Patents by Inventor John C. Esche

John C. Esche 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: 10458565
    Abstract: A system for a faucet including a solenoid operated valve and a lifter. The solenoid operated valve includes a valve body including a sealing surface, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a sealing element that is movable relative to the sealing surface to fluidly connect and disconnect the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and a solenoid configured to selectively couple and decouple the sealing element to the sealing surface to fluidly disconnect and connect the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The lifter manually overrides the solenoid operated valve during a power failure, the lifter includes threads that thread to the solenoid operated valve, such that a rotation of the lifter in a first direction moves the lifter through the threads relative to the valve body to decouple the sealing element from the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: John C. Esche
  • Patent number: 10358801
    Abstract: A sprayer including a fluid carrier having an inlet configured to receive water from a water source and an outlet for emitting water, and including a vibration source coupled to a portion of the fluid carrier between the inlet and the outlet. When the sprayer is in a first mode of operation, water is emitted from the outlet in a first pattern; and when the sprayer is in a second mode of operation, the vibration source is configured to oscillate the fluid carrier such that water is emitted from the outlet in a second pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Amruta Shyam Velapure, Fred Ogreenc, John C. Esche
  • Patent number: 10273669
    Abstract: A method for controlling touchless operation of a faucet that includes turning on a sensor of the faucet in response to receiving a signal that a mechanical valve of the faucet is in an open position, wherein the mechanical valve is movable between the open position and a closed position; shifting an electronic valve of the faucet from a closed state, in which a fluid does not flow from the faucet, to an open state, in which the fluid is configured to flow from the faucet, in response to a first interruption of a field of detection of the sensor; and shifting the electronic valve to the closed state in response to a second interruption of the field of detection of the sensor, so long as the second interruption follows the first interruption within a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, David E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 10260653
    Abstract: A faucet that includes a mechanical valve having an outer member and a valve member, wherein the valve member is configured to move radially relative to the outer member between an open position and a closed position; a ring disposed at least partially around the outer member and configured to move in response to the movement of the valve member; and a switch configured to open and close in response to the movement of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Chad J. Cochart
  • Patent number: 10106963
    Abstract: A sprayhead retraction assembly includes a hose coupled at a first end to a faucet sprayhead and at a second end to a water source. The assembly further includes a first member having a first portion that is engaged with the hose between the first and second ends of the hose. The assembly further includes a constant-force spring coupled at a first end to a second portion of the first member and coupled at a second end to a fixed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Daniel E. Smith
  • Patent number: 10072402
    Abstract: A method of installing a sprayhead retraction assembly includes providing a portion of a hose in a groove defined by a first pulley, and coupling a first end of a constant-force spring to a first surface. The method further includes coupling a second end of the constant-force spring to a second pulley, and coiling the constant-force spring around the second pulley, wherein the second pulley is coupled to and offset from the first pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Daniel E. Smith
  • Patent number: 10000913
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout; a sprayhead that is moveable relative to the spout between a docked position and an undocked position; a magnet associated with the spout and having a bore; and a magnetically responsive collar associated with the sprayhead and moveable relative to the magnet in an axial direction as the sprayhead moves between the docked and undocked positions. In the docked position, magnetic forces between the magnet and the collar attract a center of the collar to align with a center of the magnet in the axial direction with the collar in the bore of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20180073226
    Abstract: A sprayhead retraction assembly includes a hose coupled at a first end to a faucet sprayhead and at a second end to a water source. The assembly further includes a first member having a first portion that is engaged with the hose between the first and second ends of the hose. The assembly further includes a constant-force spring coupled at a first end to a second portion of the first member and coupled at a second end to a fixed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Daniel E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180073225
    Abstract: A method of installing a sprayhead retraction assembly includes providing a portion of a hose in a groove defined by a first pulley, and coupling a first end of a constant-force spring to a first surface. The method further includes coupling a second end of the constant-force spring to a second pulley, and coiling the constant-force spring around the second pulley, wherein the second pulley is coupled to and offset from the first pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Daniel E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180038510
    Abstract: A faucet that includes a mechanical valve having an outer member and a valve member, wherein the valve member is configured to move radially relative to the outer member between an open position and a closed position; a ring disposed at least partially around the outer member and configured to move in response to the movement of the valve member; and a switch configured to open and close in response to the movement of the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: JOHN C. ESCHE, Chad J. Cochart
  • Publication number: 20180030698
    Abstract: A sprayer including a fluid carrier having an inlet configured to receive water from a water source and an outlet for emitting water, and including a vibration source coupled to a portion of the fluid carrier between the inlet and the outlet. When the sprayer is in a first mode of operation, water is emitted from the outlet in a first pattern; and when the sprayer is in a second mode of operation, the vibration source is configured to oscillate the fluid carrier such that water is emitted from the outlet in a second pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Amruta Shyam Velapure, Fred Ogreenc, John C. Esche
  • Publication number: 20170356170
    Abstract: A sprayhead retraction assembly includes a first member defining first and second projections, a first pulley axially connected to the first projection, the first pulley configured to receive a hose, a second pulley axially connected to the second projection, and a constant-force spring defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the second pulley, such that the constant-force spring is configured to coil around the second pulley, and wherein the second end is configured to be coupled to a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: JOHN C. ESCHE, Daniel E. Smith
  • Patent number: 9840831
    Abstract: A sprayhead retraction assembly includes a first member defining first and second projections, a first pulley axially connected to the first projection, the first pulley configured to receive a hose, a second pulley axially connected to the second projection, and a constant-force spring defining a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the second pulley, such that the constant-force spring is configured to coil around the second pulley, and wherein the second end is configured to be coupled to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Daniel E. Smith
  • Patent number: 9822902
    Abstract: A faucet configured for touchless actuation that includes a spout; a mechanical valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state and having a member radially movable between an open position and a closed position in response to operation of the mechanical valve between the open state and the closed state; an electronic valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state; and a system configured to detect and communicate a state of the faucet in response to the position of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Chad J. Cochart
  • Publication number: 20170275861
    Abstract: A method for controlling touchless operation of a faucet that includes turning on a sensor of the faucet in response to receiving a signal that a mechanical valve of the faucet is in an open position, wherein the mechanical valve is movable between the open position and a closed position; shifting an electronic valve of the faucet from a closed state, in which a fluid does not flow from the faucet, to an open state, in which the fluid is configured to flow from the faucet, in response to a first interruption of a field of detection of the sensor; and shifting the electronic valve to the closed state in response to a second interruption of the field of detection of the sensor, so long as the second interruption follows the first interruption within a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: JOHN C. ESCHE, David E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9695580
    Abstract: A touchless faucet including a tubular spout having a curved portion including an inlet end through which a fluid flow enters the spout and an outlet end through which the fluid flow exits the spout. The outlet end is located forward and downward of an apex of the curved portion and the inlet end is located rearward and downward of the apex. The faucet also includes an electronic valve for controlling the fluid flow and a sensor disposed completely within the spout along an underside of the curved portion adjacent the apex. The sensor includes a transmitter for emitting a signal and a receiver for detecting an interruption of the signal within a detection zone that does not intersect with the fluid flow from the outlet end of the spout. The sensor communicates with the electronic valve to control the fluid flow when the interruption of the signal is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, David E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9657466
    Abstract: A faucet that includes a spout and a sprayhead movable between a docked position, in which the sprayhead is in contact with the spout, and an undocked position, in which the sprayhead is spaced apart from the spout. The faucet also includes a hose assembly that includes a tubular portion having an inlet end and an outlet end and configured to provide fluid through the spout to the sprayhead and a magnetically responsive end portion coupled to the outlet end of the tubular portion and freely and rotatably received within a portion of the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the spout such that when the sprayhead is in the docked position, the magnet magnetically attracts the magnetically responsive end portion so as to retain the sprayhead against the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20170073944
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout; a sprayhead that is moveable relative to the spout between a docked position and an undocked position; a magnet associated with the spout and having a bore; and a magnetically responsive collar associated with the sprayhead and moveable relative to the magnet in an axial direction as the sprayhead moves between the docked and undocked positions. In the docked position, magnetic forces between the magnet and the collar attract a center of the collar to align with a center of the magnet in the axial direction with the collar in the bore of the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
  • Patent number: 9506229
    Abstract: A faucet is provided. The faucet has a spout and a sprayhead releasably coupled to the spout. A hose having a magnetically responsive collar thereon provides fluid through the spout to the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the faucet such that when the sprayhead is coupled to the spout, the collar magnetically couples to the magnet, thereby applying sufficient magnetic force to the hose to retain the sprayhead against the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20160238152
    Abstract: A system for a faucet including a solenoid operated valve and a lifter. The solenoid operated valve includes a valve body including a sealing surface, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a sealing element that is movable relative to the sealing surface to fluidly connect and disconnect the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and a solenoid configured to selectively couple and decouple the sealing element to the sealing surface to fluidly disconnect and connect the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The lifter manually overrides the solenoid operated valve during a power failure, the lifter includes threads that thread to the solenoid operated valve, such that a rotation of the lifter in a first direction moves the lifter through the threads relative to the valve body to decouple the sealing element from the sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventor: JOHN C. ESCHE