Patents Examined by Christine J Skubinna
  • Patent number: 11566410
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a toilet main body made of ceramics including a skirt and a rear storage configured to store at least a part of a control unit. The skirt includes a rear wall and a side wall provided in a back surface and a side surface of the toilet main body, respectively. The rear wall includes an opening provided between a peripheral edge of each opening and the side wall of the skirt. The opening penetrates in a front-rear direction to communicate between an inner region of the rear storage or an outer region below the inner region and an outer region behind the toilet main body. The skirt further includes a cross beam that joinably or coupleably supports the peripheral edge of the opening and the side wall of the skirt to each other so as to reinforce strength of the toilet main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Eto, Takahiro Maruyama, Wataru Ishimi
  • Patent number: 11564666
    Abstract: A toilet is disclosed. The toilet has a bowl adapted to receive feces, a shelf for receiving feces in the bowl, a mechanism that places a consumable material on the shelf between uses of the toilet, and a removal mechanism for removing the feces and the consumable material from the bowl. The consumable material on the shelf is to separate feces from the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Medic, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Anthony E. Pullen, Jeffery Duncan
  • Patent number: 11564538
    Abstract: A toilet seat assembly includes a hinge post configured to be coupled to a toilet bowl, a toilet seat configured to move between a raised position and a lowered position about a pivot axis relative to the toilet bowl, and a slow-close member coupled between the hinge post and the toilet seat such that the toilet seat is moveable along a second axis relative to the hinge post. The slow-close member controls movement of the toilet seat about the pivot axis when the toilet seat moves from the raised position to the lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph M. Hand, Jonathan Arndt
  • Patent number: 11560917
    Abstract: Arrangements for mounting pool fittings and methods for mounting pool fittings, for example, return fittings, to pool walls are provided. The arrangements and methods facilitate the installation and maintenance of pool fittings by preventing the undesirable rotation of the fitting during installation or maintenance. Aspects of the invention are characterized by mounting plates having one or more projections or recesses that engage one or more projections or recesses on the pool fitting to restrict rotation of the fitting. Mounting plates having one or more restricting projections or recesses are also disclosed. Aspects of the invention are not limited to return fittings, but can be adapted for use with any structure mounted to a pool wall, for example, to an insulated pool wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Latham Pool Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Collin J. Sirco, Stephen E. Deeb, Kyle Robert-Shaw Tice
  • Patent number: 11560695
    Abstract: In one aspect, a water conservation apparatus is provided that includes a diverter having an inlet for being connected to a water supply, a primary outlet, and a secondary outlet. The apparatus includes an elongate water storage tank and a supply conduit configured to connect the secondary outlet of the diverter to the water storage tank. The elongate water storage tank has a height and a width perpendicular to the height that is less than the height so that the water from the secondary outlet of the diverter forms a column within the tank. The apparatus further includes a tap having an outlet and a valve, the valve having a closed position that inhibits water flow from the water tank to the outlet and an open position that permits water to be driven out of the outlet by the column of water in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Antonio G. Sadeghini
  • Patent number: 11555321
    Abstract: A sump drain includes a ring-shaped chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and a circular opening between the sidewalls preferably about an inch wide and optionally having a grid cover. Preferably the inner sidewall has a number of ports extending inwardly to radial conduits to a central hub for tying into a pool or spa filtering system, with the central hub operating as a clean out and having a removable cap. Upon installation, plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub, such that the sump drain attractively blends in with the pool or spa floor. When installed, the top opening is preferably substantially flush with the pool or spa floor while being safely unblockable. And the sump drain preferably further includes channels both outboard and inboard from the chamber top opening and around the central hub, to help prevent water from passing through the plaster into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: AQUASTAR POOL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
  • Patent number: 11549276
    Abstract: A foldable, portable fabric children's wading pool for installation in the ground and which has improved stability characteristics is provided. The pool includes a base region with a generally circular sheet of water-resistant woven fabric with a thread denier of between 400 denier and 600 denier, a stabilizer region comprising one or more sections of woven fabric with a thread denier of between 200 denier and 400 denier, where the stabilizer region is affixed to the outer edge of the base region, and with a number of sand anchors affixed to the stabilizer region. The pool is set up by digging a hole in the ground and forming berms along the edges of the hole. Then, the pool is unfolded and positioned such that the waterproof fabric base is in the hole, and the sand anchor section extends downwardly and outwardly from the edge of the sand berm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Larry Wares
  • Patent number: 11540678
    Abstract: A toilet comprising a frame; a bowl supported by the frame; a seat supported by the frame; and an at least partially removable shroud for covering the frame is disclosed. A medical toilet comprising a bowl supported by a frame; a seat supported by the frame; one or more health and wellness assessment devices; and an at least partially removable shroud for covering the frame is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, David Crismon
  • Patent number: 11540677
    Abstract: The present invention is an automated toilet lid and toilet seat actuating system for toilets that enables the user to raise and lower a toilet lid and toilet seat by electrical switches, remote control, voice command or motion sensors incorporating a horizontal mounted linear actuator, an electromagnet attached to a toilet lid or toilet seat, a piece of ferrous metal attached to a toilet lid or toilet seat, a toilet lid bracket with a bore of different diameters mounted to a toilet lid, an adapter rod of different diameters, a removable lid bracket cap, an electronic control with off delay timer circuit and a power supply or battery. The removal of the lid bracket cap from the toilet lid bracket facilitates the manual operation of the toilet lid and toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Larry David Donahue
  • Patent number: 11540679
    Abstract: A toilet including a frame; a bowl supported by the frame; a seat supported by the frame; an at least partially removable shroud for covering the frame; and at least one first seat actuator pivotally attached to the frame and to the seat for adjusting the height or angle of the seat; and at least one second seat actuator pivotally attached to the frame and to the seat for adjusting the height or angle of the seat is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, David Crismon
  • Patent number: 11540680
    Abstract: The herein-disclosed invention relates to, inter alia, mechanical arms that assist defecation. This invention does not move the toilet seat itself. Mechanical arms assist the defecation process without any movement of the toilet seat. The instant invention utilizes specially-tailored, specially-positioned gas struts and cup-style grabbing paddles to mechanically solve the technical-biological defecation-mess problem. While a user sits on a toilet, mechanical arms assist in spreading one's buttock cheeks apart during the defecation process. The system comprises an adjustable screw, rail and carriage system so the user may tailor the system parameters to their needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Kevin Low
  • Patent number: 11536712
    Abstract: An intelligent toilet that includes a toilet base having a bowl, a seat assembly comprising a seat, and a urine collection system integrated with the seat assembly, wherein the urine collection system includes an analyzer that is configured to test urine from a user and provide output health data of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Luncheak Tan, Chinghua Chen
  • Patent number: 11534039
    Abstract: A device for hands-free lifting of a toilet seat includes an elongated handle portion, a lifting portion and an adjustable angle portion. The lifting portion includes a lifting surface. The lifting surface is sized and configured to be positioned between the toilet seat and the toilet. The adjustable angle portion connects the elongated handle portion to the lifting portion. The adjustable angle portion is configured to adjust an angle between the elongated handle portion and the lifting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: Jerry Lynn Spencer, Phillip Edward Watkins
  • Patent number: 11524835
    Abstract: A kit can be used to construct a shower enclosure within a plurality of walls and above a floor. Each wall has a plurality of vertical studs. The kit comprises a prefabricated shower base having a drain hole, a plurality of attachment pieces, and a plurality of prefabricated shower wall panels. The prefabricated base is configured to be positioned on the floor so that its drain hole is positioned over the floor's drain outlet. Each attachment piece has a front planar portion and is configured to attach to a stud of a wall so that the front planar portions of the attachment pieces on the same wall frame are essentially co-planar and plumb regardless of whether the front-facing surfaces of the studs are co-planar, plumb, and straight. Each prefabricated wall panel has a backside configured to attach to the front planar portions of a plurality of the attachment sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: Danny Wallis
  • Patent number: 11525254
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic flush valve system for tankless water fixtures, comprising a valve housing and a replaceable flush valve module removably secured within the valve housing. The flush valve module is comprised of an independent, self-contained flush valve configured as a replaceable flush valve cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventors: Fadi Shakkour, Manuel Medina, Roaa Nabeel Nacy
  • Patent number: 11525253
    Abstract: A first cleaning nozzle and a second cleaning nozzle configured to be capable of being advanced and retracted and perform private part cleaning on a human body in an advanced state; a shutter configured to open and close an opening through which the first cleaning nozzle and the second cleaning nozzle are advanced and retracted; and a shutter water film forming portion configured to supply water to a front surface of a shutter main body of the shutter to form a water film are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Tamura, Shinichi Gomita, Kojiro Watari
  • Patent number: 11523719
    Abstract: The device comprises the toilet seat assembly with a toilet lid and a toilet seat, a hinge sleeve that forms an axis that connects the toilet lid and the toilet seat, a hinge body package, and a hinge base with a pin, wherein the pin is connectable to the hinge body package, and wherein the pin comprises a pin axis that defines a vertical direction. The hinge body package comprises a claw part with flexible claws that are configured to lock the pin in a locking position and that are configured to release the pin by bending outwards from the locking position when a pulling force is acting on the pin for releasing the toilet seat assembly from the toilet bowl. The hinge body package further comprises a blocking member that is configured to rotate by a defined angle each time the pin is pushed into the hinge body package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG HENGYUAN SANITARY WARE CO., LTD
    Inventor: Xu Xiaofeng
  • Patent number: 11510533
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal portable personal toilet seat that is resistant to algae, mold and mildew and that can be safely folded and held without the danger of pinched fingers and without a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventors: James Jackson, Peter Wong, Anthony Bostick
  • Patent number: 11505929
    Abstract: A diverter seal member for a diverter structure of a tub spout structure includes a central body, a first seal extension, and a second seal extension. The central body includes a first side, a second side, and an aperture extending completely through the central body between the first side and the second side of the central body. The first seal extension extends from the first side of the central body and around a central axis that extends axially through a center of the aperture. The first seal extension includes a first extension side, a second extension side, and an extension end. The extension end of the first seal extension extends substantially perpendicularly to the first extension side and the second extension side of the first seal extension. The second seal extension extends from the second side of the central body around the central axis of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shashank Varma, Matthew J. Ball, Andrew D. Wieberdink, Evan Yee, Kellen D. Beauchesne
  • Patent number: 11499303
    Abstract: Provided herein is a water dam device for installation in the water tank of a toilet to reduce the quantity of water discharged from the tank during flushing while maintaining a satisfactory flushing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Patrick Tobin