Patents Examined by Huyen Le
  • Lift-off hinge with attached hinge cover
    Patent number: 9144354
    Abstract: A lift-off toilet seat includes a hinge body for pivotably supporting a toilet seat and a mounting block having a slot therethrough for enabling positionable attachment of the block to a toilet seat via a bolt. A buckle extends from the hinge body and slidably engages sides of the block with the block having a top opening for enabling both the bolt to pass therethrough and positioning of the block on the toilet bowl together with the hinge body and toilet seat. A cover, hinged to the buckle is provided for covering the buckle and locking the buckle to the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: WDI INTERNATIONAL, INC
    Inventor: Mingchang Yang
  • Sealing closure for swimming pool skimmer
    Patent number: 9133638
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a swimming pool skimmer comprising a sealing closure which is designed dimensionally to fit common rectangularly shaped skimmer openings of rectangular shape of the skimmer opening. The faceplate has a flange which overlaps the peripheral area of the skimmer flange. The closure faceplate sidewalls extend into the skimmer opening. A monolithic sealing gasket, preferably of injection molded silicone rubber or other polymeric material, closely fits around the outer perimeter of the closure faceplate sidewalls. A wedge plate member is fitted into the sealing gasket. A closure means in the form of a nut and bolt or a stud hook member and cam lock arrangement are used to exert the closing force on the wedge plate to force the sidewalls of the wedge plate member into engagement with the monolithic sealing gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
  • Hair collection system
    Patent number: 9131810
    Abstract: A hair collection system including a backboard for providing a location for detached hair collection, a basin for capturing detached hair, and an attachment means to couple the system to a wall. The system provides a new method and apparatus for collecting detached hair before it becomes entrapped in the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Shawn Reile
    Inventor: Shawn Reile
  • Safety system for controlling fluid flow into a suction line
    Patent number: 9127469
    Abstract: A safety system includes a sleeve fitted within a pool's suction line at the inlet thereof. An open end of the sleeve is approximately aligned with the suction line's inlet. The sleeve terminates with a plate that resides within the suction line. The plate has holes formed therethrough. A housing defining a plurality of distinct channels is fitted in the sleeve so that the distinct channels lie within the sleeve. Each of the distinct channels has a first opening on one end thereof and a second opening on another end thereof. The second openings reside in the sleeve. Each of the distinct channels is at least approximately three feet in length. The first openings are in fluid communication with the water in the pool, and are distributed around a periphery of an area of the housing that prevents coverage of all the first openings when a human interacts therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John Dwight England, Anthony R. Kelley, Raymond J. Cronise
  • Method and device for treatment of human excrement
    Patent number: 9113755
    Abstract: A method for treatment of human excrement comprises the following steps: (1) providing a chamber (5) having a top opening through which excrement enters the chamber (5); (2) allowing solid excrement to form a layer on a porous plate (6) inside the chamber (5) by gravity wherein excrement is stored firstly at front storing region (13) and secondly at rear storing region (14), and allowing urine to fall down into the urine storing region (15) through perforations in the porous plate (6); (3) ventilating the interior of chamber (5) by a ventilation system, and providing an indirect heat source (7) inside the chamber (5). A device for treatment of human excrement comprises the chamber (5), the porous plate (6) with the front storing region (13) and the rear storing region (14), the urine storing region (15), the ventilation system and the indirect heat source (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventors: Derek Lam, Lai Yan Chan
  • Toilet and support bars for the disabled
    Patent number: 9113757
    Abstract: The toilet and support bars for the disabled has a toilet bowl and toilet seat configured to face the toilet tank, thereby enabling disabled and physically debilitated persons to move forward to sit on the toilet seat. The toilet has a pedestal on which the tank is mounted, and an inverted U-shaped support bar having legs supported by the building structure, to provide stability for the disabled person to use the toilet. The support bar includes a crossbar handle above the level of the tank that a disabled person may grasp for assistance in moving forward onto the toilet seat and rearward off the toilet seat. The handle may have a resilient grip. The support bar may also include stabilizers for maintaining the support bar in a rigid and fixed position so that the user is assured to find the necessary support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Kishor C. Desai
  • Ice-compensating cover, method of manufacture thereof, a method of covering a pool with the ice-compensating cover
    Patent number: 9097029
    Abstract: An ice-compensating cover including: a cover; a float; and a separable fastener interposed between the cover and the float, the separable fastener including a first portion adhesively bonded to the cover, and a second portion adhesively bonded to the float, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion defines a first opening in a center of the at least one of the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventors: Anthony N. Oropallo, Wesley C. Clark
  • Head for in-floor pool cleaning system
    Patent number: 9091094
    Abstract: A cleaning head for an in-floor pool cleaning system includes a sleeve with a top opening and an insert configured to be retained within the sleeve. The insert has a first body portion with an aperture wherein the first body portion is configured to fit through the top opening, and a second body portion that is configured to not fit through the top opening. A passage runs through the insert to the aperture. The insert has a first position in which it is retained in the sleeve. When water pressure is applied to the bottom of the cleaning head, the insert is moved upward to a second position so the aperture extends beyond the top opening in the sleeve and pressurized water exists the aperture to move debris. The cleaning head also includes a conical spring to bias the insert towards the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Blue Square Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Gerald Malinasky, Jr.
  • Strainer and insert assembly
    Patent number: 9091046
    Abstract: In combination a tubular strainer having a wall defining interior and exterior surfaces, and a first flange on the upper end of the wall, a tubular insert having a cylindrical wall sized for reception by the tubular strainer, and a second flange carried by the insert wall, an elastomeric seal having a tubular body fittingly sealingly carried by the insert cylindrical wall, the seal body configured for progressive compressive radial sealing engagement with the strainer wall interior surface when endwise inserted by the insert within said tubular strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: IPS Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Oropallo, Anthony Oropallo
  • Lavatory sink cover for hair grooming
    Patent number: 9080322
    Abstract: A sink cover is provided with a domed portion to accommodate conventional sink fixtures and allow the cover to lay in a generally planar attitude in use. The perimeter of the cover includes folded portions to capture and retain loose hair that falls onto the cover during use. The cover is preferably formed of thin water-resistant paper to enable compact packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventor: Leonardo G. Rodrigues
  • Mounting bracket for electronic kitchen faucet
    Patent number: 9074357
    Abstract: An electrically non-conductive mounting assembly is disclosed for coupling an electronic faucet to a sink deck. The mounting assembly includes a spout insulator configurable to attach to a delivery spout and a mounting bracket configured to attach to an underside of the sink deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Steven Kyle Meehan, Zhichuang Huang, Jia Lin
  • Sanitizing plaster trap with soluble barrier
    Patent number: 9074359
    Abstract: A sanitary catchall trap utilizing an aqueous dispersion medium for improved antibacterial and deodorant capabilities in the capture and disposal of waste. The trap includes an interior and a lid for enclosing the interior. The trap includes an odor controlling substance dissolvable in the aqueous dispersion medium, a cage having a receiving portion for housing the odor controlling substance, and a fastening portion for mounting the cage to the interior of the trap. A biodegradable, water-soluble barrier encloses at least a portion of the receiving portion of the cage for shielding the substance from leakage prior to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Donald Nevin
  • Fragrance discharging toilet seat cover dispensing device
    Patent number: 9073074
    Abstract: A device discharges fragrance during the dispensing of toilet seat covers generally includes a retainer for holding the toilet seat covers and at least one scent reservoir. The scent reservoir is disposed in the inside of the retainer and in contact with the toilet seat covers. At least one opening is also disposed in the retainer and defines an opening for dispensing the seat covers and discharging fragrance. In the process of usage of the seat cover, a user removes the seat cover from the retainer by pulling the seat cover through the opening. The pulling of the seat cover creates friction on the scent reservoir and enables the fragrance particles to be released. The fragrance air flows out from the opening with the seat cover and disburses scented air into the ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Cheng
  • Adapter for attachment to water supply pipes and exterior conduits
    Patent number: 9068325
    Abstract: An adapter for attachment to a water supply pipe and an exterior conduit includes an adjustable element, a mounting element, and at least one inner fastening element. The adapter also may include filtering elements, covers, and other elements which add in the operation and appearance of the adapter. The adapter may be incorporated in any assembly that requires exterior routing of water from a water supply pipe to one or more exterior conduits. These conduits may be any device or accessory that routes water from the water supply pipe, through the adapter, to an exit point. Examples of exterior conduits include waterborne bars, overhead shower assemblies, handheld shower assemblies, and other types of waterborne accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SPEAKMAN COMPANY
    Inventor: Alexandru Neagoe
  • Air jet fittings for bathing installations
    Patent number: 9066634
    Abstract: An air jet includes a body portion defining a hollow main body portion having an interior opening, and a connection portion having an air passageway in communication with the interior opening. The connection portion includes at least one connection port for attachment to a hose carrying pressurized air, and a flange portion defining a recessed mount surface inside a peripheral lip surrounding a recess, with a plurality of open regions defined in the peripheral lip. A nozzle member is fitted into the interior opening and has a nozzle orifice and nozzle tip protruding into the recess, the nozzle opening configured to allow pressurized air to pass from the connection port through the central opening and through the nozzle orifice into the tub hole and the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Balboa Water Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham J. Campbell, Eric J. Kownacki
  • Gas spring lift assisted toilet seat assembly
    Patent number: 9066841
    Abstract: A gas spring lift assisted toilet seat assembly comprising a generally u-shaped first frame mountable to a toilet bowl at the rear of the toilet bowl through existing bolt holes in the toilet bowl and extending a distance below the top of the toilet bowl; a second frame mountable to a toilet seat at the rear thereof, preferably but not necessarily by attachment to a toilet seat hinge subassembly; at least one gas spring configured in a permanently open position and pivotably attached at a first end to that portion of the first frame extending below the top of the toilet bowl and pivotably attached at a second end to the second frame; and at least one bracket mountable to a forward part of the toilet seat for pivotable engagement of the toilet seat with the forward rim of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Inventor: Anthony Michael Mastropole
  • Air jet fittings with recess features for bathing installations
    Patent number: 9066635
    Abstract: An air jet includes a body portion defining a hollow main body portion having an interior opening, and a connection portion having an air passageway in communication with the interior opening. The connection portion includes at least one connection port for attachment to a hose carrying pressurized air, and a flange portion defining a recessed mount surface inside a peripheral lip surrounding a recess, with a plurality of open regions defined in the peripheral lip. At least one protrusion is defined between the peripheral lip and the interior opening to reduce the volume of the recess and the amount of adhesive for installation of the air jet to the wall of the vessel. A nozzle member is fitted into the interior opening and has a nozzle orifice and nozzle tip protruding into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Balboa Water Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham J. Campbell, Eric J. Kownacki
  • Control column for turkish bath
    Patent number: 9066846
    Abstract: A control column for Turkish bath internally houses a steam generator and a touch-screen control panel that can be activated by the user through contact with a front wall of the control column, has a housing for a collection container, and is provided with a hydraulic circuit that is connected to the mains water supply and extends through the control column to supply water into said collection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: MAC S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Borghetti, Luigi Mandolini
  • Spa rim
    Patent number: 9062472
    Abstract: A rim for engaging a vessel wall of an existing liquid-containing vessel, wherein the vessel wall defines a liquid-containment area, and wherein the vessel is open ended could includes a rail cap comprising a cap surface and two spaced apart rail cap walls attached to and depending from the cap surface defining a rail cap cavity adapted to engage the vessel wall. The rim could include a plurality of rim segments and a segment seam cap for positioning over a seam formed between adjacent rim segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Sundance Spas, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. A. Scali, Erica A. Moir, Adrian Alfaro
  • Drain stopper assembly
    Patent number: 9060656
    Abstract: A drain stopper assembly for selectively closing an outlet from a water basin includes a stopper that axially slidably interacts with a support post to move between raised and lowered positions. In a raised position, the stopper can be laterally displaced to facilitate periodic cleaning of debris trapped in the drain passage. Lateral displacement can be accomplished in a variety of ways including by way of groove and follower pin relationships, pivoting sections of the support post and/or post interface of the stopper, and by a flexible support post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventor: Henry Tong