Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Muderlak

Kenneth J. Muderlak 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: 7140050
    Abstract: An automatic flushing actuator that mounts to an overflow pipe in a tank style toilet includes a proximity sensor, a housing enclosing a motor mount and gear assembly, and a rotatably mounted lever on top of the housing. A clamp is adapted to be affixed to the side of the housing and secure the actuator to the overflow pipe. When installing the actuator, the clamp is affixed to the overflow pipe before the housing is mounted onto the clamp. The clamp allows the housing to be removably mounted or locked in position on the clamp. The lever coupled to the top of the housing is rotated to a desired position, and a chain is connected to a handle of the toilet opens the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 6929150
    Abstract: A method of dispensing soap from a fluid dispensing system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of presenting a tube having a tube end disposed at a first position within an indented portion of a spout of the fluid dispensing system, sensing an object below the tube end, in response to sensing the object, expelling said soap from the tube end by drawing the tube end further within the indented portion to a second position, and returning the tube end to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20040262554
    Abstract: A flexible drive mechanism for a flushing apparatus actuated by movement of a flush handle via an actuation element is disclosed. The drive mechanism includes a housing and flexible drive system in the housing, the flexible drive system including an actuating element operable to move the flush handle between a non-actuating position and a full stop actuating position. The housing further includes first and second bracket halves and first and second removable insert halves for adapting the first and second bracket halves to substantially enclose and engage a bushing and nut and thereby secure said electromechanical flexible actuator to the flush lever of the sanitary fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, George J. Jost
  • Publication number: 20040194196
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which is positioned in a reservoir tank of a conventional tank toilet and which injects cleaner into a toilet bowl operatively connected to said reservoir tank when the toilet is flushed. The apparatus includes a “T” connector, a diaphragm valve connected to a collapsible supply bag, an injection tube connected to said diaphragm valve and running the length of said supply bag and exiting the supply bag at the top of the bag through a sealed exit. When the toilet is flushed, the “T” connector diverts water from a water inlet valve located within the reservoir tank and directs the water to the diaphragm valve. The water operates the diaphragm valve, which forces cleaner from the valve through the injection tube, and out the injection tube into an overflow pipe located with the reservoir tank. The overflow pipe leads to the toilet bowl; thus allowing for the cleaner exiting the tube to be enter the bowl to clean the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 6769580
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing material from a container. The method comprises the steps of receiving a dispensing time, receiving a working interval, receiving a plurality of working days, and dispensing the material from the container during the dispensing time, during the working interval and on one of the plurality of working days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Shieh
  • Publication number: 20040068784
    Abstract: An automatic flushing actuator that mounts to an overflow pipe in a tank style toilet includes a proximity sensor, a housing enclosing a motor mount and gear assembly, and a rotatably mounted lever on top of the housing. A clamp is adapted to be affixed to the side of the housing and secure the actuator to the overflow pipe. When installing the actuator, the clamp is affixed to the overflow pipe before the housing is mounted onto the clamp. The clamp allows the housing to be removably mounted or locked in position on the clamp. The lever coupled to the top of the housing is rotated to a desired position, and a chain is connected to a handle of the toilet opens the flush valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Technical Concepts, LLC.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Publication number: 20040050876
    Abstract: An automatic fluid soap dispensing apparatus and method comprising a dispensing spout, housing operatively connected to the dispensing spout and the housing adapted to removably receive and hold a fluid soap containing reservoir module in communication with the dispensing spout. The reservoir module has a central axis, and includes a pump mechanism and delivery tube mounted on the reservoir module in alignment with the central axis. The dispensing tube is adapted to move in the dispensing spout when the pump mechanism is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Technical Concepts, L.P.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6651851
    Abstract: An automatic fluid soap dispensing apparatus and method comprising a dispensing spout, housing operatively connected to the dispensing spout and the housing adapted to removably receive and hold a fluid soap containing reservoir module in communication with the dispensing spout. The reservoir module has a central axis, and includes a pump mechanism and delivery tube mounted on the reservoir module in alignment with the central axis. The dispensing tube is adapted to move in the dispensing spout when the pump mechanism is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20030116736
    Abstract: A flexible drive mechanism for a flushing apparatus actuated by movement of a flush handle via an actuation element. The drive mechanism includes a housing and flexible drive system in the housing, the flexible drive system including an actuating element operable to move the flush handle between a non-actuating position and a full stop actuating position. The flexible drive system is maintained in substantial continuous contact with the flush handle as the flush handle moves to its full stop position, and the flexible drive system continues to operate without stalling after the flush handle reaches its full stop position as a support plate for the motor and flexible drive system changes position to provide flexure or “give” between the flush handle and the actuating element to prevent stalling of the flexible drive system. In another embodiment, the flexible drive system includes a cam having a main body part and a flexible body part, with a bias element between the body parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Publication number: 20020185500
    Abstract: An automatic fluid soap dispensing apparatus and method comprising a dispensing spout, housing operatively connected to the dispensing spout and the housing adapted to removably receive and hold a fluid soap containing reservoir module in communication with the dispensing spout. The reservoir module has a central axis, and includes a pump mechanism and delivery tube mounted on the reservoir module in alignment with the central axis. The dispensing tube is adapted to move in the dispensing spout when the pump mechanism is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20020166871
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing material from a container. The method comprises the steps of receiving a dispensing time, receiving a working interval, receiving a plurality of working days, and dispensing the material from the container during the dispensing time, during the working interval and on one of the plurality of working days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Shieh
  • Patent number: 6467651
    Abstract: An automatic fluid soap dispensing apparatus and method comprising a dispensing spout, housing operatively connected to the dispensing spout and the housing adapted to removably receive and hold a fluid soap containing reservoir module in communication with the dispensing spout. The reservoir module has a central axis, and includes a pump mechanism and delivery tube mounted on the reservoir module in alignment with the central axis. The dispensing tube is adapted to move in the dispensing spout when the pump mechanism is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, L.P.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Shieh
  • Patent number: 6394310
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing material from a container. The method comprises the steps of receiving a dispensing time, receiving a working interval, receiving a plurality of working days, and dispensing the material from the container during the dispensing time, during the working interval and on one of the plurality of working days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Shieh
  • Patent number: 5908140
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material from a container having a dispensing element includes a motor for repeatedly actuating the dispensing element to facilitate dispensing of the material from the container and a controller for activating the motor at predetermined time intervals. The apparatus includes a stall detection circuit coupled to the motor and to the controller to detect a stall condition of the motor, the stall detection circuit configured to issue a stall detection signal when the stall condition is detected. The controller deactivates the motor in response to receiving the stall detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, L.P.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Sheih
  • Patent number: 5884808
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material from a container having a dispensing element includes a motor for repeatedly actuating the dispensing element to facilitate dispensing of the material from the container and a controller for activating the motor at predetermined time intervals. The controller may also control an LCD display to display the time remaining until the container is empty and optionally to display the battery life remaining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, L.P.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Sheih
  • Patent number: 5823390
    Abstract: The invention includes an actuator system for a chemical dispensing apparatus where the chemical dispensing apparatus includes a chemical-containing vessel and a housing. The invention also includes an actuator nozzle having a receiving aperture and a dispensing aperture where the receiving aperture is operatively coupled to the vessel to receive the chemicals contained within the vessel. The dispensing aperture is coupled to the receiving aperture and is also connected to a conveying tube to direct the chemical from the vessel, through the tube and into a chemical receiving receptacle. Also included is a structure for ejecting the chemical from the vessel into the actuator nozzle. The actuator nozzle is slidingly and pivotally mounted in the housing and is configured to slide vertically relative to the housing and is also configured to pivot outwardly relative to the housing to permit reciprocal engagement and disengagement of the vessel while maintaining communication with the conveying tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, L.P.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Rocky Sheih
  • Patent number: 5680879
    Abstract: An automatic flush handle actuation apparatus is provided for replacing a manually-activated flush handle of a flush mechanism of a sanitary facility. The apparatus includes an enclosure containing a drive mechanism and a self-contained power source for the drive mechanism. The apparatus also includes means for sensing use of the sanitary facility and means for interconnecting the drive mechanism and power source when the means for sensing detects a use of the sanitary facility. An adaption having first and second ends is included rigidly engaging the enclosure at the first end and a plunger pin having first and second ends slidably extending through the adapted, engaging the drive mechanism within the enclosure of a first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky Sheih, Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: 5593126
    Abstract: A clip attaches accessories for bicycles using a resilient leaf biased into engagement with a receiver mounted on the accessory, and released by downward actuation to disengage a pawl from the receiver, the assembly preferably being mounted on an integral seat post cap having mounting ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle, Corp.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: D537929
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, Todd J. Muderlak
  • Patent number: D404478
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Muderlak