Patents Examined by Janie Loeppke
  • Patent number: 10231532
    Abstract: A cervical spine and head supporting device is described herein for supporting a user's head when extended at least partially over the sink or basin. The device maintains alignment of the head with the neck or spine particularly as the user moves their head relative to the device or sink to prevent or minimize straining of the user's neck while washing their hair. The device generally comprises a base which is shaped for positioning within a sink or basin, a support column adjustable attached to the base, a supporting member extending from the support column, and a head support which is shaped to support a posterior region of a head of a user, where the head support is pivotably coupled to the supporting member such that the head support is adjustable with a movement of the head when the head is moved relative to the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: John Barman
  • Patent number: 10233622
    Abstract: A wastewater drain assembly is provided that includes a selectively openable drain stopper. The wastewater drain assembly is interconnected to a fluid basin wherein a flange, which is interconnected to wastewater plumbing, is situated within the sink. The flange receives an insert that has a portion that conceals the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: WCM INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 10221551
    Abstract: A pressure plunger which consists of a hollow lower tube inserted into a clogged toilet or drain causing no significant displacement of fluid. After the lower tube's compressible end is fixedly attached to a fluid channel, the actuator cylinder may be inserted into the lower tube to create pressure downward and upward to remove blockage. Unlike other designs this plunger consists of two separate sections, each integrally formed, which function together without assembly or disassembly. Vents near the top of the lower tube allow in air to release vacuum pressure when pulling near the top of the lower tube prohibiting fluid being pulled to the top of the lower tube. The lack of assembly and disassembly is also significantly different regarding cleaning and sanitizing. The upper actuator tube can be pulled out and cleaned on the outside and the lower tube can be easily cleaned from either end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: William Scott Gray
  • Patent number: 10221549
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a linkage assembly apparatus that comprise a spring clip that comprises a first end aperture, a second end aperture, and a connector aperture separated between a number of bending lines positioned along a length of the spring clip. The spring clip can be elastically deformed for insertion of a lift rod through the first end aperture and the second end aperture. The linkage assembly can also include an upper linkage rod that extends in a direction longitudinally. The upper linkage rod comprises a socket at a first end and a snap-on connector at a second end. In addition, the linkage assembly includes a lower linkage rod comprising a ball disposed toward an end of the lower linkage rod and a slot that extends along a length of the lower linkage rod. The slot can be used for connecting with a ball rod of a pop-up drain body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey J. Fregoe, Robert Clifton Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10221554
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a bowl, a tank coupled to the bowl, a flush valve positioned within the tank, and a flush device configured to initiate a flush cycle. The automatic toilet further comprises an electronic sensing assembly having a sensing member positioned on the bowl for detecting an overflow condition of the bowl, an overflow device operably coupled to the flush device, and a controller in electronic communication with the electronic sensing assembly and the overflow device for controlling the flush device in response to a condition of the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Veros, Kurt Judson Thomas, Robert W. Rodenbeck, Garry Robin Marty, Derek Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 10215428
    Abstract: A washstand furniture includes a wash bowl, a water supply assembly that supplies water to the wash bowl, a drainage assembly that drains the water, and a cabinet. An inner cabinet is provided under the wash bowl. An outer cabinet covers an outside of the inner cabinet. A dryer discharges air heated by a heater into the space defined in the cabinet. A first module is provided in the space defined in the inner cabinet, and an interior of the first module is dried using the air discharged from the dryer. A second module is provided in the space defined in the inner cabinet, and an interior of the second module is dried using air discharged from the first module. An external connection channel is defined between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet to guide the air discharged from the first module to the second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jongseok Kim, Daeyun Park, Inhyung Yang
  • Patent number: 10213058
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for integrated emergency wash systems. Various embodiments include thermostatically controlled mixing valves arranged so as to permit load carrying by the body of the valve. Further, the integrated wash systems are especially suited for use in laboratories and manufacturing settings in which available space is at a premium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Magarl, LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Eveleigh, Thomas R. Baker, Cameron West
  • Patent number: 10206546
    Abstract: A portable toilet includes a base, a top cover hingedly disposed on the base, and an access door. The top cover has an opening that is alignable with a first cutout in a side wall of the base. In a storage position, the access door can be positioned to at least partially occlude the opening and the first cutout simultaneously. Furthermore, the access door may be configured to at least partially occupy a locating slot disposed on the top cover. The portable toilet may further include a support member that is hingedly disposed on the base. The support member may interface with the access door to prevent movement of the access door while in the storage position. When the top cover is in an in-use position, a removable toilet seat may be placed proximal an upper wall of the base and a surface of the top cover simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Mark Ellinghuysen
  • Patent number: 10208467
    Abstract: A seamless quick-release strainer structure includes a water outlet on a bottom of a sink; a strainer attached to the water outlet and including a stepped trough having a lower end provided with a tailpiece connectable to a drain; a circle frame at a periphery of the water outlet extending outwardly from the bottom of the sink; and a connecting sleeve having an outer periphery radially formed with studs. The stepped trough includes an open end facing a lower end of the connecting sleeve formed with a receiving circular frame, the receiving circular frame having an outer periphery provided with a locking sleeve, the locking sleeve having retaining slots corresponding to the studs respectively. Each retaining slot includes an opening and a retaining portion. Each stud slides to position in the retaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventors: Kuan Chieh Lin, Yun Yan Lin
  • Patent number: 10193329
    Abstract: A mounting rack for supporting a wave-making mechanism in a pool includes a connecting bracket coupled to a side wall of the pool. The connecting bracket includes a support bracket with an adjustable opening configured to receive an upper portion of the pool and at least one connecting bar configured for vertical adjustment along the side wall of the pool. The mounting rack further includes a suspension bracket operably coupled to the connecting bracket and configured to support the wave-making mechanism in the pool, and a bottom surface of the wave-making mechanism is generally parallel to a bottom surface of the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua Hsiang Lin, Yaw Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 10190303
    Abstract: A toilet having an outlet trapway that is movable during a flushing cycle includes a toilet bowl having an opening adjacent its lower end and a conduit linked to the opening so as to be able to swivel between a first upwardly directed position which forms a trap for the toilet, and a second less upwardly directed position which can be reached during the flushing cycle to facilitate evacuation of the toilet bowl. The toilet further includes an actuator that moves the conduit between the first and second positions during the flushing cycle in response to a condition of a water supply for the toilet. The water supply comprises a water tank, and the condition of the water supply is a level of water in the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Mukerji Sudip
  • Patent number: 10190296
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for speeding the draining of a bathing vessel, and is particularly suitable for speeding the draining of walk-in bath tubs. The apparatus can be concealed in a corner of the walk-in bathtub and comprises an actuation mechanism to open and close the draining outlet which needs minimal force to be actuated, making it especially suitable for use by elderly people. The apparatus can also incorporate a security by-pass drain to avoid overfilling of the bathtub. The apparatus can be installed in most or all standard bathrooms with few adaptations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chris McKendrick, James Edward McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10184237
    Abstract: In a discharge valve device, a protuberance penetrates a vertical channel with a raised portion engaging a channel. Thus when an attempt is made to rotate a cylindrical body in the circumferential direction with a raised portion engaging a channel, contact between the protuberance right side surface and the vertical channel restricts rotational movement of the cylindrical body in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Tanimoto, Kenji Hatama
  • Patent number: 10184234
    Abstract: A drain closer having a body forming a plug configured for engagement in a drain or sink. The drain closure includes a flexible member translatable through a passage in the body of the plug for snagging hair or fibrous matter within the drain. The flexible member is engageable and disengageable from the plug positioned in the drain by sliding it into and out of the passage running axially through the body of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Binh Gia Vong
  • Patent number: 10172502
    Abstract: A toilet training device having a flange extending from a cutout in the base assembly that includes an opening that engages an anchoring member located on the underside of a seat assembly and when engaged prevents a child from removing the removable seat assembly from the training toilet base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventor: Stacy Hall
  • Patent number: 10168679
    Abstract: A system for toilet ventilation, includes a ventilatable toilet, including a toilet body with a flush cavity; a ventilatable toilet seat, including a lid component, a ventilatable seat component with a ventilation channel and a ventilation aperture; a ventilation line; a ceiling ventilation unit, including a ventilation fan; a ventilation pump; and a ventilation control unit, including a processor, a non-transitory memory, an input/output component, a ventilation manager, and a data bus; such that the ventilation fan ventilates a bathroom; and the ventilatable toilet seat ventilates the toilet to reduce emission of odors. Alternatively, the toilet body can be ventilatable and mounted with a conventional toilet seat. The system can further include a ventilation control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Darrin P. Tyson
  • Patent number: 10167646
    Abstract: Pools, methods of fabricating pools, and pool panel junctions are provided. The pool includes a first internal surface having a first radius; a second internal surface, for example, of a wading pool, having a second radius; a third internal surface having a third radius, different from the second radius; and a junction where the first internal surface transitions to the second internal surface at a first elevation and the first internal surface transitions to the third internal surface at a second elevation, different from the first elevation. The pool panel junction includes at least one elongated member having a pair of opposing sides defining planes that converge at an apex, such as, a triangular member, and wherein each of the opposing sides is adapted to engage an adjacent connector operatively mounted to a pool panel. An elongated pool panel structural member and a method of fabricating a pool are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Trojan Leisure Products, LLC
    Inventors: Collin J. Sirco, David A. Steele, Stephen E. Deeb
  • Patent number: 10149574
    Abstract: A spa with integrated folding table has a spa shell portion for containing water and a table that is hingedly connected to an upper inside surface of the spa shell. When the table is not being used, the table hinges down, the table lies against an inside surface of the spa shell (e.g. substantially beneath a surface of the water). When the table is in use, the table hinges outward from the upper inside surface of the spa shell in a horizontal plane. A support has a first end hingedly connected to a lower portion of the spa shell and a distal second end for connecting to an underside surface of the table. The support provides structural support to the table when the table is extended (hinges outwardly).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: LMI IP, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Harder, David A. Wright
  • Patent number: 10151084
    Abstract: A fluid treatment and disposal system includes a sink, having a basin, a sink drain inlet, and a sink drain trap. An open cavity is disposed behind a rearward wall of the sink basin, between a top portion of the sink and the sink drain trap. A curved transition surface receives fluid entering the sink. Embodiments of the drain are shaped to promote the evacuation of fluid from the basin while limiting turbulence. An exhaust port fluidly coupled with the open cavity evacuates the open cavity and surrounding environment. Embodiments optionally associate one or more of the following with the open cavity: Ultra-Violet (UV) Germicidal Lights, and Ozone water, copper-silver ionization, and/or sanitizing agent injection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SAFE HEALTH SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Koll, James R. Stark, Thomas S. Hicks, Lorie Margaret Koll
  • Patent number: 10136772
    Abstract: A toilet seat includes a body, a bottom plate, and a joining member. The body includes a seating part and a side wall part. The side wall part extends from each of an inner end and an outer end of the seating part. The bottom plate includes a bottom plate part and a protrusion part. The bottom plate part and the seating part face each other. The protrusion part protrudes laterally from the bottom plate part and is configured to be pressed by an end of the side wall part. The joining member joins the body and the bottom plate. The joining member is formed of a filling material poured to closely contact a side surface of the bottom plate part and a non-pressing surface other than a surface pressing the protrusion part on the end of the side wall part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hayashida, Nobuhiko Umeda, Hideaki Toma