Patents Assigned to Kohler Co.
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Patent number: 11857119Abstract: A sink accessory configured to provide functional space within a sink includes a first end, a second end opposite the second end, and a work space defined between the first end and the second end. The first end and the second end are configured to respectively engage with a first wall and a second wall of a sink to wedge the sink accessory between the first wall and second wall of the sink. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a sink accessory system that includes a sink having a first wall and a second wall opposing the first wall, and at least one sink accessory wedged within the sink.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Ryan Detlaff
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Patent number: 11859426Abstract: A hinge system for a panel includes a first plate configured for coupling to a structure, a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate and disposed on a first side of the panel, a third plate disposed on a second side of the panel opposite the first side, and a slider piece disposed within the panel, the slider piece having a first slot disposed therein. The second plate is coupled to the third plate via at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is configured to slide within the first slot of the slider piece such that the panel may translate relative to the second and the third plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Nameer Shaaban, Sandeep Vishwasrao Pawar, Yogesh Pansare
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Patent number: 11859375Abstract: A faucet includes a spout, a proximity detector, a first valve, and a control circuit. The proximity detector is mounted on or in the spout. The proximity detector includes a light emitter and a sensor. The light emitter is configured to emit a beam of light. The sensor is configured to produce a signal in response to sensing the beam reflected by an object in a zone of detection. The first valve is configured to control a first flow of fluid to the spout. The control circuit is operatively coupled the first valve and the proximity detector. The control circuit is configured to receive the signal and cause the first valve to control the first flow of fluid through the spout after receiving the signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Jonathan P. Loeck, Ramesh Annapindi
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Publication number: 20230417029Abstract: A valve trim assembly for use in a shower environment. The valve trim assembly includes an outer covering and a valve assembly. The outer covering includes a first axis disposed through a midpoint of the outer covering. The valve assembly is at least partially disposed within the outer covering and configured to control a flow of fluid. The valve assembly includes a nut coupled to the outer covering, an adapter at least partially disposed within the nut and rotatable about the first axis, and an elongated joint coaxially aligned with the adapter. The nut and the adapter cooperatively define a joint where the adapter rotates within the nut to maintain engagement between the outer covering and a wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
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Patent number: 11850608Abstract: A shower system includes a shower assembly and a mounting system. The shower assembly includes a chamber configured to receive water from a water source and a plurality of outlets configured to pass water from the chamber. The chamber is unpressurized by a supply pressure of the water source. The mounting system is for coupling the shower assembly to a building structure. The mounting system is configured to adjust a position of the shower assembly relative to the building structure. The mounting system includes a post and a fitting. The post is configured to be coupled to the building structure at a fixed position. The fitting is coupled to the shower assembly and adjustably coupled to the post, such that a vertical position of the shower assembly may be adjusted relative to the post and the building structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
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Patent number: 11851864Abstract: A toilet includes a bowl, a trapway, and a passage. The trapway is fluidly connected to the bowl at a trapway inlet and extends downstream from the bowl. The trapway includes an up-leg and a down-leg extending downstream from the up-leg. The passage is fluidly connected to the trapway downstream from the trapway inlet. The passage is configured to allow ambient air from outside the toilet to pass therethrough toward the trapway.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: William C. Kuru, William Kalk
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Patent number: 11852963Abstract: At least one embodiment relates to a mirror assembly. The mirror assembly includes an interior portion and a wall. The wall includes an exterior reflective surface. At least a portion of the wall can allow light to pass from the interior portion through the wall. The mirror assembly includes a light source and a lens located within the interior portion. The lens can be arranged to receive light from the light source and to direct such light through the portion of the wall so as to project an image beyond the exterior reflective surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Kevin Peel, Craig Fitton, Nigel Sansum, Chanseol Chung
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Publication number: 20230405614Abstract: A spray head includes a front cover, a spray plate, and an actuator. The front cover includes a plurality of exit openings. The spray plate is oriented substantially parallel to the front cover. The spray plate includes a pin that is aligned with at least one exit opening of the plurality of exit openings. The pin is configured to selectively engage with the at least one exit opening to control a flow of water through the at least one exit opening. The actuator is coupled to the spray plate and is configured to reposition the spray plate relative to the front cover based on user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventor: Hiroyuki Chanseol Muraoka
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Publication number: 20230407608Abstract: A bathroom system includes a shower system, a sink system, a gray water tank, a toilet, a first conduit, and a second conduit. The shower system includes a drain ring configured to collect gray water from the shower system. The gray water tank includes an internal filtration system and is configured to filter and store gray water. The gray water tank is configured to introduce a chemical into the gray water and is configured to draw electrical power from a power supply. The first conduit is coupled to the gray water, it connects the shower system and the gray water tank, and it is configured to transfer the gray water from the drain ring to the gray water tank. The second conduit is configured to transfer the gray water from the gray water tank to the toilet to provide water for flushing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Diego Alejandro Cuervo Ayala, Connor McManus, Colin Clarke
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Publication number: 20230405615Abstract: A shower device includes an elongated hollow waterway, a spray head configured to emit water, and a valve. The elongated hollow waterway extends in a longitudinal direction and has a first end configured to receive water, a second end, and an internal fluid passage extending from the first end to the second end. The second end has a port extending in a radial direction from the internal fluid passage through the waterway. The valve is configured to control a water flow rate from the internal fluid passage of the waterway to the spray head. The valve includes a valve body that surrounds the port and a control member operatively coupled to the valve body and surrounding at least a portion of the valve body. Rotation of the control member and valve body relative to the waterway provides a variable adjustment of the water flow rate to the spray head.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventor: Matthew Ball
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Publication number: 20230383510Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
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Patent number: 11832042Abstract: An assembly may include a speaker supportable for movement relative to a reference external to the speaker and a speaker housing supporting speaker components operable to produce an audio output. A sensor is operable to sense a direction of movement of the speaker during movement of the speaker relative to the reference. Control components are operable to control the speaker components based on the direction of movement of the speaker relative to the reference. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a first direction relative to the reference, an operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to increase or advance during movement in the first direction. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a second direction relative to the reference different from the first direction, the operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to decrease or retreat during movement in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
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Publication number: 20230374818Abstract: A handle assembly for a shower door, which includes a handle, a fastener having a shank, a head, and a post. The handle includes a receiver having a keyway and the post extends radially away from the shank and is configured to be received by the keyway.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Jacob Dulmes, Drew Vettel, Calvin Doornbos
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Publication number: 20230364627Abstract: An exemplary embodiment relates to a showerhead for use in a shower environment. The showerhead includes a plurality of replaceable covering panels, at least one integrated light, and at least one integrated speaker that is configured to emit music. The showerhead also includes a central showerhead and a separate structure external to the central showerhead. The central showerhead and the separate structure are configured to emit water in a plurality of spray patterns. The showerhead is also configured to emit the light, music, and water simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Hiroyuki Chanseol Muraoka, James Bourne
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Publication number: 20230364626Abstract: A showerhead can include a rear face having an inlet and a front face having a plurality of outlets. The front face can couple to the rear face to define a shell having an internal waterway between the inlet and the plurality of outlets. The showerhead can include a first support disposed within the shell. The showerhead can include a second support disposed within the shell. The front face and the rear face can snap together. The first support and the second support can snap together.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Kohler CoInventor: Peter Kajuch
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Patent number: 11812903Abstract: A toilet installed in a bathroom includes a toilet bowl and a tank coupled to the toilet bowl. The tank can contain fluid for the toilet bowl. A rear surface of the tank is flush against a wall of the bathroom such that there is no gap between the tank and the wall and a bottom surface of the tank is flush against a floor of the bathroom such that there is no gap between the tank and the floor. The tank extends longitudinally above and below the toilet bowl and laterally outward past the toilet bowl such that a first side surface and a second side surface of the tank define outermost side peripheries of the toilet.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
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Patent number: D1006485Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Douglas J. Diemel, Jr., David P. Ourada
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Patent number: D1007652Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2023Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Matthew T. Harrison, Gregory de Swarte
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Patent number: D1010069Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Gabriel Niederlander, Evan Yee, Azzar Sidoney Bubb
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Patent number: D1010070Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Drew Johnson