Patents by Inventor Erich Slothower

Erich 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: 12268342
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible toilet seat including a top surface; a bottom surface; an inner edge, at which the top and bottom surfaces meet; an inner region, configured to elastically and vertically deform inward relative to the outer edge in response to an applied load; and an outer region supported by an upper surface of a toilet and configured to support the inner region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
  • Publication number: 20240301670
    Abstract: A sprayhead hose retraction system including one or more pully assemblies having one or more pullies. Each of the one or more pullies have defined grooves configured to receive a hose, at least in part, wherein a first end of the hose is connected to a sprayhead of a faucet and wherein the hose wraps around the one or more pullies such that extension of the sprayhead moves or rotates the one or more pullies as the sprayhead extends from the faucet. When the sprayhead is released by a user, the one or more pullies provide a force onto the hose which automatically causes retraction of the sprayhead into the faucet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Jacob Frye, Erich Slothower
  • Publication number: 20240200316
    Abstract: A disposal system utilizing a direct injection of water for an amount of time to sufficiently sanitize a chamber of the disposal system. The disposal system includes a chamber coupled to a drain of a sink at a first end of the chamber, and to a drainpipe at a second end of the chamber. A cutting mechanism, such as a rotary cutting blade, is positioned within the chamber near a floor of the chamber. A fluid-injection unit, such as a flange attachment, coupled to the first end of the chamber and the drain of the sink, includes a plurality of nozzles for introducing a fluid in a variety of streams in different directions to reach substantially an entirety of the chamber. The flange attachment can also include a water line attachment for connecting to a water line, with an optional ozone generator upstream from the disposal system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Todd Leonhard, Jason Miller, Kenneth Kapal, Erich Slothower, Pete Kajuch, Andrew Wasz, Eder Perez, Margaret Mazz, Evan Grybush, Matthew Wegner, Niels Eimus, Josh Hippert, Jonathan Bradley
  • Publication number: 20240167259
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed towards a clean drain system. The clean drain system includes drain stopper system, a seal, and a flange. The seal is coupled to the flange. The drain stopper system is positioned through the seal. The drain stopper system further includes a drain cover, a drain housing, and a basket. The drain cover along a vertical axis to allow or prevent the flow of water through the tailpipe. The basket includes a plurality of openings. The basket is configured to catch debris as it flows downward through the drain to prevent the drain from clogging. The clean drain system further includes an overflow cover, an overflow tube, and a collar. The collar is positioned around the drain housing. The overflow cover is coupled to the overflow tube. The collar is coupled to another end of the overflow tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Andrew Smith, Erich Slothower, Michael Smith, Vikas Salunke
  • Publication number: 20230404352
    Abstract: The following embodiments include magnetic based devices, systems, and techniques applicable in a bathroom setting or a kitchen setting. A magnetic cleaning system is configured to clean a surface in the bathroom setting or kitchen setting. A magnetic mounting assembly is configured to mount a magnetic accessory. A cabinet includes the magnetic mounting assembly. A shower panel may include one or more magnetic acoustic shower tiles. A levitating drain stopper system for a basin is configured to magnetic open or close an opening in the basin. A magnetic water steering device is configured to magnetically direct water in a predetermined path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kathryn L. Clouse, Helene L. Cornils, Brianna L. Crotty, Diego A. Cuervo Ayala, Amber L. Hall Nelson, Jason M. Kwacz, Jesse N. Lemel, John O. Lipinski, Dustin Lobner, Katerina A. Revlis, Mark Schibur, Erich Slothower, Andrew L. Smith, Jennifer L. Tarplee, Yunjie Zhang, Rebecca Becker, Lindsay Hartman, Aaron Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20230363596
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible toilet seat including a top surface; a bottom surface; an inner edge, at which the top and bottom surfaces meet; an inner region, configured to elastically and vertically deform inward relative to the outer edge in response to an applied load; and an outer region supported by an upper surface of a toilet and configured to support the inner region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
  • Patent number: 11744415
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible toilet seat including a top surface; a bottom surface; an inner edge, at which the top and bottom surfaces meet; an inner region, configured to elastically and vertically deform inward relative to the outer edge in response to an applied load; and an outer region supported by an upper surface of a toilet and configured to support the inner region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
  • Publication number: 20220354318
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible toilet seat including a top surface; a bottom surface; an inner edge, at which the top and bottom surfaces meet; an inner region, configured to elastically and vertically deform inward relative to the outer edge in response to an applied load; and an outer region supported by an upper surface of a toilet and configured to support the inner region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
  • Patent number: 11426036
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible toilet seat including a top surface; a bottom surface; an inner edge, at which the top and bottom surfaces meet; an inner region, configured to elastically and vertically deform inward relative to the outer edge in response to an applied load; and an outer region supported by an upper surface of a toilet and configured to support the inner region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
  • Publication number: 20210321838
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible toilet seat including a top surface; a bottom surface; an inner edge, at which the top and bottom surfaces meet; an inner region, configured to elastically and vertically deform inward relative to the outer edge in response to an applied load; and an outer region supported by an upper surface of a toilet and configured to support the inner region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Erich Slothower, Mary J. Reid
  • Patent number: 10072770
    Abstract: A rough-in guide for a valve body includes a first side and a second side. The first side includes a valve body retaining jaw and a recessed region. The valve body retaining jaw is configured to selectively receive a first portion of the valve body and to secure the valve body to the rough-in guide. The recessed region is configured to receive a second portion of the valve body. The second side is opposite the first side comprising a valve body retaining clip. The valve body retaining clip is configured to selectively secure the valve body to the rough-in guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Steven Aykens, James Wanasek, Douglas Brouwer, Erich Slothower, John Wilson, Keegan Ford
  • Publication number: 20170059053
    Abstract: A rough-in guide for a valve body includes a first side and a second side. The first side includes a valve body retaining jaw and a recessed region. The valve body retaining jaw is configured to selectively receive a first portion of the valve body and to secure the valve body to the rough-in guide. The recessed region is configured to receive a second portion of the valve body. The second side is opposite the first side comprising a valve body retaining clip. The valve body retaining clip is configured to selectively secure the valve body to the rough-in guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Aykens, James Wanasek, Douglas Brouwer, Erich Slothower, John Wilson, Keegan Ford
  • Patent number: 9051722
    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: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich Slothower, Qifeng Kuang
  • Patent number: D522313
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Williams Sonoma Inc.
    Inventors: Beau Oyler, Erich Slothower
  • Patent number: D827705
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Glowforge Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
  • Patent number: D849834
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Glowforge Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
  • Patent number: D850528
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Glowforge Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
  • Patent number: RE49248
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Glowforge Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
  • Patent number: RE50196
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Glowforge Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gosselin, Anna-Pia Slothower, Erich Slothower, John Plunkett
  • Patent number: D1071112
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Laundre, Erich Slothower