Patents by Inventor Dan Lohde
Dan Lohde 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: 12673810Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a flapper system and a flapper system kit that is compatible with both 2? and 3? flush valve seats. In some embodiments, the flapper system is configured to enable a user to select either a 2? or 3? flush valve seal for the flapper system. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes a pivot that enables sealing of a flat flush valve seat or an angled flush valve seat. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes one or more adjustable window assemblies that control a fluid flowrate within an internal portion of the flapper system to control buoyancy. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes a packaging system that includes an external portion of an interior packaging that extends outside of a structural packaging resulting in a greater display area.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2024Date of Patent: July 7, 2026Assignee: FLUIDMASTER, INC.Inventors: Tuan Le, Joseph Han, Leland Wong, Daniel McAuley, Jack Nguyen, Daniel McFarland, Krishna Arkalgud, Ben Ton, Dan Lohde, Mike Robbins, William Martin, Philippe Jacques, Corinne AndersonSchoepe, Debra Jantz, Elif Durso
-
Publication number: 20260028808Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a flapper system and a flapper system kit that is compatible with both 2? and 3? flush valve seats. In some embodiments, the flapper system is configured to enable a user to select either a 2? or 3? flush valve seal for the flapper system. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes a pivot that enables sealing of a flat flush valve seat or an angled flush valve seat. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes one or more adjustable window assemblies that control a fluid flowrate within an internal portion of the flapper system to control buoyancy. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes an adaptor that converts a 2? valve into a 3? valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2025Publication date: January 29, 2026Inventors: Tuan Le, Joseph Han, Leland Wong, Daniel McAuley, Jack Nguyen, Daniel McFarland, Krishna Arkalgud, Ben Ton, Dan Lohde, Mike Robbins, William Martin
-
Patent number: 12428827Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a flapper system and a flapper system kit that is compatible with both 2? and 3? flush valve seats. In some embodiments, the flapper system is configured to enable a user to select either a 2? or 3? flush valve seal for the flapper system. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes a pivot that enables sealing of a flat flush valve seat or an angled flush valve seat. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes one or more adjustable window assemblies that control a fluid flowrate within an internal portion of the flapper system to control buoyancy. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes an adaptor that converts a 2? valve into a 3? valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2022Date of Patent: September 30, 2025Assignee: FLUIDMASTER, INC.Inventors: Tuan Le, Joseph Han, Leland Wong, Daniel McAuley, Jack Nguyen, Daniel McFarland, Krishna Arkalgud, Ben Ton, Dan Lohde, Mike Robbins, William Martin
-
Publication number: 20240294317Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a flapper system and a flapper system kit that is compatible with both 2? and 3? flush valve seats. In some embodiments, the flapper system is configured to enable a user to select either a 2? or 3? flush valve seal for the flapper system. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes a pivot that enables sealing of a flat flush valve seat or an angled flush valve seat. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes one or more adjustable window assemblies that control a fluid flowrate within an internal portion of the flapper system to control buoyancy. In some embodiments, the flapper system includes a packaging system that includes an external portion of an interior packaging that extends outside of a structural packaging resulting in a greater display area.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2024Publication date: September 5, 2024Inventors: Tuan Le, Joseph Han, Leland Wong, Daniel McAuley, Jack Nguyen, Daniel McFarland, Krishna Arkalgud, Ben Ton, Dan Lohde, Mike Robbins, William Martin, Philippe Jacques, Corinne AndersonSchoepe, Debra Jantz, Elif Durso
-
Publication number: 20040117899Abstract: A toilet cleaning dispenser system adapted for placement in a toilet tank includes a hanger, a dispenser housing and a cartridge device removably coupled to the dispenser housing. The cartridge device, which includes a cleanser tablet enclosed within a cartridge housing, is inserted into a cavity of the dispenser housing and turned in one direction to lock the device and, alternatively, in an opposite direction to unlock the device. The cartridge housing may be formed to turn as one unit, or be formed as a basket and a rotatable cap that can be turned with respect to the basket. The dispenser housing includes an inlet water trap and an outlet water trap, each comprising a pair of concentric, nested tubes that retain liquid after flushing so as to prevent fumes from exiting the dispenser housing into the toilet tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Jack T. Nguyen, Farid Maiwandi, Dan Lohde, Christopher A. Coppock, Troy A. Bell
-
Patent number: 6557580Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
-
Publication number: 20020104563Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
-
Patent number: 6394413Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
-
Patent number: 6394126Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
-
Publication number: 20010039962Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Inventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
-
Publication number: 20010040228Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Inventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
-
Patent number: 6263901Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
-
Patent number: 5983826Abstract: A mechanical pressure gauge indicator for showing a position of a multi-turn non-rising water valve stem is disclosed. The mechanical pressure gauge indicator uses 180 degrees of turning motion to indicate various approximations of pressure downstream of the regulating valve. One half turn of the mechanical simulated pressure gauge indicator indicates ten turns of the multi-turn non-rising water valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: Dan Lohde
-
Patent number: 5860715Abstract: An enclosure for housing electronic controls and devices that provides exceptional access to all sides of the enclosure and is both secure and aesthetically pleasing. The enclosure has a frame, semi-cylindrical doors, a top assembly, and a mounting base. Each of the doors has a door retaining member on its inner lower surfaces which engages and is supported by a receiving member mounted to a lower portion of the frame. The doors may be pivoted open and closed about the retaining and receiving members or may be completely removed from the base by simply lifting the doors off of the frame. Removal of the doors allows unobstructed access to the interior of the enclosure. The top assembly mounts on top of the frame and moves between a closed position and an open position. The top assembly includes a rim which overlaps and engages the top surfaces of the doors to securely retain the doors in the closed position. An opening and closing system mounted on the frame supports the top assembly in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Dan Lohde, Noorlah N. Beidokhti, Brian J. Smith, Jeff L. Tipton
-
Patent number: D449872Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
-
Patent number: D476057Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.Inventors: Jack T. Nguyen, Farid Maiwandi, Dan Lohde, Christopher A. Coppock, Troy A. Bell