Patents by Inventor Randall Grebel

Randall Grebel 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).

  • Publication number: 20150327738
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post and a fastener for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl. The fastener includes a threaded portion configured to extend into a bore of the toilet bowl, a first segment coupled to an end portion of the threaded portion, a second segment configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the fastener, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The hinge assembly also includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded portion of the fastener. The threaded portion, the first segment, the second segment, and the shear segment of the fastener are unitary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Hand, Brian L. Le Mahieu, Brian A. Henne, Randall Grebel
  • Patent number: 9107547
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, and an adaptor having a first segment coupled to the head of the bolt, a second segment, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The first and second segments are both configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bolt. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The head of the bolt is fit into the adaptor such that the first segment of the adaptor surrounds the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Hand, Brian L. Le Mahieu, Brian A. Henne, Randall Grebel
  • Patent number: 9107548
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a threaded fastener extending through the hinge post and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl, a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded fastener, and a nut threadably coupled to the threaded fastener. The nut includes an expandable section configured to extend into the bore in the toilet bowl. The nut has a surface that is engaged by a surface of the bushing so that the expandable section of the nut expands as the nut moves relative to the threaded fastener to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Hand, Brian L. Le Mahieu, Brian A. Henne, Randall Grebel
  • Publication number: 20130340154
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a threaded fastener extending through the hinge post and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl, a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded fastener, and a nut threadably coupled to the threaded fastener. The nut includes an expandable section configured to extend into the bore in the toilet bowl. The nut has a surface that is engaged by a surface of the bushing so that the expandable section of the nut expands as the nut moves relative to the threaded fastener to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Hand, Brian L. Le Mahieu, Brian A. Henne, Randall Grebel
  • Publication number: 20130269092
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, and an adaptor having a first segment coupled to the head of the bolt, a second segment, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The first and second segments are both configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bolt. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The head of the bolt is fit into the adaptor such that the first segment of the adaptor surrounds the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Hand, Brian L. Le Mahieu, Brian A. Henne, Randall Grebel