Patents Assigned to WCM Industries, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20240035588
    Abstract: A utility control system that includes a switch control unit for selectively controlling a utility. The switch control unit may include a visual indicator configured to illuminate a first color when a switch selection mechanism is in a first position to indicate the on state of the utility and a illuminate a second color when the switch selection mechanism is in a second position to indicate the off state of the utility. Control of the utility may be accomplished through generating low-voltage pulses that cause a latching solenoid to latch to a first state or a second state. The utility system may also be provided as a retrofitting kit for a light switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Young, William T. Ball
  • Publication number: 20240019825
    Abstract: A service panel for controlling at least one utility actuator to control the availability of a utility comprises a covered enclosure having an exterior region and an interior region, at least one readily accessible utility control providing ON and OFF request signals and a limited access control in the exterior region providing a temporary activate signal. The service panel has a controller and data storage programmed with code and data and control circuitry providing an “ON” control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to the “ON” state, and the control circuitry providing an “OFF” control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to an OFF state, the control circuitry further providing a re-key signal to the at least one actuator in response to activation of a switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil A. Parker
  • Publication number: 20240003127
    Abstract: A wastewater drain assembly is provided that includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20230417031
    Abstract: A device used to conceal at least a portion of a wastewater strainer associated with a bathtub. More specifically, a plate having an opening therethrough is used to overlap a flange of the wastewater strainer wherein the opening in the plate generally coincides with an opening in the wastewater strainer so that the bathtub drain is unobstructed. The plate may include a downwardly extending lip to help facilitate orientation onto the flange of the wastewater strainer. The plate conceals the wastewater strainer, thereby facilitating reconfiguration of a bathtub as the existing wastewater strainer need not be removed and the plumbing system retested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Publication number: 20230374761
    Abstract: Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20230374788
    Abstract: A roof equipment support includes a platform, a pair of sidewalls extending from the platform, and a top wall extending between the pair of sidewalls and offset from the platform. The platform, the pair of sidewalls, and the top wall define an interior cavity that extends a length of the support from a first end to a second end. A pair of strut extensions extend above the top wall, and each of the pair of strut extension include a hook at a distal end. The pair of strut extensions and the top wall define a substantially U-shaped channel that extends at least a portion of the length of the support, and the platform, the pair of sidewalls, the top wall, and the pair of strut extensions are unitarily formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11815195
    Abstract: A utility control system that includes a switch control unit for selectively controlling a utility. The switch control unit may include a visual indicator configured to illuminate a first color when a switch selection mechanism is in a first position to indicate the on state of the utility and a illuminate a second color when the switch selection mechanism is in a second position to indicate the off state of the utility. Control of the utility may be accomplished through generating low-voltage pulses that cause a latching solenoid to latch to a first state or a second state. The utility system may also be provided as a retrofitting kit for a light switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Young, William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 11814832
    Abstract: An overflow system for concealing an overflow conduit of a bathtub includes a nut and a cover. The nut has an inner mount configured to secure to the conduit that is substantially circular in shape, and an outer mount including a plurality of engagement sections that extend substantially tangential to the inner mount. The inner mount has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the outer mount, and the outer mount is centered on and integral with the inner mount. The cover is configured to couple to the nut and is substantially square. The cover includes a front wall and a plurality of side walls, each having a first end extending from the front wall and an opposite second end. The second end includes a lip configured to engage with a respective engagement section of the plurality of engagement sections when the cover is coupled to the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11788267
    Abstract: A device used to conceal at least a portion of a wastewater strainer associated with a bathtub. More specifically, a plate having an opening therethrough is used to overlap a flange of the wastewater strainer wherein the opening in the plate generally coincides with an opening in the wastewater strainer so that the bathtub drain is unobstructed. The plate may include a downwardly extending lip to help facilitate orientation onto the flange of the wastewater strainer. The plate conceals the wastewater strainer, thereby facilitating reconfiguration of a bathtub as the existing wastewater strainer need not be removed and the plumbing system retested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 11788264
    Abstract: A double check valve is provided that includes an in-line inlet check valve and an outlet check valve that cooperate to prevent back flow of fluid through the valve. The check valve also includes at least one vent that allows for fluid trapped within the check valve to drain, thereby preventing freezing of the check valve and hydrant to which it is interconnected. The check valve provided omits many superfluous components and thus is smaller and easier to install than check valves of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11781303
    Abstract: A wastewater drain assembly is provided that includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11761178
    Abstract: Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Publication number: 20230279649
    Abstract: A bathtub drain connection system includes a first drain pipe configured to couple to a drain opening of a bathtub and a second drain pipe configured to mount to a floor structure. A drain connector is extends between the first drain pipe and the second drain pipe so that the first drain pipe and the second drain pipe are coupled in fluid communication. The drain connector is configured to allow the first drain pipe to be disposed offset relative to the second drain pipe and in a direction that is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the floor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11747777
    Abstract: A service panel for controlling at least one utility actuator to control the availability of a utility comprises a covered enclosure having an exterior region and an interior region, at least one readily accessible utility control providing ON and OFF request signals and a limited access control in the exterior region providing a temporary activate signal. The service panel has a controller and data storage programmed with code and data and control circuitry providing an “ON” control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to the “ON” state, and the control circuitry providing an “OFF” control signal to the at least one utility actuator to switch the at least one utility actuator to an OFF state, the control circuitry further providing a re-key signal to the at least one actuator in response to activation of a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc
    Inventor: Phil A. Parker
  • Publication number: 20230274111
    Abstract: A touchless utility controller is provided. In examples, the utility controller comprises a housing encompassing circuitry configured to receive a signal, and based on the received signal, provide an activation signal to a valve control device for a valve. The housing may comprise a face having an illuminated portion to allow for a visual indictor to illuminate the illuminated portion, wherein the face does not include any physically activated interface elements. In addition, the housing may include at least one of an outer side perimeter connected to the face or a back side, wherein at least one of the outer side perimeter or the back side defines at least one through hole for receiving a input power wiring and output transmission wires for connecting to the valve control device for the valve controlling one of gas or water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. BALL, Eric PILARCZYK, Gabriel YOUNG
  • Publication number: 20230251673
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a pulse control to a ball valve to reduce the amount of torque required to adjust the position of the ball valve. In an aspect, the technology relates to a method for reducing resistance of a ball valve. The method includes generating a pulse having a duration and a polarity; providing the pulse to an actuator configured to rotate a ball of the ball valve; and rotating, by the actuator, the ball of the ball valve by an amount based on the duration of the pulse and a direction based on the polarity of the pulse, wherein the ball valve does not change state after rotation of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Young, William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 11702842
    Abstract: A roof equipment support includes a platform, a pair of sidewalls extending from the platform, and a top wall extending between the pair of sidewalls and offset from the platform. The platform, the pair of sidewalls, and the top wall define an interior cavity that extends a length of the support from a first end to a second end. A pair of strut extensions extend above the top wall, and each of the pair of strut extension include a hook at a distal end. The pair of strut extensions and the top wall define a substantially U-shaped channel that extends at least a portion of the length of the support, and the platform, the pair of sidewalls, the top wall, and the pair of strut extensions are unitarily formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11674294
    Abstract: A bathtub drain connection system includes a first drain pipe configured to couple to a drain opening of a bathtub and a second drain pipe configured to mount to a floor structure. A drain connector is extends between the first drain pipe and the second drain pipe so that the first drain pipe and the second drain pipe are coupled in fluid communication. The drain connector is configured to allow the first drain pipe to be disposed offset relative to the second drain pipe and in a direction that is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the floor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 11639757
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing a pulse control to a ball valve to reduce the amount of torque required to adjust the position of the ball valve. In an aspect, the technology relates to a method for reducing resistance of a ball valve. The method includes generating a pulse having a duration and a polarity; providing the pulse to an actuator configured to rotate a ball of the ball valve; and rotating, by the actuator, the ball of the ball valve by an amount based on the duration of the pulse and a direction based on the polarity of the pulse, wherein the ball valve does not change state after rotation of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Young, William T. Ball
  • Patent number: D1003406
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Pilarczyk