Patents by Inventor James Edward McAlpine

James Edward McAlpine 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: 11692335
    Abstract: A drain connector (10) is configured to be installed with a sanitary appliance (100) from bottom-up. The drain connector (10) includes a main body (12) connectable at a first end to an inlet end of a waste pipe system or trap. A hollow stalk member (14) is received at least partially within the main body (12). The hollow stalk member (14) is arranged to extend and retract relative to the main body (12) via a second end of the main body (12). The drain connector (10) includes at least one sealing element (24) defining an interference and active sealing fit between the main body (12) and the hollow stalk member (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Robert Gemmell McAlpine
  • Patent number: 11525532
    Abstract: A connector includes a seat portion and a body portion. The seat portion includes a seat having a first curved surface. The body portion includes a curved body having a second curved surface. A nut portion is screwed to the seat portion, with a flexible portion and washer disposed therebetween. To connect the seat portion and the body portion, the curved body can be inserted through an opening of the nut portion, and the flexible portion and washer. The flexible portion may resist, but not stop, the curved body from being moved therethrough. The curved body may be seated within the seat and configured such that angular and/or rotational adaptation of the seat portion relative to the body portion is permitted. The nut portion can be adjusted to compress the flexible portion such that the curved body is retained in the vicinity of the seat, while still permitting angular and/or rotational adaptation of the seat portion relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co., Limited
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Robert G. McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20210002876
    Abstract: A drain connector (10) is configured to be installed with a sanitary appliance (100) from bottom-up. The drain connector (10) includes a main body (12) connectable at a first end to an inlet end of a waste pipe system or trap. A hollow stalk member (14) is received at least partially within the main body (12). The hollow stalk member (14) is arranged to extend and retract relative to the main body (12) via a second end of the main body (12). The drain connector (10) includes at least one sealing element (24) defining an interference and active sealing fit between the main body (12) and the hollow stalk member (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Robert Gemmell McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20200370690
    Abstract: A connector includes a seat portion and a body portion. The seat portion includes a seat having a first curved surface. The body portion includes a curved body having a second curved surface. A nut portion is screwed to the seat portion, with a flexible portion and washer disposed therebetween. To connect the seat portion and the body portion, the curved body can be inserted through an opening of the nut portion, and the flexible portion and washer. The flexible portion may resist, but not stop, the curved body from being moved therethrough. The curved body may be seated within the seat and configured such that angular and/or rotational adaptation of the seat portion relative to the body portion is permitted. The nut portion can be adjusted to compress the flexible portion such that the curved body is retained in the vicinity of the seat, while still permitting angular and/or rotational adaptation of the seat portion relative to the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Robert G. McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10626587
    Abstract: An overflow device for an appliance such as a bathtub, sink or the like. The overflow device comprises a body which connects the overflow device to the appliance. The body includes a body inlet adapted to be connected to an appliance outlet. The body also includes a body outlet adapted to be connected to a soil stack. A drainage flowpath is defined between the body inlet and the body outlet. In use, the drainage flowpath creates a water seal between the body inlet and body outlet. The overflow device also includes a pipe arrangement in fluid communication with the body, where the pipe arrangement defines an overflow flowpath between the body inlet and the body outlet, such that, in use, at least a portion of the overflow flowpath is beneath the level of the water seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: MCALPINE & CO. LTD.
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Christopher McKendrick, Robert Gemmell McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10458104
    Abstract: A lockable plug device for sanitary ware comprises a closure member operable to engage with an outlet or drain of the sanitary ware product to stop water emptying from the sanitary ware product, for example a bath. The lockable plug device also includes a closure mechanism, which is linked to the closure member and is operable to displace the closure member relative to the outlet or drain such that the outlet can be open or closed. The closure mechanism comprises a lock feature, which is operable to lock the closure member in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Robert Gemmell McAlpine, Christopher McKendrick
  • Patent number: 10451203
    Abstract: A connector (10) or kit of parts facilitates sealingly inserting a plumbing member (211) into a gap (250) created in an existing pipeline (200). The connector (10) comprises a bridging sleeve (12; 212), a first sealing device (14; 214), a second sealing device (16; 216), a first sealing element (18; 218), and a second sealing element (20; 220). In use, the first sealing device (14; 214) is adapted to form a first seal between a bridging sleeve (12; 212) first tubular section internal surface and an existing pipeline external surface (252, 254) by compression of the first sealing element (18; 218) and the second sealing device (16; 216) is adapted to form a second seal between a plumbing member internal surface and a bridging sleeve second tubular section external surface (24) by compression of the second sealing element (20; 220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10337179
    Abstract: A flood prevention apparatus for a sanitary ware product such as a bath or the like. The flood prevention apparatus comprises a multi chamber drain and an overflow apparatus. The multi chamber drain comprises a body defining at least a first and a second chamber therein. Openings into the body define a first outlet port and a second outlet port. Each of the first and second outlet ports are vertically and horizontally displaced relative to each other. The first outlet port is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second outlet port is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The first and second outlet ports are each connectable to associated first and second pipe sections of the overflow apparatus. The overflow apparatus comprises a first pipe section configured to attach to the first outlet port and a second pipe section configured to attach to the second outlet port. The first and second pipe sections provide substantially vertical pipe sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20190055723
    Abstract: An overflow device for an appliance such as a bathtub, sink or the like. The overflow device comprises a body which connects the overflow device to the appliance. The body includes a body inlet adapted to be connected to an appliance outlet. The body also includes a body outlet adapted to be connected to a soil stack. A drainage flowpath is defined between the body inlet and the body outlet. In use, the drainage flowpath creates a water seal between the body inlet and body outlet. The overflow device also includes a pipe arrangement in fluid communication with the body, where the pipe arrangement defines an overflow flowpath between the body inlet and the body outlet, such that, in use, at least a portion of the overflow flowpath is beneath the level of the water seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Christopher McKendrick, Robert Gemmell McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10190296
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for speeding the draining of a bathing vessel, and is particularly suitable for speeding the draining of walk-in bath tubs. The apparatus can be concealed in a corner of the walk-in bathtub and comprises an actuation mechanism to open and close the draining outlet which needs minimal force to be actuated, making it especially suitable for use by elderly people. The apparatus can also incorporate a security by-pass drain to avoid overfilling of the bathtub. The apparatus can be installed in most or all standard bathrooms with few adaptations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chris McKendrick, James Edward McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10077546
    Abstract: A removable cartridge for a low or zero water urinal outlet comprises a body comprising a side wall including one or more locking projections projecting out from the wall. One or more resilient elements are provided in the wall and each resilient element includes one of the locking projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: MCAPLPINE & CO. LTD.
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Patent number: 10030374
    Abstract: A drainage fitting (10) is described. The drainage fitting (10) comprises a housing (12) adapted to be inserted into a drainage outlet, the housing defining a housing inlet (14) and a housing outlet (16) and a one way valve (18) adapted to be received within the housing (12). The one way valve (18) has a body defining a valve inlet (22), a valve outlet (24) and a valve passageway (26), the passageway (26) providing fluid communication between the housing inlet (14) and the housing outlet (16). The drainage fitting (10) further comprises a fitting insert (28) adapted to be located in the housing inlet (14), the fitting insert (28) defining an insert portion (30) adapted to extend through the valve inlet (22) and into the valve passageway (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: McApline & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Patent number: 9926692
    Abstract: An apparatus for a urinal is described. The apparatus comprises a plate member adapted to form a seal with a urinal outlet, the plate member defining a throughbore permitting the passage of liquid, in use, from the urinal to a soil pipe and a diaphragm located in the plate member throughbore, the diaphragm adapted to permit the passage of liquid through the throughbore in one direction only from the urinal to the soil pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Patent number: 9915058
    Abstract: A fitting (10) for a sanitary unit outlet (5) has a tubular housing (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16), a grid (18) associated with the housing inlet (14) and a one-way valve (20) associated with the housing outlet (16). The housing (12), grid (18) and one-way valve (20) are removable from the sanitary unit outlet (5) as a single entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: McAlpine & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20180044906
    Abstract: An apparatus (10; 110) for preventing vermin or rodent (24) access to buildings through drainage conduits. The apparatus (10; 110) comprises: a duct (12) defining a flowpath and a barrier (16; 116) which prevents access to vermin or rodents (24) through the drainage conduit. The barrier (16; 116) includes a protective structure (165) to deter vermin gnawing the through the barrier (16; 116). The barrier (16; 116) is movable between a flowpath closed position in which the flowpath is substantially closed and a flowpath open position in which the flowpath is substantially open. The barrier (16) is biased to the flowpath closed position by a threshold force. As such the barrier (16) is movable to the flowpath open position upon application of a force greater than the threshold force. The threshold force is sufficient to maintain the barrier (16; 116) in the flowpath closed position under its own weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20180030706
    Abstract: A lockable plug device for sanitary ware comprises a closure member operable to engage with an outlet or drain of the sanitary ware product to stop water emptying from the sanitary ware product, for example a bath. The lockable plug device also includes a closure mechanism, which is linked to the closure member and is operable to displace the closure member relative to the outlet or drain such that the outlet can be open or closed. The closure mechanism comprises a lock feature, which is operable to lock the closure member in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Robert Gemmell McAlpine, Christopher McKendrick
  • Publication number: 20180031155
    Abstract: A connector (10) or kit of parts facilitates sealingly inserting a plumbing member (211) into a gap (250) created in an existing pipeline (200). The connector (10) comprises a bridging sleeve (12; 212), a first sealing device (14; 214), a second sealing device (16; 216), a first sealing element (18; 218), and a second sealing element (20; 220). In use, the first sealing device (14; 214) is adapted to form a first seal between a bridging sleeve (12; 212) first tubular section internal surface and an existing pipeline external surface (252, 254) by compression of the first sealing element (18; 218) and the second sealing device (16; 216) is adapted to form a second seal between a plumbing member internal surface and a bridging sleeve second tubular section external surface (24) by compression of the second sealing element (20; 220).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20170370507
    Abstract: A plumbing fitting of a first plastic material comprises at least one annular branch defining a hollow port. A sleeve of a second plastic material can be inserted into the hollow port. The sleeve is retained within the hollow port by a retaining member which is fitted to the outer end and outer wall of the annular branch. The sleeve is configured to facilitate attachment of the plumbing fitting to a second plumbing fitting by insertion of the second plumbing fitting into the hollow port, wherein the second plumbing fitting is of the second plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20170306598
    Abstract: A flood prevention apparatus for a sanitary ware product such as a bath or the like. The flood prevention apparatus comprises a multi chamber drain and an overflow apparatus. The multi chamber drain comprises a body defining at least a first and a second chamber therein. Openings into the body define a first outlet port and a second outlet port. Each of the first and second outlet ports are vertically and horizontally displaced relative to each other. The first outlet port is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second outlet port is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The first and second outlet ports are each connectable to associated first and second pipe sections of the overflow apparatus. The overflow apparatus comprises a first pipe section configured to attach to the first outlet port and a second pipe section configured to attach to the second outlet port. The first and second pipe sections provide substantially vertical pipe sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: James Edward McAlpine
  • Patent number: 9790672
    Abstract: An overflow device for use with sinks and the like is described. The overflow device comprises a body adapted to be positioned adjacent the exterior of a sink bowl, the body having an inlet and an outlet joined by an inverted-U siphon passage, and a vent adapted to communicate ambient air to the top of the siphon passage, the vent being arranged to close when water level in the sink reaches a predetermined level. In at least one embodiment the vent has no moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: McAlpine & CO LTD.
    Inventors: James Edward McAlpine, Christopher McKendrick