Patents Examined by Karen Younkins
  • Patent number: 8060956
    Abstract: A shower drain adapter configured to allow use of a bondable waterproof membrane with a shower pan drain system comprises a drain body and a lower mating flange extending from the drain body. The lower mating flange is operable to mate with an upper portion of a body of a shower pan drain installable on a waste pipe. An integrated bonding flange extends from the drain body and is operable to be sealably attached to a bondable waterproof membrane to provide a waterproof seal between the membrane and the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schluter Systems, L.P.
    Inventor: Lonnie C. DeGooyer
  • Patent number: 8006323
    Abstract: A toilet has a seat. Two spaced members each have an upper end with an aperture. A pivot block has a bore. An axle has end sections and a central section. The end sections are received within the apertures. The central section is received within the bore. A housing is attached to the toilet and a coil spring around the axle. The coil spring has first and second ends. The first end is secured within the housing. The second end is in contact with the seat. The coil spring is adapted to urge the toilet seat from a lowered position to a raised position. A locking assembly includes upper and lower fingers. Each finger has a shoulder and a ramp. The upper finger extends downwardly from the toilet seat. The lower finger extends upwardly from the toilet seat. The lower finger is movable between a locking and an unlocking orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Greg A. Potter
  • Patent number: 7987529
    Abstract: An apparatus for discharging bodily wastes has a receptacle for holding a person's bodily waste products, including an upwardly facing opening for receiving the waste products. A forward load-bearing member extends from the receptacle to provide a support for at least one foot of a person discharging waste products into the receptacle. A rear load-bearing member arranged to engage the lower torso of the person above the buttocks when the person has at least one foot in the forward load-bearing member. The rear load-bearing member and the forward load bearing member are spaced apart a distance that is sufficient to hold a person therebetween with the person's buttocks suspended over the opening of the receptacle and the person's center of gravity behind the one foot supported in the forward load bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: David Wise
  • Patent number: 7979927
    Abstract: A modular shower pan includes at least four polygon panels adapted to interlock in side by side relation to form a body. Each panel has a planar bottom surface and a top surface that is sloped based upon a pre-selected drain position on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Madison Daniels
  • Patent number: 7975328
    Abstract: An upward discharge waste device for a shower tray, comprises a hollow housing having a waste water inlet, a waste water outlet and a flow-channel for waste water between the waste water inlet and the waste water outlet; and a mounting element for mounting the waste device over a waste outlet of the shower tray. The flow-channel has a non-uniform transverse cross-sectional shape along the longitudinal extent from the waste water inlet and towards the waste water outlet, but has a uniform or substantially uniform transverse cross-sectional area along the longitudinal extent. A shower tray having the waste device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventors: Graham Robin Lock, Robert William Stimpson, James Edward Self
  • Patent number: 7975322
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a foot pedal toilet flush device, which comprises a first bar member, a second bar member, a set of hinge members, and a bias system to allow a person to flush a toilet using a foot pedal connected to the toilet's flushing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Allison Heller
  • Patent number: 7971287
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a cover from a spa or other housing includes a frame member having one end that is pivotally attached to the exterior of the housing. Another end of the frame member is pivotally and slidably coupled to the cover. In one embodiment, the frame member is pivotally and slidably coupled to the proximate cover portion via a pin attached to the proximate cover portion and extending through a slot defined by the frame member. A motor is likewise attached to the exterior of the housing and is pivotally coupled to the frame member. The motor causes the frame member to rotate thereby lifting the cover off of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Mike Buzzetti, Zachary C. Mansfield, Michael J. Mowrey
  • Patent number: 7954180
    Abstract: A toilet transfer system is described for assisting a person to transfer between a wheelchair and a toilet. The system comprises a base unit that is attached to a toilet and that may be supported by one or more legs. The system further comprises a transfer board that is rotatably coupled to the base unit, allowing the transfer board to be positioned in a variety of positions without need to detach the toilet transfer system from the toilet. The transfer board may be pointed forward to allow the wheelchair to be positioned for transfer, pointed towards the wheelchair for transfer, and pointed back for compact storage between transfers and for normal use of the toilet. A coupling system accommodates height differentials between the toilet and the wheelchair, and allows the transfer board to become lifted up off the base unit and/or rotated without becoming misaligned from the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Rene Cervi
  • Patent number: 7941878
    Abstract: A drain plug, a drain body and a drain pipe are fabricated of a flexible material. The drain plug has perforations and is threaded to allow easy cleaning. A drain-trap-shaped drain pipe containment device is in the form of a pair of mirror image halves with a hinge means there between. The hinged halves are latched together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Danh Truong
  • Patent number: 7921477
    Abstract: A seat for a lavatory pan, which includes within its thickness at least one cavity for a deodorizing filter and at least one cavity in the seat or the filter for an electrically powered fan. Air inlet openings are provided in the seat through which air can pass into the filter cavity. The openings are situated around the inside edge of the opening in the seat or in a region of the underside of the seat which does not make sealing contact with the rim of the pan when the seat is lowered and in use and is subject to the weight of a person seated thereon. An air outlet by which odor-free air can exit after being drawn through the filter by operation of the fan, is situated in the rear edge of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Enzo Casale
  • Patent number: 7913327
    Abstract: An automatically flushing toilet in which an extension arm is attached to a horizontal bar to which the toilet seat is attached. When the toilet seat is raised, one end of the extension arm moves downward, causing a rod on the end of the inner tube of a telescoping member located primarily inside the tank compartment of the toilet to move so that it is positioned atop a pivoting member located inside a cut-out on the same end of the extension arm. When the toilet seat is then closed, the one end of the extension arm moves upward, pushing the pivoting member against the rod and causing the rod to force the inner tube of the telescoping member upward. The inner tube is pivotally connected to a trip lever, which causes the toilet to flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Donald Lewis Meike, David Yakos, Stephen Sanford, Bryan Walthall
  • Patent number: 7908682
    Abstract: A pool shell molding system that enables accessories such as tables, chairs, parasols, basketball rims, and volleyball nets to be selectively and easily attached and removed. The pre-formed mold includes a recessed section with an outer edge that contacts and grips the various pool accessories. The depth of the recess is reduced by including a lip section extending from the bottom of the pool accessory, forming a contact and seal with the pool shell. Additionally, the pre-formed mold also includes an extended section with an outer edge that contacts and is gripped by the various pool accessories. The pre-formed mold can also secure a pole structure that includes a pole and a base member attached to the pole that facilitates a flexing locking relationship with the pool surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: San Juan Patents, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7900293
    Abstract: A shower bathing apparatus includes: a concave seat; and a water discharger provided rearwardly and upwardly to the seat and configured to discharge water in a forward direction of the seat. A water discharge direction from the water discharger and positional relationship between the water discharger and the seat are adjusted so that at least part of the discharged water directly reaches the seat with no seat occupant seated on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Toto, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Sato, Yutaka Aihara, Tomohisa Kato, Hiroyoshi Matsushita, Minami Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7891029
    Abstract: A bedpan for collecting waste includes a seating area and a plurality of cavities. The seating area is located in a main body of the bedpan. The plurality of cavities is formed within the seating area and includes a first cavity for collecting liquid waste and a second cavity for collecting solid waste. The first cavity and the second cavity are separated by a divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Mosler, Scott P. Jarnagin, Todd M. Korogi, Andrew J. DiMeo, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7877823
    Abstract: A method and system for providing an aesthetically pleasing covering for construction site structures, such as portable toilets and/or construction waste bins, includes expanses of material designed to encompass and/or encircle such structures. Various embodiments are directed to retractable, weather-resistant fabrics that, when employed in accordance with the present invention, create a cabana-like structure to obscure the undesired aesthetics of underlying structures. Other embodiments relate to camouflaging such structures to avoid the unpleasant visual appearance of reconstruction/remodeling projects where such structures are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen Hentschel
  • Patent number: 7870619
    Abstract: A potting training device for preventing a potty-training child's urine stream from passing through the opening formed between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. The device is made of a flexible, water-resistant, preferably non-porous sheet material, having a folding seam separating a urine-deflecting surface and a plurality of attachment tabs. An adhesive material is applied to the surface of each attachment tab and attaches the attachment tabs to the underside of the toilet seat. The sheet material, in its unattached flat configuration, is manipulated into a curved configuration that matches the curvature of the toilet seat, and is attached thereto. The potty training device is also not visible to the observer unless the toilet seat is lifted up, in a vertical position or viewed from a position to the rear of the attachment point when the toilet seat is down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Conrad, III, Kurt Gans Briscoe
  • Patent number: 7861330
    Abstract: A toilet tank lever assembly may be mounted in various toilet tanks by selective positioning of a long lever arm relative a short lever arm. One such lever assembly includes a long lever arm which may be mounted at an infinite degree of adjustment relative a short lever arm as provided by a ball and socket interface between the lever arms. The ability to reverse the short lever arm essentially doubles the number of mounting possibilities. By selecting between a front insert and a side insert, a handle is readily positioned for either front or side tank mounting. Various handles may also be readily attached to the lever post to provide various aesthetic appearances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Brasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Tau, Iosif Manga, Billy Ray Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7861331
    Abstract: A reduced water consumption flush toilet for a motor vehicle includes a bowl assembly, a waste ball valve assembly and a water valve assembly. The bowl assembly defines a bowl and a discharge opening at a lower end of the bowl. The waste ball valve assembly is mounted to the flush toilet for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening of the bowl assembly. The water valve assembly delivers a source of flush water to the bowl. The water valve assembly includes a water valve operable in a water valve open condition and a water valve closed condition. The flush toilet further includes a common actuator for controlling both the waste ball valve assembly and the water valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: George Grech, Michael Fritz, Michael Harris, Jason Smith, Steve Meyer, Craig Karagitz, Eric Krupp, Brian Kelly
  • Patent number: 7849526
    Abstract: A toilet is provided which transports malodorous air from the bowl to the sewer line. The tank of the toilet is equipped with a fan which draws air from the bowl through the flush holes, located in the rim of the bowl, into a sealed fan box. An intake tube is used to channel air from the water inlet to the fan box, which leaves the overflow tube unobstructed. Air is diverted out of the fan box through an exit tube which attaches to the siphon at a point behind the water trap. A damper door disposed between the exit tube and intake tube prevents stale air from the siphon or sewer from entering the bowl or tank and escaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Smith Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert I. Smith
  • Patent number: 7832029
    Abstract: A hydrotherapy jet for providing a pulsating water stream comprises a jet body, and a water inlet to allow a stream of water into the body. A water outlet allows the stream to exit the body and a movable ball within the body causes said stream of water to pulsate as it exits the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: B & S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Holtsnider