Patents by Inventor Jeffrey James Elsesser

Jeffrey James Elsesser 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: 11980899
    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 even when the reservoir receives the water at a maximum inlet flow rate of up to 2.5 gallons per minute. 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. A total flow capacity of the plurality of drop outlet ports is greater than or equal to the maximum inlet flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20240082856
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower assembly and a mounting system. The shower assembly includes a reservoir configured to receive water from a water source and one or more outlets for passing water from the reservoir. The shower assembly also includes a plurality of shower mounting features provided in a first non-adjustable spatial orientation on the shower assembly. The mounting system is configured to couple the shower assembly to a building structure and adjust a position of the shower assembly relative to the building structure. The mounting system includes a bracket configured to be coupled to the building structure at a fixed position. The mounting system also includes a plurality of bracket mounting features provided in a second non-adjustable spatial orientation on the bracket and configured to align each of the plurality of bracket mounting features with one of the shower mounting features for coupling thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 11872575
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 11850608
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower assembly and a mounting system. The shower assembly includes a chamber configured to receive water from a water source and a plurality of outlets configured to pass water from the chamber. The chamber is unpressurized by a supply pressure of the water source. The mounting system is for coupling the shower assembly to a building structure. The mounting system is configured to adjust a position of the shower assembly relative to the building structure. The mounting system includes a post and a fitting. The post is configured to be coupled to the building structure at a fixed position. The fitting is coupled to the shower assembly and adjustably coupled to the post, such that a vertical position of the shower assembly may be adjusted relative to the post and the building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20220410186
    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 even when the reservoir receives the water at a maximum inlet flow rate of up to 2.5 gallons per minute. 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. A total flow capacity of the plurality of drop outlet ports is greater than or equal to the maximum inlet flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 11325139
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, and a plurality of drop outlets. The inlet is for receiving water from a water source. The reservoir receives water from the inlet port and is not pressurized by a line pressure of the water source. Each of the 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 only as discrete drops of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20220048049
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, and a plurality of drop outlet ports. The inlet port is configured to receive a flow of water from a water source. The reservoir is configured to receive the flow of water from the inlet port. Each drop outlet port of the plurality of drop outlet ports includes an inlet, an outlet, and a bore extending therebetween. The shower assembly is configured such that, even when the reservoir receives the flow of water at a maximum inlet flow rate, the drop outlet ports only produce discrete water drops. A first plurality of the drop outlet ports is configured to produce only discrete water drops having a first size and a second plurality of the drop outlet ports is configured to produce only discrete water drops having a second size that is greater than the first size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 11213833
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20200276597
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower assembly and a mounting system. The shower assembly includes a chamber configured to receive water from a water source and a plurality of outlets configured to pass water from the chamber. The chamber is unpressurized by a supply pressure of the water source. The mounting system is for coupling the shower assembly to a building structure. The mounting system is configured to adjust a position of the shower assembly relative to the building structure. The mounting system includes a post and a fitting. The post is configured to be coupled to the building structure at a fixed position. The fitting is coupled to the shower assembly and adjustably coupled to the post, such that a vertical position of the shower assembly may be adjusted relative to the post and the building structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Patent number: 10675644
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower assembly and a mounting system. The shower assembly is configured to receive water from a water source and pass water through a plurality of outlets. The mounting system is for coupling the shower assembly to a building structure, and is configured to adjust the shower assembly. The mounting system includes a post and a fitting. The post is configured to fixedly couple to the building structure. The fitting is coupled to the shower assembly and adjustably received to the post, such that a vertical position of the shower assembly may be adjusted relative to the post and the building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • 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: 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: 20160059245
    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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20160059240
    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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer
  • Publication number: 20160059244
    Abstract: A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, and a plurality of drop outlets. The inlet is for receiving water from a water source. The reservoir receives water from the inlet port and is not pressurized by a line pressure of the water source. Each of the 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 only as discrete drops of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Rafael Alfredo Rexach, Stephanie Szemetylo, David J. Richter-O'Connell, Jeffrey James Elsesser, James S. Giefer