Patents Examined by Nicholas A Ros
  • Patent number: 9428887
    Abstract: A flush water container system for the flush water of a mobile toilet (11), in particular of a mobile vacuum toilet (11), comprising a flush water container (43) having a flush water container inflow (44), characterized in that the flush water container (43) is designed to receive gray water from a washbasin (10), which in particular is a wash hand basin or a shower washbasin, and a metering device (41) is provided, which is in fluidic communication with the flush water container (43) and is designed to treat the gray water by feeding a descaling and/or bactericidal treatment agent, wherein the flush water container (43) is designed to release the treated gray water as flush water to the mobile toilet (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: EVAC GmbH
    Inventors: Tariq Zahir, Tobias Wendt, Detlev Both
  • Patent number: 9414720
    Abstract: A shower tray comprises a metal structure (2) and a plurality of plates (3), the structure (2) in metal material comprising an upper peripheral frame (4), a bottom wall (6), and side walls (7) defining a collection tank, the metal structure (2) comprising at least one hole (8) for a drain pipe, the structure (2) in metal material further comprising a plurality of cross bars (9) extending between two opposite side walls (7), arranged in contact with the bottom wall (6) and comprising protuberances (10) projecting on the opposite side with respect to the bottom wall (6), each plate (3) comprising a first (3a) and a second (3b) surfaces that are mutually opposite, the first surface (3a) comprising grooves (11) designed to engage corresponding protuberances (10) of the cross bars (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ALFREDO SALVATORI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Gabriele Salvatori
  • Patent number: 9386833
    Abstract: A head care apparatus includes a unit base having independently rotatable first and second rotating shafts, a first link fixed on the first rotating shaft, a second link pivotally connected to the fist link, a third link fixed to the second rotating shaft, a fourth link pivotally connected to the third link, a support shaft pivotally connecting between the second and fourth links, an actuator supported by the support shaft, and an adjustment mechanism adjusting a posture of the actuator relative to person's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Hirose, Osamu Mizuno, Soichiro Fujioka, Tohru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9376791
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a faucet assembly includes a faucet housing; a faucet spout carried by the faucet housing; at least one water valve disposed in fluid communication with the faucet spout; at least one delivery conduit disposed in fluid communication with the at least one water valve; and at least one magnetic faucet mount assembly including at least one faucet housing connector element carried by the faucet housing and at least one sink connector element adapted for engaging the sink, the at least one faucet housing connector element and the at least one sink connector element magnetically engaging each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventors: Randy F. Wilkerson, Ricky D. Smith
  • Patent number: 9364389
    Abstract: A hygienic water jet assembly for a spa includes a body having a conical jet outlet that receives pressurized water and air from suitable sources. A control insert is disposed within the conical jet outlet and spaced therefrom by a gap, such that the control insert serves to combine the water and air together for delivery to a jet nozzle carried by the control insert. The control insert also includes a pair of conical surfaces that allows residual water within the control insert to drain by gravity out of the control insert through apertures disposed therethrough. The water draining out of the control insert is then permitted to drain out of the jet nozzle via the gap by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: MANSFIELD PLUMBING PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Conrad
  • Patent number: 9366045
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for covering a surface (3), comprising: (a) a cover (10), each longitudinal edge of which is provided with a roll (12) formed by a core (12c) contained in a tubular sheath (12t) provided with a strip (12b) along the length thereof, said strip being attached to at least one surface of the cover; (b) a rotatably mounted drum (2) that can wind or unwind the cover (10), said drum (2) being mounted on a longitudinal translation mechanism comprising rails (6) arranged either side of said surface (3); and (c) a system for continuously locking the roll (12) of the longitudinal edges of the cover (10) in the rails (5), and unlocking said roll from same, during the translation of the drum, characterized in that the core (12c) of the roll is attached to the tubular sheath (12t) in such a way as to prevent it from sliding along the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Becoflex S.A.
    Inventor: Benoit Coenraets
  • Patent number: 9351614
    Abstract: A quick installation hinge seat of a closestool cover plate includes two hinge shafts and two support seats. Each hinge shaft has a pin hole for connection of a pin provided on each support seat. A button switch is mounted between the two hinge shafts to control the pin in the pin hole. The button switch includes a hinge pipe, a button seat, a lock control rod slidable in the radial direction of the hinge pipe, a spring, and a button to press the lock control rod. Two ends of the lock control rod are axially inserted in the two hinge shafts respectively and slideable radially. Each of the two ends of the lock control rod has a locking plate and an unlocking plate. The locking plate and the unlocking plate are arranged in a stagger manner. Each pin has a locking groove and an unlocking groove thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: HOTI (XIAMEN) PLUMBING INC.
    Inventor: Guobin Chen
  • Patent number: 9340988
    Abstract: A pool drain cover includes a center hub which can be rotated with respect to an outer portion. A twisting of the center hub causes multiple (e.g., three or more) engagement arm assemblies to extend such that their distal ends engage the inner surface of a pool drain pipe, thereby holding the pool drain cover in place. The distal ends of the engagement arms may be provided with an anti-slip coating such as, for example, vinyl, rubber, etc., and/or an anti-slip finish. Alternatively, a metal (e.g., stainless steel) tab extending from the distal end of each of the engagement arm assemblies can be provided. The engagement arm assemblies can be released by twisting the center hub in the opposite direction, thereby permitting the pool drain cover to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Mick George Lyristakis
  • Patent number: 9339149
    Abstract: The food preparation assembly for preventing cross contamination includes a liner that is positionable in a sink. The liner may contain a food item. The liner is discarded after the food item is removed from the liner or the food item and liner are discarded together. A lip is coupled to the liner. A pad is coupled to the liner. The pad may absorb a fluid. A drain aperture extends through the liner. The drain liner is aligned with a drain in the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Nancy Leonard-Gardiner
  • Patent number: 9328494
    Abstract: A flush water tank apparatus for storing flush water for flushing a flush toilet is disclosed. The flush water tank apparatus includes: a reservoir tank for storing flush water, the reservoir tank having a discharge port formed on the bottom surface thereof; a valve body for opening and closing a discharge port to supply flush water to a flush toilet; and a side surface extending in the upward direction from the bottom surface of the reservoir tank so as to surround the discharge port; and includes: a cylindrical body opens at the top and forms an opening portion on the side surface; and switching valves for opening and closing the opening portion on the cylindrical body to enable adjustment of the opening surface area of the opening portion of the cylindrical body so that the volume of flush water supplied from the reservoir tank discharge port to the flush toilet can be obtained in multiple stages, including at least the three stages of large, medium, and small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshioka, Shu Kashirajima, Mitsuhiro Suenaga, Takashi Kanzaki, Yoshikazu Anami
  • Patent number: 9303420
    Abstract: A portable restroom system that includes: a utilities trunk; a waste water holding tank; and a plurality of restroom units. The utilities trunk and the waste water holding tank each extend through each one of the plurality of restroom units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Peter van der Linde
  • Patent number: 9290921
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control apparatus for a toilet seat apparatus which generates electric power by a user's pressing operation, the remote control apparatus being capable of balancing design quality and transmission accuracy of a signal at a high level. A remote control apparatus RC has a main button group MB, including a water spray button WB and a water stop button MB1, and a sub-button group SB, including a stronger button SB1, etc. Each button in the sub-button group SB has a circular shape with a diameter smaller than that of each button in the main button group MB from a front view. When a button in the main button group MB is pressed, mechanical energy is transferred to a power generation unit GU by a first slide member 10 and a second slide member 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Satoko Morioka, Toshio Koguro, Masahiro Kuroishi, Masateru Miyazaki, Yuta Sakai, Masami Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9279241
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control apparatus for a toilet seat apparatus which generates electric power by a user's pressing operation, the remote control apparatus being capable of balancing operability and the ability to reliably stop water spray at a high level. When a cleansing button MB2, being a button other than a stop button MB1, is pressed, a slide member 10 receives force F2? at a branch 13a. When the branch 13a slides in a direction indicated by an arrow A2, a main part 11 also slides in a direction indicated by an arrow A1. A power generation unit GU generates electric power using mechanical energy input by a pressing force of an output part 14 of the slide member 10. When the stop button MB1 is pressed, the slide member 10 receives force F2 at a stop input part 12 and slides in the direction indicated by an arrow A1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Satoko Morioka, Toshio Koguro, Masahiro Kuroishi, Masateru Miyazaki, Yuta Sakai, Masami Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9271617
    Abstract: A release mechanism including a fixed block with a rotating shaft for toilet lids is described. The release mechanism includes a shell, a fixed block, a rotating shaft, and a U-shaped clamping spring. The shell includes a notch for the rotating shaft. The fixed block includes a U-shaped recess that corresponds to the notch on the shell. The rotating shaft rests inside the U-shaped recess and the notch, connecting the toilet lid to the seat ring. The U-shaped clamping spring engages with the U-shaped recess and clamps the rotating shaft in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SHANGHAI KOHLER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaojun Zhou
  • Patent number: 9254495
    Abstract: The present invention is provided with a shower with a sliding body, which includes a handle and an outlet unit. the handle is disposed with an inlet waterway. The inlet waterway is disposed with an inlet hole on the obverse side of the handle; the outlet unit is disposed with at least two outlets, each outlet is disposed with an outlet hole on the reverse side of the outlet unit, the outlet holes are interval disposed along the X direction; The handle is connected to the outlet unit with sliding along the X direction, the obverse side of the handle and the reverse side of the outlet unit are sealing connected together, making the inlet hole connecting to one of the outlet holes. The present invention without the pushing button and the linkage mechanism, reduces the cost and simplify the structure, providing a new switch experience for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huasong Zhou, Hexian Cai, Jianmin Chen
  • Patent number: 9228328
    Abstract: An installation structure of countertop faucet includes a base having an insertion section extending through a mounting hole formed in a counter to engage a locking nut to be secured. The insertion section has a top end forming a receiving bore of which a circumferential wall forming two positioning holes communicating with the receiving bore. Each positioning hole receives therein a releasing module. The bottom of the base forms two water inlet passages communicating with the receiving bore and receiving stop valves therein and coupled to couplers for connection with water inlet tubes. A faucet has a joint section received in the receiving bore and having water guide tubes fit into the water inlet passages. The joint section forms two receiving apertures receiving therein positioning modules respectively engageable with the positioning holes to fix the faucet and being released by the releasing module to detach the faucet from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: Ming-Hung Chen, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 9179805
    Abstract: A detachable wall mounted shower seat enables a user to seat a young child to shower with the user while allowing a seat to rotate in order to provide the young child with greater access to different direction of water. The detachable wall mounted shower seat includes the seat with a seat frame where the seat frame is attached to a seat fabric. The user can place the young child on the seat fabric. The seat frame is attached to an upper seat bracket and a lower seat bracket which are attached to bracket plate can be attached to the wall in a manner that enables the seat to slightly recline, which is naturally relaxing to the young child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Melanie Spratt-Anderson
  • Patent number: 9161665
    Abstract: The present invention is a sanitation seat for assisting urinating and defecating outdoors. The sanitation seat has a top ring comprised of an outer rim around a vacuous region. The outer rim is comprised of at least one “T” coupler and a plurality of curved elements. A leg or legs are detachably connected to the “T” coupler or couplers. If the sanitation seat is to be attached to a tree at least nail passes through the top ring for embedding into a tree, and a tie rope, which beneficially includes a rope attachment, is used to attach the seat to a tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Eugene Cahoon
  • Patent number: 9139992
    Abstract: Clamp or clip on tensioning attachments, devices, apparatus and methods that mount to a toilet water tank reservoir. The tensioning attachments place downward pressure and tension on the toilet handle arm inside of the tank to prevent the internal flapper from being stuck in a raised position which causes the toilet to be constantly running after being flushed and also keeping tension on the handle arm which keeps the arm rigid not allowing it to loosen which in turn can cause the flapper chain to get hung up in the arm when the arm is lose causing the flapper not to seal as intended. Cleaner adapters can hang from the tensioner devices to clean water inside of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Dream Innovation Designs, INC.
    Inventor: Darrell Price
  • Patent number: 9121190
    Abstract: A floating step placed adjacent a side of a swimming pool having a flap on one end for attaching to the side of the swimming pool and a landing or platform. The animal rescue step has a foam core covered by a waterproof fabric and floats adjacent to the side of the swimming pool. The flap has a hole there in used to attached the floating step adjacent the side of the swimming pool. The lowermost step has an attached landing or platform that has a run greater than that of a step and when positioned in the swimming pool is covered with water. A small animal may swim onto the landing and easily climb the steps out of the swimming pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Glen R. Douglas