Patents by Inventor Joseph L. Stauber

Joseph L. Stauber 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).

  • Publication number: 20230137908
    Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The touchless sensor is located within a closed reservoir of the toilet. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The detection region is external to the closed reservoir. The processing circuit is configured to facilitate flushing of the toilet through interaction with the motor assembly when the object is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
  • Patent number: 11560702
    Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The touchless sensor is located within a closed reservoir of the toilet. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The detection region is external to the closed reservoir. The processing circuit is configured to facilitate flushing of the toilet through interaction with the motor assembly when the object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
  • Publication number: 20210054608
    Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The touchless sensor is located within a closed reservoir of the toilet. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The detection region is external to the closed reservoir. The processing circuit is configured to facilitate flushing of the toilet through interaction with the motor assembly when the object is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
  • Patent number: 10851532
    Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The touchless sensor is located within a closed reservoir of the toilet. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The detection region is external to the closed reservoir. The processing circuit is configured to facilitate flushing of the toilet through interaction with the motor assembly when the object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
  • Publication number: 20170241118
    Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The touchless sensor lacks an optical path to the detection region. In some embodiments, the touchless sensor is a projected capacitive sensor. The processing circuit is configured to activate the motor assembly upon detecting the object and the motor assembly is configured to actuate flushing of the toilet when activated by the processing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
  • Patent number: 9689156
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plumbing fixture (e.g. a bidet or toilet) of the type having a frontal basin and means for directing a supply of water to the basin for cleaning the basin. The plumbing fixture includes a modular housing mountable behind the basin and at least one control positioned in the modular housing to control operation of the plumbing fixture. The control may be selected from the group Consisting of light controls, bidet wand position controls, bidet wand heated air supply controls, bidet wand water supply controls, lid position movement controls, seat position movement controls, deodorizer controls, audio device controls and ultra violet sanitizer controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Patent number: 9657471
    Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The touchless sensor lacks an optical path to the detection region. In some embodiments, the touchless sensor is a projected capacitive sensor. The processing circuit is configured to activate the motor assembly upon detecting the object and the motor assembly is configured to actuate flushing of the toilet when activated by the processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
  • Patent number: 9611633
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures with a valve actuator for automatically controlling pivoting of a flush valve, and methods of calibrating movement of the flush valve, are disclosed. The motor of the valve actuator may be positioned between the bowl of the fixture and a leg of a trapway to provide compact assembly. A belt drive laterally extending along the trapway links the motor to the flush valve. The method of calibrating includes establishing stop points which are at positions of less resistance than hard stop positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Blake, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Patent number: 9380918
    Abstract: Various disclosed systems relate to fixtures, such as toilets, that include a lighting mechanism for illuminating portions of the fixture. One embodiment relates to a toilet. The seat assembly of the toilet includes a hinge assembly having a hinge housing and a lighting mechanism. The lighting mechanism is at least partially encapsulated by the hinge housing. The lighting mechanism including a first light source and a power source. The seat assembly further includes a lid pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The seat assembly includes a ring pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The lighting mechanism is configured to direct light at the tank and to direct light into the bowl such that light is reflected off of the tank and off of an interior of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Roger W. Murphy, Michael Luettgen, Gary Clarke, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Patent number: 9220657
    Abstract: A detection system for a tub having a water recirculation system includes an electronic sensor and an indicator. The electronic sensor is configured to detect a condition indicative of water being present in a water recirculation system of a tub. The indicator is configured to provide a visual indication according to the detected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stauber, Fred Ogreenc, Eric Sanders, Jason Seehafer, Richard Kluth
  • Publication number: 20150184368
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plumbing fixture (e.g. a bidet or toilet) of the type having a frontal basin and means for directing a supply of water to the basin for cleaning the basin. The plumbing fixture includes a modular housing mountable behind the basin and at least one control positioned in the modular housing to control operation of the plumbing fixture. The control may be selected from the group Consisting of light controls, bidet wand position controls, bidet wand heated air supply controls, bidet wand water supply controls, lid position movement controls, seat position movement controls, deodorizer controls, audio device controls and ultra violet sanitizer controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Patent number: 8978172
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture, such as a bidet or toilet, includes a frontal basin and a supply of water for cleaning the basin. The plumbing fixture includes a modular housing mountable behind the basin and at least one control positioned in the modular housing to control operation of the plumbing fixture. The control may be light controls, bidet wand position controls, bidet wand heated air supply controls, bidet wand water supply controls, lid position movement controls, seat position movement controls, deodorizer controls, audio device controls and ultra violet sanitizer controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric M. Plate, Peter W. Denzin, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Patent number: 8910320
    Abstract: The present invention is an automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet. The invention includes switch automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via a switch, and manual-urging automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via manual urging by a user. An automated attachment assembly may be configured to provide both switch and manual-urging automation concomitantly based upon predetermined logic. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of identifying manual movement and of assisting the movement of a bowl attachment. The invention further includes an object sensor incorporated within the seat or lid to detect the presence or absence of an object near the bowl attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stauber, Erich C. Vierkant, III, Brian M. Kaule
  • Publication number: 20140250578
    Abstract: Various disclosed systems relate to fixtures, such as toilets, that include a lighting mechanism for illuminating portions of the fixture. One embodiment relates to a toilet. The seat assembly of the toilet includes a hinge assembly having a hinge housing and a lighting mechanism. The lighting mechanism is at least partially encapsulated by the hinge housing. The lighting mechanism including a first light source and a power source. The seat assembly further includes a lid pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The seat assembly includes a ring pivotally connected to the hinge assembly. The lighting mechanism is configured to direct light at the tank and to direct light into the bowl such that light is reflected off of the tank and off of an interior of the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Roger W. Murphy, Michael Luettgen, Gary Clarke, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Publication number: 20140123378
    Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The touchless sensor lacks an optical path to the detection region. In some embodiments, the touchless sensor is a projected capacitive sensor. The processing circuit is configured to activate the motor assembly upon detecting the object and the motor assembly is configured to actuate flushing of the toilet when activated by the processing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael Luettgen, Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
  • Publication number: 20140047629
    Abstract: The present invention is an automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet. The invention includes switch automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via a switch, and manual-urging automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via manual urging by a user. An automated attachment assembly may be configured to provide both switch and manual-urging automation concomitantly based upon predetermined logic. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of identifying manual movement and of assisting the movement of a bowl attachment. The invention further includes an object sensor incorporated within the seat or lid to detect the presence or absence of an object near the bowl attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stauber, Erich C. Vierkant, III, Brian M. Kaule
  • Publication number: 20140020168
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures with a valve actuator for automatically controlling pivoting of a flush valve, and methods of calibrating movement of the flush valve, are disclosed. The motor of the valve actuator may be positioned between the bowl of the fixture and a leg of a trapway to provide compact assembly. A belt drive laterally extending along the trapway links the motor to the flush valve. The method of calibrating includes establishing stop points which are at positions of less resistance than hard stop positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Blake, Joseph L. Stauber
  • Publication number: 20130340158
    Abstract: A detection system for a tub having a water recirculation system includes an electronic sensor and an indicator. The electronic sensor is configured to detect a condition indicative of water being present in a water recirculation system of a tub. The indicator is configured to provide a visual indication according to the detected condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stauber, Fred Ogreenc, Eric Sanders, Jason Sheehafer, Richard Kluth
  • Patent number: 8555427
    Abstract: The present invention is an automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet. The invention includes switch automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via a switch, and manual-urging automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via manual urging by a user. An automated attachment assembly may be configured to provide both switch and manual-urging automation concomitantly based upon predetermined logic. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of identifying manual movement and of assisting the movement of a bowl attachment. The invention further includes an object sensor incorporated within the seat or lid to detect the presence or absence of an object near the bowl attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stauber, Erich C. Vierkant, Brian M. Kaule
  • Patent number: 8555428
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures with a valve actuator for automatically controlling pivoting of a flush valve, and methods of calibrating movement of the flush valve, are disclosed. The motor of the valve actuator may be positioned between the bowl of the fixture and a leg of a trapway to provide compact assembly. A belt drive laterally extending along the trapway links the motor to the flush valve. The method of calibrating includes establishing stop points which are at positions of less resistance than hard stop positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Blake, Joseph L. Stauber