Robert L 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:

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.