Patents by Inventor Benjamin Marotz

Benjamin Marotz 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: 20220376526
    Abstract: A generator module includes a battery, a charging circuit, an electric power outlet, and an enclosure. The charging circuit is coupled to an output of a generator and configured to charge the battery. The electric power outlet is configured to provide an output from the battery, the generator, or a combination of the battery and the generator. The enclosure includes the battery, the charging circuit, and the electric power outlet such that the enclosure detachable from the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Harrison Chiu
  • Patent number: 9816258
    Abstract: A drain control assembly for moving a drain valve assembly between an open position and a closed position through movement of a cable. The drain control assembly includes a driven member having a pivot end and a distal end that is configured to receive an end of the cable; a driving member defining a longitudinal axis; and a housing having a first cavity for receiving the driving member and a second cavity for receiving the driven member; wherein the driving member is configured to move in one of a linear manner or a rotational manner; and wherein the driven member is configured to rotate about the pivot end if the driving member moves in a linear manner and the driven member is configured to rotate about the pivot end if the driving member moves in a rotational manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns
  • Publication number: 20160145843
    Abstract: A drain control assembly for moving a drain valve assembly between an open position and a closed position through movement of a cable. The drain control assembly includes a driven member having a pivot end and a distal end that is configured to receive an end of the cable; a driving member defining a longitudinal axis; and a housing having a first cavity for receiving the driving member and a second cavity for receiving the driven member; wherein the driving member is configured to move in one of a linear manner or a rotational manner; and wherein the driven member is configured to rotate about the pivot end if the driving member moves in a linear manner and the driven member is configured to rotate about the pivot end if the driving member moves in a rotational manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns
  • Patent number: 9260846
    Abstract: A drain control assembly including a receiving member having a bore and a receiving portion for selectively receiving a first actuator or a second actuator. The drain control assembly also includes a moveable member configured to move between a first position and a second position within the bore of the receiving member to cause a cable to open or close a drain valve assembly. The first actuator comprises a first body portion and is configured to move the moveable member in response to linear movement of the first body portion, and the second actuator includes a second body portion and is configured to move the moveable member in response to rotational movement of the second body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns
  • Patent number: 9181686
    Abstract: A trim kit for providing improved aesthetics to a bathroom fixture having a first side and a second side with a housing of a device coupled to the first side. The trim kit includes a mounting plate configured to be coupled to the device on the second side of the fixture, and an escutcheon having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface is configured to provide a decorative aesthetic for the trim kit. The mounting plate includes a plurality of tabs. The interior surface of the escutcheon includes a plurality of catches that are each configured to engage with a corresponding catch to allow the escutcheon to be detachably coupled to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns
  • Patent number: 9062441
    Abstract: A cable overload device for a cable-actuated drain system having a drain valve assembly and a drain control assembly where the cable includes a driving end connected to the control assembly and a driven end. The overload device includes a plunger, a linking member, a sleeve, and an energy absorber. The plunger is configured to be coupled to the driven end of the cable. The linking member is configured to move the drain valve assembly between open and closed positions. The sleeve includes a bore that extends from a first side to a second side of the sleeve, wherein the bore is configured to receive the plunger through the first side and to receive the linking member through the second side. The energy absorber is provided in the bore between the plunger and the linking member to absorb a force imposed into the linking member from the drain valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns
  • Patent number: 9045888
    Abstract: A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Joseph Stauber, Peter W. Denzin, Benjamin Marotz
  • Publication number: 20140041109
    Abstract: A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Joseph Stauber, Peter W. Denzin, Benjamin Marotz
  • Publication number: 20130042406
    Abstract: A trim kit for providing improved aesthetics to a bathroom fixture having a first side and a second side with a housing of a device coupled to the first side. The trim kit includes a mounting plate configured to be coupled to the device on the second side of the fixture, and an escutcheon having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface is configured to provide a decorative aesthetic for the trim kit. The mounting plate includes a plurality of tabs. The interior surface of the escutcheon includes a plurality of catches that are each configured to engage with a corresponding catch to allow the escutcheon to be detachably coupled to the mounting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns
  • Publication number: 20130042407
    Abstract: A drain control assembly including a receiving member having a bore and a receiving portion for selectively receiving a first actuator or a second actuator. The drain control assembly also includes a moveable member configured to move between a first position and a second position within the bore of the receiving member to cause a cable to open or close a drain valve assembly. The first actuator comprises a first body portion and is configured to move the moveable member in response to linear movement of the first body portion, and the second actuator includes a second body portion and is configured to move the moveable member in response to rotational movement of the second body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns
  • Publication number: 20130042405
    Abstract: A cable overload device for a cable-actuated drain system having a drain valve assembly and a drain control assembly where the cable includes a driving end connected to the control assembly and a driven end. The overload device includes a plunger, a linking member, a sleeve, and an energy absorber. The plunger is configured to be coupled to the driven end of the cable. The linking member is configured to move the drain valve assembly between open and closed positions. The sleeve includes a bore that extends from a first side to a second side of the sleeve, wherein the bore is configured to receive the plunger through the first side and to receive the linking member through the second side. The energy absorber is provided in the bore between the plunger and the linking member to absorb a force imposed into the linking member from the drain valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns