Patents by Inventor Billy Jack Ahola

Billy Jack Ahola 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: 20240093476
    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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Mark E. Baumgartner, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11761189
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a sump and a trapway extending from sump at an inlet of the trapway. A jet orifice is disposed in the trapway at approximately the inlet and defines an angled axis that is oriented upwardly toward an upper wall of the trapway and rearwardly toward an interior of the trapway. The jet orifice is configured to direct fluid from a fluid supply source to the trapway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Billy Jack Ahola, Peter W. Swart, Scott R. Krebs
  • Publication number: 20220349168
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a sump and a trapway extending from sump at an inlet of the trapway. A jet orifice is disposed in the trapway at approximately the inlet and defines an angled axis that is oriented upwardly toward an upper wall of the trapway and rearwardly toward an interior of the trapway. The jet orifice is configured to direct fluid from a fluid supply source to the trapway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Billy Jack Ahola, Peter W. Swart, Scott R. Krebs
  • Patent number: 11421413
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a sump and a trapway extending from sump at an inlet of the trapway. A jet orifice is disposed in the trapway at approximately the inlet and defines an angled axis that is oriented upwardly toward an upper wall of the trapway and rearwardly toward an interior of the trapway. The jet orifice is configured to direct fluid from a fluid supply source to the trapway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Billy Jack Ahola, Peter W. Swart, Scott R. Krebs
  • Patent number: 11401132
    Abstract: A cord management system for a cabinet or other similar furniture, appliances, or other applications include a conduit. A cord management weight is disposed within the conduit. The cord management weight includes a cord receiving portion and a weight locking feature. The cord receiving portion is configured to receive a portion of an electrical cord of an electronic device. The weight locking feature is configured to selectively prevent translational movement of the cord management weight within the conduit. The cord management weight is configured to be selectively retracted into the conduit and locked into position within the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Alexander V. LeTourneau, Scott R. Krebs, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Peter William Swart
  • Publication number: 20220178123
    Abstract: A universal canister flush valve having a valve body configured to he fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage; a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Bradley Strasser, Matthew Krebs, Douglas E. Bogard, Daniel N. Halloran, Scott R. Krebs, Edward F. Malis, Randy O. Mesun, Eric Derner, Stewart Anthony Schaal
  • Patent number: 11286655
    Abstract: A universal canister flush valve having a valve body configured to be fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage; a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Bradley Strasser, Matthew Krebs, Douglas E. Bogard, Daniel N. Halloran, Scott R. Krebs, Edward F. Malis, Jr., Randy O. Mesun, Eric Derner, Stewart Anthony Schaal
  • Publication number: 20220049485
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Mark E. Baumgartner, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart
  • Patent number: 11180910
    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: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    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
  • Publication number: 20210230856
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank; a bowl; a mounting bracket comprising a base and three mounting locations; a valve having a valve body extending through the tank and an opening in the mounting bracket; a valve nut coupled to the valve body with the base of the mounting bracket retained between the tank and the valve nut; a flexible gasket disposed around the valve nut between the mounting bracket and the bowl; and three fasteners disposed externally to the tank, wherein each fastener extends through one mounting location and a hole in the bowl to couple the mounting bracket to the bowl; where the three mounting locations are arranged to provide both a pitch adjustment and a roll adjustment of the tank relative to the bowl about respective first and second axes m response to adjustment of one or more of the three fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Patent number: 11028567
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a sump and a trapway extending from sump at an inlet of the trapway. A jet orifice is disposed in the trapway at approximately the inlet and defines an angled axis that is oriented upwardly toward an upper wall of the trapway and rearwardly toward an interior of the trapway. The jet orifice is configured to direct fluid from a fluid supply source to the trapway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Billy Jack Ahola, Peter W. Swart, Scott R. Krebs
  • Patent number: 11021863
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl having a sump, a passageway, a fluid conduit and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the sump, an outlet, a dam located between the entrance and the outlet of the passageway, and an inlet located between the dam and the outlet of the passageway. The fluid conduit configured to supply a volume of water into the passageway through the inlet. The valve located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, wherein the valve is configured to retain the volume of water in a closed position prior to a flush cycle to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
  • Patent number: 10995482
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank; a bowl; a mounting bracket comprising a base and three mounting locations; a valve having a valve body extending through the tank and an opening in the mounting bracket; a valve nut coupled to the valve body with the base of the mounting bracket retained between the tank and the valve nut; a flexible gasket disposed around the valve nut between the mounting bracket and the bowl; and three fasteners disposed externally to the tank, wherein each fastener extends through one mounting location and a hole in the bowl to couple the mounting bracket to the bowl; where the three mounting locations are arranged to provide both a pitch adjustment and a roll adjustment of the tank relative to the bowl about respective first and second axes in response to adjustment of one or more of the three fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Publication number: 20200332509
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a sump and a trapway extending from sump at an inlet of the trapway. A jet orifice is disposed in the trapway at approximately the inlet and defines an angled axis that is oriented upwardly toward an upper wall of the trapway and rearwardly toward an interior of the trapway. The jet orifice is configured to direct fluid from a fluid supply source to the trapway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: ANDREW L. SMITH, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Billy Jack Ahola, Peter W. Swart, Scott R. Krebs
  • Publication number: 20200263405
    Abstract: A universal canister flush valve having a valve body configured to be fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage; a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Bradley Strasser, Matthew Krebs, Douglas E. Bogard, Daniel N. Halloran, Scott R. Krebs, Edward F. Malls, JR., Randy O. Mesun, Eric Demer, Stewart Anthony Schaal
  • Patent number: 10738448
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank having an outlet; a mounting bracket including a base having a central opening, a first set of mounts, which comprises two mounting locations located on opposite sides of the central opening for mounting the tank to a first pedestal having a bowl and two mounting holes, and a second set of mounts, which comprises three mounting locations that are separate from the two mounting locations of the first set of mounts, are located in a triangular pattern around the central opening, and mount the tank to a second pedestal having a bowl and three mounting holes; a valve body extending through the outlet and the central opening, wherein the valve body fluidly connects the outlet to an inlet of one of the bowls; and two or more fasteners with each fastener engaging one mounting hole and an associated mounting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott R. Krebs, Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz
  • Publication number: 20200130982
    Abstract: A cord management system for a cabinet or other similar furniture, appliances, or other applications include a conduit. A cord management weight is disposed within the conduit. The cord management weight includes a cord receiving portion and a weight locking feature. The cord receiving portion is configured to receive a portion of an electrical cord of an electronic device. The weight locking feature is configured to selectively prevent translational movement of the cord management weight within the conduit. The cord management weight is configured to be selectively retracted into the conduit and locked into position within the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Alexander V. LeTourneau, Scott R. Krebs, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Peter William Swart
  • Publication number: 20200048886
    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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Mark E. Baumgartner, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart
  • Publication number: 20190382994
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl having a sump, a passageway, a fluid conduit and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the sump, an outlet, a dam located between the entrance and the outlet of the passageway, and an inlet located between the dam and the outlet of the passageway. The fluid conduit configured to supply a volume of water into the passageway through the inlet. The valve located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, wherein the valve is configured to retain the volume of water in a closed position prior to a flush cycle to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew L. SMITH, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting