Patents Examined by Lauren Heitzer
  • Patent number: 8863324
    Abstract: A bathtub rim assembly is disclosed that includes a support structure that is capable of engaging a rim of a bathtub to prevent substantial deformation and damage to a cantilevered ledge of the bathtub. The rim assembly further includes a skirt that obscures the support structure to maintain a unitary appearance of the overall bathtub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Tempas, Christopher B. Hisey, Steven A. Abitz, Scott R. Knapp
  • Patent number: 8844067
    Abstract: A device to shut-off a water supply to a toilet diverts water from a toilet fill valve to a shut-off valve that has a housing that includes a valve mechanism, a trip mechanism, and a trip circuit. The trip mechanism includes a rotational spring that urges closing of the valve mechanism. A trip latch is adapted to prevent closing of the valve mechanism except when withdrawn from the valve mechanism by a solenoid that is electrically connected to the trip circuit. The trip circuit includes at least one trip sensor input and a power source, such that when the trip circuit detects a fault condition on any of the trip sensors, the trip circuit connects power to the solenoid to withdraw the solenoid to close the valve mechanism. A rest knob may then be rotated to reset the valve mechanism into a valve-open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ceto Technologies Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Quintana, David Millar, Kermit L. Achterman
  • Patent number: 8826470
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated aerosol dispensers for delivering chemicals (e.g. cleaners, fragrances, insect control agents) from the dispenser to selected locations (e.g. the air; a toilet bowl; a shower enclosure). There is an actuator (e.g. a push button or a foot pedal) for initiating dispensing, and a holder for an aerosol container. The aerosol container stores the chemical before use. There is a switch associated with the holder that recognizes when the aerosol container has been mounted to the holder, and when thereafter that aerosol container has been dismounted from the holder. A controller controls dispensing of the chemical from the aerosol container in response to actuation. The controller has a timer that determines the amount of time that chemical is to be delivered from the aerosol container upon the dispenser being actuated by the actuator. A database is provided for assisting the controller in varying the time that the timer permits dispensing in response to activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, James R. Crapser
  • Patent number: 8806670
    Abstract: A rotatable shower rod system may be provided. The system may include a pair of mounting brackets coupled to a wall, the pair of mounting brackets includes a stationary portion; a rotatable portion rotatably coupled to the stationary portion, the rotatable portion rotates to at least one of a first position and a second position about an axis of rotation; and a cover coupled to the stationary portion; and a curved rod extending between the pair of mounting brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Colleen O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8806669
    Abstract: A canister flush valve is disclosed with a valve seat modified to accommodate a greater initial surge of flow, without distorting flushing performance. There is a mounting at the bottom of a toilet tank that links to an outlet hole from the tank and forms a valve seat. A passageway through the mounting tapers in an arcuate manner below the valve seat. There is also a guide support structure in the passageway, preferably centered. The guide support structure also has a tapered leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Daniel N. Halloran, Ronald L. Smies
  • Patent number: 8800070
    Abstract: A flush toilet is configured to permit user control of a flush cycle time and corresponding water usage. The toilet includes a bowl and a tank in fluid communication with the bowl. A flush handle assembly may be carried by the tank and may have a flush handle and a lever arm coupled thereto. In addition, there may be a flapper valve in the tank, and a rigid, adjustable-length, flapper control rod coupled between the lever arm and the flapper valve. Operation of the flush handle in a first direction may open the flapper valve, and operation of the flush handle in a second direction may close the flapper valve. This permits user control of the flush cycle time and corresponding water usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Boyce Hornberger
  • Patent number: 8769731
    Abstract: A vacuum toilet and a method for operating a vacuum toilet, wherein generating negative pressure to remove solids by suction is also used for generating a desired flushing medium flow. To this effect, if necessary, guiding devices are used which influence a flow upstream of a nozzle outlet and downstream of a nozzle outlet such that flow optimization of the flushing medium can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Seibt
  • Patent number: 8763174
    Abstract: A soaking basin is provided having a base unit, a disposable liner, and a frame nested therebetween to enable removal of the liner from the base unit, even when filled with liquid. In this manner, a user can remove the liner filled with liquid to pour out the liquid and discard the liner, after a treatment has been completed. Thus, the user need not lift the entire soaking basin to pour out liquid. In addition, the user can use the frame to support the new liner while filling it with liquid, and to transport the filled liner to the base unit to service clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Footsiebath, LLC
    Inventors: Genya Vinokur, Sasha Vinkur, Michael Vinokur
  • Patent number: 8726430
    Abstract: A pedicure spa station platform that includes a raised platform having a front and a rear, and a seat area on the top surface of the platform for attaching a seat or chair. The platform has a basin tray for holding a basin. The basin tray area is positioned in front of the seat mount location. A well entrance is located between the seat area and the basin tray. The well has a sidewall with a front portion and a back portion, and a drain positioned in the sidewall. The sidewall forms a rim near the front portion (the well entrance). A vertical riser is positioned in front of the basin tray, and the vertical riser terminates in a footrest, where the footrest extends in part over and above the basin tray. The foot rest is movable with respect to the raised platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gulfstream Inc.
    Inventors: Minh Sang Tran, Christopher Alexander
  • Patent number: 8713725
    Abstract: The rinsing device comprises a flexible connecting pipe which at one end is connected to a connecting element which may be attached to a fitting and at the other end bears a spray head with an actuating lever. The spray head is held on a holder, which protrudes outwardly from the connecting element. The connecting pipe comprises a flexible water feed pipe which is surrounded by a casing element, which is formed by a single spiral tension spring consisting of one piece. Said spiral tension spring consists of a first upright spring portion having a straight spring axis, a second curved spring portion attached thereto and a third, similarly upright spring portion having a straight spring axis, which is attached to the second spring portion. A tube-shaped protective casing extends around the casing element which protects the casing element from soiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: KWC AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Alder, Michael Lehner, Heinz Graber
  • Patent number: 8695131
    Abstract: A tub assembly is provided with a tub and a surround wall. The surround wall is spaced from a nail flange on the tub by a desired distance with a simple wall fastener. The wall fastener clips onto the nail flange, and has a forward face spaced from the nail flange by a desired distance. The forward face provides a stop and securement surface for the surround wall. The wall fastener includes a clip portion that clips onto the nail flange, and has a plurality of discrete clip portions. The clip portions can be broken away from the wall fastener at locations which will be aligned with a wall stud. In this manner, the wall fastener can be quickly clipped onto the nail flange of the tub once the tub is installed. The surround wall can then be simply adhered to a forward face of the wall fastener, such that the entire tub assembly can be easily and properly assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Masco Bath Corporation
    Inventor: Brent Thomas
  • Patent number: 8671469
    Abstract: A toilet seat system for lowering the toilet seat featuring a housing; a rotation lever pivotally attached in the inner cavity of the housing; a lift arm attached to the rotation lever and extending outwardly from the housing, the lift arm is for securing to a bottom surface of a toilet seat; mounting brackets for mounting the housing to a toilet seat; a motor operatively connected to the rotation lever, the motor is adapted to pivot the rotation lever and lift arm together upwardly and downwardly between at least a horizontal position and a vertical position; a microprocessor and a sensor activated when the toilet seat is lifted, the microprocessor is receives an input signal from the sensor when the sensor is activated whereupon the microprocessor generates an output command to the motor to move the rotation lever and lift arm to the horizontal position after a time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Robert LaMura
  • Patent number: 8631520
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet having a bowl and a seat includes a hinge post configured to mount to the bowl. The hinge post includes a splined inner surface defining a bore. The hinge assembly also includes a pintle extending through the bore and configured to engage the seat to pivotally couple the seat to the hinge post. The pintle includes a splined portion that engages the splined inner surface of the hinge post to prevent rotation of the pintle relative to the hinge post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Brian A. Henne
  • Patent number: 8621683
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to flexible drainage trap assemblies and methods for constructing and installing such drainage traps. In one exemplary embodiment, a flexible drainage trap assembly includes a plumbing fixture connector, a discharge joint, and a trap portion connecting the plumbing fixture connector and discharge joint. The trap portion is shaped in such a way that it is operable to retain a pool of water inside the trap portion. The disclosed flexible drainage assemblies include a flexible portion that has a substantially smooth inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Coflex S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Eduardo Coronado, Mauricio Coronado, Jorge Sada, Humberto Flores-Villarreal, Javier Canales
  • Patent number: 8621679
    Abstract: A motorized back scrubber device for installing in a shower featuring two parallel poles for securing to the shower wall, a motor housing slidably disposed on the first pole; a brush motor and track motor disposed in the motor housing; an elongated brush that engages the brush motor, wherein the brush motor functions to rotate the brush in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction and the track motor functions to move the motor housing up and down on the pole; a drive lever with control panel extending outwardly from the motor housing, the control panel functions to control speed of rotation and direction of rotation of the brush motor and functions to control direction of the track motor; and a soap dispenser operatively connected to the control panel to pump soap to the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Francisco A. Diaz Donikian
  • Patent number: 8621682
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system for dispensing and recovering liquids designed to be arranged in a rigid container, comprising a liquid dispensing tank (16) and a tank (17) for recovering liquid after use, each tank (16, 17) including an envelope (18). Each envelope (18) includes two similar walls (19, 20) comprising each an outer surface and a peripheral edge (23). Each envelope (18) has a retracted configuration wherein said walls (19, 20) are deployed one proximate the other and in an inflated configuration wherein said outer surfaces of each said wall (19, 20) are convex. At least one envelope (18) is capable, in its inflated configuration, to be nested in the other envelope (18) in its retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Richard Maximilien, Marc Legrand
  • Patent number: 8607376
    Abstract: A waste water insert has a wall surrounding a vertical bore. A horizontal flange extends outwardly from the upper end of the wall and has a lip formed on its outer periphery. The horizontal flange of the waste water insert is super-imposed over the horizontal flange of a waste water strainer located in a bathtub, sink or the like. The wall of the insert extends downwardly through the cylindrical wall of the waste water strainer with the two walls being spaced from each other by virtue of the cylindrical wall of the insert having a smaller diameter than that of the strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 8566973
    Abstract: A pet wash kit enables a user to outfit a shower head for washing pets adjacent the shower head. The pet-washing kit and/or apparatus comprises a head-to-funnel interface device, a funnel structure, and a length of conduit. The interface device comprises conduit-engaging and head-engaging portions for respectively receiving adjacent portions of a shower head assembly. The funnel structure has a water inlet, a water outlet, and structure for engaging the interfacing device for removably attaching the funnel structure to the shower head assembly. The length of conduit is attachable to the water outlet and extendable therefrom. The funnel structure receives water from the shower head assembly, and the length of conduit directs water away from the funnel structure for enabling a user to selectively discharge water via an optionally nozzled end of the conduit for washing a pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Peter G. Duczak
  • Patent number: 8528123
    Abstract: A one-piece bowl including an open top, a bottom opening, a rim portion, an interior space and a plurality of cavities is provided. The rim portion substantially surrounds the bowl near the open top, and an inner channel is formed along and within the rim portion. The interior space is substantially defined by an interior surface, the open top and the bottom opening. The plurality of cavities extends from the inner channel to the interior space. The inner channel and the cavities are configured to pass fluid from an outer fluid source to the interior space. A mold assembly and a method for forming a one-piece greenware piece for the bowl are also provided. The mold assembly includes a top mold component and a bottom mold component that are configured to mate and thereby form a reservoir substantially defining the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hashem, Gerald James ST.Louis, Stanley Andrews
  • Patent number: 8528125
    Abstract: A portable washbasin assembly that is used to catch water when a person is having his/her hair washed. A basin is provided that rests on the shoulders of the person. This enables the person to have his/her hair washed while sitting upright or near upright. The basin has a bottom surface through which is disposed a generally centralized opening. An outer vertical wall extends around the periphery of the bottom surface. An inner vertical wall extends upwardly from the bottom surface around the centralized opening. A flexible membrane is stretched over the centralized opening between sections of the inner vertical wall. The flexible membrane contains a hole that is positioned over the below lying centralized opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher P. McFadden