Patents by Inventor Erich D. Slothower
Erich D. Slothower 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: 11571094Abstract: A toilet positionable above a floor comprise a toilet base and a foot ledge structure. The toilet base at least partially surrounds a lower portion of a toilet bowl and defines an inner area that at least partially contains the lower portion of the toilet bowl. The foot ledge structure comprises a foot ledge and a base bracket. The foot ledge is elevated above the floor and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the toilet base. The base bracket is positioned within the inner area of the toilet base and is configured to elevate the foot ledge above the floor. The foot ledge is movably attached to the base bracket. The base bracket is independently attachable to the floor from the toilet base.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
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Publication number: 20220192434Abstract: A toilet installed in a bathroom includes a toilet bowl and a tank coupled to the toilet bowl. The tank can contain fluid for the toilet bowl. A rear surface of the tank is flush against a wall of the bathroom such that there is no gap between the tank and the wall and a bottom surface of the tank is flush against a floor of the bathroom such that there is no gap between the tank and the floor. The tank extends longitudinally above and below the toilet bowl and laterally outward past the toilet bowl such that a first side surface and a second side surface of the tank define outermost side peripheries of the toilet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: STEPHANIE SZEMETYLO, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
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Patent number: 11272813Abstract: A bathroom module includes a shower area that includes a shower head, a control valve assembly, and a drain. The module also includes a toilet area including a toilet assembly and a transition area disposed between the shower area and the toilet area. The module also includes a shower area front wall and a shower area side wall, the shower area disposed along a first side of the shower area front wall and a first side of the shower area side wall. The module also includes a toilet area front wall and a toilet area side wall, the toilet area disposed along a first side of the toilet area front wall and a first side of the toilet area side wall. A grooming area includes a sink assembly that comprises a faucet, and the grooming area is disposed along a second side of at least one of the shower area front wall, the shower area side wall, the toilet area front wall, and the toilet area side wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
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Publication number: 20210338024Abstract: A toilet positionable above a floor comprise a toilet base and a foot ledge structure. The toilet base at least partially surrounds a lower portion of a toilet bowl and defines an inner area that at least partially contains the lower portion of the toilet bowl. The foot ledge structure comprises a foot ledge and a base bracket. The foot ledge is elevated above the floor and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the toilet base. The base bracket is positioned within the inner area of the toilet base and is configured to elevate the foot ledge above the floor. The foot ledge is movably attached to the base bracket. The base bracket is independently attachable to the floor from the toilet base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
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Patent number: 11083350Abstract: A toilet positionable above a floor comprise a toilet base and a foot ledge structure. The toilet base at least partially surrounds a lower portion of a toilet bowl and defines an inner area that at least partially contains the lower portion of the toilet bowl. The foot ledge structure comprises a foot ledge and a base bracket. The foot ledge is elevated above the floor and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the toilet base. The base bracket is positioned within the inner area of the toilet base and is configured to elevate the foot ledge above the floor. The foot ledge is movably attached to the base bracket. The base bracket is independently attachable to the floor from the toilet base.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
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Publication number: 20200253432Abstract: A toilet positionable above a floor comprise a toilet base and a foot ledge structure. The toilet base at least partially surrounds a lower portion of a toilet bowl and defines an inner area that at least partially contains the lower portion of the toilet bowl. The foot ledge structure comprises a foot ledge and a base bracket. The foot ledge is elevated above the floor and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the toilet base. The base bracket is positioned within the inner area of the toilet base and is configured to elevate the foot ledge above the floor. The foot ledge is movably attached to the base bracket. The base bracket is independently attachable to the floor from the toilet base.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Erich D. SLOTHOWER, Keith E. MUELLENBACH
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Publication number: 20200187723Abstract: A bathroom module includes a shower area that includes a shower head, a control valve assembly, and a drain. The module also includes a toilet area including a toilet assembly and a transition area disposed between the shower area and the toilet area. The module also includes a shower area front wall and a shower area side wall, the shower area disposed along a first side of the shower area front wall and a first side of the shower area side wall. The module also includes a toilet area front wall and a toilet area side wall, the toilet area disposed along a first side of the toilet area front wall and a first side of the toilet area side wall. A grooming area includes a sink assembly that comprises a faucet, and the grooming area is disposed along a second side of at least one of the shower area front wall, the shower area side wall, the toilet area front wall, and the toilet area side wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
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Patent number: 10582810Abstract: A joint for a shower enclosure includes a first end member, having a first flange, a rearwardly extending segment spaced apart from the first flange, and a rearwardly open recess defined between the first flange and the rearwardly extending segment. The joint further includes a second end member, having a second flange, a forwardly extending segment spaced apart from the second flange, and a forwardly open recess defined between the second flange and the forwardly extending segment. A gap is defined between the rearwardly extending segment and the second flange when the first end member and the second end member are coupled. The forwardly open recess is configured to receive the rearwardly extending segment and the rearwardly open recess is configured to receive the forwardly extending segment.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Mary J. Reid, Clayton C. Garrels
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Patent number: 10575685Abstract: A bathroom module is disclosed. The bathroom module comprises a shower area, a toilet area, a grooming area, and plumbing inlet lines. The shower area comprises a shower head, a control valve assembly, and a drain. The toilet area comprises a toilet assembly. The toilet area and the shower area are separated from each other by a first wall. The grooming area comprises a sink assembly that comprises a faucet. The grooming area is separated from the shower area and the toilet area by a second wall. The second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall. Plumbing inlet lines are disposed within the first wall and the second wall and configured to supply water to the control valve assembly, the shower head, the toilet assembly, and the faucet.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
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Patent number: 10273666Abstract: A method for installing a trim system for a fluid control valve mounted behind a wall and configured for use with a kitchen or bath fixture. The method includes positioning a locating ring against a trim assembly, where the locating ring has an adhesive layer on a rear surface thereof; coupling the trim assembly to the fluid control valve; pushing the trim assembly and locating ring toward the wall to bond the adhesive layer of the locating ring to the wall; removing the trim assembly from the locating ring; coupling a mounting bracket to the locating ring; securing the mounting bracket to the wall; and coupling the trim assembly to the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John M. Wilson, Erich D. Slothower, Keegan J. Ford, Steven Aykens, James T. Wanasek
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Publication number: 20180116470Abstract: A bathroom module is disclosed. The bathroom module comprises a shower area, a toilet area, a grooming area, and plumbing inlet lines. The shower area comprises a shower head, a control valve assembly, and a drain. The toilet area comprises a toilet assembly. The toilet area and the shower area are separated from each other by a first wall. The grooming area comprises a sink assembly that comprises a faucet. The grooming area is separated from the shower area and the toilet area by a second wall. The second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall. Plumbing inlet lines are disposed within the first wall and the second wall and configured to supply water to the control valve assembly, the shower head, the toilet assembly, and the faucet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
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Publication number: 20180098670Abstract: A shower enclosure comprises a plurality of prefabricated panels that are arranged to at least partially surround a space for bathing. At least one of the panels is a layered structure having a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer forms an interior surface of the shower enclosure exposed to the space for bathing. The third layer is arranged between the first layer and the second layer, and is coupled to the first layer and the second layer. The layered structure is a sandwich structured composite comprising the first layer, second layer, and third layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Mary J. Reid, Clayton C. Garrels
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Patent number: 9848741Abstract: A shower enclosure comprises a plurality of prefabricated panels that are arranged to at least partially surround a space for bathing. At least one of the panels is a layered structure having a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer forms an interior surface of the shower enclosure exposed to the space for bathing. The third layer is arranged between the first layer and the second layer, and is coupled to the first layer and the second layer. The layered structure is a sandwich structured composite comprising the first layer, second layer, and third layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Mary J. Reid, Clayton C. Garrels
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Publication number: 20170247864Abstract: A method for installing a trim system for a fluid control valve mounted behind a wall and configured for use with a kitchen or bath fixture. The method includes positioning a locating ring against a trim assembly, where the locating ring has an adhesive layer on a rear surface thereof; coupling the trim assembly to the fluid control valve; pushing the trim assembly and locating ring toward the wall to bond the adhesive layer of the locating ring to the wall; removing the trim assembly from the locating ring; coupling a mounting bracket to the locating ring; securing the mounting bracket to the wall; and coupling the trim assembly to the mounting bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: John M. WILSON, Erich D. SLOTHOWER, Keegan J. FORD, Steven AYKENS, James T. WANASEK
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Patent number: 9725889Abstract: A trim system for a fluid control valve that includes a first stem driver coupled to a first actuator of the valve, a cage coupled to the first stem driver, a first handle coupled to the cage, a second stem driver coupled to a second actuator of the valve, and a second handle coupled to the second stem driver. The first stem driver and the cage are configured to compensate for axial and angular misalignment between the first handle and the first actuator, and the second stem driver and the second handle are configured to compensate for axial and angular misalignment between the second handle and the second actuator. Rotation of the first handle is configured to rotate the first actuator through the first stem driver and the cage, and rotation of the second handle is configured to rotate the second actuator through the second stem driver.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John M. Wilson, Erich D. Slothower, Keegan J. Ford, Steven Aykens, James T. Wanasek
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Patent number: D897506Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Erich D. Slothower
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Patent number: D934399Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly
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Patent number: D949670Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2021Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly
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Patent number: D964145Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly
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Patent number: D969281Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Erich D. Slothower