Patents by Inventor William W. Holmes, IV

William W. Holmes, IV 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).

  • Publication number: 20110285093
    Abstract: A conduit coupling system, sealing device, bell and method of use are disclosed herein. The system comprises at least two piping components, and a sealing device. A first component has a bell and a second component has a spigot, the spigot is adapted to mate with the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first component. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell. The sealing device comprises a locking segment comprising a convex outer surface and a K-type gasket coupled to a locking segment or a non-restraining anti-extrusion segment. The sealing device is adapted to fit between the bell and the spigot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, William H. Owen
  • Publication number: 20110209775
    Abstract: A method of use of a conduit coupling system, sealing device, and bell are disclosed herein. The method comprises positioning a sealing device inside a bell coupled to one end of a first conduit, inserting a spigot of a second conduit through the sealing device inside the bell, wherein the sealing device is adapted to move axially within the bell in the direction of the insertion of the spigot and in a radial direction from a centerline of the conduit, and partially removing the spigot from the bell, wherein a segment of the sealing device engages the outer surface of the spigot end as the spigot end is partially removed from the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first conduit. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: MUELLER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, William H. Owen
  • Publication number: 20110084478
    Abstract: A conduit coupling system, sealing device, bell and method of use are disclosed herein. The system comprises at least two piping components, and a sealing device. A first component has a bell and a second component has a spigot, the spigot is adapted to mate with the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first component. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell. The sealing device comprises a locking segment comprising a convex outer surface and a K-type gasket coupled to a locking segment or a non-restraining anti-extrusion segment. The sealing device is adapted to fit between the bell and the spigot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, William H. Owen
  • Patent number: 7207606
    Abstract: A mechanical pipe joint, restraining gasket, and method for restraining pipe spigots within adjacent bell sockets. The restraining gasket is composed of two axially-separate components: a sealing portion and a restraining portion made of a plurality of arcuate locking members. The restraining gasket and a gland surround an outer surface of the pipe spigot. The mechanical pipe joint is formed as the pipe spigot is inserted into the bell socket and the gland is axially attached to the bell socket so that the restraining gasket is held between: the gland, an inner surface of the bell socket, and the outer surface of the pipe spigot, so as to provide a fluid seal in the joint and urge the locking members into contact with the outer surface of the pipe spigot, axially restraining the pipe spigot within the bell socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC
    Inventors: William H. Owen, William W. Holmes, IV, Daniel A. Copeland
  • Patent number: 7108289
    Abstract: A gasket for connecting two lengths of pipe in a standard mechanical joint is disclosed, which gasket maximizes the advantages of both restrained push-on joints as well as mechanical joints, as are known commonly in the art. The invention has application to long-run pipe lengths as well as appurtenances, including fittings and connections. The gasket contains locking members that act to restrain separation upon the instance of any force tending to separate the connected pipe lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, Daniel A. Copeland
  • Patent number: 7093863
    Abstract: A gasket for connecting two lengths of pipe in a standard mechanical joint, which gasket maximizes the advantages of both restrained push-on joints as well as mechanical joints, as are known commonly in the art. The invention has application to long-run pipe lengths as well as appurtenances, including fittings and connections. The gasket contains locking members that act to restrain separation upon the instance of any force tending to separate the connected pipe lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, Daniel A. Copeland
  • Patent number: 6688652
    Abstract: A locking segment for use in connecting two lengths of pipe has a radically extending heel that serves as a rotational brake. By mating the brake into an annular trough, that is, by placing it between two walls, the rotation of the segment can continue only until points on the brake mure between the two walls. Rotation of the segment in response to increasing thrust pressures can thereby be arrested before the rotation causes the segment to bear on the spigot with a radically inward force great enough to penetrate the spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: U.S. Pipe and Foundry Company
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, Daniel A. Copeland
  • Patent number: 6502867
    Abstract: A flanged-pipe fitting for joining the plain ends of pipe is described. The fitting comprises a tubular body having an interior cylindrical chamber with a first and second openings, an annular ridge located between the first and second openings, an annular recess for receiving a first sealing gasket and an annular flanged portion having a notch for receiving a second sealing gasket. The flanged-pipe fitting is used in conjunction with a gland fitting to join the two ends of the pipe together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: United States Pipe & Foundry
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, Daniel A. Copeland