Expanding Between Ends Patents (Class 15/104.19)
  • Patent number: 11774683
    Abstract: A device for cleaning an optical communication device includes a hollow outer stem, an inner stem core, a locking handle, a flexible base, at least one ring seal, and a flexible cover. The inner stem core, fits within a length of the hollow outer stem and is slidable along the length of the hollow outer stem. The locking handle is coupled to a top end of the inner stem core, and is movable between a released position and a locked position, where moving the locking handle to the locked position from the released position slides the inner stem core within the hollow outer stem. The flexible base is coupled to a bottom end of the hollow outer stem, and is transformable between a contracted position when the locking handle is in the released position and an expanded position when the locking handle is in the locked position. The at least one ring seal is coupled to the flexible base. The flexible cover is wrapped around the flexible base and the at least one ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brice Achkir
  • Patent number: 11231244
    Abstract: A semiautomatic slide pin removal tool that includes a handle member, and a tube extending perpendicular to, and outwards from, the handle member and having a distal end including a variety of different pin receivers for pushing and removing slide stop lever pins of a slide assembly on semiautomatic pistols. The pin receivers effectively and efficiently engage and mate with heads of slide stop lever pins to prevent the distal end of the slide pin removal tool from slipping or sliding off the heads of the slide stop lever pins during use. In practice, users firmly grasp an automatic pistol in one hand while negotiating the slide pin removal tool with fingers to push and remove slide stop lever pins from semiautomatic pistols with ease while freeing use of the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: John Sturdevant
  • Patent number: 11009307
    Abstract: The handle allows attached rod sections to be selectively switched between a rotating or non-rotating attitude. The handle includes a handle body, an internal barrel coupler rotatably seating within the handle body and a lock member that engages the barrel coupler to prevent its rotation within the handle body. The rod section is attached to the barrel coupler. The locking member is manually turned either to restrictively engage the barrel coupler in a “locked” position” preventing the rotation of the barrel coupler and connected cleaning rod or to be spaced from the barrel coupler in an “unlocked” position allowing the barrel coupler and connected cleaning rod to freely rotate within the handle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: John Damarin
  • Patent number: 10948256
    Abstract: A gun cleaning apparatus includes a central member and a plurality of disc mandrels. The central member passes through a hole in each of the disc mandrels. The plurality of disc mandrels is stacked adjacent to one another on the central member. An adjustable end stop has a linear position adjustable in a compression direction, from a first level of linear compression of the plurality of disc mandrels setting a first radii of the disc mandrels, to a second level of linear compression different than the first level of linear compression of the plurality of disc mandrels, setting a second radii of the disc mandrels different than the first radii. A coilable semi-ridged cable pull cord for a gun cleaning apparatus and a method of pulling a gun cleaning apparatus through a bore of a gun in a close quarters or limited space are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Otis Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. McDonald, James R. Brooker
  • Patent number: 10570675
    Abstract: A centralizer assembly installed on a casing section. A bow spring assembly having bow spring members is installed around the outer surface of the casing section and can rotate about the outer surface of the casing section. A portion of the casing section that is aligned with the bow spring assembly is swaged to increase the outer diameter of that section. Bow spring heel supports prevent bow spring members from contacting the outer surface of the central casing section when compressed. Non-abrasive materials prevent damage to wellhead or other polished bore receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Blackhawk Specialty Tools, LLC
    Inventors: Ron D. Robichaux, John E. Hebert, Scottie J. Scott
  • Patent number: 10012035
    Abstract: A centralizer having asymmetrical bow springs defining a more gradual lead-in angle and a steeper retreat angle to reduce the required insertion and running forces. The centralizer comprises two end bands and a plurality of bow springs connecting the two shaped to gradually contact the surrounding hole or well casing. The bow springs are arranged such that a least two of them are asymmetric and positioned such that the apex of each is the same distance from an end band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOP-CO INC.
    Inventor: Gregory James Alexander Andrigo
  • Patent number: 9851168
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for cleaning implements for firearms. In one embodiment, a single-use cleaning implement may include a hollow member; and a cleaning surface disposed along a length of the hollow member. The cleaning surface may be disposed about a circumference of the hollow member. A flexible shaft may be configured to extend through the hollow member. The flexible shaft may comprise a retainer component disposed at a distal end, the retainer component configured to abut a distal end of the cleaning implement and to impede the cleaning implement from passing over the retainer component. The flexible shaft may be used to pull the hollow cleaning implement through the barrel of the firearm while the retainer component abuts the distal end of the cleaning implement and the first cleaning surface engages with an inner surface of the barrel to clean the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Chien Hwang
  • Patent number: 9759514
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a breech thread protector for cleaning bore of a firearm from breech area of the barrel to the muzzle of the barrel. The breech thread protector includes an elongated tubular member having a proximal open end and a distal open end. The invention is also related to an assembly including the breech thread protector, a kit for cleaning the bore of the barrel, and a method for cleaning bore of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Paul A. Burke
  • Patent number: 9505039
    Abstract: The tool for expanding a bore swab is a device adaptable for uses such as cleaning, as an applicator or for polishing the inside of a bore or cavity. One embodiment of the tool allows the insertion of a swab, smaller than the bore, into a work piece and provides a means to increase the radial size of the swab as needed. This is accomplished in one embodiment by forming or placing a swab on the tool, which includes a rod with a head and a sleeve. When the sleeve is moved in an axial direction towards the head, the swab expands in radial size. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Gunnar Keith Green
  • Patent number: 9492002
    Abstract: A molded plastic applicator for cosmetics, such as a mascara brush, including an integral molded plastic panel that lies substantially in a mold plane when formed and is bent out of the mold plane to surround an extended longitudinal axis when the applicator is assembled. A plurality of openings, or projections such as bristles, are formed in or on the panel so as to be oriented substantially in a common pull direction transverse to the mold plane when the panel lies in the mold plane and to be oriented substantially radially of the longitudinal axis in directions distributed around the axis when the panel is bent to surround the axis. A retainer holds the panel bent out of the plane in surrounding relation to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Albea Services
    Inventors: Michael Malvar, Thomas Jonas
  • Patent number: 9375765
    Abstract: Tube scrapper projectiles for tube cleaning applications such as condenser and chiller tube cleaning utilizing projectile-based mechanical agitation of tubes and pipes. In some cases, the tube cleaning projectiles are configured for selectable indexing of various biasing levels for the blades and in some cases the biasing elements comprise a plurality of arcuate and/or tapered beams oriented axially along the scraper projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Crossford International, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph J. Franzino, Venkatagiri Srinivasmurthy
  • Patent number: 9115945
    Abstract: A device for cleaning the barrel of a firearm comprising a longitudinal central member having a leading end and a trailing end; a tubular woven sheath surrounding said central member; and a radial protrusion formed of a polymer disposed about said central member and under the tubular woven sheath. The radial protrusions are overmolded thermoplastic that distends the sheath radially to the internal diameter of gun barrel. The central member may include a fitting for attachment to various auxiliary tools or a T-handle. The surface of the polymer is provided with helical pattern of protrusions formed to urge the sheath against the lands of barrel rifling. The sheath is woven of primarily a natural fiber such as cotton. Luminescent, abrasive or heat resistant threads may also be woven into the sheath. A sponge material may be disposed between the sheath and the central member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Otis Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Williams, James R. Brooker
  • Patent number: 8739345
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (2) comprising a hollow first cylindrical end collar (4), a hollow second cylindrical end collar (6) and a substantially tubular cleaning section, open at each end, extending therebetween, wherein the tubular cleaning section comprises a plurality of elongate strip brushes (8) disposed between the first cylindrical collar (4) and the second cylindrical collar (6) and arranged such that there are radical openings in the tubular cleaning section between said elongate strip brushes (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Brushware Limited
    Inventor: Jane Palmer
  • Patent number: 8499399
    Abstract: A device for cleaning the interior of a pipeline includes an axial support, a first collar fixedly attached to a first location on the axial support, a second collar fixedly attached to a second location along the axial support, and a third collar slidingly engaged with the axial support. The second collar is located between the first collar and the third collar. A flexible support is fixedly attached to the third collar and the first collar and extends between the two. Brush members are disposed along an exterior surface of the flexible support. When the third collar is at a first position along the length of the axial support, the flexible support is distended. When the third collar is at a second position along the length of the axial support, where the second position is more distant from the first collar than the first position, the flexible support is flattened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Laval Underground Surveys, LLC
    Inventor: Garrett Jones
  • Patent number: 8051524
    Abstract: A multi-diameter elastic sealing module for pigs, which operates in pipes having diameter changes, by being sent through the inside of a flexible or rigid pipe to move or draw various fittings and remove internal incrustations from the pipe, impelled by a fluid which flows inside said pipe. The sealing module comprises a sealing/impelling element (1), a flexible core (2) covered by the sealing/impelling element (1), a first clamping element (3), a second clamping element (4), a first fastening element (5) and a second fastening element (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.-Petrobras
    Inventors: Antonio Carlos Ferreira Lino, Carlos Alberto Dias da Silva, Ricardo Wagner Capllonch
  • Publication number: 20090320223
    Abstract: A multi-diameter elastic sealing module for pigs, which operates in pipes having diameter changes, by being sent through the inside of a flexible or rigid pipe to move or draw various fittings and remove internal incrustations from the pipe, impelled by a fluid which flows inside said pipe. The sealing module comprises a sealing/impelling element (1), a flexible core (2) covered by the sealing/impelling element (1), a first clamping element (3), a second clamping element (4), a first fastening element (5) and a second fastening element (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A. -PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Antônio Carlos Ferreira Lino, Carlos Alberto Dias da Silva, Ricardo Wagner Capllonch
  • Patent number: 6775872
    Abstract: A vehicle for traversing a surface such as for carrying out an inspection, survey or maintenance operation upon that surface comprises two bodies interconnected by means to move the bodies towards and away from each other, each of those bodies being supported upon a multiplicity of resilient bristles (13; 25; 32) extending from it, the bristles of each body being mounted in groups upon bristle-carrying members (10; 23; 31) each guided for movement towards and away from the body, and fluid pressure means (25; 22; 34) to effect the guided movement of the bristle-carrying members in at least one of those directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: University of Durham
    Inventors: Ernest Appleton, Neil William Stutchbury
  • Patent number: 6538431
    Abstract: A pipeline pig includes a central body member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced return path elements surrounding said body member and each extending axially relative to the body member, each return path element including a pair of axially spaced magnets from each of which projects a metallic bristle set, and means for connecting the return path elements to the body member whereby the free ends of the bristles, in use, resiliently engage the inner wall of the pipeline, the connecting means comprising a first carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the front extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the rear of the body member, a second carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the rear extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the front of the body member, and, for each return path element, a front link pivotally interconnecting the front of the return path element and the first carrier member, and a rear link pivotally interconnect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: PII Limited
    Inventors: Peter Allan Couchman, David Carl Maughan
  • Patent number: 6286172
    Abstract: A portable inflatable heating, ventilating and air conditioning duct apparatus includes a bladder made of resilient material for expansion and contraction. The bladder has a small opening for the movement of air in and out of the bladder. An elongate flexible hose is connected at one end with the small opening on the bladder. An air pump is positioned at the opposing end of the elongate flexible hose for supplying air under low positive pressure to the bladder for expansion of the bladder. A manually operated valve is positioned between the air pump and the bladder for preventing the escape of air from the bladder, unless same is desired. The apparatus further includes direction stabilizing apparatus for allowing the flexible hose to push the bladder through a segment of the HVAC duct in which the apparatus is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas A. Castagnoli
  • Patent number: 6276018
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device and system for cleaning the interior of conduits, gun barrels, or pipes, including drain pipes. The pipe cleaning device of the present invention is capable of (a) penetrating and removing restrictions that block flow, (b) scouring the interior wall of conduits or pipes to remove the buildup of undesirable solids that result in flow restriction, and (c) coating the wall of the pipe with a suitable substance. The present invention comprises a connecting member housed within a bendable or flexible conduit, a retraction handle attached to one end of the connecting member, and elastic or flexible strands attached to the opposite end of said connecting member. The strands are outwardly expandable in a radial dimension when said connecting member is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Basil C. Leiman, Bruce D. Butler
  • Patent number: 6173469
    Abstract: A cleaning device of the type for removing dirt, scale and extraneous material from the inner wall of a pipeline which comprises a body adapted to be moved longitudinally through the pipeline, a plurality of scraper elements mounted on the body for resiliently engaging the inner wall of the pipeline as the body is moved along the pipeline and at least one cup mounted on the body for sealably engaging the pipeline wall so that the body may be propelled through the pipeline by fluid pressure behind the cup, the improvement which comprises a polyurethane spring mounted between the body and each of the scraping elements for resiliently urging the scraping elements against the inner wall of the pipeline, the polyurethane spring comprising an elongated base member for attachment of the spring to the body, an outer side member disposed in spaced parallel relation with the inner base member and a plurality of cross members extending outwardly and rearwardly from the inner base member to and connecting with the outer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Dwane O. Laymon