Patents Examined by Charles E. Phillips
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Patent number: 7926127Abstract: The shower curtain rod assembly is adapted to be mounted between opposing surfaces of a shower enclosure. The assembly includes a rod with a two-part arcuate main section extending between first and second spaced, substantially parallel side sections. First and second mounting brackets are provided to engage the side sections and to secure the side sections to the respective shower curtain surfaces. Each of the brackets includes a body defining channel means for removably receiving a side section and a plate for mounting the body to a shower enclosure surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Ex-Cell Home Fashions, Inc.Inventor: Charles Barrese
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Patent number: 7591027Abstract: Toilet flapper valves with multiple volume flush capability which can be quickly and easily installed to replace existing flapper valves in old or new toilets to give such toilets the capability of providing selectable amounts of flushing water.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Inventor: Donald Ernest Scruggs
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Patent number: 7552485Abstract: A toilet seat gripping apparatus includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side, a forward edge and a rear edge. The rear edge is concavely arcuate between opposite ends of the rear edge. The rear edge is contoured to an outer edge of a toilet seat. A pair of gripping members is provided. Each of the gripping members is coupled to the panel and releasably couples the panel to the toilet seat. The panel extends outwardly from the outer edge of the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Inventor: Willie E. Harrison, Jr.
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Patent number: 7540040Abstract: A toilet seat cover and back support includes a hinge connecting the back support to the rear of the toilet bowl cover and a guide is provided in the cabinet for the seat cover to maintain the back support in an upright position when the seat cover is lowered.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Inventor: Harry A. Roenick
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Patent number: 7526819Abstract: The conservation of water is an issue that preoccupies an increasing number of people. Among all domestic appliances, toilet is an appliance that consumes an appreciable quantity of water. The present invention provides a dual flush system that allows to select the volume of water when using a toilet by choosing between two volumes of water. The dual flush system can be easily installed without tools on a toilet.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Inventor: Pierre Beaupré
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Patent number: 7523509Abstract: A combined portable toilet seat and carrying bag includes a foldable toilet seat that has first and second coextensively shaped sections pivotally connected to each other. Each section has an arcuate shape provided with offset proximal and distal ends. The sections form a U-shape when adapted to the unfolded position. The sections are hingedly coupled at their proximal ends. A mechanism is included for storing a predetermined quantity of sanitary sheaths in such a manner that the user can quickly extract one of the sheaths and pull the sheath across entire surface areas of the first and second sections when the toilet seat is biased to an unfolded position. The sanitary sheath storing mechanism is permanently secured to one section. A carrying bag has a handle and a zipper attached thereto for securely receiving and transporting the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Inventor: Robin Willard
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Patent number: 7509693Abstract: The toilet cleaning apparatus provides for hinged fit to an existing toilet with rim. The seat of the apparatus has a top, a bottom, and a cavity therebetween. The motor with pulleys and belt is disposed within the cavity. A movable cleaning pad disposed outside of the cavity between the seat bottom and toilet rim is attached to the motor via the drive attachment. The apparatus provides an electric power source in communication with the motor and the seat lift and lowering pivot drive, and a pair of pedals for controlling the power source whereby the seat is selectively lifted and lowered and the seat bottom and rim are selectively wiped by the cleaning pad, with the seat in the down position.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Inventors: Bernard S. Graves, Kimberly Graves
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Patent number: 7506385Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for a bathing and transfer chair that provides a stand alone wheeled chair that is configurable to engage a stand alone base, adapted to engage a bathing tub and lower the level of the chair thereby submersing the user in the bath water. The seat portion of the device is adaptable to transfer an individual from the wheeled chair portion of the device, positioned outside of the bathing area, to the submersing base which is positioned within the bathing area. The described embodiments can be custom fit to individual's dimensions, or be refit at any time to accommodate growth and/or size changes. Legs, calf support and back angles as well as chair height can be adjusted independently to maximize positioning options to accommodate the support and comfort of the user.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Columbia Medical Manufacturing, LLCInventor: Gary S. Werschmidt
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Patent number: 7503081Abstract: A toilet having improved flush capabilities, an electrical system for foul air evacuation including bacterial filtration, a storage compartment, a night light, improved waste disposal, and optional accessories for converting the toilet into a medical work-station for ease of use by patients and/or the handicapped.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Inventor: Robert D. Montgomery
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Patent number: 7503082Abstract: An air massage system for a bathtub comprises a blower, an air distributor and the water jets. The air distributor connects the blower to the jets, and the jets are adapted to deliver air under pressure to the cavity defined by the bathtub. The jets include water check valves to prevent the water in the bathtub from entering the air distributor. The air distributor comprises at least one water relief valve for preventing water from reaching the blower, when inoperative, in the event of failure of any one of the water check valves. The air distributor also comprises a main pipe, a manifold and distribution pipes, with the main pipe connecting the blower to the manifold and the distribution pipes connecting the manifold to the jets. The water relief valve is provided on the manifold, and the water check valves are provided on the manifold and at each jet. A pressure relief valve is provided upstream of the jets for keeping a substantially steady pressure from the air propelled by the blower.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: C. G. Air Systèmes Inc.Inventor: Miguel Castellote
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Patent number: 7500277Abstract: A toilet (10) having an automatic flush assembly (50) includes a toilet bowl (14), a water holding tank (12) for supplying water to the toilet bowl (14), and a flush valve (22). The holding tank (12) supplies water to the toilet bowl (14) and defines a handle opening (34) for an actuating handle (36) of the toilet (10). The flush valve (22) provides fluid communication between the toilet bowl (14) and the holding tank (12). The automatic flush assembly (50) is mounted in the handle opening (34) and includes a sensor section (54), a control section (56), and an actuating mechanism (58). The sensor section (56) detects the presence of a person in front of the toilet bowl (14). The control section (56) receives a detection signal from the sensor section (54) and initiates a flush signal to the actuating mechanism (58), which actuates the flush valve (22).Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: I-CON Systems, Inc.Inventor: Shawn D Bush
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Patent number: 7500275Abstract: Provided is a power saving device using a toilet seat cover of a bidet. The device includes: a toilet seat cover sensor for detecting whether the toilet seat cover is opened or closed and outputting an electrical signal corresponding the detected result; and a control means for controlling the toilet seat and the warm water to be at low temperatures on the basis of the detected result of the toilet seat cover sensor when a power saving mode is OFF and the bidet is not used. Therefore, it is possible to remarkably reduce power consumption of the bidet during a standby mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Novita Co., Ltd.Inventor: Bong-Kyun Kim
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Patent number: 7500276Abstract: A spa cover lifter for use with a spa cover. According to various embodiments, the spa cover comprises a first section and a second section pivotably connected to the first section at a hinge interface. The spa cover lifter comprises a drive system, a first cable connected to the drive system, and a post assembly. The post assembly is extendable from a retracted position to an extended position. Also, the first cable is routed by the post assembly. In various embodiments, the spa cover lifter is configured to connect to the spa cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Nerok LLCInventor: George Koren
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Patent number: 7496974Abstract: A height adjusting water saving urinal adapted to be connected to a flush toilet system, includes a bowl, a top opening, a bottom opening, a bottom drain opening, an extendable urinal, a connecting device and a seat that is provided on the top opening so that a female user can sit on the seat. The bowl has a basin, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The top opening is provided at the top portion of the bowl. The bottom drain opening is provided at the bottom portion of the bowl. The extendable urinal drain pipe extends from the bottom drain opening. The connecting device, provided at an end of the extendable urinal drain pipe, is for connecting the urinal to the flush toilet system. The extendable urinal drain pipe shares the main drain pipe of the flush toilet.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Inventor: Tae Cho Kang
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Patent number: 7493664Abstract: A combination toilet and bidet unit. The unit has a toilet base which is surrounded in front by a skirt portion of the base. A toilet bowl is supported by the base as are water control valves. A bidet water line leads from the valves, passes through the bowl and terminates in a nozzle within the bowl.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2008Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Inventor: Paul Riccobon
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Patent number: 7493665Abstract: A water jet assembly for in-ground pools or spas that includes a first chamber with a water inlet and a second chamber with an air inlet and a plurality of water outlets. Water and air flow from the respective inlets to the water outlet such that a water-jet effect is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Inventor: Jack Williams
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Patent number: 7490375Abstract: A garbage disposer replacement unit for straining food waste comprises a drainage means fitted to one or more sink for transporting food wastes to a sewer system and a main interceptor connected in series with the drainage means. The main interceptor is fluidly connected in series to the sink drain outlet through an adapter funnel and includes a convex reservoir and a number of legs for supporting the main interceptor above a floor. Two opposite side outlets are positioned at the lowermost level of the convex reservoir. A tray is slidingly suspended within the main interceptor above the reservoir, wherein the tray has fine bottom perforations for retaining small particles of food waste. A draining basket is removably positioned under the side outlets for catching escaped wastes bypassing the main interceptor. The interceptor has a top opening over which the adaptor funnel is placed concentrically to redefine the top opening to fit with the existing sink drainage means.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Inventor: Ricky Wangchi Luk
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Patent number: 7480946Abstract: A hot tub cover assembly includes a hot tub that includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall wherein the first and second side walls are positioned opposite of each other. The peripheral wall has an upper edge defining an opening into the hot tub. A panel has a size and shape substantially equal to the upper edge of the peripheral wall. A lifting assembly is attached to and extends between the peripheral wall and the canopy. The lifting assembly is configured to selectively lift the canopy into an open position lifted above and spaced from the hot tub or lower the canopy into a closed position abutting the upper edge and covering the opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Inventor: David E. Brown
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Patent number: 7475438Abstract: A portable bidet includes a cylindrical member for storing washing liquid, and an airbag section connected to the cylindrical member for supplying air upon squeezing to cause injection of washing liquid. The cylindrical member is formed of hard resin and has an arcuate tip end portion and at least one ejection port. An extruding member is disposed in the cylindrical member. The ejection port is closed by a releasable film member after the washing liquid is stored. The airbag section is formed of flexible or soft resin having a sealable air inlet, and when not in use, can be collapsed and packed alongside the cylindrical member.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: WBE Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomoe Masuda
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Patent number: 7475437Abstract: A device is depicted to raise and lower a toilet seat, the device having a rotation axis located under the toilet seat and which is attached or comes into contact with it; a lever attached to the rotation axis and which is moved by a user in order to convey its motion towards the rotation axis which, by being attached to the seat or coming in contact to it, raises or lowers the seat as desired; the rotation axis is housed in the conduits of already existing hinges that are formed by the toilet cover, seat, and hinge supports, or the rotation axis is housed along a housing provided in a base plate that is attached to the hinge supports existing in any toilet seats.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Inventor: David Herrera-Gurrola