Patents by Inventor Tod Minato

Tod Minato 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: 11255451
    Abstract: A gas shut-off valve assembly designed to automatically close gas flow in a gas conduit in response to a seismic vibration comprises a door which may be parallel to a port in the conduit and a weight above the door. In some embodiments, the door may be mostly out of the conduit passageway and out of the gas flow allowing for improved gas flow efficiency in the normally open state. Upon sensing a seismic vibration, the weight falls from a platform onto the door causing the door to move into the conduit passageway sealing the passageway. In some embodiments, a port in the passageway is perpendicular to the door's default position in the open state. When the door closes the passageway, the door rotates ninety degrees about an axis into the second closed position to become parallel with the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: VANCE. LP
    Inventors: Tod Minato, Ezra Kent, Rafael Quintana
  • Publication number: 20200208751
    Abstract: A gas shut-off valve assembly designed to automatically close gas flow in a gas conduit in response to a seismic vibration comprises a door which may be parallel to a port in the conduit and a weight above the door. In some embodiments, the door may be mostly out of the conduit passageway and out of the gas flow allowing for improved gas flow efficiency in the normally open state. Upon sensing a seismic vibration, the weight falls from a platform onto the door causing the door to move into the conduit passageway sealing the passageway. In some embodiments, a port in the passageway is perpendicular to the door's default position in the open state. When the door closes the passageway, the door rotates ninety degrees about an axis into the second closed position to become parallel with the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Tod Minato, Ezra Kent, Rafael Quintana
  • Patent number: 9080680
    Abstract: A gas shut-off valve assembly designed to automatically close gas flow in a gas conduit in response to a seismic vibration comprises a trigger mechanism disposed in a trigger mechanism housing, a springless sealing mechanism disposed in a valve housing, a latching mechanism configured to engage the springless sealing mechanism to keep the gas conduit open, and a pressure release valve. Upon sensing a seismic vibration, the trigger mechanism disengages the springless sealing mechanism from the latching mechanism. Simultaneously, the springless sealing mechanism swings down and rotates around an axis by gravitational force to close off gas flow in the conduit. To reopen gas flow, the pressure release valve is actuated to relieve accumulated gas pressure inside the valve housing and the springless sealing mechanism is manually reset to its original open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Little Firefighter Corporation
    Inventors: Tod Minato, Ezra Kent, Rafael Quintana
  • Publication number: 20140238493
    Abstract: A gas shut-off valve assembly designed to automatically close gas flow in a gas conduit in response to a seismic vibration comprises a trigger mechanism disposed in a trigger mechanism housing, a springless sealing mechanism disposed in a valve housing, a latching mechanism configured to engage the springless sealing mechanism to keep the gas conduit open, and a pressure release valve. Upon sensing a seismic vibration, the trigger mechanism disengages the springless sealing mechanism from the latching mechanism. Simultaneously, the springless sealing mechanism swings down and rotates around an axis by gravitational force to close off gas flow in the conduit. To reopen gas flow, the pressure release valve is actuated to relieve accumulated gas pressure inside the valve housing and the springless sealing mechanism is manually reset to its original open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Little Firefighter Corporation
    Inventors: Tod Minato, Ezra Kent, Rafael Quintana