Patents Examined by Robert M. Fetsuga
  • Patent number: 7472432
    Abstract: A bathtub insert that is used in combination with a standard bathtub (76) wherein, a top contour design (60) in an elongated shape, conforms to the curvature of the human body form. Includes and formed part of design (60) and a pair of arm rests (42) (44) and a hand rest (46) which is integrally part of upper back support rest (26), lower back support rest (28), seat support rest (30); and pair of leg supports (32) (34) (36) (38), and a foot rest (40) that is an extension of rest (30), which includes a pedestal support (51A/51B). Part of and in adherence to design (60) is a bottom contour design (62) that provides support to design (60) which conforms to the shape of a bathtub surface (72) in an angled curvature shape. Further providing and in coordination with design (62) is an entrance and exit area a in/out platform (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Inventor: Letty Ann Owen
  • Patent number: 7461411
    Abstract: A toilet training system is usable in both a child's sit-down toilet mode and a child's stand-up urinal mode. The system includes a child-sized toilet seat, a vertical curvilinear element, and a padded liner for the curvilinear element. The vertical curvilinear element functions alternatively as a backrest for the child-sized toilet seat in the child's sit-down toilet mode or as a urine shield in the child's stand-up urinal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Richard Wolf
  • Patent number: 7461417
    Abstract: An apparatus having a tray, a towel rack and a handrail is provided for use with a spa of a type having a bottom with sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom to form an enclosure for holding water. A base member is disposed on a horizontal floor below and adjacent to the sidewalls of the spa. A vertically disposed post member operatively attached to the base member and a handrail operatively attached to a top portion of the post member, the handrail being transversely disposed with respect to the post member. A horizontally disposed tray is pivotally attached to the post and a towel bar is attached to the post. Structures are provided for securing the preferred embodiment of the invention to a spa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Byron Originals, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 7458108
    Abstract: We provide a sink drain air freshener container that is generally used with sink cover or a sink strainer/stopper. The air freshener container contains a plastic-based air freshener that emits the fragrance for at least 20 days after being unwrapped and placed in use in a sink. The air freshener container has perforations to enable the container to be drained. The strainer/stopper is preferably made of disposable plastic and the container is preferably part of the top portion of the strainer/stopper stem that is used in conjunction with the strainer/stopper perforated basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Bath Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Wolf
  • Patent number: 7441283
    Abstract: A flush toilet includes a water tank with at least one through hole and a liquid dispenser installed outside on the water tank. The water tank includes a tank body and a lid covered on the tank body, the through hole is formed on the lid and the liquid dispenser is also installed on the lid. The liquid dispenser includes a container, a dispensing component mounted on the container and a tube with one end connected to the dispensing component and the other end inserted inside the water tank via the through hole. As such, users can visually check the level of liquid in the container for replenishment and casually choose different smell or strength of liquid for use with the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Hui-Sheng Chu
  • Patent number: 7437781
    Abstract: A toilet seat cover scale device for weighing a person or an object includes, in combination, a toilet seat cover including hinges for hinged attachment to a toilet seat, a scale mechanism connected to the toilet seat cover, the scale mechanism having at least two force sensors located on a bottom of the toilet seat cover for contact with a toilet seat when the toilet seat cover is attached to a toilet seat and is in a closed position. The force sensors transmit the weight force measurements to a processor, which converts the weight force measurements to an accurate total weight measurement, and the processor transmits the accurate total weight measurement to a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Pleo Originals, LLC
    Inventor: Peter E. Rigas
  • Patent number: 7434277
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for a hydrotherapy tub includes a body adapted for mounting to the hydrotherapy tub. The body includes a water chamber adapted for fluid communication with a water source, an air chamber adapted for fluid communication with an air source, and a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the water chamber and the air chamber. The plurality of outlets is configured to transmit water from the water chamber and air from the air chamber to an interior of the hydrotherapy tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Saratoga Spa & Bath, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Brennan, W. John Gardenier
  • Patent number: 7434275
    Abstract: Apparatus for selectively preventing flushing of a toilet includes a flush handle mounted on the tank of the toilet and structure in the tank interior for engaging a float of the water inlet valve control assembly of the toilet when the flush handle is actuated. A lock on the flush handle is employed to lock the float in an elevated condition to prevent the flow of flush water into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory DeVore, Steven DeVore
  • Patent number: 7428758
    Abstract: A user controlling coin operating bidet assembly is comprised of a coin handling system with a coin collector box and an electrically operating bidet. The coin handling system contains optical coin validator, solenoid valves, coin flaps, optical coin counter, electronic timer, and microprocessor controlling those parts according to the signals triggered by the coins inserted. The electronic timer receives signal from the microprocessor and supplies power to another solenoid valve and a warm air blower connected to the bidet. A switch for selecting water and air is attached on the control panel of the bidet. 25 cents coin allows 30 seconds operation. Additional 25 cents inserted within 30 seconds extends the operation time for another 30 seconds. Emergency “HOLD” switch placed on the control panel holds the power to the bidet and stops the electric timer. Pressing “RESET” switch on the control board returns the bidet in a continuing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: Hyug Park
  • Patent number: 7426757
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a bath apparatus having auxiliary features. The auxiliary features include a handle for providing ergonomic manual transportation of the bath apparatus. Additionally, improvements to conventional therapeutic effects are provided for enhancing the overall therapeutic bathing experience. Further, a bath apparatus is disclosed having a pedicure apparatus for providing a motorized rotary pedicure effect to the user. Even further, a bath apparatus having a fluid dispenser is disclosed for dispensing therapeutic additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: FKA Distributing Co.
    Inventors: Mordechai Lev, Stephen Chung, Barbara A. Westfield
  • Patent number: 7421746
    Abstract: A toilet installing assembly includes a bladder that has an upper panel and a lower panel sealed together along peripheral edges of the upper and lower panels. The bladder is selectively inflatable and is substantially planar when not inflated and has a generally rounded shape when the bladder is inflated. An inlet valve is fluidly coupled to the bladder. The bladder is positioned around a toilet drain and then inflated. A toilet is positioned on the bladder. The toilet is aligned with the toilet drain and with a plurality of mounting studs. The bladder is then deflated and the toilet lowered onto the studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Anold F. Cobi
  • Patent number: 7398564
    Abstract: A closure apparatus and a method of installing the same are provided. The closure apparatus is adapted to mount to a toilet having a cover (5), a bowl ledge (4), and a flush mechanism (3, 30). The closure apparatus includes a mounting bolt (15) having an opening therethrough and a rod (8) disposed within the opening. The apparatus also includes a spring (9) that is adapted to be deformed by the rod to thereby bias the rod and a lever (11) movable with respect to the mounting bolt. A latch release mechanism (25, 27) coupled to the lever is also included. Upon flushing the toilet when the cover is open, and when the closure apparatus is mounted on the bowl ledge, the latch release mechanism causes the latch point of the lever to move with respect to the mounting bolt and allows the spring to move the rod, which pushes the cover, to thereby close the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Andersen
  • Patent number: 7392551
    Abstract: A bathing enclosure has a wall arrangement which supports one or more hanging accessories, such as a towel hook, soap dish and bottle rack. Multiple wall sections are mounted so that their top and bottom edges are spaced apart to create a lateral gap therebetween. The gap permits a hanger end of the accessories to fit up and over the upper edges of the wall sections. The accessories can be slid horizontally in the gap and either extend to the inside or outside of the enclosure. Preferably, adjacent wall sections overlap vertically and tilt backward toward the inside of the enclosure from top to bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Jason T. Lanius
  • Patent number: 7389551
    Abstract: A lash for a spa having a lid, wherein the lash includes an elongate flexible member having opposite first and second ends and at least two layers of webbing having a flexible metal cable interleaved between the layers of webbing. A releasably lockable latch is mounted or mountable on the first end of the flexible member for locking the first end of the flexible member to a corresponding first exterior wall of the spa. An anchor is mounted or mountable on the second end of the flexile member for irremovably anchoring the second end of the flexible member to a second exterior wall of the spa, opposite the first exterior wall of the spa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Dan Stebner
  • Patent number: 7386896
    Abstract: An accessory device for a spa has a top surface and a side wall. The spa includes an upper surface portion having an inner edge and outer edge. The upper surface portion is adapted to extend outwardly from an exterior perimeter of an top surface of a spa when positioned thereon. A least one flange portion extends inwardly from said inner edge of the upper surface. The flange member is adapted to be removably attached to the top surface of the spa. At least one support portion extends downwardly from the upper surface portion and has an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall is adapted to rest upon and be supported by a side wall of said spa when positioned thereon. The upper surface may function as a tray for holding objects in a location accessible to persons in the spa or may have a cavity formed therein which forms a bucket for holding objects in a location accessible to persons in the spa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventor: Wade Spicer
  • Patent number: 7386895
    Abstract: A lifting and lowering device (31) for a toilet seat or a toilet cover has a swing shaft (17) provided on a swing center line (C) of a toilet seat (3) or a toilet cover (4) that swings around base end portions (3l, 4l), respectively, and rises. The device includes a lifting and lowering control unit (5) indirectly fixed to a toilet bowl main body (30); an output shaft (12) that is provided on the swing center line (C), one end portion of which shaft being removably connected to the swing shaft (17) of the lifting and lowering control unit (5) and the other end portion being detacheably connected to the base end portion (3l) of the toilet seat (3); and a toilet seat transmission unit (9) containing a tortion spring (13) that urges the output shaft (12) in a lifting direction of the toilet seat (3). The lifting and lowering device (31) for the toilet seat of toilet cover is relatively small in size and able to stabely hold the toilet seat or toilet cover in a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Toto, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hayashi, Yoshiro Terada, Satoshi Kato, Kenji Hashidume
  • Patent number: 7380294
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bath apparatus for bathing a body part. The bath apparatus includes a chamber for containing fluid, and a lid mounted to the bath chamber. A showerhead is mounted to an underside of the lid and is oriented towards the bath chamber. A fluid pump draws fluid from the bath chamber and pumps the fluid through the showerhead for providing a pressurized fluid massage effect upon the body part. The showerhead may be viewable from atop the lid for visual identification of a product feature and for a visual fluid flow effect in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: FKA Distributing Co.
    Inventors: Mordechai Lev, Stephen Chung
  • Patent number: 7376984
    Abstract: A flow diverter accepts a stream of water from a conventional toilet valve and diverts a portion of the flow into the toilet tank, outside the overflow tube. In a first, more rudimentary embodiment of the invention, a flow diverter accepts flow from the toilet tank fill valve and includes a first exit opening for introducing a portion of the flow into the toilet tank overflow tube, and a second portion of the flow into the toilet tank. Providing two exit openings for to split the incoming stream into a first flow of about one third of the input and into a second exit opening to split the remainder of the incoming stream into a second flow of about two thirds of the incoming stream provides significant flow control for the user. In cases where a user's bowl overfills, the user can attach the flow diverter to the end of the conventional toilet tank overflow tube line and position it as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Dan E. Molter
  • Patent number: 7370375
    Abstract: A dual water heating system uses a pump for pumping water from a swimming pool or spa. A filter is coupled to an output of the pump for filtering the water. A water heater heats the water and returns heated water to the swimming pool or spa. A network of non-corrosive piping is disposed within the swimming pool support structure. A plurality of steam ports are coupled to exit points of the network of piping. A steam generator provides steam to the network of piping for transporting the steam to the steam ports and injecting the heated water into the swimming pool or spa. An energy source supplies energy to the steam heater. A motorized or hand-push cart is used to transport the steam heater and energy source. The steam ports are provided along sidewalls or bottom surface of the swimming pool and spa support structure. The steam ports are contained within cavities formed in the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Keith A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7363936
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is my invention of a leakage catch basin and configurable storage unit, designed to be water tight and made of water resistant material. My invention further includes mans to position dividers into the larger defined spaces, thus forming an arrangement of organized storage compartments. Further, my invention is dimensioned to be of various and common sized cabinets with the illustrated preferred embodiment showing a configuration of 3 such sizes in combination. My invention allows one or all such defined spaces to be separated into independent units for subsequent installation, use and protection in separate cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Logical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Simoneaux, Tom J. LeBlanc