Patents by Inventor James S. Giefer

James S. Giefer 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: 10463228
    Abstract: Systems and methods of using a wine glass drying assembly. The wine glass drying rack assembly includes a tray with a bottom, sides, and a vertical lock. The wine glass drying rack assembly further includes a support with a locking element, stems and a top extending between the stems, where the support is coupled to the vertical lock via the locking element and where the support is rotatable about the vertical lock of the tray. The wine glass assembly also includes a rack with two wine glass supports, where the two wine glass supports define a slot for receiving wine glasses, where the rack is coupled to the top of the support via loops and where the rack is rotatable about the top of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Niels J. Eilmus, Ryan R. Detlaff, James S. Giefer, Evan M. Grybush, Zeke Seminario
  • Patent number: 10456794
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, a valve, a plurality of first outlets, and a plurality of second outlets. The inlet port is for receiving water from a water source at a source flow rate. The reservoir is for receiving the water from the water source through the inlet port. The valve is for controlling a flow rate of water from the inlet port to the reservoir to maintain an unpressurized reservoir. The plurality of first outlets are configured to continuously pass water from the reservoir. The plurality of first outlets have a first collective flow rate that is approximately equal to the source flow rate. The plurality of second outlets are configured to selectively pass water from the reservoir simultaneously with water being passed from the plurality of first outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20190314830
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes a first outlet, a second outlet, a first inlet, a stopper, and an actuator assembly. The first inlet is configured to provide water to the shower assembly from a water supply. The stopper is movable between a first stopper position and a second stopper position. When the stopper is in the first stopper position, water exits the shower assembly through the first outlet and is prevented from exiting the shower assembly through the second outlet. When the stopper is in the second stopper position, water is permitted to exit the shower assembly through the second outlet. The actuator assembly is configured to move the stopper between the first stopper position and the second stopper position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10413917
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes a panel and a stopper movable between a first position and a second position. The panel includes a first region having a plurality of first openings passing through the panel and a second region having a plurality of second openings passing through the panel. When the stopper is in the first position, water provided to the shower assembly is permitted to pass through the plurality of first openings but is prevented from passing through the plurality of second openings. When the stopper is in the second position, water provided to the shower assembly is permitted to pass through the plurality of second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20190217314
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, and a plurality of drop outlet ports. The inlet port receives water from a water source at an inlet flow rate. The reservoir receives water from the inlet port, and is not pressurized by a line pressure of the water source regardless of the inlet flow rate. Each of the plurality of drop outlet ports is configured such that water passes from the reservoir through the plurality of drop outlet ports, forms a drop at each drop outlet port, and falls from each drop outlet port by gravity only as discrete drops of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connnell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10226122
    Abstract: An apron-front sink includes a basin, a rim located at an upper portion of the basin, and an apron comprising a front member. The front member extends downward from the rim and laterally between a first end and an opposite second end. The first and second ends of the apron extend outwardly beyond the rim such that the apron is wider than the basin and the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10130172
    Abstract: An assembly includes a cabinet including an opening in a front face thereof and an apron-front sink coupled to the cabinet that includes a basin having a width that is less than a width of the opening, and an apron extending laterally between a first end and an opposite second end. The apron is positioned forward of the front face of the cabinet and the first and second ends of the apron extend beyond the opening to conceal the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10130173
    Abstract: A method of installing an apron-front sink to a cabinet includes inserting a portion of an apron-front sink through an opening in a front panel of a cabinet. The apron-front sink has an apron that is wider than the opening and conceals edges of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10125481
    Abstract: A kitchen sink and cabinet assembly includes an apron-front sink including at least one basin and an apron positioned forward of the at least one basin and a standard cabinet base that includes a front wall. A first side wall and a second side wall are coupled to the front wall, and the first and second side walls each have a height of approximately 34.5 inches and are separated from each other by a distance selected from the group consisting of approximately 30, 33, and 36 inches. The cabinet includes a drawer opening located in the front wall above a door. The apron extends in front of the front wall of the cabinet and is wider than the drawer opening such that the drawer opening is concealed by the apron when the apron is installed on the standard cabinet base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10104962
    Abstract: A self-rimming sink is provided. The self-rimming sink includes a basin and a rim extending outwardly from an upper end of the basin in a relatively horizontal orientation. The rim is configured to be placed on top of a countertop for supporting the sink. The self-rimming sink also includes an apron coupled to the rim and defining a front portion of the sink. The apron has a front surface extending vertically below the rim and laterally between a first side surface and an opposite second side surface. The first and second side surfaces each having a front vertical lip that extends laterally to an outer periphery of the rim and a rear side wall portion. The rear side wall portion is recessed relative to the front vertical lip and the outer periphery of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, Jason R. Miller, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10098455
    Abstract: A method of installing an under-mount apron-front sink to a cabinet includes placing an under-mount apron-front sink onto a portion of the cabinet, wherein the under-mount apron-front sink extends through an opening disposed in a front wall of the cabinet and sliding the under-mount apron-front sink in a rearward direction through the opening until a front apron of the sink engages the front wall of the cabinet, wherein the front apron comprises a left end and a right end. A lateral distance between the left end and the right end of the front apron is greater than a lateral width of the opening of the cabinet such that the front apron at least partially overlaps the opening such that the opening is not visible with the sink installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10092097
    Abstract: An assembly includes a cabinet including a front face and an opening in the front face that is defined at least in part by two vertical cut lines and a horizontal cut line that extends between the two vertical cut lines. The assembly also includes a sink coupled to the cabinet, the sink including a basin and an apron coupled to the basin and located forward of the basin to provide a front surface of the sink. The apron has a lateral width that is wider than the opening such that ends of the apron overlap the two vertical cut lines to conceal the vertical cut lines on the front face of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20180258624
    Abstract: A mounting system for securing a sink to a countertop supported by a cabinet is provided. The mounting system includes a receiving structure configured to be supported under a rim of the sink, a bracket having a first portion configured to engage a portion of the cabinet and a second portion configured to engage a bottom of a basin of the sink, a linking member extending between the receiving structure and the bracket, a first connector configured to engage a first end of the linking member and retain the linking member relative to the receiving structure, and a second connector configured to engage a second end of the linking member and secure the bracket against the cabinet and the bottom of the basin of the sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, Jason R. Miller, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20180192853
    Abstract: Systems and methods of using a wine glass drying assembly. The wine glass drying rack assembly includes a tray with a bottom, sides, and a vertical lock. The wine glass drying rack assembly further includes a support with a locking element, stems and a top extending between the stems, where the support is coupled to the vertical lock via the locking element and where the support is rotatable about the vertical lock of the tray. The wine glass assembly also includes a rack with two wine glass supports, where the two wine glass supports define a slot for receiving wine glasses, where the rack is coupled to the top of the support via loops and where the rack is rotatable about the top of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: NIELS J. EILMUS, Ryan R. Detlaff, James S. Giefer, Evan M. Grybush, Zeke Seminario
  • Patent number: 9995026
    Abstract: A sink assembly mountable to a support structure having a cabinet and a countertop supported by the cabinet. The sink assembly includes a sink having at least one basin, a rim that is above and extends outwardly beyond the at least one basin, an apron that extends laterally across and beyond a front of the at least one basin, and a receiving member coupled to a first underside of the sink. The sink assembly includes a bracket having a first portion, which engages a portion of the cabinet, and a second portion, which engages a second underside of the sink. The sink assembly includes a connecting member configured to extend between and couple to the receiving member and the bracket to secure the sink to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, Jason R. Miller, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 9936856
    Abstract: Systems and methods of using a wine glass drying assembly. The wine glass drying rack assembly includes a tray with a bottom, sides, and a vertical lock. The wine glass drying rack assembly further includes a support with a locking element, stems and a top extending between the stems, where the support is coupled to the vertical lock via the locking element and where the support is rotatable about the vertical lock of the tray. The wine glass assembly also includes a rack with two wine glass supports, where the two wine glass supports define a slot for receiving wine glasses, where the rack is coupled to the top of the support via loops and where the rack is rotatable about the top of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Niels J. Eilmus, Ryan R. Detlaff, James S. Giefer, Evan M. Grybush, Zeke Semirario
  • Patent number: 9808811
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet, a first tank, and a second tank. The inlet is configured to receive water from a water source. The first tank is associated with a plurality of first outlets configured to pass water from the first tank. The second tank is associated with a plurality of second outlets configured to pass water from the second tank. The second tank is configured to receive and collect water from the inlet and also to distribute water to the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20170297040
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, a valve, a plurality of first outlets, and a plurality of second outlets. The inlet port is for receiving water from a water source at a source flow rate. The reservoir is for receiving the water from the water source through the inlet port. The valve is for controlling a flow rate of water from the inlet port to the reservoir to maintain an unpressurized reservoir. The plurality of first outlets are configured to continuously pass water from the reservoir. The plurality of first outlets have a first collective flow rate that is approximately equal to the source flow rate. The plurality of second outlets are configured to selectively pass water from the reservoir simultaneously with water being passed from the plurality of first outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 9718068
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet, a reservoir, a plurality of first outlets, and a plurality of second outlets. The inlet is for receiving water from a water source, and is configured to restrict water flow from the water source to a maximum inlet flow rate. The reservoir receives from the inlet. The plurality of first outlets are configured to pass water from the reservoir. The plurality of second outlets are configured to selectively pass water from the reservoir. The shower assembly is configured for a user to selectively control whether water passes through the plurality of second outlets. A sum of a first collective flow rate of the plurality of first outlets and a second collective flow rate of the plurality of second outlets is greater than the maximum inlet flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20170138030
    Abstract: An assembly includes a cabinet including an opening in a front face thereof and an apron-front sink coupled to the cabinet that includes a basin having a width that is less than a width of the opening, and an apron extending laterally between a first end and an opposite second end. The apron is positioned forward of the front face of the cabinet and the first and second ends of the apron extend beyond the opening to conceal the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Shawn J. Booth, James S. Giefer