Patents by Inventor Keith S. Ruh

Keith S. Ruh 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: 20230383510
    Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
  • Patent number: 11725373
    Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
  • Publication number: 20210180304
    Abstract: A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
  • Patent number: 10626583
    Abstract: A shower control system includes a controller in communication with a plurality of output devices located within a shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the plurality of output devices. The shower control system further includes a control panel in communication with the controller and configured to provide a graphical user interface for controlling the plurality of output devices. The control panel includes an electronic display configured to present dynamic content, one or more static buttons, and a touch-sensitive panel overlaying both the electronic display and the one or more static buttons. The touch-sensitive panel is configured to detect a user interaction with both the one or more static buttons and the dynamic content presented via the electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9777470
    Abstract: A shower control system includes a water subsystem, a steam subsystem, and a controller in communication with the water subsystem and the steam subsystem. The water subsystem includes one or more electronic valves configured to control a flow rate and a temperature of water dispensed from one or more shower outlets within a shower enclosure. The steam subsystem is configured to generate and dispense steam from one or more steam outlets within the shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the water subsystem and the steam subsystem to provide a spa experience including a predetermined and coordinated sequence of water outputs from the shower outlets and steam outputs from the steam outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh, Greta Knowles
  • Publication number: 20150322652
    Abstract: A shower control system includes a water subsystem, a steam subsystem, and a controller in communication with the water subsystem and the steam subsystem. The water subsystem includes one or more electronic valves configured to control a flow rate and a temperature of water dispensed from one or more shower outlets within a shower enclosure. The steam subsystem is configured to generate and dispense steam from one or more steam outlets within the shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the water subsystem and the steam subsystem to provide a spa experience including a predetermined and coordinated sequence of water outputs from the shower outlets and steam outputs from the steam outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
  • Publication number: 20150218784
    Abstract: A shower control system includes a controller in communication with a plurality of output devices located within a shower enclosure. The controller is configured to control the plurality of output devices. The shower control system further includes a control panel in communication with the controller and configured to provide a graphical user interface for controlling the plurality of output devices. The control panel includes an electronic display configured to present dynamic content, one or more static buttons, and a touch-sensitive panel overlaying both the electronic display and the one or more static buttons. The touch-sensitive panel is configured to detect a user interaction with both the one or more static buttons and the dynamic content presented via the electronic display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Gregory De Swarte, Donald P. Freier, Brian C. Wick, Steven M. Tervo, Jeffrey J. Mueller, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9085880
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9085882
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9085883
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9085881
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Publication number: 20110186135
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth S. HANNA, Jacob P. VANDERHEYDEN, Keith S. RUH
  • Publication number: 20110186137
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Publication number: 20110186138
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Publication number: 20110186136
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth S. HANNA, Jacob P. VANDERHEYDEN, Keith S. RUH
  • Patent number: 6633799
    Abstract: A switchgear system, as well as a method of controlling a switching status of two switches in a switchgear system, are disclosed. The switchgear system includes a first switch capable of electrically coupling a first power source and a load, and a second switch capable of electrically coupling a second power source and the load. The switchgear system further includes a control unit coupled to both the first and second switches. The control unit includes a memory that stores software, and the control unit is capable of operating in at least two modes and controlling opening and closing of the first and second switches in accordance with those modes based upon the software. The switchgear system additionally includes an operator interface coupled to the control unit. The operator interface is capable of receiving additional information that enables the operation of the control unit in at least one of the at least two modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Alexander Krakovich, Keith S. Ruh
  • Publication number: 20020128748
    Abstract: A switchgear system, as well as a method of controlling a switching status of two switches in a switchgear system, are disclosed. The switchgear system includes a first switch capable of electrically coupling a first power source and a load, and a second switch capable of electrically coupling a second power source and the load. The switchgear system further includes a control unit coupled to both the first and second switches. The control unit includes a memory that stores software, and the control unit is capable of operating in at least two modes and controlling opening and closing of the first and second switches in accordance with those modes based upon the software. The switchgear system additionally includes an operator interface coupled to the control unit. The operator interface is capable of receiving additional information that enables the operation of the control unit in at least one of the at least two modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Alexander Krakovich, Keith S. Ruh