Patents Examined by Charles E. Phillips
  • Faucet with a connecting structure with a cold and a hot water pipe
    Patent number: 7032260
    Abstract: A faucet with a connecting structure with a cold and a hot water pipe includes an inlet base formed in a lower portion. The inlet base has a lateral hole, a cold and a hot water passageway for receiving a cold and a hot water pipe therein and communicating with the lateral hole. A bolt extends pivotally in the lateral hole, having two convex faces to face or leave the water passageways to let two, cold and hot, water pipes to fit in the water passageways and then deadlocked or released by the bolt by means of the outer walls of the two convex faces of the bolt if the bolt is rotated forward or backward for a certain preset angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Su Hwang
  • Public convenience having a separated urinal
    Patent number: 7024707
    Abstract: There is provided a convenience (1) comprising a sanitary compartment (7) having a toilet bowl (8), and an equipment room (10) separated from the sanitary compartment (7) and accessible through a door (16) from the outside of the convenience (1), independent from the sanitary compartment access, said convenience (1) further comprising a urinal (32), which is at least partly formed in the door (16) of the equipment room (10) and separated from the sanitary compartment (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: J.C. Decaux International
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Gagosz
  • Toilets with quick flush trapways
    Patent number: 7020908
    Abstract: A toilet has a trapway extending between a bowl opening and an outlet opening. The trapway defines a curved, preferably uniform circular cross-section water dam region above the bowl opening, a down leg, and a straight out leg between the down leg and the outlet opening. The down leg has a rearward slope where is located a horizontal baffle. The inclined down leg and horizontal baffle work in concert to prevent the back flow of air to a region above the dam as well as to facilitate rapid entrainment and evacuation of air below the dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William C. Kuru, Venkata S. Krishnamurty, Daniel N. Halloran, Patrick Ying-Te Liu, Sudip Mukerji
  • Luxury toilet having a reclining seat back
    Patent number: 7020907
    Abstract: The present invention is a reclining seat back assembly for a toilet. The reclining seat back assembly includes a seat back frame pivotally mounted to a first upper surface portion of a toilet base of the toilet, the seat back frame including a front surface, a first side edge, a second side edge and a bottom edge proximate to the first upper surface portion of the toilet base, a cushion mounted to the front surface, at least one button disposed on a side surface of the toilet base, the at least one button accessible by a user of the toilet, and a seat back operating assembly coupled to the seat back frame and the at least one button, the seat back operating assembly adapted to allow the user to selectively adjust an upright position of the seat back frame in response to actuation of the at least one button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Rufus L. Holmes
  • Portable spa
    Patent number: 7020910
    Abstract: A portable spa comprises a reservoir for holding water and an outer wall spaced outwardly from the reservoir. The spa includes an equipment bay located between the reservoir and the outer wall that is accessible from an opening at a top portion of the spa. A cover over the opening to the equipment bay is removable from the top portion of the spa to permit access to the equipment bay. The equipment bay contains substantially all of the equipment necessary for operation of the spa and can be conveniently accessed free of any obstructions around the side of the spa. The spa can be installed either above ground in the manner of a portable spa, or it can be installed directly in the ground in the manner of a permanent in-ground spa. Reinforcing means comprising an internal support framework supports the spa against the lateral external forces generated as a result of in-ground installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Tim P. Horwood
  • Plumbing fitting cover cap retention
    Patent number: 7017199
    Abstract: A plumbing fitting attachable to a wall that defines an opening, comprising a tubular part sized to project through an opening, there being grooving associated with the part; a cover extending in registration with the grooving; and a retainer caused by the cover and projecting to locally engage the grooving, thereby to position the cover in relation to the grooving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Robert A. Oropallo, Anthony Oropallo, Jr.
  • Tactile therapy system for spas
    Patent number: 7013503
    Abstract: A tactile therapy system for use in a spa, hot tub, or pool. The tactile therapy system is based, at least in part, on the hand or foot maps specified in the reflexology art. The system thus includes a pattern of protrusions configured in accordance with reflexology hand map or foot map on which an individual may apply his or her hands or feet. The reflexology-based tactile therapy system may optionally be combined with hydrotherapy, by placing hydrotherapy jets among the pattern of protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Dimension One Spas
    Inventor: Victor Lee Walker
  • Pressure assisted dual flush operating system
    Patent number: 7010816
    Abstract: A pressure assisted dual flush operating system includes a vessel for receiving, containing and discharging pressurized water and an outlet for discharge of water from said vessel. An anti-siphon valve includes an air inlet for introducing water into said vessel and an inlet valve is provided for admitting water to the anti-siphon valve. A dual flush valve selectively releases different quantities of water from said vessel through the vessel outlet and a control valve selects one of the different quantities of water released by the dual flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Self-sustaining base
    Patent number: 7007315
    Abstract: A base for a shower stall comprising a first layer of fiber glass and resin, and layer of filament material, and a second layer of fiberglass and resin. The base also includes at least one external edge, an external opening, and a thickness that increases from the at least one external edge to the internal opening. Included is a shower stall comprising a plurality of shower walls, a sloped floor attached to the shower walls, and a base attached to the slope floor. Also included is a method of attaching a base to a shower stall. The method comprises creating the base by applying fiberglass, resin, and filament material to a mold, engaging the base to the shower stall by removably attached the mold to the shower stall, curing the base, and removing the mold from the shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Praxis Companies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Scott Stonecipher
  • Foot operated flushing apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7003815
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for foot actuating a toilet by providing a foot pedal having an enhoused cable extending therefrom. The cable is attached inside the toilet tank to a flushing means within the tank. Upon a user stepping down on the pedal, dual components of the pedal provide for the amount of cable within the foot pedal to be increased by a factor of two relative to the pedal travel distance. This in turn provides for the cable inside of the tank to be decreased by such amount for lifting a weight and actuating the internal flushing means within the toilet tank. Upon removing the user's foot from the foot pedal, the foot pedal, cable and weight are automatically reset to a starting position allowing the toilet to be reset to its original position for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Foot Flush International, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Herbst
  • Top down mounting system for faucet
    Patent number: 7003818
    Abstract: A top mounting faucet assembly comprising a mounting plate that may be mounted to a sink surface, a waterway tube, a faucet body housing, and a locking mechanism. The waterway tube is housed within the faucet body housing, to form a removable faucet assembly. The locking mechanism is attached to the mounting plate. This removable faucet assembly is mounted upon the mounting plate by attaching the faucet assembly to the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Gerald J. McNerney, Garry Marty
  • Showerhead holder
    Patent number: 7000265
    Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a showerhead holder such that its height will be adjustable incorporates a wall-mounting rail having a central, forward-facing groove for attaching a showerhead holder such that its height will be adjustable on its front surface. An auxiliary groove that may be engaged by accessory items and a wall bracket that is intended for attaching the wall-mounting rail to the wall is situated on either side of that groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventor: Magdalena Faisst
  • Auxiliary spa module
    Patent number: 7000264
    Abstract: Systems and techniques to increase storage space for added features in a spa using a modular spa design. A spa structure includes a compartment defining a location that receives a device to be used in conjunction with a spa, and a surface coupled with the compartment and matching a shape of a skirt of the spa. The surface can form a section of the skirt of the spa when attached to the spa. The skirt section can be attached to the spa by being raised under a lip of the spa and can be secured with battens and screws. The skirt section can form exterior steps providing access to the spa and can have a sinusoidal shape. The skirt section can include an integrated lifting mechanism that serves as a support when in a nested position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Dimension One Spas
    Inventors: David R. Podue, Victor Lee Walker, James Donald McClure, Jr., Angelo Vito Pugliese, Jr.
  • Lavatory with a removable washing platform
    Patent number: 7000266
    Abstract: A spout directs a stream of water onto an adjacent washing apparatus. The washing apparatus has a body with a first work surface and a drain opening that is connected by a coupling to the waste water system of a building. A second platform is removably positionable on the first work surface and has a second work surface raised from the first work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: James M. Piatt, William F. Gordon
  • Shower mounted back cleansing and massaging apparatus
    Patent number: 6996861
    Abstract: A selectable shower scrubber massager is an apparatus to aid in the scrubbing and cleaning of one's back while in the shower. The apparatus is suspended from the shower head from an adjustable hanger that permits vertical adjustment of the body of the apparatus. The body has three separate sections of brushes designed to clean and/or massage the upper, middle and lower areas of the back. Each section is provided with rotating brushes controlled by a variable speed motor. Each section also has a soap dispenser that provides for the application of liquid soap from an integral interior dispenser. On the back of the invention are a set of four suction cups to aid in attaching the invention to the shower or bath wall. Control switches and speed adjustments for each section are provided operatively coupled with a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Aaron Thomas Clark, Jr.
  • Dispenser for releasing a substance into a toilet bowl
    Patent number: 6993796
    Abstract: A dispenser for releasing a treatment substance into a toilet bowl, said dispenser being in the form of an elongate tubular member, adapted to release the substance when the toilet is flushed, and resilient so that in use it is self-supporting under the rim of the bowl. The substance to be released is at least one of a bleach, cleanser, surfactant, perfume or disinfectant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser France
    Inventors: Geoffrey Robert Hammond, Yannic Hermouet
  • Portable liquid dispensers
    Patent number: 6993795
    Abstract: A battery operated self-contained submersible liquid dispenser for dispensing discrete quantities of a liquid from a remote liquid reservoir is provided. The dispenser comprises a hermetically sealed walled housing containing a peristaltic pump driven either directly or via a speed reduction gear train by an electric motor in response to motor activation signals received from an electric control circuit within the housing. The pump includes a flexible liquid dispensing tube connected to respective liquid inlet and liquid outlet ports extending through the wall of the housing, a pump actuator for forcing liquid received via the liquid inlet port through the tube to the outlet port, and a sensor on or in the wall of the housing connected to the circuit. The sensor is adapted to sense a changed condition from a required parameter external to the housing, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Frank Joseph Prineppi
  • Retractable table top for a toilet
    Patent number: 6983493
    Abstract: A device for providing a working surface is positionable adjacent a toilet and includes a table having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of elongated legs having opposed end portions attached thereto and engageable with a ground surface. Such a plurality legs are pivotally connected to the lower surface of the table and are movable between folded and extended positions. The device further includes a support member having a rear end portion that is securable to a wall adjacent a toilet and extends outwardly therefrom. The support member further has a front end portion spaced from the rear end portion and is pivotally connected to the table so that the table can be selectively moved between up and down positions about the front end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Rafik Shaumyan
  • Toilet seat
    Patent number: 6978489
    Abstract: A toilet seat allowing a smooth lift up of the seat comprises a seat cover and a seat; two accommodation troughs on both sides of the seat and pivoted to the toilet; two boxes each divided into three compartments connecting through one another and containing a bypass trough; an air vent being provided between two troughs to balance pressure; a gap being provided on the partition in a V-shape between the second and the third compartments; and an inclined board further extending from the V-shaped partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Yu-Lan Chao, Littlee
  • Portable spa
    Patent number: 6978495
    Abstract: A portable spa comprises a reservoir for holding water and an outer wall spaced outwardly from the reservoir. The spa includes an equipment bay located between the reservoir and the outer wall that is accessible from an opening at a top portion of the spa. A cover over the opening to the equipment bay is removable from the top portion of the spa to permit access to the equipment bay. The equipment bay contains substantially all of the equipment necessary for operation of the spa and can be conveniently accessed free of any obstructions around the side of the spa. The spa can be installed either above ground in the manner of a portable spa, or it can be installed directly in the ground in the manner of a permanent in-ground spa. Reinforcing means comprising an internal support framework supports the spa against the lateral external forces generated as a result of in-ground installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Tim P. Horwood, Keith W. Lovell, John E. Pope