Patents by Inventor Willis E. Tupper

Willis E. Tupper 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: 6820649
    Abstract: The invention is a ball valve for controlling the flow of fluids between one of two inlets and an outlet. The two inlets are substantially coaxially located, permitting a single inlet point in a fuel supply vessel, yet still allowing two pickup points from within the vessel, such as for a “main” and a “reserve” source. The invention has a particular utility in fuel tanks for providing both a “main” and a “reserve” fuel source, such as for internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Willis E. Tupper
  • Patent number: 5906224
    Abstract: An improved, panel-mounted fuel reserve valve for a recreational vehicle fuel system. The valve body is molded plastic with a cruciform-symmetrical arrangement of throughbores defining the fuel inlets, the fuel outlet and a valve bore for receiving an internal valve assembly. In the illustrated embodiment the fuel inlets are coaxial, the fuel outlet and the valve bore are coaxial, and the internal valve assembly includes a ball valve element which mates with O-ring type seals associated with the fuel inlets. In a preferred form the valve includes molded hose connectors inserted in the fuel inlets, the hose connectors having valve seat portions which define retainers for the O-rings to hold them firmly and precisely against the ball valve element in the valve body. The invention is also a method for achieving the inventive valve body structure with little or no "flash" or injection leakage which would affect the valve sealing tolerances inside the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Dapco Industries
    Inventors: Willis E. Tupper, Donald Koengeter
  • Patent number: 5307770
    Abstract: A priming pump valve for use in conjunction with a fuel system, such as a diesel engine, that does not result in a lag in the fuel flow during normal system operation. The priming pump valve has a control valve movable between a first position for normal operation and a second position for priming that allows for efficient priming of the fuel system when in the priming mode and unrestricted flow of fuel during normal operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignees: Davco Manufacturing Corporation, Dapco Industries
    Inventors: Stephen D. Davis, Willis E. Tupper
  • Patent number: 5256040
    Abstract: A priming pump valve for use in conjunction with a fuel system, such as a diesel engine, that does not result in a lag in the fuel flow during normal system operation. The priming pump valve has a control valve movable between a first position for normal operation and a second position for priming that allows for efficient priming of the fuel system when in the priming mode and unrestricted flow of fuel during normal operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignees: Davco Manufacturing Corp., Dapco Industries
    Inventors: Stephen D. Davis, Willis E. Tupper
  • Patent number: 5115837
    Abstract: A fuel valve for use in the fuel system of motorized recreational vehicle, such as a motorcycle, snowmobile, or the like. The improved fuel valve generally includes a valve body, main and reserve inlet tubes attached to the valve body, a valve assembly disposed within the valve body, and a plurality of gaskets adapted to seal the valve assembly within the valve body. The valve assembly is adapted to rotate through open, reserve and closed positions to provide various fuel settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: Willis E. Tupper
  • Patent number: 5071325
    Abstract: The present invention is a fuel primer pump capable of manually injecting fuel into the carburetor of an internal combustion engine, and is adapted to include both enrichment and shut-off positions. The primer pump includes a housing sealed at one end by an end cap which defines inlet and outlet openings. An internal piston is disposed within the housing for manual pumping of fuel. A relatively free floating valve pin, mounted on the internal piston, prevents an unwanted flow of fuel through the primer pump when the pump is disposed in the shut-off position. The valve pin is slidably retained within a cavity in the piston which opens onto the face of the piston proximate the end cap defining the outlet passageway. The valve pin is spring biased toward the outlet passageway and centers itself in the passageway seat due to the free floating nature thereof. The valve pin becomes disengaged from the seat when the primer pump is placed in the enrichment position, allowing the flow of fuel through the primer pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventors: Willis E. Tupper, Donald A. Koengeter
  • Patent number: 4165816
    Abstract: A cap for a fuel tank such as is used with gasoline engines for chain saws, power mowers, snowmobiles, and the like, which require venting of the tank without danger of fuel leakage resulting from return flow through the vent passageway. The cap has an improved top wall assembly that provides the passageway that is utilized for the venting purposes and in which a check relief valve is housed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: Dapco Industries
    Inventor: Willis E. Tupper