Flow Controller And Ground Support Interconnection Patents (Class 239/285)
  • Patent number: 8746590
    Abstract: Described is a riser assembly for use with a fluid dispenser, such as a sprinkler. The assembly includes a container partially circumscribing a reservoir configured to contain a pressurized fluid, the container having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed therethrough. The assembly further includes a signal processor situatable outside the container that is configured to receive a signal. The signal processor is operatively connectable to a control valve that is operatively connectable to the fluid dispenser. The control valve is configured to selectively control expulsion of the fluid through the fluid dispenser in response to the signal received by the signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Wade E. Collins
  • Patent number: 8387897
    Abstract: A vaporization water distribution assembly in particular for the feeding of gas turbines consisting of at least one feeding collector with nozzle-holder ramps (15) equipped with a series of nozzles (14), in which there are tighteners (18,24) both for the assembly and blockage of the nozzle-holder ramps (15) with respect to at least one collector and also of the nozzles (14) to the nozzle-holder ramps (15), both blockages being effected with the interposition of washers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Edoardo Lossa S.p.A.
    Inventors: Leopoldo Bevilacqua, Roberto Gasparetto, Aldo Di Rienzo
  • Patent number: 7832659
    Abstract: The invention is riser assembly for use with a fluid dispenser particularly a sprinkler. The assembly includes: (1) a container partially circumscribing a reservoir for containing a pressurized fluid, the container having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed therethrough, and (2) a conduit circumscribing a channel occupiable by a signal carrier, the conduit including an intermediate conduit portion disposed within the reservoir, a first conduit portion disposed through the container to a signal carrier entry area outside the container and a second conduit portion disposed through the container to a signal carrier exit area outside the container. The assembly may include a cover connectable to the container, the cover having an aperture for containing the fluid dispenser disposed therethrough, a protective cavity being formed between the cover and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Wade E. Collins
  • Patent number: 7717360
    Abstract: An in-ground sprinkler serviceability apparatus that provides a debris free environment for ease of replacement of an in-ground sprinkler head. The sprinkler serviceability apparatus couples to the threads of a sprinkler pipe, expands to provide a sprinkler head receiving section, a seal against the underside of the sprinkler head, and a tapered upper surface. Any debris would be washed away from the sprinkler head serviceability apparatus tapered upper surface when the sprinklers are on, rain, etc. The seal would ensure against any debris falling into the sprinkler head receiving section. Weep holes can optionally be incorporated into the sides or base of the apparatus. The top can be a single section, fabricated in two sections, or be designed to receive a common clay sprinkler donut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Keith S. Kander
  • Patent number: 7156323
    Abstract: A spray rack suitable for testing a window in a building includes a plurality of spray bars and at least one stand-off leg. The plurality of spray bars each include at least one nozzle for spraying fluid. The at least one stand-off leg is coupled with the plurality of spray bars and includes a plurality of pre-measured settings each corresponding to a distance between the at least one nozzle and the window. The at least one stand-off leg is configured to be set at one of the plurality of pre-measured settings to interface with the building and to position the plurality of spray bars a desired distance from the window for testing the window by spraying the fluid from the at least one nozzle of each of the plurality of spray bars toward the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The RM Group LLC
    Inventor: Todd Mikkelson
  • Patent number: 7082716
    Abstract: A devise for watering vegetation has a cylindrical tube that can be laid flat and rolled up. The tube has a watertight seal about 2 to about 6 inches from each end, which leaves a flap at each end. The flaps can be attached to stakes that can be driven into the ground. There are one or two openings along the length of the tube through which water can be admitted into the tube. At or near the bottom of the tube is at least one drip emitter from which water can leave the tube. Two or more tubes can be joined together using a single stake though the flaps of the tubes. The tubes can be arranged in a line, a circle, or other arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Darrell Keith Downey
  • Patent number: 6932099
    Abstract: An improved landscape watering system is provided that simplifies the installation and maintenance of multiple underground water control valves, that permits the on-site configuration of valve-electrical boxes, that limits egress of insects and other living creatures into a valve-electrical boxes, and that facilitates labeling of a valve-electrical box. The box includes configurable, sealable openings and a water permeable bottom that prevents egress of insects and other living creatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Mark B. Mahaney
  • Patent number: 6832734
    Abstract: A media discharge device includes a support member, a telescoping device supported by the support member, and a media discharge port provided at a first end of the telescoping device. The telescoping device is supported via a joint structure that allows the telescoping device to rotate with respect to the support member with at least one degree of freedom. The telescoping device includes a first member and a second member that moves with respect to the first member in an extending direction and a retracting direction. An actuator may drive the second member in the extending direction and in the retracting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: William J. Rafferty, William C. Flannigan
  • Patent number: 6745957
    Abstract: A fire hose nozzle includes a safety device to prevent the nozzle from being displaced due to the action of the water supplied to the nozzle. The safety device includes a tubular body and a butterfly disc with two coaxial trunnions pivotally mounted on the body. The butterfly disc is movable inside the tubular body between an open position, in which the butterfly disc allows water to flow, and a closed position, in which the butterfly disc restricts this flow. An external control lever is integral with one of the trunnions. A trigger is borne by the control lever and bears against the ground. The trigger holds the butterfly disc in its open position when the control lever exerts a downwardly directed vertical force thereon due to the action of the water flowing over the butterfly disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: St-Mihiel S.A.
    Inventor: Didier D. Parey
  • Patent number: 6354320
    Abstract: A firefighting monitor having an acceleration sensitive shut off valve that responds to acceleration of the monitor to reduce water flow through the monitor. The acceleration sensitive shut off valve is self-contained and requires no contact with an external surface or device. The valve closing speed may be modulated by a dampener device that slows the rate at which the valve closes to avoid damage from water hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Kolacz, Ross Mack, Stewart McMillan, Robert W. Steingass
  • Patent number: 6302335
    Abstract: A lawn sprinkler system is provided for receiving fluid from a fluid source and distributing the fluid over an area. The lawn sprinkler system includes multiple lawn sprinklers for distributing fluid over corresponding portions of the area. Stake assemblies are provided for supporting the lawn sprinklers above a supporting surface. Each stake assembly includes an input operatively connected to the fluid source, a first output for providing fluid to the corresponding sprinkler, and a second output. A conduit interconnects the second output of one of the stake assemblies to the input of an adjacent stake assembly to connect the adjacent stake assembly to the fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventors: Timothy G. Ormiston, Sharyn A. Ormiston
  • Patent number: 5593092
    Abstract: Apparatus including a monitor and a portable ground base comprising a liquid-carrying conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is adapted to receive a liquid (such as water) from a supply, and the outlet end is attached to the intake of the monitor. The conduit of the base includes an intermediate portion that is normally close to the support or ground when the ground base is in the normal operating position. Mounted within the conduit is a valve that is movable between a closed position and an open position. The valve is biased toward the closed position by a mechanism including liquid flow through the conduit and a spring. A trip catch is connected between the valve and the conduit for releasably holding the valve in the open position to permit flow through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart G. McMillan, David J. Kolacz
  • Patent number: 5232160
    Abstract: A pressure reducer positioned in the lower portion of a housing reduces the inlet pressure of a source of irrigation water. The lower pressure liquid is ducted to a plurality of conduits, and the flow of water through these conduits is adjustable by individual valves supported on stakes positioned remote from the housing and connected to the conduits. A canister surrounds and supports an inlet riser connected to the housing, and a cup shaped cover fits onto the canister and encloses the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Hendrickson Bros.
    Inventors: Donald L. Hendrickson, Glendale Grizzle
  • Patent number: 4085895
    Abstract: A simple, two-part adjustable spray device is disclosed, the device consisting of a tubular member within which is a cylindrical insert member. At its inner end, the insert member includes a chamber in selective communication with both the inlet portion of the tubular member and a longitudinal channel formed in the internal wall of the outlet portion of the tubular member. The side wall of the insert member defining the chamber is sufficiently flexible to be distended by the pressure of liquid within the chamber into a sealing engagement with the interior side wall of the tubular member. By rotationally adjusting the insert member, the chamber may be brought into selective communication with the longitudinal channel to allow a varying volume of liquid to pass from the inlet to the outlet and a spray of liquid to be emitted through a profiled aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Inventors: Byron V. Curry, Michael G. Walton
  • Patent number: RE40441
    Abstract: A pivoting joint with a ball and socket joined by trunnions for use in fluid conduits, particularly firefighting devices such as portable monitors and the like. The pivoting joint can be used on an inlet of the device to provide a pivoting motion for one or more inlet hoses, and/or on the outlet of the device to direct the discharge in one or more directions. An optional one-way brake can be used to limit unintended movement about one or more axis of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Kolacz, Ross Mack, Robert W. Steingass, Brian M. Tylisz