Patents Examined by Janie Christiansen
  • Patent number: 9476214
    Abstract: This application describes a device to convert an existing pool skimmer assembly into a pressurizable pool skimmer assembly which allows the existing pool skimmer assembly to act with this existing pool pump in emergency situations, such as assisting firefighters with pool water for extinguishing local wildfires or house fires. This method utilizes a removable plug cap and o-rings to allow the pool pump to draw the pool water from the poolmaid drain using the existing pool skimmer. This device can also be used to drain the pool for cleaning the pool or for winterizing the pool, with out the need for an electrical sump pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Parks, Garasich John
  • Patent number: 9301659
    Abstract: A high efficiency evaporative toilet provides a unique air introduction and exposure/utilization system providing a unique air flow pattern that draws hot air over solids and then over liquids for absorption of moisture in three different technological options. An expansion of the liquid surface exposed to hot air is achieved through the use of wicking in the carousel and microwave applications. An air exhaust system provides a unique exhaust flow system that draws saturated air out of the system and is operated nonstop, using minimal amounts of electricity with the added option of being compatible with the use of solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventors: Jerry Duane Wilburg, Lawrence James Losoncy, Ted Knight
  • Patent number: 9297156
    Abstract: A toilet bowl provides maximum flexibility in installation and use. Substantially, the bellows-like closing and opening (foldability) of the bowl allows the mounting in very restricted settings, even if the bowl preferably has a standard size. The use of simple, manual or automatic systems in order to pass from open to closed positions, and vice versa, allows an easy use that does not nullify the advantages in terms of bulk. The advantages are also increased by the possibility to use a suction pump, since in such a manner not only will there be the benefits regarding bulk but also those due to the possibility of using a minimal quantity of water during discharge; of course, it is still possible to equip the pump with the normal “siphon” discharge system. The bowl is perfectly watertight, since between the strips of the “bellows”, there are suitable, perfectly cleanable gaskets with self-cleaning function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: NON SOLO YACHTING S.A.S. DI SALZANO ALESSANDRO E GRIMALDI ORFEO PAOLO
    Inventor: Folco Grimaldi
  • Patent number: 9297157
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a square closet flange support for overall support of closet flange and toilet bolts and to be used with new construction projects as well as in renovation projects to level, support and determine the final height of the closet flange and to prevent a need of cutting circular forms from floor tiles, hardwood or other floor covering. The square support has a seam that allows it to be snapped into two identical halves for use in renovation projects to enable sliding the support halves under the flange without a need to remove and reinstall an already installed flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Matthew Brian Wendorff
  • Patent number: 9282857
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing easy access to a person's bottom while using a toilet includes a thicker-style of seat placed directly over a rim of a toilet bowl. The apparatus includes a pair of side access openings that are located on a left and an opposite right side of the seat. The access openings allow for easy access to the bottom of the person for hygienic cleaning after using the toilet. The person reaches through either side access opening while holding a quantity of toilet paper and wipes their bottom with a side-to-side or front-to-rear motion, thereby reducing a potential risk for contracting a urinary tract infection. At least one clamp assembly that is used to secure the seat in position extends downward from the seat and is adjustable to apply tension to the apparatus sufficient to secure it proximate the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Anish Vijay Khiroya
  • Patent number: 9271610
    Abstract: A floor support structure for a bathtub or a shower tray floor, taking the form of a separate element to be used in conjunction with a traditional bathtub or shower tray floor, or as a unitary shower tray floor formed with the support structure integrated therein. The supports include a hollow plastic shell having a lower surface for lying on a planar subfloor, an upper surface contoured to the desired shape and a peripheral sidewall extending there between. Preferably, a drain hole is formed in the plastic shell which also interconnects the upper and lower surfaces thereby defining a hollow interior cavity. The cavity is filled with expandable thermoplastic foam beads which are expanded in place with steam in order to substantially fill the interior cavity thermally bonding the beads together and to the shell interior wall. The expanded foam bead is capable of being compressed without substantial permanent set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Richard W. Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9267299
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pool jet fitting configured to direct flow of water in a closed loop pool pumping filtration system. The pool jet fitting may include a housing, and a valve positioned in the housing. The housing may include a housing body that defines a bore that extends through the housing body. The housing body may include a coupler that is configured to mate with a coupler of a wall mount so as to releasably couple the housing to the wall mount. The valve may be positioned in the bore of the housing and may be configured to receive water flow from a water pump. The valve may define an adjustable opening having a dimension capable of automatically adjusting between a first dimension and a second dimension to facilitate a predetermined outflow velocity of the water received from the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Eco-Blu Pool Components LLC
    Inventors: Sean Walsh, James Patrick Mulhern
  • Patent number: 9267736
    Abstract: A lavatory system includes a hand dryer with at least a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor to detect an object for drying. A controller is communicatively linked to the first and second proximity sensors. The controller activates a drying operation after a first delay period if the first proximity sensor first detects the object for drying and activates a drying operation after a second delay period if the second proximity sensor first detects the object for drying. A filter flow sensor may also be provided to ensure proper filtering of the dryer's air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Graeme S. Bayley, Mark A. Figurski
  • Patent number: 9267277
    Abstract: A urinal with a sanitation device capable of preventing the generation of a smell and urine scale with reliability without reducing a water conservation effect. In the urinal US, a liquid agent is ejected in different modes by predetermined timing according to areas on the urinal US.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakamura, Yusuke Araki, Koichi Toyoda, Aiko Itami, Masahiro Yamamoto, Akemi Takeshita, Hiroyuki Kameshige
  • Patent number: 9265694
    Abstract: The present invention application provides a bathtub. On the bathtub wall are fixed ultrasonic transmitters, and an ultrasonic transducer drive circuit is electrically connected to ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic transmitters further include an ultrasonic divergent structure which, after reflecting and scattering the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transducers, transmits the same into the bathtub (e.g., into the water of the tub).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SHANGHAI KOHLER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Ji, Zhongmin Chen
  • Patent number: 9260879
    Abstract: A swimming pool chair device secures a child in a chair attached to a side wall of a swimming pool. The device includes a frame comprising a seating member, a pair of legs, and a pair of arms. The seating member comprises an upper portion coupled to and extending away from a lower portion. The seating member is configured to receive and support a user. The legs are coupled to and extend downwardly from the lower portion. The arms are coupled to and extend downwardly from the upper portion. Each of a pair of holders has an open top end configured for receiving a bottom end of one of the arms. The holders are configured for coupling to a side wall of a swimming pool. A plurality of straps is coupled to the seating member and comprises a harness configured to retain the user on the seating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Fatma-Zohra Benhacene
  • Patent number: 9260850
    Abstract: A vacuum toilet unit having a urinal function with reduced noise emission, system design size and system weight, in which vacuum toilet unit a triggering device for triggering the vacuum valve is adapted in such a manner that the triggering unit may not be triggered when a sit-down toilet is in use as intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Seibt
  • Patent number: 9255392
    Abstract: When a bowl 20d discharges waste with flush water after temporarily receiving the waste, before the waste is transported from at least the discharge trap conduit 40 by the flush water supplied from a flush water supply hole 30d as flush water supply means, the flush toilet device CSd drives a siphon pump 505d and then drives a return pump 506d before the supply of the flush water has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Tsubasa Miyake, Konosuke Matsushita, Yusuke Nogoshi, Hirotomo Suyama
  • Patent number: 9247852
    Abstract: A toilet. The toilet comprises a main receptacle for receiving feces and urine, a urine and a fecal receptacle at least a portion of each disposed below said main receptacle for respectively receiving and storing urine and fecal matter. Said main receptacle defining one or more urine apertures in a lower region thereof through which urine may flow out of said main receptacle downwardly into the urine receptacle, said main receptacle shaped to divert urine into the one or more urine apertures. Said main receptacle defining one or more fecal apertures in the lower region thereof through which feces and urine may leave the main receptacle and pass downwardly. Said one or more fecal apertures having a raised perimeter for preventing urine from entering said one or more fecal apertures, and said feces receptacle for receiving and storing feces that falls downward through the feces aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Geoffrey Trott
  • Patent number: 9226621
    Abstract: The disclosed technology is a sink splash guard that easily attaches and detaches to a sink to prevent water from splashing onto a person washing hands or utensils in the sink. The panel of the sink splash guard is made of a flexible plastic so that it folds over itself and includes means to attach to itself, such that the user has the option to fold the splash guard out of the way or remove it, when it is not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: Wayne David Jones, David D. McClanahan
  • Patent number: 9228336
    Abstract: A spray system, which reduces contamination caused by toilet flushing, is activated during a flush cycle to contain waste matter and prevent escape thereof from the bowl. The system is mounted above the level of water in a toilet and includes an aperture that creates a spray and is fluid communication with the flush valve of the toilet. Accordingly, each time the flush valve is activated, a portion of the water provided to the toilet is directed to the aperture to create a spray to minimize escaping effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Masco Canada Limited
    Inventor: Frank A. Stauder
  • Patent number: 9220383
    Abstract: A collapsible toilet in which waste of materials used is minimized and which is simple in structure, has a predetermined strength, and can be used repeatedly is provided. A collapsible toilet made from a rectangular board demarcated into five rows×three columns of rectangular segments by foldable division lines or perforation lines, the rectangular board being shaped into a rectangular parallelepiped when assembled, includes a first row section that forms a first side face, a second row section that forms a top face, a third row section that forms a third side face, a fourth row section that forms at least a second side face, a fourth side face, and a bottom face, and a fifth row section that forms a first reinforcing portion for the top face, a second reinforcing portion for the top face, and the first side face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 9212477
    Abstract: An electronic bidet system that uses one or more internal cameras to capture one or more images or video of a user as he or she sits on the bidet prior to use. The images or video are analyzed using object recognition technology to identify and segment/bound the types, sizes, shapes, and positions of the lower body orifices, and conditions (e.g. hemorrhoids), in the user's genital and rectal areas. Based on these analyzed images or video, the system automatically adjusts the bidet settings for the specific conditions (e.g. hemorrhoids) and types of orifices, locations of orifices, sizes of orifices, shapes of orifices, gender, body type, and weight of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Ilan Tiagai
  • Patent number: 9198548
    Abstract: A closing mechanism for a toilet is provided that includes a frame attached to the toilet, and a closing member carried by the frame and attached to a pivoting member of the toilet. A sensor may be carried by the frame and is capable of sensing when a user of the toilet leaves a field of view of the sensor. The sensor sends a signal when the user of the toilet leaves the field of view of the sensor that causes the closing member to rotate the pivoting member from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: George A De Vito, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9198547
    Abstract: A portable and adjustable child potty is invented and described. The invention provides the perfect combination of utility, efficiency, and hygiene. The device can be adjusted to suit users of different ages and body sizes in terms of its height, width, and length. The invented device can be packaged to a Travel Size such that it takes very little space for transportation. Size adjustment and Travel size to usage size changes can be done using a series of easily adjustable locks that can be operated by hand without the use of particular tools. The device is constructed using pipes such that a length of each arm can be adjusted by moving parts of the arms with respect to each other and locking them at a preferred setting. The potty seat can also be folded and contracted to a Travel Size. The device uses a biodegradable and disposable bag to collect the waste. A particular embodiment of the device may include height adjustable arm rests and a back rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventors: Donald Erwin Ondaatje, Chaminda Basnayake, Sherzade Laru Ondaatje-Khan, Sherani Manoranjani Jayawickrama