Patents by Inventor William T. Ball

William T. Ball 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: 11299874
    Abstract: Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20220090366
    Abstract: A device used to conceal at least a portion of a wastewater strainer associated with a bathtub. More specifically, a plate having an opening therethrough is used to overlap a flange of the wastewater strainer wherein the opening in the plate generally coincides with an opening in the wastewater strainer so that the bathtub drain is unobstructed. The plate may include a downwardly extending lip to help facilitate orientation onto the flange of the wastewater strainer. The plate conceals the wastewater strainer, thereby facilitating reconfiguration of a bathtub as the existing wastewater strainer need not be removed and the plumbing system retested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 11280074
    Abstract: A wastewater drain assembly includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11220810
    Abstract: A device used to conceal at least a portion of a wastewater strainer associated with a bathtub. More specifically, a plate having an opening therethrough is used to overlap a flange of the wastewater strainer wherein the opening in the plate generally coincides with an opening in the wastewater strainer so that the bathtub drain is unobstructed. The plate may include a downwardly extending lip to help facilitate orientation onto the flange of the wastewater strainer. The plate conceals the wastewater strainer, thereby facilitating reconfiguration of a bathtub as the existing wastewater strainer need not be removed and the plumbing system retested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Publication number: 20210404575
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a pulse control to a ball valve to reduce the amount of torque required to adjust the position of the ball valve. In an aspect, the technology relates to a method for reducing resistance of a ball valve. The method includes generating a pulse having a duration and a polarity; providing the pulse to an actuator configured to rotate a ball of the ball valve; and rotating, by the actuator, the ball of the ball valve by an amount based on the duration of the pulse and a direction based on the polarity of the pulse, wherein the ball valve does not change state after rotation of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Young, William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 11180908
    Abstract: An overflow assembly for a bathtub includes an elbow having a first threaded section and a retainer nut having a second corresponding threaded section. The retainer nut is configured to threadably mount onto the elbow. The overflow assembly further includes an overflow cover including at least one overflow opening and at least one vent opening defined therein. The overflow cover is configured to engage with the retainer nut and substantially cover the first threaded section and the retainer nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11149423
    Abstract: An overflow cover interconnection system utilizes an overflow elbow with an upper portion for insertion through an overflow drain hole in a bathtub wall; a nut, ring, or other component that fits on or around the upper portion to secure the overflow elbow in position; and an overflow cap that shields the upper portion and nut, ring, or other component from view of a user of the bathtub. The system is configured for use with bathtubs having varying wall thicknesses, without necessitating any modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20210310223
    Abstract: A double check valve is provided that includes an in-line inlet check valve and an outlet check valve that cooperate to prevent back flow of fluid through the valve. The check valve also includes at least one vent that allows for fluid trapped within the check valve to drain, thereby preventing freezing of the check valve and hydrant to which it is interconnected. The check valve provided omits many superfluous components and thus is smaller and easier to install than check valves of the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20210262234
    Abstract: A roof equipment support includes a platform, a pair of sidewalls extending from the platform, and a top wall extending between the pair of sidewalls and offset from the platform. The platform, the pair of sidewalls, and the top wall define an interior cavity that extends a length of the support from a first end to a second end. A pair of strut extensions extend above the top wall, and each of the pair of strut extension include a hook at a distal end. The pair of strut extensions and the top wall define a substantially U-shaped channel that extends at least a portion of the length of the support, and the platform, the pair of sidewalls, the top wall, and the pair of strut extensions are unitarily formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11072915
    Abstract: A double check valve is provided that includes an in-line inlet check valve and an outlet check valve that cooperate to prevent back flow of fluid through the valve. The check valve also includes at least one vent that allows for fluid trapped within the check valve to drain, thereby preventing freezing of the check valve and hydrant to which it is interconnected. The check valve provided omits many superfluous components and thus is smaller and easier to install than check valves of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20210148118
    Abstract: A roof equipment support includes a platform, a pair of sidewalls extending from the platform, and a top wall extending between the pair of sidewalls and offset from the platform. The platform, the pair of sidewalls, and the top wall define an interior cavity that extends a length of the support from a first end to a second end. A pair of strut extensions extend above the top wall, and each of the pair of strut extension include a hook at a distal end. The pair of strut extensions and the top wall define a substantially U-shaped channel that extends at least a portion of the length of the support, and the platform, the pair of sidewalls, the top wall, and the pair of strut extensions are unitarily formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20210079635
    Abstract: A wastewater drain assembly is provided that includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 10870975
    Abstract: A wastewater drain assembly is provided that includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20200355301
    Abstract: A pipe support system includes a pair of leg supports spaced apart from one another. Each of the pair of leg supports includes an elongated base and a column. The pipe support system also includes a strut coupled to each column of the pair of leg supports and at a first height above the elongated bases. A support platform coupled to each column of the pair of leg supports and at a second height above the elongated bases. The support platform defines a longitudinal axis, and the second height is different from the first height. The pipe support system further includes one or more rollers coupled to the support platform. The one or more rollers are disposed around the support platform and rotatable around the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 10815652
    Abstract: A wastewater strainer is provided that includes a strainer body that has at least one opening that enhances fluid flow through the strainer body and the wastewater plumbing to which it is interconnected. The strainer body includes a flange for engagement to the inner portion of a bathtub and a hub that is spaced from a lower edge of the strainer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 10774951
    Abstract: A pipe support system includes a base having a collar, and an extension assembly that includes a threaded member having a first end and a second end. The first end has a leg configured to be received by the collar such that the extension assembly is supported by the base, and the second end has a tube with exterior threads. The extension assembly also includes a nut member having corresponding interior threads. The pipe support system also includes a support having an arm configured to be received within the tube and a head extending from one end of the arm. The support rests on the nut member such that upon rotation of the nut member, the head either raises or lowers with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 10746323
    Abstract: A pipe support has a pair of arms. The first end of one arm has a tongue and the first end of the other arm has an elongate groove configured to slidably receive the tongue. Base plates are pivotably connected to the second ends of both arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: D899567
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: WCM INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: D899568
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: WCM INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: D921852
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk