Patents by Inventor Michael L. Hodak
Michael L. Hodak 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: 20240068256Abstract: A sealing closure assembly for closing a skimmer opening of a swimming pool includes a closure faceplate having a sidewall and a flange protruding from the sidewall. The sealing closure assembly further includes a cover removably connectable to the closure faceplate. The cover includes a cover plate configured for engaging at least a portion of the sidewall of the closure faceplate, and at least one closure member for locking the cover plate to the closure faceplate. The closure member includes a body having a first end connected to the cover plate and a second end protruding relative to the first end. The second end of the at least one closure member is deflectable relative to the first end. A locking member between the first end and the second end is configured for engaging with the flange of the closure faceplate when the cover is connected to the closure faceplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Patent number: 11460120Abstract: A sealing assembly for controlling a flow of fluid through a fluid line has a housing having a first end opposite a second end with a hollow interior extending therebetween and an elastically resilient plug disposed within the hollow interior of the housing. The plug has a body engagable with a seat within the housing and a tension member having a first end connected to the body and a second end connected to the housing. The tension member is pre-loaded in tension to urge the body of the plug against the seat to seal the hollow interior of the housing. The body is movable away from the seat when the plug is acted upon by a fluid pressure greater than a pre-load force of the tension member.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Publication number: 20210231225Abstract: A sealing assembly for controlling a flow of fluid through a fluid line has a housing having a first end opposite a second end with a hollow interior extending therebetween and an elastically resilient plug disposed within the hollow interior of the housing. The plug has a body engagable with a seat within the housing and a tension member having a first end connected to the body and a second end connected to the housing. The tension member is pre-loaded in tension to urge the body of the plug against the seat to seal the hollow interior of the housing. The body is movable away from the seat when the plug is acted upon by a fluid pressure greater than a pre-load force of the tension member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Patent number: 11002376Abstract: A sealing assembly for controlling a flow of fluid through a fluid line has a housing having a first end opposite a second end with a hollow interior extending therebetween and an elastically resilient plug disposed within the hollow interior of the housing. The plug has a body engagable with a seat within the housing and a tension member having a first end connected to the body and a second end connected to the housing. The tension member is pre-loaded in tension to urge the body of the plug against the seat to seal the hollow interior of the housing. The body is movable away from the seat when the plug is acted upon by a fluid pressure greater than a pre-load force of the tension member.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Publication number: 20190346055Abstract: A sealing assembly for controlling a flow of fluid through a fluid line has a housing having a first end opposite a second end with a hollow interior extending therebetween and an elastically resilient plug disposed within the hollow interior of the housing. The plug has a body engagable with a seat within the housing and a tension member having a first end connected to the body and a second end connected to the housing. The tension member is pre-loaded in tension to urge the body of the plug against the seat to seal the hollow interior of the housing. The body is movable away from the seat when the plug is acted upon by a fluid pressure greater than a pre-load force of the tension member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2017Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Patent number: 10400505Abstract: A sealing closure assembly for closing off a skimmer opening for a swimming pool includes a closure faceplate and a cover removably connectable to the closure faceplate. The closure faceplate has a sidewall surrounding a central opening, a flange protruding from the sidewall to overlap a peripheral area of the skimmer opening, and a lip protruding from the flange and extending around an inner perimeter of the flange. The cover includes a cover plate with a sealing gasket fitted around an outer perimeter of the closure faceplate, a wedge plate member for engaging an inside sidewall of the sealing gasket, and a closure member for exerting a force between the cover plate and the wedge plate to pull the cover plate and wedge plate together between a locked and unlocked position. In the locked position, an outer sidewall of the sealing gasket engages the flange (1) proximate to the sidewall of the closure faceplate, (2) at the lip of the flange, and (3) by wrapping around a terminal edge of the flange.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Publication number: 20170298683Abstract: A sealing closure assembly for closing off a skimmer opening for a swimming pool includes a closure faceplate and a cover removably connectable to the closure faceplate. The closure faceplate has a sidewall surrounding a central opening, a flange protruding from the sidewall to overlap a peripheral area of the skimmer opening, and a lip protruding from the flange and extending around an inner perimeter of the flange. The cover includes a cover plate with a sealing gasket fitted around an outer perimeter of the closure faceplate, a wedge plate member for engaging an inside sidewall of the sealing gasket, and a closure member for exerting a force between the cover plate and the wedge plate to pull the cover plate and wedge plate together between a locked and unlocked position. In the locked position, an outer sidewall of the sealing gasket engages the flange (1) proximate to the sidewall of the closure faceplate, (2) at the lip of the flange, and (3) by wrapping around a terminal edge of the flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Patent number: 9133638Abstract: A closure assembly for a swimming pool skimmer comprising a sealing closure which is designed dimensionally to fit common rectangularly shaped skimmer openings of rectangular shape of the skimmer opening. The faceplate has a flange which overlaps the peripheral area of the skimmer flange. The closure faceplate sidewalls extend into the skimmer opening. A monolithic sealing gasket, preferably of injection molded silicone rubber or other polymeric material, closely fits around the outer perimeter of the closure faceplate sidewalls. A wedge plate member is fitted into the sealing gasket. A closure means in the form of a nut and bolt or a stud hook member and cam lock arrangement are used to exert the closing force on the wedge plate to force the sidewalls of the wedge plate member into engagement with the monolithic sealing gasket.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Publication number: 20140007339Abstract: A closure assembly for a swimming pool skimmer comprising a sealing closure which is designed dimensionally to fit common rectangularly shaped skimmer openings of rectangular shape of the skimmer opening. The faceplate has a flange which overlaps the peripheral area of the skimmer flange. The closure faceplate sidewalls extend into the skimmer opening. A monolithic sealing gasket, preferably of injection molded silicone rubber or other polymeric material, closely fits around the outer perimeter of the closure faceplate sidewalls. A wedge plate member is fitted into the sealing gasket. A closure means in the form of a nut and bolt or a stud hook member and cam lock arrangement are used to exert the closing force on the wedge plate to force the sidewalls of the wedge plate member into engagement with the monolithic sealing gasket.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Publication number: 20080275780Abstract: A sales aid for selling hot tubs comprising a full-size pattern of a selected hot tub model which is imaged on a flexible, lightweight carrier sheet or fabric such as a vinyl poly blend which is durable and easily transportable. The full-size pattern is preferably a color photographic image of the actual hot tub model being offered for sale. A hot tub dealer or exhibitor may have one or more patterns of the invention for each of the desired hot tub models it wishes to market, without the need to have the actual hot tubs occupying valuable floor space in the store. When a prospective purchaser wants to ensure a proper site fit of the hot tub on his or her premises, the pattern is loaned to the prospective purchaser with the understanding that it will be returned to the store. This arrangement causes the prospective purchaser to return to the store, at which time the sale is hopefully made, in accordance with the sales aid method of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Patent number: 7005063Abstract: A flow diverting weir for attachment to a face plate of a skimmer of a swimming pool comprising an enclosed scoop member having an opening on one side to allow entry of water from the pool into the skimmer, the scoop member further includes a lower peripheral edge which carries flexible lip means for attachment to the skimmer face plate, the scoop member further includes a top surface carrying slot means and an elongated paddle removably received in the slot means, said paddle adapted to extend outwardly into the pool to divert an additional surface flow of pool water into the scoop member and skimmer.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Publication number: 20040238425Abstract: A flow diverting weir for attachment to a face plate of a skimmer of a swimming pool comprising an enclosed scoop member having an opening on one side to allow entry of water from the pool into the skimmer, the scoop member further includes a lower peripheral edge which carries flexible lip means for attachment to the skimmer face plate, the scoop member further includes a top surface carrying slot means and an elongated paddle removably received in the slot means, said paddle adapted to extend outwardly into the pool to divert an additional surface flow of pool water into the scoop member and skimmer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Patent number: 5948245Abstract: A skimmer for a swimming pool includes a weir which extends outwardly from the skimmer face plate to divert a portion of the flowing pool water into the skimmer for subsequent treatment and recirculation. The weir is preferably attached to the skimmer face plate by a flexible lip formed around a peripheral edge of the weir which selectively snaps onto and off of a flange formed around the perimeter of the skimmer face plate. The leading edge of the weir extends outwardly from the pool sidewall to exert an enlarged field of influence on the water flowing along the surface of the pool to skim debris from the pool in less time than conventional skimmer devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Inventor: Michael L. Hodak
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Patent number: 5937453Abstract: A sealing assembly is provided for a swimming pool skimmer. The sealing assembly includes a rigid frame-shaped face plate (12) with a central opening and having a sealing flange (18) around its outer periphery and further has a protruding section outwardly extending from one side thereof which also includes a peripheral sealing flange. A detachable cover (2) is also provided which is made from a flexible plastic material. The cover (2) has a flat central portion for closing off the opening in the skimmer plate and carries a peripheral lip for engaging the sealing flange around the face plate. The cover (2) also includes a protruding section which carries a peripheral lip which overlays the protruding section of the face plate and engages the peripheral sealing flange thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Frank J. HodakInventors: Frank J. Hodak, Michael L. Hodak
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Patent number: 4843658Abstract: A swimming pool of the liner type, with an improved sidewall construction. The sidewall comprises a plurality of concrete slabs cast between spaces defined by inner and outer vertical walls and vertical studs spaced therein. The inner wall is preferably formed of a rigid pressure treated wood material and bears against the pool liner. A continuous upper sill and a lower footer of concrete are cast integrally with the sidewall slabs to join adjacent respective slab portions around the upper and lower perimeters of the pool. The sidewall slabs and the upper sill preferably contain steel reinforcement bars.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1987Date of Patent: July 4, 1989Inventor: Michael L. Hodak