Thomas A Braun

US Patent:

7104524, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

Feb 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/276018

Inventors:

David E. Hidding - Barrington IL, US
Thomas J. Braun - Crystal Lake IL, US
Richard W. Del Olmo - Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

Davric Corporation, Inc. - Crystal Lake IL

International Classification:

E02C 3/00

US Classification:

254 88, 14 695

Abstract:

A vehicle ramp for raising a vehicle wheel having an incline component and a separate but interlockable elevated wheel support component. The incline component can be removed while the vehicle wheel is resting on the corresponding elevated wheel support component. The elevated wheel support component has an adjustable chock. In addition to a rear stop on an end, a chock with a raised section helps keep the vehicle wheel from rolling off the top horizontal surface. The removal of the incline component while the vehicle rests on the elevated wheel support component is accomplished with an interlocking member that does not extend the entire height of the interlocking sides of the primary components. Hand grips or handles can be formed in recesses of the sides of each component.

US Patent:

7546857, Jun 16, 2009

Filed:

Mar 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/095125

Inventors:

Richard Chadbourne - Eagan MN, US
Thomas Anthony Braun - Minneapolis MN, US
Charles Peter deCler - Stillwater MN, US
Brian J. Blenkush - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Colder Products Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B65B 1/04
F16L 37/28
F16L 37/32

US Classification:

141354, 141351, 141352, 141353, 2511496, 13761404

Abstract:

A container insert having at least two primary pieces, wherein one of the pieces includes keying features that may be replaceable with other pieces having different keying features. A related single piece container insert includes multiple keying features formed on the interior and exterior surfaces of the container insert. A related coupling assembly includes a venting system that vents a fluid into the container after a valve in the coupling assembly, which is positioned in the container contents flow path, has been opened.

US Patent:

RE44310, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Jun 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/161633

Inventors:

Richard Chadbourne - Eagan MN, US
Thomas Anthony Braun - Minneapolis MN, US
Charles Peter deCler - Edina MN, US
Brian J. Blenkush - Grand Rapids MN, US

Assignee:

Colder Products Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B65B 1/04
F16L 37/28
F16L 37/32

US Classification:

141354, 141351, 141352, 141353, 2511496, 13761404

Abstract:

A container insert having at least two primary pieces, wherein one of the pieces includes keying features that may be replaceable with other pieces having different keying features. A related single piece container insert includes multiple keying features formed on the interior and exterior surfaces of the container insert. A related coupling assembly includes a venting system that vents a fluid into the container after a valve in the coupling assembly, which is positioned in the container contents flow path, has been opened.

US Patent:

20080011785, Jan 17, 2008

Filed:

Jul 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/776141

Inventors:

Thomas Anthony Braun - Eden Prairie MN, US
Gary James Harris - Maple Grove MN, US

International Classification:

B65D 83/14

US Classification:

2224007, 222 1

Abstract:

A coupling assembly for removing contents of a container from an opening in the container. The coupling assembly includes a container insert coupled to the container opening, the container insert including an insert passage, and an insert vent path extending through the container insert. The coupling assembly also includes a unit including a unit cavity, a valve assembly positioned axially therein, and a unit vent path. When the unit is coupled to the container insert, the insert vent path mates with the unit vent path to create a complete vent path extending from within the container to a vent port on the unit, and the valve assembly opens to place the insert passage in fluid communication with the first unit cavity.

US Patent:

61615781, Dec 19, 2000

Filed:

Jan 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/227419

Inventors:

Thomas Anthony Braun - Minneapolis MN
Brian J. Blenkush - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Colder Products Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

F16L 2900

US Classification:

13761403

Abstract:

A high flow low spill quick coupling valve assembly is used to connect to pressurized, large diameter fluid lines. The valve assembly includes a female coupling and a male coupling, each of which defines a fluid passageway. The female coupling fluid passageway is normally closed by a female coupling valve. The female coupling valve is normally biased into a close position by a female coupling spring which is isolated from the female coupling fluid passageway. The male coupling fluid passageway is normally closed by a male coupling valve. The male coupling valve is normally biased into a close position by a male coupling spring which is isolated from the male coupling fluid passageway. Both male and female coupling valves are fluid pressure balanced to minimize the connecting force and opening force. The male coupling is inserted into the female coupling and is engaged with the female coupling to open the fluid passageways.

US Patent:

60241241, Feb 15, 2000

Filed:

Oct 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/728403

Inventors:

Thomas Anthony Braun - Minneapolis MN
Brian J. Blenkush - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Colder Products Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

F16L 3728

US Classification:

13761403

Abstract:

A high flow low spill quick coupling valve assembly is used to connect to pressurized, large diameter fluid lines. The valve assembly includes a female coupling and a male coupling, each of which defines a fluid passageway. The female coupling fluid passageway is normally closed by a female coupling valve. The female coupling valve is normally biased into a close position by a female coupling spring which is isolated from the female coupling fluid passageway. The male coupling fluid passageway is normally closed by a male coupling valve. The male coupling valve is normally biased into a close position by a male coupling spring which is isolated from the male coupling fluid passageway. Both male and female coupling valves are fluid pressure balanced to minimize the connecting force and opening force. The male coupling is inserted into the female coupling and is engaged with the female coupling to open the fluid passageways.

US Patent:

60824018, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Sep 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/860552

Inventors:

Thomas Anthony Braun - Minneapolis MN
Brian J. Blenkush - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Colder Products Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

F16L 3728

US Classification:

13761404

Abstract:

A high flow low spill quick coupling valve assembly (40) is used to connect to pressurized large diameter fluid lines. The valve assembly includes a female coupling (44) and a male coupling (42), each of which defines a fluid passageway. Both male and female coupling valves are fluid pressure balanced to minimize the connecting force used to lock the valve assembly and the disconnecting force used to unlock the valve assembly. The fluid spillage or leakage is minimized. All spring members (80, 104) in the valve assembly are isolated from the fluid passageways. The valve assembly also includes a plurality of static seals between inner and outer bodies of the male coupling and between an inner body and a fluid conduit adaptor of the female coupling, or between the end surfaces of the inner and outer bodies of the male coupling and between the end surfaces of the inner body and the fluid conduit adaptor of the female coupling. The static seals are deformed, once the coupling valve assembly is assembled, to form a seal. Preferably, the entire valve assembly is made of plastic material except for the spring members which are disposed outside the fluid passageways.

US Patent:

52692809, Dec 14, 1993

Filed:

Jan 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/817883

Inventors:

Thomas A. Braun - Eden Prairie MN
Anton Braun - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

Tectonics Companies, Inc. - Bloomington MN

International Classification:

F02B 4300

US Classification:

123527

Abstract:

A fuel injector for injecting gaseous fuel into an internal combustion engine. The injector includes an electromagnetic control valve which controls the admission of actuation gas to a metering valve assembly. The metering valve incorporates a positive mechanical stop to limit valve lift. The force to open the metering valve is supplied by the actuation gas.