A fluid hydrant has an outlet with a threaded outer surface, and a backflow preventor is mounted on the inlet of the hydrant. The backflow preventor has an inlet and outlet end. Male hose threads are formed on the exterior of the outlet end of the backflow preventer. Interior female threads are on the inlet end thereof. A bushing adapter is interposed between the inlet end of the backflow preventor and the threaded nozzle of the hydrant with the threads connecting the adapter and the backflow preventor being of a size different than the threads connecting the adapter and the threaded nozzle of the hydrant. The bushing adapter extends over the threaded outer surface of the outlet of the hydrant, and a locking cement between the threaded outer surface of the outlet of the hydrant and the interior female threads on the inlet end of the bushing adapter rigidly fix these threads together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Almasy, James F. Shuler, Robert J. Vandepas
  • Patent number: 5701925
    Abstract: A yard hydrant of the venturi check valve-fluid reservoir type has a manually operable flow diverter valve which will provide full fluid flow through the hydrant to effectively siphon residual fluid from the reservoir without removal of hoses, backflow preventers or the like from the nozzle of the hydrant. The flow diverter valve is located upstream of the fluid discharge nozzle of the hydrant. A tube connects the venturi check valve with the extreme bottom of the reservoir so that all the residual fluid in the reservoir can be removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun T. Mulligan, Robert J. Vandepas, James F. Shuler, Lawrence Almasy
  • Patent number: 5632303
    Abstract: A wall mounted water hydrant has an elongated hollow housing with water inlet and outlet ends, and a center axis; an inlet valve in the housing adjacent to the inlet end, including a valve seat and a valve body; a water outlet port in the housing adjacent to its outlet end; a valve operating rod in the housing with its an inner end secured to the valve body and extending along the center axis to the outlet end of said housing, terminating in an outer end; a handle attached to the rod outer end, which when rotated in one direction closes the valve body against the valve seat, and in the other opposite direction moves the valve body away from the seat, thus allowing pressurized water from the inlet to flow downstream through the housing and outlet port; and a backflow preventor secured to the valve downstream from its seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Almasy, James F. Shuler, Robert J. Vandepas, William L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5590679
    Abstract: A wall mounted water hydrant has an elongated hollow housing with water inlet and outlet ends, and a center axis; an inlet valve in the housing adjacent to the inlet end, including a valve seat and a valve body; a water outlet port in the housing adjacent to its outlet end; a valve operating rod in the housing with an inner end secured to the valve body and extending along the center axis to the outlet end of said housing, terminating in an outer end; a handle attached to the rod outer end, which when rotated in one direction closes the valve body against the valve seat, and in the other opposite direction moves the valve body away from the seat, thus allowing pressurized water from the inlet to flow downstream through the housing and outlet port; and a backflow preventor secured to the valve downstream from its seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Almasy, James F. Shuler, Robert J. Vandepas, William L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5246028
    Abstract: A freeze and contamination resistant hydrant, for controlling fluid flow includes: a vertically elongated conduit having a lower portion adapted for installation underground, the conduit having a lower fluid inlet associated with that lower portion, and an upper fluid outlet, for passing fluid; a valve in the lower portion of the conduit; a plunger, with a stopper of substantially circular horizontal cross-section attached, extending downward through the conduit into the valve for closing and opening the same; an upper drain port in the valve above the stopper drains any fluid trapped above the valve when the valve is closed; a venturi conduit below the valve having a venturi port; and a fluid reservoir surrounding at least the lower portion of the conduit. When the valve is opened, fluid passes from the lower fluid inlet to the upper fluid outlet and through the venturi conduit to induce fluid flow from the reservoir through the venturi port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Vandepas