Abstract: A handshower cradle assembly includes a waterway body, a handshower cradle, and an actuator. The handshower cradle is coupled to the waterway body. The actuator is configured to reduce a flow rate of water through the waterway body in response to a handshower being received within the handshower cradle. In some embodiments, the handshower cradle is configured to engage with the actuator under the weight of the handshower to adjust a position of the actuator with respect to the waterway body.
Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes an electrical component insert-molded within a portion of the plumbing fixture, the portion formed from an epoxy. The electrical component is offset from and disposed below an outer surface of the plumbing fixture.
Abstract: A faucet includes a spout, a water level sensor, and a controller. The spout includes a water outlet having a first set of nozzles oriented at an angle with respect to a central axis defined by the water outlet such that water discharged from the first set of nozzles converges at the central axis at a focal distance from the water outlet. The water level sensor is disposed on the spout, and is configured to detect a distance between the water outlet and a level of water in a container disposed below the water outlet. The controller is configured to control the flow of water through the water outlet based on a comparison between the detected distance and the focal distance.
Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank configured to hold water from a water supply; a reservoir fluidly connected to the tank and configured to hold a cleaning compound comprising a chemical compound and water from the water supply; and an actuator configured to control a flush cycle of the toilet upon a first activation, the actuator including at least one nozzle fluidly connected to the reservoir and configured to discharge an amount of the cleaning compound external to the tank upon at least one of the first activation or a second activation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2021
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignee:
Kohler Co.
Inventors:
Michael Luettgen, William Kuru, Clayton Garrels, Peter W. Denzin
Abstract: A showerhead assembly that includes a showerhead housing, a distributor, and a valve layer. The showerhead housing includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the top plate and the bottom plate, where the top plate includes a fluid inlet configured to couple to a fluid source. The distributor includes at least one distributor outlet, and is situated in the showerhead housing. The valve layer includes at least one valve assembly, and is situated in the showerhead housing. The at least one valve assembly is coupled to the bottom plate. The at least one channel of the distributor is further configured to disperse fluid from the fluid inlet to the at least one distributor outlet, and the at least one distributor outlet is coupled to, and configured to disperse fluid to, the at least one valve assembly of the valve layer.
Abstract: A water level detection system includes a water containing vessel, an airtight tube fluidly coupled to the water containing vessel, a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the airtight tube, and a water level control unit communicably coupled to the pressure sensor. The water level control unit is configured to control at least one of a height of water within the water containing vessel or a temperature of the water based on pressure data from the pressure sensor.
Abstract: A faucet having a base that is mountable to a support, a spout moveably coupled to the base and having an outlet for dispensing water, and a valve that controls a flow of water to an outlet, where the valve is opened in response to the spout being moved relative to the base to a first position, and the valve is closed in response to the spout being moved relative to the base from the first position toward a second position.
Abstract: A system for converting a mechanical main valve body of a shower assembly to an electromechanical main valve body. The system includes a mechanical valve body that includes a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and a connection interface that interchangeably receives one of the mechanical main valve body or the electromechanical main valve body. The electromechanical main valve body includes a first solenoid valve fluidly coupled to a first outlet that directs the mixed water to a first user device in replacement of a second outlet of the mechanical main valve body, and a second solenoid valve fluidly coupled to a third outlet that directs the mixed water to a second user device in replacement of a fourth outlet of the mechanical main valve body. The first and second solenoid valves selectively permit the mixed water to flow through the first and third outlets, respectively.
Abstract: A waterway for a fluid delivery device includes a body, an inlet passage, a continuous header passage, a connector passage, a chamber, and a plurality of ports. The inlet passage is formed in the body and configured to receive a supply of water. The continuous header passage is formed in the body as a loop with elongated side passages. The connector passage is formed in the body and fluidly interconnects the inlet passage and the elongated side passages. The chamber is formed in the body in spaced relation to the elongated side passages. The plurality of ports is formed in the body and extends between the elongated side passages and the chamber.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 14, 2023
Publication date:
February 8, 2024
Applicant:
Kohler Co.
Inventors:
Brian Douglas Renzelman, Andrew James Stokes, Joel Aldebaran Salazar Elorza, Gary Clarke
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.
Abstract: A switching valve includes a base including a bottom wall and a side wall that extends from the bottom wall of the base along a circumferential direction of the bottom wall, a body that can couple to the base to define a cavity between a bottom plate of the body and the bottom wall and the side wall of the base, in which the bottom plate includes two through holes that are each fluidly coupled to the cavity, two sliders disposed within the cavity, and two driving rods each movably coupled to one of the two through holes of the body, in which each driving rod can move relative to the two through holes to block or unblock each respective through hole. Each slider can slide responsive to movement of one of the two driving rods such that only one through hole is unblocked at one time.
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an outlet structure having a body defining a fluid flow path and a control mechanism at least partially coupled to a through hole defined by the body. The control mechanism can control a flow of fluid in the fluid flow path. The control mechanism includes a button at least partially extending through the through hole of the body. A flexible cover is coupled to the through hole to seal the button with the body.
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
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