Patents by Inventor Harold A. Luettgen

Harold A. Luettgen 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: 20200155286
    Abstract: A toothbrush is disclosed. The toothbrush includes a handle, a brush tip coupled to the handle, the brush tip including a plurality of bristles, a motor housed within the handle for operating the brush tip, a power source coupled to the motor, one or more lights coupled to the handle and viewable by a user when holding the handle, and a control module housed within the handle and in communication with the one or more lights, wherein the control module is configured to monitor a pressure exerted by the brush tip on a surface, determine when the exerted pressure exceeds a pressure threshold, and, in response to the exerted pressure exceeding the pressure threshold, activate the one or more lights to alert the user that the exerted pressure exceeds the pressure threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, John Fiers, Brian R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20200078153
    Abstract: A toothbrush or oral cleaning implement including a handle defining a first fluid conduit and a handle inlet port, a brush tip extending from a first end of the handle and defining a second fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit, a brush head supported on an end of the brush tip including a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit, a handle valve positioned between the handle inlet port and the first fluid conduit, and a base removably connected to the second end of the handle. The base including a base fluid inlet port that connects with an external fluid source, a base fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the base fluid inlet port, and a base valve that selectively opens and closes the base fluid outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 10561480
    Abstract: A toothbrush is disclosed. The toothbrush includes a handle, a brush tip connected to the handle, wherein the brush tip includes a plurality of bristles operably connected thereto, a power source, a direct current motor in selective electrical communication with the power source, wherein the motor includes a drive shaft, a drive assembly connected between the brush tip and the drive shaft, wherein the drive assembly converts rotation of the drive shaft into movement of the plurality of bristles, and a control assembly in electrical communication with the motor and the power source; wherein during operation of the motor, the control assembly monitors a current draw by the motor and adjusts a current applied to the direct current motor based on the current draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, John Fiers, Brian R. Williams
  • Patent number: 10532369
    Abstract: A showerhead bracket having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a valve and a valve housing. The valve may be operably connected between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The valve includes a valve inlet port, a low flow exit port and a high flow exit port. The valve housing is disposed between the fluid inlet and the valve inlet port. The valve can selectively rotate within the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Quinn, Leland C. Leber, Harold A. Luettgen, Ryan Saunders
  • Publication number: 20190192266
    Abstract: An oral irrigator includes a base having a pump mechanism, a reservoir housed within the base and fluidically connected with the pump mechanism. A handle with a jet tip is connected with an outlet from the pump mechanism to receive a pressurized fluid stream from the reservoir to direct a fluid at a surface inside an oral cavity. The oral irrigator also includes a radiant energy source and delivery system for directing radiant energy at a surface inside an oral cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Clifford J. Snyder, Gordon Haszier, Harold A. Luettgen, Kenneth A. Hair, Daniel Bernard Cover
  • Publication number: 20190151867
    Abstract: A showerhead bracket having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a valve and a valve housing. The valve may be operably connected between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The valve includes a valve inlet port, a low flow exit port and a high flow exit port. The valve housing is disposed between the fluid inlet and the valve inlet port. The valve can selectively rotate within the valve housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Michael J. Quinn, Leland C. Leber, Harold A. Luettgen, Ryan Saunders
  • Patent number: 10258442
    Abstract: An oral irrigator includes a base having a pump mechanism, a reservoir housed within the base and fluidically connected with the pump mechanism. A handle with a jet tip is connected with an outlet from the pump mechanism to receive a pressurized fluid stream from the reservoir to direct a fluid at a surface inside an oral cavity. The oral irrigator also includes a radiant energy source and delivery system for directing radiant energy at a surface inside an oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Clifford J. Snyder, Gordon Haszier, Harold A. Luettgen, Kenneth A. Hair, Daniel Bernard Cover
  • Patent number: 10226777
    Abstract: A showerhead bracket having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a valve and a valve housing. The valve may be operably connected between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The valve includes a valve inlet port, a low flow exit port and a high flow exit port. The valve housing is disposed between the fluid inlet and the valve inlet port. The valve can selectively rotate within the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Quinn, Leland C. Leber, Harold A. Luettgen, Ryan Saunders
  • Publication number: 20180296308
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a handle housing defining a cavity, a tip removably connected to the handle housing, and a tip release assembly connected to the handle housing. The tip release assembly includes a tip eject button slidably connected to the handle housing and movable between a first position and a second position and a latch connected to the handle housing and positioned within the cavity. Movement of the tip eject button from the first position to the second position moves the latch laterally across the cavity from an engage position to a disengage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180250109
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a toothbrush including a handle, a brush shaft, and a brush tip releasably connected to the brush shaft. The brush shaft includes a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid source. The brush tip includes a tip outlet, one or more bristles, and one or more engagement structures to secure the brush tip to the brush shaft. The engagement structure acts to transfer motion from the brush shaft to the brush tip and defines, in part, a tip fluid passageway through the brush tip and in fluid communication with the shaft lumen of the brush shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Gary L. SOKOL, Harold A. LUETTGEN
  • Publication number: 20180228584
    Abstract: A toothbrush with fluid directing drive assembly is provided. The toothbrush may include a handle including an end surface, a brush shaft extending from the end surface of the handle, a drive assembly positioned within the handle and causing the brush shaft to oscillate upon actuation of a motor, a brush tip removably coupled to the brush shaft and positioned adjacent to the end surface of the handle, and a fluid passage defined within the drive assembly within the handle. The brush tip may include a fluid conduit therein. Oscillation of the brush shaft may cause the entire brush tip to oscillate correspondingly. Fluid may be transported through the drive assembly and to the fluid conduit of the brush tip by the fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Gary L. SOKOL, Harold A. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 10022207
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a handle through which fluid flows to a tip. Fluid flows to the tip during irrigate mode, and fluid flow may be interrupted by selecting a pause mode. The handle includes a mechanically controlled actuator for selecting the pause mode. The actuator may include a rack gear operably connected to a pinion gear formed on a valve spool inside the handle. The valve spool may include a ball that blocks fluid flow to the tip during pause mode but not during irrigate mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Patent number: 10016254
    Abstract: A dental water jet provides a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth. The embodiment includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. A flow control knob may be turned to selectively adjust the water pressure supplied by the tip between a minimum and a maximum value. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold A. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 9987109
    Abstract: A sonic toothbrush system including an electric motor, a brush shaft, a drive assembly, a fluid conduit connected to a pressurized, pulsed water source, and a water jet nozzle positioned on the brush head and connected to the fluid conduit. The electric motor includes a drive shaft. When the electric motor is caused to operate, the drive shaft continuously rotates until the motor is caused to stop. The drive assembly is coupled between the drive shaft and brush shaft. The drive assembly is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into sonic oscillation of a toothbrush supported on an end of the brush shaft. The drive assembly further forms part of the fluid conduit to deliver a pulsed water stream to the jet nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 9980793
    Abstract: An apparatus for oral hygiene is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a base unit containing a reservoir, an oral irrigation handle, a sonic toothbrush, and an accessory container. The apparatus may include a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The apparatus contains a drive mechanism in a gear housing that is continually drained by one or more apertures in the base. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. The oral irrigation handle includes a pause switch that translates longitude motion into rotational motion to close a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wagner, Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170319311
    Abstract: A toothbrush is disclosed. The toothbrush includes a handle, a brush tip connected to the handle, wherein the brush tip includes a plurality of bristles operably connected thereto, a power source, a direct current motor in selective electrical communication with the power source, wherein the motor includes a drive shaft, a drive assembly connected between the brush tip and the drive shaft, wherein the drive assembly converts rotation of the drive shaft into movement of the plurality of bristles, and a control assembly in electrical communication with the motor and the power source; wherein during operation of the motor, the control assembly monitors a current draw by the motor and adjusts a current applied to the direct current motor based on the current draw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, John Fiers, Brian R. Williams
  • Patent number: 9795975
    Abstract: A dual turbine showerhead provides multiple spray modes emanating from the head. The showerhead includes an inlet orifice, a backplate, a first turbine located side-by-side with a second turbine, a faceplate forming a first orifice group and a second orifice group, a first fluid channel in fluid communication with the first and second turbines and the first orifice group, and a second fluid channel in fluid communication with the second orifice group. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes first and a second turbines located side-by-side and a valve body that channels a fluid to the first turbine and the second turbine. In another embodiment, the showerhead includes a first and a second turbine located side-by-side along a centerline of the showerhead, a corresponding outlet region is arranged along the centerline and additional outlet regions are laterally spaced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gary D. Golichowski, Gary L. Sokol
  • Publication number: 20170239132
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a reservoir, a tip in fluid communication with the reservoir, a pump in fluid communication with the tip and the reservoir, where the motor drives the pump. The oral irrigator also includes a control module electrically coupled to the motor to vary an output of the motor. During a normal mode, the control module drives the motor to output a normal pulse rate, a normal flow rate, and a normal fluid pressure as the fluid exits the tip and during a massage mode, the control module drives the motor to output a massage pulse rate, a massage flow rate, and a massage fluid pressure as the fluid exits the tip. The massage pulse rate is lower than the normal pulse rate, the massage fluid pressure is lower than the normal fluid pressure, and the massage fluid pressure is lower than the normal fluid pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Harold A. Luettgen, Gordon Haszier
  • Patent number: D866188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Wagner, Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen
  • Patent number: D878765
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Wagner, Gary L. Sokol, Harold A. Luettgen