Patents by Inventor Francisco Hinojosa

Francisco Hinojosa 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: 9377147
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for improved multi-jet manifolds for spas, spa accessories and plumbing components are provided. A spa manifold with a first elongated pipe structure with a plurality of arms, a plurality of pipe segments sized to fit one or more of the first pipe arms, and a second elongated pipe structure with a plurality of arms is provided. A plurality of housing pipe segments attached to the remainder of the manifold is also provided, with the housing segments sized to house a jet and/or other spa accessories. A system for providing water and/or air to a grouping of jets and/or spa accessories through at least one manifold is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: B&S PLASTICS INC.
    Inventors: Brooks Hilton, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr., Par Dannas
  • Patent number: 8306254
    Abstract: A spa speaker system having a housing with a speaker mounted therein, wherein the housing is mounted within a hole in the wall of a spa. The speaker system is arranged at an angle within the housing, and is rotatable with respect to the hole. The system can also comprise a watertight membrane arranged to prevent water and contaminants from interfering with speaker components. A system for providing audio to a spa is also disclosed. The system comprises a spa having walls and at least one speaker unit mounted in a spa wall. Each of the speaker units is capable of receiving an audio signal, and generating sound towards the occupants of the spa. Each of the speaker units comprises a speaker that is individually rotatable and arranged at an angle to direct the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: B & S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Schmidt, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8011604
    Abstract: A pop-up water jet assembly comprises a housing having a vertical, central axis, an upper end, a top surface, a lower end, an interior and a water inlet adjacent to the lower end communicating with the interior of the housing. A pop-up member having an upper portion, a top surface, a lower portion and an interior in communication with the interior of the housing, is movable relative to the housing between a raised position in which the upper portion of the pop-up member extends from the upper end of the housing and a lowered position in which the top surfaces of the housing and the pop-up member are substantially flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: B & S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Holtsnider, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7818826
    Abstract: A laminar flow jet is disclosed that provides a non-turbulent smooth stream of water. The jet is structured to remove turbulence from the moving water. As the water flows through the jet, a screen component and a nozzle component cooperate to slow the water flow and provide a uniform flow direction. The jet is also structured so that the laminar stream may be lighted from within the jet. The body of the jet is designed to receive an elongated and transparent probe carrying a lighting apparatus such as a fiber optic cable. The laminar flow jet is designed to be mounted to a structure such as a spa, pool or tub wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: B & S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Schmidt, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr., Jose Cervantes
  • Publication number: 20100046785
    Abstract: A spa speaker system having a housing with a speaker mounted therein, wherein the housing is mounted within a hole in the wall of a spa. The speaker system is arranged at an angle within the housing, and is rotatable with respect to the hole. The system can also comprise a watertight membrane arranged to prevent water and contaminants from interfering with speaker components. A system for providing audio to a spa is also disclosed. The system comprises a spa having walls and at least one speaker unit mounted in a spa wall. Each of the speaker units is capable of receiving an audio signal, and generating sound towards the occupants of the spa. Each of the speaker units comprises a speaker that is individually rotatable and arranged at an angle to direct the sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Darrell Schmidt, Francisco Hinojosa, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090242047
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for improved multi-jet manifolds for spas, spa accessories and plumbing components are provided. A spa manifold with a first elongated pipe structure with a plurality of arms, a plurality of pipe segments sized to fit one or more of the first pipe arms, and a second elongated pipe structure with a plurality of arms is provided. A plurality of housing pipe segments attached to the remainder of the manifold is also provided, with the housing segments sized to house a jet and/or other spa accessories. A system for providing water and/or air to a grouping of jets and/or spa accessories through at least one manifold is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Brooks Hilton, Francisco Hinojosa, JR., Par Dannas
  • Patent number: 7218746
    Abstract: A spa speaker system is disclosed having a housing with a speaker mounted within it. The housing is movably mounted to a track with the housing extendible and retractable from the top of the track. A spring is arranged to urge the housing to extend from the top of the track. A latching mechanism is operable to hold the housing in its retracted position and is thereafter operable to release the housing. The housing extends from the track when the housing is released by the latching mechanism. A system for providing audio to a reservoir of water is also disclosed. The system comprises a reservoir shell capable of holding water and at least one speaker system according to the invention mounted to said reservoir shell above the water line. Each of the speaker systems is independently extendible from the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: B & S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Schmidt, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr., Michael D. Holtsnider, Raymond Colin, Stephen L. Samuels
  • Publication number: 20060253971
    Abstract: A gasket for providing a watertight seal between a spa wall hole and spa component comprises a front extension at least partially covering the front surface around the spa wall hole. A rear extension at least partially covers the back surface around the spa wall hole. The spa component has a front portion and a back portion, with the front extension sandwiched between the front portion and the front surface to provide a watertight seal at the front surface at least partially around the hole. The rear extension is sandwiched between the back portion and the back surface of the hole to provide a watertight seal at the back surface at least partially around the hole. The gasket can also be arranged to provide a seal between the spa component and the inside surface of the spa wall hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Raymundo Colin, Francisco Hinojosa, Darrell Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20060253972
    Abstract: A laminar flow jet is disclosed that provides a non-turbulent smooth stream of water. The jet is structured to remove turbulence from the moving water. As the water flows through the jet, a screen component and a nozzle component cooperate to slow the water flow and provide a uniform flow direction. The jet is also structured so that the laminar stream may be lighted from within the jet. The body of the jet is designed to receive an elongated and transparent probe carrying a lighting apparatus such as a fiber optic cable. The laminar flow jet is designed to be mounted to a structure such as a spa, pool or tub wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Darrell Schmidt, Francisco Hinojosa, Jose Cervantes
  • Publication number: 20060042689
    Abstract: A skimmer through which water is extracted from a reservoir such as a pool, spa or tub extracts debris from the water and includes a mechanism to return water to the reservoir as a waterfall. Water extracted through the skimmer is distributed between the waterfall and a reservoir return, such as a pool return or hydrotherapy jets in the case of a spa or tub, preferably by a single adjustable valve which controls the distribution. The reach of the waterfall into the reservoir is preferably a function of the water pressure at the waterfall mechanism, with the valve being adjustable to vary the pressure and thereby the waterfall reach. The skimmer/waterfall unit may also include a light source which depends from a removable wall, preferably a lid for the skimmer/waterfall housing, to illuminate the waterfall. The light source is preferably centered behind and disposed to illuminate the waterfall with a balanced backlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventor: Francisco Hinojosa
  • Publication number: 20060002105
    Abstract: A light for a spa jet or like water reservoir component comprises a component body adapted to project through a wall of a reservoir, and a probe within the component body arranged to receive light from an LED within the probe, the probe being adapted to transmit the light from the LED into the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventor: Francisco Hinojosa
  • Publication number: 20040156517
    Abstract: A spa speaker system is disclosed having a housing with a speaker mounted within it. The housing is movably mounted to a track with the housing extendible and retractable from the top of the track. A spring is arranged to urge the housing to extend from the top of the track. A latching mechanism is operable to hold the housing in its retracted position and is thereafter operable to release the housing. The housing extends from the track when the housing is released by the latching mechanism. A system for providing audio to a reservoir of water is also disclosed. The system comprises a reservoir shell capable of holding water and at least one speaker system according to the invention mounted to said reservoir shell above the water line. Each of the speaker systems is independently extendible form the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: WATERWAY PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Darrell Schmidt, Francisco Hinojosa, Michael D. Holtsnider, Raymundo Colin, Stephen L. Samuels
  • Publication number: 20040045613
    Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed that includes a cylindrical body having a bottom and lid and a plurality of body openings. A closure member is included within the cylindrical body that is movable to block one of the housing holes. A handle is connected to the closure member, with the handle being external to the cylindrical body. The turning of the handle causes the closure member to move within the body. The handle has a first set of vertical teeth and a spline on the lid has a second set of vertical teeth. The first and second sets of vertical teeth engage to lock the handle in place and disengage to allow the handle to turn. A plurality of label tags can also be included, at least one of which is mounted to the diverter adjacent to one of the body openings to indicate the source or destination of fluid flowing through said openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: WATERWAY PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco Hinojosa, Ruben Lerma, Steven Kramer
  • Patent number: 6450418
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new waterfall apparatus water reservoirs such as pools, spa's and the like. It comprises a manifold having a water inlet connected to the a water supply, preferably the water supply from the reservoir's plumbing. The manifold has internal baffles to remove turbulence from the water, which is then directed to a spillway water outlet. The spillway has a through slot that allows water to flow out from the manifold. It also has a removable outlet cap which forms the water into a particular waterfall shape. Another embodiment of the invention for spas, has a tubular body and a outlet that is in the form of a longitudinal slot in the body. The outlet cap is then mounted in the slot. In both embodiments the outlet cap can be easily removed to clean the apparatus if debris becomes lodged within it. It can also be removed if the spillway becomes damaged or it the pool/spa owner would like to change the type of waterfall produced by the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Waterway Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich F. Simpson, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5269029
    Abstract: A hydrotherapy jet has a push-pull adjustment that enables a discharge to be turned off or on without rotating the discharge nozzle. This allows an off-axis discharge, useful for a neck massage, to be maintain in a constant direction despite adjustments in the discharge flow level. Inlets are provided in the rear of the nozzle, with the inlets closed off by a surrounding sleeve when the nozzle is pushed in but exposed to receive a discharge flow when the nozzle is pulled out. The sleeve is carried by a mounting member, with water flow passages to the nozzle inlet formed between the sleeve and its mounting member. The adjustment mechanism is preferably contained within a pivotable eyeball fitting, and air passageways can be added to provide a mixed water/air discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: B&S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Spears, Francisco Hinojosa, Jr., Eugene M. Gravatt, Michael D. Holtsnider
  • Patent number: 5226601
    Abstract: A greater volume of air is entrained in the water flow from a hydrotherapy jet by directing the discharge from a first venturi nozzle through a second nozzle that constrains and accelerates the flow. For greatest aeration the ratio of the discharge orifice diameter for the first nozzle to that of the second nozzle is about 0.7-0.85, the ratio of the distance between the discharge orifices for the two nozzles and the diameter of the first nozzle's discharge orifice is about 0.85-1.5, air is introduced into the discharge from the first nozzle from a location fully behind that nozzle's discharge orifice, the flow of air to the downstream side of the second nozzle's discharge orifice is blocked, and the upstream end of the second nozzle overlaps the downstream end of the first nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: B&S Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Hinojosa, Jr., Eugene M. Gravatt