Patents by Inventor Bill DeKeyser

Bill DeKeyser has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8185976
    Abstract: A flush valve is provided for flushing a toilet bowl. The flush valve includes a center tube having a lug, a flush activation device configured to initially raise the center tube, at least one latching mechanism configured to control movement of the center tube, and at least one rack configured to have movement controlled by the at least one latching mechanism. The at least one latching mechanism controls volume of fluid used during a flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Bryan Janish, Robert Collin, Bill DeKeyser
  • Patent number: 7909054
    Abstract: A fill valve for a toilet tank includes a multi-piece shank assembly. The shank assembly includes a first hollow member coupled with a second hollow member using a snap joint. The first hollow member has a tortuous outer surface, which together with the second hollow member forms a plurality of flow paths. The flow paths are configured to reduce water noise. The first and second hollow members are provided separately, resulting in simplified molding process and improved assembly automation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Bill DeKeyser, Robert Collin
  • Publication number: 20090025129
    Abstract: A flush valve is provided for flushing a toilet bowl. The flush valve includes a center tube, a flush activation device configured to initially raise the center tube, and at least one timing mechanism configured to control movement of the center tube. The timing mechanism controls volume of fluid used during a flush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Bryan Janish, Robert Collin, Bill DeKeyser
  • Publication number: 20090025130
    Abstract: A flush valve is provided for flushing a toilet bowl. The flush valve includes a center tube having a lug, a flush activation device configured to initially raise the center tube, at least one latching mechanism configured to control movement of the center tube, and at least one rack configured to have movement controlled by the at least one latching mechanism. The at least one latching mechanism controls volume of fluid used during a flush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Bryan Janish, Robert Collin, Bill DeKeyser
  • Publication number: 20090020725
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flush valve device is provided, including forming a mold for a first half and a second half of the flush valve device, performing injection molding on the mold, upon cooling, removing the first half and the second half from the mold, and forming the flush valve device by joining the first half and the second half.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Bryan Janish, Robert Collin, Bill DeKeyser
  • Publication number: 20080035206
    Abstract: A fill valve for a toilet tank includes a multi-piece shank assembly. The shank assembly includes a first hollow member coupled with a second hollow member using a snap joint. The first hollow member has a tortuous outer surface, which together with the second hollow member forms a plurality of flow paths. The flow paths are configured to reduce water noise. The first and second hollow members are provided separately, resulting in simplified molding process and improved assembly automation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Bill DeKeyser, Robert Collin
  • Publication number: 20070102053
    Abstract: A toilet fill valve device may function as a restrictor to reduce water flow, or as a regulator to cap water flow beneath a certain limit depending upon its orientation. If composed of a rigid material, the device functions as a restrictor to decrease water flow. If composed of a soft, flexible or compressible/expandable material, the device functions as a regulator as its walls expand to partially block fluid passageways when water pressure fills up a void within the device. The device includes a spiraled outer surface to provide a tortuous path for water to travel so as to reduce noise. The dual functionality of a regulator or restrictor may also be accomplished with the orientation of the device. Methods for manufacturing and using a toilet fill valve control device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Bill DeKeyser, Robert Collin