Combined Patents (Class 285/119)
  • Patent number: 5553893
    Abstract: A connector for delivering combustion gas to a gas fired appliance from a stationary supply line where the appliance moves toward and away from the supply line with the connector straightening and flexing between them as the appliance moves. The connector comprises a flexible hose assembly and first and second swivel fittings at respective hose assembly ends. Each swivel fitting defines a gas flow path and comprises a swivel member for communicating the connector with the appliance or the supply line. The hose assembly comprises a flexible metal hose member antitorsion fittings forming ends of the hose assembly connected to respective swivel fittings. The antitorsion fittings comprise pintle and nipple members rotatable relative to each other to prevent torsional stress in the hose member when the appliance moves relative to the supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Hose Master, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam J. Foti
  • Patent number: 5553892
    Abstract: A gas rail includes, preferably, three conduits designed to convey vacuum, pressurized oxygen and air, respectively, for a fluid flow system designed to be located in a hospital room. The gas rail includes a fluid coupling for each conduit so that each conduit may be coupled to its respective source as well as to its ultimate destination. The gas rail is mounted on a wall in the hospital room by virtue of a bracket mount with the gas rail and the bracket mount having interengaging portions permitting the gas rail to be mounted to the bracket mount in any one of two distinct, diverse orientations. The bracket mount also has the provision of structure permitting installation of a clip designed to retain electrical conductors which may be mounted in the bracket mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Fairfield Medical Products Corporation
    Inventors: Eric V. Pitchford, Gerald E. Proctor, William Boehmer
  • Patent number: 5478121
    Abstract: A connector for delivering combustion gas to a gas fired appliance from a stationary supply line where the appliance moves toward and away from the supply line with the connector straightening and flexing between them as the appliance moves. The connector comprises a flexible hose assembly and first and second swivel fittings at respective hose assembly ends. The first and second swivel fittings have respective end walls defining between them the maximum overall connector length. Each swivel fitting comprises a swivel member for communicating the connector with the appliance or the supply line. The swivel members each define a gas flow path and swivel axis extending therethrough with each axis extending parallel to a respective adjacent swivel fitting end wall and each end wall rotatable relative to the swivel member about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Hose Master, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam J. Foti
  • Patent number: 5417459
    Abstract: An improved umbilical connector for preferable use in a subsea application. The apparatus includes a female portion and a male portion having connections located within, and a threadable fastener on the male and female halves intended to threadably engage thereby advancing and locking the male half within the female half of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Sonsub, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Gray, William C. Parks
  • Patent number: 5394823
    Abstract: A pipeline with threaded pipes and a sleeve connecting the pipes which is hung in a drill hole for transporting a liquid and/or gaseous medium. An electrically driven pump or compressor is arranged at the start of the pipeline in the region of the base of the drill hole and the electric motor is supplied with electric power via a cable hung in the drill hole. In order to allow for large cable cross sections for the electric drive of a turbopump or a turbocompressor and to prevent impermissible loading of the cable, each sleeve of the pipeline has at least one groove extending in the longitudinal direction at its outer casing, the cable being guided in this groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Friedrich Lenze
  • Patent number: 5333914
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hose unit including harnesses which can be easily attached to and detached from the other portion of the unit at the time of fastening thereof to the body of a motor vehicle or the like and which hardly undergoes stress even at the time of vibration or torsion of the hose of the unit. The hose unit includes the hose to which respective end metal members are secured. Holders are removably fastened to these members. One harness extends along the hose and is fastened to the holders and another harness is connected to the former through the holders and extends therefrom. Also disclosed is a special hose clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Oomori, Fumio Ikeda, Keiichi Kodama, Makoto Kanai, Tatsuya Terayama
  • Patent number: 5306050
    Abstract: A ratchet-type spoolable connector for coupling coiled tubing to tools or other coiled tubing. A mandrel is engaged by a ratchet to the inside of a body and slips abut the end of the body and engage the mandrel. The alternate application of tension and compression across the connector ratchets the mandrel into wedging engagement with the slips for gripping the coiled tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Laflin, Brian K. Moore
  • Patent number: 5303961
    Abstract: Proper access for enabling fire hoses to be readily coupled to the hose connections of a fire hydrant is provided without needlessly sacrificing valuable adjacent parking space for motor vehicles by utilizing upwardly oriented fire hydrant hose connections and/or by utilizing open-walled, cage-like protective enclosure components to maintain good and sufficient hydrant clearance and hose connection access space in regions that extend about the hydrant's hose connections. In one preferred form, rounded elbow pipe segments are threaded onto the hose connections of an existing fire hydrant and are rigidly secured in place thereon to provide upwardly oriented fire hydrant hose connections, and/or protective enclosure components are attached to the existing fire hydrant to provide an open-walled cage-like structure that maintains proper obstruction-free access space in regions that extend about the hydrant's hose connections so that fire hoses easily can be coupled to the hydrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Nicholas B. Popil
  • Patent number: 5277454
    Abstract: In a bath rim fitting or other fitting, in which a shower hose extends through a plate or the like and whose back is difficultly accessible, it is proposed to connect the shower hose to the fixed pipe with the aid of a pressure hose. The pressure hose is sufficiently long that it can at least be drawn up to the plate opening by pulling on the shower hose, so that it is possible to replace the latter in front of or outside the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Hans Grohe GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lorch, Werner Finkbeiner, Alois Schoenweger
  • Patent number: 5238273
    Abstract: An internal slip-type connector for coupling coiled tubing to tools or other coiled tubing having a body that does not upset the outside diameter of the coiled tubing with seal means to seal to the inside of the coiled tubing. A mandrel is threadably engaged to the inside of the end of the body and slip means abuts the first end of the body and engages the mandrel. Rotation of the body relative to the mandrel wedges the slip means into the inside of the coiled tubing for gripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Laflin, Brian K. Moore
  • Patent number: 5201551
    Abstract: A twist canister for conducting conduits between two members rotatable with respect to each other through a predetermined angle about an axis. The conduits are pre-flexed an angular amount equal to one half of the predetermined angle when the members are at the extreme of the rotational angle with respect to each other. The conduits are flexed only one half of the predetermined angle during rotation of the members through the total predetermined angle. The conduits are placed generally in a plane parallel to the axis to minimize the space required for the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William E. Rumberger
  • Patent number: 5197895
    Abstract: A modular constructed connector for interconnecting with a single male and female connector a plurality of electrical lines and fluid lines while maintaining a consistent bubble-tight fluid interconnection. The modular design permits the number of fluidic and electrical connections to be varied depending upon the particular application. In one embodiment, a programmable microchip is mounted within this connector. This chip stores the response characteristics of a flow meter used, for example, as an air flow measurement device in a respiratory circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Bicore Monitoring Systems
    Inventor: Josef J. Stupecky
  • Patent number: 5178422
    Abstract: A connector assembly for delivering natural gas or propane from a fixed pipe having a shut-off valve to a moveable gas cooking appliance on casters is provided in which a swivel is coupled with a connector which in turn is coupled between the shut-off valve and the gas appliance. The swivel maintains its shape and physical characteristics at least up to 800.degree. F. temperature for at least ten minutes. The swivel has a first body member which has a first and second end. A nut is rotatably coupled to the first end of the first body member. The first body member is rotatable about a fixed first axis with respect to the nut which is coupled to the shut-off valve. The swivel has a second body member having a first and second end. The first end of the second body member is rotatably coupled to the second end of the first body member. The first end of the second body member is rotatable about a second axis which intersects the fixed first axis and is rotatable with respect to the fixed first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Dormont Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard C. Sekerchak
  • Patent number: 5114189
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suction box for a central vacuum system, comprising a cover part (1) designed to be mounted against the exterior surface of a wall, a counterpart (2) of the cover part, designed to be mounted inside the wall, and a 90.degree. suction bend (3) designed to bend the suction tube inside the wall to a direction parallel to the plane of the wall. According to the invention, the counterpart (2) and the auction bend (3) constitute a solid integral body (4) comprising a supporting surface (5) resting against the interior surface of the wall board, a round-shaped mounting flange (6) raised from the supporting surface and designed to be placed in a hole in the wall, and curved and elongated attachment areas (7) to which the cover part (1) can be fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: AKP-Tekno Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Nurmi, Heikki Salo
  • Patent number: 5067752
    Abstract: A low flow resistant dry break fluid coupling suitable for military and industrial refueling applications wherein the coupling is connected to a male adapter by radially displaceable detents operated by an axially movable locking sleeve. The coupling including a valve having a manual actuating handle which includes locking sleeve interference structure preventing the locking sleeve from being displaced to the adapter release position while the valve is in the open position. Additionally, electric switch structure mounted upon the coupling body permits gloved actuation to control a fluid pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventors: Randolph L. Maiville, Russell L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5046761
    Abstract: A vacuum-cleaner pipe has an inner tube telescopingly received in an enlarged end of an outer tube. A retaining element diametrically opposite a slider which can be operated by the user can be received in an annular space between the tubes and on opposite sides of a guide body around which, in at least a partial turn, extends a bar spring which is braced against the guide body and not only provides the bias to the retaining element in the direction in which it presses a detent into a selected recess of a detent strip of the inner tube, but also forms the coupling between the slider and the retaining element so that upon movement of the slider in one direction, the retaining element is moved in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Carl Froh Rohrenwerk GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: August Cordes
  • Patent number: 4972731
    Abstract: Multi-jointed robot for use in a clean room specifically applicable during the production of semiconductor devices where contaminant material must be eliminated to the extent possible. The robot includes a sectional body defined at least in part by a plurality of arm members wherein a plurality of pivotal joints are provided to pivotably connect adjacent arm members with respect to each other. The arm members and the pivotal joints are hollow such that an uninterrupted air passage is provided in the robot extending through each of the pivotal joints and the arm members of the sectional body thereof. The robot includes a terminal arm member located at one end of the sectional body which has an opening on the exterior surface thereof defining one end of the air passage through the robot. A rotary fan is mounted in the robot at the other end of the air passage and is operable upon rotation to exhaust air through the air passage within the interior of the sectional body of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mitsuo Akutagawa, Takashi Kuramochi
  • Patent number: 4958856
    Abstract: A sealing joint for use in a conduit system where an elevated pressure may exist at one side of the system comprises a pair of co-axial tubular metal sections with intermesting tapered edges which are clamped against each other by fastening means, such as a swivel nut, so as to establish a fluid tight seal formed by the conical contact area between the tapered surfaces of said edges.One of the tubular sections has a tapered edge which is at one side thereof exposed to the elevated pressure. This section has a smaller wall thickness than the tapered edge of the other tubular section so as to allow the elevated pressure to press said tapered edges onto each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus H. P. M. Heijnen
  • Patent number: 4915416
    Abstract: A swivel-less coupling suitable for producing oil from an underwater well through a riser to a floating vessel or for transferring fluids to or from such a vessel is formed of an inner drum and a surrounding annular surface. The surface carries one or more flexible pipes which can wind and unwind helically across it to accommodate limited relative rotation as between the inner end(s) of the pipe(s) which is fixed to the drum and the outer end(s) and the pipe(s) which is fixed at a point which is rotatable relative to the drum. The pipe or pipes may be carried on cradles which can move across the surface. Relative movement as between the inner and outer ends of the pipe may be regulated by a motor, which may be controlled by sensors noting any tendency for change in the relative positions due to forces acting on the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Ian M. Barrett, Steven P. Burchell
  • Patent number: 4880258
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner structure wherein a force transfer structure is provided for facilitated positioning of a locking post provided for resiliently releasably locking a pair of flow passage elements in the vacuum cleaner structure. The force transfer structure defines a large area for facilitated fingertip manipulation and indication to the user of the location of the locking structure. The force transfer structure may be selectively mounted to other structure carried by the flow passage element. In one form, the force transfer structure is mounted to the flow passage element by an annular collar and, in another form, the force transfer structure is mounted directly to the flow passage element by a securing element, such as a rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ennis L. Tillman, James R. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 4800926
    Abstract: A system and method for passing conduit through a wall so as to maintain a firebreak for the wall wherein a coupling having relatively low thermal conductivity properties and relatively high fire resistance properties is mounted in an opening in the wall and secured therein by thermal barrier sealing material and one end of a first conduit is inserted into a first side of the coupling and one end of a second conduit is inserted into a second side of the coupling and wherein the first and second conduits have relatively high thermal conductivity properties and wherein the one ends of the first and second conduits are located and maintained a distance from each other so as to provide a thermal barrier therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventor: Paul C. Beck
  • Patent number: 4742792
    Abstract: A communication arrangement between a sub-sea structure and a surface vessel is by a flexible control umbilical deployed from the vessel in such a way as to accommodate relative movement between the structure and vessel. Unpredictably excessive movements can risk breakage of the umbilical, causing damage to equipment controlled by it and `down-time` while the equipment is repaired and the umbilical replaced. In the present invention (FIG. 2) the umbilical 13 is suspended from a reel 20 of deployment means 14, which is braked to resist motion below a predetermined level of umbilical tension but above that level the braking is overcome enabling the deployed umbilical to draw off, and deploy, a further length 13' while the communication channels of the umbilical are shut-down, including powering-down any sub-sea equipment in controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Ferranti Subsea Systems Limited
    Inventors: James L. Mank, Bryson Riddler
  • Patent number: 4703955
    Abstract: The invention comprises a cleaning head for a swimming pool cleaning apparatus and a surface unit for the apparatus. The cleaning head is pressure operated, having a main jet through which water exits, thereby displacing the cleaning head through the pool. The cleaning head also has a bag with a mouth facing in the direction of movement, which catches leaves and other dirt particles as it moves through the water. A scraper is also provided, which is hingedly attached to the head. The surface unit has a body which is rotatably attached to an inlet member which in turn is also rotatably attached to an outlet member. The inlet member is connected by means of a surface hose to a water return inlet of the pool and the outlet member is connected to the cleaning head by means of an underwater hose. The body of the surface unit has two jets which are directed in the same direction, with one being smaller than the other; so that the body is displaced linearly and also rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Orbijet Holdings (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: David A. Brooks
  • Patent number: 4643462
    Abstract: A nonswiveling rotatable link formed from flexible conduits extending between two parallel planes of which one is rotatable relative to the other is stabilized without the use of a gear wheel mated to teeth on each of the two planes. The link instead includes two flexible conduits which together form two loops or circles, one on each plane. Each conduit also forms an arc traversing the gap between the planes, through which the conduit passes and reverses direction while transferring from one plane to the other as one plane rotates, the two arcs curving in opposite directions and overlapping to form a closed crossover loop. Tension within the crossover loop and thus proper alignment of the conduits is provided by pairs of idlers forced apart laterally inside the loop by a spring or cylinder mounting which maintains expansive pressure as conditions in the conduits cause the loop to expand or contract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Bechtel International Corporation
    Inventor: Norman R. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4601334
    Abstract: A control line protector for securing and protecting a control line or lines to the exterior of an oil well tubing string. The protector comprises a flexible steel strap to the ends of which a respective trunnion is attached, one of which trunnions is removably mounted. The trunnions are interconnected by two screws which may be rotated to draw the trunnions towards one another, thus tensioning the strap around a length of tubing forming part of a drill string. An axially-directed channel is formed adjacent one of the trunnions to receive a control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Lovegrove
  • Patent number: 4597595
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for coupling a fixed unit, such as a fluid riser or electrical cable rising from a sea bed and fixed in space, with a movable unit, such as a production vessel floating on the prevailing sea. The apparatus includes a pair of vertically spaced, coaxial, relatively shiftable disks, the lower disk being coupled with the riser or cable, and the upper disk being coupled with the vessel. A conduit extends between and can be moved onto and off the members as a function of the rotation of the vessel due to the wave action. The upper and lower members move in a manner to allow the conduit to move onto the circumferential extent of the outer periphery of one member and off the circumferential extent of the outer periphery of the other member as a function of the rotation of the vessel through at least two revolutions in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Bechtel International Corporation
    Inventor: Norman R. Wallace
  • Patent number: 4587994
    Abstract: A device for securing a flexible hose leading from a recreational vehicle sewage holding tank, to the inlet of a campground sewer pipe, and for closing off the inlet of the sewer pipe when not in use. A cylindrical base is permanently bonded to the top of the sewer pipe. A stopper-pin assembly, connected to the base by a light chain, has a stopper which is inserted in the base to close off the pipe inlet when the pipe is not in use, and a pin which is used to secure the flexible hose to the base, by insertion of the pin through two holes in the base so oriented as to allow the pin to pass between adjacent corrugations on the outer wall of the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventors: Gordon R. Links, Alvin L. Ellisor
  • Patent number: 4504085
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for bringing into proximity and connecting a quench stack and monomer ring for the melt spinning of synthetic polymer fibers. These members are brought into proximity through use of a reel assembly and are connected by means of a clamping device. The clamp, which is mounted on the quench stack, features a drawpiece comprising a rod. The rod is curved into a "U" shape, the base of which engages with a keeper element and the legs of which describe a circle bend prior to terminating in a threaded shank for mounting to the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Harold G. Sachleben, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4492392
    Abstract: A three flanged polyolefin tank fitting wherein two of the flanges are integrally connected to a pipe having a threaded portion one one end thereof, one flange being connected to the opposite end of the pipe and another flange being positioned between the threaded end portion and the first-mentioned flange. The third flange consists of a flange connector having axially extending bolts extending through the second flange. The inner faces of the second and third flanges are provided with compressible gaskets, and a siphon drain is connectable to the threaded end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Poly Processing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur F. Woods, Harry Bush, Eugene J. Kana
  • Patent number: 4475751
    Abstract: A coupler comprising a female coupling member and a male coupling member adapted to be fitted therein for coupling air conduits of two systems, i.e., an air pressure supply system and a control system thereof, wherein the coupling members have openings of a first and a second air conduit, respectively, at respective central portions of the mating faces and annular grooves concentric with and outer than the respective openings; third and fourth air conduits open at the respective grooves; the openings of the first and the second air conduit are connected with each other; an o-ring is disposed at the connecting portion between sidewalls of the respective openings; the annular grooves of the respective coupling members are engaged with each other; a second o-ring is disposed at the engaging portion of outer walls of the respective grooves; and the engaging portion of the inner walls of the grooves are air-tightly sealed by the first o-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoshin Nishimura
  • Patent number: 4445536
    Abstract: There is disclosed a coupling for effecting pneumatic connection between a rack and a circuit board carrying both electrical and pneumatic control elements where concurrent connection is made of electric and pneumatic circuits as the circuit board is inserted in the rack. The coupling comprises a male unit with a wedge shaped insertion probe penetrated by a flow channel terminating in an interconnection port and a female unit with an opening for receiving the insertion probe of the male unit and an interconnection port mating across an interface surface with the male interconnection port. The female coupling unit further includes a shuttle with axial symmetry having an actuator shaft of a diameter to slide within the uniform bore portion of the tunnel at one end, a stop that cannot enter the uniform bore portion of the tunnel at the other end, two spaced apart seals of a diameter to make a sealing fit to the uniform bore portion of the tunnel positioned intermediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Linear Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Willis
  • Patent number: 4435006
    Abstract: An automatic pressurized connecting device having a wide angle of attachment and in which thermal seizure is eliminated. The device includes a main frame mounted on wheels which run on rails, a rotary shaft fitted on the main frame, a first bracket mounted on the rotary shaft, and the body rockably coupled to the first bracket. A main shaft is inserted into a central portion of the body and the high pressure water supplying rotary universal joint is coupled to a front end portion of the main shaft. A seal plug is coupled to a front end portion of the universal joint. A motor is provided on a second bracket for rotating the main shaft. A high pressure water supplying port in the body communicates with a water supplying port formed in a front end portion of the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yamamoto Suiatsu Kogyosho
    Inventors: Katsumi Ishigaki, Kazuo Sasaki, Takumi Fukumura
  • Patent number: 4411454
    Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus for connecting to a wellhead structure. Lower and upper female bodies define first and second receptacles disposed generally in coaxially aligned, end-to-end, communicative relation. A male body is received in both receptacles. The male body and upper female body have respective sets of inductive electric couplers matched in one-to-one relation. Several features facilitate effective use of such couplers: the couplers themselves have the edges of their heads chamfered from a point located just outwardly of the O.D's of their cores; an improved mounting arrangement aligns the two female bodies in stacked relation without the lower female body interfering with proper seating of the male body in the upper female body; an improved compensator system enhances play of one female body for precise centering with the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. J. Nayler, John D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4410004
    Abstract: A laundry outlet box comprises a box-like one-piece molded plastic housing having top, bottom and side walls circumscribing an axis of the box and a back wall and open front face normal to such axis. The bottom wall of the housing slopes downwardly toward the center to a drain opening and is provided at its underside with a tailpipe adaptor including coextensive radially spaced pipe-like extensions concentric with the drain opening, which extensions are adapted for selective coupling to drain pipes of different sizes. The housing is adapted to be recess mounted in a wall between vertical wall supports by interchangeable L-shape mounting brackets arranged in pairs on each side of the box with the laterally extending legs vertically spaced apart and adapted to have optionally secured therebetween electrical outlet boxes at one or both sides of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Assignee: Oatey Co.
    Inventors: David E. Kifer, Robert H. McGuire
  • Patent number: 4408521
    Abstract: An automatic die changing system for a power press having carriers for transporting dies to and from a work station in the press and having a plurality of air lines and electrical lines in the press for supplying compressed air and electrical power to the dies on the carriers. All of the air and electrical lines terminate at the surface of the press, with a normally closed valve at the end of each of the air lines and electrical contact means at the end of each of the electrical lines. A plurality of connectors are mounted on each of the carriers to register with the valves and electrical contacts when the carrier is positioned at the work station, and responsive to the lowering of the carrier onto the press bed to automatically connect the air and electrical lines at the surface of the bed with corresponding air and electrical lines for operating control devices associated with the dies on the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Danly Machine Corporation
    Inventors: William Schelli, William E. Sindelar
  • Patent number: 4387914
    Abstract: An elbow is disclosed for use in effecting short radius turns in fluent transport systems while overcoming the previous problem of high wear at the turn. The subject elbow includes entry and exit ports at right angles to each other, an arcuate channel extending between the ports, and a chamber aligned with but axially offset from the entryport. The effect of this chamber is to provide abrasive resistance for the elbow by allowing a soft plug of the fluent material to form therein. The material forming the plug will rotate in a vortex manner in the chamber. The subsequently passing fluent material will deflect off of the soft plug rather than rub on the walls of the elbow while making the direction change. The elbow may be provided with an optional purge vent entering into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Hammertek Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome I. Paulson, Larry W. Hess
  • Patent number: 4362324
    Abstract: A high pressure fluid delivery conduit for use at pressures of 30,000 psi or more permitting relative movement of one end relative to the other only when fluid pressure is not applied thereto. The conduit is formed by a plurality of rigid tube-like sections arranged end-to-end and a plurality of movable joints connecting the sections. Each joint has an outer member in which an inner member is rotatably received. Outer and inner passageways defined by the outer and inner members at an interface location, respectively, communicate with each other regardless of the positions of the members. A pair of ring-shaped seals are disposed between the outer and inner members, for radial expansion upon the application of fluid pressure thereto to prevent the escape of the fluid. The seals are arranged on opposite sides of the interface location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Haskel Engineering & Supply Company
    Inventor: John W. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4337969
    Abstract: A rigid extension member, for use with a well-logging cable in a borehole, has a means for protecting the well-logging cable disposed along the length of, and on the outer surface of, a cylindrical tube. Means for detachably securing the well-logging cable within the protection means is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Pierre C. Escaron, Joachim A. Hoppe
  • Patent number: 4316622
    Abstract: There is disclosed an accumulator filter and conduit clamp assembly of the type to be applied to an apertured conduit. The assembly includes a filter unit and a conduit clamp integrally joined to the filter unit. The conduit clamp includes a pair of relatively rigid arms having inner surfaces contoured in general correspondence to the outer transverse dimension of the conduit, resilient hinge means joining the inner ends of the arms together including an arcuate inwardly projecting portion arranged to engage and exert a compressive force against the outer surface of the conduit, and latch means at the free ends of the arms for locking the free ends together. A projection extends inwardly from one of the arms and is dimensioned for being received by the conduit aperture. The projection includes a through aperture for communicating the filter unit with the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4285534
    Abstract: A pulsation-absorbing flexible pipe being provided with a throttling material at each end of connection metal fittings arranged at both ends of a flexible pipe, and a throttling means, which has a bore of a diameter smaller than that of the flexible pipe, inside of a bore in the flexible pipe, thereby efficiently absorbing pulsation of a pressure fluid discharged from a pressure fluid-feeding device in a pressure fluid device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Nichirin Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Katayama, Kiyokazu Agura, Masayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 4230347
    Abstract: A break-away tank tee fitting for connecting a well water storage tank to the supply or service line. The tank tee fitting has a unique disconnect arrangement for connecting the service line to either a bottom or side inlet tank. This arrangement allows the tank to be removed and replaced without cutting any pipes or wires. The tank tee fitting also provides a unique arrangement designed to easily accommodate in less space the pump switch and pressure gauge normally found in systems where the fitting is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Klasing Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford C. Williams
  • Patent number: 4227721
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a tight seal between a coupling and a tube of variable sizes. A cylindrical housing defining an opening therein is provided such that a plurality of jaws having gripping teeth and gear teeth are mounted within the housing by being rotatably secured on a pin. A sleeve having rack teeth for engaging the gear teeth of the jaws is provided for rotating the jaws such that the inward extension of the gripping teeth may be varied. A piston having a seal mounted thereon and a projecting member extending therethrough is slidably maintained within the cylindrical opening such that a joint may be formed between the tube and the coupling. The piston defines together with the housing an expansible chamber which may be filled with a pressurized fluid to move the piston against the tube to assure a tight seal. A limit switch may additionally be provided such that if the gripping teeth do not properly engage the exterior of the tube the piston will be displaced sufficiently to engage the limit switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne R. Reedy, Edward F. Russ
  • Patent number: 4221406
    Abstract: An adapter for coupling a passageway and a conduit having off-center longitudinal center lines. The adapter includes an elongated internal chamber having an opening for coupling to the passageway. One or more walls of the internal chamber are provided with thickened portions. The circular margins of an opening drilled into the chamber are adapted to circumferentially engage the outer periphery of the extremity of a conduit for sealed association, as by soldering or brazing. Continuation of the drilled opening into the thickened portions of the chamber wall or walls provides arcuate ledges for engaging the end of the conduit to provide structural support. The location of the drilled opening along the length of the chamber establishes the center line distance between the passageway and the conduit. Another drilled opening may be provided for placement of a filter in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Inventor: Paul L. Traylor
  • Patent number: 4133559
    Abstract: A method of electrically and hydraulically connecting a conductor bar having a plurality of hollow water-cooled conductors involves compressing the conductor bar and shims of brazing material in a connector clip formed of a pair of mating clip members. Brazing shims (strips and bands) are placed in desired positions, and then the components are heated and hydraulically compressed. The conductor bar and brazing material assembly is sized for a tight fit in one dimension, but oversized in another dimension so that compression results in a desired distribution of the molten brazing material. During compression, the clip members are secured from relative motion, other than displacement toward one another, and air is passed through the hollow conductors to prevent the accumulation of brazing material in the open ends thereof. In addition to the clip members, the connector device includes a water inlet member with a stem that is inserted between and brazed to the clip members after the compression step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventor: David P. Davies
  • Patent number: 4099746
    Abstract: An equalizing arrangement for a low temperature line having at least one rigid inner tube used for the conduction of a cryogenic medium which contains at least one tubular compensating element for the equalization of length changes in which an expansion device is associated with the compensating element permitting the length of the compensating element to be preset as a function of the inner tube temperature to prevent forces from acting upon the terminations connected to the low temperature line during a cooling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Otmar Kontsch, Fritz Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4098526
    Abstract: A device for connecting fluid and electrical lines between a stationary structure and a rotary platform, more particularly a device for milk, vacuum, and electrical lines for a dairy rotary milking parlor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: The De Laval Separator Company
    Inventor: Donald E. DuBois
  • Patent number: 4079965
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved wand for connecting a vacuum cleaner suction nozzle having an electric motor therein to a suction hose. A wand of this type normally serves as both a rigid handle for manipulating the nozzle and as a conduit for the passage of air from the nozzle to the hose. In addition, the present wand is provided with a sheath of preferably electrical insulating material for retaining an electric cord for supplying current to the motor in the nozzle from conductors carried by the suction hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1978
    Assignee: Consolidated Foods Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Moughty, John T. Ferraris, William P. Ritzau, J. Fred Collins
  • Patent number: 4045058
    Abstract: The specification discloses a coupling device comprising a sleeve, forming an adapter for connecting tubing of different sizes, particularly tubing used in respiratory systems in hospitals. The sleeve has fixed thereto a pair of external diametrically disposed mushroom-like buttons by which an elastic tape with a series of holes secures a tubing to the sleeve and prevents accidental separation therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Instrumentation Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bela Eross
  • Patent number: 3973790
    Abstract: A cardan frame for suspending compressed air operable tightening and closing devices for strapping packages, boxes, coils, and the like. The cardan frame is formed by two tubular arc-shaped conduit sections for conveying compressed air therethrough. The interior of the two conduit sections is interconnected by a first swivel joint while one end of one of the two conduit sections has connected thereto an eye for suspending the cardan frame. The other end of the other conduit section has connected thereto a second swivel section to which is suspended the respective desired strapping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1973
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Angenendt Verpackungssysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Wenzel
  • Patent number: D275027
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Larry L. Cornell