Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120301247 | LOCKING THREADED FASTENER - A locking fastener includes a fastener body and a locking band. The body includes a tangential slot. The locking band includes a coil portion and first and second tangs extending tangentially from the coil portion. The first tang extends into the slot to limit angular movement of the first tang with respect to the body. When the locking fastener is turned in a loosening direction with sufficient torque, the second tang contacts the fastener body to open the coil portion and to allow removal of the locking fastener. | 11-29-2012 |
20120301246 | LOCKING THREADED FASTENER - A locking fastener includes a fastener body, a locking band within the fastener body, and a retainer secured to the fastener body to retain the locking band within the fastener body. The locking band includes first and second tangs that fit within recesses in the fastener body to limit angular movement of the tangs. The tangs and the recesses are dimensioned to control the torque required to remove the fastener from a threaded member. The retainer defines a central circular hole corresponding to the diameter of a threaded member on which the fastener is mounted. | 11-29-2012 |
20120097264 | STEM-MOUNTED TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE REGULATOR - The specification discloses a tire inflation pressure regulator facilitating precise tire inflation. The regulator includes a body, a two-position valve within the body, and a rotational lock. The body includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air vent. In one position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet when the tire pressure is below a preset level; and, in a second position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air vent when the tire pressure exceeds the preset level to prevent overfilling. The valve moves rapidly between the two positions, and is unstable between the two positions. The valve includes a regulator enabling the preset level to be adjusted. The rotational lock enables the regulator to be screwed onto a tire stem, but prevents removal of the regulator from the tire stem without a key. | 04-26-2012 |
20120063863 | LOCKING THREADED FASTENER - A self-locking threaded fastener that can be driven using conventional driving tools. The threaded fastener includes a fastener body and a locking band. The body includes a) a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion and b) an aperture extending radially from the unthreaded portion. The locking band includes a curved portion within the unthreaded portion of the fastener body and a tang extending into the aperture to limit angular movement of the tang with respect to the body. The curved portion terminates at an end having a range of radial movement with respect to the fastener body. When the threaded fastener is turned in a loosening direction, the locking band inhibit loosening of the threaded fastener. | 03-15-2012 |
20110128154 | BATTERY ELECTROLYTE LEVEL INDICATOR - A battery electrolyte monitor including a probe and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a capacitive element within the probe. The probe is acid resistant, and therefore the probe protects the capacitive element from contact with the battery electrolyte. The control circuit periodically charges and discharges the capacitive element using direct current. Depending on at least one of a charging characteristic and a discharging characteristic, the control circuit determines the electrolyte level. If the electrolyte is below a desired minimum level, the control circuit illuminates an indicator light. | 06-02-2011 |
20100323229 | PUSH-IN TURN-OUT VENT CAP FOR LEAD-ACID BATTERY - A battery vent cap capable of push-in installation and turn-out removal. The cap includes bayonet tabs. The tabs in turn each include a ramp portion to facilitate movement of the cap bayonet tabs past bayonet tabs in a battery vent port as the vent cap is inserted into the port axially without substantial rotation. The interfitting bayonet tabs retain the vent cap within the vent port and also permit the vent cap to be unscrewed and removed from the vent port. In a preferred embodiment, the vent cap includes a swivel connector to which a watering hose may be connected. The swivel enables the vent cap to be unscrewed from the vent portion without having to remove the watering hose from the swivel connector. | 12-23-2010 |
20100266364 | LOCKING THREADED FASTENER - The specification discloses a locking threaded fastener including a body, a coil spring, and a compression ring. The body is hex-shaped and defines a partially threaded bore, an external circumferential groove, and a passage extending radially between the bore and the groove. The coil spring is located within the bore and includes a first end angularly fixed with respect to the body and a second end extending through the passage and into the groove. The compression ring is located within the groove and defines an opening receiving the second end of the coil spring. The compression ring is free to move within the groove and includes portions that extending radially outwardly beyond the flats of the hex shape. When a conventional wrench is engaged with the hex shape, the wrench compresses the compression ring to prevent relative angular movement between the ring and the body. The “locked” compression ring thereby prevents relative angular movement between the second end of the coil spring and the body. | 10-21-2010 |
20100227206 | SINGLE POINT BATTERY WATERING SYSTEM INCLUDING BATTERY REFILL VALVES INCORPORATING FLAME ARRESTORS - The present invention is directed to a refill valve for use in single point battery watering systems for refilling wet cell batteries. The refill valve comprises a porous internal flame arrestor that is in the path of the liquid. Such a design is advantageous because it prevents the internal propagation of flames between battery cells through the battery watering system under dry conditions. | 09-09-2010 |
20100167109 | LOW PROFILE MANIFOLD FOR SINGLE POINT WATERING SYSTEM FOR LEAD-ACID BATTERIES - A single point watering assembly for a monobloc battery having a plurality of cell access ports each have a top edge. The assembly includes a manifold and a plurality of valve cartridges. The manifold overlies the access ports and includes extensions each extending into one of the access ports. Each valve cartridge is supported by one of the manifold extensions and is located below the top edge of the respective access port. Consequently, the assembly presents a low profile extending above the battery. | 07-01-2010 |
20090097940 | LOCKING THREADED CONNECTION - A locking threaded connection (a) providing free relative rotation in a first direction, (b) preventing unintended relative rotation in a second opposite direction, and (c) enabling intended relative rotation in the second direction. The connection includes male and female threaded portions and a helical spring therebetween. The spring is sized and configured to interfit with the male and female threads. The spring enables relative rotation in the first direction, but prevents relative rotation in the second direction. If removability is desired, the spring is provided with an accessible tang, enabling the locking force of the spring to be released. | 04-16-2009 |
20090095359 | STEM-MOUNTED TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE REGULATOR - The specification discloses a tire inflation pressure regulator facilitating precise tire inflation. The regulator includes a body, a two-position valve within the body, and a rotational lock. The body includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air vent. In one position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet when the tire pressure is below a preset level; and, in a second position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air vent when the tire pressure exceeds the preset level to prevent overfilling. The valve moves rapidly between the two positions, and is unstable between the two positions. The valve includes a regulator enabling the preset level to be adjusted. The rotational lock enables the regulator to be screwed onto a tire stem, but prevents removal of the regulator from the tire stem without a key. The regulator preferably includes a cap removably sealed over the air inlet and the air vent to prevent the undesired loss of air. | 04-16-2009 |