Patents Examined by Janie Christiansen
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Patent number: 9080324Abstract: A ring-shaped biodegradable shower drain weep holes gasket is disclosed that slips over the top of the shower drain. The gasket fits tightly over the top of the drain to solve the problem of material clogging the shower drain weep holes and additionally preventing any deck mud or debris from entering and clogging the weep holes during installation. Approximately ?ths inch high by 5/2ths inch wide at an inner diameter of 31/5ths inch, the biodegradable shower gasket then surrounds the shower drain's top flange and weep holes. Over a short period of time, the moisture in the cement along with any moisture that seeps through the tile or grout will dissolve the biodegradable gasket creating a permanent opening for water to drain out through the weep holes.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Innovative Leak Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Leonard Eriksson
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Patent number: 9074383Abstract: Disclosed are systems and devices for controlling the amount of water passing through a heat exchanger and the amount of water that by-passes the heater without passing through the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the system includes a by-pass valve assembly having means for sensing a time-varying characteristic of fluid adjacent the inlet, means for sensing a time-varying characteristic of fluid adjacent the outlet, and a valve that alters the amount of fluid by-passing the fluid heater in response to differences in the time-varying characteristic of fluid adjacent the inlet and fluid adjacent the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: E. Keith McQueen, Emily R. Colomes, Bruce William Maskell
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Patent number: 9074360Abstract: To provide a flow channel opening/closing apparatus that can keep the instantaneous flow rate of supply water, quickly open and close a main valve for starting and stopping water supply and be downsized. A flush valve CV, which is such a flow channel opening/closing apparatus, incorporates constant flow rate keeping part that operates to keep constant the main flow rate of water flowing from a primary-side internal flow channel 20 to a secondary-side internal flow channel 30, and the constant flow rate keeping part has a constant flow rate valve body 44 and a constant flow rate valve seat, operates to adjust the distance between the constant flow rate valve body 44 and the constant flow rate valve seat, and is configured as an integral valve member including a main valve body 42 and the constant flow rate valve body 44.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: TOTO LTD.Inventors: Naoyuki Onodera, Tsubasa Miyake, Tetsuya Uchida, Takuya Oshikawa, Takamasa Suzuki
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Patent number: 9072956Abstract: A wakeboarding system and pool are provided. The wakeboarding system includes a deck, a pool of water adjacent the deck, a pad having a top surface and a bottom surface, the pad being fixedly coupled to the deck and protruding therefrom over a portion of the pool of water, the bottom surface of the pad being in contact with the pool of water and the pad being configured to float, and a flow of water over the top surface of the pad. The pad has an outer edge that opposes the deck, the outer edge being configured in a semi-circle. The pad further includes protrusions on the pad, the protrusions being configured on the top surface of the pad to allow a wake boarder to engage the protrusions. The apparatus further includes a towing mechanism and a tow device coupled thereto for towing the wake boarder.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Inventor: Mark Randall Cozens
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Patent number: 9066631Abstract: A utility tub includes a basin having a bottom wall and a sidewall extending generally perpendicularly therefrom. At least two legs support the basin above a supporting surface. Each of the at least two legs extends generally perpendicularly with respect to the bottom wall of the basin and the supporting surface. A shelf includes a top surface and an opposing bottom surface. The shelf is selectively removably detachable to the basin and each of the at least two legs such that the shelf has a first configuration wherein a least a portion of the shelf is supported within the basin above the bottom wall and the second configuration wherein at least a portion of the shelf is supported by the at least two legs below the bottom wall of the basin.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Zenith Products CorporationInventors: Kaveh Didehvar, Joseph Vaccaro, Joseph Webb
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Patent number: 9066637Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a shower rod assembly including a first tube, a second tube aligned with the first tube, a rod between the first tube and the second tube, a sleeve member, a bracket device, and a locking device. The rod has a macro adjustment portion, a threaded insert, and a stop member positioned between the macro adjustment portion and the threaded insert. The sleeve member slides over the tubes and can cover the rod between the tubes. The second tube engages the macro adjustment portion for a set length when the locking device is engaged. The first tube engages the threaded insert for micro adjustment of the set length to a locked length. Each bracket device has a base body with ridges, a casing with an inner core, a lock on the side of the casing and a mount.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Inventor: Qing Hai Zeng
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Patent number: 9068330Abstract: A bathroom device with a single use dissolvable functional head with a plunger head or a cleaning head is described. The bathroom device may include an elongated handle coupled at a first end to the to the single use dissolvable functional head. The device may also include a single use dissolvable sleeve covering a portion of the elongated handle and a release mechanism for releasing the single use dissolvable functional head from the first end of the elongated handle. The single use dissolvable sleeve may be configured to slide off the elongated handle when the single use dissolvable functional head has been released. A method of using the bathroom device is also described.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Inventor: Larry D. Schultz
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Patent number: 9068333Abstract: A connection and support structure for sanitary devices (1), such as toilet bowls (toilets 2), bidets, urinals and sinks of the kind mounted to a support or a wall in a restroom or the like. The external surface of the sanitary device (2) is smooth and has a basically continuous convex curvature without any flanges, holes or outer protrusions or connecting means. A gasket or sealing ring (14) is provided around the edge of the sanitary device (2) facing towards the support or wall onto which the device is mounted, whereby the connecting means (4, 7) including the bolts etc. (21,22) are provided within the inner space of the device (1) such that said connecting means (4,7) and bolts etc. (21,22) are sealed off from the surroundings and no moisture can enter into the inner space of the sanitary device when the sanitary device is mounted to the wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: JETS Invest ASInventors: Audun Sneve, Jørgen Solstad, Olav Hofseth
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Patent number: 9038210Abstract: A portable shower apparatus includes a shower head, funnel adapter, mounted on an air evacuator tube, for use with a conventional fluid container. The shower head includes a shower face plate having a plurality of fluid dispensing holes; shower face plate is circumvented by a ring connector having internal threads. The funnel adapter includes two opposing openings having cylindrical connector pieces, a first cylindrical connector piece and a second cylindrical connector piece; first connector piece having a greater diameter than the second connector pieces. The shower head ring connector is threadably coupled to the first connector piece while a preexisting filled fluid container is coupled to the second connector piece. When the portable shower is inverted, fluid, preferably water, flows from the fluid container towards the user. Other embodiments are disclosed including a variety of transitional adapters to use with a variety of sizes of conventional fluid containers.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Inventor: James Shannon Peet
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Patent number: 9038209Abstract: A shower curtain-rod assembly is arranged to have distinct and structurally separate gravitational and torsional load bearing capabilities. The shower curtain may be formed with folded pockets to receive shower curtain stays. The pockets are made by creating overlapping layers of the shower curtain and then ultrasonically welding the overlapping layers together. The shower curtain-rod assembly includes a shower rod having an internal track, a shower ring coupled to a shower curtain stay, and rollers supported on the internal track and coupled to the stay. The internal track generally supports the weight of the shower curtain, the rollers, the stays, and the shower ring. In one embodiment, a channel formed in an outer wall of the shower rod cooperates with a torsional restraint tab extending from an inner surface of the shower ring, which is located over the shower rod.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Inventor: Robert W. Wise
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Patent number: 9015872Abstract: A system for flushing a vacuum toilet in an aircraft, with a bowl drain for removing toilet waste water from a bowl, a drain line, a bypass flow line for feeding-in air, a drainage valve and a waste water line. The bowl drain and the bypass flow line are connectable to the drain line, and the drainage valve on the input side is connectable to the drain line, and on the output side is connectable to a waste water line. In an implementation of the vacuum toilet as a vacuum urinal, the system may provide either water flushing or waterless flushing.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Christian Seibt
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Patent number: 8997271Abstract: A lavatory system including a countertop and a first hand washing station is provided. The first hand washing station includes a basin supported by the countertop and a faucet supported by the countertop. The lavatory system also includes a hand dryer including a housing supported by the countertop. The housing defines a cavity in which a user's hands are inserted during drying, and a motor configured to generate blown air which is supplied to the cavity. The housing is located such that the user's hands may be inserted into the cavity without the user leaving the first hand washing station.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Bradley CorporationInventors: Graeme S. Bayley, Mark A. Figurski, Timothy E. Perrin, John M. Loberger, Jason M. Renner, Kevin M. Kohlwey, Jon A. Dommisse, Thomas E. Pelt
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Patent number: 8978174Abstract: A water jet having a housing with a first attachment means having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, an inner side, and an outer side; an entrance slot accessible from the inner side and extending along the inner side a distance between the first side and the second side; a retaining path extending along at least one-quarter of the circumference of the first attachment means from the entrance slot, the retaining path for retaining a second attachment means; and a retainer located at a juncture between the entrance slot and the retaining path for removably retaining the second attachment means within the retaining path, wherein the retainer is movable from a locked or retaining position to an unlocked or releasing position and back; and a sleeve rotatably mounted within the housing, the sleeve having the second attachment means, the second attachment means being a protrusion extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the sleeve, wherein when the retainer is in the locked or retainiType: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Custom Molded Products, Inc.Inventors: William J. Drury, H. Charles Li
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Patent number: 8978175Abstract: The invention is directed to a shower assembly having an electronically controlled shower head that is controlled by a computerized control unit. The assembly can automatically bathe a user by following a program that dictates time of bathing, shower head position and motion, and the dispensing of bathing agents such as body wash or shampoo.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Inventor: Edgar L. Bronstein
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Patent number: 8973178Abstract: A heat exchanger for a shower tray can be arranged in the bottom of the shower tray for the heat recovery from wastewater so as to heat fresh water. To this end, the heat exchanger has a planar cover plate as the drain surface over which the wastewater drains. The cover plate forms the bottom of the shower tray, over which a lid that can be removed without the use of tools is arranged as a tread plate. The heat exchanger preferably includes a distributor element, which is arranged for distributing the wastewater over the drain surface. The distributor element is preferably a retaining element, which retains the wastewater at an upper edge of the drain surface and forms an overflow along the upper edge.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Joulia AGInventor: Christoph Rusch
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Patent number: 8973174Abstract: A vented toilet system for use in a residential or commercial building. The vented toilet system comprises a toilet bowl and a vent cavity arranged adjacent to a top surface of the bowl. The system also comprises a water cavity arranged adjacent to and directly below the vent cavity. The system comprises a seat arranged on a top surface of the bowl and a toilet tank connected to the bowl. The system also comprises a wireless motion detection unit arranged adjacent to the toilet bowl, such that the operation of the vacuum pump is automatic. The wireless motion sensor may allow the vacuum pump to turn on immediately and remain on during duration of use of the toilet by the user. The vented toilet system also comprises a pipe or tube connected to the vent cavity, the pipe passes through either an existing wall or other structure to a vacuum pump and then to the outside of the structure in which the toilet is located.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventor: Anthony Palazzola
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Patent number: 8973177Abstract: A drop-in mounted bath tub has a peripheral rim that is uniquely shaped to both support the tub on a mounting platform and provide integral handgrips used to assist the bather in entering and exiting the tub. The rim curves out from the top of the basin downward toward the mounting platform. The rim extends down further at the end walls of the basin than at the side walls so that it contacts the mounting platform only at the end walls while being spaced up from the mounting platform at the sides. The contoured rim provides a stable, comfortable surface for the bather to grasp. One or more partition walls extending from the rim between the basin side walls and the outer edge of the rim provides for sealing the basin to the mounting platform as well as keeping items from falling between the tub and the mounting platform and preventing the bather from touching or viewing the rough unfinished outer shell of the basin.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Michael R. Bates
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Patent number: 8959674Abstract: The present invention concerns a drain valve assembly with a pop-up drain stopper for a drain opening. The drain valve assembly has an improved sealing mechanism whereby the drain valve assembly may be easily installed and, in addition, the interface between the drain valve assembly and the drain opening may be easily cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventor: Jimmi Gellert
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Patent number: 8938821Abstract: A bushing (58) has an entry portion (68) which is secured to a urinal housing (50) and an exit portion (70) which faces a drain pipe (54, 54a, 54b). The entry portion interior surface (74) is fittable about and sealingly grips the urinal exit tube (52). The interiors of the entry and exit portions lie on a common axis (58x) and with the axis (52x) of the urinal exit tube. These axes define a sloped incline and, thus, a built-in, gravitationally-directed downwardly-disposed inclination. Because the axes usually do not fall on the axis (56x) of the conduit, they are angled and offset from the conduit axis. The offset of the bushing raises it above the axis of the conduit. Tubing (60, 60a) is secured at its end (62, 62a) to the bushing exit portion so that the tubing axis at its end (62, 62a) similarly is raised above the conduit axis. The tubing extends from the bushing at an incline that is determined by the built-in incline of the bushing.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Falcon Waterfree Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael Higgins
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Patent number: 8925124Abstract: A portable hand washing station is provided. The station has a durable carrying case which defines an interior hand washing compartment. The front wall is adapted to include a door to permit hand access into the interior of the hand washing compartment. A lid is connected to the case so that the lid is capable of extending in an upright vertical position. A shelf is connected to the interior surface of the lid. The shelf has a pair of spaced apart valve openings. A pair of liquid dispensing reservoirs is supported on the shelf. Each of the reservoirs includes a top wall with a mouth opening, a bottom wall with a drain opening, and a touch operated flow valve connected to the bottom wall in liquid communication to the bottom wall. The flow valves are adapted to extend in axial alignment a one of the valve openings so that a cleaning or rinsing solution is dispensed into the compartment when the flow valves are deflected by hand.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Inventor: Michael J. Littlehorn, Sr.