Patents by Inventor Merritt J. Nelson

Merritt J. Nelson 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: 4479736
    Abstract: A replaceable handle assembly for coupling a handle to a valve stem comprising a connector for gripping the spline of a valve stem, a base member positioned over the connector and nonrotatably engaging the connector through a rectangular-shaped fitting, and a screw securing the base and connector to a valve stem. A post fits into an upwardly-opening recess in the base through a rectangular fitting and a small set screw secures the post to the base. A handle threads onto the post above the set screw to at least partially conceal the set screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Evans, Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4350178
    Abstract: A ball cock assembly (10) mounted to a water supply pipe (12) in a fill tank includes a valve housing (16) in which is mounted a valve (18) for regulating the flow of water through the ball cock assembly (10). The valve housing (16) includes a central passage (40) having chambers (42, 46) of differing diameters. The chamber (46) is in fluid communication with tank fill tube (22) and back fill tube (24). The valve (18) is generally cylindrical in configuration and includes an upwardly facing first piston surface (76) and a downwardly facing second piston surface (84) upstream of the first piston surface (76). The valve (18) also includes first and second shoulders (78, 80) which seat against valve seats (44, 48) in the central passage (40) of the housing (16). The valve (18) includes an orifice (90) therethrough which communicates fluid through chamber (42) above the first piston surface (76 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Inventors: Merritt J. Nelson, Merritt S. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4116210
    Abstract: A diverter spout assembly includes a spout having a discharge opening, an inlet and a passageway therebetween. A valve mount is secured at a rear portion adjacent the inlet. The valve mount has a cavity therein which defines an inner chamber having a passage therethrough to the discharge opening. A diverter conduit is operably connected to the inner chamber. The diverter conduit is substantially transverse to the passage through the inner chamber. A jet nozzle is mounted within the inner chamber substantially aligned with the passage. The jet nozzle has a front open end aligned over the front surface of the diverter outlet to minimize water leakage and siphon effects through the diverter outlet when water passes through the discharge opening. A valve is operably mounted on the valve mount to close the inner chamber from the discharge opening so that water supplied from the inlet opening is diverted to the diverter conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation
    Inventor: Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4089230
    Abstract: A waste and overflow plate assembly for a lavatory drain includes a plate with an aperture therethrough and a lever toggled in the face plate aperture. A U-shaped spring clip is retained by a securing pin on the back portion of the lever member between the securing pin and the face plate to toggle the lever into two positions. A retaining pin is positioned on the back portion of the lever between the legs of the clip to prevent pulling and twisting of the lever member with respect to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation
    Inventor: Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4065216
    Abstract: A faucet handle assembly has a skirt attached to an insert which is in turn secured to a faucet stem. The skirt has a plurality of ribs each of which has a shoulder portion positioned so the top part of the rib extends over the lower part of the rib. The insert has two sets of different size notches. Each set of notches can be aligned in registry with the ribs. The shoulder portion of the rib engages the top surface of the flange adjacent the edge of one size notches. Another size notches are sufficiently large to fit the top part of the ribs within the notches. When the large notches engage the plurality of ribs, the top section of the skirt is supported by the flange abutting thereto. The skirt height can be adjusted through a choice of notches which engage the plurality of ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation
    Inventor: Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4026328
    Abstract: A lavatory spout having a one-piece integrally molded plastic body with a depending hollow shank portion and an outwardly extending hollow spout portion. The spout and shank portions are in open communication so that water passes through the shank and spout portions. A bottom cover flange is also formed on the body spout portion and extends outwardly along the length of the spout portion. Desirably, the lower flange forms a ring around the upper portion of the shank. A hollow elbow conduit is secured to the outer open end of the spout portion, providing elbow passage at the outer end thereof. A separate cover extends over the spout, the elbow conduit and the upper portion of the shank with the sidewalls of the cover meeting the sidewalls of the body cover flange. Means are provided for securing the cover to the body and to the elbow conduit. A pop-up rod tube, of brass or molded in one piece of a plastic material, is provided within the body and extends downwardly into the shank portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation
    Inventor: Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 3939865
    Abstract: A diverter spout valve mechanism comprises a hollow pressure chamber having an inlet, an outlet on a vertical wall spaced from the inlet, and a vertically movable valve member formed of a moldable plastic or similar light weight material mounted in the outlet. The valve member is movable from an open position, wherein the valve member is substantially below the outlet and the outlet is open, to a closed position, wherein the valve member is raised so as to block the outlet. The valve member is formed so that when the valve member is in the open position, the flow of liquid through the spout exerts a downward force on the valve member and causes the valve member to remain in its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1976
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation
    Inventor: Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: D252449
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Inventor: Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: D289676
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Evans, Merritt J. Nelson
  • Patent number: D298048
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Zin-Plas Corp.
    Inventor: Merritt J. Nelson