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).

  • Publication number: 20250075477
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, James Giefer
  • Publication number: 20240360653
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, Andrew Klinger
  • Patent number: 12031306
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, Andrew Klinger
  • Publication number: 20240151015
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Brian C. Wick
  • Publication number: 20230278051
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Andrew Klinger, Matthew Harrison
  • Patent number: 11666931
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Andrew Klinger, Matthew Harrison
  • Publication number: 20220056678
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, Andrew Klinger
  • Publication number: 20200360947
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Andrew Klinger, Matthew Harrison
  • Patent number: 10626583
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9777470
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20150322652
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
  • Publication number: 20150218784
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh