Patents by Inventor Rock R. Allard, III

Rock R. Allard, III 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: 20220010891
    Abstract: A system for monitoring flush valves includes a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom, each flush valve including a communication device configured to transmit flush valve data, and at least one controller arranged in a first flush valve and in communication with each other flush valve. The at least one controller is configured to determine a static pressure within the first flush valve, detect a second pressure within the first flush valve, determine that the second pressure is less than the static pressure, in response to determining that the second pressure is less than the static pressure, compare the second pressure with at least one other pressure associated with at least one other flush valve, and determine that the first flush valve is in need of servicing or replacement based on comparing the second pressure with the at least one other pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 11156309
    Abstract: A system for monitoring flush valves includes a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom, each flush valve including a communication device configured to transmit flush valve data, and at least one controller arranged in a first flush valve and in communication with each other flush valve. The at least one controller is configured to determine a static pressure within the first flush valve, detect a second pressure within the first flush valve, determine that the second pressure is less than the static pressure, in response to determining that the second pressure is less than the static pressure, compare the second pressure with at least one other pressure associated with at least one other flush valve, and determine that the first flush valve is in need of servicing or replacement based on comparing the second pressure with the at least one other pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10527191
    Abstract: A system for monitoring flush valves is provided, including a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom of a building, each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves including a communication device configured to transmit flush valve data, and at least one controller in communication with each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to receive the flush valve data from each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves and determine if a first flush valve of the plurality of flush valves is in need of servicing or replacement based at least partially by comparing flush valve data for the first flush with flush valve data for at least one other flush valve of the plurality of flush valves. A method and apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10514110
    Abstract: A system for adjusting a timing of at least one flush valve based on demand is provided. The system includes a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom. The system also includes a network device configured to receive wireless signals, and at least one processor in communication with the network device and the plurality of flush valves, the at least one processor programmed or configured to: detect, based on wireless signals received by the network device, a number of mobile devices in the area; determine whether the number of mobile devices in the area meets or exceeds at least one predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the number of mobile devices in the area meets or exceeds the at least one predetermined threshold, adjusting the flush time of each of the plurality of flush valves to an adjusted flush time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Rock R. Allard, III
  • Publication number: 20190353278
    Abstract: A system for monitoring flush valves includes a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom, each flush valve including a communication device configured to transmit flush valve data, and at least one controller arranged in a first flush valve and in communication with each other flush valve. The at least one controller is configured to determine a static pressure within the first flush valve, detect a second pressure within the first flush valve, determine that the second pressure is less than the static pressure, in response to determining that the second pressure is less than the static pressure, compare the second pressure with at least one other pressure associated with at least one other flush valve, and determine that the first flush valve is in need of servicing or replacement based on comparing the second pressure with the at least one other pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10378676
    Abstract: A system for optimizing a timing of a flush valve is provided. The system includes a flush valve comprising a flow area and a solenoid configured to open the flush valve, at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the flush valve, and at least one controller in communication with the at least one pressure sensor and the solenoid. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the solenoid to open the flush valve for a flush time in response to a flush request, measure a pressure in the flush valve to obtain at least one flush valve pressure, adjust the flush time based at least partially on the at least one flush valve pressure, resulting in an adjusted flush time, and control the solenoid to open the flush valve for the adjusted flush time in response to a flush request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 10376706
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for operating a restroom appliance. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid to the restroom appliance by a valve operation, an actuator configured to request the valve operation, an indicator arranged as a ring surrounding the actuator, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the indicator, the at least one controller programmed or configured to: cause the valve operation based at least partially on input received through the actuator, and control the indicator to display at least one visual state based at least partially on the valve operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SDB IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Rock R. Allard, III
  • Patent number: 10113676
    Abstract: A pipe connector includes a clip, first pipe fitting, and second pipe fitting. The clip includes a cross member having a first end and a second end and a leg extending from each end. The first pipe fitting includes a connecting portion comprising a first end, a second end, and a sidewall having two slots. The second pipe fitting includes a connecting portion and a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending therebetween, and a circumferential groove in an outer diameter of the sidewall. The circumferential groove aligns with the slots in the sidewall of the first pipe fitting when the second pipe fitting is inserted into the first pipe fitting, and the legs of the clip engage the circumferential groove in the connecting portion of the second pipe fitting, allowing the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting to rotate with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III
  • Patent number: 10082805
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for adjusting temporal settings of an electronic plumbing controller are provided. A removable time adjustment device includes at least one input device, at least one interface configured to communicate with the electronic plumbing controller, and at least one controller configured to set or adjust, on the electronic plumbing controller through the at least one interface, at least one temporal setting for the at least one plumbing fixture based at least partially on user input from the at least one input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Anderson, Robert M. Cannon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180236253
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for operating a restroom appliance. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid to the restroom appliance by a valve operation, an actuator configured to request the valve operation, an indicator arranged as a ring surrounding the actuator, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the indicator, the at least one controller programmed or configured to: cause the valve operation based at least partially on input received through the actuator, and control the indicator to display at least one visual state based at least partially on the valve operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventor: Rock R. Allard, III
  • Patent number: 9963863
    Abstract: Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for preventing repeated use of a restroom appliance with visual feedback. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid by at least one valve operation, an actuator configured to request a use of the restroom appliance, at least one indicator configured to display at least three different visual states, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the at least one indicator. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the at least one indicator to display a first visual state, receive a plurality of requests to operate the restroom appliance exceeding a maximum number of valve operations, perform a first valve operation in response to receiving a first request, and control the at least one indicator to display a second visual state in response to performing the first valve operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Rock R. Allard, III
  • Publication number: 20180066422
    Abstract: Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for preventing repeated use of a restroom appliance with visual feedback. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid by at least one valve operation, an actuator configured to request a use of the restroom appliance, at least one indicator configured to display at least three different visual states, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the at least one indicator. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the at least one indicator to display a first visual state, receive a plurality of requests to operate the restroom appliance exceeding a maximum number of valve operations, perform a first valve operation in response to receiving a first request, and control the at least one indicator to display a second visual state in response to performing the first valve operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventor: Rock R. Allard, III
  • Publication number: 20170168508
    Abstract: A system for optimizing a timing of a flush valve is provided. The system includes a flush valve comprising a flow area and a solenoid configured to open the flush valve, at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the flush valve, and at least one controller in communication with the at least one pressure sensor and the solenoid. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the solenoid to open the flush valve for a flush time in response to a flush request, measure a pressure in the flush valve to obtain at least one flush valve pressure, adjust the flush time based at least partially on the at least one flush valve pressure, resulting in an adjusted flush time, and control the solenoid to open the flush valve for the adjusted flush time in response to a flush request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20170167123
    Abstract: A system for adjusting a timing of at least one flush valve based on demand is provided. The system includes a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom. The system also includes a network device configured to receive wireless signals, and at least one processor in communication with the network device and the plurality of flush valves, the at least one processor programmed or configured to: detect, based on wireless signals received by the network device, a number of mobile devices in the area; determine whether the number of mobile devices in the area meets or exceeds at least one predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the number of mobile devices in the area meets or exceeds the at least one predetermined threshold, adjusting the flush time of each of the plurality of flush valves to an adjusted flush time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: Rock R. Allard, III
  • Publication number: 20170167631
    Abstract: A system for monitoring flush valves is provided, including a plurality of flush valves arranged in at least one restroom of a building, each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves including a communication device configured to transmit flush valve data, and at least one controller in communication with each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to receive the flush valve data from each flush valve of the plurality of flush valves and determine if a first flush valve of the plurality of flush valves is in need of servicing or replacement based at least partially by comparing flush valve data for the first flush with flush valve data for at least one other flush valve of the plurality of flush valves. A method and apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Andersen, Christopher R. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20150338001
    Abstract: A pipe connector includes a clip, first pipe fitting, and second pipe fitting. The clip includes a cross member having a first end and a second end and a leg extending from each end. The first pipe fitting includes a connecting portion comprising a first end, a second end, and a sidewall having two slots. The second pipe fitting includes a connecting portion and a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending therebetween, and a circumferential groove in an outer diameter of the sidewall. The circumferential groove aligns with the slots in the sidewall of the first pipe fitting when the second pipe fitting is inserted into the first pipe fitting, and the legs of the clip engage the circumferential groove in the connecting portion of the second pipe fitting, allowing the first pipe fitting and the second pipe fitting to rotate with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Rock R. Allard, III
  • Patent number: D739834
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Ryan W. Nottage, Rock R. Allard, III
  • Patent number: D739835
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Ryan W. Nottage, Rock R. Allard, III
  • Patent number: D739836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Ryan W. Nottage, Rock R. Allard, III
  • Patent number: D739837
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Ryan W. Nottage, Rock R. Allard, III