Patents by Inventor Michael A. Funari
Michael A. Funari 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).
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Publication number: 20170175374Abstract: A trench drain includes an open-faced channel that is polymeric with one or more integral metal frames molded into the sidewall(s) of the open-faced channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Michael A. Funari, Ludovit Dian, Roy Leviner, III, Jeffrey D. Exley
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Publication number: 20170145672Abstract: A vacuum breaker having a supporting rib and a skirted section is disclosed. The supporting rib is configured to be axially aligned with air slots in an outlet tube and provide a more robust vacuum breaker sleeve under extreme operating conditions. The skirted section can prevent leakage through air slots during high back pressure operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Cesar J. Leon-Quintero, Brandon Ancona, Michael A. Funari
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Publication number: 20160305105Abstract: A diaphragm type flush valve for use with toilet devices such as urinals and water closets that includes a valve member, a diaphragm, a guide member extends downwardly from the diaphragm, and a disk positioned on top of the diaphragm. The disk is threadably attached to the guide member and functions to secure the diaphragm, the disk, and the guide member into the valve member. The disk includes a rigid body made of a composite material and a seal member made of an adhesive and a thin layer of rubber, with the seal member having a portion on an upper surface of the disk for sealing contact with a relief valve. The disk also includes a plurality of spaced protrusions and inwardly directed on its upper surface in order to add accuracy and stability to the diaphragm assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Michael A. Funari, Larry M. Elting, Jerome S. Markijohn
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Patent number: 9399861Abstract: A diaphragm type flush valve for use with toilet devices such as urinals and water closets that includes a valve member, a diaphragm, a guide member extends downwardly from the diaphragm, and a disk positioned on top of the diaphragm. The disk is threadably attached to the guide member and functions to secure the diaphragm, the disk, and the guide member into the valve member. The disk includes a rigid body made of a composite material and a seal member made of an adhesive and a thin layer of rubber, with the seal member having a portion on an upper surface of the disk for sealing contact with a relief valve. The disk also includes a plurality of spaced protrusions and inwardly directed on its upper surface in order to add accuracy and stability to the diaphragm assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, Larry M. Elting, Jerome S. Markijohn
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Publication number: 20160186419Abstract: A diaphragm for use in a diaphragm-type flush valve includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and an outer periphery, a center passageway defined in the diaphragm body, a bypass orifice defined in the diaphragm body, and a sealing ring attached to the outer periphery of the flexible diaphragm body. The sealing ring defines an outer circumferential surface of the diaphragm. The outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring defines a recessed area. The recessed area is configured to be positioned in a keyed relationship with a flush valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Matthew C. Davis, Michael A. Funari, John Kevin Schoolcraft
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Publication number: 20160161010Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for a unitary diaphragm assembly is for use in flush valves. The diaphragm assembly may have a flexible diaphragm which includes a seating portion and a mounting portion at the outer peripheral edge. A flow ring may be positioned adjacent to the seating portion of the diaphragm. An elongated barrel member may extend from the diaphragm in a longitudinal direction and may include a plurality of radial supports positioned circumferentially around the outer surface of the barrel member and along a portion of the length of the barrel member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Michael A. Funari, Robert E. Saadi
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Patent number: 9062442Abstract: A flush actuator assembly is adapted to fit existing valve bodies. The flush actuator assembly includes a plunger rod which is capable of displacing the relief valve post more or less to adjust the flow of water through the flush valve during a single flush. The relief valve post may be displaced different amounts by adjusting the actuator assembly such that the plunger rod contacts the relief valve post at different locations along the central longitudinal axis of the post. Additionally, the relief valve post may be displaced different amounts by providing a plunger rod that has a different range of travel. A method associated with displacing the relief valve post varying amounts is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2009Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 9057454Abstract: A flush actuator for use with a flush valve includes: a) a base having a bore extending therethrough between a lower portion and an upper portion; b) a plunger rod positioned within and guided by the bore of the base; and c) a handle mounted to the base, which when moved displaces the plunger rod within the bore of the base. The upper portion of the base includes a beveled nose extending from an end thereof beyond the lower portion. The plunger rod includes a body portion having a first diameter and a recessed area formed in the body portion with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Publication number: 20140231692Abstract: A diaphragm type flush valve for use with toilet devices such as urinals and water closets that includes a valve member, a diaphragm, a guide member extends downwardly from the diaphragm, and a disk positioned on top of the diaphragm. The disk is threadably attached to the guide member and functions to secure the diaphragm, the disk, and the guide member into the valve member. The disk includes a rigid body made of a composite material and a seal member made of an adhesive and a thin layer of rubber, with the seal member having a portion on an upper surface of the disk for sealing contact with a relief valve. The disk also includes a plurality of spaced protrusions and inwardly directed on its upper surface in order to add accuracy and stability to the diaphragm assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, Larry M. Elting, Jerome S. Markijohn
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Patent number: 8695125Abstract: An automatic toilet flushing system, for use with conventional toilets, includes a sensor, an actuator and a flushing mechanism. The actuator has a gear train, a motor, a pivotal arm connected to the gear train, and a power source connected to the motor for rotating the shaft of the motor which rotates the gear train for pivotal movement of the arm. The flushing mechanism includes a flapper valve and the pivotal arm is connected to the flapper valve via a bead chain and a handle swivel or a tab mounted on the pivotal arm. The sensor may replace the flush handle or the flush handle and the sensor may both be provided. A kit and a method for converting a manual flushing system to the automatic toilet flushing system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, Jeffrey T. Phillips, Brian Vanhoy, Roy F. Leviner, III
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Patent number: 8615821Abstract: A clutch assembly is provided for coupling a drive shaft with a drive arm of an actuator for use with an automatic toilet flushing system, wherein the drive shaft is adapted for rotation via a motor in the actuator. The clutch assembly includes a rotatable body extending between the drive shaft and the drive aim and having a first engaging member. A clutch disk is secured to the drive shaft and includes a second engaging member adapted for cooperating with the first engaging member of the body. A fastener secures the clutch disk to the drive shaft and a biasing member is provided for biasing the body toward the clutch disk. The body is adapted to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member should a predetermined torque on the drive shaft be exceeded to disengage the first and second engaging members and prevent damage to the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 8397317Abstract: A flush actuator assembly for use with a flush valve having a relief post is disclosed. The flush actuator assembly includes a valve actuator having a first end, a second end, and an aperture extending therebetween. The aperture is adapted to surround at least a portion of the relief valve post. Movement of the valve actuator in a first direction engages the relief valve post at a first location on the post and displaces the relief valve post by a first separation distance. Movement of the valve actuator in a second direction engages the relief valve post at a second location on the post and displaces the relief valve post by a second separation distance. The first separation distance and the second separation distance are different.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, Robert E. Saadi, Jeffrey T. Phillips, Joseph J. Ballachino
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Patent number: 8297296Abstract: A flush valve diaphragm of a flush valve includes a body having a segmented insert within a flexible body portion and a central passageway. The body further includes a peripheral sealing portion with the flexible body portion within the peripheral sealing portion. The peripheral sealing portion can include an integral filter, an exit chamber and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter version will retard clogging of the bypass arrangement. The segmented insert includes a plurality of trapezoidal members with outward protrusions. The plurality of trapezoidal members are connected to each other on their outermost edge by a runner.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: J. Timothy O'Connor, Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 8113225Abstract: A flush valve actuator includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and a passage therebetween. A diaphragm is disposed within the passage and is movable between two positions so as to control a flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet. A variable flow control is positioned between the inlet and the diaphragm and adjusts a flow rate of fluid through the passage. A filter is positioned between the inlet and the variable flow control and removes debris from fluid flowing through the passage. A solenoid is activated for a certain time period so as to cause the diaphragm to move between the two positions. The flow rate and the activation time are defined so as to allow approximately one-eighth of a gallon of water to enter the outlet per activation of the solenoid.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Publication number: 20110163476Abstract: A flush valve diaphragm of a flush valve includes a body having a segmented insert within a flexible body portion and a central passageway. The body further includes a peripheral sealing portion with the flexible body portion within the peripheral sealing portion. The peripheral sealing portion can include an integral filter, an exit chamber and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter version will retard clogging of the bypass arrangement. The segmented insert includes a plurality of trapezoidal members with outward protrusions. The plurality of trapezoidal members are connected to each other on their outermost edge by a runner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: J. Timothy O'Connor, Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 7922147Abstract: A flush valve diaphragm of a flush valve includes a body having a segmented insert within a flexible body portion and a central passageway. The body further includes a peripheral sealing portion with the flexible body portion within the peripheral sealing portion. The peripheral sealing portion can include an integral filter, an exit chamber and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter version will retard clogging of the bypass arrangement. The segmented insert includes a plurality of trapezoidal members with outward protrusions. The plurality of trapezoidal members are connected to each other on their outermost edge by a runner.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: J. Timothy O'Connor, Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: D759208Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: D759209Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: D787646Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Matthew C. Davis, Michael A. Funari, John Kevin Schoolcraft
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Patent number: D794758Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Marc G. Block, Michael A. Funari