Patents Examined by Charles E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7076812
    Abstract: A sanitary cleansing apparatus is provided for attachment to conventional toilets to facilitate posterior part cleansing with a cleaning fluid after use of the toilet. The “First Embodiment” utilizes a conventional toilet flush tank as its cleaning fluid source. A submergible housing, containing functional operating components and cleaning fluid, is inserted into the toilet flush tank. The submergible housing derives its cleaning fluid through a number of communicating fluid entry openings along its vertical axis while the functional operating components consist primarily of a cleaning fluid pump, a pressure release valve, and an electrical heater. A cleaning nozzle is mounted fixed or replaceable and/or moveable or stationary within the confines of a conventional toilet bowl. The cleaning nozzle creates a diffusing stream of cleaning fluid directed toward a projected cleaning space located within the confines of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Wilhelm Andreas Haberkorn
  • Patent number: 7073215
    Abstract: A household liquid dispensing system for dispensing a household liquid, such as soap, shampoo, dish washing detergent and bath oil through an outlet of a household water system. The liquid dispensing system comprises a household water system having an outlet, a storage unit for storing at least one liquid operatively connected to the household water system, and a control for connecting and disconnecting the storage unit to the household water system. In a first aspect of the invention the liquid is introduced into the household water system by a venturi. In a second aspect of the invention, the storage unit is positioned above an outlet of the household water system and is introduced by gravity. The control is normally biased to an “off” position. This invention can be utilized for showers, bathtubs, laundry tubs and sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph J. Berke, Charles T. Michael
  • Patent number: 7073210
    Abstract: A toilet seat device includes a seat disposing on a lavatory bowl, and a fastener device for detachably fastening the seat to the lavatory bowl and for assisting disabled or handicapped or crippled persons to seat on the lavatory bowl. The seat device may be easily carried with the users, and may be attached to the lavatory bowls of various toilets. The fastening device includes one or more bars for engaging onto the lavatory bowl, and for threading to the seat with a fastener. The seat includes one or more protrusions for threading with the fasteners. The bar includes one or more pegs to engage into the seat, and to anchor the bar to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Jin Shan Jiang
  • Patent number: 7069603
    Abstract: A toilet leak containment assembly for preventing water leaks from a toilet during flushing onto the support flooring into which the toilet is attached. The leak containment assembly contains a leak collector for installation between the toilet base and the support flooring for preventing the water leaks onto the support flooring during flushing. The leak collector contains an attachment flange for attaching the leak collector to the support flooring, a collector pan for collecting water leaks during flushing, and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the collector pan for channeling the leaks into the plumbing drain pipe. It also contains a leak seal assembly for installation and sealing between the toilet base and the leak collector. The leak seal assembly contains a flow channel for channeling water flow into the outlet pipe of the leak collector, and a seal for sealing between the toilet base and the leak collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Flushing Flange, LLC
    Inventor: Jay David Flushing
  • Patent number: 7065804
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an assembly and related methods for draining water from atop a pool cover. The invention may be said to include a pool cover that has an aperture defined therein and a drain assembly attached to the pool cover and associated with the aperture of the pool cover. The drain assembly of the invention generally includes a debris filter and/or appropriate drain cover to enable water from atop the pool cover to enter the drain assembly and be transported at least generally away from the pool. In addition, the drain assembly is generally designed/configured to exhibit a weight sufficient to position at least a portion of debris filter/drain cover at or below a water level of the pool with which it is being utilized to further drainage capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Kevin A. Rickman
  • Patent number: 7062799
    Abstract: An apparatus for clearing a clog in a pipe that includes a hollow, rigid cylindrical body, the body having a closed end and an open end; a piston disposed in the body for reciprocation therein; a rod attached to the piston and extending through an opening in the closed end of the body; a handle located on an upper portion of the rod; and a seal attached to the open end of the body. In one embodiment, the seal includes at least one flexible flange formed on an external surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Patrick James Walsh
  • Patent number: 7058995
    Abstract: A baby bath seat assembly includes a support member 30 having a mounting bracket 34 that clamps onto a tube wall 18 and carrying a support 36 that extends downwardly into the tub. The support 31 carries a base 38 on which the scat 40 is mounted to turn through approximately 180°, and a detent mechanism 110 releasably locks the seat in any selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Sundberg, Jorge Tomas, J. Michael Treen
  • Patent number: 7058993
    Abstract: A flora integrated cover for a toilet tool, which has a working portion and a handle extending therefrom. The cover comprises a flower pot shaped base, shaped and designed to receive the working portion of the toilet tool, and a flora arrangement, shaped and designed to mount over the handle of the toilet tool. Uniquely, the flora arrangement is in a general appearance of plant leaves. Additionally, the flora arrangement is in a general appearance of a flower arrangement. Also, the flora arrangement is in a general appearance of a combined flower and plant arrangement. The toilet tool may be a toilet bowl brush where the working portion is a brush. The toilet tool may also be a toilet bowl plunger where the working portion is a bell, or suction cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald Nasco
  • Patent number: 7058996
    Abstract: A toilet lifting and transport device. The device has forward legs and rear legs, with the forward legs being selectively deployable in an open configuration for lifting and transporting use, and a closed configuration for storage. A screw lift is positioned on at least one horizontal support that is positioned between the rear legs. The lifting device is coupled to a toilet fixture via a tank strap and bridge straps. Lifting of the toilet fixture is then accomplished utilizing the screw lift. Transport of the lifting device with the toilet fixture thereon is accomplished by rolling the lifting device on wheels located on the bottoms of the rear and forward legs. An alternative design utilizing the same lifting and transport principle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Dennis A. Merrill
  • Patent number: 7055184
    Abstract: A closet flange is provided for coupling the base of a toilet to a drain pipe. A main generally cylindrical body portion is dimensioned for connection to the upper end of a drain pipe and has a through bore for communicating with the interior of the drain pipe. An attachment flange portion extends radially outward from an upper end of the cylindrical body portion and is configured for connecting to the base of a toilet. A knockout temporarily seals the through bore and is removable by breaking away a peripheral edge of the knockout. A retainer extends radially inward from an inner wall of the cylindrical portion below the knockout and is configured to prevent the knockout from falling down the through bore and into the drain pipe when broken away in order to prevent drain clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: IPS Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Humber
  • Patent number: 7055185
    Abstract: An effective hygiene device that enables easy installation to the toilet bowls of most households. It is comprised of a high pressure, adjustable water stream & an antiseptic spray. A built in Hygiene Safety Guard enables a safety margin against the male penis being in the toilet bowl. This invention easily installs onto toilet bowls found in most households. It also requires no connection to the water supply in the household. This invention may reduce infections that maybe afflicting children, adults, and the elderly, who may find toilet paper difficult to use. There are many serious diseases associated with human excrement, and the antiseptic spray feature of this invention may reduce the risk of many infections. This invention also leads to a higher quality of life and a greater feeling of cleanliness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: William B Deveer
  • Patent number: 7055189
    Abstract: A hydraulic suction fuse is mounted in a conventional debris collection trap of a swimming pool, spa or the like, to significantly reduce or eliminate any suction force on the bottom or side wall mounted drain of the swimming pool, spa or the like, as a result of the drain becoming essentially wholly covered by a body part of a person or other drain clogging article. Alternatively, the hydraulic suction fuse may be mounted in a compartment in line between the drain and a suction pump of a swimming pool, spa or the like. Thereby, a person captured by the suction force at the drain will be released and the person is free to move away from the drain essentially instantaneously upon contact with the drain. In one embodiment, the hydraulic suction fuse is self resetting once inflow through the drain is no longer restricted. In another embodiment of the hydraulic suction fuse, the hydraulic suction fuse may be easily manually reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Goettl
  • Patent number: 7051381
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sanitary cleansing device includes a casing to be attached onto a rear portion of a toilet bowl, a toilet seat rotatably connected to the casing, a toilet lid rotatably connected to the casing for selectively covering the toilet seat, a first human detection sensor placed at a position in the casing such that the first human detection is made free from recognizing the toilet lid which is in its closed state, a second human detection sensor placed at a position in the casing such that the second human detection is made free from recognizing the toilet seat when the toilet seat is in its opened state and the toilet lid is in its opened state, and an automatic open/close mechanism opening/closing at least one of the toilet lid and the toilet seat upon receipt of a signal from either of the first human detection sensor and the second human detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Furukawa, Toshiyuki Torii, Yoshifumi Makino
  • Patent number: 7051382
    Abstract: A posterior part sanitary cleansing apparatus is provided for attachment to conventional toilets to facilitate posterior part cleansing with a cleaning fluid after use of the toilet. The embodiment of this invention utilizes an external cold water source and an external housing containing pump, heater and anti-siphon valve and sufficient free volume for cleaning fluid. A cleaning nozzle is mounted within the confines of a conventional toilet bowl. The cleaning nozzle creates a diffusing stream of cleaning fluid directed toward a projected cleaning space located within the confines of the toilet bowl. A disinfectant and deodorizing fluid is deposited onto the outer nozzle surfaces after every use to positively ensure sanitary conditions. The preferred range of the cleaning fluid flow is from 10 to 50 milliliters per second at a temperature range from 25° C. to 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Wilhelm Andreas Haberkorn
  • Patent number: 7047573
    Abstract: A collapsible, portable, light weight, reusable, machine washable potty training device that may carried inconspicuously into any private or public restroom and that may be consistently fitted onto a conventional toilet seat effortlessly, with the use of minimum stall space, to teach children to use toilets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: John Francis Young
  • Patent number: 7043776
    Abstract: A shower assembly has a standing pipe, a connector, an overhead pipe, a fixed overhead shower head, a control valve, a handheld showerhead, a handheld showerhead bracket and a directional valve. The connector has a three-way passage. The directional valve is mounted inside the passage to direct water to flow selectively into either the overhead pipe or the standing pipe and has a tubular valve body, a valve rod, a primary disk and a secondary disk. The tubular valve body has a top opening, a bottom opening and a side opening communicating respectively with three ends of the passage. The valve rod is moveably mounted in the valve body. The primary disk and the secondary disk are mounted on the valve rod to selectively close the top opening or the bottom opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Chao-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 7043773
    Abstract: An adaptable hygiene device for toilets that minimizes splashing of urine by channeling male urine into the toilet bowl. The collection apparatus or device has walls (back wall (1), top wall (5), lower wall (6), side walls (7,8)) forming a container with an front opening (10) and a bottom opening (26). The front opening (10) has a continuous edge (9) that has a front splash guard (25), wherein the front splash guard (25) configuration aids in preventing urine from splashing back out of the collection device after urine has once entered the device by a male urinating. The collection apparatus has a base portion (4) having a lip (11) formed thereon, wherein the base portion (4) has an annular base rim (12) extending radially downward from the lip (11) away from the top wall (5). The base portion lip (11) contacts with the top edge of the toilet bowl or the toilet seat, wherein the base rim (12) extends into the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Patrick M. McAleenan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7032256
    Abstract: An arrangement for flushing a toilet of the type that comprises a toilet bowl and a toilet tank. In one embodiment, the arrangement comprises a handle assembly comprising a manually actuatable handle that provides a flush signal to the flush valve flapper lifting assembly in response to manual actuation of the handle. In another embodiment, a flush valve actuation assembly, comprising a handle assembly that comprises at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a user in a target area, is mountable in the aperture through a sidewall through which a conventional handle, comprising a lift arm to lift a conventional chain to pivot a conventional flush valve flapper, is mountable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Waterbury Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl D. Contadini
  • Patent number: 7032255
    Abstract: A waste holding tank for a mobile sanitary toilet system includes a base section, a bowl section supported by the base section and a waste holding tank. The tank includes a housing defining a tank interior and a tank exterior. A vent opening is located at a first location of the housing. The opening forms a fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the tank. A vent conduit connects the vent opening on the tank exterior at the first location with the exterior of the tank at a second location of the housing. The vent conduit leads at least partly through the interior of the tank without being in fluid communication with the interior of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Helmut Lutz
  • Patent number: 7032257
    Abstract: A flush tank includes an outlet pipe attached to a receptacle for discharging water, a float disposed close to the outlet pipe to selectively block the outlet pipe, and to control an outward flowing of the water through the outlet pipe. A magnetically forcing device may magnetically force the float to block the outlet pipe, and a detecting device may be used to detect users and to actuate the magnetically forcing device to release the float. The magnetically forcing device includes an electromagnetic device supported by a frame to act with the float. A stop may be attached to the frame to limit a movement of the float relative to the outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Kuan Pao Chen