Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Gaffney

Thomas E. Gaffney 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: 7665685
    Abstract: A modular rotating carousel assembly for storage and unspooling of pipe or cable is provided that comprises a plurality of triangular subassemblies; each triangular subassembly comprises a base member and at least one pair of connecting members; the connecting members are connected together at one end to form an apex and are connected at the other end to the base member; the base members of the plurality of triangular subassemblies are rotatably connected together to form a first circle; wherein the apexes of the connecting members extend outwardly from said first circle; and a plurality of rotating caster members is positioned beneath the rotatable connection of a plurality of said base members. Additional sets of triangular subassemblies are built up on concentric circles until the desired size of carousel is formed. A drive mechanism is provided that includes a motor that rotates a perimeter drive chain that engages sprocket pads spaced about the circumference of the carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: DeepFlex, Inc.
    Inventors: Marbert G. Moore, III, Thomas E. Gaffney
  • Patent number: 7662283
    Abstract: A modular filter system using replaceable filter cartridges includes a locking arrangement that prevents rotation of the flow control valve spindle in the filter head, but includes an unlocking arrangement on the cartridge that unlocks the locking arrangement if the proper replacement cartridge is used. The locking arrangement may include spring biased locking pins carried on the filter head and matching unlocking pins on the filter cartridge to operate through an intermediate adaptor ring that is set on assembly to match the positions of the locking and unlocking pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pentair Filtration, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Eserkaln, Michael D. Steinhardt, Terry P. Zerger, Thomas E. Gaffney
  • Publication number: 20090261210
    Abstract: A modular rotating carousel assembly for storage and unspooling of pipe or cable is provided that comprises a plurality of triangular subassemblies; each triangular subassembly comprises a base member and at least one pair of connecting members; the connecting members are connected together at one end to form an apex and are connected at the other end to the base member; the base members of the plurality of triangular subassemblies are rotatably connected together to form a first circle; wherein the apexes of the connecting members extend outwardly from said first circle; and a plurality of rotating caster members is positioned beneath the rotatable connection of a plurality of said base members. Additional sets of triangular subassemblies are built up on concentric circles until the desired size of carousel is formed. A drive mechanism is provided that includes a motor that rotates a perimeter drive chain that engages sprocket pads spaced about the circumference of the carousel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Marbert G. Moore, III, Thomas E. Gaffney
  • Publication number: 20090236272
    Abstract: A modular filter system using replaceable filter cartridges includes a mounting bracket for each filter cartridge and corresponding filter head that includes keyed attachment of the head to the mounting ring on the mounting bracket and modular attachment of the mounting bracket to the modular back plate. Back plates are also modular to permit assembly of a variety of multi-cartridge systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Pentair Filtration, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry P. Zerger, Michael J. Kurth, Paul W. Eserkaln, Thomas E. Gaffney, Deborah K. Steffen
  • Publication number: 20090236271
    Abstract: A modular filter system using replaceable filter cartridges includes a locking arrangement that prevents rotation of the flow control valve spindle in the filter head, but includes an unlocking arrangement on the cartridge that unlocks the locking arrangement if the proper replacement cartridge is used. The locking arrangement may include spring biased locking pins carried on the filter head and matching unlocking pins on the filter cartridge to operate through an intermediate adaptor ring that is set on assembly to match the positions of the locking and unlocking pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Pentair Filtration, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Eserkaln, Michael D. Steinhardt, Terry P. Zerger, Thomas E. Gaffney
  • Patent number: 6698313
    Abstract: A gear drive assembly comprises two drive motors, each individually driving one propulsion element. The assembly accommodates transaxle-type mounting on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fairway Golf Cars, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E Gaffney, Edward J Gaffney
  • Publication number: 20030132039
    Abstract: A gear drive assembly comprises two drive motors, each individually driving one propulsion element. The assembly accommodates transaxle-type mounting on a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Fairway Golf Cars, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Gaffney, Edward J. Gaffney
  • Patent number: 6213483
    Abstract: A utility cart is presented having improved assembleability, economy, rigidity and stability. In one feature, the cart includes a wheeled frame having a shelf supported by the frame. The shelf includes a movable surface and the frame includes a retention surface. The movable surface moves between a position of out of engagement with the retention surface and a position in engagement with the retention surface. This structure allows the shelf to snap into place without the need for separate mechanical fasteners. According to another feature, the cart includes a top shelf configured to deflect U-shaped leg members inward to apply a binding force upon the bottom shelf. According to a third feature, the cart includes a cross member connecting two leg members, the cross member having L-shaped slots to receive protuberances on the leg members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Gaffney
  • Patent number: 5769261
    Abstract: A covered food serving pan is provided having a food pan from which a flange with tab retainers extends, and a cover with tabs extending from an edge. These tabs engage tab retainers on a flange of the food pan and allow the cover to rotate with respect to the food pan. A method is provided for attaching a cover to a food serving pan by sliding the tabs toward the tabs retainers and engaging them with the tab retainers, rotating the cover about the tab retainers along a first axis of rotation, translating the cover in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and again rotating the cover about the axis of rotation until the open end of the pan is covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Gaffney, Alan J. Schommer, William C. Heimerl, Michael L. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5758572
    Abstract: A sunken receptacle unit for insertion in an opening of a counter having a top surface and a bottom surface includes a receptacle having a bottom and a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity, a receptacle support surface extending outwardly from the walls for supporting the receptacle within the opening and a receptacle retaining surface coupled to one of the walls. The receptacle retaining surface moves between a first position beyond the opening for engaging the bottom surface of the counter and a second position within the opening for insertion of the unit through the opening. The receptacle retaining surface is resiliently biased in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hennessy, Thomas E. Gaffney
  • Patent number: 5400835
    Abstract: A method and associated tool joins all types of parted wire fencing material. The method and tool allow one person to quickly create a permanent splice that unites the parted wire while restoring tension to the parted wire lengths. Following the method, the tension remains when the tool is released from the splice. The result is a taut splice, with no sag or slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventors: Frederick W. Badenoch, Thomas E. Gaffney, Edward J. Gaffney
  • Patent number: 4998321
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes an open-ended sleeve connectable to a valve stem by a screw inserted and removed through the open end. A removable cap has four cross openings which align with four cross openings in the sleeve. Two cross members are placed in the cross openings and interfitted inside the sleeve. In one embodiment, the internal connection is provided in part by a hole in one of the cross members. In a preferred embodiment, the cross members have contacting surfaces for engaging the sleeve and the cap. The handle assembly is adjustable for use with a variety of sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Gaffney, Clarence E. Klessig, Alan J. Weir, Stanley M. Grycan
  • Patent number: D435994
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Gaffney
  • Patent number: D446622
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Gaffney, Stephen R. Straus
  • Patent number: D312681
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., Alan D. Bengtson, Thomas E. Gaffney, Mary J. Reid
  • Patent number: D312866
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Gaffney, Thomas W. Hillebrand
  • Patent number: D319685
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., Alan D. Bengtson, Thomas E. Gaffney, Mary J. Reid
  • Patent number: D322472
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., Alan D. Bengtson, Thomas E. Gaffney, Mary J. Reid
  • Patent number: D323021
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., Mary J. Reid, Alan D. Bengtson, Thomas E. Gaffney
  • Patent number: D423177
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Vollrath Company L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Gaffney, Stephen R. Straus