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).

  • Patent number: 10428509
    Abstract: A method of flushing a siphonic toilet that includes retaining a first volume of water in a bowl and an up leg of a passageway that is upstream from a dam, retaining a second volume of water in the passageway between a valve and the dam in a closed position of the valve, activating a flush cycle of the toilet that introduces a third volume of water into the toilet, and moving the valve from the closed position to an open position to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
  • Publication number: 20190169825
    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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott R. Krebs, Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz
  • Publication number: 20190153716
    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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Patent number: 10260221
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank having a bottom and an outlet; a bowl having an inlet and three holes; a valve fluidly connecting the outlet and the inlet, the valve comprising a threaded valve body extending through the outlet; a rigid mounting bracket located adjacent to the bottom and comprising an aperture, which receives the valve body, and three openings spaced apart around the aperture in a triangular arrangement; a valve nut threaded to the valve body to clamp the mounting bracket between the valve nut and the bottom; a flexible gasket for sealing the valve body and the inlet, wherein the gasket contacts the valve body and the valve nut; and three fasteners, each fastener engaging one of the three openings and one of the three holes, wherein each fastener is located external to the tank and does not pass through the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Patent number: 10214890
    Abstract: A toilet having a tank including a bottom with an outlet; a pedestal having a bowl and a ledge, an inlet and three holes around the inlet are disposed in the ledge; a valve having a threaded valve body extending through the outlet to the inlet; a mounting bracket having a generally triangular base and three mounting locations disposed around an opening in the base with one mounting location proximate each corner of the base, each mounting location includes an offset mounting surface; a valve nut threaded to the valve body to hold the mounting bracket between the bottom and the valve nut; a flexible gasket disposed around the valve nut between the mounting bracket and the pedestal; and three fasteners disposed externally to the tank, each fastener extending through one mounting location and one hole in the ledge to secure the mounting bracket to the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Patent number: 10208471
    Abstract: A method for securing a toilet tank to a toilet bowl through an attachment assembly. The method includes the steps of engaging a valve to the tank through an opening in the tank, moving a mounting bracket over the valve through an opening in the mounting bracket to position the mounting bracket adjacent to the tank, the mounting bracket having at least three mounting locations with fasteners attached thereto, coupling a valve nut to the valve to secure the mounting bracket between the tank and the valve nut, and securing the mounting bracket to the bowl through the fasteners. The at least three fasteners are disposed external to the tank and couple the tank to the bowl without directly engaging the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Publication number: 20180258630
    Abstract: A method of flushing a siphonic toilet that includes retaining a first volume of water in a bowl and an up leg of a passageway that is upstream from a dam, retaining a second volume of water in the passageway between a valve and the dam in a closed position of the valve, activating a flush cycle of the toilet that introduces a third volume of water into the toilet, and moving the valve from the closed position to an open position to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew L. SMITH, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
  • Patent number: 9988802
    Abstract: A siphonic toilet including a bowl, a passageway and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the bowl, an outlet, and a dam located between the entrance and the outlet, wherein the dam and bowl are configured to hold a first volume of water prior to a flush cycle. An inlet is located in the passageway downstream from the dam to introduce water into the passageway downstream from the dam. The valve is located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, and the valve retains a second volume of water when in a closed position prior to the flush cycle of the toilet to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
  • Publication number: 20180142457
    Abstract: A siphonic toilet including a bowl, a passageway and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the bowl, an outlet, and a dam located between the entrance and the outlet, wherein the dam and bowl are configured to hold a first volume of water prior to a flush cycle. An inlet is located in the passageway downstream from the dam to introduce water into the passageway downstream from the dam. The valve is located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, and the valve retains a second volume of water when in a closed position prior to the flush cycle of the toilet to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
  • Publication number: 20180087257
    Abstract: A toilet having a tank including a bottom with an outlet; a pedestal having a bowl and a ledge, an inlet and three holes around the inlet are disposed in the ledge; a valve having a threaded valve body extending through the outlet to the inlet; a mounting bracket having a generally triangular base and three mounting locations disposed around an opening in the base with one mounting location proximate each corner of the base, each mounting location includes an offset mounting surface; a valve nut threaded to the valve body to hold the mounting bracket between the bottom and the valve nut; a flexible gasket disposed around the valve nut between the mounting bracket and the pedestal; and three fasteners disposed externally to the tank, each fastener extending through one mounting location and one hole in the ledge to secure the mounting bracket to the pedestal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Patent number: 9816259
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present application relates to a water tank for a toilet. The water tank includes a first chamber comprising an orifice for connecting to a toilet bowl. The water tank further includes a free-floating member within the first chamber that is not coupled to any other component and that is configured to selectively engage with and disengage from the orifice to selectively block or allow a flow of water through the orifice. The free-floating member can be selectively disengaged from the orifice via an actuator or a differential pressure within the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence Westphal, Peter W. Swart, Mark E. Baumgartner, Lawrence Duwell, Don Bogenshuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, John F. Emmerling
  • Publication number: 20170037609
    Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank having a bottom and an outlet; a bowl having an inlet and three holes; a valve fluidly connecting the outlet and the inlet, the valve comprising a threaded valve body extending through the outlet; a rigid mounting bracket located adjacent to the bottom and comprising an aperture, which receives the valve body, and three openings spaced apart around the aperture in a triangular arrangement; a valve nut threaded to the valve body to clamp the mounting bracket between the valve nut and the bottom; a flexible gasket for sealing the valve body and the inlet, wherein the gasket contacts the valve body and the valve nut; and three fasteners, each fastener engaging one of the three openings and one of the three holes, wherein each fastener is located external to the tank and does not pass through the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Peter William SWART, John F. EMMERLING, Scott W. STONECIPHER, Billy Jack AHOLA
  • Publication number: 20170037608
    Abstract: A method for securing a toilet tank to a toilet bowl through an attachment assembly. The method includes the steps of engaging a valve to the tank through an opening in the tank, moving a mounting bracket over the valve through an opening in the mounting bracket to position the mounting bracket adjacent to the tank, the mounting bracket having at least three mounting locations with fasteners attached thereto, coupling a valve nut to the valve to secure the mounting bracket between the tank and the valve nut, and securing the mounting bracket to the bowl through the fasteners. The at least three fasteners are disposed external to the tank and couple the tank to the bowl without directly engaging the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Patent number: 9487937
    Abstract: A toilet comprising a tank having a bottom, a bowl, and an attachment assembly configured to secure the bottom of the tank to the bowl. The attachment assembly includes a mounting bracket having at least three mounting locations spaced apart around an opening, a valve configured to fluidly connect the tank and the bowl, the valve being configured to engage the bottom of the tank and the opening in the mounting bracket, a valve nut configured to couple to the valve to secure the mounting bracket between the valve nut and the tank, and at least three fasteners configured to secure the mounting bracket to the bowl. The at least three fasteners are disposed external to the tank and couple the tank to the bowl without directly engaging the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Publication number: 20140366259
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present application relates to a water tank for a toilet. The water tank includes a first chamber comprising an orifice for connecting to a toilet bowl. The water tank further includes a free-floating member within the first chamber that is not coupled to any other component and that is configured to selectively engage with and disengage from the orifice to selectively block or allow a flow of water through the orifice. The free-floating member can be selectively disengaged from the orifice via an actuator or a differential pressure within the water tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence Westphal, Peter W. Swart, Mark E. Baumgartner, Lawrence Duwell, Don Bogenshuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, John F. Emmerling
  • Publication number: 20130312172
    Abstract: A toilet comprising a tank having a bottom, a bowl, and an attachment assembly configured to secure the bottom of the tank to the bowl. The attachment assembly includes a mounting bracket having at least three mounting locations spaced apart around an opening, a valve configured to fluidly connect the tank and the bowl, the valve being configured to engage the bottom of the tank and the opening in the mounting bracket, a valve nut configured to couple to the valve to secure the mounting bracket between the valve nut and the tank, and at least three fasteners configured to secure the mounting bracket to the bowl. The at least three fasteners are disposed external to the tank and couple the tank to the bowl without directly engaging the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott W. Stonecipher, Billy Jack Ahola
  • Patent number: D743012
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, John F. Emmerling, Mark E. Baumgartner, Andrew Smith, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Don Bogenschuetz
  • Patent number: D747447
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, John F. Emmerling, Mark E. Baumgartner, Andrew Smith, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Don Bogenschuetz
  • Patent number: D747448
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, John F. Emmerling, Mark E. Baumgartner, Andrew Smith, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Don Bogenschuetz
  • Patent number: D747786
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, John F. Emmerling, Mark E. Baumgartner, Andrew Smith, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Don Bogenschuetz