Patents by Inventor Gary L. Sokol
Gary L. Sokol 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).
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Patent number: 9144477Abstract: A sonic toothbrush system includes an electric motor, a brush shaft, and a drive assembly. The electric motor includes a drive shaft. When the electric motor is caused to operate, the drive shaft continuously rotates until the motor is caused to stop. The drive assembly is coupled between the drive shaft and the brush shaft. The drive assembly is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into sonic oscillation of a toothbrush head supported on an end of the brush shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.Inventors: Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
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Patent number: 9061096Abstract: A powered irrigator for use in rinsing nasal cavities has a main body including a handle and a fluid reservoir detachably coupled to one another, an outlet nozzle extending from a top end of the handle, a pump mechanism operably coupled to a power source, and a switch operably coupled to the power source for turning the pump mechanism on and off. When the switch turns on the pump mechanism, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir into a first fluid coupling between the reservoir and the pump mechanism and into a second fluid coupling between the pump mechanism to the outlet nozzle. The top of the handle can be angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the main body. The nozzle is removable from the top end and has a self-sealing structure to provide an enhanced fit within a user's nostril.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Gary L. Sokol, Kenneth A. Hair, Harold A. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20150107035Abstract: A sonic toothbrush system includes an electric motor, a brush shaft, and a drive assembly. The electric motor includes a drive shaft. When the electric motor is caused to operate, the drive shaft continuously rotates until the motor is caused to stop. The drive assembly is coupled between the drive shaft and the brush shaft. The drive assembly is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into sonic oscillation of a toothbrush head supported on an end of the brush shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20150090814Abstract: A dual turbine showerhead provides multiple spray modes emanating from the head. The showerhead includes an inlet orifice, a backplate, a first turbine located side-by-side with a second turbine, a faceplate forming a first orifice group and a second orifice group, a first fluid channel in fluid communication with the first and second turbines and the first orifice group, and a second fluid channel in fluid communication with the second orifice group. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes first and a second turbines located side-by-side and a valve body that channels a fluid to the first turbine and the second turbine. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes a first and a second turbine located side-by-side along a centerline of the showerhead, a corresponding outlet region is arranged along the centerline and additional outlet regions are laterally spaced therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
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Patent number: 8943634Abstract: A sonic toothbrush system includes an electric motor, a brush shaft, and a drive assembly. The electric motor includes a drive shaft. When the electric motor is caused to operate, the drive shaft continuously rotates until the motor is caused to stop. The drive assembly is coupled between the drive shaft and the brush shaft. The drive assembly is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into sonic oscillation of a toothbrush head supported on an end of the brush shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
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Patent number: 8905332Abstract: A dual turbine showerhead provides multiple spray modes emanating from the head. The showerhead includes an inlet orifice, a backplate, a first turbine located side-by-side with a second turbine, a faceplate forming a first orifice group and a second orifice group, a first fluid channel in fluid communication with the first and second turbines and the first orifice group, and a second fluid channel in fluid communication with the second orifice group. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes first and a second turbines located side-by-side and a valve body that channels a fluid to the first turbine and the second turbine. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes a first and a second turbine located side-by-side along a centerline of the showerhead, a corresponding outlet region is arranged along the centerline and additional outlet regions are laterally spaced therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
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Publication number: 20140259474Abstract: A sonic toothbrush system including an electric motor, a brush shaft, a drive assembly, a fluid conduit connected to a pressurized, pulsed water source, and a water jet nozzle positioned on the brush head and connected to the fluid conduit. The electric motor includes a drive shaft. When the electric motor is caused to operate, the drive shaft continuously rotates until the motor is caused to stop. The drive assembly is coupled between the drive shaft and brush shaft. The drive assembly is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into sonic oscillation of a toothbrush supported on an end of the brush shaft. The drive assembly further forms part of the fluid conduit to deliver a pulsed water stream to the jet nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: WATER PIK, INC.Inventors: Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
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Patent number: 8808245Abstract: A powered irrigator for use in rinsing nasal cavities including a main body having a handle and fluid reservoir detachably coupled to one another, an outlet nozzle extending from a top end of the handle, a pump mechanism operably coupled to a power source, and a switch operably coupled to the power source for turning the pump mechanism on and off, and when the switch turns on the pump mechanism, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir into a first fluid coupling between the reservoir and the pump mechanism and into a second fluid coupling between the pump mechanism to the outlet nozzle. The reservoir includes a generally centrically body defining a cavity and at least two tabs connected to the cylindrical body and extending inwards therefrom. The at least two tabs operably connect the reservoir to the handle portion to releasably secure the reservoir to the handle portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Gary L. Sokol, Kenneth A. Hair, Harold A. Luettgen
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Patent number: 8801667Abstract: A powered irrigator for use in rinsing nasal cavities provides a main body having a handle and fluid reservoir detachably coupled to one another, an outlet nozzle extending from a top end of the handle, a pump mechanism operably coupled to a power source, and a switch operably coupled to the power source for turning the pump mechanism on and off, and when the switch turns on the pump mechanism, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir into a first fluid coupling between the reservoir and the pump mechanism and into a second fluid coupling between the pump mechanism to the outlet nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Gary L. Sokol, Kenneth A. Hair, Harold A. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20140193774Abstract: An irrigating device including a reservoir for storing fluid, a tip fluidly connected to the reservoir, and a pump operative to draw fluid from the reservoir and propel the fluid to the tip. The irrigating device further includes at least one reed valve positioned to regulate fluid between at least one of an inlet port or an exhaust port of the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: WATER PIK, INC.Inventors: Clifford J. Snyder, Gary L. Sokol, Roberta L. Callaghan
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Publication number: 20120279002Abstract: A sonic toothbrush system includes an electric motor, a brush shaft, and a drive assembly. The electric motor includes a drive shaft. When the electric motor is caused to operate, the drive shaft continuously rotates until the motor is caused to stop. The drive assembly is coupled between the drive shaft and the brush shaft. The drive assembly is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into sonic oscillation of a toothbrush head supported on an end of the brush shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20120277677Abstract: A powered irrigator for use in rinsing nasal cavities including a main body having a handle and fluid reservoir detachably coupled to one another, an outlet nozzle extending from a top end of the handle, a pump mechanism operably coupled to a power source, and a switch operably coupled to the power source for turning the pump mechanism on and off, and when the switch turns on the pump mechanism, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir into a first fluid coupling between the reservoir and the pump mechanism and into a second fluid coupling between the pump mechanism to the outlet nozzle. The reservoir includes a generally centrically body defining a cavity and at least two tabs connected to the cylindrical body and extending inwards therefrom. The at least two tabs operably connect the reservoir to the handle portion to releasably secure the reservoir to the handle portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Gary L. Sokol, Kanneth A. Hair, Harold A. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20120277678Abstract: A powered irrigator for use in rinsing nasal cavities provides a main body having a handle and fluid reservoir detachably coupled to one another, an outlet nozzle extending from a top end of the handle, a pump mechanism operably coupled to a power source, and a switch operably coupled to the power source for turning the pump mechanism on and off, and when the switch turns on the pump mechanism, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir into a first fluid coupling between the reservoir and the pump mechanism and into a second fluid coupling between the pump mechanism to the outlet nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Gary L. Sokol, Kenneth A. Hair, Harold A. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20120141952Abstract: An irrigating device including a reservoir for storing fluid, a tip fluidly connected to the reservoir, and a pump operative to draw fluid from the reservoir and propel the fluid to the tip. The irrigating device further includes at least one reed valve positioned to regulate fluid between at least one of an inlet port or an exhaust port of the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Clifford J. Snyder, Gary L. Sokol, Roberta L. Callaghan
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Patent number: 8113832Abstract: According to one broad aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, disclosed herein is a hand held oral irrigation device having a tip for dispensing fluids. In one example, an oral irrigation device includes a body portion, and a reservoir for storing fluids, wherein the body and/or the reservoir define a first major diameter at a lower end of the oral irrigation device, and define a second major diameter at an upper end of the oral irrigation device, the first major diameter being larger than the second major diameter. In this example, by providing such a geometry for the device, a user can grasp the device with one hand about the second major diameter during use. In another example, the body includes a pump for pumping fluids from the reservoir to the tip, wherein the pump includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve, the inlet valve including a reed valve made of flexible fabric material. The outlet valve may also include a reed valve made of flexible fabric material.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Clifford J. Snyder, Gary L. Sokol, Roberta L. Callaghan
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Patent number: 8020788Abstract: A showerhead providing an improved pause mode that restricts the amount of water emanating from the head. The showerhead includes a first and second outlet nozzle, a valve body operative to be in fluid communication with a shower pipe, the valve body having first and second flow channels in fluid communication with the shower pipe, each of which is also in fluid communication with one of the outlet nozzles. The first and second flow channels have different cross-sectional areas. In another embodiment, the valve body further includes a valve center in fluid communication between the first flow channel and the shower pipe, and is also in fluid communication between the second flow channel and the shower pipe. The valve body further defines a first hole in fluid communication with the first flow channel and the valve center, and a second hole in fluid communication with the second flow channel and the valve center, with the second hole having a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
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Publication number: 20110144588Abstract: A powered irrigator for use in rinsing nasal cavities has a main body including a handle and a fluid reservoir detachably coupled to one another, an outlet nozzle extending from a top end of the handle, a pump mechanism operably coupled to a power source, and a switch operably coupled to the power source for turning the pump mechanism on and off. When the switch turns on the pump mechanism, fluid flows from the fluid reservoir into a first fluid coupling between the reservoir and the pump mechanism and into a second fluid coupling between the pump mechanism to the outlet nozzle. The top of the handle can be angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the main body. The nozzle is removable from the top end and has a self-sealing structure to provide an enhanced fit within a user's nostril.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Gary L. Sokol, Kenneth A. Hair, Harold A. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20110121098Abstract: A dual turbine showerhead provides multiple spray modes emanating from the head. The showerhead includes an inlet orifice, a backplate, a first turbine located side-by-side with a second turbine, a faceplate forming a first orifice group and a second orifice group, a first fluid channel in fluid communication with the first and second turbines and the first orifice group, and a second fluid channel in fluid communication with the second orifice group. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes first and a second turbines located side-by-side and a valve body that channels a fluid to the first turbine and the second turbine. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes a first and a second turbine located side-by-side along a centerline of the showerhead, a corresponding outlet region is arranged along the centerline and additional outlet regions are laterally spaced therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
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Publication number: 20090314858Abstract: A showerhead providing an improved pause mode that restricts the amount of water emanating from the head. The showerhead includes a first and second outlet nozzle, a valve body operative to be in fluid communication with a shower pipe, the valve body having first and second flow channels in fluid communication with the shower pipe, each of which is also in fluid communication with one of the outlet nozzles. The first and second flow channels have different cross-sectional areas. In another embodiment, the valve body further includes a valve center in fluid communication between the first flow channel and the shower pipe, and is also in fluid communication between the second flow channel and the shower pipe. The valve body further defines a first hole in fluid communication with the first flow channel and the valve center, and a second hole in fluid communication with the second flow channel and the valve center, with the second hole having a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowsi, Gary L. Sokol
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Patent number: 7520448Abstract: A shower head providing an improved pause mode that restricts the amount of water emanating from the head. The shower head includes a first and second outlet nozzle, a valve body operative to be in fluid communication with a shower pipe, the valve body having first and second flow channels in fluid communication with the shower pipe, each of which is also in fluid communication with one of the outlet nozzles. The first and second flow channels have different cross-sectional areas. In another embodiment, the valve body further includes a valve center in fluid communication between the first flow channel and the shower pipe, and is also in fluid communication between the second flow channel and the shower pipe. The valve body further defines a first hole in fluid communication with the first flow channel and the valve center, and a second hole in fluid communication with the second flow channel and the valve center, with the second hole having a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol