Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8061740 | Ball and socket coupling A ball and socket coupling is provided. The ball and socket coupling includes a ball body having a passage extending therethrough and a ball portion, and a socket body having a conduit extending therethrough and a ball receiving portion configured to receive the bal... | 11/22/2011 |
| 7677606 | Connector for an articulated connection of a first and second pipeline A connector with an additional tolerance compensation capacity for articulately connecting a first and second pipeline of an engine-powered hot air supply system in an aircraft. One pipe end of the first pipeline is articulately connected by a tie rod with a pipe en... | 03/16/2010 |
| 7137414 | Fluid transfer apparatus The fluid transfer apparatus has an outer composite body having end sealing lips that are adapted to sealingly engage the surface surrounding the spaced passages between which fluid is to be transferred. The transfer apparatus has a central member having a uniform c... | 11/21/2006 |
| 6871882 | Ball-and-socket fluid coupling with primary and secondary retainer structures An articulating ball-and-socket fluid coupling includes a ball body, a socket body, a primary retainer structure, an annular seal assembly and a secondary retainer structure. The primary retainer structure has a shaft extending through the ball and socket bodies to ... | 03/29/2005 |
| 6846022 | Universal joint A universal joint including a first tubular member, a second tubular member, and an intermediate tubular member for connecting the first and second tubular members, the intermediate tubular member having at one end an outer spherical part and at the other end a cyli... | 01/25/2005 |
| 6381775 | Adjustable floor drain apparatus 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 ... | 05/07/2002 |
| 6269495 | Adjustable floor drain apparatus An adjustable drain apparatus to be positioned with a floor therearound. The drain has a drain channel, having an upper end to receive fluid, and a lower end to expel the fluid. The drain also has a base, positioned proximate to the drain channel, having ... | 08/07/2001 |
| 4697742 | Adjustable and securable fluid pipe joint and nozzle coupling unit Ball and socket members having cooperating fluid flow passages therethrough are connected for universal pivotal movement by a connection located entirely interiorly of the members within the fluid flow passages therein. A brake band interposed between the... | 10/06/1987 |
| 4619290 | Torqueless fluid connector A connector 10 for a fluid-flow line comprising a pair of truncated spheres, the inner 14 nesting within the outer 12, with the truncated ends facing in opposite directions. The non-truncated ends of the spheres are each connected to a different circular ... | 10/28/1986 |
| 4137722 | Coupling between an above sea-level platform and a below-water foundation The invention relates to an above sea-level platform, for use as, for example, an oil-rig, which is connected to a sea-bed foundation by a ball-joint arrangement. For protection, the ball joint is hollow and partially received in a recess at the lower end... | 02/06/1979 |
