Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Shay

Christopher M. Shay 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: 12098025
    Abstract: A trash can that includes a frame, a liner, and a lid. The frame has a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible. The lid is rotatably coupled to the frame by a hinge, such that the hinge and the lid do not extend rearward a rear surface of the casing in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Wegner, Christopher M. Shay
  • Patent number: 11634276
    Abstract: A trash can that includes a frame, a liner, a lid, and a bag cover. The frame has a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible. The bag cover is coupled to the frame and rotatable relative to the frame and the lid between a closed position, in which a top of the liner is concealed and the bag cover prevents the liner from being removed from the casing, and an open position, in which the top of the liner is accessible and the liner is removable from the cavity of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Wegner, Christopher M. Shay
  • Publication number: 20220212864
    Abstract: A trash can that includes a frame, a liner, and a lid. The frame has a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible. The lid is rotatably coupled to the frame by a hinge, such that the hinge and the lid do not extend rearward a rear surface of the casing in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: MATTHEW R. WEGNER, Christopher M. Shay
  • Patent number: 10710800
    Abstract: A trash can having a frame, a liner, and a lid. The frame includes a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing and has a bottom that rests directly on the base in the cavity. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Wegner, Christopher M. Shay
  • Patent number: 10495243
    Abstract: A joint for an articulating faucet includes a first housing, a second housing, and a clutch assembly. The first housing defines a first inner cavity and the second housing defines a second inner cavity. The second housing is coupled to the first housing such that fluid may flow from the first inner cavity to the second inner cavity. The clutch assembly is coupled to at least one of the first housing and the second housing and is configured to apply a resistive torque that inhibits movement of the first and second housings relative to each other. The clutch assembly includes a clutch pin, an interface member, and an end cap. The end cap is coupled to a first end of the clutch pin and the interface member. Movement of the end cap varies the magnitude of the resistive torque applied by the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven T. Radder, Christopher M. Shay
  • Patent number: 10415217
    Abstract: A spout for a tub. The spout for the tub includes a spout body having opposite first and second sides. The spout also includes an inlet portion extending from the first side, where the inlet portion includes an inlet bore and an outlet portion extending from the second side, where the outlet portion includes an outlet bore that is in fluid communication with the inlet bore. The spout further includes an engine configured with waterway geometry, wherein the engine is installed in the spout body through the inlet portion. In addition, the spout body is made of a flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Shay, Shashank Varma
  • Publication number: 20190152695
    Abstract: A trash can having a frame, a liner, and a lid. The frame includes a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing and has a bottom that rests directly on the base in the cavity. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew R. Wegner, Christopher M. Shay
  • Publication number: 20190152696
    Abstract: A trash can that includes a frame, a liner, a lid, and a bag cover. The frame has a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible. The bag cover is coupled to the frame and rotatable relative to the frame and the lid between a closed position, in which a top of the liner is concealed and the bag cover prevents the liner from being removed from the casing, and an open position, in which the top of the liner is accessible and the liner is removable from the cavity of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew R. Wegner, Christopher M. Shay
  • Patent number: 9915367
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170356169
    Abstract: A spout for a tub. The spout for the tub includes a spout body having opposite first and second sides. The spout also includes an inlet portion extending from the first side, where the inlet portion includes an inlet bore and an outlet portion extending from the second side, where the outlet portion includes an outlet bore that is in fluid communication with the inlet bore. The spout further includes an engine configured with waterway geometry, wherein the engine is installed in the spout body through the inlet portion. In addition, the spout body is made of a flexible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER M. SHAY, Shashank Varma
  • Publication number: 20170074441
    Abstract: A joint for an articulating faucet includes a first housing, a second housing, and a clutch assembly. The first housing defines a first inner cavity and the second housing defines a second inner cavity. The second housing is coupled to the first housing such that fluid may flow from the first inner cavity to the second inner cavity. The clutch assembly is coupled to at least one of the first housing and the second housing and is configured to apply a resistive torque that inhibits movement of the first and second housings relative to each other. The clutch assembly includes a clutch pin, an interface member, and an end cap. The end cap is coupled to a first end of the clutch pin and the interface member. Movement of the end cap varies the magnitude of the resistive torque applied by the clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven T. Radder, Christopher M. Shay
  • Patent number: 9568132
    Abstract: A joint for an articulating faucet includes a first housing, a second housing, and a clutch assembly. The first housing defines a first inner cavity and the second housing defines a second inner cavity. The second housing is coupled to the first housing such that fluid may flow from the first inner cavity to the second inner cavity. The clutch assembly is coupled to at least one of the first housing and the second housing and is configured to apply a resistive torque that inhibits movement of the first and second housings relative to each other. The clutch assembly includes a clutch pin, an interface member, and an end cap. The end cap is coupled to a first end of the clutch pin and the interface member. Movement of the end cap varies the magnitude of the resistive torque applied by the clutch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven T. Radder, Christopher M. Shay
  • Publication number: 20170009901
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9476508
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9086155
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The 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 threaded to an internal wall of the valve housing. The bonnet nut has a through channel that surrounds the control stem, and means are provided along the through channel to control a level of resistance to rotation of stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150184757
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 8800962
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing and a harbor provided at a lower portion of the valve housing. The valve housing has an internal bore for receiving a valve control cartridge, and the harbor has a first recess suitable for receiving a water supply tube, and a second recess suitable for receiving a second water tube, wherein the harbor also has a slot. The valve assembly further includes the water supply tube mounted in the first recess, the second water tube mounted in the second recess, and a retainer clip positioned in the slot with that clip simultaneously engaging both tubes. The retainer clip comprises a first leg and a second leg connected by a waist to define there between a retaining area, and at least the first leg has formed thereon a notch adjacent a heel of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140015246
    Abstract: A joint for an articulating faucet includes a first housing, a second housing, and a clutch assembly. The first housing defines a first inner cavity and the second housing defines a second inner cavity. The second housing is coupled to the first housing such that fluid may flow from the first inner cavity to the second inner cavity. The clutch assembly is coupled to at least one of the first housing and the second housing and is configured to apply a resistive torque that inhibits movement of the first and second housings relative to each other. The clutch assembly includes a clutch pin, an interface member, and an end cap. The end cap is coupled to a first end of the clutch pin and the interface member. Movement of the end cap varies the magnitude of the resistive torque applied by the clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven T. Radder, Christopher M. Shay
  • Patent number: 8297305
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed providing a disk valve, a retaining clip configuration, and a bonnet nut. The disk valve comprises a moveable disk having a pair of recesses that is rotatable relative to a stationary disk to regulate the flow of a fluid through two ports in communication with the disks. The retaining clip configuration comprises a hose clip engaging a retaining segment on a valve housing and two hoses to connect the two hoses to two ports on the valve housing. The bonnet nut provides a tactile resistance to an applied torque when a portion of the valve cartridge assembly is rotated in relation to the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer, Christopher M. Shay, Brian S. Core, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 8070076
    Abstract: Articulating faucets have segments connected by a plurality of movable joints. Each joint includes a pair of ceramic mating disks arranged in face to face contact, but able to rotate relative to each other when sufficient force is applied. A wave spring helps keep the disks in constant contact, and rubber spheres press against opposing surfaces of the ceramic disks to produce shear forces to keep the joint stable. In the faucet water passes through the joint by means of a tube or a hollow banjo bolt sealed from the joint. The faucet can therefore direct water to a wide variety of positions, without the need for a side spray, and while reducing the risk of joint leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Christopher M. Shay