Patents by Inventor David Grover

David Grover 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: 11873633
    Abstract: A method and system having a water-flush toilet having a toilet bowl that is in fluid communication with a water source and is mounted with a sensor. The sensor includes a transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a receiver to receive an ultrasonic signal. The sensor may measure a Time of Flight (ToF) of the signal to obtain a ToF measurement. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the sensor and may receive and process the ToF measurement using an algorithm to determine a bowl status. The toilet also includes at least one water valve that is disposed between the bowl and the water source, and that is electrically connected to the microcontroller for instructing the at least one water valve to move from a first position to a second position for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time corresponds to the bowl status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Mahendra Gunawardena, Chris Helmstetter, Verne Myers
  • Patent number: 11840832
    Abstract: A siphonic flush toilet system and method of priming the same having a toilet bowl assembly comprising at least one jet flush valve assembly and at least one rim valve; and bowl having a rim and a jet defining at least one jet channel, the at least one jet channel having an inlet port and a jet outlet port configured for discharging fluid to a sump area, wherein the sump area is in fluid communication with a trapway. The bowl has a closed jet pathway including the jet channel and extending from the jet flush valve assembly outlet to the jet channel outlet port to maintain the jet channel in a primed state with fluid from the jet flush valve assembly so as to assist in preventing air from entering the closed jet pathway. Flush valves are also disclosed having back-flow preventer mechanisms and/or at least partly flexible valve covers for use with the toilet systems and methods herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: James McHale, Chistophe Bucher, David Grover
  • Publication number: 20230265642
    Abstract: A toilet assembly comprising a toilet tank; a flush valve assembly positioned in the tank; a bowl; and a trapway, wherein the flush valve assembly comprises a flush valve body extending from a flush valve inlet to a flush valve outlet; a canister having a seal positioned at a lower end and a closed upper end; and a conduit positioned in an interior of the canister, wherein the seal is configured to enclose the flush valve inlet, the canister is configured to lift from the flush valve inlet to open the valve to initiate a flush cycle, the canister comprises one or more openings configured to provide flow communication between the canister and the tank, and the conduit is coupled to the trapway and provides for flow communication between the canister and the trapway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Richard B. Sudol, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230175245
    Abstract: A skirted toilet assembly, comprising a toilet bowl having a sump outlet; and a wall extending around the bowl from a first rear edge to a second rear edge; wherein the wall, the first rear edge, and the second rear edge define a space within the wall, the sump outlet is configured to couple to a trapway, the trapway is configured to fluidly couple the sump outlet with a sewer outlet, and the trapway is configured to be disposed within the space. A trapway may be a thermoplastic and the sump outlet a ceramic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Helmstetter, David Grover, Yasuhiro Kondo, Douglas Leavitt, Ronald D. Barndt
  • Patent number: 11613882
    Abstract: Toilet assemblies having various embodiments of a cleaning system are described herein which include a toilet assembly and a cleaning system. The toilet assembly has a toilet bowl, a toilet tank, a flush valve, a rim inlet port and a rim flow path (which may be an isolated rim path) extending from an outlet of the flush valve to the rim inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Bucher, David Grover, Ronald Barndt, Frank Seggio, James McHale, Chris Cicenas, Matthew O'Kelly, Scott J. Rote, Cameron Harder, Christopher Helmstetter, Nathan J. Wicker, Matthew C. Morris
  • Patent number: 11591786
    Abstract: A skirted toilet assembly, comprising a toilet bowl having a sump outlet; and a wall extending around the bowl from a first rear edge to a second rear edge; wherein the wall, the first rear edge, and the second rear edge define a space within the wall, the sump outlet is configured to couple to a trapway, the trapway is configured to fluidly couple the sump outlet with a sewer outlet, and the trapway is configured to be disposed within the space. A trapway may be a thermoplastic and the sump outlet a ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Helmstetter, David Grover, Yasuhiro Kondo, Douglas Leavitt, Ronald D. Barndt
  • Publication number: 20220220717
    Abstract: A siphonic flush toilet system, the system comprising a bowl, a tank, and a rim flush valve assembly and/or a jet flush valve assembly, the tank comprises an interior space configured to hold fluid; and a height, a width, and a depth, based on a tank exterior, wherein the height is from about 17.0 inches to about 29.0 inches; the width is from about 10.5 inches to about 18.5 inches; and he depth is from about 3.10 inches to about 3.60 inches; the flush valve assembly is positioned in the interior space of the tank; and the tank is configured to be positioned within a bathroom wall cavity upon installation of the toilet system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Kappus, Behnam Heydari, David Grover, Nitin S. Kolekar, Benjamin Smith
  • Patent number: 11261590
    Abstract: An elevated flush valve comprising a vent cover may be used with various assemblies, particularly for high efficiency and high performance toilets, which vent cover has a wall that includes an upper portion, a lower portion configured to define a vent cover inlet opening for receiving air and/or liquid passing upwardly from within a valve body and/or from within a toilet through a toilet inlet when the vent cover is installed on a valve body, an exterior surface, and an interior surface defining a vent cover passage for air passing upwardly from the vent cover inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Chistophe Bucher, Sara Salahi
  • Publication number: 20220056683
    Abstract: A flush valve assembly, comprising a flush valve comprising a flush valve body extending from a flush valve inlet to a flush valve outlet; a flapper cover having a top face and a bottom face and a front and a back; and a flush actuator comprising a lift rod; wherein the bottom face of the flapper cover is configured to enclose the flush valve inlet; and wherein the lift rod is coupled to the top face of the flapper cover and is configured to lift the flapper cover to partially open the flush valve and to fully open the flush valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Kappus, Nitin S. Kolekar, Behnam Heydari, David Grover, Benjamin Smith
  • Publication number: 20220049484
    Abstract: A siphonic flush toilet system and method of priming the same having a toilet bowl assembly comprising at least one jet flush valve assembly and at least one rim valve; and bowl having a rim and a jet defining at least one jet channel. The bowl has a closed jet pathway to maintain the jet channel in a primed state with fluid from the jet flush valve assembly to prevent air from entering the closed jet pathway. Flush valves may have back-flow preventer mechanisms and/or at least partly flexible valve covers, including specific valve cover structures. Flush activation assemblies may have a flush activation bar connected to the pivot rod and/or an adjustable flush connector located between the pivot rod and the flush activation bar. A kit providing one or more flush activation elements is included. The kit elements may be usable with the toilet systems and methods described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Daigo Ishiyama, Christophe Bucher, Tuan Le, James McHale
  • Patent number: 11193265
    Abstract: A siphonic flush toilet system and method of priming the same having a toilet bowl assembly comprising at least one jet flush valve assembly and at least one rim valve; and bowl having a rim and a jet defining at least one jet channel. The bowl has a closed jet pathway to maintain the jet channel in a primed state with fluid from the jet flush valve assembly to prevent air from entering the closed jet pathway. Flush valves may have back-flow preventer mechanisms and/or at least partly flexible valve covers, including specific valve cover structures. Flush activation assemblies may have a flush activation bar connected to the pivot rod and/or an adjustable flush connector located between the pivot rod and the flush activation bar. A kit providing one or more flush activation elements is included. The kit elements may be usable with the toilet systems and methods described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Daigo Ishiyama, Christophe Bucher, Tuan Le, James McHale
  • Patent number: 11124957
    Abstract: A siphonic flush toilet system and method of priming the same having a toilet bowl assembly comprising at least one jet flush valve assembly and at least one rim valve; and bowl having a rim and a jet defining at least one jet channel, the at least one jet channel having an inlet port and a jet outlet port configured for discharging fluid to a sump area, wherein the sump area is in fluid communication with a trapway. The bowl has a closed jet pathway including the jet channel and extending from the jet flush valve assembly outlet to the jet channel outlet port to maintain the jet channel in a primed state with fluid from the jet flush valve assembly so as to assist in preventing air from entering the closed jet pathway. Flush valves are also disclosed having back-flow preventer mechanisms and/or at least partly flexible valve covers for use with the toilet systems and methods herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: James McHale, Christophe Bucher, David Grover
  • Publication number: 20210254323
    Abstract: A method and system having a water-flush toilet having a toilet bowl that is in fluid communication with a water source and is mounted with a sensor. The sensor includes a transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a receiver to receive an ultrasonic signal. The sensor may measure a Time of Flight (ToF) of the signal to obtain a ToF measurement. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the sensor and may receive and process the ToF measurement using an algorithm to determine a bowl status. The toilet also includes at least one water valve that is disposed between the bowl and the water source, and that is electrically connected to the microcontroller for instructing the at least one water valve to move from a first position to a second position for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time corresponds to the bowl status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Mahendra Gunawardena, Chris Helmstetter, Verne Myers
  • Patent number: 11091903
    Abstract: A method and system having a water-flush toilet having a toilet bowl that is in fluid communication with a water source and is mounted with a sensor. The sensor includes a transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a receiver to receive an ultrasonic signal. The sensor may measure a Time of Flight (ToF) of the signal to obtain a ToF measurement. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the sensor and may receive and process the ToF measurement using an algorithm to determine a bowl status. The toilet also includes at least one water valve that is disposed between the bowl and the water source, and that is electrically connected to the microcontroller for instructing the at least one water valve to move from a first position to a second position for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time corresponds to the bowl status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David Grover, Mahendra Gunawardena, Chris Helmstetter, Verne Myers
  • Publication number: 20200340227
    Abstract: Toilet assemblies having various embodiments of a cleaning system are described herein which include a toilet assembly and a cleaning system. The toilet assembly has a toilet bowl, a toilet tank, a flush valve, a rim inlet port and a rim flow path (which may be an isolated rim path) extending from an outlet of the flush valve to the rim inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Bucher, David Grover, Ronald Barndt, Frank Seggio, James McHale, Chris Cicenas, Matthew O'Kelly, Scott J. Rote, Cameron Harder, Christopher Helmstetter, Nathan J. Wicker, Matthew C. Morris
  • Patent number: 10760255
    Abstract: Toilet assemblies having various embodiments of a cleaning system are described herein which include a toilet assembly and a cleaning system. The toilet assembly has a toilet bowl, a toilet tank, a flush valve, a rim inlet port and a rim flow path (which may be an isolated rim path) extending from an outlet of the flush valve to the rim inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christophe Bucher, David Grover, Ronald Barndt, Frank Seggio, James McHale, Chris Cicenas, Matthew O'Kelly, Scott J. Rote, Cameron Harder, Christopher Helmstetter, Nathan J. Wicker, Matthew C. Morris
  • Patent number: 10697167
    Abstract: A wall hung toilet is described which has a toilet body having a toilet body inlet, a back plate having at least a first and a second lower fastener opening therethrough, a toilet body outlet, a bowl and a base. The bowl has an interior surface defining a interior area for receiving fluid, an inlet for introducing fluid to the interior area of the bowl and a bowl outlet. A trapway for passing fluid from the bowl outlet to the toilet body outlet is also included. The base of the toilet body extends from a front bowl portion of the base to a rear portion of the base that contacts the back plate, and the base is configured so as to distribute load bearing forces when applied to the bowl in use towards each of a first area around the first fastener opening and a second area around the second fastener area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christophe Bucher, David Grover
  • Publication number: 20200190784
    Abstract: A siphonic flush toilet system and method of priming the same having a toilet bowl assembly comprising at least one jet flush valve assembly and at least one rim valve; and bowl having a rim and a jet defining at least one jet channel, the at least one jet channel having an inlet port and a jet outlet port configured for discharging fluid to a sump area, wherein the sump area is in fluid communication with a trapway. The bowl has a closed jet pathway including the jet channel and extending from the jet flush valve assembly outlet to the jet channel outlet port to maintain the jet channel in a primed state with fluid from the jet flush valve assembly so as to assist in preventing air from entering the closed jet pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: James McHale, Chistophe Bucher, David Grover
  • Patent number: D914838
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: AS AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: David Grover, Corey Petersen, Ki Bok Song
  • Patent number: D950008
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grover, Corey Petersen, Ki Bok Song