Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Dorn, McEachran, Jambor & Keating
  • Patent number: 6047725
    Abstract: An adjustable height fill valve for controlling the water level in a storage tank for a toilet includes a riser mounted in the tank and connected to a pressurized water supply. The riser includes an anti-siphon body telescopically mounted over a fixed shank. The anti-siphon body telescopically adjusts between retracted and extended positions. A pilot valve is mounted on the anti-siphon body in fluid communication with the water supply. A float is mounted in association with the pilot valve to selectively open or close the pilot valve depending on the water level in the tank. A latch on the anti-siphon body and a series of stops on the shank are releasably engageable to adjustably fix the position of the body on the shank between the retracted and extended positions. The stops comprise first and second sets of axially spaced and interleaved fingers which define a serpentine track into which the latch extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry D. Gish, Tim A. Frick, Ross E. Kingman, Edward D. Kastelic
  • Patent number: 6047629
    Abstract: In a hydraulic pump (P) comprising at least one piston pump element whose ston (11) is oriented towards an eccentric (E) of a drive shaft (2), and being equipped between the eccentric (E) and a bearing ring (R) rotatable on the eccentric (E) with an eccentric slide bearing (G) having a bearing bush (B) fixed in the bearing ring (R), the bearing bush (B) and the bearing ring (R) each have molded and locally meshing stop portions (A1, A2) which positively fix the bearing bush (B) in the bearing ring (R) in rotational and axial direction. (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Heilmeier & Weinlein Fabrik Fur Oel-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Brunner, Georg Neumair, Gerhard Lorner
  • Patent number: 6042960
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of isolating an enclosed metal hydride container from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas during periods of dormant or inactive storage of the device, including a constricted opening having a dual one way check valve arrangement to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. The dual check valve arrangement provides for constricting hydrogen gas flow between the chambers unless the device is in the process of charging or discharging, either of which process causes a differential pressure to develop across the dual check valve arrangement which is greater than a predetermined threshold pressure, e.g., 1-2 p.s.i. The hydrogen storage material within the hydrogen storage container comprises mixture of metal hydride particles with interspersed water adsorbing particles, such as silica gel desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. DaCosta, P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 6039085
    Abstract: A multi-layer tubing for use in fluid transport applications. The tubing is suitable for conveying fluids containing hydrocarbons. The tubing comprises an extrudable adhesive layer of multi-phase polymer blends or alloys which is coextruded around a permeation-resistant layer of fluoropolymer. An outer layer of foamed polyamide is coextruded around the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer of polymer blends or alloys has a multi-phase morphology wherein one phase is miscible with the fluoropolymer for forming the permeation-resistant layer and another phase is miscible with the polyamide for forming the foamed outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Bundy Corporation
    Inventor: Henry S. Hsich
  • Patent number: 6035479
    Abstract: A sweeper movable over a surface to be swept includes a frame having a longitudinal axis parallel to the direction of sweeper movement and a debris hopper mounted on a front portion of the frame. There is an opening in the rear of the debris hopper to admit debris. A first brush rotates about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame and is located behind the debris hopper and has a motor for rotating the brush to throw surface debris forward into the hopper. There is a second brush which is also rotatable on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, with the second brush being positioned away from the surface to be swept and in front of the first brush. There is an auxiliary sweeping lip positioned closely adjacent to the second brush, which lip and the second brush add momentum to debris swept by the main brush into the hopper, so that the hopper is more fully loaded. The improvement is especially notable when sweeping light debris such as crumpled paper, leaves, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Basham, Christopher M. Danielson, Joseph F. D'Costa
  • Patent number: 6038519
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling plumbing fixtures includes an electronic control board having a microprocessor that accepts four inputs and produces four outputs. Inputs at other than the microprocessor's operating voltage are converted thereto. Outputs having different voltages are controlled by latching relays. The control board can be used with a Smart Sink that requires a sequenced hand washing. The control board can form a node on a network that monitors and controls the functions of multiple boards throughout a facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Jerome M. Gauthier, Nhon T. Vuong, Mark J. Sippel
  • Patent number: 6032407
    Abstract: A combination ultra-low volume aerosol generator and thermal fogger for dispensing a mosquito killing insecticide includes a power source which may be a gasoline driven engine and an air pump connected to the power source. The air pump drives a turbine pump which has a rotatable turbine wheel. There is a fluid pump connected to and driven by rotation of the turbine wheel. An insecticide formulation tank is connected to the fluid pump and provides insecticide to an atomizing nozzle and a thermal fog muffler and fog discharge. There is a flow selector valve connected to the fluid pump to determine which discharge device receives fluid insecticide. There is a volume control valve connected between the fluid pump and the flow selector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Clarke Engineering Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Conner
  • Patent number: 6029287
    Abstract: A pressure flushing system for use within a toilet tank includes a pressure tank which has a predetermined volume. There is a water outlet for the tank, a water inlet for the tank, and an air inlet for the tank. The air inlet is associated with the water inlet whereby water flowing into the tank draws air into the tank. A portion of the tank is thus occupied by water and a portion is occupied by air, with the air applying pressure to the water. There is a valve within the tank which controls the flow of water from the tank through the outlet. The volume of water within the tank which may flow through the outlet at any one operation of the valve is limited by a dam which is located within the tank and surrounds the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Ming Ge, Erik J. Oberg, Danny G. Orlowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6029288
    Abstract: A pressure flushing system for use in a toilet tank includes a housing with a water inlet conduit, an air and water inlet assembly connected to the conduit and to the housing, and a water outlet for the housing. There is a flush valve within the housing for controlling flow of water from the inlet to the housing outlet. The air and water inlet assembly includes a chamber, with a water inlet connected to the chamber, and an outlet connected to the chamber. There is an air inlet accessible to air at atmospheric pressure and a passage between the air inlet and the chamber. A check valve is located in the passage, with the check valve opening in response to a venturi effect caused by water flow through the chamber to draw air into the chamber to mix with water flowing through the chamber and to the outlet. The check valve includes an elastomeric sleeve positioned within the passage and having normally closed flexible lips extending toward the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: Ming Ge, Danny G. Orlowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6030243
    Abstract: For a plug connector for card-edge mounting, in particular a plug connector with 2 or more rows, it is proposed that the printed circuit board connection side of the plug connector should have at least one press-on body which is connected to the insulating body of the plug connector so as to be capable of rotating or hinging and in which the soldering connections of the contacts of the plug connector are held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Harting KGaA
    Inventors: Dietmar Harting, Gunter Pape, Dieter Luttermann
  • Patent number: D421094
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric D. Green, Paul P. Kolada, Mark E. Mnich, Michael J. Painter
  • Patent number: D421100
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric D. Green, Eduardo Milrud, Vincent Haley
  • Patent number: D421482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Eduardo Milrud, Thomas H. Burchard, Stephanie Schwarz, Gert Trauernicht, Jonas Brickus
  • Patent number: D421641
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric D. Green, Paul P. Kolada, Mark E. Mnich, Michael J. Painter
  • Patent number: D421788
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Ross E. Kingman, Edward D. Kastelic, Tim A. Frick
  • Patent number: D422060
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric D. Green, Paul P. Kolada, Mark E. Mnich, Michael J. Painter
  • Patent number: D423086
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Melissa D. Meredith, Frank S. Schiavone, Leonard J. Burns
  • Patent number: D423267
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: James Edward Roth, Melinda Jane Shafran, Eric D. Green, Shannon E. Mason, Eduardo Milrud
  • Patent number: D423268
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: James Edward Roth, Melinda Jane Shafran, Eric D. Green, Shannon E. Mason, Eduardo Milrud
  • Patent number: D424173
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Donahue, Carolyn J. Duffield, Vance M. Johnson, James J. McElroy, Nagib Nasr