Patents by Inventor Duston E A Stutzman
Duston E A Stutzman 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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Patent number: 10145095Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards preventing an overflow of a toilet bowl in the event of, for example, a clogged toilet. A toilet flush handle may be in communication with a toilet flush valve. The toilet flush handle may be configured to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction. By rotating in the first direction, the toilet flush handle may initiate a toilet flush. By rotating in the second direction, the toilet flush handle may interrupt the toilet flush.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: DANCO, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Douglas C. Saunders
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Patent number: 10047509Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for dual flush activation. In one embodiment, an assembly includes a handle assembly; and a transfer box configured to detachably connect to an actuation control box of the dual flush toilet system. The transfer box is configured to translate a rotational motion of the handle assembly into a linear motion accepted by the actuation control box to initiate a flush mode of the dual flush toilet system. In another embodiment, an assembly includes a dual-input actuation control box configured to detachably connect to a rotary handle assembly and a push button assembly. The dual-input transfer box is configured to translate a rotational motion of the rotary handle assembly and a liner motion of the push button assembly into a linear motion to initiate a flush mode of the dual flush toilet system.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Danco, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders, Duston E. A. Stutzman
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Patent number: 9976292Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for flush activated air freshening. In one embodiment, a method includes sensing the initiation of a flush of a toilet system and discharging aerosol in response to sensing the initiation of the flush. In another embodiment, an air freshener assembly for a toilet system includes a control valve coupled to an aerosol cartridge and a spray control configured to activate the control valve to discharge aerosol from the aerosol cartridge in response to initiation of a flush of the toilet system. In another embodiment, a toilet system includes means for initiating a flush of a toilet, means for sensing initiation of the flush, and means for discharging aerosol in response to sensing the initiation of the flush.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Danco, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders, Duston E. A. Stutzman
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Patent number: 9938701Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods that facilitate dual flush capability are presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a dual flush mechanism configured to provide for a dual flush capability in a toilet. The dual flush mechanism can include a basket structure. A gasket can be attached to the dual flush mechanism. The gasket can form a seal between the dual flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Danco, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Dwayne A. Porter, Douglas C. Saunders
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Patent number: 9896830Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a dual flush handle system. A first handle lever is configured to rotate in a direction by a first predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a first flush of a toilet. A second handle lever is configured to rotate in the direction about a second predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a second flush of a toilet.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Danco, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders, Duston E. A. Stutzman
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Patent number: 9803348Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for electrically controlled flush applications. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an activation assembly configured to initiate a flush of a flush assembly based upon a position of the activation assembly. The activation assembly includes a position sensor that senses a transition from a neutral position to a first position and a restraint mechanism that prevents a return to the neutral position for a predefined period of time corresponding to the flush duration. In another embodiment, a flush activation assembly includes an activation control box with a position sensor that provides an indication that a cable anchor has transitioned from a neutral position to a first position to initiate a flush of the flush assembly and a restraint mechanism that prevents the cable anchor from returning to the neutral position in response to the indication from the position sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: DANCO, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Douglas C. Saunders
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Publication number: 20170130436Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for offsetting of flush adapters. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an adapter configured to attach to a flush mechanism configured to provide for a predefined flush capability in a toilet, a gasket attached to adapter, the gasket forming a seal between the flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve, where the flush valve is configured to seat a sealing member, and means for securing the gasket in position with respect to the flush orifice of the flush valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E.A. Stutzman, Doug Saunders
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Patent number: 9556600Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for offsetting of flush adapters. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an adapter configured to attach to a flush mechanism configured to provide for a predefined flush capability in a toilet, a gasket attached to adapter, the gasket forming a seal between the flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve, where the flush valve is configured to seat a sealing member, and means for securing the gasket in position with respect to the flush orifice of the flush valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: DANCO, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Doug Saunders
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Publication number: 20160369487Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a dual flush handle control. A rotary handle assembly for a dual flush toilet system includes a flush stop, a handle lever, a handle switch, and a restriction arm. The handle switch is configured to extend through a surface of the handle lever from an unextended position to an extended position. The restriction arm is configured to engage the handle switch at a proximal end and control engagement with the flush stop to restrict rotation of the handle lever based upon the position of the handle switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders, Duston E.A. Stutzman
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Patent number: 9447570Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a dual flush handle control. A rotary handle assembly for a dual flush toilet system includes a flush stop, a handle lever, a handle switch, and a restriction arm. The handle switch is configured to extend through a surface of the handle lever from an unextended position to an extended position. The restriction arm is configured to engage the handle switch at a proximal end and control engagement with the flush stop to restrict rotation of the handle lever based upon the position of the handle switch.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Danco, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders, Duston E. A. Stutzman
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Patent number: 9371639Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for prematurely terminating a flush cycle. A valve stem may be coupled to a cable to move the valve stem in an upward direction to initiate a flush cycle. A buoyant float may be configured to engage the valve stem to prevent the valve stem from moving in a downward direction during the flush cycle, until a water level drops below a predefined level. Finally, a second cable coupled to a valve release assembly may be utilized to release the valve stem from the buoyant float to prematurely terminate the flush cycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Danco, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Douglas C. Saunders
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Publication number: 20160122988Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods that facilitate dual flush capability are presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a dual flush mechanism configured to provide for a dual flush capability in a toilet. The dual flush mechanism can include a basket structure. A gasket can be attached to the dual flush mechanism. The gasket can form a seal between the dual flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E.A. Stutzman, Dwayne A. Porter, Douglas C. Saunders
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Publication number: 20160083946Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for offsetting of flush adapters. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an adapter configured to attach to a flush mechanism configured to provide for a predefined flush capability in a toilet, a gasket attached to adapter, the gasket forming a seal between the flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve, where the flush valve is configured to seat a sealing member, and means for securing the gasket in position with respect to the flush orifice of the flush valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E.A. Stutzman, Doug Saunders
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Patent number: 9267275Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a dual flush handle system. A first handle lever is configured to rotate in a direction by a first predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a first flush of a toilet. A second handle lever is configured to rotate in the direction about a second predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a second flush of a toilet.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: DANCO, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders, Duston E. A. Stutzman
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Patent number: 9228332Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for offsetting of flush adapters. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an adapter configured to attach to a flush mechanism configured to provide for a predefined flush capability in a toilet, a gasket attached to adapter, the gasket forming a seal between the flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve, where the flush valve is configured to seat a sealing member, and means for securing the gasket in position with respect to the flush orifice of the flush valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: DANCO, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Doug Saunders
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Patent number: 9228333Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a dual flush handle system. A first handle lever is configured to rotate in a direction by a first predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a first flush of a toilet. A second handle lever is configured to rotate in the direction about a second predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a second flush of a toilet.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: DANCO, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders, Duston E. A. Stutzman
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Publication number: 20150376884Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a dual flush handle system. A first handle lever is configured to rotate in a direction by a first predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a first flush of a toilet. A second handle lever is configured to rotate in the direction about a second predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a second flush of a toilet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders, Duston E. A. Stutzman
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Patent number: 9181687Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods that facilitate dual flush capability are presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a dual flush mechanism configured to provide for a dual flush capability in a toilet. The dual flush mechanism can include a basket structure. A gasket can be attached to the dual flush mechanism. The gasket can form a seal between the dual flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: DANCO, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Dwayne A. Porter, Douglas C. Saunders
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Patent number: 8943620Abstract: Disclosed are various apparatuses and methods that facilitate dual flush capability. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a dual flush mechanism configured to provide for a dual flush capability in a toilet. A gasket is attached to the dual flush mechanism. The gasket forms a seal between the dual flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Danco, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Dwayne A. Porter, Douglas C. Saunders
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Publication number: 20150013055Abstract: Disclosed are various apparatuses and methods that facilitate dual flush capability. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes a dual flush mechanism configured to provide for a dual flush capability in a toilet. A gasket is attached to the dual flush mechanism. The gasket forms a seal between the dual flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Duston E. A. Stutzman, Dwayne A. Porter, Douglas C. Saunders