Patents Assigned to Kohler Co.
  • Publication number: 20240044117
    Abstract: A faucet trim assembly includes faucet body subassembly and a base subassembly removably coupled to the faucet body subassembly. The faucet body subassembly includes a spout, an escutcheon coupled to the spout, and a handle coupled to the escutcheon. The spout includes a first internal passageway. The base subassembly includes a valve cartridge that is removably coupled to the base subassembly. The valve cartridge is configured to control a flow of water through the spout. The base subassembly is configured to removably couple to a sink deck independently from the faucet body subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Brian J. Mooren, Andrew J. Rieth
  • Patent number: 11892811
    Abstract: An apparatus for aggregation of water condition at household appliances comprises a communication interface and a controller. The communication interface is configured to send a reporting message indicative of data collected by at least one appliance to a central server. The controller is configured to receive an analysis message from the central server. The analysis message indicates a condition of water from the at least one appliance or a condition of water in a geographic area associated with the at least one appliance. The controller is configured to provide an alert in response to the analysis message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Rafael Rexach, Nona Beining, Alyssa Wilterdink, Shawn Booth, Thomas E. Lilly, Doug Diemel, Jr., Leslie Petch
  • Patent number: 11885111
    Abstract: A method of flushing a toilet that includes opening a first valve to introduce a first supply of grey water into a passage to prime a siphon; opening a second valve to introduce a second supply of water into a bowl from a tank, the bowl having an outlet that is in fluid communication with an inlet of the passage; closing the first valve to shut off the first supply of water; evacuating the contents of the bowl through an outlet of the passage by way of the siphon generated by the introduction of the first supply of water and the introduction of the second supply of water; and closing the second valve to shut off the second supply of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Clayton C. Garrels, William C. Kuru, Randy S. Graskamp
  • Patent number: 11885434
    Abstract: A process includes placing a nut around a valve cartridge, the valve cartridge comprising a valve stem. The process also includes aligning the valve stem with an engagement crown of a handle. The process also includes pressing the handle towards the nut after placing the nut around the valve cartridge and aligning the valve stem with the engagement crown, such that the valve stem is rotatably coupled to the handle through the engagement crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Brian J. Mooren, Andrew J. Rieth
  • Patent number: 11882953
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a cabinet and an apparatus. The cabinet includes a cabinet housing, a door coupled to the cabinet housing to form a cabinet storage compartment, and a support member mounted in the cabinet storage compartment, the support member having a front surface having a first mounting element. The apparatus has a second mounting element and a locking element. The locking element is alterable between: (1) an unlocked state in which the second mounting element of the apparatus can be coupled and decoupled from the first mounting element of the support member of the cabinet; and (2) a locked state in which the second mounting element of the apparatus is prohibited from being decoupled from the first mounting element of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: Robern, Inc., Kohler Co
    Inventors: James L Stanley, Jr., Howard Katz, Marwan Estiban, James A. DeHope, Travis Andren
  • Publication number: 20240026987
    Abstract: A faucet includes a valve cartridge configured to control a flow of water and a structure that supports the valve cartridge. The structure includes a mount having a concave portion and a smooth portion positioned adjacent to the concave portion. The structure includes a lock plate that detachably couples to the mount, in which the lock plate has a convex portion. The convex portion of the lock plate interfaces with the concave portion of the mount in a first rotational position to secure the lock plate relative to the mount. The lock plate slides along the smooth portion in a second rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Perry ERICKSON
  • Publication number: 20240026666
    Abstract: A drain assembly includes a drain body and an expanding assembly positionable within the drain body. The expanding assembly includes a lattice body having an orifice configured to couple a toe tap with the lattice body. The drain body includes a channel disposed along a portion of the drain body. The channel can receive the expanding assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. STOUT
  • Patent number: 11879242
    Abstract: An educator assembly for a toilet includes a suction reservoir, a flow driving device, a first nozzle, a second nozzle, and a discharge outlet. The suction reservoir is configured to store a supply of water. The flow driving device is configured to supply a flow of water to the eductor assembly and in fluid communication with the suction reservoir to create a suction port proximate to the flow driving device and the suction reservoir. The first nozzle is at the end of the flow driving device. The second nozzle is downstream of the suction port. The discharge outlet is coupled to a trapway of the toilet and configured to receive discharge from the second nozzle downstream of the suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Clayton C. Garrels, Jeremiah J. Rauwerdink, Randal S. Graskamp
  • Patent number: 11879238
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction ring including a body and a contact member. The body is configured to couple the friction ring to at least one of a faucet assembly or a faucet valve assembly. The contact member is disposed on the body. The contact member is configured to slidably engage with a valve stem of the faucet valve assembly. The contact member is further configured to press against the valve stem to increase a frictional force between the contact member and the valve stem over a full range of movement of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Brad R. Hadfield, Perry D. Erickson, David E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 11878314
    Abstract: A sprayhead that includes a body and first and second diverters. The body has an inlet for receiving a fluid; first, second, and third chambers; and first, second, and third outlets for dispensing the fluid in first, second, and third modes, respectively. The first diverter moves between a first position wherein the second chamber fluidly connects to the inlet and the first chamber fluidly disconnects from the inlet and a second position wherein the first outlet fluidly connects to the inlet through the first chamber and the second chamber fluidly disconnects from the inlet. The second diverter moves between a first position wherein the second outlet fluidly connects to the second chamber and the third chamber fluidly disconnects from the second chamber and a second position wherein the third outlet fluidly connects to the second chamber through the third chamber and the second outlet fluidly disconnects from the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven Thomas Radder
  • Patent number: 11879240
    Abstract: A shower system includes a sprayer removably coupled to a receiver that is in moving engagement with a track. The shower system includes a control system operably coupled with the receiver. The control system can change a height of the receiver along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Chanseol Muraoka
  • Publication number: 20240016345
    Abstract: A shower dam assembly for mitigating water egress from a shower receptor includes a shower dam base and a shower dam. The shower dam base is coupled to a shower receptor and includes a groove extending along at least a portion of the shower dam base. The shower dam includes a shower dam insert and a flexing portion. The shower dam insert is configured to be received within the groove to removably couple the shower dam to the shower dam base. The flexing portion extends from the shower dam insert and is configured to flex between a normal position in which the flexing portion extends at least partially upward from the shower dam insert and a flexed position in which the flexing portion extends from the shower dam insert at an angle relative to the normal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: KOHLER CO
    Inventor: Kenneth L. STOUT
  • Publication number: 20240019047
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure fluctuation in the shower waterway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
  • Patent number: 11873634
    Abstract: A chemical dispensing system for a toilet that includes a container configured to contain a chemical compound that mixes with water to form a cleaning compound; a bracket coupled to the container; a threaded protrusion that extends from the bracket and is configured to extend through a hole in an inside of the sidewall of the toilet; and a fastener having a threaded body and a head, which is larger radially than the threaded body such that the head is configured to contact an outside of the sidewall in a secured position in which the threaded body threads to the threaded protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
  • Patent number: D1012229
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Yutong Wu
  • Patent number: D1012238
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Gregory De Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Yutong Wu
  • Patent number: D1012253
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly
  • Patent number: D1012399
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Niels J. Eilmus, Christopher J. Santos
  • Patent number: D1013099
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Margaret C. Mazz
  • Patent number: D1013831
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Margaret C. Mazz