Patents Examined by Charles Phillips
  • Patent number: 8060954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toilet flush actuator mechanism for a toilet tank which has a discharge port surrounded by a valve seat having a central axis, a ball-cock type valve, and a flush valve having a vertical axis. The actuator mechanism consists of a trip lever pivotally mounted to the toilet tank and having a free end over which a boot member is telescopically and captively held. First and second resilient guide members extend laterally from the boot member adjacent the free end, and are parallel, coplanar, and separated by a fixed distance. A linkage member is captively carried in fixed relationship with the upper end of the flush valve and has an open void region through which the free end extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 8060953
    Abstract: A combined automatic toilet self-cleaning and user hygienic system, comprising a housing assembly, an electrical system, a liquid matter system, a turbine assembly, and a manifold assembly comprising a first at least one cut out. The manifold assembly is partially housed within a manifold. The manifold assembly has ducting for air to flow originating from the turbine assembly. The manifold assembly further comprises a bidet for liquid matter to exit originating from the liquid matter system. A toilet seat assembly has mounting brackets to mount onto the manifold assembly and a cover assembly has a mounting frame to mount onto the manifold assembly. The cover assembly has a second at least one cutout for air to flow originating from the turbine assembly. The cover assembly further has a third at least one cutout for the liquid matter to exit originating from the liquid matter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Auto Cleaning Toilet Seat, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Maximo Dorra
  • Patent number: 8051504
    Abstract: A portable seat device for use in a portable restroom comprising a seat having an opening situated atop a frame, the frame having a front left leg, a front right leg, a rear left leg, and a rear right leg; a right side horizontal bar connecting the top end of the front right leg to the top end of the rear right leg, and a left side horizontal bar connecting the top end of the front left leg to the top end of the rear left leg. The length of the rear legs, as measured from the top end to the bottom end, are less than the length of the front legs, as measured from the top end to the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen C. Folds
  • Patent number: 8032955
    Abstract: My invention is a new way to combine a urinal and a toilet. The urinal module changes the toilet's appearance very little. The urinal module is simple to use and will help men keep their urine off the bathroom floor. The module raises the toilet seat about three inches to help older people stand up after using the toilet. The module slides off its rods so that it and the toilet bowl can be cleaned. The urinal assembly is simple to install with two bolts holding it to the toilet bowl. The module requires no extra space in the bathroom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Dale H. Emerson
  • Patent number: 8011031
    Abstract: A toilet assembly is provided having a bowl assembly having an inlet, a wastewater outlet, and a water supply inlet having an inlet valve. The assembly includes an adjustable metering valve in fluid communication with the inlet valve and the inlet of the bowl assembly, and an accumulator in fluid communication with the inlet valve and disposed upstream of the adjustable metering valve. A fragmentation passage is provided in fluid communication with the wastewater outlet and disposed downstream of the wastewater outlet. The assembly includes jet assembly having an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet valve, and an outlet disposed upstream of the fragmentation passage. The water supply inlet is structured to deliver a quantity of water through the inlet of the bowl assembly, and a quantity of water to the jet assembly to remove wastewater from the fragmentation passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Charles O. Campbell, William E. Wood
  • Patent number: 8011029
    Abstract: In a drain socket for a toilet stool includes a vertical pipe including an upper end connected with the discharge port of the toilet stool, an adjustable pipe extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the vertical pipe and a connecting pipe between the adjustable pipe and a drain of a toilet. The vertical pipe has a bend causing the vertical pipe to have at its lower end an axis displaced longitudinally and rearward of the toilet stool from an axis at the upper end to define an eccentrically curved flow path. The flow path includes a part located near the bend and formed by increasing a transverse dimension of a longitudinal front end thereof with respect to the toilet stool so that the part has such a noncircular cross section in which a front portion of the section has a larger area than a rear portion of the cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lixil Corporation
    Inventors: Akinori Kamiya, Keiichi Imada
  • Patent number: 8001626
    Abstract: A swimming pool safety net system includes a net having a first edge affixable to a side of a swimming pool and a second edge extendable toward a center of the swimming pool. A plurality of actuators are substantially regularly spacing around a periphery of a swimming pool wherein each actuator has an extendable end affixed to the second edge of the net. A controller selectively operates the actuators between a retracted position with the second end of the net proximal to the side of the swimming pool and an extended position with the second end of the net extended toward the center of the swimming pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Walter Dalickas
  • Patent number: 7996928
    Abstract: A toilet includes a dehumidifier operable to draw water vapor from the air and discharge water. A tank is configured to store the water discharged from the dehumidifier. A drain valve is movable from a closed position to an open position whereby the toilet is flushed solely with the water discharged from the dehumidifier and stored in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Martin H. Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7996929
    Abstract: A toilet system includes a toilet and a pump assembly. The toilet has a bowl and a base. The base has a hopper for receiving waste from the bowl. The pump assembly is operative for pumping a source of flush water to the bowl and for pumping the waste from the hopper. A first flexible conduit interconnects the pump assembly and the bowl. A second flexible conduit interconnects the pump assembly and the hopper. The pump assembly is flexibly interconnected to the toilet for independent positioning relative to the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Good, Michael Juska, Jason Smith, Noah Dorsey, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7987530
    Abstract: A sitz bath helps patients suffering from hemorrhoids and other conditions to void their bowels. A flushing sitz bath utilizes an attached liquid filling tube, integrated water distribution channel and valve, a swing check valve, and a content-emptying flapper valve. This device helps to increase the efficiency of filling the sitz bath basin with the preferred liquid, as well as increasing the ease and cleanliness of the subsequent emptying of the basin contents by minimizing bodily strain and mess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Kwok Wai Chiu, Ralph Gardner, Timothy Chiu
  • Patent number: 7984518
    Abstract: An animal escape device has a central plate, an upper plate and a pair of side plates. The central plate depends downwardly at an angle and has a lower edge positionable in a swimming pool beneath the surface of the water, an upper edge, and parallel side edges. The upper plate is positionable on a deck of the pool and has an interior edge coupled to the upper edge of the central plate and has an exterior edge and side edges. Each of the side plates has a top edge coupled to an associated one of the side edges of the central plate. Each side plate has a bottom edge positionable entirely within the pool and a top edge partially within the water. The side plates form obtuse angles with respect to the central plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond C. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 7971285
    Abstract: A toilet seat which comprises of a recess (1) located at its posterior end with a supporting means (2) situated within it, such that the tip (3) of the supporting means (2) provides the much needed support to the anoccocygeal part of the pelvic floor of the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mecha-Medic Solution Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventor: Heng Hai Chew
  • Patent number: 7950076
    Abstract: A spa cover lifter for use with a spa cover. According to various embodiments, the spa cover comprises a first section and a second section pivotably connected to the first section at a hinge interface. The spa cover lifter comprises a drive system, a first cable connected to the drive system, and a post assembly. The post assembly is extendable from a retracted position to an extended position. Also, the first cable is routed by the post assembly. In various embodiments, the spa cover lifter is configured to connect to the spa cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Nerok LLC
    Inventor: George F Koren
  • Patent number: 7941877
    Abstract: A sound system and a head rest for a spa and a spa having a sound system are disclosed. The sound system includes a head rest mountable to a spa and at least one electronic speaker. The head rest includes sound emitting perforations and is mounted to the spa whereby the uppermost rim of the spa remains at a substantially uniform elevation. The electronic speaker is mounted to transmit audible sound through the perforations in the head rest. The head rest may also include a light-transferring insert that is illuminated to provide an enhanced bathing experience. The head rest may also include a fluid flow device, for example, a nozzle for water. The sound system and head rest can be used to introduce audio to a tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower while imposing little or no impact upon the fabrication, storage, or shipping of the tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Saratoga Spa and Bath Co., Inc.
    Inventors: W. John Gardenier, Anthony Brennan
  • Patent number: 7937785
    Abstract: A pumped shower draining device for a shower installation, comprises a housing having a waste water inlet and a waste water outlet, a pump element provided within the housing, a pump driving device for driving the pump element, and a variable-engagement clutch for providing variable driving engagement between the pump driving device and the pump element. An amount of engagement imparted by the in use clutch is determined by an amount of waste water flowing from a shower unit of the shower installation. Preferably, the clutch is self-regulating, so that the amount of engagement is determined by an amount of water in or at the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventors: Robert William Stimpson, Ian Felmeri
  • Patent number: 7934274
    Abstract: A grab bar for attachment to a bathroom wall structure includes a body member that extends between first and second ends. The body member is defined by a non-circular cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Earl David Forrest, Andrew James Graff
  • Patent number: 7913331
    Abstract: An integrated domestic utility system is used to recycle grey water in a domestic house as a means to divert treated potable water away from non-potable uses, and in particular, toilet flushing. The system comprises a rainwater tank for storing rainwater collected from a roof top and a grey water tank to store grey water collected from a shower or bathtub. The rainwater is used to augment the grey water supply through a self regulating valve. Domestic water can also be used to replenish the grey water tank. A demand amount of grey water is pumped from the storage tank to at least one toilet tank. The system is controlled by a controller using pressure sensors and temperature sensors. The invention may include a solar heating circuit coupled to a domestic water heater. In one example of the invention, the system stores grey water in a bathtub and supplies it to toilet tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Reinoud Jacob Hartman
  • Patent number: 7904972
    Abstract: An ergonomic, contoured urinal floor mat for use with wall-urinals with the purpose of positioning a user center, up and toward a wall-urinal so as to prevent urine spillage and drippings from reaching floor below a wall-urinal. The floor mat consists of a heavy duty, permanent material with topside anti-slip and floor conforming anti-skid surfaces and is designed with three unique contouring angles which, in combination, elevates heels above toes, spreads legs, pushes toes outward, pulls heels inward, and creates a lift in the inner arch of the foot. The system also incorporates a replaceable drip tray, located between the users' legs and the urinal lip (to catch the inevitable last drops), a topside perimeter gutter (for complete urinal misses), and underside seal (to prevent liquids seepage under mat). If spills do occur, the overall contouring guides liquid into the gutter and keeps the topside foot areas dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Marino Anderson
  • Patent number: 7900292
    Abstract: In summary, this device offers many unique features advantageous to the user. This device will be economical to buy and is light and easy for one person to handle. This device is simple and easy to be placed in a standard bathtub and is convenient and easy to operate by the user or an assistant, This device will be comfortable and relaxing as it supports the entire body of the user. This device is convenient and easy to keep in a sanitary condition and easy to remove from the bathtub as desired. The innovations I have made to Ashby's device of 1961 U.S. Pat. No. 2,968,814 renders it feasible to manufacture and market. The fact that it was in public Domain these many years and has not been taken seems to be an indication that it wasn't deemed a feasible item. My innovation of stabilizing platform 20 and being able to eliminate the awkward, vertical, inverted U shaped frame and sides and attachments thereto has made this device simple and economical to produce and market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Edward Peyre Ashby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7900294
    Abstract: A shower tray access ramp comprises a ramp part and a transition part selectively attachable to the ramp part. The ramp part has a first edge for connection to a shower tray, a second edge which is opposite the first edge and which is engagable with the transition part, and a ramp portion intermediate the first and second edges. The second edge includes a flange which is spaced from an upper ramp surface of the ramp portion and which is fastenable to a ramp supporting surface. The transition part has a first transition edge which is seatable on the flange of the ramp part, a second transition edge which is opposite the first transition edge and which tapers to or substantially to a point to provide a transition from the ramp supporting surface onto the access ramp, and a transition ramp portion intermediate the first and second transition edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventors: Mark Ian Luxton, Robert William Stimpson