Patents Examined by Kristie A. Mahone
  • Patent number: 7373674
    Abstract: An improved system for attaching a tub spout to the rough in water supply pipe or stub-out which typically extends out of a tub wall. The improved tub spout includes a vertical ring clamp inside the spout for receiving the stub-out. The stub-out passes through an aperture in the middle portion of the clamp and then into a tubular receiver. By tightening a screw associated with the clamp, the clamp is tilted to engage the stub-out. By further tightening of the screw, the stub-out is drawn into sealed engagement with the interior of the spout and the spout is drawn tightly against the tub wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., Inc
    Inventor: Duane R. Condon
  • Patent number: 7356855
    Abstract: A generally rectangular shaped disposable paper sheet for use as a toilet seat cover, comprising a die cut line shaped as an open ended oval, which divides the sheet into a central elongated ovally shaped portion and an outer seat covering portion. Within the central portion of the seat cover, there are a pair of finger holes and an additional discrete arcuate perforation. Each finger hole is not fully cut in 360 degrees but has a portion that is retained onto the central portion of the paper sheet so that, when the finger hole is used to tear the die cut line, the retained portion increases strength of the finger hole, which promotes more easily and efficiently tearing the entire central portion downwardly away from the outer covering portion which rests on and covers the toilet seat. The arcuate perforation enables the toilet seat cover to be more efficiently and rapidly flushed down the toilet bowl due to ability that the toilet water to pass through the perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred I. Morad, Todd M. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7356857
    Abstract: A multiple output shower assembly is disclosed generally comprising a plurality of conduits in fluid communication with each other and at least three water output devices for discharging water from the assembly. The water output devices are located such that water is dischargeable from each of the water output devices without first flowing past any other output device in order to maintain pressure. In some embodiments, coupling mechanisms are provided to removably couple the conduits to each other and to a shower water source. In some embodiments, at least one restrictor is also provided to further equalize the pressure among the different water output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Maury Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 7350243
    Abstract: A closet flange includes a body having a lower body portion containing a bore and an upper body portion containing an inlet opening in fluid communication with the bore. Within the body is a knockout for closing off the bore. The knockout has a frangible connection with an interior wall of the body and one or more portions that extend radially outwardly into a portion of the inlet opening that has a larger diameter than the bore to permit the knockout to be broken out of the body while preventing the knockout from passing all the way through the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Oatey Co.
    Inventor: Terry L. Zahuranec
  • Patent number: 7346940
    Abstract: A shower curtain rod assembly includes a frame fixed on a wall and a connection member has a connection tube which has one end connected with an end of a rod and a pivotable member is connected to the other end of the connection tube. The pivotable member is pivotably connected to the frame so as to set the direction that the connection tube is orientated. A cover has a through hole through which the connection tube extends. The connection tube is adjustable to be connected with a curved rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: You Da Metal International Develop Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying Feng Liao
  • Patent number: 7334272
    Abstract: A flushing controlling mechanism includes a toilet bowl having a trap, a room, a hollow cylinder, a first piston, an inlet, an outlet and a first opening. The room selectively communicates with the trap via a first waste pipe, and a second waste pipe alternately communicates with the room. The hollow cylinder is received in the toilet bowl, and the first piston is movable inside the hollow cylinder. The inlet is adapted to be connected to a water source to allow water to flow into the water tank so as to move the first piston upward inside the hollow cylinder. The outlet selectively communicates with the trap of the toilet bowl. The first opening communicates with the suction space and the room of the toilet bowl. In addition, there is a device to accelerate downward movement of the first piston. Thus, the waste in the trap of the toilet bowl is sucked into the room and disposed from the second waste pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Fu-Chang Liao
  • Patent number: 7331066
    Abstract: Separate air evacuation opening and a separate manifold are formed in the toilet bowl rim for full and separate air evacuation of the toilet bowl before, during or after flushing. The exhaust assembly includes and is activated by a fan and motor exhaust assembly comprising an activation switch, one way valve, and control circuit. A piping network provides exhaust from one or more connected dwelling toilets to the dwelling exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Angel B. Ramos
  • Patent number: 7328465
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a generally rectangular shaped disposable paper sheet for use as a toilet seat cover, comprising a die cut line shaped as an open ended oval, which divides the sheet into a central elongated ovally shaped portion and an outer seat covering portion. A pair of finger holes are cut into the central portion of the paper sheet so that, when the finger holes are used to tear the die cut line, the entire central portion can be easily torn downwardly away from the outer covering portion which rests on and covers the toilet seat. The holes are not cut in a full 360 degree circle but have a portion that is retained onto the central portion of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred I. Morad
  • Patent number: 7305721
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable provision of a toilet device in which a user can select a necessary toilet wash mode whenever necessary. According to the present invention, in a toilet device which comprises: water supply means for supplying water to a rim water supply portion for flushing wash water to a bowl face of a toilet and to a jet water supply portion for orienting a trap drainage portion of the toilet; and control means for controlling operation of the water supply means, wherein said control means has a toilet wash mode for discharging a stool, and two or more toilet wash modes besides the above mode, and wherein the toilet device is provided with an operation switch for enabling selection of the two or more toilet wash modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Matsui, Tomokazu Goda, Motoshi Mase, Katsuhiro Egami
  • Patent number: 7305720
    Abstract: A toilet seat device includes a base portion, a toilet seat extending from the base portion in a forward direction, a connecting member fixed at a toilet bowl, at least one hinge member supporting the base portion and the toilet seat, the at least one hinge member lifting up and down the base portion and the toilet seat between the first condition and the second condition, the first condition at which the base portion and the toilet seat are positioned at the toilet bowl substantially in a close contact relation with the toilet bowl, and the second condition at which the base portion and the toilet seat are positioned separately relative to the toilet bowl, and a housing space defined at a bottom surface portion of the base portion and for housing the hinge member therein. The hinge member is housed in the housing space under the first condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, INAX Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Makino, Hideki Furukawa, Sachiyo Nakayama, Masako Tanaka, Naoko Nawatani, Kumi Ito, Noriko Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 7290298
    Abstract: A massage pad for a bath includes a cushion having multiple protrusions formed at a top side of the cushion. Multiple suction cups are formed at a bottom side of the cushion. A joint is formed on the cushion. Multiple conduits are communicated with the joint and each has multiple apertures defined through a top surface of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Li-Ying Lin
  • Patent number: 7290296
    Abstract: A toddler's and children's portable potty is disclosed. The portable potty has four adjustable legs and a removable bag holder ring which holds a disposable bag for one-time use. The portable potty can easily be transported with an included carrying case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Verbateen Wilson
  • Patent number: 7281642
    Abstract: A squirting toy is comprised of a cylindrical housing and a piston that slides within to force water into or out of the housing via a hole therein. The housing is encased within a polyethylene closed cell foam shell. The shell is non-absorbing, so that the foam remains buoyant and keeps the gun afloat indefinitely when left in water. The foam is soft, so that the gun is not a safety hazard when left floating in a swimming pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Prime Time Toys, Ltd.
    Inventor: Boguslaw Orlowski
  • Patent number: 7275271
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a toilet which functions by drawing air from around the bowl through the original flush holes into the existing overflow-pipe and then into a fan compartment. The fan is activated by manipulating the flush handle upward. Malodorous air is then forced through an exhaust pipe into the sewage line downstream of the gas trap. The fan is deactivated when the flush handle is pressed downward and the toilet is flushed. A water-trap between the fan and the toilet tank prevents the malodorous air from escaping into the tank. The water in the water trap is changed with each flush by redirecting the refill tube into the water trap. This prevents the water in the water trap from becoming stagnant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Robert I. Smith
  • Patent number: 7254845
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a generally rectangular shaped disposable paper sheet for use as a toilet seat cover, comprising a die cut line shaped as an open ended oval, which divides the sheet into a central elongated ovally shaped portion and an outer seat covering portion. As one preferred embodiment, the present invention includes the addition of a pair of finger holes into the central portion of the paper sheet so that, when the finger holes are used to tear the die cut line, the entire central portion can be easily torn downwardly away from the outer covering portion which rests on and covers the toilet seat. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a reinforcement is applied around the finger holes to make them stronger so that they will not tear when the force of the fingers is applied to tear the die cut portion away from the seat cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred I. Morad
  • Patent number: 7237280
    Abstract: An overflow assembly employs an overflow elbow having an externally threaded cylindrical fitting that extends through the tub overflow opening. An internally threaded retainer nut with integrally molded test cap is threadably engaged over the overflow elbow cylindrical fitting to compress gaskets against both the inside and outside surfaces of the tub. A test cap is integrally molded with the retainer nut and joined to the retainer nut by a thin, breakable connection. An undercut lip on the test cap facilitates use of a prying tool to break the thin connection and remove the test cap after testing of the drain plumbing. A trim cap snaps over the retainer nut to provide a finished appearance to the installed overflow assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Keeney Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: R. Stuart Holden, Jr., Chris Graham, Frank Pieters
  • Patent number: 7213272
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved urine collector for female use. The inventive collector comprises a body which is triangular in plan and which is made from an elastomer material. The body includes a hollow area in the central portion with a projection and valve. The invesntion further comprises a tubular conduit in the hollow area and a bellows in the wall of the hollow area. A recess is provided with two lateral tongue elements separated by a space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Francisco Zurita Arguelles
  • Patent number: 7200879
    Abstract: A waterfall waterjet that can be attached to a spa, with at least one chamber, at least one primary outlet, at least one debris outlet that can be opened and closed, and a water source fluidly connected to the waterfall waterjet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Custom Molded Products LLC
    Inventors: H. Charles Li, Robert D. Moore