John W Mckay

US Patent:

6339882, Jan 22, 2002

Filed:

Jul 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/626692

Inventors:

Kent Goessling - Fullerton CA
John McKay - Placentia CA

Assignee:

Fluidmaster, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

B21D 5116

US Classification:

29890127, 29890124, 29452, 4392, 2643281, 249145

Abstract:

A flush valve is adapted for placement through a hole in the bottom of a toilet tank. The valve seat has an axis with a lower section adapted to extend through the hole and an upper section defining an opening generally perpendicular to the axis. A first sleeve communicates with a central channel in the upper section. A valve elbow has a second axis with an overflow section and a second sleeve registerable with the first sleeve to provide fluid communication between the overflow section and the (central channel) an associated method includes injection molding steps wherein first and second core pins are removed laterally and the second sleeve is inserted into the first sleeve to provide fluid communication between the overflow section of the valve elbow in the central channel of the valve seat.

US Patent:

7029216, Apr 18, 2006

Filed:

Sep 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/658965

Inventors:

John McKay - Placentia CA, US

Assignee:

Fluidmaster, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

F16B 31/00

US Classification:

411 6, 411432

Abstract:

The locknut is adapted for axial engagement of a threaded shaft having an axis and an outer thread. The locknut has properties for limiting a tightening torque on the shaft to a predetermined torque value. In one aspect, a first member is adapted for engagement by a user and rotation about the shaft. A second member having inner threads is disposed in a rotatable, coaxial relationship with the first member. At least one deflection wall is included in the first member and is provided with properties for deflecting outwardly in response to a radial force. At least one deflecting element is included in the second member and is disposed to exert a radial force against the deflection wall. The deflecting element has a generally engaged relationship with the deflection wall at a torque level not greater than the predetermined torque to maintain the inner threads of the second member in an engaged relationship with the first member. The deflecting element has a generally disengaged relationship with the deflection wall at a torque level greater than the predetermined torque to maintain the inner threads of the second member in a generally disengaged relationship with the first member. In another aspect, the locknut has an outer wall configured for engagement by the user and an inner wall.

US Patent:

8364105, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Jun 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/151198

Inventors:

John C. McKay - Placentia CA, US
Stephen E. Hannah - Placentia CA, US
Jesse M. James - Ladera Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

H04B 1/04

US Classification:

455129, 343878, 343882

Abstract:

An embodiment of a light powered transmitter configured for broadcasting an electromagnetic control field to a region is provided. The transmitter includes a housing having a longitudinal axis. The housing includes a photovoltaic cell configured to generate electrical power in response to light and a rechargeable power source configured to store at least a portion of the power generated by the photovoltaic cell. The housing also includes an electromagnetic transmitter and a directional antenna. The directional antenna can be configured to broadcast an electromagnetic (e. g. , radio-frequency) control field to a region. The directional antenna can be rotatably mounted in the housing such that the antenna can be rotated around the longitudinal axis. The housing can further include a transparent or translucent optical element configured to receive the light and converge at least a portion of the light onto the photovoltaic cell.

US Patent:

8578984, Nov 12, 2013

Filed:

Sep 20, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/623676

Inventors:

John C. McKay - Placentia CA, US

Assignee:

Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B60B 7/06
B60B 33/04
B60B 23/10
B21D 53/26

US Classification:

152176, 1523793, 152385, 3011081, 301 37102, 301 3551, 2989431, 16 45

Abstract:

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e. g. , a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

US Patent:

20110036671, Feb 17, 2011

Filed:

Oct 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/911647

Inventors:

John C. McKay - Placentia CA, US
Stephen E. Hannah - Placentia CA, US

Assignee:

GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

F16D 65/16
F16D 65/21
B62B 5/04

US Classification:

188 69

Abstract:

Brake mechanisms for a wheel of non-motorized wheeled vehicle such as, e.g., a shopping cart, are described. In various embodiments, the brake mechanism can provide a variable amount of braking force or torque between zero and an amount sufficient to lock the wheel. In some embodiments, the brake mechanism includes a brake plate that is movable toward and away from a surface of the wheel hub along a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel. The brake plate is configured not to rotate when the wheel and hub are rotating. Frictional engagement between the brake plate and the surface of the wheel hub provides the braking force. The brake plate and/or the surface of the wheel hub can include engagement features such as, e.g., protrusions and slots. In some embodiments, the brake mechanism fits entirely within the wheel.

US Patent:

20140062165, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Nov 6, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/073717

Inventors:

John C. McKay - Placentia CA, US

Assignee:

Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

B60B 23/06

US Classification:

301 111

Abstract:

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

US Patent:

60819383, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Sep 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/152749

Inventors:

Richard C. McClure - Placentia CA
John C. McKay - Placentia CA
Miguel C. Garcia - La Puente CA

Assignee:

FluidMaster, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

E03D 114

US Classification:

4325

Abstract:

A flush valve is adapted to be mounted in the tank of a toilet and includes a selector assembly and a flush valve. The selector assembly is accessible from outside the toilet and provides for initiation of the flushing operation and an alternative choice between a larger flush water volume and a smaller flush water volume. A support structure provides for both axial and radial movement of the selector assembly relative to the flush valve in order to facilitate mounting and alignment of the flush valve assembly. A slide mechanism provides for variation of at least the smaller flush water volume.

US Patent:

59667494, Oct 19, 1999

Filed:

Oct 27, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/958170

Inventors:

Kent Goesling - Pomona CA
Oscar R. Dufau - Fullerton CA
John McKay - Placentia CA
Steven E. Maple - Mission Viejo CA
Adolf Schoepe - Anaheim CA

Assignee:

Fluidmaster, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

E03D 134

US Classification:

4392

Abstract:

A pivotable toilet flush valve member (10) is provided, of the type that includes a float (40) with a pair of holes (44, 52) that allow the float to fill with water during a flushing to close early, and where the float can be turned to vary the amount of water used during a flushing, wherein the float is constructed for easy and loose mounting on a frame (12) and for low friction rotation about a primarily vertical axis (60), and where the flush valve member has a simple detent mechanism to hold the float at any rotational position to which it is turned. The frame has an aperture (74) lying along the primarily vertical axis, and the float has a small diameter upwardly extending projection (70) that projects upwardly through the frame aperture and that is held by the walls of the aperture, for low friction turning. The detent mechanism includes an upstanding wall (100) with an upwardly-open vertical groove (102) that has a plurality of teeth on at least one side of the groove. The frame has a downwardly-extending detent (92) with at least one tooth (111-113) that lies in the groove.