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).

  • Publication number: 20240068216
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed towards a debris-reducing drain insert 90 for a drain. The debris-reducing drain insert 90 includes a battery to power a cutting component with at least one blade to cut debris as it travels down the drainpipe and prevent clogging of the drain. The debris-reducing drain insert 90 includes a drain cover with a seal such that when in a closed position water and debris cannot flow into the drain opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Andrew Smith, Diego Alejandro Cuervo Ayala, Matthew R. Wegner, Erich D. Slothower, Michael J. Smith, Niels Eilmus
  • Publication number: 20230414044
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
  • Patent number: 11812903
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
  • Patent number: 11571094
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Publication number: 20220192434
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: STEPHANIE SZEMETYLO, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
  • Patent number: 11272813
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
  • Publication number: 20210338024
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Patent number: 11083350
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Publication number: 20200253432
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Erich D. SLOTHOWER, Keith E. MUELLENBACH
  • Publication number: 20200187723
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
  • Patent number: 10582810
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Mary J. Reid, Clayton C. Garrels
  • Patent number: 10575685
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
  • Patent number: 10273666
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John M. Wilson, Erich D. Slothower, Keegan J. Ford, Steven Aykens, James T. Wanasek
  • Patent number: D897506
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Erich D. Slothower
  • Patent number: D934399
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly
  • Patent number: D949670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly
  • Patent number: D964145
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly
  • Patent number: D969281
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Erich D. Slothower
  • Patent number: D994476
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly
  • Patent number: D1012253
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Adam M. Moller, Erich D. Slothower, Thomas E. Lilly