Robert M Funderburk

US Patent:

6343618, Feb 5, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/514093

Inventors:

Greg L. Britt - Indian Trail NC
Danny S. Meyer - Monroe NC
Timothy D. Price - Monroe NC
Robert V. Funderburk - Salisbury NC

Assignee:

Conbraco Industries, Inc. - Matthews NC

International Classification:

F16K 1503

US Classification:

137527, 137512, 251337, 251 87

Abstract:

A swing check valve for controlling fluid flow, including a valve housing having a port for fluid flow therethrough with a removable cover for accessing an interior of the valve housing. A valve assembly is positioned within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow through the valve housing. The valve assembly includes a valve seat in fluid communication with the port and a clapper mounted in the valve housing on a pivotally-mounted rocker arm and moveable between an open position responsive to fluid flow in a flow direction and a closed position sealed against the valve seat responsive to fluid flow in an opposite, backflow direction. A spring is captured in the valve housing by the removable cover without attachment to either the cover or valve housing, and normally urges the clapper into the closed position sealed against the valve seat. A first pivot is carried by the spring and cooperates with a mating interior surface of the cover for permitting unattached pivotal movement of the spring relative to the cover. A second pivot is carried by the spring and cooperates with a mating pivot surface carried on the rocker arm for permitting unattached pivotal movement of the spring relative to the rocker arm whereby the spring is allowed to pivot within the valve housing responsive to movement of the clapper.

US Patent:

6443184, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Jul 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/625682

Inventors:

Robert V. Funderburk - Salisbury NC

Assignee:

Conbraco Industries, Inc. - Matthews NC

International Classification:

F16K 1500

US Classification:

137535, 137529, 251337

Abstract:

A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of said valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof and at least one valve assembly disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing, and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction, axially moveable toward the valve seat in response to fluid flow in an upstream direction, and in sealing engagement against the valve seat in the absence of fluid flow. A plurality of springs are pivotally mounted in the interior of the valve housing interconnecting the valve housing and stem for normally maintaining the seal retainer in sealing engagement with the valve seat in the absence of fluid flow. The springs are positioned in radial opposition to one another and extend outwardly from the stem in the downstream direction to cause the seal retainer to move away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in the downstream direction, thereby increasing the force of the stem on the springs and causing the springs to pivot and compress to produce a diminishing resultant spring load on the stem.

US Patent:

6694996, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Mar 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/095264

Inventors:

Robert V. Funderburk - Salisbury NC

Assignee:

Conbraco Industries, Inc. - Matthews NC

International Classification:

F16K 1503

US Classification:

137 1518, 13731533, 137512, 1375272, 1375274

Abstract:

A swing check valve for controlling fluid flow, including a valve housing having a port for fluid flow therethrough. A valve assembly is disposed within the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough, and includes a valve seat communicating with the port. A clapper is pivotally mounted in the valve housing and moves between open and closed positions. A lever arm is pivotally mounted on the rocker arm for providing leverage against the rocker arm for positioning the clapper and rocker arm within the valve housing. A spring is captured in the valve housing, and normally urges the clapper into the closed position. A first pivot is carried by the spring for permitting unattached pivotal movement of the spring relative to the cover. A second pivot is carried by the spring for permitting the spring to pivot within the valve housing responsive to movement of the clapper.

US Patent:

7025085, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Mar 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/796241

Inventors:

Timothy D. Price - Monroe NC, US
Robert V. Funderburk - Salisbury NC, US
Gareth P. Taylor - Indian Trail NC, US

Assignee:

Conbraco Industries, Inc. - Matthews NC

International Classification:

F16K 15/00

US Classification:

137512, 137529, 137536, 251337

Abstract:

A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow, and including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of the valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof. At least one valve assembly is disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction at a predetermined flow rate, and axially moveable towards and into sealing engagement with the valve seat in response to a downstream fluid flow at a flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate. A plurality of springs is allowed to compress past the position of neutral load for the purpose of elongating the stroke of the poppet. The elongated stroke results in enhanced flow performance.

US Patent:

20100168773, Jul 1, 2010

Filed:

Mar 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/449943

Inventors:

Robert V. Funderburk - Salisbury NC, US
John F. Higdon - Matthews NC, US
Julie C. Howell - Indian Trail NC, US
Steven P. Lehmbeck - Baltimore MD, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/3213

US Classification:

606167

Abstract:

A guarded surgical scalpel is provided with manually-manipulatable means carried by the scalpel for, first, securely mounting a surgical blade on the scalpel and, second, subsequently de-mounting the surgical blade off the scalpel, the de-mounting being essentially in a “hands free” environment; that is, it is not necessary to touch the used blade for its removal. Additionally, the scalpel may be quickly disassembled for cleaning and/or sterilization following a surgical procedure in the operating room (“O.R.”) of a hospital, clinic or physician's office.

US Patent:

57113416, Jan 27, 1998

Filed:

Feb 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/806115

Inventors:

Robert Vernon Funderburk - Charlotte NC
Timothy Duane Price - Monroe NC

Assignee:

Conbraco Industries, Inc. - Matthews NC

International Classification:

F16K 2500

US Classification:

1374546

Abstract:

A swing-check valve for controlling fluid flow includes a valve housing and a valve assembly that engages a removable cover of the valve housing for rigid positioning of the valve assembly within the interior of the valve housing when the cover is mounted to the housing. Moreover, the valve assembly includes a valve seat subassembly in addition to a clapper subassembly and a spring subassembly. The valve seat subassembly includes a valve seat that is frictionally disposed within a port of the valve housing for controlling fluid flow therethrough when the cover is fastened to the valve housing. The clapper subassembly includes a clapper pivotal between a first position in engagement with the valve seat for blocking fluid flow through the port and a second position for permitting fluid flow through the port. The spring subassembly includes a spring and a spring base engageable with the clapper subassembly for urging the clapper into the first position. In one embodiment, the clapper subassembly includes a pivot arm having a roller which engages the spring base and, in another embodiment, the clapper subassembly includes a cam arm on the clapper which engages the spring base.

US Patent:

57946558, Aug 18, 1998

Filed:

Feb 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/806116

Inventors:

Robert Vernon Funderburk - Charlotte NC
Timothy Duane Price - Monroe NC

Assignee:

Conbraco Industries, Inc. - Matthews NC

International Classification:

F16K 1500

US Classification:

137527

Abstract:

A swing-check valve for controlling fluid flow includes a valve housing and a valve assembly connected to a removable cover of the valve housing for rigid positioning of the valve assembly within the interior of the valve housing. Moreover, the valve assembly includes as a modular unit a valve seat subassembly in addition to a clapper subassembly and a spring subassembly. The valve seat subassembly includes a valve seat that is frictionally disposed within a port of the valve housing for controlling fluid flow therethrough when the cover is fastened to the valve housing. The clapper subassembly includes a clapper pivotal between a first position in engagement with the valve seat for blocking fluid flow through the port and a second position for permitting fluid flow through the port. The spring subassembly includes a spring and a spring base engageable with the clapper subassembly for urging the clapper into the first position. In one embodiment, the clapper subassembly includes a roller which engages the spring base and, in another embodiment, the clapper subassembly includes a cam member which engages the spring base.

US Patent:

49951947, Feb 26, 1991

Filed:

Mar 27, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/500023

Inventors:

Eckart F. Schultze - Charlotte NC
Richard Easter - Charlotte NC
Robert V. Funderburk - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

Yale Security Inc. - Monroe NC

International Classification:

E05F 1510

US Classification:

49 32

Abstract:

An hydraulic door closer has a motor/pump component to assist opening the door by supplying oil under pressure to the closer cylinder. The component is activated by a switch sensitive to the turning of the closer pinion shaft as the door is moved out of its frame. Further, the distance which the door must move until the switch activates the motor/pump component is adjustable. The hydraulic circuitry is conveniently embodied in a single manifold block.

Address:

10127 Downey Ln, Tampa, FL 33626

Phone:

8132304028

VIN:

2G1WB5EK2A1171388

Make:

CHEVROLET

Model:

IMPALA

Year:

2010