Patents Examined by Henry K. Artis
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Patent number: 5144702Abstract: A blow-off nozzle structure capable of automatically varying the blow-off volume of water comprises a tubular nozzle casing defining a blow-off flow forming passage therein, the passage forming a blow-off opening at a front end thereof and a hot water inlet opening at a rear end thereof, a valve seat formed in the midst of the blow-off flow forming passage, a valve element capable of being extended to or retracted from said valve seat so as to adjust the degree of opening of said valve seat, an air mixing portion defined in the blow-off flow forming passage and disposed at a position in front of the valve seat, the air mixing portion communicated with an air intake portion which has one end opened to atmosphere, and an automatic valve-element reciprocating means capable of moving said valve element toward or away from said valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1989Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignee: Toto Ltd.Inventors: Hisato Haraga, Yasutoshi Inatomi, Takashi Obata, Mituaki Hashida, Koichi Uchiyama, Kenji Moriyama
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Patent number: 5123130Abstract: An organization is set forth including a series of components including a ring member for securement to and about a commode seat, a frame member for adherably mounting about a tissue roll dispenser, and a plurality of elongate longitudinally aligned mat members of flexible construction, wherein the components include illumination with characteristics to provide directional training to a child and the like for proper use of a commod during limited light conditions. The organization may include luminescent layers to provide visual observation to the components or alternatively utilize a fiber optic cable network directed therethrough to provide continuous, as well as selective, illumination of the components.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1990Date of Patent: June 23, 1992Inventor: James M. Sanders
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Patent number: 5111537Abstract: A toilet apparatus for use in conserving water is provided. The toilet apparatus includes a toilet tank for water, a conventional fluid supply valve, a low volume discharge valve, and a high volume discharge valve. A first embodiment has a housing having a portion extending through the bottom wall of the toilet tank. A high volume discharge valve is connected to the housing near its bottom end for nearly 100 percent fluid discharge. A low volume discharge valve is connected to the housing near its to end for about 40 percent volume fluid discharge. A handle subassembly having a handle and bent rod and chain for each discharge valve is included. Second, third and fourth embodiments include a toilet tank having an interior partition separating a first compartment from a second compartment. The partition has a gate opening with a gate door.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1989Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Inventor: Wenzel Zaruba
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Patent number: 5105485Abstract: The present invention provides a drainboard for draining excess water from wet kitchenware into a sink set into a countertop in alternate corner and conventional installations. The drainboard preferably comprises an essentially planar member having a major portion and a sidewall portion to collect excess water on the top surface of the major portion. The planar member is pivoted about the drain and located on opposite transverse sides of the sink with the drain positioned over the sink. The outer periphery of the planar member, preferably formed by the sidewall portion, divides the planar member into a rear section and an essentially triangular front section having a pair of opposed front sides swept back from the drain to the rear section, preferably at an angle of about 90 degrees, to minimize the obstruction of the sink when the drain is positioned over the sink.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1989Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Inventor: Augustine Sciabarassi
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Patent number: 5092003Abstract: A water conservation device composed of a cup movable relative to an opening for selectively diverting water flow from a main drain pipe to a side tap to conduct water to be conserved to a remote location through a drain pipe.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1990Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Inventor: Louis Weinberg
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Patent number: 5090069Abstract: A self-cleaning sanitation module comprises a toilet pan movable between a use position and a cleaning position in which it is behind a separating wall. A back is provided movable between two positions, a use position and a cleaning position in which the back in disposed vertically above the pan. The displacement of the pan and the back between their use position and their cleaning position is performed in such a way that there is always a very small gap between the back and the pan.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1989Date of Patent: February 25, 1992Inventor: Jean-Claude Decaux
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Patent number: 5088133Abstract: A flush mechanism for toilets comprises a water supply control device and a water escape control device independently disposed in a flush tank. The mechanism is actuated to flush by raising a plunger to lift a piston of the water escape position from its normally closed position to its open position allowing water flow from the tank to a toilet bowl associated therewith and maintain that position by vacuum suction.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1990Date of Patent: February 18, 1992Inventor: Tsai-An Chen
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Patent number: 5083323Abstract: A retrofitable or original equipped device for tank type toilets having a pull strap 40 which is held in place by a beam section 10 in a fixed position by a lock and release 12 that will allow a toilet operator to quickly and easily interrupt the flushing process of the toilet to prevent an overflow, to ease cleaning or to prevent a young child from drowning. In addition, a device that can be easily installed without tools and will remain in a ready to use state without interfering with normal toilet operations.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1990Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Inventor: Robert M. Cannan
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Patent number: 5070552Abstract: A hand held shower head especially--but not exclusively--for personal use has a porous sponge removably clamped over the holes from which a water spray normally issues. The sponge converts the spray into a flowing cascade of water. The sponge is changeable so that each user may have a clean surface, as he sees fit or so that different spray characteristics may be achieved. An arrangement is provided for hanging up the sponge if a user wishes to use the shower with the spray instead of with the cascading flow of water.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1989Date of Patent: December 10, 1991Assignee: Associated Mills, Inc.Inventors: Jefferson L. Gentry, Alfons Rundzaitis
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Patent number: 5060323Abstract: A modular system for automatically controlling the operation of a water faucet comprises an electrically operable valve for installation in line of a water supply line to the faucet for controlling water flow to the faucet; a sensor for detecting the presence of an individual within a predetermined range of the sensor; a controller for connecting to the valve and the sensor for receiving a detection signal from the sensor and for operating the valve in response to the signal; and releasable connectors for connecting the valve and the sensor to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1989Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Assignee: Bauer Industries, Inc.Inventor: Daniel C. Shaw
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Patent number: 5044020Abstract: A urinal provided for the convenience and training of juvenile boys in accordance with this invention requires no plumbing, and comprises a support means having front and rear surfaces. The rear surface is adapted for attachment to a vertical surface, and the front surface has a receptacle-receiving lower portion. A dish shaped urine-receiving receptacle is utilized, with its lower portion having a configuration closely complementary to the lower portion of the support means. The receptacle has a full height rear wall and a front wall of abbreviated height, with the upper portions of the wall portions terminating in a generally oval front opening. The receptacle is insertable at an angle to the vertical into the lower portion of the support means, and likewise is able to be withdrawn for emptying by lifting upwardly at substantially the same angle to the vertical.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1990Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Inventors: David G. Lewandowski, Edward J. Guard
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Patent number: 5038416Abstract: A passive dispenser having the capability of varying the amount of solution added to the toilets flush water such time the toilet is flushed. This variability of dosage is obtained by changing the volume of solution discharge during the flushing period of the toilet by means of sets of internal grooves, a movable baffle and specifically located fixed aperture. Said invention can help to reduce water consumption, and is equipped with its own hanger for easy installation.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1990Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Inventors: Peggy L. Horne, Dewey J. Lee
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Patent number: 5035010Abstract: A shower device includes a housing having a longitudinally elongated slit substantially in center part of the housing, substantially all constituents of the device being accommodated within the housing, so that a guide rail is disposed along the slit and a slider carrying a shower nozzle is displaced by a drive means for reciprocation along the guide rail with the shower nozzle disposed at the slit. The device is thus made excellent in the appearance and also in the safety with all water hoses disposed inside the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1989Date of Patent: July 30, 1991Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Jun-ichi Sakamoto, Tetsuya Onkura, Kouichi Yoshida
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Patent number: 5033132Abstract: A roll-up shower curtain for a bathtub and shower enclosure is provided and consists of an elongated casing, which carries a roller shaft, secured between the end walls of the shower enclosure by adjustable retainer members on the sides of the casing. A shower curtain can be readily raised and lowered on the roller shaft by manually operating the roller shaft. When the shower curtain is completely lowered it can slide within a recessed track in the roller shaft to be pushed to one side.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1990Date of Patent: July 23, 1991Inventor: Herbert Greenblatt
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Patent number: 5031251Abstract: A height adjustable toilet for a handicapped person is provided and consists of a mechanism connected to a toilet bowl for selectively raising and lowering the height of its rim portions with respect to the floor, thereby causing an accordion pedestal portion and an extendable flush pipe to lengthen and shorten accordingly so that the handicapped person can conveniently sit upon and get off of a toilet seat on the rim portion of the toilet bowl.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1990Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Inventors: Rev G. H. Williams, George Spector
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Patent number: 5031257Abstract: Disclosed is a shower enlarger assembly including a mounting bracket for engaging to a wall the ends of a bent shower curtain rod having an offset medial section for providing a greater stall space and for holding a shower curtain out of body contact. The mounting bracket includes a supporting backplate for contact with the wall and a recessed area located midsection of the supporting backplate for receiving the end of the bent shower curtain rod. The bent shower curtain rod is slidably inserted and rotatably mounted within the recessed area of the backplate. The bent shower curtain rod has attached thereto an integral rotating stop member extending outwardly from the curtain rod. A substantially semicircular fixed stop member extends outwardly from the face of the backplate and receives the integral rotating stop member attached to the bent shower curtain rod.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1989Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Inventor: Robert W. Jeffery
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Patent number: 5031258Abstract: A wash station comprises a sink and a faucet. A source of water and a source of soap are provided. An electrically operated valve is interposed between the water source and the faucet for selectively supplying water thereto, and a pump and valve are interposed between the soap source and the faucet for selectively supplying soap thereto. An electrically operated roll towel dispenser is disposed proximate the sink. A first infrared sensor is operably associated with the sink for determining the presence of a user. A control mechanism is operatively associated with the valves, the pump, the roll towel dispenser and the sensor for causing water and soap to be selectively supplied to the faucet and for thereafter causing a length of roll towel to be dispensed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1989Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Assignee: Bauer Industries Inc.Inventor: Daniel C. Shaw
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Patent number: 5027447Abstract: A retractable guard for use in combination with a sewage pipe leading from a flush toilet is provided having a plurality of prongs with hooked ends positioned within a cross section of the pipe. The prongs are connected to a piston which is slidable within a cylinder, perpendicular to the pipe. Flushing the toilet causes water to be directed in the cylinder which in turn partially retracts the prongs. Water may be diverted from the cylinder to wash accumulated debris from the prongs.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1990Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Inventor: Wilton J. Pino
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Patent number: 5023959Abstract: A systen for extending and retracting the waste hose for a waste disposal system that is typically found on recreational vehicles and includes power or crank-driven hose extender means for extending the collapsible hose from its collapsed mode stored on-board the recreational vehicle, to its extended configuration which it is used for dumping waste from an RV holding tank into an inlet of an RV waste dump station. The system includes a specialized hose extension and retraction mechanism, and a universal coupling at the end of the hose which will fit waste station inlet pipes of all the commonly used sizes, which run from 3" to 41/2" in diameter. In addition, a special structure is used to create a 90 degree bend in the outboard end of the hose, and an optional unidirectional cuff around the hose will hold tension on the hose so it can be stretched between the recreational vehicle and the inlet, but will permit the hose to be manually pushed back through the cuff without substantial resistance.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1989Date of Patent: June 18, 1991Assignee: Thetford CorporationInventor: Albert E. Mercer
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Patent number: RE33624Abstract: A bath for use by a physically handicapped or physically impaired person, comprising a bath structure (11), a seat (13) located within the bath structure (11), said seat (13) being connected to a seat support (16), said seat support (16) being connected to a mechanical linkage (19) located externally of the bath structure (11), and means (29) for pivoting the linkage (19) in order to move the seat (13) between an upper position in which it is located at or above the upper edge of the sides of the bath structure (11) and a lower position in which the seat (13) is located at the bottom of the bath structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1989Date of Patent: July 2, 1991Inventors: Richard W. Duffin, David L. Hiscock