Patents Examined by Lori Baker
  • Device for fastening a toilet seat which can be rapidly fitted/removed
    Patent number: 9833114
    Abstract: A device for fastening a toilet seat to at least one first element of a toilet bowl, including a first locking part and wherein, for each back and forth motion of the fastening device relative to the bowl, the locking part is capable of alternately displacing between a first position where the first locking part cooperates with the first element and a second position where the fastening device may be separated from the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Etablissements Dubourgel Grange
    Inventors: Gérard Etaix, David Arphant
  • Expanding curtain
    Patent number: 9833113
    Abstract: An expanding curtain does not require the addition or installation of a new curved rod and/or any external mechanical devices such as curtain supports, control devices, or adapters to expand the usable space in the enclosure area. Rather, the curtain itself has the strength, rigidity and/or fortitude to form an outwardly extended shape (e.g., away from the enclosure area) that holds it in place, thus, expanding the amount of space available for utilization by the user of the enclosure area. The curtain easily and rapidly mounts and thereafter is easily slidable/manipulated between an open and closed position. The curtain surrounds, divides and/or provides privacy to a specific area and/or confined space. The curtain also maintains a mold, mildew and germ resistant facade, while remaining inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Michael P. Royal
  • Eye wash system for emergency usage
    Patent number: 9833379
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for washing systems, both industrial and residential. Some embodiments pertain to face washing systems that provide a gentle upward flow of water for washing a person's face, but which can be easily reconfigured to provide a downward flow of aerated water for washing of the user's hands. Other embodiments pertain to visual indicators to help a user in a dark environment in the use of an emergency eyewash system. Yet other embodiments pertain to eyewashing systems incorporating filters that are automatically flushed of debris. Still further embodiments pertain to emergency eyewashing systems in which a mixing chamber is located downstream of a thermostatically controlled valve to reduce the possibility of a hot temperature spike being provided to the eyewashing outlet apertures, which could be harmful to users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Magarl, LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Eveleigh, Thomas R. Baker, Cameron West
  • Handheld shower docking arrangement
    Patent number: 9828752
    Abstract: An example shower assembly includes a base, a moveable spray head, a magnet, and a member attractable to the magnet. The magnet attracts the member to hold the moveable spray head relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Daniel S. Genord, Michael Miller, Dominic J. Daunter, Julian Giggs, Victor Hoernig, Charles Patterson
  • Dual compartment mountable sanitation station
    Patent number: 9826867
    Abstract: A dual compartment mountable sanitation station for mounting in a public bathroom stall is shown as a wall mountable station housing with an upper compartment portion and a lower compartment portion, with the upper compartment portion and the lower compartment portion arranged in a stacked orientation, with each providing a discrete, lockable storage enclosure. In the preferred embodiment, the upper compartment portion includes a removable top and is used to house a canister of flushable disinfectant wipes, with the canister held so that wipes can be accessed and removed for use on surfaces in the public bathroom stall in which the dual compartment mountable sanitation station is mounted, while the lower compartment portion includes a hingedly attached front door and is used to house a bottom dispensing hand sanitizer dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy Krause, Michelle Krause
  • Portable urinal
    Patent number: 9826866
    Abstract: A portable urinal is arranged for coupling with a bottle having a bottle opening, wherein the portable urinal includes an urine collector having a funnel channel for receiving urine expelled by a user, and an attachment head including a detachable lid extended from the urine collector for detachably coupling at the bottle opening of the bottle, and a tubular urinal guider extended from the detachable lid for inserting into the bottle opening of the bottle when the detachable lid is coupled at the bottle opening of the bottle so as to guide the urine into the bottle from the funnel channel. After use, the portable urinal is detached from the bottle and a bottle cap is re-placed at the bottle opening to seal the urine in the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Han Kuo
  • Integrated auxiliary load control and method for controlling the same
    Patent number: 9822782
    Abstract: A method of controlling a liquid movement system, such as a pool system. The method includes receiving a maximum time that an auxiliary load is to operate, receiving a minimum pump speed of a pump system that pumps a liquid through the auxiliary load, monitoring the time that an auxiliary load has been in operation, monitoring the pump speed of a pump system that pumps a liquid through the auxiliary load, and deactivating the auxiliary load if the maximum time or minimum pump speed has been met. Also disclosed are a pool system and a controller for controlling the pool system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc C. McKinzie
  • Intelligent dispensing toilet bidet system
    Patent number: 9822519
    Abstract: A toilet apparatus provides intelligent bidet dispensing. Dynamic dispensing according to a bidet wand position, type of substance dispensed, user preferences, user gender, and user identification is disclosed. Cleansers, surfactants, moisturizers, medicines, deodorants, and fragrances are dispensed through a bidet wand to a user and are stored reservoirs which are contained in a tank area of the toilet. In other embodiments, reporting of levels of reservoir substances is automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Ben Swenson, Josh Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Urine shield for a toilet
    Patent number: 9809964
    Abstract: The urine shield for a toilet is a collapsible splatter guard that is adapted for use with a toilet. The urine shield for a toilet attaches to the toilet between the toilet rim and the toilet seat. When extended, the urine shield for a toilet extends the enclosed space formed by the toilet bowl by creating a first U shaped structure. The purpose of the urine shield for toilet is to contain the random sprays and splashes of urination. The urine shield for a toilet retracts into a pair of housings that is attached to the toilet rim and mounted within the toilet bowl perimeter. The pair of housings contains a cleaning fluid that cleanses the first U shaped structure when the urine shield for a toilet is not in use. The urine shield for a toilet comprises a shield and a pair of housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Edward Williams
  • Toilet with enhanced cleaning features
    Patent number: 9809967
    Abstract: A toilet having enhanced cleaning features includes a drain surface positioned behind a rear edge of a toilet bowl opening, which is sloped to direct the flow of liquid waste captured therein back into the toilet bowl. The toilet may also include a seat and lid having arms that are pivotably attached to the toilet, which are spaced so that they are laterally positioned to the outside of at least a portion of a deck surface when the seat and lid are resting thereupon. Additionally, the toilet seat and lid may pivot about an axis that is positioned behind the bowl opening and a proximate to a flushwater inlet of the toilet. Thus, such features of the toilet allow the seat and lid to be positioned so that the deck surface, as well as the drain surface, can be readily accessed and cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mansfield Plumbing Products, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Conrad
  • Bedpan system
    Patent number: 9801769
    Abstract: The present application includes a system for separating solid and liquid waste through a bedpan. The system includes the bedpan, a screen member, and a storage member for liquid waste. Liquid waste is passed through the screen within the bedpan and into the storage member. The storage member is externally located outside of the bedpan. The storage member is configured to visual access by a medical professional to permit an ease of measurement and detection of liquid waste collected. The storage member is detachable and can be closed to prevent spillage during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Jamie Leanne Terrell
  • Handheld sprayer with single-handed spraying and aerating modes
    Patent number: 9803344
    Abstract: A handheld sink sprayer with single-handed metering and discharge mode adjustment. A body includes a handle portion, and a nozzle portion extending from the handle portion. A metering valve is carried in the body, a finger-engageable actuator is carried by the body and is coupled to the metering valve to move the metering valve, and a nozzle is carried by the body nozzle portion. A discharge mode valve is carried by the body nozzle portion. A thumb-engageable actuator is carried by the body nozzle portion and is coupled to the discharge mode valve to move the discharge mode valve between different discharge modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Brasscraft Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Evan A. Carpenter-Crawford
  • Screed guide drain adaptor
    Patent number: 9790693
    Abstract: A screed guide drain adaptor includes a circular disk with a recessed circular center portion defined therein. The recessed circular center portion creates a transition between an outer ring portion and the recessed circular center portion. The screed guide drain adaptor includes a drain aperture defined within the recessed circular center portion. The screed guide is made of a rigid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Bart Allen Wilde
  • Double flow control mechanism of a soft touch drain valve and a double flow control method thereof
    Patent number: 9790675
    Abstract: A double flow control mechanism of a soft touch drain valve and a double flow control method, includes a base, a float component and a starting component. The base is assembled with a valve body. The float component is has a flowing passage and can move relative to the base to open and close the drainage opening. The flowing passage connects the inside and the outside of the float chamber of the float component. The starting component controls the size of the flowing passage. The first starting switch can open a smaller flowing passage of the float component; the resultant force drains a first drainage volume of water. The second starting switch can open a larger flowing passage of the float component; the resultant force drains a second drainage volume of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: XIAMEN R&T PLUMBING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haibin Chen, Rongyu Zhang, Zhijun Zhong, Ruiliang Chen
  • Push-activated tub spout
    Patent number: 9790667
    Abstract: A tub spout with a diverter mechanism includes a housing having an external surface and an internal cavity that includes a spout outlet. A water supply conduit is located within the internal cavity and provides a fluid path that is in fluid communication with the spout outlet. A push button extends outwardly of the external surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between a non-diverting position where water exits the spout outlet and a diverting position where water is prevented from exiting the spout outlet. A diverter gate is positioned within the internal cavity to selectively block the fluid path and is coupled for movement with the push button. A resilient member biases the push button to the non-diverting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Masco Canada Limited
    Inventors: Xan Vy Du, Frank Stauder, Alyson Brhelle, Bryan Fisher
  • Portable spa construction
    Patent number: 9782044
    Abstract: Spa side panels are trapezoidally-shaped and mounted in respective grooves defined by adjacent tapered corner pieces and their mounting brackets to accommodate differences in coefficients of expansion of the respective parts and prevent structural damage. Angled force transfer members are configured to mate with swept back side surfaces of a spa base pan to achieve a pedestal appearance, and the bottom surface of the base pan is constructed to reduce heat transfer to the spa support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Zeljko Dragovic, Sam Shifron
  • Portable toilets and portable restroom arrangements
    Patent number: 9784006
    Abstract: A portable toilet is provided. The toilet includes a shelter defining a rounded sidewall, the sidewall having a door, and the shelter further including a toilet assembly. The toilet further includes a roof configured for removable engagement with the shelter. The toilet has a storage configuration when the roof is inverted and at least partially housed within the shelter, and the toilet has an bottle configuration when the roof is engaged with the shelter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Porta-Can & Bottle Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: John T. Brown
  • Protective device for a pool safety cover and a method of using the same
    Patent number: 9777496
    Abstract: A protective device for use with a cover for a swimming pool; said protective device comprising: a pad having an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior peripheral edge and an exterior peripheral edge; wherein said paid has a width extending between the interior and exterior peripheral edges; and a thickness extending between the upper and lower surfaces; and wherein the pad is adapted to be positioned between a coping adjacent an edge of a pool and a bottom surface of the cover; and a plurality of air spaces defined in the pad and which enable air or water to flow through the pad. The pad grips the coping and remains in place without additional securement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: William Karales
  • Whirlpool bathtub and purging system
    Patent number: 9775772
    Abstract: A whirlpool bathtub system includes a basin having a plurality of nozzles, a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, a pump configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line, and a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower being configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line. When the blower is in the off condition, the blower is configured to allow air to flow into the air feed line. When the blower is in the on condition, the blower is configured to increase the flow of air flowing into the air feed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Jeff Tempas, Ravikanth Manchiraju, Santosh R. Narasimhan, Fred Ogreenc
  • Control cartridge for sanitary fittings
    Patent number: 9771709
    Abstract: A control cartridge (2) for installation in a cartridge housing (3) of a sanitary fitting (1) comprises a first feed opening (4) and a discharge opening (6) as well as one or more seals (7), which are configured for sealing abutment on an internal surface (8) of the cartridge housing (3). Said seals (7) are arranged in such a way that after the completed installation of the control cartridge (2) in a cartridge housing (3) of a sanitary fitting (1) the first feed opening (4) is joined in a sealed manner to a cold-water or mixed-water connection (9) of the sanitary fitting (1) and the discharge opening (6) is joined in a sealed manner to a discharge pipe (11) of the sanitary fitting (1). The first feed opening (4) in the cartridge housing (3) or in the control cartridge (2) is directly connected to the discharge opening (6) which is sealed with respect to the cartridge housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Oblamatik AG
    Inventors: Edo Lang, Roland Obrist