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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Patent number: 7802586Abstract: A vacuum breaker that includes a substantially cylindrical tubular body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a rim extending away from the body and a ledge extending axially away from the rim thus defining an L-shaped profile. A retainer bead extends axially away from an end of the ledge toward the vacuum breaker body, wherein the retainer bead is adapted to provide a friction fit for releasably attaching a flow control insert to the first end of the body of the vacuum breaker. The second end of the body includes a plurality of lip seals, wherein each lip seal defines a slit with a molded hinged member at an end thereof. The hinged member is preferably in the shape of a hole to prevent tearing and maintain the correct slit length.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Publication number: 20100006155Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: ZURN INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventor: Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 7636957Abstract: An oil-based odor trap arrangement for a waterless urinal including (a) a bell trap tube received within a cavity situated in a lower portion of the waterless urinal, wherein one end of the tube is adapted to be removably attached to the cavity; and (b) a strainer having a body and defining a cap portion and an integrally attached ring portion extending axially away from the cap portion, wherein the strainer is adapted to be received onto an opposite end of the tube whereby the ring portion partially envelopes the tube thus forming a baffle configured to: 1) contain an oil-based substance between the ring portion and a wall of the cavity; 2) accommodate the flow of fluid from the urinal between the ring portion and the tube; and 3) direct the fluid into the tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 7516938Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Publication number: 20090077730Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 7481413Abstract: 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: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Publication number: 20090007319Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, Robert E. Saadi, Jeffrey T. Phillips, Joseph J. Ballachino
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Publication number: 20080290311Abstract: 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: December 27, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: J. Timothy O'Connor, Michael A. Funari
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Publication number: 20080216896Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventor: Michael A. Funari
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Publication number: 20080072369Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Applicant: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael Funari, Jeffrey Phillips, Brian Vanhoy, Roy Leviner
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Publication number: 20070074337Abstract: An oil-based odor trap arrangement for a waterless urinal including (a) a bell trap tube received within a cavity situated in a lower portion of the waterless urinal, wherein one end of the tube is adapted to be removably attached to the cavity; and (b) a strainer having a body and defining a cap portion and an integrally attached ring portion extending axially away from the cap portion, wherein the strainer is adapted to be received onto an opposite end of the tube whereby the ring portion partially envelopes the tube thus forming a baffle configured to: 1) contain an oil-based substance between the ring portion and a wall of the cavity; 2) accommodate the flow of fluid from the urinal between the ring portion and the tube; and 3) direct the fluid into the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventor: Michael Funari
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Publication number: 20060289817Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2006Publication date: December 28, 2006Applicant: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael Funari, J. O'Connor
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Patent number: 7108240Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Publication number: 20060033060Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: February 16, 2006Applicant: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventor: Michael Funari
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Patent number: 6971634Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Publication number: 20050224735Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2005Publication date: October 13, 2005Applicant: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael Funari, J. O'Connor
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Publication number: 20040094734Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use in conventional diaphragm-type flush valves includes a flexible diaphragm body having a first side and a second side and a bypass orifice filter insert defined in the diaphragm body. The second side of the diaphragm body includes an annular protrusion and a plurality of protruding ribs, wherein a recess area is defined between the rib and the protrusion. When a pressure difference is applied across the diaphragm body, the second side of the diaphragm body is concave and the first side of the diaphragm body is convex, whereby a distance between the rib and the protrusion decreases in order to prevent the diaphragm body from closing two quickly against a valve seat of a flush valve. A method for controlling pressure differences across the diaphragm body is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Michael A. Funari, J. Timothy O'Connor
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Patent number: D480450Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Saadi, Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: D573694Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventors: Michael A. Funari, Larry M. Elting, Roy F. Leviner, III
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Patent number: D635219Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Zurn Industries, LCCInventors: Michael A. Funari, Joseph J. Ballachino, Charles Alan Horne