Patents by Inventor David Nichols-Roy
David Nichols-Roy 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).
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Publication number: 20140312060Abstract: A system for inventory control, verification and accounting for liquids dispensed in smaller doses or portions from larger containers. The system has multiple spouts, each of which controls flow of a liquid from a container in predetermined dosage size. Each dosing spout permits flow of liquid through a liquid outlet tube when the angle of the container is changed such as by tilting for pouring. After a predetermined time, the air inlet tube is closed, which terminates flow of the liquid through the liquid outlet tube. Controls and signaling devices operate the dosing spout, and wireless communications devices and processors record uses of the system of dosing spouts.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Richard B. Heatherly, Michael Morton, David Nichols-Roy
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Patent number: 8783512Abstract: A dosing spout for liquid containers, and a system for inventory control, verification and accounting for liquids dispensed in smaller doses or portions from larger containers. The device controls flow of a liquid from a container in predetermined dosage size by an air tube that permits flow of liquid through a liquid tube when the container is tilted. After a predetermined time, the air tube is closed, which terminates flow of the liquid through the liquid tube. The time interval during which the air tube is open is correlated with the viscosity of the liquid in the container so that a predetermined dosage is dispensed through the dosing spout. Controls and signaling devices operate the dosing spout, and wireless communications devices and processors record uses of the dosing spout.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Inventors: Richard B. Heatherly, Michael Morton, David Nichols-Roy
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Patent number: 8590066Abstract: An offset outlet flush valve has a valve body, the valve body having an inlet comprising an inlet aperture, an overflow tube socket comprising an overflow tube aperture, and an outlet comprising an outlet aperture. The outlet aperture of the valve body, and the wall that defines it, intersects a portion of the inlet aperture and a portion of the overflow tube aperture and the walls that define them. In this way, a water flow continuum is created between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture and between the overflow tube aperture and the outlet aperture. A number of alternative embodiments of an overflow tube socket and overflow tube are also provided depending upon OEM or after-market application of the offset outlet flush valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.Inventors: Alberto C. Torres, David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods
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Publication number: 20110309103Abstract: A dosing spout for liquid containers, and a system for inventory control, verification and accounting for liquids dispensed in smaller doses or portions from larger containers. The device controls flow of a liquid from a container in predetermined dosage size by an air tube that permits flow of liquid through a liquid tube when the container is tilted. After a predetermined time, the air tube is closed, which terminates flow of the liquid through the liquid tube. The time interval during which the air tube is open is correlated with the viscosity of the liquid in the container so that a predetermined dosage is dispensed through the dosing spout. Controls and signaling devices operate the dosing spout, and wireless communications devices and processors record uses of the dosing spout.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: RICHARD B. HEATHERLY, MICHAEL MORTON, JOHN GRIMM, I, MICK TINKER, DAVID NICHOLS-ROY, ALEX McKAY, RON MOORE
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Patent number: 7661438Abstract: An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. The fill valve also includes structural elements that allow the water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate. The fill valve can be re-set for normal toilet tank operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
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Patent number: 7636958Abstract: The present invention provides an improved top mounted toilet flush valve and a method for installing the flush valve that can be readily adapted to the tank profile of a wide variety of gravity operated flush toilets. More specifically, in accordance with the objectives of the present invention, there is provided a flush valve having an overflow tube that is adjustable in height and a method for adjusting the overflow tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Alberto C. Torres
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Publication number: 20080134422Abstract: A toilet flapper valve has a rigid bulb insert and a surrounding flapper top, the latter being preferably made of an elastomeric material. The flapper valve of the present invention can be used as equipment in toilets of original manufacture and as replacement after-market devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: DAVID NICHOLS-ROY, Dennis Woods, Alberto C. Torres
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Publication number: 20080078454Abstract: An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. The fill valve also includes structural elements that allow the water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate. The fill valve can be re-set for normal toilet tank operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
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Publication number: 20070101486Abstract: An offset outlet flush valve has a valve body, the valve body having an inlet comprising an inlet aperture, an overflow tube socket comprising an overflow tube aperture, and an outlet comprising an outlet aperture. The outlet aperture of the valve body, and the wall that defines it, intersects a portion of the inlet aperture and a portion of the overflow tube aperture and the walls that define them. In this way, a water flow continuum is created between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture and between the overflow tube aperture and the outlet aperture. A number of alternative embodiments of an overflow tube socket and overflow tube are also provided depending upon OEM or after-market application of the offset outlet flush valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2005Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventors: Alberto Torres, David Nichols-Roy, Dennis Woods
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Publication number: 20060218712Abstract: The present invention provides an improved top mounted toilet flush valve and a method for installing the flush valve that can be readily adapted to the tank profile of a wide variety of gravity operated flush toilets. More specifically, in accordance with the objectives of the present invention, there is provided a flush valve having an overflow tube that is adjustable in height and a method for adjusting the overflow tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2005Publication date: October 5, 2006Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Alberto Torres
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Patent number: 6880181Abstract: A pair of lever arms each have an intermediate segment configured for pivotal mounting on a pair of pins that support a corresponding end of a pair of mounting arms of a flapper valve. Each of the lever arms has a forward end configured to engage and provide a lifting force on a corresponding one of the flapper valve mounting arms when the lever arm and the flapper valve mounting arm are rotated in a first direction during opening of the flapper valve upon manual actuation of a flush control lever or button. A counterweight reservoir is connected to a pair of rearward ends of the lever arms for holding a volume of water and delays rotation of the flapper valve in a reverse direction to seal the flush valve until a volume of water has drained through an outlet aperture in a bottom portion of the counterweight reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Charles R. Way
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Publication number: 20040172746Abstract: A pair of lever arms each have an intermediate segment configured for pivotal mounting on a pair of pins that support a corresponding end of a pair of mounting arms of a flapper valve. Each of the lever arms has a forward end configured to engage and provide a lifting force on a corresponding one of the flapper valve mounting arms when the lever arm and the flapper valve mounting arm are rotated in a first direction during opening of the flapper valve upon manual actuation of a flush control lever or button. A counterweight reservoir is connected to a pair of rearward ends of the lever arms for holding a volume of water and delays rotation of the flapper valve in a reverse direction to seal the flush valve until a volume of water has drained through an outlet aperture in a bottom portion of the counterweight reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Charles R. Way
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Patent number: 6260574Abstract: A fill valve particularly suited for OEM assembly in gravity operated flush toilets has a modular construction including a main valve body that encloses a pilot operated diaphragm valve operated by a float arm. A hollow riser has a lower end configured for connection to a water supply line. Mating couplers are provided on the bottom of the main valve body and on the upper end of the riser for rigidly securing the riser to the main valve body. The riser has a length that is pre-selected to place the diaphragm valve and float arm a predetermined height within the tank to ensure that the tank is re-filled to a predetermined optimum level.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
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Patent number: 6192526Abstract: A top mounted flush valve is provided for installation in a blind drain hole in the bottom wall of a toilet tank of a conventional one-piece gravity operated toilet. The flush valve includes a generally cylindrical valve body sized for insertion through the drain hole from the upperside of the bottom wall of the tank. A seal member on an underside of the valve body provides a watertight seal between the valve body and an upperside of the bottom wall of the tank. A generally cylindrical drive collar is rotatable within a central aperture of the valve body. A generally cylindrical spring nut has a threaded portion engaged with a threaded portion of the drive collar so that the drive collar can be screwed to generate relative movement between the drive collar and the spring nut along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Alberto C. Torres
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Patent number: 6142174Abstract: A fill valve for a water storage tank includes a riser assembly, a valve housing mounted on an upper end of the riser assembly, and a pilot operated diaphragm valve mounted in the valve housing. A float housing is connected to the valve housing. A combination float and float arm has a first end pivotally connected to a valve housing cap for opening and closing a pilot orifice in the valve housing cap. A second end of the float arm is connected to the float. The float is located in the float housing which has an inlet opening for allowing water to spill into the float housing so that the float rises upwardly and the first end of the float arm fully seals off the pilot orifice. The first end of the float arm has a central arm and a pair of flexible pivot arms that are laterally displaceable for engaging a pair of spaced apart fixed pivot pins on the valve housing cap.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
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Patent number: 6003541Abstract: A fill valve for a water storage tank includes a riser assembly, a valve housing mounted on an upper end of the riser assembly, and a pilot operated diaphragm valve mounted in the valve housing. A float housing is connected to the valve housing. A float arm of a combination float and float arm has a first end pivotally connected to the valve housing for opening and closing a pilot orifice in the diaphragm valve. A second end of the float arm is connected to the float. The float is located in the float housing which has an inlet opening for allowing water to spill into the float housing so that the float rises upwardly and the first end of the float arm fully seals off the pilot orifice. A snap off cover member extends over, and is releasable latched to, the valve housing and the float housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
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Patent number: 5975125Abstract: An adjustable height fill valve assembly for controlling water level in a storage tank, comprises a lower riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inlet riser and an outer riser housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, the inlet riser and the riser housing connected together at the lower ends, the inlet riser being adapted for mounting in a hole in a flush tank, an upper riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inner supply tube and an outer tubular valve housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, a main valve seat at the upper end of the inner supply tube, the upper riser assembly telescopically mounted on the lower riser assembly, a latch between the riser housing and the tubular valve housing for latching the upper and the lower riser assemblies in selected extended and retracted positions, the latch disengageable upon rotation of the upper riser assembly in either direction from a central position, a valve housing cap having a bayonet lock connection for quick connect dType: GrantFiled: October 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Hunter Plumbing ProductsInventor: David Nichols-Roy
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Patent number: 5836346Abstract: An adjustable height fill valve assembly for controlling water level in a storage tank, comprises a lower riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inlet riser and an outer riser housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, the inlet riser and the riser housing connected together at the lower ends, the inlet riser being adapted for mounting in a hole in a flush tank, an upper riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inner supply tube and an outer tubular valve housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, a main valve seat at the upper end of the inner supply tube, the upper riser assembly telescopically mounted on the lower riser assembly, a latch between the riser housing and the tubular valve housing for latching the upper and the lower riser assemblies in selected extended and retracted positions, the latch disengageable upon rotation of the upper riser assembly in either direction from a central position, a valve housing cap having a bayonet lock connection for quick connect dType: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Hunter Plumbing ProductsInventor: David Nichols-Roy
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Patent number: 5715859Abstract: An adjustable height fill valve assembly for controlling water level in a storage tanks, comprises a lower riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inlet riser and an outer riser housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, the inlet riser and the riser housing connected together at the lower ends, the inlet riser being adapted for mounting in a hole in a flush tank, an upper riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inner supply tube and an outer tubular valve housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, a main valve seat at the upper end of the inner supply tube, the upper riser assembly telescopically mounted on the lower riser assembly, a latch between the riser housing and the tubular valve housing for latching the upper and the lower riser assemblies in selected extended and retracted positions, the latch disengageable upon rotation of the upper riser assembly in either direction from a central position, a valve housing cap having a bayonet lock connection for quick connectType: GrantFiled: October 2, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Hunter Plumbing ProductsInventor: David Nichols-Roy
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Patent number: 5623961Abstract: A flush tank fill valve assembly, comprises an elongated tubular riser having a threaded upper end and a threaded lower end, the riser being adapted to be mounted by the lower end in an opening in a bottom of a flush tank, and for connecting to a source of water, a flush valve including a housing having a nipple defining a threaded inlet opening adapted to mount on the upper end of the riser, and an elongated tubular sleeve adapted to mount over the riser and having first members for limiting rotation between the sleeve and the riser, and second members for limiting rotation of the sleeve relative to the valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1996Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Hunter Plumbing ProductsInventor: David Nichols-Roy