Gregory L Blake

US Patent:

6961966, Nov 8, 2005

Filed:

Dec 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/739795

Inventors:

Otto R. Butsch - Placentia CA, US
Kevin G. Bowcutt - Aliso Viejo CA, US
Gregory Blake - Irvine CA, US
Daniel L. Corbin - Irvine CA, US
Dennis A. Repp - Newport Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Limit, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

E03D011/02

US Classification:

4427, 137400

Abstract:

A toilet overflow prevention device including an overflow valve assembly, a control valve and a water level sensor. The overflow valve assembly is configured to selectively permit a flow of water through the valve assembly from the tank to the bowl of an associated toilet. The water level sensor is configured to provide a control signal in response to detecting an above-normal water level within the bowl of the toilet. The control valve is configured to actuate the overflow valve assembly in response to a control signal from the water level sensor. Preferably, the overflow valve assembly is separate from the primary flush valve of the toilet and is located between the primary flush valve and the bowl of the toilet.

US Patent:

7356856, Apr 15, 2008

Filed:

Dec 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/016428

Inventors:

Otto R. Butsch - Placentia CA, US
Kevin G. Bowcutt - Aliso Viejo CA, US
Gregory Blake - Irvine CA, US
Daniel L. Corbin - Irvine CA, US
Dennis A. Repp - Newport Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Limit, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

E03D 11/02

US Classification:

4427, 137413

Abstract:

A toilet overflow prevention device including an overflow valve assembly, a control valve and a water level sensor. The overflow valve assembly is configured to selectively permit a flow of water through the valve assembly from the tank to the bowl of an associated toilet. The water level sensor is configured to provide a control signal in response to detecting an above-normal water level within the bowl of the toilet. The control valve is configured to actuate the overflow valve assembly in response to a control signal from the water level sensor. Preferably, the overflow valve assembly is separate from the primary flush valve of the toilet and is located between the primary flush valve and the bowl of the toilet.

US Patent:

7636959, Dec 29, 2009

Filed:

Apr 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/733616

Inventors:

Kevin Bowcutt - Aliso Viejo CA, US
Ahmed Shishegar - Woodland Hills CA, US
Matthew Ibarra - Lakewood CA, US
Daniel L. Corbin - Irvine CA, US
Dennis Repp - Newport Beach CA, US
Robert M. Connell - Villa Park CA, US
Oscar Dufau - San Clemente CA, US
Gregory Blake - Irvine CA, US
Sam Iravantchi - Fountain Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Limit, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

E03D 11/02

US Classification:

4427

Abstract:

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

US Patent:

7950265, May 31, 2011

Filed:

Dec 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/641167

Inventors:

Kevin Bowcutt - Aliso Viejo CA, US
Ahmed Shishegar - Woodland Hills CA, US
Matthew Ibarra - Lakewood CA, US
Daniel L. Corbin - Irvine CA, US
Dennis Repp - Newport Beach CA, US
Robert M. Connell - Villa Park CA, US
Oscar Dufau - San Clemente CA, US
Gregory Blake - Irvine CA, US
Sam Iravantchi - Fountain Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Limit, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

G01F 25/00

US Classification:

73 134, 4DIG 9, 73 136, 73 174, 73 188

Abstract:

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

US Patent:

8250795, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

May 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/465543

Inventors:

Allen C. Barbieri - Irvine CA, US
Gregory Douglas Blake - Irvine CA, US
Sam Iravantchi - Fountain Valley CA, US
Craig A. Broman - Huntington Beach CA, US

International Classification:

G09F 15/00

US Classification:

4060601, 4060612, 4061105, 40772

Abstract:

A ground-mounted device for presenting a message can comprise a ground-mounted base, a cover, and one or more panels. The ground-mounted base can have a support surface, a first retainer extending around at least a portion of a periphery of the base, and opposing ends that are substantially rounded. The cover can be configured to be removably attached to the base. The cover can substantially span the support surface. The cover can extend beneath the first retainer when the cover is attached to the base. The one or more panels can be securable to the base with at least a portion of the panel extending over the cover to inhibit movement of the cover away from the base.

US Patent:

8370969, Feb 12, 2013

Filed:

May 27, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/117771

Inventors:

Kevin Bowcutt - Aliso Viejo CA, US
Ahmed Shishegar - Woodland Hills CA, US
Matthew Ibarra - Lakewood CA, US
Daniel L. Corbin - Irvine CA, US
Dennis Repp - Newport Beach CA, US
Robert M. Connell - Villa Park CA, US
Oscar Dufau - San Clemente CA, US
Gregory Blake - Irvine CA, US
Sam Iravantchi - Fountain Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Limit, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

E03D 11/00

US Classification:

4427, 4313, 4406

Abstract:

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectable characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

US Patent:

20130247291, Sep 26, 2013

Filed:

Feb 8, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/763473

Inventors:

Ahmed Shishegar - Woodland Hills CA, US
Matthew Ibarra - Lakewood CA, US
Daniel Corbin - Irvine CA, US
Dennis Repp - Newport Beach CA, US
Robert M. Connell - Villa Park CA, US
Oscar Dufau - San Clemente CA, US
Gregory Blake - Irvine CA, US
Sam Iravantchi - Fountain Valley CA, US

Assignee:

LIMIT, INC. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

E03D 5/00

US Classification:

4405

Abstract:

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.

US Patent:

20220228354, Jul 21, 2022

Filed:

Apr 6, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/714911

Inventors:

- Irvine CA, US
Ahmed Shishegar - Woodland Hills CA, US
Matthew Ibarra - Lakewood CA, US
Daniel Corbin - Irvine CA, US
Dennis Repp - Newport Beach CA, US
Robert M. Connell - Villa Park CA, US
Oscar Dufau - San Clemente CA, US
Gregory Blake - Irvine CA, US
Sam Iravantchi - Fountain Valley CA, US

International Classification:

E03D 5/02
G01F 23/00
E03D 11/00
G01F 23/80
E03D 5/00

Abstract:

A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.