Patents Examined by William R Klotz
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Patent number: 9867512Abstract: A self-contained portable toilet includes a hollow, parallelepiped base. Attached to the base is a collapsible support stand and a top cover. The base has a cutout through which an access door is disposed. An aperture and a bar allow a roll of toilet paper to be disposed in the base. A toilet paper cover protects the toilet paper. A top cover is hingedly disposed on a top side of the base and has an open position and a stored position. When the top cover is in the open position, a removable toilet seat can be placed on the top side of the base and an interior lip of the top cover. A storage slot houses the removable toilet seat. A handle allows for transport of the self-contained portable toilet. A rubber strap locks the top cover in the stored position.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventor: Mark Ellinghuysen
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Patent number: 9867506Abstract: A cover for the surrounding surface adjacent a sink is provided having a body formed of flexible material. The body is configured with an aperture sized to surround the sink and shield a user from contact with the surrounding surface and the surrounding surface from a communication of liquid from use of the sink. The cover may be modular and formed of multiple components or may be configured of a sheet of material which has removable portions to allow customization for positioning to an as used position surrounding the sink.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventor: Geoff Phillips
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Patent number: 9775470Abstract: A sink accessory comprising a wire-form attachment structure and a supporting structure. The wire-form attachment structure is configured to be secured to a section of a divider of the sink to support the sink accessory. The attachment structure includes a base, a first leg, and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg. The supporting structure is coupled to and extends from one of the first and second legs. The supporting structure is also configured to extend offset from and adjacent to the divider.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Niels J. Eilmus, Jason R. Miller
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Patent number: 9758951Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture fitting, such as an electronic faucet. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting includes a wand hose and a hose bracket. The hose bracket is operable to connect to a mounting shank and to the wand hose. The hose bracket is operable to position the wand hose between a mixed water outlet of a flow module and an inlet of the mounting shank such that a portion of the wand hose extends in a loop between the hose bracket and the inlet of the mounting shank. When installed, the hose bracket is in direct contact with the wand hose between the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the inlet of the mounting shank.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Moen IncorporatedInventors: Kenneth E. Evans, Terrence A. Pagano, Harshil Parikh, Inho Song, Eric M. Weber
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Patent number: 9549647Abstract: A mounting apparatus for coupling a toilet seat to a toilet includes a bolt including a proximal end comprising an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper flange and lower flange defining a contact portion; and a threaded distal end; and a hinge including a first portion including a mechanism to rotatably couple the first portion to the toilet seat; and a second portion including a resilient member including a C-shaped engagement configured to be received by contact portion of the bolt via a snap fit in response to the application of a horizontal force to hinge.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Inventor: Michael R. Leibfried
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Patent number: 9540837Abstract: A sump drain includes a ring-shaped chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and a circular opening between the sidewalls preferably about an inch wide and optionally having a grid cover. Preferably the inner sidewall has a number of ports extending inwardly to radial conduits to a central hub for tying into a pool or spa filtering system, with the central hub operating as a clean out and having a removable cap. Upon installation, plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub, such that the sump drain attractively blends in with the pool or spa floor. When installed, the top opening is preferably substantially flush with the pool or spa floor while being safely unblockable. And the sump drain preferably further includes channels both outboard and inboard from the chamber top opening and around the central hub, to help prevent water from passing through the plaster into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
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Patent number: 9512603Abstract: A flushing mechanism includes a housing with an outfall made at the housing bottom surrounding an axis; a guide rod with axial restraint relative to the housing along the axis; a first piston that hermetically slips on the cylindrical inner surface and guide rod at the same time along the axis direction; a spring loading the first piston installed in the upper cavity surrounding the guide rod; the second piston that hermetically slips on the guide rod along the axis direction and locates between the first piston and the housing bottom; a spring loading the second piston installed surrounding the guide rod; control valve; lower part of the first piston is provided with ring protuberance. The large seal ring of seal assembly of the second piston is sealed over the small seal ring of seal assembly of the second piston.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: XIAMEN AXENT CORPORATION LIMITEDInventors: Feiyu Li, Jian Li, Laicong Hong
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Patent number: 9499964Abstract: A flush water supply device includes: a water supply unit including a water supply valve; a water compartment fittingly attached to the water supply unit; a float provided inside the water compartment; and a swingable member having one end connected to the float and the other end connected to the water supply valve, wherein the water compartment is formed in a flattened shape in which a maximum vertical length becomes less than a maximum horizontal length by a given value, and a ratio of a distance between the fulcrum adjacent to the water supply valve and an effort point defined by the swingable member and the float, to a distance between the fulcrum adjacent to the water supply valve and a load point defined by the swingable member and the water supply valve is set to a given value or more.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: TOTO LTD.Inventors: Atsuko Yamasaki, Yuichi Oda, Yukinori Kubozono, Hisashi Koga, Haruki Matsuda
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Patent number: 9486119Abstract: A bumper assembly comprising a first member configured to engage a portion of the toilet or bidet attachment; and a resilient second member coupled to the first member; wherein the first member is more rigid than the second member and includes at least one catch configured to selectively engage a recess of the toilet or bidet attachment to detachably couple the first member to the toilet or bidet attachment.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventor: Jeffrey Laundre
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Patent number: 9476192Abstract: A soft-touch double-drain valve includes a full-drain float including a large water sealing plate covering a water discharging opening and a small water sealing plate mounted in an insertion hole. A main body includes an inner tube through hole and an adjustment hole formed therein. A partial-drain weight float includes a partial-drain adjustment press bar and an inner tube penetration hole. A first position-limiting mechanism is mounted in the main body. A second position-limiting mechanism is mounted to a full-drain push button or a partial-drain push button. An inner tube is inserted in the inner tube penetration hole, the through hole, and the insertion hole and is provided with a return spring and has a lower end operable in combination with the small water sealing plate and an upper end operable in combination with the full-drain and partial-drain push buttons to control downward movement.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: LAB (XIAMEN) SANITARY FITTINGS INCInventor: Yongmao Liu
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Patent number: 9464424Abstract: A toilet tool cleansing system employs a mixing eductor that disperses a disinfectant solution into a water stream that is sprayed onto the tool and thereafter collected and discharged into a toilet via a drain eductor. The cleansing system includes plumbing and a valve adapted to be in fluid communication with an existing water supply source. A housing receives the toilet tool. The housing has at least one spray nozzle in fluid communication with the mixing eductor for dispensing the water and disinfectant on the tool. The drain eductor propels waste liquids from the system into a toilet bowl.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Inventor: Michael Wiltshire
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Patent number: 9458616Abstract: A modular design for a floor sink frame and grate assembly. The standard floor grate sizes are whole, one half, and three-quarter. Instead of stocking each of these sizes, the present invention provides a modular system where individual pieces can be stocked and combined to form all of the above configurations.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: MIFAB, Inc.Inventor: Michael James Whiteside
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Patent number: 9427368Abstract: An apparatus for automatically treating the excrement comprises a mounting unit, a control device unit, and a washing water supply path which is connected from the washing water supply part to the mounting unit. The washing water supply part comprises a washing water storage tank in which the washing water is stored. A pump is operated in a forward or in a reverse direction to supply the washing water of the washing water storage tank to the mounting unit, or collecting the residual washing water in the washing water supply path to the washing water storage tank. An instantaneous water heater provides on the washing water supply path to heat the washing water a control portion which controls the operations of the pump in the forward direction or the reverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: CURACO INC.Inventors: Jong Chan Lee, Ho Sang Lee
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Patent number: 9345365Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a diverter member attachable to a shower water supply pipe for passing warm water along first and second paths, and a distributor coupled to the diverter member for receiving water via conduit(s) along the first path, in which the distributor is retained in a water dispersion member to enable positioning of the distributor over at least over the shoulders of the person. The distributor has holes to distribute water onto the upper body of the person, via the dispersion member. The diverter member can be coupled to a handheld showerhead to provide water along a second path to the showerhead to enable showering of the person while the water is continuously being provided along the first path via the distributor via the openings to maintain the person in a warmed state. Flow of water may be controllable separately along the first and second paths.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Inventors: Linda B. Welles, Andrew V. Welles, Richard V. Welles, Steven B. Welles, Thomas S. Welles
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Patent number: 9340963Abstract: A transportable restroom comprises a skid; a clean water tank and a waste water tank disposed on the skid, the clean water tank and said waste water tank being joined together to form a base; walls extending from the base including a door; roof supported by the walls; and a toilet disposed over the waste water tank.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Inventor: Bertram Y. Ito
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Patent number: 9328492Abstract: A plunger with evaporative base is disclosed where the evaporative base has a standoff joined to a drainage bottom and a stump and stump channel arrangement for keeping the plunger suspended slightly above the drainage bottom. A plunger is disclosed that mates with the evaporative base and has a plunger bell standoff that mates with the evaporative base standoff to further keep the plunger suspended slightly above the drainage bottom. The outer perimeter of the bell of the plunger is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the evaporative base body to allow for air circulation between the plunger bell and the evaporative base. Good air circulation and drying promotes cleanliness and reduces the incidence of mold, mildew and bacteria on the plunger and base.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: CASABELLA HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: Elliot Cohen
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Patent number: 9322151Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor module, a transmission module, a flow reduction module, and a flow return module. The sensor module senses presence of a shower item on a shelf in a shower and senses a lack of presence of the shower item on the shelf. The transmission module wirelessly transmits an item missing signal. The item missing signal is transmitted in response to sensing a lack of presence of the shower item on the shelf. The flow reduction module reduces water flow to a shower head in the shower from a first flow level to a reduced flow level in response to wirelessly receiving the item missing signal. The flow return module returns water flow to the first flow level in response to expiration of a restore time delay or wirelessly receiving an item return signal in response to sensing a presence of the shower item on the shelf.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Janani Janakiraman, Dany R Madden, Meenakshi Sripal
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Patent number: 9260851Abstract: The flush toilet includes a bowl portion including a waste receiving surface, a rim portion and a shelf portion; a rim spouting portion disposed on the rim portion for spouting flush water onto the shelf portion to form a swirl flow on the waste receiving surface; a rim water conduit communicating with an opening portion formed in the lower region of the waste receiving surface of the bowl portion; wherein when flush water is supplied from the flush water source, the spouting of flush water supplied via the water conduit to the opening portion begins before the start of spouting of flush water supplied via the rim water conduit to the rim spouting portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: TOTO LTD.Inventors: Yu Yamasaki, Masaaki Inoue, Masahiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 9228368Abstract: Missing covers on pipes of a pool circulation system can create a hair and limb entrapment hazard for swimmers. The present invention provides pipe insert with a cylindrical body having a plurality of fins that extend into the cylindrical body to prevent the entrapment of limbs in the pipes of the pool circulation system. The fins further comprise a geometry that easily sheds hair strands to prevent hair from getting trapped in the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Triodyne Safety Systems, L.L.C.Inventor: Ralph L. Barnett
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Patent number: 9204768Abstract: Disclosed is a toilet seat comprising a primary seat, a first auxiliary seat, and a second auxiliary seat. The primary seat can be used by individuals of average size in a conventional manner, while the first auxiliary seat can be used by smaller individuals. The second auxiliary seat can be used by individuals of larger size. Each seat can be independently raised and lowered as needed. The primary seat attaches below the first and second auxiliary seat, providing a support surface thereto. The device can be installed on a conventional toilet, requires no maintenance, and provides a seat that can accommodate a variety of different sized individuals.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Inventors: Fannie Green, Eileen Green-Hatcher