Patents Examined by Huyen Le
  • Patent number: 9295610
    Abstract: A novel fitting for air blowers in air baths that is to be used in conjunction with the blower plumbing system between the blower and the mandated water backflow prevention safety device. The fitting has an internal structure that acts through a dual push/pull effect in order to divert a portion of the air through an ozone generator. The influent side acts as an air ram, like a pitot tube while the effluent side acts as a venturi. The design is symmetrical in that the fitting can be installed in either direction, i.e., the fitting is reversible in relation to the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Jason Hillyard
  • Patent number: 9289103
    Abstract: A toilet seat hinge assembly and method of installing the assembly are described, wherein the assembly includes a hinge body having a seat and a central opening extending longitudinally through the body; a fastening hinge post having a head, a longitudinally extending body and at least one locking pin; a bushing having an upper flange portion and a longitudinally extending body defining a longitudinally extending channel therethrough, which body further has at least one transversely extending groove in or on the bushing body; and at least one fastening device for securing the hinge assembly to a toilet. The at least one locking pin locks the assembly by rotation of the fastening hinge post body within the channel in the bushing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AS IP Holdco, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9290922
    Abstract: A ceramic bowl obtained by means of casting in moulds comprises: a liquid collection pan (2) having a main axis (Z) of extension; a liquid distribution rim (3) having at least one portion configured to reproduce the top edge (7) of the pan (2) along a common plane (P) of lie; the rim portion (3) has a tubular chamber (4) with toroidal cross-section for the passage of liquids and having as axis of rotation the axis (Z) of the pan (2); a separate outer casing (5) for housing the single component formed by pan (2) and rim (3); the bowl comprises a first set of perimetral surfaces (8, 14, 31) which define one part of the tubular chamber (4) of the rim (3) and the surface joining the rim portion (3) to the pan (2) and which are parallel to each other and extend in a direction transverse to the common plane (P) of lie, and a second set of perimetral surfaces (6, 12) which define the other part of the tubular chamber (4) and extend parallel to the plane (P) of lie and are connected to the first set of surfaces (8, 1
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA
    Inventors: Alessandro Bernabei, Vasco Mazzanti
  • Patent number: 9284741
    Abstract: A cover apparatus includes a frame, a cover assembly at least partially supported by the frame, and a drive mechanism. The cover assembly includes a generally planar main portion, and at least one edge portion adjoining a side edge of the main portion. The drive mechanism engages the edge portion and moves the cover assembly relative to the frame to advance or retract the cover assembly. The drive mechanism may include first engagement elements, and the edge portion may include second engagement elements that interengage with the first engagement elements. The cover apparatus may be used for covering a pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: PALLADIUM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN INC.
    Inventors: Richard Anthony Scheps, Alan Gaensbauer, Robert Rotenberg
  • Patent number: 9279263
    Abstract: A wave generating apparatus and method is provided in which a controller actuates a plurality of wave generating chambers in sequence using a delay between actuation of each chamber to produce a rideable wave in a pool. The actuation delay period may be a predetermined proportion of the chamber period. The sequence creates a surging motion in the pool that changes the characteristics of the waves to create a considerably hollow barreling wave. The flow of water created by a sequence may resemble a diamond pattern and additional patterns may resemble diamonds linked at the vertices. This pattern effectively reduces the depth of the water between successive waves, which causes them to pitch away from the chambers and create a considerably hollow barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Bruce McFarland
  • Patent number: 9273454
    Abstract: A bidet system comprising an adaptor assembly, handle assembly, and attachment assembly. The adaptor assembly is adapted to be connected to a water system or other suitable liquid supply, and delivers liquid to the bidet system. The handle assembly allows a user to manipulate the flow and pressure of liquid to a discharge nozzle of the handle system. The attachment assembly is adapted to fix the handle assembly to a toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Michael F. Slawinski
  • Patent number: 9273453
    Abstract: Drain clean-out assemblies that can be used to drain the contents of a drain line prior to removing a clean-out plug mounted to the assembly or to which the assembly is mounted. The drain clean-out assembly includes clean-out plug and a device for selectively preventing and permitting drainage of a fluid through a drain port of the assembly. The assembly may include a housing having oppositely-disposed first and second ends, wherein the first end of the housing is configured to attach to a drain line, the second end of the housing is a clean-out port, the clean-out plug is removably attached to the clean-out port, and the drain port is defined by and through the clean-out plug and in fluidic communication with an interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Brian Michael Kipp
  • Patent number: 9273455
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing a seal for a closet collar. A sealing assembly is positioned on a closet collar for a drain pipe. The sealing assembly may comprise a portion on which a sealing component is positioned. A toilet is positioned over the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly is compressed between the toilet and the closet collar, and a seal for the closet collar is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 9259372
    Abstract: A pool access apparatus for moving a disabled person between a pool deck and a pool includes an arm supported for pivotal motion about a base axle and a seat supported for pivotal motion about a seat axle carried by the arm. A driver pivots the arm between a deployed position suspending the seat at least partially within the pool, and a stowed position suspending the seat in a position displaced laterally from the pool. The apparatus may include a chain-driven seat attitude maintenance linkage, an anchoring system comprising a sub-plate embedded in or disposed below the deck to which a base plate of the apparatus is removably connectable, and/or a wheeled portability kit that is removably connectable to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Global Lift Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Steinman, Gary Steinman, Dale Steinman, Jeremy Steinman, Joshua Steinman
  • Patent number: 9254066
    Abstract: A bathtub system, including a tub with a bather access opening in one sidewall and a door mounted on that sidewall. In the closed position, the door is adjacent the access opening, and in the open position the door is substantially clear of the access opening. The system includes a gray water reservoir under the tub of approximately the capacity of the tub and which can be connected to a sewer system. A high capacity toroidal tub drain conducts water from the tub into the reservoir by gravity alone very quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Aquatic Co.
    Inventors: Raymond C. Torres, Jason Slepicka
  • Patent number: 9242262
    Abstract: A body spray configured to be supported within a shower wall. The body spray includes an outer housing and an inner waterway supporting a sprayhead for axial movement relative to the outer housing. Water pressure against the inner waterway causes the sprayhead to move axially outwardly from a refracted position to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Todd Andrew Huffington, Garry Robin Marty, Paul Patton, Daniel Steven Genord
  • Patent number: 9243393
    Abstract: A drain assembly for an industrial sink that is seamlessly attached to a basin of a sink. In one embodiment, the drain assembly comprises a drain tube, drain stopper, gasket, clamp, and lever. According to one embodiment, the drain assembly is seamlessly welded to the basin of the sink so that the drain assembly and sink form one continuous unit. The drain assembly allows for external (to the sink) operation of the drain assembly via the use of a lever that is attached to the drain stopper, wherein moving the lever seals and opens the drain assembly. In one embodiment, the drain stopper is spherically-shaped with spherical wedges cut out of the top to form a disc-shaped handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Atlanta Kitchen Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam M. Tidwell
  • Patent number: 9243388
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for attaching a tap to a mounting surface (13) has a clamping assembly inserted through an aperture (11) in the mounting surface (13) and tightened from above the mounting surface (13). The clamping assembly has a pair of clamping arms (25, 27) that are mounted for pivotal movement from a collapsed position for passage through the aperture (11) to an operative position below the mounting surface (11). The clamping arms (25, 27) are operable on tightening the clamping assembly to engage in a first stage an underside of the mounting surface (13) remote from the fluid delivery device and to engage in a second stage a sidewall of the aperture (11) when continuing tightening. Thus a step change in an operating force is required that provides feedback to an installer that a required clamping force has been achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Nigel P. Sansum, Paul A. Gostling
  • Patent number: 9233020
    Abstract: The conventional vacuum suction type urine collector may not be able to perform normal and automatic vacuum suction when contamination occurs between the electrodes acting as a sensor, and some users feel uneasy about the use of the urine collector as the case may be. In the controller for a vacuum suction type urine collector of this invention, the resistance between paired electrodes installed on the side of a urine receiver on a vacuum sucked-urine path extending from the urine receiver via a urine transport tube to a urine tank is measured by a controller to automatically detect urine, for actuating a vacuum suction device, wherein a detection resistor is connected in series to the abovementioned electrodes; and a manual operation switch is connected in parallel to the series circuit consisting of the electrodes and the detection resistor, to constitute a state detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: PARAMOUNT BED CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Rika Matsumiya
  • Patent number: 9226864
    Abstract: An orthopedic toilet seat includes a frame supporting a seat. The frame is moveable over an existing toilet so that the seat is positioned to allow a person to use the toilet when sitting on the seat. The toilet seat may be configured so that the femur to spine, and femur to shin, joint angles are between 90° and 140°. Also, the seat is configured to be disposed at an angle between 5° and 65° above horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Gianfagna, Chitranjan Ranawat
  • Patent number: 9226623
    Abstract: A surround includes a first piece including a basin, a second piece having a second piece back wall and a second piece side wall attaching to the second piece back wall for being disposed horizontally atop the first piece, and a third piece having a third piece back wall and a third piece side wall attaching to the third piece back wall for being disposed horizontally atop the second piece back wall and the second piece side wall, wherein the first piece, the second piece and the third piece form a package wherein one of the second piece or the third piece is disposed about the basin and an other of the second piece or the third piece nests behind the one of the second piece or the third piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Michael Glenn Geels, Dane Hyatt Carswell, John Gerard Finch, Nirav D. Parikh, Lloyd D. Doigan
  • Patent number: 9228332
    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: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: DANCO, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Doug Saunders
  • Patent number: 9222245
    Abstract: A quick assembly and disassembly mechanism includes a nut seat and a slide block which is movably coupled to the nut seat. The nut seat includes at least two cantilever lock blocks therein. The inner wall of each lock block has threads thereon. The inner diameter encircled by the lock blocks matches with a bolt of a faucet. In normal state, the nut seat can be moved freely on the bolt. When the nut seat is moved to a counter top to compress the slide block, the slide block will push the lock blocks to mesh with the bolt tightly, so that the faucet can be mounted and dismounted quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: XIAMEN LOTA INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liming Ye, Shuanglin Bai, Jianping Zhou
  • Patent number: 9222247
    Abstract: A fixture drain insert assembly includes a material module support with a securing component; at least one of a trap housing or trap cover comprising an upper surface with a securing component corresponding to the securing component of the material support module, a plurality of drain apertures, and an interlocking structure on the external surface of an inner diameter; a valve; a gasket; and a housing support comprising a body with an open top end having an interlocking structure and an inner lip on the inner surface of the open top end, wherein the interlocking structure corresponds to and mates with the interlocking structure of the trap housing or trap cover. The fixture drain insert assembly can be retrofit into existing fixtures such as urinals to create efficient and clean low water to no-water use fixtures or be integrated into new fixtures with corresponding mating features to optimize fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: XELA INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd J. Muderlak, Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: RE45844
    Abstract: A whirlpool foot bath for a pedicure chair having a housing with a removable cap and a rotor and stator magnetic motor within the housing. Water in the bath is circulated through an inlet in the cap and out through at least one outlet in the cap. A method of use is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Lexor, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Long