Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a soap dispenser designed to fit into a water faucet having a stopper-closing lift rod. The rod is removed, and the dispenser tube is inserted into the faucet base hole and down under the counter where the tube is connected to a reservoir of liquid soap. Pressing down on the top of the soap dispenser produces liquid soap through a soap spout above the water faucet spout. Pulling up on the dispenser closes the sink stopper, and pushing down opens the sink stopper. The method of doing the retrofit is also claimed, as well as electrically and mechanically operated versions.
Abstract: A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 10, 2007
Date of Patent:
December 29, 2009
Assignee:
Limit, Inc.
Inventors:
Kevin Bowcutt, Ahmed Shishegar, Matthew Ibarra, Daniel L. Corbin, Dennis Repp, Robert M. Connell, Oscar Dufau, Gregory Blake, Sam Iravantchi
Abstract: A toilet training device for children that is placed over existing toilet seats has handles that extend into and out of the training device. The handles are individually adjustable and are capable of assisting a child in being able to have a secure grip on the training device. Additionally, stand members are provided that enable the training device to be stored in a convenient fashion.
Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling, draining, removing, and disposing of liquids and light solids. The present invention enables liquids and/or light solids to be drained centrally, such as underneath a toilet through the sewer pipe, without having to worry about sewerage gasses escaping into the location of the drain. In addition, individuals that may have problems using an ordinary shower and/or bath tub, such as the elderly, the handicapped, and/or disabled may utilize an embodiment of the present invention to simplify the bathing process by taking a shower while remaining in a wheel chair and/or by sitting on a toilet without having to get into a tub and/or shower whereby any liquids and/or light solids from the shower will be allowed to drain underneath the toilet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 17, 2007
Date of Patent:
November 24, 2009
Inventors:
Michael F. Helmstetter, Donald W Mosley
Abstract: A drain cleaner is disclosed for use with a drain assembly having a drain pipe, a flange coupled to the drain pipe and defining a drain inlet, and a pop-up assembly having an actuating arm disposed in the drain pipe. The drain cleaner includes a stopper head having a seal sized to engage the drain inlet and an inlet passage extending from an inlet port formed in a top surface of the stopper head to an outlet port formed in a bottom surface of the stopper head. A stopper guide has a proximal end coupled to the stopper head bottom surface and a distal end, the stopper guide distal end including a tail piece adapted to operatively engage the actuating arm of the pop-up assembly. A drain cleaning composition is supported below the stopper head bottom surface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 9, 2007
Date of Patent:
November 3, 2009
Assignee:
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Inventors:
Marissa A. K. Schultz, Emily Schoenfelder, David H. Roland
Abstract: A disposable shower curtain assembly includes an anchor bracket that has planar front and rear faces, and has opposed ends. The anchor bracket is provided with apertures for receiving support rings therethrough and has a notch extending along a length thereof. The notch has an open bottom end that extends towards a top face of the bracket. Disposable water-impermeable shower liners have top edges nested within the notch. Each liner has a bottom-, a left side- and a right side-edge monolithically formed with the top edge, and also has a tab formed therewith that is positioned at a top corner of an associated liner. Adjacent front and back faces of the liners are continuously attached such. A mechanism is included for removably affixing the shower liners together so that a perimeter of an outer liner remains sealed to a perimeter of an adjacent liner.
Abstract: A spa cover lifter for moving a spa cover from a closed position to a storage position includes a drive mechanism, a fixed base and a lifting arm assembly. The lifting arm assembly is mounted to first or second leaves of the spa cover. The lifting arm assembly is driven by the drive mechanism and is moveably mounted to the fixed base. The lifting arm assembly includes a cover pivoting assembly and a cover transporting assembly. The cover pivoting assembly is driven by the drive mechanism to move the cover from the closed position to an intermediate position and the cover transporting assembly is driven by the drive mechanism to the move the cover from the intermediate position to the storage position. The spa cover lifter has an automatic shutoff for cutting power when an obstacle is encountered. A method of moving the spa cover is also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 2006
Date of Patent:
October 13, 2009
Assignee:
Merlin Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
John Coleman, Seth Galewyrick, Andrew M. Weiman, Andrew Maggion
Abstract: A trip lever assembly for initiating a flush cycle of a toilet is constructed to have a more solid and smooth feel with less play. The assembly includes a handle accessible with a stem extending into an interior of the toilet. An inner bushing fits onto the stem and inside of a fixed outer bushing. A trip arm connect the handle to a pull member operatively attached to the flush valve. The handle has an anti-rotation feature that engages an associated feature of the inner bushing so that the inner bushing mechanically couples and rotates with the handle. A high viscosity dampening grease is disposed between the inner bushing and the outer bushing to limit lateral play, and smooth the rotation of the handle.
Abstract: A toilet lid solution apparatus which replaces a toilet reservoir lid. The apparatus stores a chosen disinfectant solution and meters the dispensing thereof with each flush. The apparatus' installation requires no special tools, knowledge or changes to the toilet or reservoir for installation.