Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Lefeber

Kenneth A. Lefeber 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: 9585524
    Abstract: A wall-entry bathtub includes a basin, a shell defining an entryway to allow access into the basin, and an entry wall movable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the entry wall is substantially clear of the entryway in the lowered position and at least partially blocks the entryway in the raised position. The bathtub also includes first and second entry wall position sensors configured to sense the position of the entry wall and a controller in electronic communication with the first and second entry wall position sensors, wherein the controller is configured to control components of the bathtub based at least in part on the position of the entry wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Santosh R. Narasimhan, Jeffrey F. Tempas, Kenneth A. Lefeber, David P. Ourada, Fred Ogreenc
  • Patent number: 9005147
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a transducer to a plumbing fixture is provided. The mounting assembly includes a bracket configured to be affixed to an exterior wall of the plumbing fixture. The mounting assembly further includes a shield defining an internal cavity and configured to be removably coupled to the bracket. The shield is configured to be coupled to the transducer and to enclose at least a portion of the transducer within the internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Kenneth A. Lefeber, Santosh R. Narasimhan
  • Publication number: 20150020305
    Abstract: A wall-entry bathtub includes a basin, a shell defining an entryway to allow access into the basin, and an entry wall movable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the entry wall is substantially clear of the entryway in the lowered position and at least partially blocks the entryway in the raised position. The bathtub also includes first and second entry wall position sensors configured to sense the position of the entry wall and a controller in electronic communication with the first and second entry wall position sensors, wherein the controller is configured to control components of the bathtub based at least in part on the position of the entry wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Santosh R. Narasimhan, Jeffrey F. Tempas, Kenneth A. Lefeber, David P. Ourada, Fred Ogreenc
  • Patent number: 8863323
    Abstract: A wall-entry bathtub includes an entry wall movable between a raised position and a lowered position to provide convenient ingress and egress. A handle assembly is coupled to a pair of latches and brackets to selectively restrain the wall-entry bathtub in the raised position. A counterweight assembly is coupled to the entry wall and reduces the force required to move the entry wall between the lowered and raised positions. The entry wall also includes a seal member that is expandable to inhibit water from leaking past the entry wall when the wall-entry bathtub is in use. Dual drains are provided to reduce the time required to drain water from the wall-entry bathtub. And, a controller, in combination with a variety of sensors, applies predetermined logic to control the water filling, entry wall sealing, and water draining of the wall-entry bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Santosh R. Narasimhan, Jeffrey F. Tempas, Kenneth A. Lefeber, David P. Ourada, Fred Ogreenc
  • Publication number: 20120286910
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures are disclosed having acoustic electromagnetic transducers mounted thereon to transmit music or other vibrations to the fixture interior. The mounting assembly provides for a shield that reduces exposure of those in the fixture to a magnetic field generated by the transducers. In one form there is a post extending from the transducer, through the shield, to a bracket on the housing. Other structures are provided to facilitate removability of the shield and transducer for maintenance purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Kenneth A. Lefeber, Santosh R. Narasimhan
  • Patent number: 8226584
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures are disclosed having acoustic electromagnetic transducers mounted thereon to transmit music or other vibrations to the fixture interior. The mounting assembly provides for a shield that reduces exposure of those in the fixture to a magnetic field generated by the transducers. In one form there is a post extending from the transducer, through the shield, to a bracket on the housing. Other structures are provided to facilitate removability of the shield and transducer for maintenance purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Kenneth A. Lefeber, Santosh R. Narasimhan
  • Publication number: 20110088159
    Abstract: A wall-entry bathtub includes an entry wall movable between a raised position and a lowered position to provide convenient ingress and egress. A handle assembly is coupled to a pair of latches and brackets to selectively restrain the wall-entry bathtub in the raised position. A counterweight assembly is coupled to the entry wall and reduces the force required to move the entry wall between the lowered and raised positions. The entry wall also includes a seal member that is expandable to inhibit water from leaking past the entry wall when the wall-entry bathtub is in use. Dual drains are provided to reduce the time required to drain water from the wall-entry bathtub. And, a controller, in combination with a variety of sensors, applies predetermined logic to control the water filling, entry wall sealing, and water draining of the wall-entry bathtub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Santosh R. Narasimhan, Jeffrey F. Tempas, Kenneth A. Lefeber, David P. Ourada, Fred Ogreenc
  • Publication number: 20090235448
    Abstract: Plumbing fixtures are disclosed having acoustic electromagnetic transducers mounted thereon to transmit music or other vibrations to the fixture interior. The mounting assembly provides for a shield that reduces exposure of those in the fixture to a magnetic field generated by the transducers. In one form there is a post extending from the transducer, through the shield, to a bracket on the housing. Other structures are provided to facilitate removability of the shield and transducer for maintenance purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Scott R. Knapp, Kenneth A. Lefeber, Santosh R. Narasimhan