Patents by Inventor Rodney A. Ratz

Rodney A. Ratz 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: 10995890
    Abstract: A quick-connect coupler includes an input, a main body, an inner sleeve, a ball retainer, a valve, and outer and inner balls. The main body is coupled with the input. The inner sleeve is disposed in the interior chamber of the main body and is slidably coupled with the main body. The ball retainer defines an interior chamber and a second aperture. The ball retainer is disposed in the interior chamber of the main body and is slidably coupled with the main body. The valve defines a passageway and is disposed in the interior chamber of the ball retainer. The valve is slidably coupled with the input. The inner and outer balls are disposed in the first and second apertures. respectively. The interior chamber of the main body defines a first diameter. The interior chamber of the ball retainer defines a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: MAT INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Steven Hafele, Rodney A. Ratz
  • Publication number: 20200231346
    Abstract: A breather canister for a crankcase of an engine is provided. The breather canister may comprise: an outer housing and a diffuser. The outer housing may comprise a wall and a floor that cooperate to define an interior chamber, the outer housing comprising an inlet coupled to the floor and defining a first passageway. The diffuser may comprise a stem defining a second passageway, the stem being coupled with the inlet such that the passageway of the inlet and the passageway of the stem are in fluid communication with each other. The wall of the outer housing may define a vent aperture that is in fluid communication with the interior chamber. The diffuser may define an upper aperture and a lower aperture that are each in fluid communication with the passageway of the stem and the interior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Rodney A. Ratz, Reid Charles Butler, Benjamin Scott Echtenkamp
  • Publication number: 20190086013
    Abstract: A quick-connect coupler includes an input, a main body, an inner sleeve, a ball retainer, a valve, and outer and inner balls. The main body is coupled with the input. The inner sleeve is disposed in the interior chamber of the main body and is slidably coupled with the main body. The ball retainer defines an interior chamber and a second aperture. The ball retainer is disposed in the interior chamber of the main body and is slidably coupled with the main body. The valve defines a passageway and is disposed in the interior chamber of the ball retainer. The valve is slidably coupled with the input. The inner and outer balls are disposed in the first and second apertures. respectively. The interior chamber of the main body defines a first diameter. The interior chamber of the ball retainer defines a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Steven Hafele, Rodney A. Ratz
  • Publication number: 20190084133
    Abstract: A powered ratchet comprises a motor, a coupling shaft, a drive member, a ratchet arm, and a ratchet head. The coupling shaft is operably coupled with the motor. The drive member is drivingly coupled with the coupling shaft such that the drive member is rotatable about a first drive axis. The drive member is slidably coupled with the coupling shaft and slidable with respect to the coupling shaft between a retracted position and an extended position. The ratchet arm is slidably and rotatably coupled with each of the coupling shaft and the outer sleeve. The ratchet arm is slidable with respect to the outer sleeve between a retracted position and an extended position. The ratchet head is rotatably coupled with the ratchet arm and operably coupled with the drive member such that rotation of the drive member about the first drive axis facilitates rotation of the ratchet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Steven Hafele, Reid Charles Butler, Rodney A. Ratz
  • Publication number: 20190086011
    Abstract: A coupler includes a body, a stem, an actuator and a pressure gauge. The body defines an input port, an output port, a venting port and a main passageway. The stem is slidably coupled with the body and is slidable between a retracted position, a venting position, and an extended position. The venting position is between the retracted position and the extended position. The stem is biased into the retracted position. The actuator is operably coupled with the stem and is movable between a released position and an actuated position. The pressure gauge is coupled with the body and is in fluid communication with one of the input port and the output port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Steven Hafele, Rodney A. Ratz