Patents Examined by Huyen Le
  • Patent number: 9687126
    Abstract: The invention is a series-operation seat-lifting and flush system applicable to conventional residential gravity-powered flap-released water-tank toilets. The system first lifts the seat with a hydraulic cylinder and then lowers the seat and flushes the toilet by venting the hydraulic cylinder to a mechanism connected to the flush-flap. Operation of a closed-fluid-circuit floor-trigger causes water to be diverted from the existing source of water to drive the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: John P. Waikas, II
  • Patent number: 9677260
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a valve apparatus for spouting and stopping water to a storage tank or a toilet main unit supplied from a water supply source, and includes a pressurizing pump, being a reversely rotatable pump including a suctioning portion connected to the storage tank, a rim-side discharge portion connected to the toilet main unit rim spouting portion, a jet-side discharge portion connected to the toilet main unit jet spouting portion, and an impeller; and when the impeller is rotating in one direction, the pressurizing pump spouts flush water in the storage tank to the rim-side discharge portion, whereas when the impeller rotates in the other direction, the pressurizing pump spouts flush water in the storage tank to the jet-side discharge portion, or spouts flush water in the storage tank to both the rim-side discharge portion and the jet-side discharge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Tsubasa Miyake, Jing Chen, Haruhiko Fukumoto, Nobuhiro Motohashi
  • Patent number: 9670654
    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: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Nigel P. Sansum, Paul A. Gostling
  • Patent number: 9661963
    Abstract: The kit for configuring a toilet for disabled persons includes a toilet seat having a front portion having a first width and a back portion having a second width, the first width being greater than the second width, a top surface, and a bottom surface having a downward sloping wall configured for mating onto a toilet bowl of a toilet, and a mounting plate attached to the back portion of the toilet seat, the mounting plate having at least one opening configured for receiving a fastener for attaching the toilet seat onto the toilet. The top surface of the toilet seat can include a channel configured for receiving a conventional toilet seat. The kit can also include a support member, such as a floor-mounted handle bar or at least one wall-mounted handle bar, and a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Kishor C. Desai
  • Patent number: 9657487
    Abstract: A water overflow edge device for a swimming pool is having a channel consisting of bottom, rear and front walls is disclosed. The front wall is made of a plurality of modular structural elements arranged in sequence and coupled together “end-to-end”. The channel is also covered on top by a walking grid that allows swimming pool water to enter. Each modular structural element has a first component with structural function, provided at the bottom with coupling means with the bottom wall of the channel and with the top of the vertical inner wall of the swimming pool. The structural component includes at one side with a first surface, which forms the front wall of the channel, and with a second substantially vertical surface, opposite the first surface and configured to support a second coating component which forms the entire exposed surface of the water overflow edge device and which has a finishing function. Preferably, the first component is plastic and the second coating component is ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: A&T EUROPE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Colletto
  • Patent number: 9655811
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a representative liquid heater that maintains a liquid temperature at a consistent and desirable temperature. The liquid heater includes a housing, a liquid pump, a temperature controller, and a mounting structure. The housing houses a power supply and a heating element that receives power from the power supply. The liquid pump receives power from the power supply and pumps liquid from a liquid container to the heating element, which heats the water. The temperature controller turns on or off the heating element to increase and/or decrease the temperature of the liquid from the liquid container. The mounting structure includes an inlet structure and an outlet structure, both of which are connected to the housing. The inlet structure receives liquid from the liquid container and the outlet structure ejects the liquid from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Divine Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Ann Gallo, William T. White, IV
  • Patent number: 9655812
    Abstract: A pedicure spa comprises a basin, a base, at least one inlet vent, and a ventilating system. The basin is configured to contain water for soaking feet. The base is configured to contain the basin, with the base having a front wall and a top wall. The at least one inlet vent is located in the base for receiving air, and the ventilating system is configured to circulate air. The system has pipes connecting the at least one inlet vent, with the pipes connecting to an exit pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Quy That Ton
  • Patent number: 9648996
    Abstract: Floating, Insulated, Waterless Toilet System with Fece-Urine Separation, Slippery Coating, Urine Bag, Dehumidifying Structure, Fecal Disinfection-Deodorization by Microbes, and Urine Disinfection-Deodorization by Hydrogen Peroxide includes a system of components. The Toilet Pedestal is made of a water-proof, structural foam that both floats in water and thermally insulates the Fece Bag. The feces and urine are kept separate by a ridge between the urine bowl and the fece chute. The Toilet Lid forms a temporary seal with the Toilet Platform when the lid is closed. The Toilet Lid is thermally insulated so that it stays warm and dry inside the toilet. The Toilet has a thermally conductive structure that condenses humidity inside the Toilet. The urine and condensation are collected in a Urine Bag. The surfaces of the Toilet are covered by a slippery coating to prevent feces attachment. The feces are disinfected and/or deodorized by special microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Peter Dreher
  • Patent number: 9651316
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal energy exchanger for bathing shower water comprising an upper deck, a lower chassis and two hatches. The upper deck features creased top surface, multiple parallel septa and plural heat conducting ribs being created between each pair of adjacent septa. After having assembled, the circulation of internal water tunnel is configured into a continual zigzag duct to increase energy saving effect in consequence of improvement in heat exchanging efficiency of the water heater. With simple structure, it is easily fabricated by traditional extruding method without welding process and related welding technician. Thereby, selling price is reduced with marketing competitiveness because overall manufacturing cost is decreased so that the purchasing intention of the consumers is spurred. Thus, it is not only favorable to promote and penetrate marketing range and depth but also valuable to achieve energy saving and carbon reducing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ying Lin Cai, Chao Fou Hsu
  • Patent number: 9648998
    Abstract: A laminar composite toilet lid and seat are formed of a composite laminar material. The toilet lid includes a core structural layer having a shape and size associated with the toilet lid. The toilet lid also includes a first decorative exterior layer disposed on a first surface of the, core structural layer. The toilet lid further includes a second decorative exterior layer disposed on a second surface of the core structural layer, the second surface opposite the first surface. The toilet lid still further includes a painted edge configured to cover seams between the core structural layer and the first and second decorative exterior layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Topseat International, Inc.
    Inventor: Chengdong Wu
  • Patent number: 9644360
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unique ventilated toilet assembly. The toilet assembly includes a base with a central opening, the opening defining a toilet bowl. The toilet assembly includes a first annular ring above the base, the first annular ring having means for delivering water to the toilet bowl and a second annular ring surrounding the first annular ring. The second annular ring having side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, the walls defining a conduit for exhausting air through the second annular ring and the second annular ring having exhaust ports for exhausting air from the toilet bowl. The ventilation member includes the combination of the second annular ring, the conduit, and the exhaust port for exhausting air working cooperatively to capture and remove waste air from the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Donald Campbell
  • Patent number: 9636896
    Abstract: A toilet lid is manufactured with a lenticular three-dimensional image. The toilet lid includes a protective cover sheet attached to the lenticular image. The toilet lid also includes a sealing agent applied to the edges of the protective cover sheet and lenticular image, resulting in a protected lenticular image. The toilet lid further includes the protected lenticular image incorporated into the toilet lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Topseat International, Inc.
    Inventor: Chengdon Wu
  • Patent number: 9637903
    Abstract: The disclosure provides adjustable hinge fasteners and methods thereof, for securing a bidet washing apparatus to a toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Anjum Gupta
  • Patent number: 9637905
    Abstract: A hand-held shower holding device, including a hand-held shower holder (21), in which a hand-held shower (5) can be deposited. The hand-held shower holding device according to the invention is characterized in that the hand-held shower holding device has a switching element (1) having an actuating arm (18) intended for actuating the switching element (1), which actuating arm bears the hand-held shower holder (21) at a first end (19) of the arm and can be pivoted under the load of a hand-held shower (5) deposited in the hand-held shower holder (21) from a first actuation position into a second actuation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Hauth
  • Patent number: 9629508
    Abstract: Improvements on a portable pressurized solar shower which is mounted on the roof of a vehicle using roof rack mounting hardware. The vessel is an elongated elliptical shape (20), which is capped on both ends (32) with an endplate. It can be filled by removing a radiator cap (34) on top. Water can be sprayed out using an attached hose (60) and nozzle (70). The vessel is made from black painted or coated conductive metal which absorbs the sunlight and transfers the heat to the water on the inside. The vessel can be pressurized by an air pump via a valve stem (39) installed on the vessel. A mounting bolt slides within a T-slot which is integrated as part of the shower vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Joel Brian Cotton
  • Patent number: 9622623
    Abstract: An enclosure, comprising a sill that includes a drainage system having a spill channel that has a first barrier and a second barrier, with the second barrier positioned below the spill channel and facing a lower distal end of an exterior side of a stationary panel. The enclosure further provides set of hinge and distal rollers for maximum articulation of non-stationary panels without much encroachment into a closed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Marshal Kee, Michael Henry Clark, Michael John Guidos
  • Patent number: 9615698
    Abstract: A shower pan (10), preferably having rectangular planform includes a central drain (20) that is centered in a floor portion that inclines at a shallow angle (i.e., 3 degrees or so) to front and back sides and opposite ends. The floor portion and includes a shallow channel (46) along the front edge of the shower pan (10) into which all or substantially all water is drained to a second channel (48) into a central drain (20). An apertured grill or cover plate assembly (36) is mounted in the channels and serves as a cover for the various channels. The shower pan (10) is typically installed so that a sill surface (50) is at the same elevation as the pre-existing floor (52) to provide an entry that does not have any type of ‘trip’ points or obstructions that could pose a hazard to the user or impede assistive aids, such as walkers or wheeled chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MTI Whirlpools, Inc
    Inventor: Ryan L. Whitinger
  • Patent number: 9611634
    Abstract: Elongated drain assemblies, systems and their methods of installation suitable for use in tiled shower stalls are described. The drain assembly includes (i) a base unit with locator pins that penetrate a waterproof membrane when installed and are received in locator pin holes in a overlying mounting bracket permitting alignment of fastener holes and bores in the respective bracket and base unit, and (ii) end extenders that can increase the effective length of the trough through attachment to the ends of the base unit thereby allowing drain assemblies of differing lengths to be created for a particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Josef Erlebach
  • Patent number: 9611633
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures with a valve actuator for automatically controlling pivoting of a flush valve, and methods of calibrating movement of the flush valve, are disclosed. The motor of the valve actuator may be positioned between the bowl of the fixture and a leg of a trapway to provide compact assembly. A belt drive laterally extending along the trapway links the motor to the flush valve. The method of calibrating includes establishing stop points which are at positions of less resistance than hard stop positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Blake, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Patent number: 9603763
    Abstract: These new inventions aim to solve problems that are related to healthcare concerns. Each invention is designed to scope the needs of patients whether they are at home, in a nursing home, or a hospital facility. These products are designed to be hassle-free when removing them on and off the patient. Both of them will provide privacy, safety, and dignity allowing the patients to be respected. The privacy jacket is a two component garment with a medium top pocket on the left side. It also has an opening at the arm and neck with three snaps down the right side. The privacy jacket shields the body and provide warmth while the patient is using it, and it has a secret pocket inside the back panel. The pocket holds the collapsible disposable bucket. The disposable bucket is comprised of a soft, molded texture, with padded sections that absorbs both feces and urine. It has flexible elastic wings that expand into a bucket to fit underneath the shower chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Shirley Smith, Jacklyn Smith Sanders, Dedtra Deneat Smith, Christina Smith-Massey, Justice Lugretta Smith, Micheal Smith, James Smith, Sr., Charleston Dakota Smith