Patents by Inventor Tracy Sue

Tracy Sue 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: 12072054
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping plug for use in a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, having: a wedge cone; a first plurality of discrete gripping devices slidably engaged with the wedge cone; a second plurality of discrete gripping devices slidably engaged with the wedge cone; a first plurality of studs connected to each of the first plurality of discrete gripping devices, where each of the first plurality of studs define a first stud length; and a second plurality of studs connected to each of the second plurality of discrete gripping devices, wherein each of the second plurality of studs define a second stud length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: USA Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Casey Sue, Armando Garza, Jr., John Rey De Leon, Richard Sallee, Austin Cornelius, Tracy Sue
  • Patent number: 11408549
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, the apparatus having at least one discrete gripping device mounted on a body, wherein the body is a wedge cone; an outer surface on each of the at least one discrete gripping device, wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point; a coating on the outer surface; a collective actuation-retraction mechanism connected to the wedge cone and to each of the at least one discrete gripping device; and a collective extension-retractable mechanism connected to each of at least one discrete gripping device. The disclosure further relates to an alternative exemplary embodiment wherein the gripping apparatus further includes a spring, wherein the spring pre-biases each of the at least one discrete gripping device beyond the inside radius of the pipe to instantly grip the inside radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: USA Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Patent number: 11391404
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, having: a body of the gripping apparatus; a wedge cone mounted on the body; at least one discrete gripping device slidably engaged with the wedge cone; and an actuation-retraction mechanism configured to actuate the at least one discrete gripping device. The actuation-retraction mechanism of the gripping apparatus may be a collective actuation-retraction mechanism in an exemplary embodiment. In further disclosed alternative exemplary embodiments, the actuation-retraction mechanism of the gripping apparatus may be a plurality of individual actuation-retraction mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: USA Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Publication number: 20220170581
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping plug for use in a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, having: a wedge cone; a first plurality of discrete gripping devices slidably engaged with the wedge cone; a second plurality of discrete gripping devices slidably engaged with the wedge cone; a first plurality of studs connected to each of the first plurality of discrete gripping devices, where each of the first plurality of studs define a first stud length; and a second plurality of studs connected to each of the second plurality of discrete gripping devices, wherein each of the second plurality of studs define a second stud length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Casey Sue, Armando Garza, JR., John Rey De Leon, Richard Sallee, Austin Cornelius, Tracy Sue
  • Publication number: 20210095809
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, having: a body of the gripping apparatus; a wedge cone mounted on the body; at least one discrete gripping device slidably engaged with the wedge cone; and an actuation-retraction mechanism configured to actuate the at least one discrete gripping device. The actuation-retraction mechanism of the gripping apparatus may be a collective actuation-retraction mechanism in an exemplary embodiment. In further disclosed alternative exemplary embodiments, the actuation-retraction mechanism of the gripping apparatus may be a plurality of individual actuation-retraction mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Publication number: 20200378541
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, the apparatus having at least one discrete gripping device mounted on a body, wherein the body is a wedge cone; an outer surface on each of the at least one discrete gripping device, wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point; a coating on the outer surface; a collective actuation-retraction mechanism connected to the wedge cone and to each of the at least one discrete gripping device; and a collective extension-retractable mechanism connected to each of at least one discrete gripping device. The disclosure further relates to an alternative exemplary embodiment wherein the gripping apparatus further includes a spring, wherein the spring pre-biases each of the at least one discrete gripping device beyond the inside radius of the pipe to instantly grip the inside radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Patent number: 10746339
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, the apparatus having at least one discrete gripping device mounted on a body, wherein the body is a wedge cone; an outer surface on each of the at least one discrete gripping device, wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point; a collective actuation-retraction mechanism connected to the wedge cone and to each of the at least one discrete gripping device; and a collective extension-retractable mechanism connected to each of at least one discrete gripping device. The disclosure further relates to an alternative exemplary embodiment wherein the gripping apparatus further includes a spring, wherein the spring pre-biases each of the at least one discrete gripping device beyond the inside radius of the pipe to instantly grip the inside radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: USA Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Publication number: 20180119866
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping apparatus, for use in connecting to a pipe wherein the pipe defines an inside radius, the apparatus having at least one discrete gripping device mounted on a body, wherein the body is a wedge cone; an outer surface on each of the at least one discrete gripping device, wherein the outer surface has a transition surface defined by a means for reducing any sharp transition point; a collective actuation-retraction mechanism connected to the wedge cone and to each of the at least one discrete gripping device; and a collective extension-retractable mechanism connected to each of at least one discrete gripping device. The disclosure further relates to an alternative exemplary embodiment wherein the gripping apparatus further includes a spring, wherein the spring pre-biases each of the at least one discrete gripping device beyond the inside radius of the pipe to instantly grip the inside radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Patent number: 9927058
    Abstract: A gripping apparatus for use in gripping a pipe, for holding forces, or restraining relative movement. The pipe defines an inside radius. The gripping apparatus has an outer surface where the outer surface defines a transition surface or a curve. In certain embodiments the transition surface or curve has a radius less than or equal to the inside radius of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: USA Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Patent number: 9810364
    Abstract: A gripping apparatus for use in gripping a pipe, for holding forces, or restraining relative movement. The pipe defines an inside radius. The gripping apparatus has an outer surface where the outer surface defines a transition surface or a curve. In certain embodiments the transition surface or curve has a radius less than or equal to the inside radius of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: USA Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Publication number: 20170152985
    Abstract: A gripping apparatus for use in gripping a pipe, for holding forces, or restraining relative movement. The pipe defines an inside radius. The gripping apparatus has an outer surface where the outer surface defines a transition surface or a curve. In certain embodiments the transition surface or curve has a radius less than or equal to the inside radius of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Publication number: 20170146177
    Abstract: A gripping apparatus for use in gripping a pipe, for holding forces, or restraining relative movement. The pipe defines an inside radius. The gripping apparatus has an outer surface where the outer surface defines a transition surface or a curve. In certain embodiments the transition surface or curve has a radius less than or equal to the inside radius of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue, Richard Sallee
  • Patent number: 9546889
    Abstract: A blind rack for storing a plurality of blinds has a support frame including a horizontal frame. A plurality of load bearing arms are connected to the horizontal frame, and the plurality of blinds to be stored on the blind rack are indexable with respect to the horizontal frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: USA Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue
  • Publication number: 20150305498
    Abstract: A blind rack for storing a plurality of blinds has a support frame including a horizontal frame. A plurality of load bearing arms are connected to the horizontal frame, and the plurality of blinds to be stored on the blind rack are indexable with respect to the horizontal frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Tracy Sue, Casey Sue