Patents by Inventor Steven L. Blair, Sr.

Steven L. Blair, Sr. 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: 7987690
    Abstract: Fluid conduits for plumbing and other uses having integral end fittings are disclosed herein. A method of forming a fluid conduit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes providing a copper tube having a first inner diameter and a first wall thickness, and heat treating an end portion of the copper tube to a predetermined hardness. The method can further include increasing the wall thickness of the end portion from the first wall thickness to a second wall thickness, and increasing the inner diameter of the end portion from the first inner diameter to a second inner diameter. The method further includes forming a circular groove in an interior surface of the end portion and positioning a seal in the circular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Cerro Flow Products LLC
    Inventors: Michael Duggan, Forrest Nixon, Steven L. Blair, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7942456
    Abstract: Fluid conduits for plumbing and other uses having integral end fittings are disclosed herein. A fluid conduit configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes a tube, such as a copper tube, having an end portion adjacent to a body portion. The body portion has a first wall thickness and the end portion has a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fluid conduit also includes a seal positioned in an annular groove formed in an interior surface of the end portion. In this embodiment, the tube can be joined to another tube by at least partially compressing the end portion around a portion of the other tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Cerro Flow Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Duggan, Forrest Nixon, Steven L. Blair, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20090173130
    Abstract: Fluid conduits for plumbing and other uses having integral end fittings are disclosed herein. A method of forming a fluid conduit in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes providing a copper tube having a first inner diameter and a first wall thickness, and heat treating an end portion of the copper tube to a predetermined hardness. The method can further include increasing the wall thickness of the end portion from the first wall thickness to a second wall thickness, and increasing the inner diameter of the end portion from the first inner diameter to a second inner diameter. The method further includes forming a circular groove in an interior surface of the end portion and positioning a seal in the circular groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Cerro Flow Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Duggan, Forrest Nixon, Steven L. Blair, SR.
  • Publication number: 20090174182
    Abstract: Fluid conduits for plumbing and other uses having integral end fittings are disclosed herein. A fluid conduit configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes a tube, such as a copper tube, having an end portion adjacent to a body portion. The body portion has a first wall thickness and the end portion has a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. The fluid conduit also includes a seal positioned in an annular groove formed in an interior surface of the end portion. In this embodiment, the tube can be joined to another tube by at least partially compressing the end portion around a portion of the other tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Duggan, Forrest Nixon, Steven L. Blair, SR.