Patents by Inventor Vickie L. Fails

Vickie L. Fails 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: 8910979
    Abstract: The pipe repair coupling includes a sleeve and two seal retainers that secure to the sleeve ends to retain corresponding seals therein. The repair coupling is installed about a damaged section of pipe without need for substantial displacement of either portion of the broken pipe or need to dress or otherwise modify the broken ends of the pipe. A seal retainer and seal are placed over each portion of the broken pipe, and the sleeve is slipped over one of the broken pipe portions. The two pipe portions are aligned with one another, and the sleeve is generally centered over the break. The two seal retainers are then locked into place on the sleeve ends by splines inserted into cooperating circumferential grooves in the sleeve ends and retainers, capturing the seals between the seal retainers and corresponding seats and distending the seals to bear against the broken pipe therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventors: Sidney T. Fails, Vickie L. Fails
  • Patent number: 8668231
    Abstract: The pipe repair coupling includes a sleeve and two seal retainers that clip to the ends of the sleeve to retain corresponding seals therein. The repair coupling is installed about a damaged section of PVC or other hard plastic pipe without the need for substantial displacement of either portion of the broken pipe or the need to dress or otherwise modify the broken ends of the pipe. A seal retainer and a seal are placed over each portion of the broken pipe, and the sleeve is slipped over one of the broken pipe portions. The two pipe portions are aligned with one another, and the sleeve is generally centered over the break. The two seal retainers are then snapped into place on the ends of the sleeve, capturing the seals between the seal retainers and corresponding seats and distending the seals to bear against the broken pipe therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: Sidney T. Fails, Vickie L. Fails
  • Patent number: 7546852
    Abstract: The flexible insert for tubing includes an insert for water service tubing or the like that prevents the formation of stress cracks on the tubing when using a compression fitting. The insert is formed, at least in part, from an elongated, resilient, helical coil having opposed first and second ends. In one embodiment, the coil terminates in an enlarged turn or loop at one end of the coil that serves to retain the coil in the tubing. In another embodiment, the coil is butt welded to one end of a short, rigid sleeve having an annular flange at the opposite end. The insert also includes an O-ring and a compression nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventors: Sidney T. Fails, Vickie L. Fails
  • Patent number: 7152631
    Abstract: The pipe repair tool provides for repairing a damaged section of a pipeline. The repair tool comprises a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface. A compressible alignment portion is positioned above the main body. A compression plate is positioned above the alignment portion. An elongate rod extends through the center of the main body, the alignment portion and the compression plate. A fastener is secured to the top end of the compression rod and a rotatable fastener is secured to the bottom end of the rod. The repair tool is inserted into an open end of a cut pipe so that the top surface of the main body aligns with the open end of the pipe. The alignment portion is then compressed by rotating the rotatable fastener to secure the pipe repair tool inside of the cut pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventors: Sidney T. Fails, Vickie L. Fails
  • Patent number: 7007719
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pipe tool for repairing a damaged section of a pipeline. The repair tool comprises a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface. A compressible alignment portion is positioned above the main body. A compression plate is positioned above the alignment portion. An elongate rod extends through the center of the main body, the alignment portion and the compression plate. A fastener is secured to the top end of the compression rod and a rotatable fastener is secured to the bottom end of the rod. The repair tool is inserted into an open end of a cut pipe so that the top surface of the main body aligns with the open end of the pipe. The alignment portion is then compressed by rotating the rotatable fastener to secure the pipe repair tool inside of the cut pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventors: Sidney T. Fails, Vickie L. Fails