The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 23, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 18, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
Michael W. Spiering, Kingwood, TX (US);
Richard L. Ahlgrim, Houston, TX (US);
Bruce E. Morris, Houston, TX (US);
Assignee:
Big Inch Marine Systems, Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16L 3/500 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F16L 3/500 ;
Abstract
An articulating connector system including an active connector coupled to a first line and a hub assembly coupled to a second line. The active connector includes a swivel coupling element intermediate a grip and a ball nose to allow rotational and articulating motion. A seal is coupled to the ball nose and is protected and guided by an alignment lip into mating engagement with a sealing surface defined by the hub. A clamp closes about the swivel coupling element and hub to draw together the seal and sealing surface into sealing contact to connect the first line to the second line.