Patents by Inventor Gary R. Higgins

Gary R. Higgins 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).

  • Flush valve and flapper, and method of ensuring a good seal between a valve seal and a valve seat
    Patent number: 6401268
    Abstract: A flapper for a flush valve includes a relatively rigid backing plate and a relatively flexible valve seal. The backing plate includes structure for preventing the seal from being urged into sealing engagement with the backing plate, thereby preventing an air-filled cavity from forming between the seal and the lower surface of the backing plate. The preventing structure may include at least one pair of oppositely spaced ridges extending a first predetermined distance from the lower surface of the backing plate and forming a channel therebetween. The preventing structure may alternately include at least one radially extending channel formed in the backing plate and having a predetermined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Gary R. Higgins
  • Flush valve and flapper, and method of ensuring a good seal between a valve seal and a valve seat
    Publication number: 20010044951
    Abstract: A flapper for a flush valve includes a relatively rigid backing plate and a relatively flexible valve seal. The backing plate includes structure for preventing the seal from being urged into sealing engagement with the backing plate, thereby preventing an air-filled cavity from forming between the seal and the lower surface of the backing plate. The preventing structure may include at least one pair of oppositely spaced ridges extending a first predetermined distance from the lower surface of the backing plate and forming a channel therebetween. The preventing structure may alternately include at least one radially extending channel formed in the backing plate and having a predetermined depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Gary R. Higgins
  • Flapper-type flush valve and mounting adapter
    Patent number: 6173457
    Abstract: A flapper-type toilet flush valve having multiple components. A float member component is assembled to a flapper body component. Both components are made of resilient plastic compounds that resist chlorine and chemical bleaches of the type commonly used in tank style toilets. A pair of arms extend from the flapper body component for pivotally mounting the flush valve to corresponding trunnions on an overflow pipe in the toilet tank. An annular recess in the lower surface of the flapper body component has lugs, and corresponding teeth are provided on a top edge of the float member component for mating with the locking lugs. An annular flange extends from the float member component near its top edge to form a first sealing surface. A portion of the lower surface of the flapper body component forms a second sealing surface. A replaceable seal ring is disposed between the first and second sealing surfaces. A mounting adapter, comprising a collar having trunnions is provided for overflow pipes lacking trunnions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Gary R. Higgins
  • Isolation chamber
    Patent number: D266700
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Float to Relax, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Higgins
  • Toilet tank adapter
    Patent number: D561305
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Gary R. Higgins
  • Replacement valve seat of a flush valve
    Patent number: D424168
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: WDI International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Higgins
  • Spray head for a sink
    Patent number: D430644
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: TWI International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Higgins