Patents by Inventor Benjamin W. Marotz
Benjamin W. 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).
-
Patent number: 10066380Abstract: A valve for a toilet includes an inlet and a gate configured to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. The gate includes an at least partially spherical surface and is configured to pivot eccentrically relative to the spherical surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
-
Patent number: 9816641Abstract: A handle assembly configured to control water flow through a faucet valve. The handle assembly includes an output shaft rotatable about a first axis and configured to be operatively coupled to the valve; an input shaft rotatable about a second axis that is configured substantially transverse to the first axis, the input shaft configured to engage the output shaft to rotate the output shaft upon rotation of the input shaft; a handle coupled to the input shaft and configured to rotate the input shaft upon rotation of the handle about the second axis; and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft. The saddle includes a body having a channel that supports one of the input shaft and the output shaft, and a post extending away from the body and engaging an opening in the other of the input shaft and the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
-
Publication number: 20160097466Abstract: A handle assembly configured to control water flow through a faucet valve. The handle assembly includes an output shaft rotatable about a first axis and configured to be operatively coupled to the valve; an input shaft rotatable about a second axis that is configured substantially transverse to the first axis, the input shaft configured to engage the output shaft to rotate the output shaft upon rotation of the input shaft; a handle coupled to the input shaft and configured to rotate the input shaft upon rotation of the handle about the second axis; and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft. The saddle includes a body having a channel that supports one of the input shaft and the output shaft, and a post extending away from the body and engaging an opening in the other of the input shaft and the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
-
Patent number: 9234606Abstract: A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a first gear coupled to an input shaft, a handle coupled to the input shaft, a second gear coupled to an output shaft and positioned to engage the first gear, and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
-
Patent number: 9151405Abstract: A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a body defining a cavity, an input shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a handle coupled to the input shaft, and a first gear located in the cavity and coupled to the input shaft. The handle assembly further includes an output shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a second gear coupled to the output shaft and located in the cavity engaging the first gear, and at least one key supported by the body. At least one of the input shaft and the output shaft include a first portion having cross-section that is other than circular, and the first portion selectively engages the at least one key, thereby limiting rotation of the at least one of the input shaft and the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Benjamin W. Marotz, Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Michael J. Strege
-
Publication number: 20140367598Abstract: A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a first gear coupled to an input shaft, a handle coupled to the input shaft, a second gear coupled to an output shaft and positioned to engage the first gear, and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
-
Publication number: 20140252257Abstract: A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a body defining a cavity, an input shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a handle coupled to the input shaft, and a first gear located in the cavity and coupled to the input shaft. The handle assembly further includes an output shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a second gear coupled to the output shaft and located in the cavity engaging the first gear, and at least one key supported by the body. At least one of the input shaft and the output shaft include a first portion having cross-section that is other than circular, and the first portion selectively engages the at least one key, thereby limiting rotation of the at least one of the input shaft and the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Benjamin W. Marotz, Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Michael J. Strege
-
Publication number: 20120278986Abstract: A valve for a toilet includes an inlet and a gate configured to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. The gate includes an at least partially spherical surface and is configured to pivot eccentrically relative to the spherical surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
-
Patent number: 8230533Abstract: Disclosed are trap valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit positionable immediately below a toilet bowl discharge outlet. It has a pivotable gate in a form of a spherical segment. The gate has an eccentric pivoting motion so that it can swing from an open position to a blocking/closing position in which it fully contacts a sealing gasket. The spherical segment has a leading edge which is approximately between +40° and ?40° from vertical when the gate is in an open position, to minimize the energy required to close the gate. In another form a ball and socket connection to the gate valve facilitates sealing.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
-
Publication number: 20080072372Abstract: Disclosed are trap valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit positionable immediately below a toilet bowl discharge outlet. It has a pivotable gate in a form of a spherical segment. The gate has an eccentric pivoting motion so that it can swing from an open position to a blocking/closing position in which it fully contacts a sealing gasket. The spherical segment has a leading edge which is approximately between +40° and ?40° from vertical when the gate is in an open position, to minimize the energy required to close the gate. In another form a ball and socket connection to the gate valve facilitates sealing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
-
Patent number: 7284286Abstract: Disclosed are valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit in which a pivotable gate is mounted. The gate can swing from a blocking/closing position to a position in which it is essentially hidden away in a recess out of the main flow path. The surface of the gate facing the bowl is inwardly dished to further facilitate flow optimization.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Charles R. Kopplin, Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz