Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Garrison

Timothy M. Garrison 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: 11745999
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle has a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path, and a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve. The nozzle also includes a suction generator configured to apply a suction force in the suction path at a suction location. The suction path includes an expansion chamber located upstream of the suction location with respect to a direction of flow in the suction path. A bottom surface of the expansion chamber and a bottom surface of a portion of the suction path positioned immediately upstream of the expansion chamber are generally aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 11673793
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle system including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein and a fluid valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the fluid valve, and a spout coupled to the nozzle body, the spout having a cavity to allow fluid flowing through the fluid path to pass through the spout. The spout includes a first segment having a first cross sectional area at at least a portion thereof and a second segment having a second cross sectional area at at least a portion thereof that is different than the first cross sectional area. The first segment has transition portion which transitions along a length thereof from the first cross sectional area at one end thereof to the second cross sectional area at a second opposite end thereof, wherein the first segment is made of a separate piece of material than the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 11554949
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein and a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve, a spout shell coupled to the nozzle body, and a fluid tube at least partially positioned in the spout shell and in fluid communication with or at least partially defining the fluid path. The nozzle further has a spacer at least partially positioned in the spout shell, a spout tip at least partially positioned in the spout shell, and a seal positioned between the spout tip and the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: OPW Fueling Components Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 11235966
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in at least part of the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device including a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path and configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device moves to a closed configuration to prevent the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction path includes a terminal portion in fluid communication with the suction chamber, and the terminal portion has a cross sectional area of at least about 0.015 square inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Publication number: 20200354213
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle has a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path, and a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve. The nozzle also includes a suction generator configured to apply a suction force in the suction path at a suction location. The suction path includes an expansion chamber located upstream of the suction location with respect to a direction of flow in the suction path. A bottom surface of the expansion chamber and a bottom surface of a portion of the suction path positioned immediately upstream of the expansion chamber are generally aligned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: OPW Fueling Components, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Publication number: 20200354212
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein and a valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the valve, a spout shell coupled to the nozzle body, and a fluid tube at least partially positioned in the spout shell and in fluid communication with or at least partially defining the fluid path. The nozzle further has a spacer at least partially positioned in the spout shell, a spout tip at least partially positioned in the spout shell, and a seal positioned between the spout tip and the spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: OPW Fueling Components, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Publication number: 20200317501
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in at least part of the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device including a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path and configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device moves to a closed configuration to prevent the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction path includes a terminal portion in fluid communication with the suction chamber, and the terminal portion has a cross sectional area of at least about 0.015 square inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: OPW Fueling Components, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Publication number: 20200277182
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle system including a nozzle body having a fluid path therein and a fluid valve positioned in the fluid path and configured to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a manually operable actuator operatively connectable to the fluid valve, and a spout coupled to the nozzle body, the spout having a cavity to allow fluid flowing through the fluid path to pass through the spout. The spout includes a first segment having a first cross sectional area at at least a portion thereof and a second segment having a second cross sectional area at at least a portion thereof that is different than the first cross sectional area. The first segment has transition portion which transitions along a length thereof from the first cross sectional area at one end thereof to the second cross sectional area at a second opposite end thereof, wherein the first segment is made of a separate piece of material than the second segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: OPW Fueling Components LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 10669149
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device having a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path. The shut-off device is configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device prevents the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction chamber includes a lip extending around a perimeter thereof. An opening is formed in or extends through the lip, the opening providing fluid communication between the suction chamber and the suction path to enable liquid to flow from the suction chamber to the suction path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 10273137
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a spout and fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The nozzle includes an actuator configured to detect when the spout is sufficiently inserted into a fluid receptacle, and a shut-off device configured to selectively terminate or prevent fluid dispensing operations through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes an interlock operatively coupling the actuator to the shut-off device. The interlock includes a slider that is operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivotable arm that is operatively coupled to the shut-off device, and the slider is slidable along the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, John M. Gray, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Patent number: 10081532
    Abstract: A nozzle system including a nozzle body having a fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The system includes a fluid valve positioned in the fluid path and movable between a first position and a second position, and a manually operable lever operatively coupleable to the fluid valve and movable between a first position and a second position. The system further has a biasing mechanism configured to apply a force biasing at least one of the valve or the lever to one of the associated first or second positions, and a magnetic assist system configured to apply a magnetic force opposing the biasing force applied by the biasing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber
  • Publication number: 20180037452
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing nozzle including a nozzle body having a fluid path and a suction path therein. The nozzle includes a suction generator configured to generate a suction force in the suction path when fluid to be dispensed flows through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes a shut-off device having a suction chamber fluidly coupled to the suction path. The shut-off device is configured such that when the suction path is blocked during fluid dispensing the shut-off device prevents the nozzle from dispensing fluid through the fluid path. The suction chamber includes a lip extending around a perimeter thereof. An opening is formed in or extends through the lip, the opening providing fluid communication between the suction chamber and the suction path to enable liquid to flow from the suction chamber to the suction path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: OPW Fueling Components Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Publication number: 20180029872
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a spout and fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The nozzle includes an actuator configured to detect when the spout is sufficiently inserted into a fluid receptacle, and a shut-off device configured to selectively terminate or prevent fluid dispensing operations through the fluid path. The nozzle further includes an interlock operatively coupling the actuator to the shut-off device. The interlock includes a slider that is operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivotable arm that is operatively coupled to the shut-off device, and the slider is slidable along the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: OPW Fueling Components Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, John M. Gray, Brenton T. Hershner
  • Publication number: 20170240416
    Abstract: A nozzle system including a nozzle body having a fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is flowable. The system includes a fluid valve positioned in the fluid path and movable between a first position and a second position, and a manually operable lever operatively coupleable to the fluid valve and movable between a first position and a second position. The system further has a biasing mechanism configured to apply a force biasing at least one of the valve or the lever to one of the associated first or second positions, and a magnetic assist system configured to apply a magnetic force opposing the biasing force applied by the biasing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: OPW Fueling Components Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber
  • Patent number: 9260286
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is configured to flow. The nozzle includes a main fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control the flow of fluid therethrough, and a secondary fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control the flow of fluid therethrough. The secondary fluid valve includes a secondary valve body and a secondary valve seat, the secondary valve body being movable between a closed position, wherein the secondary valve body sealingly engages the secondary valve seat, and an open position wherein the secondary valve body is spaced away from the secondary valve seat. The nozzle further includes an actuator operatively coupled to the main and secondary fluid valves. The actuator and main and secondary fluid valves are configured such that initial actuation of the actuator opens only the secondary fluid valve and not the main fluid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS INC.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber, James E. Kesterman, Harold M. Schubert
  • Patent number: 9126820
    Abstract: A nozzle including a dispensing path, where the dispensing path is configured such that fluid is dispensable through the dispensing path. The nozzle further includes a suction path, where the suction path is configured such that a negative pressure is created in the suction path when fluid flows through the dispensing path. The nozzle also has a fluid recapture path configured to capture fluid, positioned on an outside of the nozzle, in the recapture path. The fluid recapture path is in fluid communication with the dispensing path and the suction path. In this manner fluid in the fluid recapture path is directable into the dispensing path by the negative pressure in the suction path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS INC.
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber, Harold M. Schubert
  • Publication number: 20140224838
    Abstract: A nozzle including a dispensing path configured such that fluid is dispensable therethrough. The nozzle further includes a suction path configured such that a negative pressure is created therein when fluid flows through the dispensing path. The nozzle has a fluid recapture path configured to capture therein fluid positioned on an outside of the nozzle. The fluid recapture path is in fluid communication with the dispensing path and the suction path such that fluid in the fluid recapture path is directable into the dispensing path by the negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gray, Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber, Harold M. Schubert
  • Publication number: 20140096868
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path through which fluid to be dispensed is configured to flow. The nozzle includes a main fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control the flow of fluid therethrough, and a secondary fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control the flow of fluid therethrough. The secondary fluid valve includes a secondary valve body and a secondary valve seat, the secondary valve body being movable between a closed position, wherein the secondary valve body sealingly engages the secondary valve seat, and an open position wherein the secondary valve body is spaced away from the secondary valve seat. The nozzle further includes an actuator operatively coupled to the main and secondary fluid valves. The actuator and main and secondary fluid valves are configured such that initial actuation of the actuator opens only the secondary fluid valve and not the main fluid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber, James E. Kesterman, Harold M. Schubert
  • Patent number: 8631837
    Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path which is configured to receive fluid therein and a vapor path which is configured to receive vapor therein. The nozzle further includes a main fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control a flow of fluid therethrough, the main fluid valve including a main fluid valve spring configured to bias the main fluid valve to one of its open or closed positions. The nozzle further has a main vapor valve positioned in the vapor path to control a flow of vapor therethrough. The main vapor valve includes a main vapor valve spring configured to bias the main vapor valve to one of its open or closed positions. At least part of the main fluid valve spring or the main vapor valve spring is positioned within the other one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: OPW Fueling Components Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Lauber, James E. Kesterman, Timothy M. Garrison, Harold M. Schubert
  • Patent number: 8528609
    Abstract: A nozzle system including a nozzle body configured to dispense fuel through a fuel path thereof into a vehicle tank. The nozzle body includes a vapor path configured such that vapor recovered from the vehicle tank during refueling is passable therethrough. The nozzle system further includes a main vapor valve positioned in the vapor path and configured to selectively block the vapor path. The main vapor valve is movable to a position wherein the main vapor valve does not block the vapor path. The nozzle system further includes a relief valve in fluid communication with the vapor path. The relief valve is configured to open to allow ambient air to enter into the vapor path when sufficiently low pressure is present in the vapor path, and the relief valve is generally aligned with the main vapor valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Garrison, Matthew R. Lauber, Harold M. Schubert