Patents Assigned to Kohler
  • FLEXIBLE SHOWER DAM
    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
  • SHOWER SYSTEM
    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
  • Shower
    Patent number: 11872575
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, and a plurality of drop outlet ports. The inlet port receives water from a water source at an inlet flow rate. The reservoir receives water from the inlet port, and is not pressurized by a line pressure of the water source regardless of the inlet flow rate. Each of the plurality of drop outlet ports is configured such that water passes from the reservoir through the plurality of drop outlet ports, forms a drop at each drop outlet port, and falls from each drop outlet port by gravity only as discrete drops of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Clean toilet and accessories
    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
  • Pneumatic valve control device
    Patent number: 11873630
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve control device includes an air cylinder. The air cylinder includes a first piston; an air outlet; and a locking and releasing mechanism configured to lock and release the first piston when the first piston is pushed up. The device also includes a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder includes a second piston; an air vent disposed on a first side of the second piston; and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet disposed on a second side of the second piston. The device also includes a partition disposed between the hydraulic cylinder and the air cylinder; a partition channel disposed on the partition; a piston rod connected to the second piston and configured to pass through the partition channel; and a tappet valve connected to the piston rod and configured to leave the partition channel in response to an upward movement of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bin Guo
  • SHOWER COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20240009688
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to adjustable components of a shower assembly. The shower assembly includes at least one showerhead moveably coupled to a shower rail by a joint. The joint is located at a position away from a center axis of the showerhead such that the showerhead can move between at least two independent showerhead positions. The shower rail includes at least one slidable component such that a position of the shower rail can be adjusted in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Gary Clarke, Tucker Jones, Connor McManus, Brandon Miller
  • Toilet with non-vitreous flush engine
    Patent number: 11866921
    Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a flush engine having a bowl defining a sump and a trapway extending from the sump. A bowl insert is configured to be located in the bowl and a shroud is configured to be positioned over the flush engine to conceal at least a portion of the flush engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Mark E. Baumgartner, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart
  • Paper dispenser
    Patent number: 11866277
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a dispenser for rolled paper product includes a first arm and a second arm, with the first arm having an elongate member configured to receive a roll of paper product. A first mounting bracket is configured to rotatingly couple the first arm to a mounting surface. The first arm is configured to cover the first mounting bracket from view. A second mounting bracket is configured to rigidly couple the second arm to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Cary D. Edmonds, Nicole A. Sorenson
  • Sink accessory system
    Patent number: 11857119
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Ryan Detlaff
  • Touchless faucet assembly and method of operation
    Patent number: 11859375
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Loeck, Ramesh Annapindi
  • Hinge assembly
    Patent number: 11859426
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Nameer Shaaban, Sandeep Vishwasrao Pawar, Yogesh Pansare
  • SHOWER TRIM ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20230417029
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
  • Shower
    Patent number: 11850608
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Gravity-fed toilet with quiet siphonic flush
    Patent number: 11851864
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William C. Kuru, William Kalk
  • Systems and methods for controlling a plumbing fixture, smart mirror, and the like using projected images
    Patent number: 11852963
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kevin Peel, Craig Fitton, Nigel Sansum, Chanseol Chung
  • SHOWERHEAD WITH PIN PLATE
    Publication number: 20230405614
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Chanseol Muraoka
  • BATHROOM SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230407608
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Diego Alejandro Cuervo Ayala, Connor McManus, Colin Clarke
  • VARIABLE FLOW RATE HAND SHOWERS AND SHOWERHEADS
    Publication number: 20230405615
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Matthew Ball
  • Faucet with integrated soap dispenser
    Patent number: D1010069
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Gabriel Niederlander, Evan Yee, Azzar Sidoney Bubb
  • Faucet
    Patent number: D1010070
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Drew Johnson