Patents Issued in May 7, 2002
  • Patent number: PP12607
    Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant named ‘Wendy’, characterized by its upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely clumping growth habit; durable dark green leaves; strong root system; numerous light pink-colored spathes that are positioned upright and beyond the foliage on strong and erect scapes; and good post-production longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Rijnplant
    Inventor: Leonardus van Rijn
  • Patent number: PP12608
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Nemesia plant named ‘Nempeach’, characterized by its upright and compact plant habit; freely branching growth habit; small leaves; and unique pinkish lavender-colored flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Seaview Nurseries
    Inventor: Keith Hammett
  • Patent number: PP12609
    Abstract: A hybrid tea rose plant variety producing bi-color red and light pink flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Coiner Nursery
    Inventor: Joseph F. Winchel
  • Patent number: PP12610
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Beno’, characterized by its compact and freely branching plant habit; fully double red flowers; short peduncles and short pedicels; and excellent postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Koppe Veredeling B.V.
    Inventor: Lubbertus H. Koppe
  • Patent number: PP12611
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘Jacabia’, characterized by its unique narrowly ovate red-colored bracts that are held somewhat upright; unique narrowly ovate dark green leaves; compact plant habit; late flowering, response time about 10 weeks; and excellent postproduction longevity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Aase Jacobsen
  • Patent number: PP12612
    Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Notwoodtwo’, characterized by its upright plant habit; very freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; and attractive and numerous pure white-colored flowers that are large and semi-double with numerous stamenoid petaloids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Spring Meadow Nursery Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick Ian Woods
  • Patent number: PP12613
    Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘OSSA’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with white ray florets and prolific branching; natural season flower date 1-4 September; blooming for a period of 7 weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Chrysanthemum Breeders Assoc. N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Noodelijk
  • Patent number: PP12614
    Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Lavender plant named ‘Bee Brilliant’, charaterized by its upright plant habit; dense and bushy plant form; vigorous growth habit; gray green-colored leaves; and dark purple-colored flower corollas with showy light purple-colored terminal flower bracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Robert J. Cherry
  • Patent number: PP12615
    Abstract: A new variety of hybrid tea rose plant producing yellow flowers of good form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Panorama Roses N.V.
    Inventor: Anton A. Pouw
  • Patent number: PP12616
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Sutera plant named ‘Yasflos’ that is characterized by vigorous growth, a bushy cascading habit and free-flowering, numerous large blue flowers, making ‘Yasflos’ distinct from all other existing varieties of Sutera known to the inventor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Frederic Yates
  • Patent number: PP12617
    Abstract: A new Jamesbrittenia plant named ‘Yagevi’, that is characterized by unique violet colored flowers, and small leaves that are marginally lobed. These combined traits set it apart from all existing varieties in the trade known to the inventor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Frederic Yates
  • Patent number: PP12618
    Abstract: A miniature rose plant having bright red, abundant flowers that darken in color as they age; dwarf, compact growth habit; dark green, glossy, abundant foliage; fast repeat bloom cycle; and resistance to powdery mildew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Jackson & Perkins Wholesale, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Walden
  • Patent number: PP12619
    Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Notwoodone’, characterized by its upright plant habit; very freely branching habit; dense and bushy appearance; and attractive and numerous lavender-colored flowers that are large and semi-double with numerous stamenoid petaloids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Spring Meadow Nursery Inc.
    Inventor: Roderick Ian Woods
  • Patent number: RE37687
    Abstract: A method of making a composite plastic knob including the steps of forming a plastic core having a front wall of a generally uniform thickness with an integral discernible window portion formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall and with the window having a thickness less than the generally uniform thickness of the front wall; positioning an anvil in the core in supporting engagement with the window portion of the fin and injection molding an outer covering of an opaque plastic of a contrasting color over the front wall of the core except for the window portion of the fin thereof. The knob includes a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness and an integral portion of a window formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall. The window is thinner than the front wall of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The Grigoleit Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Howie, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE37688
    Abstract: The picture frame assembly includes a picture frame which has, in cross-section, a side wall, a turned in flange at the rear end of the side wall extending forwardly to a free end and a rearwardly extending flange at the front end of the side wall which provides a forward locator slot between the rearwardly extending flange and the side wall. The frame assembly also includes two or more retainer members. Each retainer member includes a generally U or V shaped retainer clip having an inner linear/planar leg portion having a flange extending laterally outwardly therefrom. A bight portion extends from the inner leg portion at an angle thereto, and an outer leg portion extends in a non-linear/non-planar manner to an outer end hook formation. The laterally extending flange of the clip member is received in the locator slot and the hook formation has a groove which is adapted to receive the free end of the short flange extending forwardly from the side wall toward the picture in the picture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel E. Vilims
  • Patent number: RE37689
    Abstract: A low energy fuse in extruded as a single ply primary tube 1 from a plastic resin blend with particulate energetic material 2 being internally distributed in a manner known per se, said resin blend comprising a major amount of an orientable polymer, for example, linear low density polyethylene to provide structural integrity and a minor amount of a modifier to impart enhanced particle retentive properties to the tube and preferably also containing a polymer or copolymer to impart melt strength and aid in tube extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Stewart, David J. Welburn, David M. Welsh, Robert C. Greenhorn
  • Patent number: RE37690
    Abstract: A lead frame and a semiconductor device wherein a through hole is formed in the center of a semiconductor chip-mounting surface of a chip pad at the center of the lead frame, the through hole being tapered or being one which corresponds to a surface area that is greater on the surface of the chip-mounting surface of the chip pad than on the surface of the side opposite to the chip-mounting surface thereof. This prevents the occurrence of cracks in the sealing plastic portion in the step of reflow soldering of the lead frame to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitano, Sueo Kawai, Asao Nishimura, Hideo Miura, Akihiro Yaguchi, Chikako van Koten nee Kitabayashi, Ichio Shimizu, Toshio Hatsuda, Toshinori Ozaki, Toshio Hattori, Souji Sakata
  • Patent number: RE37691
    Abstract: An output apparatus comprises: a producing circuit for receiving code data indicative of a pattern to be generated and for producing a pattern based on the code data; an interruption instructing circuit for instructing the interruption of the outputting process; and a retreating circuit for retreating the code data which had already been received before the interruption was instructed in the case where the interruption has been instructed by the interruption instructing circuit. The code data is expressed by a page describing language. The preceding code data is retreated by a different data format when the outputting process has been interrupted. The recording process which has been interrupted can be restarted from the interrupted state by returning the retreated data from the auxiliary memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: RE37692
    Abstract: A fiber optic component package comprising one or more fiber optic components and an inner housing supporting the components. The components have one or more optical fibers associated therewith which extend from the housing. The fiber optic component package also has a layer that is substantially impervious to moisture including water vapor and which encloses the inner housing. The layer includes a sheet of substantially moisture impervious flexible material wrapped around the inner housing and a substantially moisture pervious sealant adhesive that serves to bond the sheet of flexible material and fills at least those regions at edges of the sheet of flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: AOFR Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Scott C. Rashleigh, Robert Brunswick, Martin C. Elias
  • Patent number: RE37693
    Abstract: A color photographic light-sensitive material comprising a reflective support having thereon a plurality of silver halide emulsion layers of which the emulsion layer located farthest from said support has, on each of both the support side thereof and the uppermost side at least one nonlight-sensitive layer containing an effective amount of an ultraviolet absorbing agent, said ultraviolet absorbing agent being used in said nonlight-sensitive layer on the uppermost side of said emulsion layer being a 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole-type compound which is in the liquid form at normal room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Sasaki, Kaoru Onodera
  • Patent number: 6381749
    Abstract: A protective mask adapted to be worn by persons engaging in physical games comprises a body consisting of a lens receiving portion, a nose portion, a chin portion, a brow portion, opposite cheek portions and opposite side temple portions; the lens receiving portion displays an opening which is covered by a removable flexible transparent lens having its opposite extremities configured with engagement portions that mount the lens to the body. A pair of anchor clamps are inserted at each opposite end of the lens to further secure the engagement of the lens to the mask body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Leader Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Cyr
  • Patent number: 6381750
    Abstract: A shield for protecting a wearer from ultraviolet radiation is removably attachable to headgear such as a hard hat, helmet, baseball cap and the like. The shield attaches to the visor or bill of the headgear, wraps around the headgear, and is connected at the back of the headgear, thereby protecting the face and neck of a wearer. The shield has a clamp, which in a preferred embodiment, attaches to the center of the visor of the headgear. In another embodiment of the invention, the shield filter includes a curtain which attaches to the sides of the shield and wraps around the back of the headgear and hangs down to also protect the sides and back of the wearer's neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Norman B. Mangan
  • Patent number: 6381751
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bib having an improved pocket. The bib has a body panel, a pocket panel forming a pocket space between the body panel and the pocket panel, and a third panel joined to the pocket panel. The third panel includes a flexible member joined thereto that helps to maintain the pocket space in an open configuration once the third panel is folded into the pocket space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Joyce M. Benjamin, George C. Dobrin, Raymond S. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6381752
    Abstract: A brassierestrap adjustment system comprises a brassiere having a pair of horizontally spaced apart shoulder straps, the straps each having a series of vertically spaced apart apertures or loops where each of the apertures or loops in one of the straps forming a horizontally displaced pair of apertures or loops with a corresponding one of the apertures or loops of the other of the straps. A clasp is enabled for snap-action fastening through a selected pair of the holes or loops, or may be constructed as a simple link with opposing hook ends for grasping the loops. In this way, the straps may be drawn into an “X” shape for improved fit and concealment of the straps under an outer garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Kimberlynn Kren Cartelli
  • Patent number: 6381753
    Abstract: A protective glove with a plurality of fingers made of metal mesh material, adjacent fingers defining a crotch region therebetween and a plurality of web members each disposed across a crotch region joining adjacent fingers together providing a U-shaped cradle for improved comfort, stress relief, and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Whiting and Davis, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis R. Smith, James P. Lattari
  • Patent number: 6381754
    Abstract: This invention relates to a headgear system comprising a baseball styled hat with adjustment means at the front of the crown, above the brim, in the form of straps wrapped around the crown. It also features plastic molded, baseball styled caps, visors, berets and summer hats provided with cooling elements in the form of vacuum-like pockets with sealed coolants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Frank Nonso Ezenekwe
  • Patent number: 6381755
    Abstract: Elastic panty hose are modified to have a shallow notch in the toe portion for accepting the thong of a thong style sandal or shoe. When the foot and panty hose are inserted into the thong style sandal or shoe, the notch is stretched thereby smoothing the contour of the panty hose around the toes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Karyn J. Cortani
  • Patent number: 6381756
    Abstract: A combination of a gaiter member (24) attached (26) to a sock member (22) in various embodiments creates a gaiter-sock combination, which simply and efficiently provides barrier protection to a lower body extremity. The gaiter portion (24) may protect a sock portion (22), or the inside of a boot or shoe (32), or various combinations of them, from debris, insects, arachnids, thorns, burrs, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Lane F. Smith
  • Patent number: 6381757
    Abstract: A protective chin strap for headwear such as an athletic helmet is provided with a chin portion including an inflatable pouch and a manually operated valve pump so that the wearer can inflate the pouch to adjust the tension of the strap to adjust the force holding the helmet on the head of the wearer as well as at the same time provide a shock absorbing cushion on the chin of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Gus A. Rush, III
  • Patent number: 6381758
    Abstract: A head restraint system is provided for a driver of a racecar. The system includes a helmet for receiving the driver's head, and first and second energy dissipating extendable restraining lanyards for connecting the helmet to a structural member of the racecar. The system preferably includes a quick connect apparatus for allowing the driver to easily escape from the head restraint system. The system preferably includes a rotatable connector which allows the driver to rotate his head left and right so that his lateral vision will not be impeded by the head restraint system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Lyman J. Roberts, II, Asif A. Lala, Panasarn Aim Jirut
  • Patent number: 6381759
    Abstract: A helmet for protection against non-motorized injuries comprises a number of arched segments with ventilation spaces between them, the arched segments being shaped to extend about and engage the skull. The helmet is constructed to cover the apical as well as the frontal, temporal and occipital basilar skull. The arched segments are convex on their outer surfaces, have flat, curved inner surfaces, and are made of a cushioning, impact absorbing material such as plastic foam. Reinforcing elements extend in longitudinal passages in the arched segments to provide resistance against forces which are only partly absorbed by the cushioning material. In an alternate embodiment, support straps extend over the apical skull, and an impact resistant helmet is worn over the apical skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Katz
  • Patent number: 6381760
    Abstract: Headguards for athletes, particularly soccer players, having a foam outer shell and attachment points for an interior padding or suspension system. The interior padding and/or the outer shell may independently be formed as a single unitary piece or a system of separately moveable parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Soccerdocs. Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Lampe, Robert C. Long, George C. Halvorson
  • Patent number: 6381761
    Abstract: A face mask for diving includes a pair of front lenses and a nose cover formed by a portion of a skirt between these lenses. Proximal ends of the nose cover and a portion of the skirt being contiguous to these proximal ends are curved along the lens frame with the lenses held therein closely in contact with an inner peripheral surface and an inner surface of the lens frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Tabata Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Haruo Kawashima, Taro Fujima
  • Patent number: 6381762
    Abstract: A quick release hinge assembly for a toilet seat is disclosed. The assembly including a pair of fasteners each having a flange for engaging a toilet bowl when attached thereto and a head spaced above the flange. An anchor plate having a pair of slots formed on the bottom side thereof which cooperate with the heads of the fasteners to secure the anchor plate to a toilet bowl. The anchor plate further including a resiliently biased latch formed in the top surface thereof which locks and unlocks the anchor plate from one of the fastener heads to permit the anchor plate to slide off of the fasteners and a pair of spaced hinge mounting supports extending from the anchor plate to which a toilet seat and lid can be pivotally coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Scott A. Moser
  • Patent number: 6381763
    Abstract: A plunger for clearing a clogged drain. The plunger includes a cup, a user-gripping handle, and a water-shielding cap. The cup is resiliently collapsible and has an uppermost wall with air-escaping throughbores that allow air trapped in the cup to escape therethrough when the cup is driven downwardly over the clogged drain so as to increase hydraulic efficiency of water in the clogged drain. The user-gripping handle extends upwardly from the cup. The water-shielding cap is attached to the user-gripping handle, just above the cup. The diameter of the water-shielding cap is such so as to allow the water-shielding cap to extend radially outwardly past the air-escaping throughbores so as to shield a user from the water escaping with the air when the cup is driven downwardly over the clogged drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Wallace Schneider
  • Patent number: 6381764
    Abstract: A flush tank has a tube fitted to a downwardly open outlet and having an upper end vertically displaceable in the tank. A float fixed to the tube can switch between a low buoyancy insufficient to hold the tube upper end above the liquid level and a high buoyancy capable of holding the tube upper end above a liquid level in the tank. An actuating rod has an upper end and can engage vertically downward against the float to submerge same and changed it from high buoyancy to low buoyancy so the tube upper end sinks below the liquid level and the liquid in the tank flows through the tube out of the outlet. Stops on the tube and on the rod are engageable for limiting downward displacement of the float and tube to an intermediate position and are disengageable to allow downward displacement of the float and tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Grohedal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Stahlhut
  • Patent number: 6381765
    Abstract: A control mechanism for a toilet is constructed to include a valve seat, an overflow tube, and a tank ball assembly pivoted to the overflow tube and adapted to close/open the valve seat. The tank ball assembly includes a holder base pivoted to the overflow tube, a stopper pivoted to the holder base, an adjustment valve fastened to a bottom side of the stopper, a first lift chain adapted to lift the holder base with the stopper and the adjustment valve from the valve seat for enabling a first amount of flushing water to be discharged out of the valve seat, and a second lift chain adapted to lift the stopper with the adjustment valve from the holder base for enabling a second amount of flushing water to be discharged out of the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Li-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 6381766
    Abstract: A spa cover removal apparatus includes a pivot frame assembly having a pair of elongate side arms spaced apart to receive opposing cover side surfaces between the same for rotatably supporting the spa cover. Fixed to the spa is a stationary base, for pivotally supporting the pivot frame assembly. For this purpose, the stationary base is disposed under the pivot frame assembly. This arrangement, enables the spa cover to shift from a first horizontal covering position over the spa, to a second stowed position adjacent the back side of the spa as a rearwardly directed force is applied to the spa cover. Accordingly, the spa cover moves rearward and pivots relative to the side arms while the pivot frame assembly simultaneously pivots relative to the stationary base, about a substantially horizontal base pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Gary L. Perry
  • Patent number: 6381767
    Abstract: A swimming pool cover support having: a central hub, a number of knockdown arms radiating from the central hub, and a number of mounting brackets each being respectively secured to one of the knockdown arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Francis L. Brashears
  • Patent number: 6381768
    Abstract: A spa system preferably provides for equipment to be self-contained in at least one enclosure that is preferably above the ground level when the spa system is installed in the ground. The enclosure could either be pre-fabricated and coupled to the spa system or modular and ready to be coupled to the spa system. Furthermore, the enclosure could be located under the shell in one or more places in an upper portion of the interior space between the inner portion of the shell and the framework, so as to be above ground level when the spa system is installed. Moreover, at least one support wall could define the enclosure, or a modular second support wall could define the enclosure, so as to maintain the enclosure preferably above the ground level when the spa system is installed in the ground. Additionally, the spa system of the present invention preferably provides at least one removable panel above the ground level for easy access to the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: L. Ross Herman
  • Patent number: 6381769
    Abstract: An accessible bathtub apparatus for persons with disabilities, including an enclosure with an elevated bed with a seat and a foot well, a door panel, a door seal, connectors operable to pivot the door panel from an open position to a closed position, and retainers that hold the door panel in the open position until released by the user. The elevated bed allows direct lateral access by the user. The bathtub can be installed in a newly-constructed or renovated bathroom. Alternatively, it can be installed on an existing conventional bathtub, thereby avoiding the necessity of removing the old tub before installing the new one. It can be used in private homes, hotels/motels, and other locations; it can be used by persons with disabilities that would otherwise preclude them from bathing unattended or unassisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Alden A. Lofquist, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6381770
    Abstract: The invention is an extensible and retractable bathtub spout. The spout has a stationary base with a means to attach the stationary base to a structure, a detachable pull-out spout unit having a releasable mount to a front opening of the stationary base, a pressurized water supply, and a length of extensible hose attached to water supply and the pull-out spout unit. The extensible hose is contained in a stored position behind the rear opening of the stationary base and capable of being extended outwardly. The pull-out spout unit can also have a diverter valve and diverter controller, to divert pressurized water to a showerhead whether the pull-out spout unit is in the extended or retracted position. The pull-out spout unit can also have a backflow preventer. The extensible hose can have a means to prevent over-extension of the extensible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin Norman Raisch
  • Patent number: 6381771
    Abstract: A safety fixture includes mounting brackets that are mounted on the walls adjacent to a tub or shower and support a support bar that extends for the length of the tub or width of the shower. The mounting brackets include a plurality of spaced apart support bar accommodating channels so the support bar can be moved into a position that is most efficient for a user. The support bar includes a knurled outer surface and a mounting flange can be included on each mounting bracket to support a curtain rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Eugene A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6381772
    Abstract: A support system to support a disabled person in a bathing environment, a pole mounted between the ceiling and the floor; a vertically adjustable, padded, underarm support, attached to the pole, to fit under the arms of a user at various selected heights; and a vertically adjustable seat attached to the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Lucille Dawson
  • Patent number: 6381773
    Abstract: A base for a barrier-free shower enclosure having the combined configuration of a drain sump and drain. A series of channels is formed into the base of the shower enclosure which trap water within the shower enclosure and channel the water toward the drain sump. The channels are of increasing depth and slope toward the drain area and drain to facilitate the flow of water into the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: AquaBath, Inc
    Inventor: George P. McAllister
  • Patent number: 6381774
    Abstract: A retractable sprayer hose installation kit for use with a faucet assembly has a connector attachable to a discharge opening of the faucet assembly and traversed by a flexible hose, a free end of which is inserted into a spout, an a proximal end traverses a bushing which provides connection between the hose and a hand-held spray head. The connector receives a fitting which is recessed to form a seat for a stopper attachable to the proximal end of the flexible hose and engaging the seat in a retracted position of the spray head. The kit further has a bushing releasably engaging the spray head and dimensioned to provide the spray head and the hose with simultaneous displacement between the retracted and extended positions of the spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Resources Conservation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wales
  • Patent number: 6381775
    Abstract: An adjustable drain apparatus includes a drain base received within a floor. A flange is coupled to the drain base. A ring is disposed in a flange cavity and selectively movable therein. A grate is coupled to the ring. At least one retainer is coupled to the flange to retain the ring in the flange cavity. Preferably, two opposite rings selectively secure the ring in the flange. The flange has two different orientations with respect to the drain base to selectively position the grate at two different elevations with respect to the drain base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: C&D Innovations, L.C.
    Inventor: Chris Sondrup
  • Patent number: 6381776
    Abstract: A lavatory faucet comprises a water mixing bolt seat, a locating plate, a water mixing bolt tube, a locating bolt, and a faucet neck. The water mixing bolt seat is connected with a cold water control valve and a hot water control valve. The water mixing bolt tube is securely mounted on the water mixing bolt seat in conjunction with the locating plate and the locating bolt. The locating plate is pressed against the lavatory basin. The locating bolt enables the inner end of the faucet neck to be located securely on a support plate of the water mixing bolt seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 6381777
    Abstract: A method of installing a bedrail slat system includes engaging two bed side rails with a bed headboard and footboard, and telescopically engaging a first slat member to a second slat member to form a telescoping slat. The ends of the telescoping slats are then connected to the side rails. The first and second slat members are not secured together, but a downwardly extending support is attached to the telescoping slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Herbert L. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6381778
    Abstract: A fitted sheet, especially for use as a crib sheet for covering, for protecting a mattress and for completely and positively encasing and engaging the entire mattress such that a corner or any portion of the crib sheet can not be inadvertedly pulled loose by an infant and thereby significantly reducing the risk of an infant's chance of suffocation due to entanglement in the crib sheet. The fitted sheet includes a coverlet, generally conforming to the dimensions of the mattress, having a top panel spaced from and parallel to a bottom panel, a first end panel and a second end panel extending between the top and bottom panels and a first side panel and a second side panel extending between the top and bottom panels. The coverlet has a pad member formed of a liquid absorbent material, a base member formed of a liquid impermeable material, joined to a cover sheet, by sewing, to form an integral layered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jennifer R. Peterson