Patents Examined by Christine Skubinna
  • Patent number: 10182688
    Abstract: A fluid exit portion for a splash-reducing urinal cartridge is presented. The exit portion comprises a splash reducer for causing fluid to exit the cartridge in a splash-reduced manner. The splash reducer is generally in the form of a spout with a tapered exit area for accelerating and directing the fluid. The spout may comprise converting fins to urge fluid to collect in a progressively narrower channel. When the cartridge is installed into a housing, the splash reducer ensures that fluid exiting the cartridge transitions into the housing with minimal disturbance, substantially parallel to the housing. The splash reducer is formed of a flexible material or is hinged with respect to the cartridge body to allow for easy insertion into a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FALCON WATERFREE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Michael Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 10174489
    Abstract: A flush toilet apparatus for discharging waste by a jet pump action is disclosed. The flush toilet apparatus has an overflow portion configured to overflow a portion of flush water flowing from a throat pipe into a water conduit into a reservoir tank so that when the flow rate of water flowing inside the throat pipe exceeds a predetermined specified flow rate, the flow rate of water supplied from the water conduit to a bowl portion is reduced to less than a predetermined specified flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoko Ishimaru, Tatsunari Harashima, Hidekazu Kitaura
  • Patent number: 10172498
    Abstract: A lavatory system includes a hand dryer with at least a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor to detect an object for drying. A controller is communicatively linked to the first and second proximity sensors. The controller activates a drying operation after a first delay period if the first proximity sensor first detects the object for drying and activates a drying operation after a second delay period if the second proximity sensor first detects the object for drying. A filter flow sensor may also be provided to ensure proper filtering of the dryer's air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Graeme S. Bayley, Mark A. Figurski, John M Loberger, Michelle L Rundberg, Kevin M Kohlwey, Theodore E Dhein, Kenneth A Kreitzer, Kevin B Kline, Jason M Renner, Scott I Biba, Cory R Boudreau
  • Patent number: 10165909
    Abstract: A multi-liner assembly for lining a body liquid receptacle includes a plurality of lining units superimposed on one another and engageable with the body liquid receptacle to line a cavity formed therein. Each of the plurality of lining units includes an impermeable layer having a top side with an absorbent material superposed thereon. When the multi-liner assembly is engaged with the body liquid receptacle, a topmost one of the plurality of lining units is exposed and is individually removable from the multi-liner assembly to leave a subsequent one of the plurality of lining units exposed. A multi-liner assembly including a rigid support removably engageable with a body liquid receptacle is also provided. When a rigid support is engaged with the body liquid receptacle, the top side of at least one lining unit is exposed and positioned to line a cavity formed in the body liquid receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: HY-INDUSTRIE INC.
    Inventors: Eric Tanguay, Eric Pelletier
  • Patent number: 10161149
    Abstract: A frame pool having a plurality of vertical support tubes, a plurality of horizontal support tubes, a pool body comprising a pool bottom and a pool wall, and a reinforcing band having a continuous annular shape and provided between the inner side of the vertical support tubes and an outer surface of the pool wall. The reinforcing band entirely or partially covering the perimeter of the pool body and being fitted with the pool wall. A fixing band having a continuous annular shape is provided about an outer surface of the reinforcing band and of the vertical support tubes. At least one fixing device is fixedly coupled to the reinforcing band, wherein the fixing band passes through the fixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: BESTWAY INFLATABLES & MATERIAL CORP.
    Inventor: Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 10161121
    Abstract: An adjustable pop-up drain stopper assembly is provided comprising a push rod gear and pivot rod gear, both of which are housed in an enclosure. The push rod and pivot rod gears rotate about respective axles in the enclosure. The push rod gear and the pivot rod gear both have a lever arm extending through respective windows in the enclosure and are connected to a push rod and a pivot rod, respectively, of a sink. Teeth at arcuate ends of the push rod and pivot rod gears engage each other such that, when the push rod gear is rotated about its axle, the pivot rod gear rotates a corresponding amount about its axle. In use, when the push rod is raised or lowered, the motion is transferred by way of the gears to the pivot rod which, in turn, lowers or raises a pop-up stopper at the sink drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Barry Kalmanson
  • Patent number: 10154764
    Abstract: A support device is disclosed that solves the problem of conventional toilet seats lacking proper back and neck support for individuals with back and neck ailments. The support device provides a portable and adjustable toilet seat back and neck support device comprising a lumbar support portion, an adjustment portion and a neck support portion. The lumbar support portion is designed relieve pressure on the lower back. The adjustment portion connects the lumbar support portion and the neck support portion and provides an adjustment means for proper alignment of the spine. When in use the device is affixed to a toilet seat lid cover via fastening-loop material disposed on the lumbar support portion. When not in use the device is designed to be collapsible for discreet storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventor: Eddi Khaytman
  • Patent number: 10149582
    Abstract: An automated toilet seat actuator includes a housing, a water-level detection mechanism located exterior of the housing and configured to learn when a real-time water level in the existing toilet tank fluctuates below and above a predetermined minimum threshold water level. An actuation mechanism is in communication with the water-level detection mechanism and the existing toilet seat. A processor is in communication with the actuation mechanism and the water-level detection mechanism. A memory is in communication with the processor and includes software instructions which operably bias the actuation mechanism between a retracted position and an extended position upon learning that the real-time water level has dropped below the predetermined minimum threshold water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: John Carson Eddings
  • Patent number: 10151091
    Abstract: A toilet apparatus according to an embodiment includes a wall-mounted-type toilet body, a sanitary washing device, a switching part, and a fixation member. The toilet body includes a skirt part that forms an outline of a toilet bowl. The sanitary washing device is disposed on a top face of the toilet body and washes a private part of a user. The switching part can execute at least one of a first operation and a second operation, wherein the first operation is to switch a supply and a stop of water to the sanitary washing device, and the second operation is to switch a supply and a stop of electric power to the sanitary washing device, and wherein the first operation and the second operation are executed manually. The fixation member fixes the switching part at a manually operable position inside the skirt part, wherein the switching part is manually operable at the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Masateru Shiraishi, Satoshi Yamazaki, Tomohiro Noguchi, Koji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10143342
    Abstract: Sanitary set consist of the toilet seat (2), the lid (1) on the toilet bowl (3) where the toilet seat (2) and the lid (1) are connected to the upper edge of toilet bowl (3) by means of rolling joints around the horizontal axis characterized in that the rolling joints are formed from magnets (5.1, 5.2) arranged on or in a horizontal bar (5) in rear end of upper plane of toilet bowl (3) and oppositely polarized magnets (6) in rear end of the toilet seat (2) and oppositely polarized magnets (7) in the rear end of the lid (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: RAWA DESIGN S.R.O.
    Inventor: Nad{hacek over (e)}{hacek over (z)}da Rawová
  • Patent number: 10132068
    Abstract: A urinal is disclosed as having a spreader assembly. The spreader assembly includes a spreader body that may be mounted to the urinal, and a spreader mat. The spreader mat includes a series of spray holes. The spreader body is connected to a water supply, and a perimeter of the spreader mat is sealed to the spreader body. Each spray hole of the spreader mat is oriented to direct water onto a particular area of the urinal, when water is supplied to flush the urinal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Bogard, Kyle L. Hokel, Peter Kajuch
  • Patent number: 10123660
    Abstract: A shower door assembly includes a header, a door, and an elongated member. The header includes a track and a channel disposed above the track. The door is in moving engagement with the track. The elongated member is received within and slidably coupled to the channel and is configured to be moved within the channel between a first position to allow for removal of the door from the track, and a second position to substantially impede upright movement of the door when the door is moved along the track between an open and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Matthew Ball, Mark Johnson
  • Patent number: 10125477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a faucet structure comprising an installation pipe body, a valve core unit and a handle; wherein the installation pipe body comprises an installation cavity and a water cavity interconnected to each other, wherein the opening of the installation cavity is located on top; a water inlet and a water outlet connected to the water cavity; wherein the valve core unit is rotationally disposed in the installation cavity and wherein the lower end of the valve core unit extends into the water cavity; wherein the upper end of the valve core unit has a teeth column, wherein the outer side of the teeth column forms the first outer teeth; wherein the jacket of the teeth column is provided with the first teeth sleeve; wherein the inside of the first teeth sleeve forms the first inner teeth, wherein said first inner teeth is engaged with the first outer teeth; wherein the outside of the first teeth sleeve forms the second outer teeth; wherein the lower end of the handle further comprise an in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Jougor Sanitary Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaozu Lin
  • Patent number: 10117772
    Abstract: A female urination aid to enable a female to urinate from a standing position. The invention, in one embodiment, has a disposable funnel, typically made of paper or similar material, which fits into a reusable holder, which enables the funnel to be held against the body. The funnel may include an attached pad of wiping paper. In a second, reusable or multi-use embodiment, the funnel portion of the apparatus is of a reusable material such as plastic. A fluid container for holding a cleaning solution conveniently snaps onto the funnel, forming an easy to carry kit. Wiping paper may be attached to the funnel, so as to form a readily usable kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: John Baham
  • Patent number: 10119260
    Abstract: A discharge valve apparatus attached to a reservoir tank in a reservoir tank apparatus for storing flush water. The discharge valve apparatus includes a valve body, attached to the top of a discharge opening provided in the bottom surface of a reservoir tank, for opening and closing the discharge opening by up and down movement thereof, a float, attached to the valve body, which drops in tandem with the drop in water level inside the flush water tank; and a variable drop start timing mechanism to make a drop start timing of the valve body variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Koki Shinohara, Hideki Tanimoto, Yukinori Kubozono, Kenji Hatama, Hisashi Koga
  • Patent number: 10119261
    Abstract: The disclosure provides adjustable hinge fasteners and methods thereof, for securing a bidet washing apparatus to a toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventor: Anjum Gupta
  • Patent number: 10113361
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a safety mechanical barrier for use with a ladder for an above-ground swimming pool that is easy to install and provides safety from children accessing the pool via the ladder. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a safety mechanical barrier that blocks access to the ladder itself, thereby restricting access to an above-ground pool by unsupervised minors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: POLYGROUP MACAU LIMITED (BVI)
    Inventors: Elmer Cheng, Victor Ocegueda, Dong Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10100504
    Abstract: A bidet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a nozzle case provided inside of a frame; a nozzle, provided in the nozzle case so as to be movable forward and backward, having a discharge outlet at one end thereof; and a drier, provided inside of the frame, for spraying air toward the discharge outlet. As such, a user can dry a nozzle discharge cutlet by only a simple button operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: COWAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung-Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 10081936
    Abstract: A flush toilet apparatus includes: a toilet main body portion, a reservoir tank portion, a discharge valve apparatus including a valve body for opening and closing a discharge opening in the reservoir tank portion, and an automatic flush drive unit for driving the discharge valve apparatus portion to open and close the valve body; wherein the drive unit includes a drive unit main body portion including an actuator for electrically driving the discharge valve apparatus portion, and an elongated operating member for connecting a discharge valve apparatus portion and a drive unit main body portion and operating the opening and closing action of a valve body by driving an electrically powered drive portion; and wherein the toilet main body includes an attaching portion disposed on the back surface side thereof, to which the drive unit main body portion is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Mayu Okubo, Yoshitaka Tsuru
  • Patent number: 10077569
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to deck jet systems including an adjustable cover and flexible finishing cap. The deck jet systems include a housing with threads formed on an inner surface of the housing. The deck jet systems include an adjustment ring with threads formed on an outer surface of the adjustment ring complementary to the threads of the housing. The deck jet systems include an adjustable cover, the bottom surface of the adjustable cover being inserted into the proximal end of the housing and supported by a top surface of the adjustment ring. Engagement of the threads of the housing and the adjustment ring and rotation of the adjustment ring relative to the housing can vary an elevation of the adjustment ring relative to the housing which, in turn, varies an elevation of the adjustable cover relative to the housing. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to methods of adjusting a deck jet system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Marshall, Jacob Cody Smith