Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Hitchcock

Thomas H. Hitchcock 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: 6045336
    Abstract: In combination with a pump, a valve for operation at the interface between underlying heavier liquid and overlying lighter liquid is disclosed. The valve includes an inlet within the heavier liquid communicated from a valve seat to a conduit which typically is connected to the inlet of a pump. A valve disc opens and closes the valve seat to admit the heavier liquid to flow to the pump. The pump is preferably pneumatic and of the type which when flooded with liquid, automatically undertakes pumping and when empty of liquid ceases pumping. A buoyant member having a specific density between that of the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid is buoyantly supported at the interface and moves with the interface. This buoyant member is connected to an assembly which actuates the valve. Where lighter liquid is predominantly present, the float sinks and closes the valve preventing pumping. Where heavier liquid is predominantly present, the float rises, opens the pump inlet to permit pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Clean Environment Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Webb, Thomas H. Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 4122569
    Abstract: The integrated universal tool is a novel combination tool which provides these functions: A locking knife blade, a locking saw blade, a locking Phillips bladed screwdriver, a locking small flat bladed screw driver, a locking large flat bladed screwdriver, a crescent wrench, graduated calipers for measuring inside and outside dimensions, left and right-handed shears, a nibbler, a wire stripper, and an electrical terminal crimping tool. This combination of tools is allowed by the use of the integrated universal. The universal is a universal joint located at the end opposite the crescent wrench. The blades of the tool are fastened to this universal joint and can be rotated into the extended or retracted positions about its two axes. This allows three extended blade positions and one closed position. The integration is the integrating slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Inventor: Thomas H. Hitchcock