Patents by Inventor Blake V. Ricks

Blake V. Ricks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5282281
    Abstract: A compact, self-contained, portable vacuum toilet system having a sump for collecting waste liquids by means of gravity, a differential pressure-operated discharge valve for regulating withdrawal of waste liquids from the holding sump for transport to a vacuum collection tank during a transport cycle, differential pressure-operated sensor and controller valves for regulating operation of the discharge valve in response to a hydrostatic pressure condition inside the holding sump, and a push button-operated water valve for adding water to the toilet bowl during and immediately after a flush cycle. A sink and its own push button-operated water valve may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Burton Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Clear, John M. Grooms, Blake V. Ricks
  • Patent number: 5259427
    Abstract: An integral, vacuum operated, package system for collecting and transporting waste liquids from, e.g., a defrosted freezer, sink, bathtub, or water fountain, to a vacuum transport conduit connected to a vacuum collection station. The package system preferably includes a collection sump, sensor valve, controller valve, vacuum volume, and vacuum valve, which operatively communicate with each other by means of applied differential pressure to withdraw waste liquid from the collection sump and pass it through an opened vacuum valve during a transport cycle. The package system is compact, portable, and easily installed and maintained, and may be concealed in most applications, since it requires a mere volume generally measuring 12".times.8".times.31/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Burton Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Grooms, Blake V. Ricks