Patents by Inventor Chad J. Cochart
Chad J. Cochart has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9476508Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
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Publication number: 20160245418Abstract: A fluid dispensing device, a battery package for a fluid dispensing device, and a method of assembling a fluid dispensing device. The dispensing device has a housing defining a passage having an outlet, and fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet. The dispensing device also has a powered component. The battery package has a battery cell and a capacitor operable to power the powered component. The battery cell and the capacitor are encapsulated as a unitary battery package. The unitary battery package is supportable in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Joel T. Smith, Balachander Venugopal, Ryan F. Leichty
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Patent number: 9334971Abstract: A universal valve body includes a front face having a circular opening for receiving a valve cartridge, a rear face, a frustoconical side wall connecting the front face to the rear face, and a first inlet port and a first outlet port obliquely disposed in the frustoconical side wall. A cap for the valve body includes a base and a structure extending from the base. The structure extending from the base may block at least one of the inlet port or outlet port in the valve body. A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body and a tab extending from the base. When the base is in the open orientation, the tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20150308587Abstract: A faucet configured for touchless actuation that includes a spout; a mechanical valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state and having a member radially movable between an open position and a closed position in response to operation of the mechanical valve between the open state and the closed state; an electronic valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state; and a system configured to detect and communicate a state of the faucet in response to the position of the member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20150260299Abstract: A testing cap for a valve body includes a base configured to releasably attach to the valve body and to cover an opening in the valve body. The opening is configured to receive a valve cartridge and the base covers the opening in place of the valve cartridge. The testing cap includes a structure extending from the base. The structure is configured to be oriented relative to the valve body in a first orientation and a second orientation. The structure allows fluid to enter the valve body through an inlet port in the valve body and exit the valve body through an outlet port in the valve body when the structure is oriented in the first orientation. The structure covers at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port when the structure is oriented in the second orientation, thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20150260301Abstract: A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body. When the base is in the open orientation, the service valve allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. When the base is in the closed orientation, the service valve blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. The service valve further includes a tab extending from the base. The tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
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Patent number: 9086155Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut threaded to an internal wall of the valve housing. The bonnet nut has a through channel that surrounds the control stem, and means are provided along the through channel to control a level of resistance to rotation of stem.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
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Patent number: 9074698Abstract: A system for detecting and communicating a mechanical valve position in a faucet is provided. The system includes a mechanical valve having an open state and a closed state, a control stem configured to selectively operate the valve between the open state and the closed state, a member movable between an open position and a closed position in response to operation of the mechanical valve between the open state and the closed state. The system further includes a ring disposed at least partially around the mechanical valve and having a switch disposed on the ring. Moving the member from the closed position to the open position actuates the switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20150184757Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
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Publication number: 20140261808Abstract: A universal valve body includes a front face having a circular opening for receiving a valve cartridge, a rear face, a frustoconical side wall connecting the front face to the rear face, and a first inlet port and a first outlet port obliquely disposed in the frustoconical side wall. A cap for the valve body includes a base and a structure extending from the base. The structure extending from the base may block at least one of the inlet port or outlet port in the valve body. A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body and a tab extending from the base. When the base is in the open orientation, the tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
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Patent number: 8800962Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing and a harbor provided at a lower portion of the valve housing. The valve housing has an internal bore for receiving a valve control cartridge, and the harbor has a first recess suitable for receiving a water supply tube, and a second recess suitable for receiving a second water tube, wherein the harbor also has a slot. The valve assembly further includes the water supply tube mounted in the first recess, the second water tube mounted in the second recess, and a retainer clip positioned in the slot with that clip simultaneously engaging both tubes. The retainer clip comprises a first leg and a second leg connected by a waist to define there between a retaining area, and at least the first leg has formed thereon a notch adjacent a heel of the leg.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
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Publication number: 20140143948Abstract: A system for dispensing or and/or creating a mixture of water and a personal care liquid (PC), such, as soap, shampoo, antibacterial liquids, disinfectant liquids, liquid dishwashing detergents, or other sanitization fluids. The system, in one embodiment, is used in conjunction with a faucet that is mounted adjacent a washbasin to dispense the mixture. In an embodiment, a mixing unit is included in the system that comprises a venturi and a pressure compensating control device. In another embodiment, a pinch valve is utilized to control the introduction of the PCL into the water flow. In yet another embodiment, at least one water pressure actuatable valve is utilized to control the introduction of the PCL into the water flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventor: Chad J. COCHART
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Publication number: 20140117265Abstract: A fluid dispensing device, a battery package for a fluid dispensing device, and a method of assembling a fluid dispensing device. The dispensing device has a housing defining a passage having an outlet, and fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet. The dispensing device also has a powered component. The battery package has a battery cell and a capacitor operable to power the powered component. The battery cell and the capacitor are encapsulated as a unitary battery package. The unitary battery package is supportable in the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Joel T. Smith, Balachander Venugopal, Ryan F. Leichty
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Publication number: 20140053925Abstract: A system for detecting and communicating a mechanical valve position in a faucet is provided. The system includes a mechanical valve having an open state and a closed state, a control stem configured to selectively operate the valve between the open state and the closed state, a member movable between an open position and a closed position in response to operation of the mechanical valve between the open state and the closed state. The system further includes a ring disposed at least partially around the mechanical valve and having a switch disposed on the ring. Moving the member from the closed position to the open position actuates the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Chad J. Cochart
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Patent number: 8297305Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed providing a disk valve, a retaining clip configuration, and a bonnet nut. The disk valve comprises a moveable disk having a pair of recesses that is rotatable relative to a stationary disk to regulate the flow of a fluid through two ports in communication with the disks. The retaining clip configuration comprises a hose clip engaging a retaining segment on a valve housing and two hoses to connect the two hoses to two ports on the valve housing. The bonnet nut provides a tactile resistance to an applied torque when a portion of the valve cartridge assembly is rotated in relation to the valve housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
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Patent number: 7823603Abstract: A mixer valve includes a rotational assembly for selecting a temperature of the water up to a maximum temperature. The rotational assembly includes a selectable “comfort” temperature indicator, that can be set independently of the maximum temperature, and does not affect the maximum temperature. The valve also includes check valves for preventing cross flow between the hot and cold pipes. A check valve insert is provided which includes a shutoff for the water flow when removing the check valve for service. The shutoff and removal of the check valve can be effected with a single tool.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Chad M. Slater, Michael J. Wandschneider
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Patent number: 7779865Abstract: A control disk for a fluid valve has a disk body having at least one through hole, the body having an upper surface for contacting another control element of the valve and an opposed lower surface. The upper surface is formed with a raised undulating contact surface. The raised undulating contact surface defines pockets suitable for receiving a lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Christopher M. Shay, Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20090189108Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed providing a disk valve, a retaining clip configuration, and a bonnet nut. The disk valve comprises a moveable disk having a pair of recesses that is rotatable relative to a stationary disk to regulate the flow of a fluid through two ports in communication with the disks. The retaining clip configuration comprises a hose clip engaging a retaining segment on a valve housing and two hoses to connect the two hoses to two ports on the valve housing. The bonnet nut provides a tactile resistance to an applied torque when a portion of the valve cartridge assembly is rotated in relation to the valve housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
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Publication number: 20080258093Abstract: A control disk for a fluid valve has a disk body having at least one through hole, the body having an upper surface for contacting another control element of the valve and an opposed lower surface. The upper surface is formed with a raised undulating contact surface. The raised undulating contact surface defines pockets suitable for receiving a lubricant.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Christopher M. Shay, Chad J. Cochart