Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Grooters

Thomas E. Grooters 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: 5730481
    Abstract: A retainer for releasably locking the male and female component of a quick connector together. The retainer is releasably insertable into a transverse bore formed in the female component and includes an edge slidable over a radial flange on the male component only when the male component is fully coupled in an axial bore in the female component. The engagement of the edges and the radial flange on the male component permits full insertion of the retainer into the transverse bore in the female component around the male component to lock the male component and female component together. Lock projections on the retainer engage grooves in the housing to releasably lock the retainer in a partially inserted, shipping position in the transverse bore in the female component and engage exterior lock surfaces on the housing on full insertion of the retainer to lock the retainer and the fully inserted male component to the female component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: ITT Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: George Szabo, Thomas E. Grooters, Tim M. Dangel
  • Patent number: 5711508
    Abstract: A quick connect fluid coupling equipped with a check valve and a service valve includes a housing that has a primary passage and an auxiliary passage arranged in a T-shape construction. The primary passage is provided with a check valve and an outlet end adapted to receive a male connector member in a locking engagement. The outlet end is arranged at 90.degree. with the inlet end of the primary passage. The auxiliary passage is equipped with a service valve adapted for receiving a fluid pressure detecting head at an outlet end and shares the same inlet end with the primary passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: ITT Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Schreiber, Joseph S. Quaranta, Thomas E. Grooters, George Szabo, Richard H. Krentz