Patents Examined by Lori Baker
  • Quick release curtain support assembly
    Patent number: 9895031
    Abstract: A curtain support assembly enables quick, one-handed installation and removal of a panel, such as a shower curtain, from a shower rod. The assembly includes a panel, a first mounting bracket, and a second mounting bracket. The first and second mounting brackets serve to join the panel to a rod. The configuration of the mounting brackets allows the panel to be pulled from, or attached to, the rod in a singular directional motion. Each mounting bracket has a gap that extends from a central opening to a corner of the mounting bracket. When the panel, and thus, the first and second mounting brackets, are folded in a coplanar disposition, the first and second gaps mirror each other. This gap orientation enables a singular directional manipulation of the panel for attachment and detachment to the rod. Additional pairs of mounting brackets extend across the panel as additional mounting points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: Pong-Chang Hsu
  • Spa cover
    Patent number: 9885192
    Abstract: A spa cover comprising: a) a bladder section having a length and a width approximating that of a water spa; b) a plurality of elongated and generally parallel structures affixed to and substantially spanning the width of the bladder section; c) a plurality of flexible rods affixed to the bladder section and under sufficient tension to compress and create an arc over the width of the bladder section; and d) a cover supported by the flexible rods; wherein the rods and the elongated structures are spaced sufficiently to allow the bladder section and the cover to be rolled lengthwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: E2E LLC
    Inventor: Donald Gustason
  • Toilet attachment comprising a showering device
    Patent number: 9879411
    Abstract: A water closet (WC) attachment includes a shower device and a water safety device which is connected by a conduit to the shower device. A channel is provided for discharging leakage from the water safety device. The shower device, the water safety device and the channel can be arranged on a base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Carsten Willers Consulting GmbH
    Inventor: Carsten Willers
  • Cold bathing water to toilet diverting apparatus
    Patent number: 9879410
    Abstract: A cold bathing water to toilet diverting apparatus includes a diverter that is configured to be fluidly couplable to a bathing water conduit. The diverter is positionable between a shut off valve and a spout each fluidly coupled to the bathing water conduit. An outlet conduit is fluidly coupled to the diverter. The diverter diverts water from the bathing water conduit and into the outlet conduit when the diverter detects water in the diverter having a temperature less than a threshold temperature. A storage tank is fluidly coupled to the outlet conduit to receive water from the diverter. An auxiliary conduit is fluidly coupled to the storage tank and is configured to be fluidly coupled to a toilet's water tank to allow the storage tank to supply water to the water tank through the auxiliary conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Zhenrong W. Yeh
  • Method and apparatus for dampening waves in a wave pool using padded grate drainage system
    Patent number: 9879438
    Abstract: A wave pool for producing waves having a first wave forming portion with an inclined section and a second wave dampening portion having a raised floor above a bottom chamber floor wherein the raised floor preferably has multiple openings thereon and a predetermined porosity (?) within the range of 0<??0.5, such that as the waves travel across the wave dampening chamber, a boundary layer of energy absorbing vortices and eddies are generated above and below the raised floor resulting from water flowing up and down through the perforations, which helps to dampen the waves, and wherein the raised floor preferably comprises a padded grate drainage system consisting of multiple elongated members formed by rigid bars with foam adhered on one side thereof, which are encapsulated by a water impervious layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Hendrik Dirk van Ettinger, Dirk Bastenhof
  • Multi-stage toilet flush valve
    Patent number: 9879409
    Abstract: A multi-stage toilet flush valve includes an inner valve and an outer valve that circumstribes the inner valve. The inner and outer valve control the flow of flushwater through associated inner and outer outlets. Thus, when the flush valve is actuated, the inner and outer valves are actuated at separate times, while the inner valve delivers flushwater to a rim of the toilet, while the outer valve delivers flushwater to a jet feed outlet in the toilet. As such the multi-stage toilet valve provides two independent inner and outer flushwater delivery outlets that are controlled by associated inner and outer valves that are capable of being actuated at separate times to control the ratio of flushwater delivered to a toilet rim and to a toilet jet feed outlet to enhance the effectiveness in which the toilet bowl is cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Mansfield Plumbing Products, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Conrad
  • Bidet toilet having a damage device
    Patent number: 9874005
    Abstract: A douche toilet including a toilet bowl having a flushing water connection for feeding flushing water into a flushing chamber defined by the toilet bowl, having a lower end and an upper end delimited by a toilet opening, a drain connection including a primary odor trap for carrying away waste water from the flushing chamber in the course of a flushing operation, a personal cleaning device fed by way of a drinking water line for performing personal cleaning in respect of a user, as well as a safety device for safeguarding a drinking water line is provided. To provide for a compact douche toilet fulfilling the requirements of DIN EN 1717, the safety device includes a damage opening arranged below an upper edge of the toilet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: TECE GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Krabbe
  • Cleaning liquid dispenser
    Patent number: 9869080
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided including a housing having an inlet port connectable to a liquid container, an outlet port configured to be in fluid communication with toilet tank, and a piston slidably mounted in the housing and selectively displaceable between a suction position in which the piston is displaced away from the inlet port thereby allowing suction of cleaning liquid through the inlet port and an injection position in which the piston is urged towards the outlet port thereby allowing cleaning liquid to be injected through the outlet port, and a float coupled to the piston and configured for displacement thereof to the suction position in response to a rising water level in the toilet tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Doron Shoval
  • Method and system for making a pool appear cleaner through the use of camouflage patterns, and portable camouflage pool
    Patent number: 9869104
    Abstract: A new swimming, wading and bathing pool that uses a camouflage pattern of layers to conceal debris, while helping the pool blend in to its environment. The camouflage pool is also used to conceal a person and or other objects wearing or covered in a similar camouflage pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Joshua Capps
  • Solid state fragrancing
    Patent number: 9863131
    Abstract: Fragrance control is provided by articles of manufacture including various solid state fragrancing objects, methods of using such objects, and systems that employ one or more such objects. The fragrancing object can be easy to manufacture, long lasting, provide fragrance that is consistently released over time, provide an indication to the user that the object needs to be replaced, and can hold a desired ratio of fragrance. The fragrancing object can include a first material comprising a polyether block amide, a second material comprising a polyolefin elastomer (POE), and a fragrance component such as a fragrance oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: IMPACT PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Irwin, Stephen A. Dukes, Robert James Hayes, Donald James Staufenberg, Jeffrey C. Gayer
  • Toilet seat with sanitizing ultraviolet lamp
    Patent number: 9861239
    Abstract: The toilet seat with sanitizing ultraviolet lamp is adapted for use with a toilet. Specifically, the toilet seat with sanitizing ultraviolet lamp is designed to replace the existing seat on a toilet. The toilet seat with sanitizing ultraviolet lamp is made of a transparent material. Integrated into the structure of the toilet seat are a plurality of UV sources which generate ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light is used to sanitize the toilet seat between uses. The toilet seat with sanitizing ultraviolet lamp comprises a toilet seat and a plurality of UV sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Harry Robinson
  • Flushing system for a safety system
    Patent number: 9855189
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving emergency wash systems. Various embodiments pertain to compact, low flow emergency eyewash systems that provide tepid water at low flow rates. Still further embodiments pertain to emergency washing systems that are adapted and configured to reduce the exposure of users to Legionnaire's Disease with washing system features that permit quick, efficient, high flow rate flushing of the plumbing providing water to the washing system. Still further embodiments pertain to emergency eyewash systems that provide tepid water from a thermostatically controlled mixing valve that has a multi-function body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Magarl, LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Eveleigh, Thomas R. Baker, Cameron West
  • Swimming system current generator
    Patent number: 9855479
    Abstract: A current generator for a swimming system may include multiple entrainment pumps that discharge a flow of water into a pool. The entrainment pumps may each have a nozzle, a venturi and an entrainment inlet. In use, the flow of water from the nozzle into the venturi causes water at the entrainment inlet to flow into the venturi along with water from the nozzle. Each entrainment pump is arranged such that the fluid that flows out of the venturi passage is directed within a main passage, and the flow from multiple venturis may be combined and may be directed at least partially against the force of gravity before that fluid is directed out of the main passage outlet and into the pool. In at least some implementations, the fluid flows for at least one foot between the venturi and the main passage outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden Cameron, James Murdock
  • Removable pool skimmer plug
    Patent number: 9856668
    Abstract: A device to convert an existing pool skimmer assembly into a pressurizable pool skimmer assembly, thereby allowing 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. A removable plug cap and o-rings enables the pool pump to draw the pool water from the pool main 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, without requiring an electrical sump pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Parks
  • Portable exercise machine
    Patent number: 9855454
    Abstract: A portable, light-weight exercise apparatus includes a jacket made light-weight material and coated with low surface friction coating, and can be worn on the user's upper body. The jacket having an upper protuberance member and a lower protuberance member, each with an aperture for engaging a pair of resistance cables that are respectively connected to a pair of grip handles. Depending on the desired exercise of certain muscle groups, the user engages resistance cables in either the lower protuberance member, or the upper protuberance member. In another embodiment, the jacket comprises of two track-like members means placed on the back-side of the jacket, for adjusting the resistance cables, and a single protuberance member where the resistance cables are secured therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Said Abdow Ismail, Isaak R. Jama
  • Method and apparatus for dampening waves in a wave pool
    Patent number: 9856665
    Abstract: A wave pool for producing waves has a first wave-forming portion with an inclined section for causing the waves to begin breaking and a second wave-dampening portion with a raised floor with perforations extended above a bottom chamber floor. The raised floor is preferably adapted with a predetermined porosity such that a boundary layer of energy absorbing vortices and eddies is generated above and below the raised floor, resulting from water passing up and down through the openings, and the boundary layer effects on the raised floor help to dampen the waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Hendrik Dirk van Ettinger, Dirk Bastenhof
  • Flush toilet
    Patent number: 9850646
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes: a bowl portion; a rim portion disposed on a top edge of the bowl portion; a spout portion for spouting flush water supplied from the water supply source to the bowl portion to form a circulating current; a discharge passage for discharging waste in the bowl portion, an inlet portion of the discharge passage being connected at the bottom of the bowl portion; a sanitary washing device disposed at a rear of the bowl portion, the sanitary washing device including a nozzle for spraying flush water toward a user positioned over the bowl portion; and a skirt portion disposed to respectively cover sides of both the bowl portion and the discharge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Mizoguchi, Satoshi Yamakawa, Masaki Kitamura, Shu Kashirajima
  • Modular toilet system and components
    Patent number: 9845593
    Abstract: A modular toilet is disclosed comprising a toilet shell and a hydraulic core. The hydraulic core module is a separate unit from the toilet shell module and may be non-symmetrical with the internal and external form of the shell. The core module comprises a toilet bowl connected to a siphon drain comprising a weir. The drain may be a vertical loop drain. The toilet shell and the hydraulic core may comprise mutual sealing surfaces. The drain may comprise openings for connection to a toilet ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Sprayhead retraction assembly
    Patent number: 9840831
    Abstract: A sprayhead retraction assembly includes a first member defining first and second projections, a first pulley axially connected to the first projection, the first pulley configured to receive a hose, a second pulley axially connected to the second projection, and a constant-force spring defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the second pulley, such that the constant-force spring is configured to coil around the second pulley, and wherein the second end is configured to be coupled to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Daniel E. Smith
  • Toilet pan body and its method of manufacturing
    Patent number: 9834917
    Abstract: A ceramic toilet pan having a raised rear portion to which a hinge tube may be accurately located and fixed in position for example by adhesive using a jig despite variations in pan body size due to ceramic firing, a water pump and air pump being provided for flushing the toilet pan when a seat and lid are in a closed position. The seat and lid are rotationally mounted to the pan by a horizontal hinge pin located in the hinge tube and a latch member is provided for latching the lid and seat closed. A cistern is also provided having an overflow weir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: PHOENIX PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
    Inventor: Garry Moore