Patents Examined by Christine Skubinna
  • Patent number: 9636720
    Abstract: A drain cleaner assembly for use in association with a wastewater drain including: a strainer body, wherein the strainer body includes at least one sidewall having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper end, and a lower end, and wherein the upper end terminates in an annular flange; a drain closure, wherein the drain closure includes an upper end and a lower end, and wherein the lower end includes an annular channel for retaining a seal member; a drain shaft, wherein the drain shaft includes an upper and a lower end, and wherein the upper end is associated with the drain closure; at least one non-displaceable blade; and at least one displaceable blade associated with the drain shaft, wherein the displaceable blade is rotatably displaceable upon at least one of rotational and linear displacement of the drain closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Brent West
  • Patent number: 9622628
    Abstract: The disposable folding potty made of sheet layer material consisting of walls connected by side edges defining the inner space of the potty in the form of an accordion and having folds in the bottom part, and including a bag with an absorbent pad between its seat and its walls, where there are two more edges folding outwards (22) than inwards (22?), and the walls (21) are connected with the seat of the potty (14) by glued rectangular wings (15) which are placed on the end of the vertical walls (21), folded in the same direction. The potty has side rubber bands (101) hooked onto the base of the potty and the seat which help with the opening of the potty and its stabilization once opened. The potty also has a rubber band (18) and foil handles (19) for closing and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Bozena Zawrotniak, Janusz Pancerz
  • Patent number: 9616452
    Abstract: A shower apparatus comprises a head, a base end portion, and a multi-spherical bendable joint pipe disposed between the head and the base end portion, the pipe comprising a plurality of spherical joints provided consecutively. Each joint has a male or female spherical surface for rotationally fitting with adjacent joints each other. The spraying direction of shower water is freely changeable by adjusting the direction of the head through a flection of the multi-spherical bendable joint pipe. The shower apparatus allows a jet direction of shower water to be changed widely three-dimensionally compared with a conventional shower apparatus, and thus the present invention provides a user-friendly shower apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Takayasu Okubo
  • Patent number: 9556602
    Abstract: A self-contained, oil flush medium toilet system is provided having a largely rectangular enclosure that separates the flush medium from collected waste and preprocesses the waste for subsequent removal. The device requires no connection to sewage or water lines, and can be installed with only electrical connections for continual operation. Waste is first received through a toilet bowl, whereafter it is consumed by the oil and falls under the surface thereof. The waste is then circulated below the oil, whereby it is continually aerated to promote aerobic digestion of the waste until it reaches a certain volume, where the processed waste exits the enclosure for further processing or storage. The oil flush medium is pumped through a particulate and carbon filter to maintain its condition, wherein the oil is immiscible with the waste to first consume it and remain above the waste within the enclosure during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Claunch, John Worth Claunch
  • Patent number: 9556600
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for offsetting of flush adapters. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an adapter configured to attach to a flush mechanism configured to provide for a predefined flush capability in a toilet, a gasket attached to adapter, the gasket forming a seal between the flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve, where the flush valve is configured to seat a sealing member, and means for securing the gasket in position with respect to the flush orifice of the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DANCO, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Doug Saunders
  • Patent number: 9551535
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling water in a swimming pool includes a heat exchanger coupled to a withdrawal conduit and a skimmer conduit of the pool filtering system. The heat exchanger is buried in the ground at a depth at which the ground temperature is substantially constant year-round thereby providing a passive heat sink for the heat exchanger. Water from the swimming pool is passed to a three-way valve for directing pool water either directly back to the swimming pool or through the heat exchanger for cooling pool water by heat transfer to the ground heat sink before being returned to the pool. Pool water from the skimmer conduit is selectively directed through the heat exchange while flow of pool water from the withdrawal conduit is prevented. A temperature sensor may control operation of the three-way valve and selective operation of the skimmer and withdrawal conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Robert M Rodrick
  • Patent number: 9545350
    Abstract: A sliding chair for assisting entering and exiting a bathtub provides assistance for handicapped or otherwise physically incapable persons in using a bathtub for bathing. A bathing chair is moved by a displacement mechanism from outside the bathtub to various positions within the bathtub. A chair support board supports the bathing chair in some positions, and slides along chair support rails into the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Richard Walters
  • Patent number: 9534364
    Abstract: A combined washing/drying station for a washroom comprising a water outlet for discharging water to wash a user's hands connected to a mains water supply and an air outlet for discharging airflow to dry a user's hands. The airflow is generated by a blower module connected to a mains electricity supply via a connector unit hard-wired to the electrical mains. The blower module comprises an electrical connector which connects to an electrical connector on the connector unit to allow modular replacement of the blower module. Connection to the mains water supply is via the same or an additional connector unit plumbed into the water mains. A flow-control valve is provided on the respective connector unit for isolating the water mains at the connector unit. An inlet port of the valve is connected to the water mains and an outlet port of the valve is connected to the water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Marcus Lee Hartley, Thomas Andrew Weston
  • Patent number: 9528253
    Abstract: A controller assembly for an automatic flush valve provides economical approach to transforming a manual flush valve into an automatic flush valve. The controller assembly includes a base for holding a battery set and a sensor into a combination, and a cap covering the combination. A solenoid valve and a membrane below the combination are receiving in a socket of a foundation. A ring is rotatably mounted around a bottom of the foundation. A sleeve passing the cap is mounted around the foundation and stands on the ring. The ring allows the controller assembly to be easily assembled with a valve body of any type into an automatic flush valve or to be easily removed from the automatic flush valve and replaced by a manual controller assembly so as to form a manual flush valve. Thereby, the transformation can be economical accomplished without replacing the existing valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Flushtech Corporation
    Inventor: Bin-Han Huang
  • Patent number: 9526672
    Abstract: A fitting for a bathing installation includes a body portion defining a hollow main body portion having an interior opening, and a connection portion having a passageway in communication with the interior opening. The connection portion includes at least one connection port for attachment to a hose carrying pressurized water, and a flange portion defining a recessed mount surface inside a peripheral lip surrounding a recess. Open regions are defined in the peripheral lip. A nozzle member is fitted into the interior opening and has a nozzle orifice configured for concentric mounting relative to a hole formed in the wall of the vessel to allow pressurized air or water to pass from the connection port through the central opening and through the nozzle orifice into the tub hole and into the interior of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Balboa Water Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Kownacki, Graham J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 9510984
    Abstract: A wheelchair has a platform assembly that includes a slide-out tray, a flexible cover, a toilet basin, and a storage pouch. The toilet basin is equipped with a waste liner and is capable of being removed from the slide-out tray. The bottom of the assembly has guide rails that enable the flexible cover to cover the toilet basin when it is inserted into the slide-out tray. The pouch, which is located on a front of the toilet seat can store supplies such as liners and deodorizers, as well as to conceal the toilet basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Bruce A. MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 9512605
    Abstract: A wax free pop-up seal 450 may be integrated with a spring 200 or other resilient component to connect a toilet to an existing soil pipe flange 325. A pop-up seal system 100 provides toolless, nondestructive and seamless height adjustment and comports with both smaller and larger diameter soil pipe flanges. For retro fit installations, a pop-up seal may comprise extended fins 471 for use with larger diameter soil pipe flanges and for use with smaller diameter soil pipe flanges, the extended fins may be removed. For new construction a new soil pipe flange is provided and a customized pop-up seal 600 comprises a seal system well suited for the new soil pipe flange. The pop-up seals may operate with or without springs or other external flexible components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Scott E Duncan
  • Patent number: 9492308
    Abstract: A urination assistance device for use with a bowl toilet is provided: A downwardly-extending receptacle collects urine. A stabilizing frame is provided designed to allow the urination assistance device to rest upon a toilet seat or upon the rim of the toilet bowl. The stabilizing frame defines a pair of ends, with each end terminating with a downward oriented elbow. The base member including a downward directed spout in operative communication with the receptacle to discharge any urine collected within the receptacle into the toilet bowl. The spout is in or in near contact with the upper portion of the interior wall of the front of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Dave Plath
  • Patent number: 9480595
    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: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: John Baham
  • Patent number: 9476193
    Abstract: This flush toilet apparatus includes a traveling-direction switching mechanism switching a mode between a toilet washing mode and a tank storage mode. This traveling-direction switching mechanism includes: a shield portion directing jet water to an outside of a throat pipe at a time of the tank storage mode; a moving mechanism moving the shield portion from a position at a time of the toilet washing mode in a first direction to a position at the time of the tank storage mode; and a guide surface switching a traveling direction of the jet water so that after the traveling direction is switched, a flow rate of the jet water is higher in a second direction opposite to the first direction than in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kitaura, Ryoko Ishimaru, Tomohiro Iwabata
  • Patent number: 9476191
    Abstract: A flush toilet apparatus includes a tank and a jet pump unit. The tank includes: a first tank portion; and a second tank portion formed so as to extend part of a bottom wall of the first tank portion downward. The jet pump unit includes a throat pipe provided with a suction port that is an inlet of water, and at least the part of the second tank portion is formed at a position overlapping with the suction port when viewed from the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kitaura, Ryoko Ishimaru, Tomohiro Iwabata, Yoshiki Ota, Takashi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 9445693
    Abstract: This application includes embodiments of apparatuses (e.g., bath benches) for improving accessibility to a bathtub. Some embodiments include a bath bench with a primary deck and a folding lateral transfer extension (secondary deck). The secondary deck may be coupled to the primary deck by a dual-axis hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Home Depot Product Authority, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Nelson
  • Patent number: 9440316
    Abstract: A drain strainer assembly includes a housing having a circular cross-section, with an inlet port, an outlet port, and a plurality of first engagement tabs. The drain strainer assembly also includes a strainer member assembly having a circular cross-section. The strainer member assembly includes a strainer member with a solid front surface having a handle and a plurality of second engagement tabs interlocked with the first engagement tabs on the housing. The strainer member also includes cylindrical strainer sidewalls defining a circular opening at the back of the strainer member, and has an upper conduit aligned with the inlet port of the housing. The strainer member assembly also includes a circular strainer disk coupled to the strainer member with a fastener and covering the circular opening at the back of the strainer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Darren Carl McIntosh
  • Patent number: 9427375
    Abstract: An electromagnetic massage device for bathtub or pool includes an integrated holder for being fixed in a mounting hole; a lock nut engaging a thread on a wall on the holder, that fastens the holder to the surface of the wall; a rubber case with a top portion that bulges outward and a bottom portion with a rim which fits to the base plate of the concave cavity of the holder to seal the opening of the upper end of the holder; a conductive coil provided in the ring cavity of the holder and encapsulated by an upper magnetic conductive cover, a lower magnetic conductive cover and a magnetic conductive shell; and a beating head and an armature fastened together and mounted in the guide cavity of the holder to slide in the guide cavity under the action of an electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU RISING DRAGON ELECTRONICS & PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Boen Ma
  • Patent number: 9422694
    Abstract: Embodiments of a manually operated valve for a shower installation system are described herein that include: an inlet and an outlet configured for installation of the valve along piping and a valve debit control mechanism including a valve chamber that defines a passage between the inlet and outlet, and a valve actuator that biases the valve debit control mechanism towards a closed position wherein the passage is obstructed and which is movable towards an opened position wherein the passage is opened when a triggering force is applied onto the valve actuator. The valve limits the consumption of water in a shower by automatically preventing the flow of water therethrough unless a user voluntarily triggers and maintains the opening of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Michel Pelletier