Patents by Inventor Dan E. Molter

Dan E. Molter 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: 7376984
    Abstract: A flow diverter accepts a stream of water from a conventional toilet valve and diverts a portion of the flow into the toilet tank, outside the overflow tube. In a first, more rudimentary embodiment of the invention, a flow diverter accepts flow from the toilet tank fill valve and includes a first exit opening for introducing a portion of the flow into the toilet tank overflow tube, and a second portion of the flow into the toilet tank. Providing two exit openings for to split the incoming stream into a first flow of about one third of the input and into a second exit opening to split the remainder of the incoming stream into a second flow of about two thirds of the incoming stream provides significant flow control for the user. In cases where a user's bowl overfills, the user can attach the flow diverter to the end of the conventional toilet tank overflow tube line and position it as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Dan E. Molter
  • Patent number: 7121594
    Abstract: A toilet valve quick connect includes an upper housing having a capture chamber which facilitates the operation of a capture nut with oversized outward peripheral portions to enable it to be turned within the confines of a typical toilet tank. The toilet valve quick connect has a lower section which extends through the hole in a typical toilet tank and is secured in much the same way as a conventional toilet valve fitting. The toilet valve quick connect includes an internal conical sealing member for facilitating the sealed connection with the bottom rim and inside of a conventional toilet valve fitting. A capture housing partially encloses the capture nut to enable it to engage the threaded bottom fitting of a conventional toilet valve and to impress a downward force on the threaded bottom fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Dan E. Molter
  • Patent number: 6866298
    Abstract: A toilet valve quick connect includes an upper housing having a capture chamber which facilitates the operation of a capture nut with oversized outward peripheral portions to enable it to be turned within the confines of a typical toilet tank. The toilet valve quick connect has a lower section which extends through the hole in a typical toilet tank and is secured in much the same way as a conventional toilet valve fitting. The toilet valve quick connect includes an internal conical sealing member for facilitating the sealed connection with the bottom rim and inside of a conventional toilet valve fitting. A capture housing partially encloses the capture nut to enable it to engage the threaded bottom fitting of a conventional toilet valve and to impress a downward force on the threaded bottom fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Dan E. Molter
  • Publication number: 20040026923
    Abstract: A toilet valve quick connect includes an upper housing having a capture chamber which facilitates the operation of a capture nut with oversized outward peripheral portions to enable it to be turned within the confines of a typical toilet tank. The toilet valve quick connect has a lower section which extends through the hole in a typical toilet tank and is secured in much the same way as a conventional toilet valve fitting. The toilet valve quick connect includes an internal conical sealing member for facilitating the sealed connection with the bottom rim and inside of a conventional toilet valve fitting. A capture housing partially encloses the capture nut to enable it to engage the threaded bottom fitting of a conventional toilet valve and to impress a downward force on the threaded bottom fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Dan E. Molter
  • Patent number: 5878448
    Abstract: A floor drain extension for, and method of, elevating a drain plate of an existing floor drain after a refinishing layer such as tile has been applied onto the floor structure through which the floor drain is installed. The extension is generally annular shaped and structured to fit between the drain plate and the upper surface of the floor drain fixture so as to upwardly reposition the drain plate into a flush arrangement with the new refinishing layer surface. By proper preselection of the thickness and mounting hole pattern, the extension will easily be reinstalled after the refinishing layer is applied. Further, by temporarily bolting the extension atop the existing floor drain prior to application of the refinishing layer, a precise edge to edge abutting fit between the refinishing layer and the extension will be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Dan E. Molter