Patents by Inventor William D. Himes

William D. Himes 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).

  • Publication number: 20240107981
    Abstract: A grooming tool for use on an animal includes a base arrangement sized for grasping by a human hand. A first section of grooming members is secured to the base arrangement and includes flexible members. A second section of grooming members is spaced from the first section and includes flexible members. A third section of rigid grooming members are positioned between the first section and second section of grooming members. The tool can include a grip assembly having a pivotable grip member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. HIMES, Kathryn E. YEE, Jewel M. CARY, William P. Robertson, Jessica E, HUBBARD, Chris STOLL
  • Publication number: 20230371480
    Abstract: An aquarium includes a tank and at least a first opaque panel dividing the tank interior volume into at least 2 separate compartments. A canopy covers the tank, and a lighting assembly is secured to an interior portion of the canopy. A filter arrangement is provided in communication with the interior volume of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nathan BRUNNER, William D. HIMES, Anne GIERSE, John L. SHUMATE
  • Publication number: 20230337641
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a housing assembly, a pump assembly, a transfer tube assembly, and a valve assembly for controlling water flow through the transfer tube assembly. The transfer tube assembly can include a tube structure within which a valve body of the valve assembly is rotatably disposed. The tube structure can be formed from a first tube half mated to a second tube half to permanently secure the valve body within the tube structure. A valve operator can be connected to the valve body to advantageously allow a user to manipulate the flow of water through the transfer tube assembly. Control of water flow through the filter arrangement is beneficial for obtaining a desired water flow for a certain aquarium size and application and for reducing flow during certain periods, such as during feeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, John Lewis Shumate, William D. Himes
  • Publication number: 20230292717
    Abstract: An aquarium requiring no more than only a single power connection. The aquarium includes: (a) a transparent tank having a surrounding wall with an enclosure rim surrounding an open top and an opposite closed bottom wall; (b) an electrically powered lighting arrangement; (c) an electrically powered pump oriented within an interior of the tank; (d) a base supporting the tank under the bottom wall of the tank; and (e) a junction box integrally formed with the base and having an aperture arrangement accessible from adjacent the surrounding wall having an electrical power port for removable insertion of an electrical power cord to provide power for the lighting arrangement and the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: William D. Himes, William Nathan Brunner, Catherine A. Langford
  • Publication number: 20230211264
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a filter housing assembly, a pump assembly, and a transfer tube assembly. In one aspect, the housing assembly and the pump assembly are separately constructed assemblies that are connected to each other via a first dampening member to prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. The filter arrangement can further include a second dampening member connecting the pump assembly with the transfer tube assembly to further prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. A third dampening member can be provided at a location where the transfer tube assembly is supported within the filter housing assembly to further isolate vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly via the transfer tube assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: William D. Himes, William Nathan Brunner, John Shumate, Daniel Anderson Newman, Donald Barry Huehn
  • Patent number: 11690360
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a housing assembly, a pump assembly, a transfer tube assembly, and a valve assembly for controlling water flow through the transfer tube assembly. The transfer tube assembly can include a tube structure within which a valve body of the valve assembly is rotatably disposed. The tube structure can be formed from a first tube half mated to a second tube half to permanently secure the valve body within the tube structure. A valve operator can be connected to the valve body to advantageously allow a user to manipulate the flow of water through the transfer tube assembly. Control of water flow through the filter arrangement is beneficial for obtaining a desired water flow for a certain aquarium size and application and for reducing flow during certain periods, such as during feeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, John Lewis Shumate, William D. Himes
  • Patent number: 11596884
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a filter housing assembly, a pump assembly, and a transfer tube assembly. In one aspect, the housing assembly and the pump assembly are separately constructed assemblies that are connected to each other via a first dampening member to prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. The filter arrangement can further include a second dampening member connecting the pump assembly with the transfer tube assembly to further prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. A third dampening member can be provided at a location where the transfer tube assembly is supported within the filter housing assembly to further isolate vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly via the transfer tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Himes, William Nathan Brunner, John Shumate, Daniel Anderson Newman, Donald Barry Huehn
  • Publication number: 20220174919
    Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly includes a transfer tube to convey aquarium liquid and a pre-filter member secured to an end of the transfer tube. The pre-filter member may include a rigid porous media basket, or it may include a micron filter of pleated media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine LANGFORD, William Nathan BRUNNER, Jr., John SHUMATE, William D. HIMES
  • Publication number: 20210267177
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a housing assembly, a pump assembly, a transfer tube assembly, and a valve assembly for controlling water flow through the transfer tube assembly. The transfer tube assembly can include a tube structure within which a valve body of the valve assembly is rotatably disposed. The tube structure can be formed from a first tube half mated to a second tube half to permanently secure the valve body within the tube structure. A valve operator can be connected to the valve body to advantageously allow a user to manipulate the flow of water through the transfer tube assembly. Control of water flow through the filter arrangement is beneficial for obtaining a desired water flow for a certain aquarium size and application and for reducing flow during certain periods, such as during feeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, John Lewis Shumate, William D. Himes
  • Publication number: 20210251182
    Abstract: An automated self-cleaning litter box (20) includes a guide arrangement (114) to allow for slidably mounting a disposable litter receptacle (40). The litter box can include a ramp (30) with a catch basin (142) and removable mat (146).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin ANDERSON, Ron WRIGHT, Brent DEMASKE, Adam FAVIA, William D. HIMES
  • Publication number: 20210229007
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a filter housing assembly, a pump assembly, and a transfer tube assembly. In one aspect, the housing assembly and the pump assembly are separately constructed assemblies that are connected to each other via a first dampening member to prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. The filter arrangement can further include a second dampening member connecting the pump assembly with the transfer tube assembly to further prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. A third dampening member can be provided at a location where the transfer tube assembly is supported within the filter housing assembly to further isolate vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly via the transfer tube assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: William D. Himes, William Nathan Brunner, John Shumate, Daniel Anderson Newman, Donald Barry Huehn
  • Patent number: 11039605
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a housing assembly, a pump assembly, a transfer tube assembly, and a valve assembly for controlling water flow through the transfer tube assembly. The transfer tube assembly can include a tube structure within which a valve body of the valve assembly is rotatably disposed. The tube structure can be formed from a first tube half mated to a second tube half to permanently secure the valve body within the tube structure. A valve operator can be connected to the valve body to advantageously allow a user to manipulate the flow of water through the transfer tube assembly. Control of water flow through the filter arrangement is beneficial for obtaining a desired water flow for a certain aquarium size and application and for reducing flow during certain periods, such as during feeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, John Lewis Shumate, William D. Himes
  • Patent number: 10974179
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a filter housing assembly, a pump assembly, and a transfer tube assembly. In one aspect, the housing assembly and the pump assembly are separately constructed assemblies that are connected to each other via a first dampening member to prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. The filter arrangement can further include a second dampening member connecting the pump assembly with the transfer tube assembly to further prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. A third dampening member can be provided at a location where the transfer tube assembly is supported within the filter housing assembly to further isolate vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly via the transfer tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Himes, William Nathan Brunner, John Shumate, Daniel Anderson Newman, Donald Barry Huehn
  • Publication number: 20200214272
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a housing assembly, a pump assembly, a transfer tube assembly, and a valve assembly for controlling water flow through the transfer tube assembly. The transfer tube assembly can include a tube structure within which a valve body of the valve assembly is rotatably disposed. The tube structure can be formed from a first tube half mated to a second tube half to permanently secure the valve body within the tube structure. A valve operator can be connected to the valve body to advantageously allow a user to manipulate the flow of water through the transfer tube assembly. Control of water flow through the filter arrangement is beneficial for obtaining a desired water flow for a certain aquarium size and application and for reducing flow during certain periods, such as during feeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, John Lewis Shumate, William D. Himes
  • Patent number: 10638732
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a housing assembly, a pump assembly, a transfer tube assembly, and a valve assembly for controlling water flow through the transfer tube assembly. The transfer tube assembly can include a tube structure within which a valve body of the valve assembly is rotatably disposed. The tube structure can be formed from a first tube half mated to a second tube half to permanently secure the valve body within the tube structure. A valve operator can be connected to the valve body to advantageously allow a user to manipulate the flow of water through the transfer tube assembly. Control of water flow through the filter arrangement is beneficial for obtaining a desired water flow for a certain aquarium size and application and for reducing flow during certain periods, such as during feeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, John Lewis Shumate, William D. Himes
  • Publication number: 20200086249
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a filter housing assembly, a pump assembly, and a transfer tube assembly. In one aspect, the housing assembly and the pump assembly are separately constructed assemblies that are connected to each other via a first dampening member to prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. The filter arrangement can further include a second dampening member connecting the pump assembly with the transfer tube assembly to further prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. A third dampening member can be provided at a location where the transfer tube assembly is supported within the filter housing assembly to further isolate vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly via the transfer tube assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: William D. Himes, William Nathan Brunner, John Shumate, Daniel Anderson Newman, Donald Barry Huehn
  • Patent number: 10486092
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a filter housing assembly, a pump assembly, and a transfer tube assembly. In one aspect, the housing assembly and the pump assembly are separately constructed assemblies that are connected to each other via a first dampening member to prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. The filter arrangement can further include a second dampening member connecting the pump assembly with the transfer tube assembly to further prevent vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly. A third dampening member can be provided at a location where the transfer tube assembly is supported within the filter housing assembly to further isolate vibration and sound from being transmitted from the pump assembly to the filter housing assembly via the transfer tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Himes, William Nathan Brunner, John Shumate, Daniel Anderson Newman, Donald Barry Huehn
  • Publication number: 20190150411
    Abstract: A filter arrangement for an aquarium is disclosed. The filter arrangement can include a housing assembly, a pump assembly, a transfer tube assembly, and a valve assembly for controlling water flow through the transfer tube assembly. The transfer tube assembly can include a tube structure within which a valve body of the valve assembly is rotatably disposed. The tube structure can be formed from a first tube half mated to a second tube half to permanently secure the valve body within the tube structure. A valve operator can be connected to the valve body to advantageously allow a user to manipulate the flow of water through the transfer tube assembly. Control of water flow through the filter arrangement is beneficial for obtaining a desired water flow for a certain aquarium size and application and for reducing flow during certain periods, such as during feeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, John Lewis Shumate, William D. Himes
  • Patent number: D968715
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, William D. Himes, Anne Gierse, John L. Shumate
  • Patent number: D1010943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nathan Brunner, William D. Himes, Anne Gierse, John L. Shumate