With Friction Detent Patents (Class 251/297)
  • Patent number: 6325092
    Abstract: A freeze protection plug has latching balls engageable bayonet-fashion with grooves in a fitting. The balls are normally held in engagement with the grooves by a cam, but move inward to release the plug from the fitting when the cam is moved by a thermal actuator carried by the plug. The balls are retained in tapered openings in the wall of the plug to reduce jamming. Helical ramps in the grooves permit the use of a strong, reliable plug ejecting spring, and make manual insertion of the plug easy. Insertion is aided by the ribs of a plastic cap, which facilitate manual grasping and rotation of the plug. A paint shield ring prevents failures resulting from paint bridges adhering both to the plug and to the fitting. A unitary molded lanyard with two oval loops prevents loss of the plug. The seal on the plug is located on the liquid system side of the latching balls and isolates moving parts from the liquid system, and is of small diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Fred L. Pirkle
  • Patent number: 6321789
    Abstract: Two-stage water-saving structure of a faucet, including an inner switching/controlling valve assembly, a bar seat, a locating pin, a switching/controlling bar and a housing. The inner switching/controlling valve assembly is composed of several controlling valves. Two engaging hooks and two locating blocks are disposed on the bottom of the inner switching/controlling valve assembly. The top face of the inner switching/controlling valve assembly is formed with a water exit. The top face of the bar seat is formed with a central rectangular bar hole. Two inner lateral sides of the bottom of the bar hole of the bar seat are respectively disposed with two semicylindrical locating blocks. A lateral side of the bar seat is formed with a central pin hole. The bottom end of the switching/controlling bar is disposed with a downward extending semispherical switching/controlling head. A front and a rear faces of a lower section of the switching/controlling bar are formed with <-shaped stop faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kuching International Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Li Chen
  • Publication number: 20010025942
    Abstract: A multi-way cock including a substantially hollow-cylindrical housing with attachment bores on its outer circumference; a plug rotatably mounted in the housing and having a through-channel transverse to an axis of rotation and which may be aligned with the attachment bores in the housing; axially protruding engagement elements having locking grooves arranged on a base portion of the housing, which housing is closed at its bottom; and locking projections on an inner circumference of the hollow-cylindrical plug which are sized and shaped to engage the locking grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Norbert Lotz, Gunther Siegmeier, Boris Hayoz, Alois Schlarb
  • Patent number: 6267351
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator composed of: an armature movable along a linear path between first and second end positions; electromagnets positioned and operative for selectively moving the armature to either one of the first and second end positions; and a mechanical holding element operative in response to movement of the armature to either one of the end positions for holding the armature in the end position to which the armature has moved until an appropriate one of the electromagnets is operated to move the armature to the other one of the end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Aura Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo E. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6237621
    Abstract: A self sealing valve includes a diaphragm (602) positioned within a valve housing (606) by a movable hanger arm (610) which suspends the diaphragm from a mounting point (612) in the center of an air inlet (614). The hanger arm (610) is a rotating diaphragm hanger that has one end secured adjacent to an inner wall (618) of the air inlet (614) by a pair of pins (634). There is a contoured section (648) between the hinge pins (634) of the inner wall which interfaces with a contoured end (650) to provide for at least four distinct interaction possibilities. A first retains the hanger arm (610) in a valve closed position. A second causes the valve to exhibit a biased closed condition. A third locks the valve open and a fourth facilitates assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Robert B. Chaffee
  • Patent number: 6164328
    Abstract: A three position retaining valve wherein a slide in a rotating valve element has a seal which controls the connection of the inlet to the outlet for only one of three passages in the valve element. Preferably, the body, handle, valve element and slide are plastic and the handle and valve elements are unitary. The valve element is retained in the body by a flanged retaining ring and snap ring. The flanged retaining ring also retains a stop for the slide in the valve element. The handle includes a race and recesses cooperating with a stop and detent respectively on the body for the three positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Howard E. Huber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6119727
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve (10) for use in a pneumatic seat (12) of a vehicle is disclosed. The pneumatic valve includes an upper housing (32) and a lower housing (38). The lower housing is slidably received within the upper housing. The lower housing has an upper surface (78) and a lower surface (79). The lower surface has an inlet stem (88), a seat air inlet/outlet stem (90), and at least a first exhaust port (94). The pneumatic valve also includes an elongate poppet (108) slidably mounted within the seat air inlet/outlet port on a first spring (106) to control air flow through the seat air inlet/outlet port. The poppet has an enlarged head portion (110) located at one end and a cam projection (113) located at the other end. A slide member (34) is supported on the upper surface of the lower housing for reciprocating movement relative to the housing to selectively control air flow therethrough. The slide member has an upper surface and a lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: GT Development Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Morris
  • Patent number: 6029686
    Abstract: A freeze protection plug has latching balls engageable bayonet-fashion with grooves in a fitting. The balls are normally held in engagement with the grooves by a cam, but move inward to release the plug from the fitting when the cam is moved by a thermal actuator carried by the plug. The balls are retained in tapered openings in the wall of the plug to reduce jamming. Helical ramps in the grooves permit the use of a strong, reliable plug ejecting spring, and make manual insertion of the plug easy. Insertion is aided by the ribs of a plastic cap, which facilitate manual grasping and rotation of the plug. A paint shield ring prevents failures resulting from paint bridges adhering both to the plug and to the fitting. A unitary molded lanyard with two oval loops prevents loss of the plug. The seal on the plug is located on the liquid system side of the latching balls and isolates moving parts from the liquid system, and is of small diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Fred L. Pirkle
  • Patent number: 6021808
    Abstract: A water supply shut off valve system is used with a fluid storage tank, such as a hot water heater, to automatically shut off a fluid supply to the storage tank as a result of a pressure drop in the storage tank caused, for example, by a leak or rupture. A fluid supply shut off valve system comprises a shut off valve, such as a normally closed diaphragm valve, coupled to a supply inlet, for controlling the supply of fluid through the supply line to the storage tank. The shut off valve system further comprises a fluid monitoring device (FMD) fluidly coupled to the supply line and to the shut off valve, for monitoring the tank pressure and causing the shut off valve to remain closed when the tank pressure drops to ambient pressure. The FMD generally includes a body portion having a passageway and an actuation mechanism disposed in the passageway for opening and closing a fluid path through the FMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Dulac
  • Patent number: 6003546
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adapter device 1 for a pump system. Due to the large number of various valve connections in use, employing a number of different pump systems with the corresponding valve connections is normally necessary. In order to use the largest number of valve connections possible with a single pump system, an adapter 1 is proposed which is characterized by a sealing element 24 that can be swiveled and/or shifted inside a housing 4 and moved through an external ring-shaped sleeve 12 which at least partially encloses the housing 4. Using the sealing element 24 which can be swiveled and shifted, the unneeded outlets in the pump system can be sealed and the desired outlet is simultaneously connected to the interior 6 of the pump system in such a way that an effective seal is created after insertion of the respective compressed-air connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: itm, Ute Thanscheidt
    Inventor: Gunter Thanscheidt
  • Patent number: 5964449
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved lubrication system for use in a railway locomotive brake valve. Such railway locomotive brake valve includes a suppression cam having a plurality of detented control positions. It further includes a handle connected to the suppression cam for moving the suppression cam to such plurality of detented control positions. There is a spring loaded latch mechanism for engaging the suppression cam and providing a positive stop for such plurality of detented positions. The latch mechanism is a cylindrically shaped member with an elongated convex shaped protrusion at one end for engaging the suppression cam. Such brake valve further includes a bushing surrounding and guiding such latch mechanism. Such improved lubrication system comprises a coating of a preselected low friction material applied to and dried on at least one of the latch mechanism, the bushing and the suppression cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Walter E. Goettel, George Drahusz
  • Patent number: 5944051
    Abstract: A sprinkler drain and test valve for testing sprinkler systems including a housing, an inlet and outlet disposed on either end of the housing, a ball disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet having three channels extending therethrough that provide communication between the inlet and outlet. A pressure relief valve is carried within one of the channels for opening the flow through the valve when a pressure from fluid flow exceeds a pre-determined pressure when the valve is in the first position and for blocking fluid flow when the valve is in a hydrostatic test angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Augustus W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5931187
    Abstract: A valve system for starting/restarting an oscillating controller of the type that uses a source of pressurized gas to provide controlled pulses of the pressurized gas to a pump, such as a chemical injector pump. The start/restart valve includes a valve element that is closed by a valve spring when the pressure of the pressurized gas source drops below a predetermined minimum and is opened upon the pressure increasing to a second predetermined pressure higher than the predetermined minimum pressure to thereby provide a higher pressure for starting or restarting the oscillating movement of the controller. The start/restart valve includes a detent mechanism for maintaining the valve element in either the open or closed position until the gas pressure reaches the appropriate pressure level for switching to the opposite position. The opening of the valve element may be caused by the gas pressure being applied directly to the valve element or indirectly through a diaphragm in alternate embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Williams Instrument Incorporated
    Inventor: James F. Williams
  • Patent number: 5899805
    Abstract: An air distribution valve for use in a passageway of an environmental control system. The air distribution valve comprises a valve body including an input and multiple outputs defining a volume. The valve body is adapted for placement in the passageway for receiving the air in the input. A valve member is used for selectively distributing the air between the multiple outputs. Damping devices for damping the unstabilizing effect of the air flow on the valve member as the air flows to the multiple outlets allow, allowing for the lowest pressure drop configuration. An environmental control system designed for use with a vehicle includes an air cycle machine for conditioning air, ducting for distributing the air within the vehicle for a plurality of uses, and an air distribution valve for use in the ducting. The air distribution valve comprises a valve body including an input and multiple outputs defining a volume. The valve body is adapted for placement in the passageway for receiving the air in the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Dowd, Michael D. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 5899439
    Abstract: A valve has a valve housing and a stem projecting from the housing and rotatable relative thereto about an axis. A handle assembly for the valve has an abutment directed angularly in one direction of the axis and fixed relative to the housing, a knob, and formations on the knob and stem for rotationally fixing the knob on the stem and for axial displacement of the knob on the stem between a normal use position and an override position. A knob abutment projecting axially from the knob is directed angularly opposite the housing abutment. The knob abutment is angularly engageable with the housing abutment in the normal use position but is able to pass angularly past the housing abutment in the override position. Thus the knob is in the normal use position most of the time. In order, however, to gain increased flow, a higher temperature, or divert water from the tub to the shower, it is displaced into the override position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe AG
    Inventors: Adolf Gottwald, Wilfried Koster
  • Patent number: 5881770
    Abstract: A switching valve having a bottom plate, an intermediate plate and a top plate. A distributor rotatably mounted in the intermediate plate. The bottom plate has an upper surface, and the distributor has a lower surface which interface with each other. The bottom plate has an inlet and an outlet spaced from each other and each having an inlet conduit extending from the inlet to the upper surface of the bottom plate and an outlet conduit extending from the outlet to the upper surface of the bottom plate. The distributor having an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit and a connecting conduit connecting the two together. The distributor inlet conduit is in communication with the bottom plate inlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hoke Incorporated
    Inventors: John H. Neill, Sergio Radossi
  • Patent number: 5881397
    Abstract: A bathtub drain closure having a strainer element with an internally threaded recess that engages male threads on the lower end of an upwardly extending post. The post has at least one transverse passageway containing a polymeric pin having ends that project slightly beyond the ends of the passageway. A stopper having a centrally disposed, internal bore slides up and down the post between open and closed positions. The central bore of the stopper has a stepped profile having upper and lower portions with an internal diameter slightly greater than the length of the polymeric pin and a middle portion with an internal diameter slightly less than the length of the polymeric pin, thereby causing the pin to be compressed into frictional engagement with the central bore as the stopper slides up and down between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: LSP Products Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy J. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 5871032
    Abstract: A mixing faucet equipped with a diverter valve assembly having a specially designed seal sleeve has multiple discharge outlets. A pipe combination set having a closed end in communication with a hot and cold water tube and provided with a number of outlet tubes is mounted to a faucet body. The seal sleeve having a number of tubular discharge protrusions in conformance to the outlet tubes of the pipe combination set is housed in the pipe combination set. A diverter valve having an opened end and a water outlet is engaged with the seat sleeve that are housed in the pipe combination set. The diverter valve is controllably rotated so as to make the water outlet selectively register with one of the tubular discharge protrusions of the seal sleeve for control of the discharge path of a faucet. Besides, the diverter valve is provided with a spring biased retaining pin that is selectively engaged with one of a number of positioning holes on a knob so as to make the operation of the knob quick and precise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Chung Cheng Faucet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsi-Chia Ko
  • Patent number: 5868166
    Abstract: A pressure regulating valve usable in combination with a hydraulic steering system has a spring mechanism axially disposed between a pair of axially aligned valve spools. Movement of the spring mechanism in a first direction resiliently moves one of the valve spools to a position for communicating an inlet port with a control port and regulating the pressure in the the control port so that the pressure is proportional to the degree of movement of the spring mechanism. Conversely, movement of the spring mechanism in a second direction resiliently moves the other valve spool to a position for communicating the inlet port with another control port and regulating the pressure in the other control port so that the pressure is proportional to the degree of movement of the spring mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Miller
  • Patent number: 5860634
    Abstract: A stem extender for use with a faucet valve assembly which contains a valve body, a valving member including a valve stem rotatably disposed in the valve body, a stop member including a detent and a bore non-rotatably mounted on the valve body with the valve stem extending through the bore, and a handle for rotating the valve stem and the valving member. The stem extender includes a tubular member having a camming surface which cooperates with the detent of the stop member to ensure that the valving member is rotated to a sufficiently open position to prevent so-called "temperature kick" which occurs when the valving member is in the only slightly open position. The tubular member includes a slot opposite the camming surface adapted to receive a compression spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Garry Marty, Robert Bailey, Otto K. Allmendinger
  • Patent number: 5857492
    Abstract: A manually operable control device, such as a joystick, includes a plurality of actuators for operating hydraulic valves of a machine. A handle has a sphere received within a cavity formed between a pair of seat portions which are moveable with respect to each other. The handle produces movement of at least one of the plurality of actuators when the sphere is pivoted within the cavity. An electromagnetic coil generates a magnetic field that causes the seat portions to be attracted toward each other which increases friction between the sphere and the seat. A control circuit applies electric current to the electromagnetic coil whenever the machine is turned on and disconnects the electric current when the machine is turned off. The friction between the sphere and the seat holds the control device in an operating position set by the machine operator and springs return the control device to a neutral position when the machine is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles P. Salamun
  • Patent number: 5836333
    Abstract: A faucet handle assembly, and a method for blocking inadvertent rotation of the faucet handle, the assembly being configured to which incrementally allow pre-established uniform amounts of hot and cold water to flow into a faucet, the back of the faucet handle being configured to interact with the non-flat front portion of a clicker mechanism so as to produce a clicking sensation as each incremental volume of water is added to the water stream emanating from the faucet, the clicking sensation allowing a person attempting to adjust the temperature and flow rate of the water stream to easily repeat faucet handle settings previously found to be desirable. It is contemplated for the clicking sensation to be both audible and tactile. A hinged post assembly safety feature is also contemplated to prevent further rotation of the handle once a desired temperature setting is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Haynes
  • Patent number: 5832959
    Abstract: A stopcock comprises a hollow barrel which receives in a rotatable manner a co-operating tap. A section of the tap is formed with holes which allow communication between selected hollow spigots extending from the barrel. A further section of the tap of larger diameter than the section is formed with indents which engage with detents formed on a large diameter section of the barrel to provide a positive indication when the tap is rotated within the hollow barrel to one or more selected positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy AB
    Inventors: Tadeusz A. Szymczakowski, Ulf H. Wahlberg
  • Patent number: 5829478
    Abstract: A Condition Sensing Hydromechanical Fuze to sense hydraulic line flow for velocity, volume, direction and flow measurement. The fuze is self adjusting with temperature changes and safely enables hydraulic circuit segregation and cross porting to maintain normal operation of a primary hydraulic circuit following degradation or failure of a secondary hydraulic circuit in a dual input manual vehicle brake system or other nonbrake system application which requires the ability to segregate one portion of the system from another based on regulated flow volume and rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Steven G. Pape, Robert G. Stuttgen
  • Patent number: 5823227
    Abstract: A hydraulic pilot valve, including a plurality of pressure reduction valve portions, each having an inlet port, an outlet port and a pressure regulating valve for establishing and blocking communication between both ports by movement of the pressure regulating valve, a plurality of pistons actuating the pressure regulating valves of the pressure reduction valve portions in the direction establishing communication, an operation lever having a pushing member pushing the plurality of pistons, and springs for biasing the pistons upwardly beyond a neutral position to retain them in an abutting relation with a pushing member. An operating lever is rocked from the neutral position in one direction to place the lever in an actuating position and push one piston to place one of the pressure reduction valve portions in a pressurized fluid supply condition to establish communication between the inlet portion and the outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Hori, Kei Kawabata, June Maruyama
  • Patent number: 5771921
    Abstract: A pressure regulator for supplying water to an associated watering system for poultry or the like includes a top works structure and a bottom works structure which are formed of few parts, which are easy to manufacture and assemble together. The top works structure includes a cover seated within a cover and a reference spring assembly which includes a reference spring and a diaphragm membrane. The reference spring assembly can be adjusted to vary the outlet pressure of the regulator. The bottom works structure includes a body having an inlet through which water flows into the regulator from a supply and an outlet through which water flows out from the regulator to the associated watering system. A structure is provided for substantially isolating said diaphragm from water pressure in said regulator during flushing of the regulator and the associated watering system and during conditions of higher-demand for water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5743297
    Abstract: A hydraulic pilot valve has a joystick which is normally maintained in a neutral position by coil springs acting on plungers which engage corresponding first cam surfaces of a cam fixed to the joystick. The plungers are each connected to respective valve members which are stroked to open the pilot valve when the plungers are depressed. When the joystick is pivoted to depress one of the plungers by engaging the head of the plunger so as to stroke one of the valve members, that valve member is held stroked by an magnetic detent. The joystick may then be released and the valve member will remain in its stroked position. When the joystick is moved back towards a neutral position, a second cam surface on the joystick engages an outer end portion of the depressed plunger and applies an axial force to the plunger. This disengages an armature component of the magnetic detent from an electromagnetic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5653421
    Abstract: A fluid switch suitable for use as a fuel shut-off valve is disclosed. In one aspect, the fluid switch includes a housing defining a generally cylindrical bore and having an inlet port, an outlet port and a detent spring passage. A valve member having a spool portion and a detent portion is slidably disposed within the bore. The spool portion can selectively close or open the ports with respect to one another. A detent spring is inserted through the detent spring passage and across the bore to interfit with the detent portion of the valve member to maintain it in the open or closed position in the absence of control inputs. A solenoid core attached to the valve member and solenoid coils surrounding the housing may be provided for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions to operate the fluid switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Vought Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Steven James Ellzey
  • Patent number: 5638866
    Abstract: A hydraulic pilot valve has a joystick which is normally maintained in a neutral position by coil springs acting on plungers which engage corresponding first cam surfaces of a cam fixed to the joystick. The plungers are each connected to respective valve members which are stroked to open the pilot valve when the plungers are depressed. When the joystick is pivoted to depress one of the plungers so as to stroke one of the valve members, that valve member is held stroked by an magnetic detent. The joystick may then be released and the valve member will remain in its stroked position. When the joystick is moved back towards a neutral position, a second cam surface on the joystick engages an outer end portion of the depressed plunger and applies an axial force to the plunger. This disengages an armature component of the magnetic detent from an electromagnetic component. A spring then pushes the plunger to its neutral position where the plunger holds the valve member operated thereby closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Allen Mueller
  • Patent number: 5592971
    Abstract: A mixing valve (10) has a control stem (22) for adjusting the movable ball valve (20) for controlling the flow rate and temperature mix of the mixed water. A spring clip (100) is mounted onto a rotatable disc member (70) retained on an upper fixed member (27). The plate member (70) has a slot (74) that receives the control stem (22) of valve element (20). The spring clip (100) has arms (102) with inwardly extending projections (114) that laterally engage the stem (22) to increase the operating force of the mixing valve when the mixing valve is at a preset flow position. The spring clip (100) rotates with the disc to cause no effect upon the temperature adjustment of the ball valve (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Patent number: 5566710
    Abstract: An improved pre-detent tactile feedback assembly for a fluid control valve is provided. The pre-detent tactile feedback assembly includes an elastic member seated within an annular groove formed in the bore of a plunger valve assembly. Preferably, this elastic member is a garter type spring. When the plunger is moved from an opened to a closed position, a portion of the plunger contacts the elastic member, urging the elastic member outwardly into the groove. The additional force required to urge the elastic member into the groove provides a "feel" force to the control lever. Preferably, the groove is positioned within the bore so that this "feel" force is sensed just prior to actuation of an associated detent assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Derek A. Dahlgren, Jeffrey B. Wasson
  • Patent number: 5564911
    Abstract: A double acting, fluid actuated pump is disclosed. The pump includes a pair of diaphragms interconnected by a piston. Each diaphragm is formed of resilient material and comprises a central portion for attachment to the piston, a peripheral portion for attachment to a surrounding housing and an intermediate conical portion extending between the central portion and the peripheral portion. A first hinge merges the intermediate portion with the central portion. A second hinge merges the intermediate portion with the peripheral portion. Each hinge comprises an annular protuberance extending out of an extension of the cone of the intermediate portion such that a portion of the first hinge and a corresponding portion of the second hinge project from opposite sides of the cone to provide a reliable, fatigue resistant, diaphragm. Valving for the pump is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Joe Santa & Associates Pty Limited
    Inventor: Joseph L. Santa
  • Patent number: 5551477
    Abstract: A manual control valve apparatus having a structure which is provided with, as a conversion mechanism, a diaphragm compressor which is held between a valve casing and a guide member, arcuate engaging grooves formed in a surface of the diaphragm presser opposite to the valve stem, and rolling elements which engage in a freely rolling manner in the engaging grooves and are supported by the lead end part of the valve stem. The bottom surfaces of the engaging grooves are made cam surfaces for causing reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the valve stem. An indicator possessing opening indicating portions indicating the rotational position of the valve stem is attached to the opposite end of the guide member from the valve casing, and furthermore, windows exposing the opening support portions are provided in an area from the circumferential wall of the handle to the end wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki-Kaisha Motoyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yohichi Kanno, Osamu Uchisawa, Sigekazu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5538673
    Abstract: A carburetor of the slide and metering rod type is characterized by the provision of an adjusting screw assembly which has an audible sound feature resulting in a click every quarter revolution of the carburetor adjusting screw. With this clicking, the carburetor can be precisely adjusted by merely counting the number of clicks in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Michael L. Edmonston
  • Patent number: 5538041
    Abstract: In a sanitary single-lever mixer valve, the linear displacement of a movable plate cam, which can carry out a combined rotary and linear movement upon a fixed plate cam arranged in a housing, is influenced by an elastic locking device. This acts in the region of two co-operating guide surfaces, of which one is provided on an element rotatably guided in the housing and the other is provided on the movable plate cam. A first opening is provided in a first of these guide surfaces. A second opening is provided in the second of these guide surfaces, has an approximately circular cross section, is intersected by the guide surface and receives a spring element. The latter is constructed as an incompletely closed hollow moulded element which attempts to expand elastically within the opening and therefore always projects as far as possible beyond the associated guide surface. However, the spring element can be forced completely into the accommodating opening under elastic compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Fritz G anzle
  • Patent number: 5522429
    Abstract: A flow-control valve has a housing, a valve cartridge in the housing connectable between sources of hot and cold water and an output and including a valve for varying a volume/rate parameter and a temperature parameter of flow from the sources to the output, and a lever pivoted on the cartridge about two transverse axes, connected to the valve means, and movable by pivoting about one of the axes along a path in one direction relative to the housing to vary one of the parameters and movable by pivoting about the other of the axes in another direction relative to the housing to vary the other parameter. A stop is provided on the housing outside the valve cartridge along the path engageable with the lever. A biasing or spring unit urges the stop transversely into the path of the lever and thereby inhibits movement of the lever along the path past the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Veit Bechte, Gunter Faust, Gunter Gabel, Heinz Hirsch
  • Patent number: 5495966
    Abstract: A fluid container plug is disclosed in which, if a button of the plug is pressed, the content of the container can be discharged by inclining the container, and if another button is pressed, the container is locked shut, so that the container can be manipulated in a one touch manner, thereby making the use of the container convenient. The fluid container plug according to the present invention includes an outer casing with its upper and lower ends open, an inner casing installed within the outer casing keeping a gap with the outer casing; a discharge path formed through the lower open portion of the outer casing and along the gap through which the content of the container is discharged. An opening/closing member is installed within the inner casing in a reciprocating manner to open and close the lower opening portion of the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Jea-Don Won
  • Patent number: 5482081
    Abstract: A single-handled manifold for connecting a differential pressure transmitter to a source of differential pressure is provided. The manifold includes a body wherein a rotor is mounted for combined axial and rotary motion. Automatic sequencing of the various functions is provided by way of a single handle with multiple selectable positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: D/A Manufacturing Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Don L. Adams
  • Patent number: 5450872
    Abstract: A flow control valve is provided of the type useful for positioning in a fluid system between a high pressure pump and a fluid gun. The valve preferably includes a body having first and second flow paths therein, and first and second valve members for controlling the fluid flow through the respective flow paths. The first valve member is biased towards engagement with the first seat, and the second valve member serves to substantially restrict fluid flow through the second flow path to maintain a high pressure level upstream from the valve when the gun is deactivated. The second valve seat member may be easily replaced through an access port provided in the body, and adjustment of the second valve member to control the restricted orifice in the second fluid path is obtained with a rachet mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Butterworth Jetting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Amos Pacht
  • Patent number: 5431184
    Abstract: This patent application describes a lockable valve locking valve, which when a suitable lock is placed on the lock structure on the outer housing of this valve, eliminates further motion of the valves inner plug once this valve has been turned to off from the on position while the lock is on the outer structure of this valve. This valve cannot be turned back on after disruption of services unless the lock has been removed. However, this valve can be turned on and back to an off position continually if so desired. By omission of the lock on the outer body this valve will give continuous pivotal operation of it inner plug through one-quarter turn arcs in a clockwise and then counter-clockwise motion. This will allow a utility company supplying natural gas a choice as to when they want a valve locking if services are disrupted or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Daniel H. Hazelton
  • Patent number: 5421364
    Abstract: A flow-control valve has a valve housing and a valve element in the housing rotatable about an axis through at most 360.degree. between a fully open position for substantially unimpeded fluid flow through the housing and a fully closed position for substantially no fluid flow through the housing and through intermediate positions for intermediate levels of flow through the housing. A spindle coupled to the element extends along and is jointly pivotal with the element about the axis. A handle fixed on the spindle is provided offset from the axis with a handle stop so that the handle stop orbits about the axis as the handle and spindle are rotated to adjust the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jurgen Humpert, Bruno Heimann, Christian Frankholz, Detlef Hochstein
  • Patent number: 5411059
    Abstract: A multiple flow rate fluid control valve assembly in which the mode of fluid flow is interfaced with the rate of fluid flow has a mode control valve having a switch for selectively setting the valve to either of a continuous fluid flow mode or a pulse fluid flow mode. A fluid flow rate control valve is connected to the mode control valve for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow from a source of fluid through the rate control valve to the mode control valve, to thereby provide fluid from the source of fluid to the mode control valve at a rate which is appropriate for the mode of fluid delivery and the particular fluid use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Essex Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Sever, Randolph E. Scharfenberg
  • Patent number: 5411438
    Abstract: At an outlet of a heating, ventilating or air conditioning system air passes from the ducting through a plenum chamber, a damper provided with a set of blades which are movable between open and closed positions and a diffuser which directs the air in a desired direction. The plenum chamber is provided with internal vanes which act to guide a flow of air through the chamber between its inlet and outlet. The damper defines a plurality of predetermined blade positions between the open and closed positions and a resilient finger and teeth for retaining the blades in a selected one of said predetermined positions. The damper has a frame comprising a plurality of discrete frame elements interconnected at each corner joint of the frame by a friction fit pin passing through interdigitated projections on the frame elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Hunter Technical Developments Limited
    Inventors: David White, Colin Sawyer, Pater Bartingale
  • Patent number: 5398715
    Abstract: A flow control valve is provided of the type useful for positioning in a fluid system between a high pressure pump and a fluid gun. The valve preferably includes a body having first and second flow paths therein, and first and second valve members for controlling the fluid flow through the respective flow paths. The first valve member is biased towards engagement with the first seat, and the second valve member serves to substantially restrict fluid flow through the second flow path to maintain a high pressure level upstream from the valve when the gun is deactivated. The second valve seat member may be easily replaced through an access port provided in the body, and adjustment of the second valve member to control the restricted orifice in the second fluid path is obtained with a rachet mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Butterworth Jetting Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Amos Pacht
  • Patent number: 5396928
    Abstract: The disclosed vacuum valve device comprises a housing having a wall with a flat valve surface, a plate-like valve carriage having a cavity therein facing the valve surface, the wall having vacuum distribution ports therein, and a soft resilient rubber-like, plate-like valve member snugly received in the cavity and having vacuum distribution passages thereon. The valve member is slidable along the valve surface for selectively interconnecting the ports. The valve carriage has tractor elements in the form of pins thereon projecting into the cavity. The valve member has blind openings therein for receiving the pins to transmit driving forces between the carriage and the valve member. A keying pin is also formed on the carriage and is received in a uniquely located blind opening in the valve member. The pins have flat surfaces to provide passages for the escape of air that would otherwise be trapped in the openings by the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Indak Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: John G. Cummings
  • Patent number: 5396998
    Abstract: A slide valve adapted to be secured to a flexible container and having an open position and a closed position. The valve comprises a body member and a slide. In the open position openings in the body and slide coincide. In the closed position an air tight seal is provided. The valve is constructed to have two discreet positions and a sealing ring on the slide that engages the body member to effect the air tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Maurice Chaisson
  • Patent number: 5381832
    Abstract: A branched hose connector includes a branched inner pipe substantially made from a suitable lightweight material, a plurality of hoses connected onto the branched inner pipe, a cover covering the branched inner pipe and a portion of the hoses to join the branched inner pipe and the hoses, and an integrally formed flange projecting outwardly. The branched hose connector is lightweight so that it can be installed with ease via the flange, and it can be manufactured easily and less expensively. Further, the branched hose connector can include a valve member, and a convexity and a concavity provided on opposing end surfaces of the branched inner pipe and the valve member. With these extra features, the valve member can be tightened into the branched inner pipe with a predetermined appropriate torque by a manual operation alone, and it can resist loosening by vibrations, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Mitsui
  • Patent number: 5375625
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a valve housing with a spool valve mounted for reciprocation within the valve housing, with a detent mechanism disposed on the spool valve and the valve housing for selectively locking the spool valve against reciprocal movement, and for providing an externally observable indicator of valve position. In an illustrative embodiment, the detent assembly of the present invention includes at least one detent pin disposed on the spool valve, with at least one guide flange disposed on the valve housing. The guide flange is adapted to at least partially surround the detent pin. At least one retaining clip is provided which is adapted for insertion through the guide flange to engage the detent pin. When the retaining clip is inserted through the guide flange and in engagement with the detent pin, the spool valve is locked into a predetermined stationary position, and cannot reciprocate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Warren Rupp, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5370522
    Abstract: An injection valve for a vacuum wax injection installation for selectively communicating a mold into which wax is to be injected with a chamber with a vacuum and a chamber with liquid wax in the vacuum wax injection installation includes a main valve body and a tubular member which is arranged slidably in the main valve body between a valve-closed position, an evacuation position and a wax injection position. One end of the tubular member carries a connecting element against which the mold can be pressed while the opposite end of the tubular member is closed. The tubular member has lateral openings providing a communication between the connecting element and first the vacuum chamber and then the wax-filled chamber as the tubular member is progressively pushed into the main valve body from the valve-closed position, whereby firstly the mold is evacuated and then wax is injected into the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Arno Lindner
  • Patent number: 5370358
    Abstract: A device for restricting flow of fluids and reducing noise that minimizes filling losses and muffles the vent noise, for example, while gravity filling cryogenic cylinders from a storage tank. The filling loss reducer part of this device is comprised of valve body, rotor, valve seat, o-ring, springs, and ball bearings. The noise muffler is comprised of a cylinder with tubes inside it. The loss reducer and muffler are assembled together to form the device. In operation, when filling cryogenic cylinders, for example, the device is screwed on to the vent valve of the cryogenic cylinder being filled. During the fill process, vent gases from the cryogenic cylinder pass through an orifice in the device. The size of the orifice can be changed to any one of the multiple discrete sizes by manually turning the rotor. This manipulation of the orifice size changes the pressure difference between the storage tank and the cryogenic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Technical Manufacturing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Hunter, Kenneth R. Pint