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).

  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180116470
    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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Stephanie Szemetylo, Erich D. Slothower, Gregory de Swarte, Margaret C. Mazz, Terrence K. Mahon, Nona J. Beining
  • Publication number: 20180098670
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Mary J. Reid, Clayton C. Garrels
  • Patent number: 9848741
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Mary J. Reid, Clayton C. Garrels
  • Publication number: 20170247864
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: John M. WILSON, Erich D. SLOTHOWER, Keegan J. FORD, Steven AYKENS, James T. WANASEK
  • Patent number: 9725889
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John M. Wilson, Erich D. Slothower, Keegan J. Ford, Steven Aykens, James T. Wanasek
  • Patent number: 9637904
    Abstract: A bidet includes one or more water sources, a generally elongate wand, and a spray head. The wand is configured to communicate water from the one or more water sources to the spray head. The spray head is configured to spray the water received from water sources, and the spray head is also configured to releasably couple to the wand by being received through an upper surface of the wand into a receptacle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Qifeng Kuang
  • Patent number: 9551140
    Abstract: A dryer component for a bidet includes a drying member (40), a blower component (50) and a pipe component (70). The pipe component (70) includes a first separable part (72) and a second separable part (82) so as to provide fluid connection between the blower component (50) and the drying member (40). There is no hose used in the pipe component (70) and the fitting surface between the first part (72) and the second part (82) is tilted, which allows comparatively great fitting tolerances of members of the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SHANGHAI KOHLER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventors: Qifeng Kuang, Erich D. Slothower
  • Publication number: 20150369392
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: John M. Wilson, Erich D. Slothower, Keegan J. Ford, Steven Aykens, James T. Wanasek
  • Publication number: 20150233105
    Abstract: A bidet includes one or more water sources, a generally elongate wand, and a spray head. The wand is configured to communicate water from the one or more water sources to the spray head. The spray head is configured to spray the water received from water sources, and the spray head is also configured to releasably couple to the wand by being received through an upper surface of the wand into a receptacle thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Qifeng Kuang
  • Publication number: 20140250585
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Mary J. Reid, Clayton C. Garrels
  • Publication number: 20120285034
    Abstract: A dryer component for a bidet includes a drying member (40), a blower component (50) and a pipe component (70). The pipe component (70) includes a first separable part (72) and a second separable part (82) so as to provide fluid connection between the blower component (50) and the drying member (40). There is no hose used in the pipe component (70) and the fitting surface between the first part (72) and the second part (82) is tilted, which allows comparatively great fitting tolerances of members of the dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Qifeng Kuang, Erich D. Slothower
  • Patent number: D462748
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Erich D. Slothower
  • Patent number: D472306
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Erich D. Slothower
  • Patent number: D663396
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric Plate, Erich D. Slothower
  • Patent number: D672022
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric Plate, Erich D. Slothower
  • Patent number: D697599
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Erich D. Slothower, Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D697601
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Erich D. Slothower, Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D697602
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Erich D. Slothower, Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr.
  • Patent number: D690402
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Bates, Erich D. Slothower, Benjamin B. Fullerton, Jr.