Patents Examined by Christine J Skubinna
  • Patent number: 11412901
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toilet that comprises a bowl, a lid and a seat, wherein the seat and the lid are hingedly connected to one another, comprising means for generating a torque housed in the hinged joint between the lid and the seat of the toilet, wherein said means for generating the torque are such that the torque generated by separating the seat from the lid is greater than the torque generated in the hinge joining the lid and the seat due to the action of gravity, allowing the use of a torsion spring secured by the two ends thereof to separate portions and secured to the lid and to the seat, or a leaf spring that can be twisted, wherein each of the ends of the torsion spring or of the leaf spring is housed and secured in a first bushing and a second bushing, both of which are independent, and wherein the first and second bushings have means for securing to housings formed on the lid or the seat that make up the hinged joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Pedro Manuel Librero Martin
  • Patent number: 11401723
    Abstract: A sump drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa, the sump drain comprising an annular chamber having a contiguous annular top opening, a plurality of outlet ports, an inner and an outer water stop, a plurality of diverter plates configured to removeably couple to an inner surface of the annular chamber, each diverter plate comprising a bottom surface having a plurality of louvers, wherein one diverter plate is placed over each outlet port, and a grid cover configured to cover the chamber, the grid cover having a multiplicity of openings. The diverter plate can be curved along its length and have a central opening, optionally in the shape of a cross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: AQUASTAR POOL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
  • Patent number: 11396759
    Abstract: A low profile drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa formed of a surface material and having a drain inlet. The low profile drain comprises a sump having an annular chamber forming a top side defining an annular top opening. There is an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall on opposite sides of the annular top opening. The outer sidewall has an upper peripheral edge about the annular top opening. The sump has a water stop extending radially therefrom and adjacent to the upper peripheral edge. The sump has an outlet port formed laterally through one sidewall thereof for communication between the annular chamber and the drain inlet. The sump is configured to maintain open communication between the annular top opening and the outlet port, the annular top opening extending without substantial interruption about a center axis of the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: AQUASTAR POOL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
  • Patent number: 11396743
    Abstract: A drain filter assembly includes a screen filter that is configured to be installed at a drain and that is configured to block foreign substances in liquid while the liquid passes therethrough. The screen filter includes: a plurality of filter holes configured to allow passage of the liquid into the drain, where each of the plurality of filter holes has a pore size that is less than sizes of the foreign substances; and an air communication hole configured to allow passage of air the liquid passes through the plurality of filter holes. A diameter of the air communication hole is greater than the pore size of each of the plurality of filter holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Kyongjae Ham
  • Patent number: 11384556
    Abstract: A sump drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa, the sump drain comprising an annular chamber having a contiguous annular top opening, a plurality of outlet ports, an inner and an outer water stop, a plurality of diverter plates configured to removeably couple to an inner surface of the annular chamber, each diverter plate comprising two opposed ends and a bottom surface having a plurality of louvers, wherein one diverter plate is placed over each outlet port, and a grid cover configured to cover the chamber, the grid cover having a multiplicity of openings. The diverter plate can be curved along its length and have a central opening, optionally in the shape of a cross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: AQUASTAR POOL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
  • Patent number: 11369234
    Abstract: Shower curtains and shower curtain liners routinely get sucked into the occupant of a showering space due to the “shower-curtain effect,” which is the phenomenon in which a shower curtain or shower curtain liner gets drawn inward with a running shower. The present invention counteracts the shower curtain effect. In certain an embodiments of the invention, an outside unit and inside unit incorporate attachment mechanisms to draw both units into each other while trapping the shower curtain between both units. Attached to the outside unit of certain embodiments of the invention is a connector that also attaches a bottom unit. The bottom unit of certain embodiments of the present invention incorporates weight sufficient to utilize gravity to pull the attached shower curtain downward. The bottom unit places pressure on the external side of a bathtub to additionally force the entire apparatus and shower curtain outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Charles Albert Mason
  • Patent number: 11371228
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a water supply assembly of a toilet comprising a water input pipe, a water tank, a water suction pump and a water output pipe; wherein the water input pipe is connected to the water tank; clean water enters the water tank through the water input pipe; the water tank is connected to the water suction pump connected to the water output pipe; the water suction pump pumps the clean water inside the water tank into the water output pipe; the water tank comprises a main water tank portion, an auxiliary water tank portion, and a water equalizing pipe connecting between and through the main water tank and the auxiliary water tank. The present disclosure provides a flushing assembly, a water suction assembly, and a check valve for use in the toilet. The present disclosure provides a method, device, and storage for controlling toilet water consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Junfeng Sun, Yunqing Zang
  • Patent number: 11352803
    Abstract: The flowmeter of the present invention is primarily used in swimming pools and is configured to deactivate a swimming pool pump when the drain in the swimming pool is blocked or covered. Swimming pool drains are often blocked or covered by the body of a swimmer. When the drain is blocked or covered, the pump creates substantial suction force that entraps the body of a swimmer against the drain. By deactivating the pump when the drain is blocked or covered, the flowmeter of the present invention serves as a safety vacuum release system that prevents entrapment of a person by the drain of the swimming pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventors: Hassan Hamza, Reza Afshar
  • Patent number: 11350798
    Abstract: A water faucet system including a faucet having a neck comprising a water passageway and liquid soap delivery line, both integrated within the neck assembly. The water faucet system features a streamlined neck assembly that includes a water outlet or spout, located at the distal portion of the neck assembly, and additionally includes a separate soap outlet located at a predetermined location. The soap delivery (soap dispensing) is initiated by a user performing an activation event directed to a sensor system located in the neck assembly. In preferred embodiments, the sensor system utilizes touchless type sensors so to avoid any physical contact with the neck assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Gary A. Burgo, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11351078
    Abstract: A method for cleaning and sterilizing an excreta handling device includes: positioning one end and the other end of the suction pipe on the same line; driving the pump to supply the cleaning water to a preset water level in the inner space through the first nozzle part; and maintaining, for a predetermined time, a state in which the cleaning water has been supplied to the preset water level, and then driving the suction part to suck the cleaning water contained in the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CURACO, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoon Sang Lee, Ho Sang Lee
  • Patent number: 11346091
    Abstract: A plunger sanitation device includes an elongated flexible container having an opening at one end and sides depending therefrom. A bottom portion depends from the sides at a distal end from the opening and the bottom portion sized to fit a circumference of a dome-shaped cup of a plunger. The elongated flexible container is water resistant and, in some embodiments, the bottom portion is concave are for extending into the dome-shaped cup of a plunger. In some embodiments, the elongated flexible container is made from a material that dissolves in water after use, allowing for flushing of the elongated flexible container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Jeremy Shapiro
  • Patent number: 11344166
    Abstract: A toilet seat device includes a main body installed at an upper rear part of a toilet, a toilet seat attached to the main body, and a toilet lid. The toilet lid includes a toilet lid main body configured to cover the toilet seat; and a first shaft engagement part attached to the toilet lid main body and attachable to and detachable from a first shaft provided on the main body. The first shaft engagement part is configured to be switchable between an engaged state in which the first shaft engagement part is engaged with the first shaft and a non-engaged state in which the engagement with the first shaft is released and is switched to the non-engaged state when the toilet lid main body in the engagement state is pressed in a direction in which the toilet lid main body moves away from the toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Isato Hirasawa, Saori Ichihara
  • Patent number: 11339559
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a toilet main body and a tank device, and the tank device includes a storage tank and a tank mounting member to which the storage tank is detachably attached. At a time of attachment of the storage tank to the tank mounting member, an attaching portion of the storage tank is engaged with an attachment-receiving portion of the tank mounting member by the storage tank being lowered onto a base of the tank mounting member from above. Then, when the storage tank is moved in a horizontal direction relative to the tank mounting member, the attaching portion of the storage tank is configured to be fixed to the attachment-receiving portion of the tank mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Iwaki, Shu Kashirajima, Yukari Kawazu, Takahiro Hara
  • Patent number: 11331246
    Abstract: A bath system comprises a tub and a fluid injection system. The tub has a jet orifice, and the fluid injection system is fluidly coupled to the jet orifice. The fluid injection system comprises a conduit, a heat source, an air supply source, and a fluid injector. The conduit has an opening. The heat source is coupled to an outer portion of the conduit external to the opening. The air supply source is fluidly coupled to the conduit, and is configured to provide a flow of air to the central opening. The fluid injector is configured to provide water to the flow of air to produce a combined flow of air and water. The heat source and the conduit are cooperatively configured to heat the combined flow of air and water in the opening before the combined flow enters the tub through the jet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth Stout, Craig Loest, Jason Kwacz
  • Patent number: 11332917
    Abstract: The flush water tank apparatus of the present invention includes: a clutch mechanism 30 coupling the discharge valve 12 and the discharge valve hydraulic drive unit 14 to pull up the discharge valve, and being disconnected at a predetermined timing to cause the discharge valve to descend; flush water amount selection device capable of selecting from a first and a second amounts of flush water; a float device 26 including a float and a holding mechanism switchable between a holding and a non-holding states in conjunction with movement of the float; and a timing control mechanism controlling a timing of a drain port 10a being blocked; and, when the second amount is selected, causes the second amount of flush water to be discharged by switching the holding mechanism to the non-holding state before a water level in a storage tank drops to a predetermined water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kitaura, Nobuhiro Hayashi, Akihiro Shimuta, Masahiro Kuroishi
  • Patent number: 11330943
    Abstract: An insert for use as a visuoperceptual aid while using the toilet. The insert has an upper surface. The upper surface is sized and shaped to fit onto the rim or seat of a standard toilet basin. The insert further includes inner and outer surfaces for slidingly engagement with the inner and outer surfaces of a toilet basin respectively. The insert is yellow-green in color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Nancy Hill
  • Patent number: 11326329
    Abstract: An accessory, system and method for holding an undermount sink with a drain hole against an underside of an opening of a countertop includes a plank, a cord, and a block. The plank has a first length that is longer than an opening width of the opening in the countertop. The cord has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the cord is attached to the plank. The block is affixed to the bottom end of the cord. The block is configured to be inserted into and secured under the drain hole. The block has a second length longer than a drain width of the drain hole. The accessory is configured for holding the undermount sink against the underside of the opening of the countertop through the cord being attached between the plank and the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Ryan Brooks
  • Patent number: 11324364
    Abstract: A remote controlled toilet seat lift system and methods of use having a housing having one or more angled clamps configured to attach the housing to the rim of the bowl, a lift mechanism positioned therein the lift housing, the lift mechanism having a battery electrically connected to dual direction drive, the dual direction drive connected to a toothed gear, the toothed gear in rotational contact with a toothed arcing lift arm to engage the toothed gear, the toothed arcing lift arm slidably affixed to the lift housing to traverse a curved path and having a first end with an aperture, the an toothed arcing lift arm extendable therefrom the housing, a lift pin affixed therein the aperture, the lift pin in contact with the toilet seat and, thus, functions to provide sanitary non-hand contact raising and lowering of the toilet seat and lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Parminder Singh
  • Patent number: 11318557
    Abstract: Laser processing systems and methods image a multiple core array to a work surface in a multiple processing beam array. An optical system separates processing beams and converges the beams toward the work surface and focuses each beam of the array at or near the work surface. A central axis with access for filler material flow to the work surface is provided. The processing beam array and central filler material feed provide omni-directional additive laser processing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: IPG PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mustafa Coskun, Felix Stukalin, Jonathan S. Ehrmann
  • Patent number: 11313136
    Abstract: A molded shower pan includes a base having a drain opening. A plurality of strengthening ribs extend downwardly from the base wherein the spacing between adjacent ribs is a function of rib height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Ferris