Patents Examined by Huyen Le
-
Patent number: 9220658Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for tempering the temperature of a liquid in a fluid conducting system. More particularly, the invention relates to tempering the temperature of water supplied to a fixture from a water heater in a fluid conducting system. In some embodiments, the invention includes a restrictor for decreasing the fluid pressure in one of the hot inlet or cold inlet of the mixing valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Magarl, LLCInventors: Robert Eveleigh, Gary Cook
-
Patent number: 9204763Abstract: Pedestal systems are disclosed that provide a platform onto which a user can place a foot so as to elevate the leg for ease in shaving and other hygienic functions. For example, a pedestal system can include at least one vertically-oriented, elongate beam member coupled with a perpendicularly-coupled shelf member configured to receive the foot of a user, and one or more coupling mechanisms configured to reversibly couple at least one of the elongate beam members and the shelf member to a structural component such as a wall or floor of a bathtub or shower.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Inventor: Mark Laberda
-
Patent number: 9205023Abstract: A drive hub is mounted to an element and has a surface which presents away from the element and produces a magnetic field which extends from and returns to the drive hub. If depicted graphically, concentrations of field lines would appear to extend from two or more North domains defined in the surface to two or more South domains defined in the surface, the North and South domains being arranged to encircle a rotation axis in spaced alternating relation. A driven hub is spaced and frontwardly adjacent to drive hub, coupled to the element and constrained against movement but for axial rotation. Driven hub includes non-magnetic, electrically-conductive material having low magnetic permeability and receptors, receptors having a high magnetically permeability, being spaced to the axis and arranged such that rotation of the drive hub relative to the driven hub creates a net rotational force that urges co-rotation of the hubs.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: GULFSTREAM INC.Inventors: Minh Sang Tran, Chris Alexander
-
Patent number: 9198542Abstract: This device for a combination shower-WC has a shower function and a blow-dry function. The shower function and the blow-dry function are incorporated in an arm (1) which can be retracted and extended by means of a control and which comprises, within an inner pipe (4), firstly at least one water supply line (2) leading to at least one shower opening (5), and secondly at least one air supply line (3) leading to at least one blow-dry opening (6), wherein a closure means is provided on the inner pipe (4) and, in the position for operating the at least one shower opening (5) with water, said closure means is arranged over the at least one blow-dry opening (6) and, in the position for operating the at least one blow-dry opening (6) with air, the closure means is moved away from the at least one blow-dry opening (6).Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: PRESANO AGInventor: Christian Frei
-
Patent number: 9194147Abstract: A modular swimming pool is constructed of one or more floor sections and a plurality of wall sections, with water-tight seams between the sections. Grooves formed in the sides of each section mate with corresponding grooves on adjacent sections and thereby form hollow channels that hold elastomeric seals. A plurality of fasteners applies compressive force to the seals, which results in formation of a water-tight seam. A skirt, also provided in sections, is attached to the wall sections and forms a structural and decorative part of the pool.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Inventor: Mario L. Campodonico
-
Patent number: 9194146Abstract: A wave pool configured to generate waves from a center portion of the wave pool towards the outer perimeter of the wave pool. A motor is positioned substantially at a center of the wave pool and is connected to a foil via an arm extending outwardly from the motor. The motor causes rotation of the arm and the foil for generating waves that travel away from the motor and towards an outer edge of the pool. The foil may be formed in the shape of a scoop and configured to adjust its angle relative to the arm via one or more angular adjustment connections with the arm. Multiple arms and/or foils may be used to generate waves in the wave pool. The wave pool has a deeper body of water located adjacent to the motor and a shallower body of water adjacent to the outer perimeter.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Inventor: Douglas Murphy
-
Patent number: 9194115Abstract: The mountable urine reservoir is a device designed to address a common problem that exists in commodes installed in mobile vehicles. Because the motion of the vehicle may jostle a person attempting to stand while urinating it is common for urine to splash outside of the commode. This is highly unsanitary. The present invention eliminates this defect in the current systems by providing whereby a person can urinate standing up while inserting their penis within the barrel of a reservoir. Thus the walls of said reservoir would prevent any urine from splashing to the exterior.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Inventor: Frank P. Green
-
Patent number: 9187887Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to improved water closet flanges and methods for installing such water closet flanges. In one exemplary embodiment, an improved water close flange apparatus includes a modular spacer system for raising an upper surface of the outer surface above a finish flooring surface installed on top of a ground slab in order to improve the ease of installation. In one embodiment, an improved water closet flange apparatus includes an outer flange and a flexible conduit portion (i.e. sleeve) extending downwardly therefrom. The flexible sleeve has a sufficient degree of flexibility to accommodate connection between offset, misaligned, angled, or otherwise incongruous plumbing fixture discharges and waste drain pipe outlets. In one embodiment, the flexible sleeve includes at least one corrugated portion to aid the desired flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Coflex S.A. de C.V.Inventors: Eduardo Coronado, Jorge Sada
-
Patent number: 9179804Abstract: A sink towel for being disposed about a bathroom, restroom or washroom sink bowl for absorbing water that may be inadvertently or accidently splashed with water upon a surrounding counter top. The towel is comprised of natural or synthetic, water absorbent material which may include paper, cloth or fabric, and is preferably formed of cotton or terry cloth. One or more pockets are included for storing personal items such as tooth brushes, toothpaste, razors, and/or small containers of medicine, shampoo, perfume, or similar items. The towel includes weights or weighted material for holding the towel in place over the sink bowl and also permit the towel to be folded for travel and for hanging on a hook for storage and/or drying between uses.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Inventor: Gwendolyn May
-
Patent number: 9181720Abstract: Missing and broken drain covers for swimming pools, spas and/or other applications expose swimmers to dangers including entrapment and evisceration. An anti-evisceration ring of this invention is attached to an opening of a sump or frame and provides a non-planar edge that prevents the formation of a vacuum by a body part and thereby preventing injuries to swimmers.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Triodyne Safety Systems, L.L.C.Inventor: Ralph L. Barnett
-
Patent number: 9181721Abstract: A spa according to the present invention includes a shell and a support structure including a base member, a plurality of side members and a plurality of end members to support the shell without the need for a sub-frame. The spa also includes a cover and a plurality of lifting members for supporting the cover. The lifting members are actuatable between a lowered position in which the cover is positioned generally atop the shell and an elevated position in which the cover is spaced from the shell and the support structure. The lifting members are secured to at least one of the side members and the end members.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Strong Industries, Inc.Inventor: Wade Spicer
-
Patent number: 9173808Abstract: A gas and liquid massage system for a tub comprises jets. Each jet has a gas injector and a liquid injector. The jets concurrently inject liquid and gas. A liquid circuit feeds a flow of liquid to the liquid injectors. A gas circuit feeds a flow of gas to the gas injectors. A sequencer manifold in the gas circuit selectively closes the gas supply to some of the jets to intermittently inject gas with the injected liquid. A massage system controller operates the sequencer manifold in selectively closing the gas supply to some of the jets. A method for injecting fluids into the liquid of the tub is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: C.G. AIR SYSTEMES INC.Inventors: Dominique Ciechanowski, Miguel Castellote
-
Patent number: 9173528Abstract: A shower unit includes a water delivery system having a main water line and a plurality of branches served by the main water line. Each branch terminates in one or more nozzles. A purge line selectively communicates compressed air into the main water line. Water is purged from the water delivery system by shutting off water flow into the main water line and introducing compressed air into the main water line through the purge line. Each of the branch valves is opened in sequence while keeping the remainder of the branch valves closed, allowing the compressed air to force any water in the respective branch out through the respective at least one output nozzle. The previously opened branch valve is then closed and the purging process is repeated for each successive branch.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Inventor: William R. Shrewsbury
-
Patent number: 9169629Abstract: Kits and methods for installing a toilet bowl or assembly without tools are described. The methods and assembly work with an existing flange or can include a standard closet flange configured to receive a flange bolt. The kits and assemblies include a flange bolt wherein the bolt head is configured so as to fit through an opening in a flange so that the bolt head contacts the lower surface of the flange and the end portion of the bolt stem extends upwardly; and a bolt locking knob, wherein the interior surface of the knob is configured so that when the end of the bolt stem is placed within the knob, it contacts the bolt stem in locking engagement and the knob can be hand tightened. The bolts size is coordinated with the size of the locking knobs to eliminate the use of tools on installation.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: AS IP Holdco, LLCInventors: Robert M. Jensen, David Grover, James P. Walsh
-
Patent number: 9168543Abstract: A rotary switch shower with a handheld component has a waterway connected to a water outlet eccentrically arranged on a first counterface of the connecting end of the handheld component. The handheld component includes: an outlet component with an essential body, at least two outlet terminals, and a plurality of independent cavities. The outlet terminals are assembled on the essential body and communicate with the independent cavities respectively. Every independent cavity is has a water inlet on the second counterface of the essential body. The water inlets are assigned along an arc whose center is at the rotation axis. The essential body can be rotatably assembled to the handheld component, and switching of the waterways is achieved by rotating the handheld component, so that a water inlet is chosen to communicate with the water outlet, and then a independent cavity is chosen to communicate with the waterway.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignees: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Huasong Zhou, Haisong Peng, Renzhong Li, Bin Chen
-
Patent number: 9170720Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a basin, a plumbing system configured to supply water to the basin, a processing circuit, and a housing containing the plumbing system and the processing circuit. The housing includes ports on the second face allowing access to a digital audio input, the plumbing fixture configured to output audio via a speaker based on the digital audio input. The plumbing fixture further includes a remote control configured to control the plumbing fixture and further configured to customize selectable audio sources for playback via the speaker.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Michael R. Bates, Fei Shen, Xue Jiongjun, Andy Zhu, Michael Cao, Li Ni
-
Patent number: 9161664Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a shower rod assembly including an outer tube, a spring chamber, being housed in the attachment end of the outer tube, and inner tube with an attachment end inserted within said outer tube, and a bracket device at the opposite ends of the outer tube and inner tube for installation in an enclosure. The spring chamber has a fixed blocker in a locked position within the outer tube, a compression spring, and a mobile blocker with a removable locking pin. When the locking pin is removed, the compression spring extends to lock the outer tube and inner tube in position at a set length within the enclosure. Each bracket device has a base body with ridges, a casing with an inner core, a lock on the side of the casing and a mount.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Inventor: Qing Hai Zeng
-
Patent number: 9157222Abstract: A three-position, circularly-shaped, height-adjustable overflow drain is disclosed. A circular back plate includes a bottom half opposite a top half, and is configured to be attachable to an overflow elbow. A first aperture is located in the bottom half of the back plate. A second aperture is located in the top half of the back plate. A rotatable handle comprises an outer cylindrical portion including a center plate. A third aperture is located in the center plate. The first, second and third apertures are aligned along a common radius, wherein the rotatable handle is rotatable to align either the first and third apertures, the second and third apertures, or no apertures. A cover plate is disposed within the rotatable handle and attached to the circular back plate forming an annular gap between the cover plate and the outer cylindrical portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Inventors: Max Homami, Michael Gerard Rohlfs
-
Patent number: 9155429Abstract: The invention relates to a toilet installing having: a toilet seat (2) in the form of a hollow body in which there is formed an opening (3) for evacuating liquid effluent (4) and solid waste under gravity, a conveyor belt (15) mounted in an inclined manner delimiting between a bottom part and a top part a surface (14) for receiving the liquid effluent and solid waste, in order to separate the liquid effluent and solid waste under gravity, a part of the conveyor belt, starting from the bottom part thereof, being mounted inside the toilet seat, the other part protruding from the rear face of the seat, a device (25) for recovering the liquid effluent (4) having a reception tank mounted inside the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: ECOSPHERE TECHNOLOGIESInventor: Pierre Colombot
-
Patent number: 9144288Abstract: A cosmetic fluid dispenser, comprising in combination a generally tubular body, a generally tubular body extension forming a cosmetic fluid container, a longitudinally elongated wand received endwise into the container, the wand having a fluid applicator at one end of the wand to contact the fluid, and means responsive to manual relative rotation of the body and extension to progressively bodily displace the wand endwise to a removal position in which a portion of the wand projects from the body, for grasping and pull-out of the wand from the body, whereby the removed wand may be used to cosmetically dispense fluid from the applicator, following which the wand is returned to the body, and endwise retraction into the body and body extension.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Lava Industries, Inc.Inventor: Derik Zhang