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).

  • Publication number: 20140312060
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Richard B. Heatherly, Michael Morton, David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 8783512
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Richard B. Heatherly, Michael Morton, David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 8590066
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto C. Torres, David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods
  • Publication number: 20110309103
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: RICHARD B. HEATHERLY, MICHAEL MORTON, JOHN GRIMM, I, MICK TINKER, DAVID NICHOLS-ROY, ALEX McKAY, RON MOORE
  • Patent number: 7661438
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
  • Patent number: 7636958
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Alberto C. Torres
  • Publication number: 20080134422
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: DAVID NICHOLS-ROY, Dennis Woods, Alberto C. Torres
  • Publication number: 20080078454
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
  • Publication number: 20070101486
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Alberto Torres, David Nichols-Roy, Dennis Woods
  • Publication number: 20060218712
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Alberto Torres
  • Patent number: 6880181
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Charles R. Way
  • Publication number: 20040172746
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Charles R. Way
  • Patent number: 6260574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 6192526
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Alberto C. Torres
  • Patent number: 6142174
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 6003541
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 5975125
    Abstract: 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 d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Plumbing Products
    Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 5836346
    Abstract: 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 d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Plumbing Products
    Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 5715859
    Abstract: 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 connect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Plumbing Products
    Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 5623961
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Hunter Plumbing Products
    Inventor: David Nichols-Roy