Patents by Inventor Brian C. Wick
Brian C. Wick 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).
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Publication number: 20250075477Abstract: An inline dispensing device for dispensing an ingredient into a stream of water includes a housing, a pump, and a diverter assembly. The pump and the diverter assembly are disposed within the housing. The diverter assembly includes a diverter that is movable between a first position at which activation of the pump draws an ingredient into the housing, and a second position at which activation of the pump delivers the ingredient into the flow passing through the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2024Publication date: March 6, 2025Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, James Giefer
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Publication number: 20240360653Abstract: A capsule includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that is coupled to the upper body portion. The lower body portion includes a lower wall that defines a lower opening. The lower body portion and the upper body portion together define an internal cavity. At least one of the upper body portion or the lower body portion includes a plurality of grooves spaced at intervals along a circumferential direction with respect to a central axis of the capsule. The plurality of grooves extends at an angle in a partially axial direction and a partially circumferential direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, Andrew Klinger
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Patent number: 12031306Abstract: A capsule includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that is coupled to the upper body portion. The lower body portion includes a lower wall that defines a lower opening. The lower body portion and the upper body portion together define an internal cavity. At least one of the upper body portion or the lower body portion includes a plurality of grooves spaced at intervals along a circumferential direction with respect to a central axis of the capsule. The plurality of grooves extends at an angle in a partially axial direction and a partially circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, Andrew Klinger
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Publication number: 20240151015Abstract: A showerhead assembly includes a handshower and a docking mechanism. The handshower includes a mounting puck mountably coupled to a rear portion of the handshower. The docking mechanism is configured to receive the handshower. The docking mechanism includes a cradle assembly positioned adjacent the handshower that is configured to receive the mounting puck. The cradle assembly includes a first portion, a second portion, and a first O-ring. The second portion is adjacent the first portion. The second portion includes a face extending along a rear of the first portion. The first O-ring is provided annularly about a perimeter of the first portion and the second portion to secure the first portion and the second portion relative to one another. Upon receiving the mounting puck, the mounting puck urges the first portion into an open position to receive the mounting puck within the cradle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventor: Brian C. Wick
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Publication number: 20230278051Abstract: An inline shower device includes a housing, a hydraulic chamber, a first actuator, and a fluid-driven piston. The housing includes an outlet port. The hydraulic chamber is disposed within the housing. The first actuator is configured to connect a capsule to the housing and to fluidly connect the capsule to the hydraulic chamber. The fluid-driven piston is disposed within the hydraulic chamber and is configured to dispense a fluid from the capsule into the outlet port.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Andrew Klinger, Matthew Harrison
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Patent number: 11666931Abstract: An inline shower device includes a housing, a hydraulic chamber, a first actuator, and a fluid-driven piston. The housing includes an outlet port. The hydraulic chamber is disposed within the housing. The first actuator is configured to connect a capsule to the housing and to fluidly connect the capsule to the hydraulic chamber. The fluid-driven piston is disposed within the hydraulic chamber and is configured to dispense a fluid from the capsule into the outlet port.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Andrew Klinger, Matthew Harrison
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Publication number: 20220056678Abstract: A capsule includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that is coupled to the upper body portion. The lower body portion includes a lower wall that defines a lower opening. The lower body portion and the upper body portion together define an internal cavity. At least one of the upper body portion or the lower body portion includes a plurality of grooves spaced at intervals along a circumferential direction with respect to a central axis of the capsule. The plurality of grooves extends at an angle in a partially axial direction and a partially circumferential direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, Andrew Klinger
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Publication number: 20200360947Abstract: An inline shower device includes a housing, a hydraulic chamber, a first actuator, and a fluid-driven piston. The housing includes an outlet port. The hydraulic chamber is disposed within the housing. The first actuator is configured to connect a capsule to the housing and to fluidly connect the capsule to the hydraulic chamber. The fluid-driven piston is disposed within the hydraulic chamber and is configured to dispense a fluid from the capsule into the outlet port.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Andrew Klinger, Matthew Harrison
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Patent number: 10626583Abstract: A shower control system includes a controller in communication with a plurality of output devices located within a shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the plurality of output devices. The shower control system further includes a control panel in communication with the controller and configured to provide a graphical user interface for controlling the plurality of output devices. The control panel includes an electronic display configured to present dynamic content, one or more static buttons, and a touch-sensitive panel overlaying both the electronic display and the one or more static buttons. The touch-sensitive panel is configured to detect a user interaction with both the one or more static buttons and the dynamic content presented via the electronic display.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
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Patent number: 9777470Abstract: A shower control system includes a water subsystem, a steam subsystem, and a controller in communication with the water subsystem and the steam subsystem. The water subsystem includes one or more electronic valves configured to control a flow rate and a temperature of water dispensed from one or more shower outlets within a shower enclosure. The steam subsystem is configured to generate and dispense steam from one or more steam outlets within the shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the water subsystem and the steam subsystem to provide a spa experience including a predetermined and coordinated sequence of water outputs from the shower outlets and steam outputs from the steam outlets.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh, Greta Knowles
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Publication number: 20150322652Abstract: A shower control system includes a water subsystem, a steam subsystem, and a controller in communication with the water subsystem and the steam subsystem. The water subsystem includes one or more electronic valves configured to control a flow rate and a temperature of water dispensed from one or more shower outlets within a shower enclosure. The steam subsystem is configured to generate and dispense steam from one or more steam outlets within the shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the water subsystem and the steam subsystem to provide a spa experience including a predetermined and coordinated sequence of water outputs from the shower outlets and steam outputs from the steam outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
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Publication number: 20150218784Abstract: A shower control system includes a controller in communication with a plurality of output devices located within a shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the plurality of output devices. The shower control system further includes a control panel in communication with the controller and configured to provide a graphical user interface for controlling the plurality of output devices. The control panel includes an electronic display configured to present dynamic content, one or more static buttons, and a touch-sensitive panel overlaying both the electronic display and the one or more static buttons. The touch-sensitive panel is configured to detect a user interaction with both the one or more static buttons and the dynamic content presented via the electronic display.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh