Patents Examined by Charles R. Eloshway
  • Patent number: 6434760
    Abstract: A pressurized plunger apparatus for cleaning drains and other plumbing fixtures of obstacles. The pressurized plunger apparatus includes a pressurizable handle assembly that has an air valve for releasing the compressed air into a chamber area of a plunger member when the device is depressed onto a drain, thereby forcing the compressed air into the plumbing system and clearing the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Ruben Montalvo
  • Patent number: 6434762
    Abstract: A stool collecting apparatus is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and provides an easy to use and contamination free apparatus for collecting a stool sample. The device includes a disposable strip spanning at least a width of a toilet seat having adhesive sections at ends thereof and an opening section between the ends. The opening section includes an opening through the disposable strip and a lip spanning a periphery of the opening. A sealable stool receptacle is removably secured to the lip adjacent the opening section. After a sample is deposited, the receptacle can be easily removed from the disposable strip and sealed for subsequent processing. The strip, with or without a seat cover, can then be discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Steven N. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6430757
    Abstract: A self-contained bathroom waste collection and disposal unit, having an access cover free of electrical and plumbing fixtures is disclosed. The unit includes a reservoir having an inlet and a sump opening. The sump opening is sized to receive a pump and a float mechanism therethrough. The sump opening is closed by a primary cover having venting, plumbing and electrical ports and an access cover. The access cover can be removed to access the enclosed sump, without interrupting the venting, plumbing or electrical connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Liberty Pumps Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M Pohler
  • Patent number: 6430758
    Abstract: A portable training toilet including a toilet portion having an open upper end and a closed lower end. The open upper end has a seat portion hingedly coupled thereto. The seat portion has a cover portion hingedly disposed thereover. A tank portion is secured to and extends upwardly from the toilet portion. The tank portion has an open upper end and a closed lower end. The open upper end has a cover member hingedly coupled thereto. The tank portion has a horizontal slot therethrough in a front wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Byron Cabrera
  • Patent number: 6428230
    Abstract: A new and improved apparatus for assisting a user while cooking on an outdoor grill or other cooking surface. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical tube approximately fifteen inches in length and four inches in diameter. The apparatus has two separate and distinct compartments for holding a condiment and water. The apparatus further has structure enabling the user to apply the water and the condiment onto a grill or piece of food being cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Tommie Rodgers
  • Patent number: 6428508
    Abstract: An ophthalmic cutter system that includes a cutter adapted to cut tissue such as a cataract lens and an irrigation handpiece adapted to hold the lens. The irrigation handpiece may be coupled to an irrigation system that introduces an irrigation fluid to the surgical site through the handpiece. The cutter may be coupled to an aspiration system that provides vacuum pulses to the surgical site. The vacuum pulses may pull tissue into a wire located at a distal end of a cutter cannula. The pulses may break and emulsify the tissue which is then aspirated through the cannula by the aspiration system. The wire may be connected to a controller that provides a current which is transformed into heat. The heat may assist in emulsifying the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Enlighten Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rod Ross
  • Patent number: 6427257
    Abstract: An air massage system of air jets for injecting pressurized air into bathtubs. Each air jet has a hollow body component and an inlet fitting between which is housed a unidirectional fluid flow device. The outlet end of the jet is mounted directly to the hidden surface of the bathtub wall over an air flow opening in the wall, by means of a flange on the hollow body with recesses for holding an adhesive for securing the air jet to the bathtub wall. The flange has an annular seat with blades extending radially outwardly from the seat defining recesses for holding adhesive. The flange has holes between the blades for introducing the adhesive in the recesses. The inlet ends of the air jets are connected to air distribution piping. The air jet has an annular seal between the upstream side of the mounting flange and the inlet fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: C. G. Air Systemes, Inc
    Inventor: Miguel Castellote
  • Patent number: 6425702
    Abstract: A multi-color pen system is provided in which there are a plurality of liquid ink pen units, each of a different color. Each unit includes a nib and writing point, a collector element providing capillary passages for air and ink, and a tubular receiving body which houses the collector and forms an ink reservoir above the collector. Each unit is a complete, functioning pen device. The receiving body of each unit is threaded to receive a detachable pen holder to facilitate gripping the pen during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Chartpak, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce W. Brunetti
  • Patent number: 6421849
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a faucet, plumbing control valve, or other plumbing fitting on a counter top or other wall is disclosed. The fitting includes an externally threaded housing (e.g. the exterior of a conduit or valve cartridge). The fitting is mounted by a wedge lock adapter that includes a cage and a ring nut. The cage has an annular base sized smaller than the mounting opening in the wall, and three wedge-shaped legs. The legs extend upwardly from the base through the opening to upper feet extending radially outward beyond the diameter of the mounting opening. The ring nut is captured in the cage and has an annular body with a threaded inner diameter that engages the external threads of the valve body. The ring nut has three tabs extending radially outward between the legs such that the fitting can be secured by rotating the fitting to drive the ring up, and thereby drive the legs outward against the inner diameter of the mounting opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Ricardo O. Gray
  • Patent number: 6421845
    Abstract: A below-deck solar blanket roller assembly is installed below the deck of a pool. The roller assembly includes a rotatable roller shaft for rolling and unrolling a solar blanket and a non-rotatable protective casing which surrounds the roller shaft. The roller assembly is intended to be installed below the deck of a pool. This invention at least partially overcomes some of the disadvantages of typical solar blanket rollers that are installed on the surface of the pool deck, such as inconvenience in moving the entire above-deck assembly away from and back to the pool area. The below-deck solar blanket roller assembly provides an aesthetically pleasing and safe alternative to solar blanket roller assemblies installed above the pool deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Italo Bertoni
  • Patent number: 6421844
    Abstract: A toilet flushing apparatus for using a portion of the water in the tank of the toilet for flushing light waste materials from the bowl of the toilet. The toilet flushing apparatus includes a bracket member being designed for coupling to an exterior surface of a tank of the toilet. A primary handle member is designed for coupling to the actuating arm of the trip lever. The primary handle member is pivotal with respect to the bracket member. The primary handle member is designed for flushing of the toilet when the primary handle member is pivoted. A secondary handle member is coupled to the bracket member. The secondary handle member pivots with respect to the bracket member. The secondary handle member abuts the primary handle member and pivots the primary handle member when the secondary handle member is pivoted by the hand of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Jonathon L. Scott
  • Patent number: 6418567
    Abstract: An embodiment of a retractable toilet seating assist apparatus as disclosed herein includes across member, two side members and two support members. The cross member includes a mounting bracket capable of being attached to a toilet and has opposing ends. The side members are attached to the cross member. Each one of the side members is attached at a first end thereof to a respective one of the ends of the cross member. The side members are movable with respect to the mounting bracket between respective use positions and respective retracted positions. Each one of the support members includes opposing ends and is attached between the ends thereof to a corresponding one of the side members at a second end of the corresponding one of the side members. Each one of the support members includes a hand support portion at a first one of the ends of the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Peter Jacobus Brinkman
  • Patent number: 6418573
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a base having an opening on the top; a body supporting member having a number of openings, placed inside of the base; a lid covering the opening of the base; a plurality of upper shower nozzles arranged on the lid; a plurality of lower shower nozzles arranged under the body supporting member in the base; a hot-water supplying part; a hot-water supply route to connect a plurality of the upper shower nozzles and a plurality of the lower shower nozzles and the hot-water supplying part; and a heater to heat a space formed by the base and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Masatoshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6418574
    Abstract: A back cleaning device having two shells, one inner and one outer with a soap solution bladder affixed between the respective shells. The bladder holds a liquefied soap solution that may be dispersed from an upper dispersal nozzle. The inner shell contains mounting brackets that allow it to be engaged to separate height locations on at least one separate rail that may be affixed to a wall in a shower or bath. The outer shell will include at least one scrub pad engaged to an outer surface. The person needing a back cleaning will lean her back against the scrub pad pushing the outer shell towards the inner shell compressing the bladder. The person will move their back up and down against the scrub pad. This bladder compression forces soap solution out of the upper dispersal nozzle. The soap solution runs over the scrub pad, soaping the scrub pad. The person needing the cleaning has their back cleaned due to the up and down movement against the soaped scrub pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Larry R. McDowell
  • Patent number: 6415461
    Abstract: An adjustable shower system for providing multiple showerheads in various locations within a shower without requiring additional plumbing. The adjustable shower system includes a plurality of tubes having opposing female couplers, a plurality of connecting tubes having opposing threaded ends for threadably receiving the female couplers, a control valve fluidly connected to the connecting tube, a showerhead fluidly connected to the control valve, a plurality of suction cups attached to the connecting tube and the tubes, and an end cap attached to that distal threaded end of the last connecting tube. A first tube is fluidly connected to the existing shower pipe within a shower stall by simply removing the existing shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Niles H. Singer
  • Patent number: 6415463
    Abstract: A drain stop and overflow mechanism that is particularly well-suited for use with a free-standing bathtub includes a drainpipe that can be connected to a water drain opening in the bathtub. A standpipe can be connected at a bottom end to a waste water line and also to the drainpipe. A sleeve provides an internal overflow system within the standpipe, and a plunger controlling drainage is positioned within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Kallista, Inc.
    Inventor: Erich D. Slothower
  • Patent number: 6415455
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for obtaining a stool specimen. The apparatus comprises a housing, a collection bag, a slider to close the collection bag and a draw string to move the slider. A user places the apparatus on a toilet, deposits a first stool into the collection bag, then pulls the draw string to move the slider to close the collection bag thereby allowing the user to urinate or further defecate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Exact Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Walker M. Slaon, III, Stanley N. Lapidus
  • Patent number: 6412998
    Abstract: A single writing instrument has multiple marking tips combined with a non-marking stylus tip. The single writing instrument is formed by two complimentary bodies which are joined together. The complimentary bodies are a front section and a rear section. The front section defines a chamber for holding ball point pen cartridges which are extendable one at a time through an opening in the front section writing tip disposed at one end of the front section. The opposite end or back of the front section is open and forms a sleeve for receiving the rear section. The rear section is bilaterally symmetric with a non-marking stylus at one end and one of a fountain pen tip, a rolling ball tip, a felt-tip marker tip, or a gel ink tip extending through a writing tip at the opposite end of the rear section. The rear section is adapted to fit into the open sleeve of the front section and be held by a frictional fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: A.T.X. International, Inc.
    Inventor: Soojung Ham
  • Patent number: 6412123
    Abstract: A spa pool assembly has a pool that has an enclosing wall defining an interior. The assembly further includes a jet nozzle unit removably coupled to the enclosing wall and positioned in the interior, the jet nozzle unit housing a plumbing system and at least one jet nozzle. The assembly further includes a control unit that houses a pump that is coupled to the jet nozzle unit. Alternatively, a pump unit is removably received inside a channel provided in the wall and has a jet nozzle that is directed at the interior of the pool when the pump unit is received inside the channel. The jet nozzle unit, the control unit, the pump unit and the pool are separate modular units that can be assembled together quickly and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Pleasure Time Products (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Vincent Wai Shun Lau
  • Patent number: 6413250
    Abstract: A cannula valve arrangement made from a suitably resilient polymeric material including a body (10) having a substantially cylindrical cavity (16) for receiving a medical apparatus hub (32, 34) and a sleeve (14) having a bore (18) for receiving a cannula (28), which is open into the body cavity. A zone (20) of the body wall which defines the cavity (16) is convexly bulged from the body (10) and is adapted to snap from its convex shape into a concave shape in the body cavity (16) when pressed over-center into the body to close the bore (18) of the sleeve (14) to the cavity until again moved outwardly from the cavity (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Eric Oliver MacLeod Smith Family Trust
    Inventor: Eric Julian Henry MacLeod Smith