Patents by Inventor William L. Hillis

William L. Hillis 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: 6408885
    Abstract: A gas valve assembly for use with a gas grill includes a t-shaped manifold with an inlet fluid port that branches out into a pair of valve ports. A pair of gas valves each have an outwardly extending neck that is received within the valve ports of the manifold. A stop means locates the valves a predetermined distance from one another to improve manufacturability. An anti-rotation means minimizes rotation between each valve and the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Lincoln Brass Works, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Hillis
  • Publication number: 20010010234
    Abstract: A gas valve assembly for use with a gas grill includes a t-shaped manifold with an inlet fluid port that branches out into a pair of valve ports. A pair of gas valves each have an outwardly extending neck that is received within the valve ports of the manifold. A stop means locates the valves a predetermined distance from one another to improve manufacturability. An anti-rotation means minimizes rotation between each valve and the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventor: William L. Hillis
  • Patent number: 6199589
    Abstract: A gas manifold assembly is disclosed which includes a manifold fitting connected to at least one gas valve. The manifold has an inlet fluid port which branches out into a delivery port. Each delivery port receives a protrusion from each valve which is in turn crimped together to form a collar. A stop offsets the valves from one another to improve manufacturability. One aspect of the invention includes flattening a portion of the protrusion that extends from the valve body in order to engage the fitting which creates an anti-rotation feature once the fitting is crimped. Another aspect of the invention provides seals between the fitting and the valve to increase joint integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Lincoln Brass Works, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Hillis
  • Patent number: 5836296
    Abstract: A gas range includes a gas distribution system which utilizes a gas manifold that includes a single gas inlet chamber. Communication between the gas inlet chamber and each of the burners is controlled by a respective valve assembly mounted in the gas inlet chamber. One of the valve assemblies is thermostatically controlled in response to a sensed temperature. The length of the gas manifold can be dictated by the spacing of the individual valve assemblies or it can be dictated by the spacing of the burners. The gas distribution system provides additional flexibility to the range designer while reducing costs by eliminating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lincoln Brass Works, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Hillis, Garry Wayne Woods, Gary E. Berry, William J. Ferlin
  • Patent number: 5829425
    Abstract: A gas range includes a gas distribution system which incorporates a multi-chambered gas manifold. The gas manifold includes a single gas inlet chamber and a plurality of gas outlet chambers. Communication between the gas inlet chamber and each gas outlet chamber is controlled by a respective rotating disc element which controls the flow of gas between the two chambers. The length of the gas manifold can be dictated by the spacing of the individual disc elements or it can be dictated by the spacing of the burners. The gas distribution system provides additional flexibility to the range designer while reducing costs by eliminating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Lincoln Brass Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry Wayne Woods, William L. Hillis, William J. Ferlin, Anthony W. Simpson