Patents by Inventor Chad J. Cochart
Chad J. Cochart 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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Patent number: 12259062Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure fluctuation in the shower waterway.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2023Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Jack Robert Warning
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Publication number: 20240307897Abstract: A shower system includes on one or more valves and a plurality of showerheads. The plurality of showerheads are electrically coupled to one another and configured to receive electrical signals from one another. The plurality of showerheads are fluidly coupled to the one or more valves and configured to receive water therefrom. The plurality of showerheads includes a sprayer, one or more sensors, and an integrated user interface. The sprayer is configured to dispense water provided by the one or more valves. The one or more sensors are configured to register motion gestures made by a user. The integrated user interface is configured to control operation of the sprayer. The one or more sensors generates an internal signal to the plurality of showerheads corresponding to the motion gesture. One of the plurality of showerheads is a master showerhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Todd W. Leonhard, Qi Cheng, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith Ruh, Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20240271718Abstract: A valve assembly includes a first tool interface that can receive a nut driver and transfer a first torque from the nut driver to rotate a service stop. The valve assembly includes a second tool interface that can receive a screwdriver and transfer a second torque from the screwdriver to rotate the service stop.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2024Publication date: August 15, 2024Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Steven D. Williams, Chad J. Cochart
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Patent number: 12023692Abstract: A shower system includes on one or more valves and a plurality of showerheads. The plurality of showerheads are electrically coupled to one another and configured to receive electrical signals from one another. The plurality of showerheads are fluidly coupled to the one or more valves and configured to receive water therefrom. The plurality of showerheads includes a sprayer, one or more sensors, and an integrated user interface. The sprayer is configured to dispense water provided by the one or more valves. The one or more sensors are configured to register motion gestures made by a user. The integrated user interface is configured to control operation of the sprayer. The one or more sensors generates an internal signal to the plurality of showerheads corresponding to the motion gesture. One of the plurality of showerheads is a master showerhead.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Todd W. Leonhard, Qi Cheng, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith Ruh, Chad J. Cochart
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Patent number: 11982372Abstract: A valve assembly includes an inlet to receive a fluid into the valve assembly, an outlet to discharge the fluid from the valve assembly and a service stop coupled to the inlet or the outlet. The service stop can rotate relative to the inlet or the outlet to control a flow of the fluid through the inlet or the outlet. The service stop can include a first tool interface to receive a first hand tool and transfer a first torque from the first hand tool to the service stop to facilitate rotating the service stop using the first hand tool. The service stop can include a second tool interface to receive a second hand tool different from the first hand tool and configured to transfer a second torque from the second hand tool to the service stop to facilitate rotating the service stop using the second hand tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Steven D. Williams, Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20240052613Abstract: A system for converting a mechanical main valve body of a shower assembly to an electromechanical main valve body. The system includes a mechanical valve body that includes a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, and a connection interface that interchangeably receives one of the mechanical main valve body or the electromechanical main valve body. The electromechanical main valve body includes a first solenoid valve fluidly coupled to a first outlet that directs the mixed water to a first user device in replacement of a second outlet of the mechanical main valve body, and a second solenoid valve fluidly coupled to a third outlet that directs the mixed water to a second user device in replacement of a fourth outlet of the mechanical main valve body. The first and second solenoid valves selectively permit the mixed water to flow through the first and third outlets, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventor: Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20240019047Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure fluctuation in the shower waterway.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
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Patent number: 11767930Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure fluctuation in the shower waterway.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
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Publication number: 20220250098Abstract: A shower system includes on one or more valves and a plurality of showerheads. The plurality of showerheads are electrically coupled to one another and configured to receive electrical signals from one another. The plurality of showerheads are fluidly coupled to the one or more valves and configured to receive water therefrom. The plurality of showerheads includes a sprayer, one or more sensors, and an integrated user interface. The sprayer is configured to dispense water provided by the one or more valves. The one or more sensors are configured to register motion gestures made by a user. The integrated user interface is configured to control operation of the sprayer. The one or more sensors generates an internal signal to the plurality of showerheads corresponding to the motion gesture. One of the plurality of showerheads is a master showerhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Todd W. Leonhard, Qi Cheng, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith Ruh, Chad J. Cochart
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Publication number: 20220235881Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure fluctuation in the shower waterway.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
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Patent number: 11306846Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure change in the shower waterway.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
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Publication number: 20210341077Abstract: A valve assembly includes an inlet to receive a fluid into the valve assembly, an outlet to discharge the fluid from the valve assembly and a service stop coupled to the inlet or the outlet. The service stop can rotate relative to the inlet or the outlet to control a flow of the fluid through the inlet or the outlet. The service stop can include a first tool interface to receive a first hand tool and transfer a first torque from the first hand tool to the service stop to facilitate rotating the service stop using the first hand tool. The service stop can include a second tool interface to receive a second hand tool different from the first hand tool and configured to transfer a second torque from the second hand tool to the service stop to facilitate rotating the service stop using the second hand tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: STEVEN D. WILLIAMS, Chad J. Cochart
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Patent number: 10689837Abstract: A flushometer valve includes a hollow body and a piston assembly disposed inside the hollow body for controlling operation of the flushometer valve. The piston assembly and hollow body define an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber and a pressure chamber. The piston assembly includes a flow guide, a piston top, and an insert. The flow guide is movable relative to the hollow body between an open position, in which the outlet chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet chamber, and a closed position, in which the outlet chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet chamber. The piston top is coupled to the flow guide, includes a first material, and has a bleed passage that fluidly connects the pressure chamber and the inlet chamber. The insert is disposed within the bleed passage, includes a second material, and has a bore that fluidly connects the bleed passage and the pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Evan S. Yee, Chad J. Cochart, Balachander Venugopal
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Publication number: 20200048877Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure change in the shower waterway.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: CHAD J. COCHART, Douglas J. Brouwer
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Patent number: 10260653Abstract: A faucet that includes a mechanical valve having an outer member and a valve member, wherein the valve member is configured to move radially relative to the outer member between an open position and a closed position; a ring disposed at least partially around the outer member and configured to move in response to the movement of the valve member; and a switch configured to open and close in response to the movement of the ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Chad J. Cochart
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Patent number: 10030782Abstract: A fluid dispensing device, a battery package for a fluid dispensing device, and a method of assembling a fluid dispensing device. The dispensing device has a housing defining a passage having an outlet, and fluid being dispensed through the passage and out of the outlet. The dispensing device also has a powered component. The battery package has a battery cell and a capacitor operable to power the powered component. The battery cell and the capacitor are encapsulated as a unitary battery package. The unitary battery package is supportable in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Joel T. Smith, Balachander Venugopal, Ryan F. Leichty
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Publication number: 20180171613Abstract: A flushometer valve includes a hollow body and a piston assembly disposed inside the hollow body for controlling operation of the flushometer valve. The piston assembly and hollow body define an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber and a pressure chamber. The piston assembly includes a flow guide, a piston top, and an insert. The flow guide is movable relative to the hollow body between an open position, in which the outlet chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet chamber, and a closed position, in which the outlet chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet chamber. The piston top is coupled to the flow guide, includes a first material, and has a bleed passage that fluidly connects the pressure chamber and the inlet chamber. The insert is disposed within the bleed passage, includes a second material, and has a bore that fluidly connects the bleed passage and the pressure chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Evan S. Yee, Chad J. Cochart, Balachander Venugopal
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Patent number: 9915367Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
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Publication number: 20180038510Abstract: A faucet that includes a mechanical valve having an outer member and a valve member, wherein the valve member is configured to move radially relative to the outer member between an open position and a closed position; a ring disposed at least partially around the outer member and configured to move in response to the movement of the valve member; and a switch configured to open and close in response to the movement of the ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: JOHN C. ESCHE, Chad J. Cochart
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Patent number: 9874287Abstract: A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body. When the base is in the open orientation, the service valve allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. When the base is in the closed orientation, the service valve blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. The service valve further includes a tab extending from the base. The tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart