Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Kendall

Thomas L. Kendall 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: 7654287
    Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal recess cooperating with a test slide to block flow through the fitting. An externally accessible port allows insertion and removal of the test slide. The test slide has an internal recess in which a pressure release slide moves to open a hole to release pressure, and to close the hole to block flow through the fitting for pressure testing. After testing and the release of the fluid test pressure, the test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess. The finish slide has an opening located and configured to coincide with the flow path through the male ends of the pipes, and to block the recess to provide a substantially uniform, cylindrical flow path through the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg P. Metzger, Fred O. Enstrom, Scott W. Randolph, Duane R. Condon, Thomas L. Kendall, Larry D. Brown, Dennis L. Hart
  • Patent number: 7398675
    Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal recess cooperating with a test slide to block flow through the fitting. An externally accessible port allows insertion and removal of the test slide. The test slide has an internal recess in which a pressure release slide moves to open a hole to release pressure, and to close the hole to block flow through the fitting for pressure testing. After testing and the release of the fluid test pressure, the test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess. The finish slide has an opening located and configured to coincide with the flow path through the male ends of the pipes, and to block the recess to provide a substantially uniform, cylindrical flow path through the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg P. Metzger, Fred O. Enstrom, Scott W. Randolph, Duane R. Condon, Thomas L. Kendall, Larry D. Brown, Dennis L. Hart
  • Patent number: 6997041
    Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal recess cooperating with a test slide to block flow through the fitting. An externally accessible port allows insertion and removal of the test slide. The test slide has an internal recess in which a pressure release slide moves to open a hole to release pressure, and to close the hole to block flow through the fitting for pressure testing. After testing and the release of the fluid test pressure, the test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess. The finish slide has an opening located and configured to coincide with the flow path through the male ends of the pipes, and to block the recess to provide a substantially uniform, cylindrical flow path through the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg P. Metzger, Fred O. Enstrom, Scott W. Randolph, Duane R. Condon, Thomas L. Kendall, Larry D. Brown, Dennis L. Hart
  • Patent number: 6655413
    Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal boss extending around a circumference of the flow path and extending radially inward toward the centerline a distance corresponding to the wall thickness of the mating male ends of the pipes so the pipes and boss define a periphery of the flow path through the fitting. A recess is formed in the boss to sequentially receive two slides. An externally accessible port allows a test slide to be inserted into the recess, with the test slide sealing against the walls defining the recess to form a fluid-tight seal for pressure testing the line. The test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane R. Condon, Thomas L. Kendall, Larry D. Brown, Scott W. Randolph, Dennis L. Hart
  • Publication number: 20020148521
    Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal boss extending around a circumference of the flow path and extending radially inward toward the centerline a distance corresponding to the wall thickness of the mating male ends of the pipes so the pipes and boss define a periphery of the flow path through the fitting. A recess is formed in the boss to sequentially receive two slides. An externally accessible port allows a test slide to be inserted into the recess, with the test slide sealing against the walls defining the recess to form a fluid-tight seal for pressure testing the line. The test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Duane R. Condon, Thomas L. Kendall, Larry D. Brown, Scott W. Randolph, Dennis L. Hart
  • Patent number: 6375128
    Abstract: An elongated strap has a plurality of openings sized to hold plumbing pipes extending through the openings. The openings have a periphery that undulates so the periphery extends on opposing sides of the strap to increase the periphery in contact with the pipe along the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The undulations are preferably formed by flutes having an enlarged end opening onto the periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane R. Condon, Thomas L. Kendall
  • Patent number: 4244022
    Abstract: A solid state control system for large-scale irrigation is disclosed. The system incorporates a central processing unit having a master clock and a central/syringe timing module system connected to a plurality of satellite controllers which are, in turn, connected to control irrigation solenoid valves. The satellites are operable on an individual basis from internal clocks and data or externally in response to multiplexed signals from the central processing unit generated by the comparison of the master clock to unique individually identified groups of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Kendall
  • Patent number: 4189776
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a simplified solid state controller for use in controlling automatic irrigation systems. The operator input panel provides no means for the inputting of numerical irrigation information such as station start times and station run times. Rather, the input panel provides switch means whereby the operator can initiate a number of parameterization logic sequences wherein the current information data in memory is displayed to the operator. Through the input panel, the operator can cause the information displayed to be advanced to a new desired value on a step-by-step basis. Upon the displayed value being equal to the value desired as the new value by the operator, the operator signals to the logic of the controller through the input panel and the current value is updated to the presently displayed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Kendall
  • Patent number: 4165532
    Abstract: A solid state controller for an automatic irrigation sprinkler system is disclosed. Irrigation information is maintained in and acted upon by solid state logic and control circuit means. Initialization and re-parameterization of the irrigation information is accomplished with a keyboard input in conjunction with an alphanumeric display system indicating time of day, day of week, station number, run time associated with each station, and program type associated with each day of the week. A dual power supply is included being run normally from a commercial AC source to provide the proper voltage levels for both the logic and control circuitry and the sprinkler system station valves. Additionally, battery backup is provided. In the event of loss of AC power, the controller uses the battery to maintain only the real-time clock, turning off all other functions to conserve energy. Upon the resumption of AC power, normal operation is continued without loss of time continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Kendall, Leo G. Downing, James A. Ray