Kohler Company

The Vollrath Company, LLC

Deepflex Inc.

Pentair Filtration, Inc.

Thomas E Gaffney

Herbert V Kohler, Jr

Mary J Reid

Alan D Bengtson

Alan J Weir

Clarence E Klessig

Patrick S Wahlen

Stephen R Straus

Michael D Steinhardt

Alan J Schommer

Dana F Buccicone

Thomas W Hillebrand

Terry Zerger

Paul W Eserkaln

Marbert G Moore, Iii

William C Heimerl

Stanley M Grycan

Michael L Carpenter

Brent W Lillesand

Joseph J Hennessy

Jeffery E Collins

A modular rotating carousel assembly for storage and unspooling of pipe or cable is provided that comprises a plurality of triangular subassemblies; each triangular subassembly comprises a base member and at least one pair of connecting members; the connecting members are connected together at one end to form an apex and are connected at the other end to the base member; the base members of the plurality of triangular subassemblies are rotatably connected together to form a first circle; wherein the apexes of the connecting members extend outwardly from said first circle; and a plurality of rotating caster members is positioned beneath the rotatable connection of a plurality of said base members. Additional sets of triangular subassemblies are built up on concentric circles until the desired size of carousel is formed. A drive mechanism is provided that includes a motor that rotates a perimeter drive chain that engages sprocket pads spaced about the circumference of the carousel. A modular hub is provided that includes a set of fixed plates arranged in a circle and a set of adjustable plates that are connected to the fixed plates. A set of segments forming a uniform circular shape is attached to the outside surface of the moveable plates and vertically oriented curved plates are positioned about the outer surface of the set of segments to provide a uniform surface for casters to rotate about.

Modular carousel assembly and method

A modular filter system using replaceable filter cartridges includes a locking arrangement that prevents rotation of the flow control valve spindle in the filter head, but includes an unlocking arrangement on the cartridge that unlocks the locking arrangement if the proper replacement cartridge is used. The locking arrangement may include spring biased locking pins carried on the filter head and matching unlocking pins on the filter cartridge to operate through an intermediate adaptor ring that is set on assembly to match the positions of the locking and unlocking pins.

Modular drinking water filtration system with locking arrangement to assure filter cartridge compatibility

Frame member for cart

A utility cart is presented having improved assembleability, economy, rigidity and stability. In one feature, the cart includes a wheeled frame having a shelf supported by the frame. The shelf includes a movable surface and the frame includes a retention surface. The movable surface moves between a position of out of engagement with the retention surface and a position in engagement with the retention surface. This structure allows the shelf to snap into place without the need for separate mechanical fasteners. According to another feature, the cart includes a top shelf configured to deflect U-shaped leg members inward to apply a binding force upon the bottom shelf. According to a third feature, the cart includes a cross member connecting two leg members, the cross member having L-shaped slots to receive protuberances on the leg members.

Utility cart

Coffee urn

A covered food serving pan is provided having a food pan from which a flange with tab retainers extends, and a cover with tabs extending from an edge. These tabs engage tab retainers on a flange of the food pan and allow the cover to rotate with respect to the food pan. A method is provided for attaching a cover to a food serving pan by sliding the tabs toward the tabs retainers and engaging them with the tab retainers, rotating the cover about the tab retainers along a first axis of rotation, translating the cover in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and again rotating the cover about the axis of rotation until the open end of the pan is covered.

Food serving pan with removable cover

A sunken receptacle unit for insertion in an opening of a counter having a top surface and a bottom surface includes a receptacle having a bottom and a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity, a receptacle support surface extending outwardly from the walls for supporting the receptacle within the opening and a receptacle retaining surface coupled to one of the walls. The receptacle retaining surface moves between a first position beyond the opening for engaging the bottom surface of the counter and a second position within the opening for insertion of the unit through the opening. The receptacle retaining surface is resiliently biased in the first position.

Sunken receptacle unit with resilient receptacle retaining surface

Faucet handle or the like

Spout

A handle assembly includes an open-ended sleeve connectable to a valve stem by a screw inserted and removed through the open end. A removable cap has four cross openings which align with four cross openings in the sleeve. Two cross members are placed in the cross openings and interfitted inside the sleeve. In one embodiment, the internal connection is provided in part by a hole in one of the cross members. In a preferred embodiment, the cross members have contacting surfaces for engaging the sleeve and the cap. The handle assembly is adjustable for use with a variety of sleeves.

Handle assembly

A handle assembly which is attachable to a conventional valve stem and includes a decorative handle member is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an adapter element has an interior splined surface that mounts on the valve stem. The adapter also includes external splines and an annular flange. The adapter is positioned within a central opening in an escutcheon. A mounting screw fastens the adapter to the valve stem, with the escutcheon trapped beneath the adapter due to the presence of the annular flange. A post member has internal splines which engage the external splines of the adapter so that the parts rotate together. In addition, the post member has external splines which engage a splined opening in a handle. The handle comprises a bottom lever bar and a top lever bar. A strap cap is positioned over the handle and has a threaded hole to receive an upwardly-directed bolt. The bolt presses the handle between the strap cap and the post member. In the final step of assembly, a threaded surface on the escutcheon is rotatively engaged with a threaded surface on the post member, thereby pressing the adapter element between the escutcheon and the post member.

Growing community of inventors

Sheboygan, WI, United States of America

Thomas E Gaffney