Patents by Inventor Keith E. Muellenbach

Keith E. Muellenbach 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: 20240115089
    Abstract: A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Chanseol Chung, Karger D. Kohler, Daniel N. Halloran, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer Tarplee, Craig Loest
  • Publication number: 20230380643
    Abstract: A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chanseol Chung, Karger D. Kohler, Daniel N. Halloran, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer Tarplee, Craig Loest
  • Patent number: 11759065
    Abstract: A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chanseol Chung, Karger D. Kohler, Daniel N. Halloran, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer Tarplee, Craig Loest
  • Publication number: 20230265644
    Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a toilet body and a nozzle system. The toilet body defines a toilet bowl and a rim area disposed along an upper edge of the toilet bowl. The rim area includes a flange defining an opening. The nozzle system includes a nozzle having a first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a water supply conduit and a second end fluidly coupled to the rim area. The second end defines an outlet formed at a compound angle. The connector assembly detachably couples the nozzle to the flange such that the nozzle extends through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel N. Halloran, Tony L. Lambert, Randy O. Mesun, Rahul Bose, Keith E. Muellenbach, Sudip Mukerji, Jessica A. Grev
  • Publication number: 20230228076
    Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a toilet, a non-vitreous fluid delivery component, and a connector assembly. The non-vitreous fluid delivery component is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the toilet. The connector assembly couples the non-vitreous fluid delivery component to the toilet in a substantially watertight manner. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a nut adjustably coupled to the connector body, and a sealing member disposed on the connector body. The nut is configured to be adjusted relative to the connector body to cause the connector body to compress the sealing member against a portion of the toilet, such that the sealing member creates a substantially watertight seal between the toilet and the connector body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Randy O. Mesun, Jeremiah J. Rauwerdink, Daniel N. Halloran, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer L. Tarplee
  • Patent number: 11668085
    Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a toilet body and a nozzle system. The toilet body defines a toilet bowl and a rim area disposed along an upper edge of the toilet bowl. The rim area includes a flange defining an opening. The nozzle system includes a nozzle having a first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a water supply conduit and a second end fluidly coupled to the rim area. The second end defines an outlet formed at a compound angle. The connector assembly detachably couples the nozzle to the flange such that the nozzle extends through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Daniel N. Halloran, Tony L. Lambert, Randy O. Mesun, Rahul Bose, Keith E. Muellenbach, Sudip Mukerji, Jessica A. Grev
  • Patent number: 11639599
    Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a toilet, a non-vitreous fluid delivery component, and a connector assembly. The non-vitreous fluid delivery component is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the toilet. The connector assembly couples the non-vitreous fluid delivery component to the toilet in a substantially watertight manner. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a nut adjustably coupled to the connector body, and a sealing member disposed on the connector body. The nut is configured to be adjusted relative to the connector body to cause the connector body to compress the sealing member against a portion of the toilet, such that the sealing member creates a substantially watertight seal between the toilet and the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Randy O. Mesun, Jeremiah J. Rauwerdink, Daniel N. Halloran, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer L. Tarplee
  • Publication number: 20230069846
    Abstract: A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Chanseol Chung, Karger D. Kohler, Daniel N. Halloran, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer Tarplee, Craig Loest
  • Patent number: 11571094
    Abstract: A toilet positionable above a floor comprise a toilet base and a foot ledge structure. The toilet base at least partially surrounds a lower portion of a toilet bowl and defines an inner area that at least partially contains the lower portion of the toilet bowl. The foot ledge structure comprises a foot ledge and a base bracket. The foot ledge is elevated above the floor and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the toilet base. The base bracket is positioned within the inner area of the toilet base and is configured to elevate the foot ledge above the floor. The foot ledge is movably attached to the base bracket. The base bracket is independently attachable to the floor from the toilet base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Patent number: 11529030
    Abstract: A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chanseol Chung, Karger D. Kohler, Daniel N. Halloran, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer Tarplee, Craig Loest
  • Publication number: 20220178130
    Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a toilet, a non-vitreous fluid delivery component, and a connector assembly. The non-vitreous fluid delivery component is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the toilet. The connector assembly couples the non-vitreous fluid delivery component to the toilet in a substantially watertight manner. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a nut adjustably coupled to the connector body, and a sealing member disposed on the connector body. The nut is configured to be adjusted relative to the connector body to cause the connector body to compress the sealing member against a portion of the toilet, such that the sealing member creates a substantially watertight seal between the toilet and the connector body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Randy O. Mesun, Jeremiah J. Rauwerdink, Daniel N. Halloran, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer L. Tarplee
  • Patent number: 11299877
    Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a toilet, a non-vitreous fluid delivery component, and a connector assembly. The non-vitreous fluid delivery component is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the toilet. The connector assembly couples the non-vitreous fluid delivery component to the toilet in a substantially watertight manner. The connector assembly includes a connector body, a nut adjustably coupled to the connector body, and a sealing member disposed on the connector body. The nut is configured to be adjusted relative to the connector body to cause the connector body to compress the sealing member against a portion of the toilet, such that the sealing member creates a substantially watertight seal between the toilet and the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Randy O. Mesun, Jeremiah J. Rauwerdink, Daniel N. Halloran, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer L. Tarplee
  • Publication number: 20210338024
    Abstract: A toilet positionable above a floor comprise a toilet base and a foot ledge structure. The toilet base at least partially surrounds a lower portion of a toilet bowl and defines an inner area that at least partially contains the lower portion of the toilet bowl. The foot ledge structure comprises a foot ledge and a base bracket. The foot ledge is elevated above the floor and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the toilet base. The base bracket is positioned within the inner area of the toilet base and is configured to elevate the foot ledge above the floor. The foot ledge is movably attached to the base bracket. The base bracket is independently attachable to the floor from the toilet base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Patent number: 11111663
    Abstract: A urinal includes a bowl assembly and a trapway assembly. The bowl assembly includes a body. The body defines a bowl and a cavity. The cavity includes a receiver configured to receive a bracket. The trapway assembly is configured to be located in the cavity. The trapway assembly is configured to fluidly couple the bowl to a drain. The trapway assembly is configured to be coupled to the drain separate from the bowl assembly. The bowl assembly is configured to be coupled to a wall separate from the trapway assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jeremiah J. Rauwerdink, Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Publication number: 20210267424
    Abstract: A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Chanseol Chung, Karger D. Kohler, Daniel N. Halloran, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer Tarplee, Craig Loest
  • Publication number: 20210270027
    Abstract: A toilet includes a basin, a rim, and a heated water cleaning system. The basin includes a bow 1. The rim includes a rim aperture in fluid communication with the bow 1. The heated water cleaning system includes a heated water delivery channel and a heated water generator. The heated water delivery channel is positioned proximate the rim aperture. The heated water generator is in fluid communication with the heated water delivery channel. The heated water generator is configured to receive water, produce heated water, and provide the heated water to the heated water delivery channel. The heated water generator includes a heated water generator tank and a heater. The heated water generator tank is configured to contain at least one of water or heated water. The heater is positioned within the heated water generator tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Patent number: 11083350
    Abstract: A toilet positionable above a floor comprise a toilet base and a foot ledge structure. The toilet base at least partially surrounds a lower portion of a toilet bowl and defines an inner area that at least partially contains the lower portion of the toilet bowl. The foot ledge structure comprises a foot ledge and a base bracket. The foot ledge is elevated above the floor and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the toilet base. The base bracket is positioned within the inner area of the toilet base and is configured to elevate the foot ledge above the floor. The foot ledge is movably attached to the base bracket. The base bracket is independently attachable to the floor from the toilet base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erich D. Slothower, Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Patent number: 11041294
    Abstract: A toilet includes a basin, a rim, and a heated water cleaning system. The basin includes a bowl. The rim includes a rim aperture in fluid communication with the bowl. The heated water cleaning system includes a heated water delivery channel and a heated water generator. The heated water delivery channel is positioned proximate the rim aperture. The heated water generator is in fluid communication with the heated water delivery channel. The heated water generator is configured to receive water, produce heated water, and provide the heated water to the heated water delivery channel. The heated water generator includes a heated water generator tank and a heater. The heated water generator tank is configured to contain at least one of water or heated water. The heater is positioned within the heated water generator tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Patent number: 11039719
    Abstract: A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chanseol Chung, Karger D. Kohler, Daniel N. Halloran, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer Tarplee, Craig Loest
  • Patent number: D981665
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Nushart, Matthew P. Fritsch, Keith E. Muellenbach