Patents by Inventor William V. Shaffer

William V. Shaffer 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: 8820801
    Abstract: A coupling for multi-wall, corrugated pipe, the pipe including a corrugated wall having a plurality of primary corrugations, is disclosed. The coupling includes a first pipe section having disposed at one end a bell portion, the bell portion having a bell portion of corrugated wall and an outer wall; a second pipe section having disposed at one end a spigot portion, the spigot portion having a spigot portion of corrugated wall between an inner wall and an outer wall; and a gasket disposed in a groove extending around a circumference of the spigot portion and engaged between the bell portion of corrugated wall and the spigot portion of corrugated wall. A multi-wall, corrugated pipe section, and method for assembling a plurality of multi-wall, corrugated pipe sections, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Drainage System, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald S. Sutton, William V. Shaffer, James B. Goddard, John M. Kurdziel, David J. Kelley, Jeffrey J. Biesenberger
  • Patent number: 8820800
    Abstract: A coupling for multi-wall, corrugated pipe, the pipe including a corrugated wall having a plurality of primary corrugations, is disclosed. The coupling includes a first pipe section having disposed at one end a bell portion, the bell portion having a portion of the corrugated wall and an outer wall; a second pipe section having disposed at one end a spigot portion, the spigot portion having a portion of the corrugated wall between an inner wall and an outer wall; and a gasket engaged between the corrugated wall of the bell portion and the outer wall of the spigot portion. A multi-wall, corrugated pipe section, and method for assembling a plurality of multi-wall, corrugated pipe sections, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald S. Sutton, William V. Shaffer, James B. Goddard, John M. Kurdziel, David J. Kelley, Jeffrey J. Biesenberger
  • Patent number: 8002497
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler is disclosed for interconnecting leaching chambers to create a serpentine pathway for a leaching field. A coupler can connect a first leaching chamber and a second leaching chamber. The coupler can comprise a mating feature and an adjustment feature. The mating feature can be used to mate the coupler between the first leaching chamber and the second leaching chamber. The mating feature can include a swivel connector matable to an end of one of the chambers. The adjustment feature can adjust the angle between the first chamber and the second chamber between a range of angles. The adjustment feature can include a swivel connector. The range of angles can be particularly chosen to be about 45°. More particularly, the range of angles can be about 22.5° in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: PSA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Terrance H. Gray, William V. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7988438
    Abstract: An extrusion die configured to have an interior chamber sealed from the atmosphere is disclosed. The extrusion die includes an extrusion die head disposed at a downstream end of the interior chamber; and a vacuum seal disposed at an upstream end of the interior chamber; wherein the vacuum seal is configured to selectively form a seal between the extrusion die and a product disposed in the interior chamber. The vacuum seal includes an annular sealing surface disposed at an inner diameter of the vacuum seal; a hollow, interior chamber; and a plurality of bellows disposed between the annular sealing surface and the extrusion die; wherein the vacuum seal is configured to selectively form a seal between the extrusion die and a product disposed in the interior chamber. A method of selectively sealing an end of an extrusion die is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald S. Sutton, William V. Shaffer, Randall A. Kolbet
  • Publication number: 20090200694
    Abstract: An extrusion die configured to have an interior chamber sealed from the atmosphere is disclosed. The extrusion die includes an extrusion die head disposed at a downstream end of the interior chamber; and a vacuum seal disposed at an upstream end of the interior chamber; wherein the vacuum seal is configured to selectively form a seal between the extrusion die and a product disposed in the interior chamber. The vacuum seal includes an annular sealing surface disposed at an inner diameter of the vacuum seal; a hollow, interior chamber; and a plurality of bellows disposed between the annular sealing surface and the extrusion die; wherein the vacuum seal is configured to selectively form a seal between the extrusion die and a product disposed in the interior chamber. A method of selectively sealing an end of an extrusion die is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Gerald S. Sutton, William V. Shaffer, Randall A. Kolbet
  • Publication number: 20090180834
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler is disclosed for interconnecting leaching chambers to create a serpentine pathway for a leaching field. A coupler can connect a first leaching chamber and a second leaching chamber. The coupler can comprise a mating feature and an adjustment feature. The mating feature can be used to mate the coupler between the first leaching chamber and the second leaching chamber. The mating feature can include a swivel connector matable to an end of one of the chambers. The adjustment feature can adjust the angle between the first chamber and the second chamber between a range of angles. The adjustment feature can include a swivel connector. The range of angles can be particularly chosen to be about 45°. More particularly, the range of angles can be about 22.5° in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Terrance H. Gray, William V. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20090127852
    Abstract: A coupling for three-wall, corrugated pipe, the pipe including a corrugated wall having a plurality of primary corrugations, is disclosed. The coupling includes a first pipe section having disposed at one end a bell portion, the bell portion having a portion of the corrugated wall and an outer wall; a second pipe section having disposed at one end a spigot portion, the spigot portion having a portion of the corrugated wall between an inner wall and an outer wall; and a gasket engaged between the corrugated wall of the bell portion and the outer wall of the spigot portion. A three-wall, corrugated pipe section, and method for assembling a plurality of three-wall, corrugated pipe sections, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Gerald S. Sutton, William V. Shaffer, James B. Goddard, John M. Kurdziel, David J. Kelley, Jeffrey J. Biesenberger
  • Publication number: 20090127853
    Abstract: A coupling for three-wall, corrugated pipe, the pipe including a corrugated wall having a plurality of primary corrugations, is disclosed. The coupling includes a first pipe section having disposed at one end a bell portion, the bell portion having a bell portion of corrugated wall and an outer wall; a second pipe section having disposed at one end a spigot portion, the spigot portion having a spigot portion of corrugated wall between an inner wall and an outer wall; and a gasket disposed in a groove extending around a circumference of the spigot portion and engaged between the bell portion of corrugated wall and the spigot portion of corrugated wall. A three-wall, corrugated pipe section, and method for assembling a plurality of three-wall, corrugated pipe sections, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Gerald S. Sutton, William V. Shaffer, James B. Goddard, John M. Kurdziel, David J. Kelley, Jeffrey J. Biesenberger
  • Patent number: 7413382
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler is disclosed for interconnecting leaching chambers to create a serpentine pathway for a leaching field. A coupler can connect a first leaching chamber and a second leaching chamber. The coupler can comprise a mating feature and an adjustment feature. The mating feature can be used to mate the coupler between the first leaching chamber and the second leaching chamber. The mating feature can include a swivel connector matable to an end of one of the chambers. The adjustment feature can adjust the angle between the first chamber and the second chamber between a range of angles. The adjustment feature can include a swivel connector. The range of angles can be particularly chosen to be about 45°. More particularly, the range of angles can be about 22.5° in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: PSA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Terrance H. Gray, William V. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7331582
    Abstract: An annular gasket for affecting a watertight seal between two sections of corrugated pipe. The gasket comprises a seating portion dimensioned to fit within an annular recess in one of the mated sections of corrugated pipe, and a sealing portion integrally molded with the seating portion. The sealing portion includes a first shoulder portion, a second shoulder portion, and an arcuate surface extending between the first and second shoulder portions. The mass of the seating portion is less than the mass of the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William V. Shaffer, William C. Andrick
  • Patent number: 7306264
    Abstract: In a corrugated pipe comprising two sections joined by telescopically mating a male end of one section with a female end of the other section, an annular sealing element is fixed to the exterior surface of the male end and disposed to sealingly engage the interior surface of the female end. An annular band of reinforcing material is disposed around the exterior surface of the female end at a position along the longitudinal axis thereof that is in general alignment with the sealing element. The reinforcing material resists loss of sealing engagement between the female end and the sealing element during use of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Goddard, William V. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7160059
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler is disclosed for interconnecting leaching chambers to create a serpentine pathway for a leaching field. A coupler can connect a first leaching chamber and a second leaching chamber. The coupler can comprise a mating feature and an adjustment feature. The mating feature can be used to mate the coupler between the first leaching chamber and the second leaching chamber. The mating feature can include a swivel connector matable to an end of one of the chambers. The adjustment feature can adjust the angle between the first chamber and the second chamber between a range of angles. The adjustment feature can include a swivel connector. The range of angles can be particularly chosen to be about 45°. More particularly, the range of angles can be about 22.5° in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: PSA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Terrance H. Gray, William V. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6948718
    Abstract: An annular gasket for affecting a watertight seal between two sections of corrugated pipe. The gasket comprises a seating portion dimensioned to fit within an annular recess in one of the mated sections of corrugated pipe, and a sealing portion integrally molded with the seating portion. The sealing portion includes a first shoulder portion, a second shoulder portion, and an arcuate surface extending between the first and second shoulder portions. The mass of the seating portion is less than the mass of the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William V. Shaffer, William C. Andrick
  • Publication number: 20040150170
    Abstract: An annular gasket for affecting a watertight seal between two sections of corrugated pipe. The gasket comprises a seating portion dimensioned to fit within an annular recess in one of the mated sections of corrugated pipe, and a sealing portion integrally molded with the seating portion. The sealing portion includes a first shoulder portion, a second shoulder portion, and an arcuate surface extending between the first and second shoulder portions. The mass of the seating portion is less than the mass of the sealing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: William V. Shaffer, William C. Andrick
  • Publication number: 20040013469
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler is disclosed for interconnecting leaching chambers to create a serpentine pathway for a leaching field. A coupler can connect a first leaching chamber and a second leaching chamber. The coupler can comprise a mating feature and an adjustment feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: PSA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Terrance H. Gray, William V. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6592293
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler interconnects leaching chambers to create a serpentine pathway for a leaching field. The coupler can comprise a mating feature, which can be used to mate the coupler between a first leaching chamber and a second leaching chamber, and an adjustment feature, which can adjust the angle between the first chamber and the second chamber between a range of angles. Either, or both, features can include a swivel connector mateable to an end of one of the chambers. The range of angles can be particularly chosen to be about 45°. More particularly, the range of angles can be about 22.5° in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: PSA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Terrance H. Gray, William V. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20030090106
    Abstract: An in-line bell pipe is provided, formed by joining at least two corrugated sections of pipe having male and female portions to connect the corrugated sections. Each corrugated section has a plurality of first corrugations, each having a crest and a valley with the distance between the crest and valley of the first corrugations being a first distance. The male portion of each corrugated section has at least one second and one third corrugation, each second and third corrugation respectively having a distance between the crest and valley of each being a second and third distance respectively. At least one third corrugation crest has a recessed area which accomodates a sealing element retained between the recessed area and the female portion. The second and third distances each are less than the first distance. The female portion telescopically receives at least one third corrugation and at least a portion of a second corrugation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: James B. Goddard, William V. Shaffer