Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090077729 | Discontinuous helical auger contained within a heated vessel filled with sawdust for the purpose of high efficiency breakdown of toilet and other organic wastes - The invention consists of a discontinuous helical auger contained within a heated vessel filled with sawdust. The auger enables thorough turning of sawdust enclosed within a heated vessel enabling function of the assembly as a waterless biotoilet. Control of auger rotation works to maximize the biodegradation of human toilet waste through physical breakdown of organic matter, through stimulation of evaporation of the aqueous fraction, and through supporting a benign microflora to effect biodegradation. This discontinuous helical auger enables maintenance of a flat horizontal upper planar surface of the sawdust mass while maximizing aeration of the sawdust mass. The angle of the helical blade and discontinuities therein work to draw the organic matter very gradually toward the opposite end of the biotoilet from the toilet hole, maximizing dewatering and aerobic breakdown. | 03-26-2009 |
20090139688 | WASTE WATER DRAIN HEAT EXCHANGER PREHEATING COLD WATER SUPPLY TO A THERMOSTATIC CONTROL VALVE - A bath waste assembly is that unit that occupies the lowest point in a vessel or tray used for bathing and drains away water to a sewage system, often in concert with an overflow waste drain. The horizontal portion of the waste water assembly terminates in a P-trap that separates the assembly from the rest of the drain and sewer apparatus. The horizontal pipe running from the bath drain hole to the fitting leading to the P-trap can become nearly as hot as the hot water originally entering the vessel, particularly when the bath is being used as a shower vessel. Replacement of this pipe with a copper waste water pipe wrapped with narrower copper pipe through which cold supply water runs, absorbing heat on its way to a thermostatic control valve, allows the amount of hot water balancing this cold water to be decreased automatically since the temperature of the cold water has been increased. Since the heat transfer avoids the hot water supply entirely, various benefits are involved including complete independence from the water heating technology, reduction of heat loss and pressure loss, better heat transfer, and a decreased risk of cross-contamination. | 06-04-2009 |
20090255860 | Greywater diversion and hair catcher assembly for baths that is comprised of the novel assembly of a hair catcher mesh cup, a two-port valve, a direct-drain waste-overflow assembly, and an indirect-drain waste-overflow assembly - Greywater diversion of bathwater for reuse is fast becoming a global necessity; however, there is a need for a device that separates the diversion function from the utilization system for reasons including backflow situations and odor control. Further, said device must be able to be installed in typical bath installation; further, the fiber filtering function must be located in a readily accessible position within the assembly. This invention describes the novel combination of a strainer-mounted hair catcher mesh cup, a two-port full-port variable-aperture valve, an indirect waste overflow fitting, and a direct waste overflow fitting to comprise a greywater diversion assembly that allows for easy cleaning, emergency backflow of greywater to the primary sanitary drain system, and installation within the restricted space beneath a bath in a typical North American bathroom. | 10-15-2009 |
20100122411 | Slide-on groove and flange faceplate- tieplate overflow sub-assembly of a sink or bath drain assembly - An overflow sub-assembly consists of an overflow faceplate that slides over and down the overflow tieplate by means of a internal slot mating with a matching flange on the tieplate. This invention requires no fasteners to attach the faceplate to the tieplate, leaving the faceplate free to bear a variety of finishes, including in-mould decorating, conventional plating, mirror finish, texture, and three-dimensional ornament. | 05-20-2010 |
20100122828 | slide-on groove and flange faceplate- tieplate cover for an electrical outlet. - An assembly to hide the visual distraction of the electrical outlet consists of a faceplate box with an internal groove to the rear and an open bottom, allowing for sliding over a tieplate tied to a mounted electrical box. This tieplate bears a mating flange to the top and sides that is offset from rear of the tieplate to allow for sliding on of the faceplate. This faceplate can be manipulated whether or not flat-headed cords are plugged in. The faceplate is then free to bear a variety of finishes, including in-mould decorating, conventional plating, mirror finish, texture, and three-dimensional ornament. | 05-20-2010 |
20130042398 | DRAIN CLOSURE DEVICE - A drain closure device for a vessel such as a bathtub or sink is provided. The drain closure device comprises a stopper fitted with a sealing gasket and threaded onto a stem slidably mounted in a guide member which is in turn threaded into a strainer mounted in a hole in the bottom of the vessel. The device is concentrically disposed within the strainer. Twirling of the stopper causes the stem to rise and fall against an undulating cam surface of the guide. Resistance to closure is provided by rest stops for projections on the upper part of the stem. No spring, pins, or resistance seals are used. Once in place, the drain closure nests in the strainer. | 02-21-2013 |
20140000022 | Thread-in drain for lavatories. | 01-02-2014 |
20140259384 | Island bath drain - A drain mounted in the floor and equipped with a novel annular seal to accept the penetration of a tubular tailpiece affixed to and emanating from the bottom of a free standing bath is provided. The mounted drain comprises a circular anchoring plate fastened concentrically to a hole in the floor. To the lower surface of the anchoring plate an internally threaded base is fastened by the threading in of a flanged externally threaded pipe that hangs from the inner rim of a circular perforation in the anchoring plate, said flange pipe threading into the base beneath said plate. A novel seal is equipped with a horizontal annular flange that is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the flanged externally threaded pipe on top and the internally threaded base beneath said plate. Said seal also is equipped with a vertical perforation with annual features that seal against the penetrating tubular tailpiece circumference to prevent air and water leakage. The base is further attached to a drain. | 09-18-2014 |
20140373262 | Tracking Drain Closure Device that Rotates between Open and Closed. - A drain closure device for a vessel such as a bathtub or sink is provided. The drain closure device comprises a stopper fitted with a sealing gasket and equipped with track followers on a vertical post capped with a horizontal stopper, plus a flanged pipe emanating from said stopper that fits to the drainage hole in a vessel. The device is operable to be concentrically disposed with a hole in the bottom of the vessel. Rotation of the stopper causes travel of the followers on the stem to rise against the track cut into the interior of the flanged pipe. Resistance to closure when opened is provided by a terminal rest stop for each track follower on the upper part of the track. No springs, pins, or resistance seals are used. Reverse rotation of the stopper causes reverse travel of the followers back down the track to a low resting place located to effect closure of the horizontal stopper atop the flange of the pipe resting on the perimeter of the vessel hole. Once in place, the drain closure occupies the drain hole in the bottom of the vessel. | 12-25-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100088183 | METHOD OF APPLYING ADVERTISING TO THE SURFACE OF A MOVING HANDRAIL - A film bearing advertising can be applied to a moving handrail for a set period of time. The film bearing the advertising can include a first film layer and a first layer of adhesive on the underside of the first film layer, the film being generally elongated and having a width corresponding to a width of the moving handrail. The film can be aligned and adhered, continuously and progressively, to the handrail. The advertising can include a pattern repeated at regular intervals along the length of the film. The advertising can include at least one of text, images and logos. After the set period of time, the film can be removed. After removing the film, the surface of the handrail can be cleaned. A second film bearing second advertising can be applied for a second set period of time. First and second advertisers can be charged different advertising rates. | 04-08-2010 |
20130298616 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRONIC LOCK - An interchangeable electronic lock includes an electronic access system to activate a motor which powers a gear assembly in the electronic lock. An optional manual bypass allows an operator to override the electronic access. When the lock is activated, the operator manually cranks a lock shaft to lock and unlock a storage unit. A controller selectively operates the motor to move the gear assembly in a linear direction. The gear assembly engages a first portion of a drive assembly with a second portion, to permit manual operation of the lock shaft to lock and unlock the storage unit. An optional modular chassis assembly includes a removable array of components for testing, maintenance and repair. The invention includes a system for operation of the electronic lock, a method of operating the electronic lock and software for operating the electronic lock. | 11-14-2013 |
20130298619 | INTERCHANGEABLE ELECTRONIC LOCK - An electronic lock is interchangeable with mechanical locks in retrofit applications or as an OEM lock. The lock includes interchangeable modular components. The lock housing is interchangeable with other housings of different configurations to permit replacement of existing mechanical locks. The lock may also include interchangeable drivers for compatibility with other systems. The lock includes an electronic access system such as a programmable keypad or card reader to activate a motor which powers the electronic lock. An optional manual bypass allows an operator to override the electronic access, for example when the motor is inoperative. When the lock is activated, the operator manually cranks a lock shaft to lock and unlock a storage unit. An optional modular chassis assembly includes a removable array of components for testing, maintenance and repair. | 11-14-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100042767 | Method and Apparatus for Connecting USB Devices to a Remote Computer - A method and apparatus are provided to enable a plurality of standard USB peripheral devices, utilizing the USB specification, to be distributed at various nodes across a network, wherein communications across the network may take advantage of any pre-existing network connectivity of a standard, non-modified USB host computer. In particular, a reflector function is added in order to reflect data communications towards a pre-existing transceiver. As a result, the host computer establishes a first profile and second profile for data communication purposes, and uses these profiles to communicate across the network using pre-existing data communication components. | 02-18-2010 |
20130262708 | Method And Apparatus For Connecting USB Devices To a Computer - A method and apparatus are provided to enable a plurality of standard USB peripheral devices, utilizing the USB specification, to be distributed at various nodes across a network, wherein communications across the network may take advantage of any pre-existing network connectivity of a standard, non-modified USB host computer. In particular, a virtual host controller function is added to the host computer in order to direct data communications towards a pre-existing network transceiver. As a result, the host computer is not required to be provided with USB hardware and is able to communicate across the network using pre-existing data communication components. | 10-03-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090188975 | SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS IN A SELF-SERVICE LIBRARY TERMINAL - A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal. | 07-30-2009 |
20110276422 | SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS IN A SELF-SERVICE LIBRARY TERMINAL - A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal(i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal. | 11-10-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110074179 | Composite Liftgate System - The present invention is a thermoplastic composite liftgate system with reinforcements in key areas to allow the system to meet performance requirements, while lowering the tooling investment, lowering the system mass, and improving the styling flexibility. The present invention includes an inner panel and at least one bracket or reinforcement member connected to the inner panel such that when a force is applied to the bracket, the force is distributed to the inner panel. | 03-31-2011 |
20110316306 | Water Assist Injection Moulded Structural Members - A method of forming members of fiber reinforced thermoplastic members via molding, the members including at least one hollow chamber, formed by water injection into the melt in the mold, to stiffen the finished member. The thermoplastic is preferably selected from a group comprising polypropylene, Nylon, PET, ABS, TPO, and thermoplastic polyurethane, while the reinforcing fibers are preferably selected from a group comprising glass, aramid, carbon, and natural fibers. Preferably, the extruded melt is produced such that the average length of the reinforcing fibers is less than four millimeters. | 12-29-2011 |