Patents by Inventor Kevin B. Kline

Kevin B. Kline 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: 20120260418
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a lavatory system are described that include a bidirectional hand dryer having a top, bottom, back, and right side and multiple sensors and LEDs. Upper and lower nozzles are also provided and respectively connected to upper and lower plenums. At least two flexible air delivery hoses are connected to the plenums. A motor housing is provided and includes a motor, ports connected to the hoses, noise abatement features, and a motor microcontroller. A hand-receiving cavity exists between the top, back, right, and bottom side for receiving at least one hand of a user. Tips are connected to the nozzles and emit high speed colliding columns of air to shear water off of the user's hand. The columns of air are spaced and calibrated in such a way as to reduce forces on the user's hand which would otherwise move the hand toward the side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Michelle L. Rundberg, Kevin M. Kohlwey, Graeme S. Bayley, John M. Loberger, Mark A. Figurski, Theodore E. Dhein, Kenneth A. Kreitzer, Kevin B. Kline, Jason M. Renner, Scott I. Biba, Cory R. Boudreau
  • Publication number: 20120223150
    Abstract: A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: MAGARL, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Publication number: 20120118984
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first and second fluids is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having first and second inlets, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid. The member includes a thermostat in communication with the mixed fluid and a shuttle coupled to the thermostat, configured for movement within a liner, and oriented to adjustably engage the flow of the first fluid through an opening within a wall of the liner, the direction of flow of the first fluid being at least partially transverse with respect to the shuttle. A fluid inlet may include a check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing out of the valve through the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Magarl, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Publication number: 20120073043
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in an emergency fixture includes a body; and a control element at least partially located in the body and configured to impart rotation into the fluid flow. The control element includes a first substantially cylindrical member defining a first outlet portion, the first outlet portion configured to guide a first portion of the fluid flow out of the control element as an axial flow; a second substantially cylindrical member coupled to the first member; and a plurality of radially extending members extending between the first member and the second member, each of the plurality of members comprising a deflection surface angled relative to a second portion of flow and configured to cause rotation of the second portion of flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Jaworski, Timothy E. Perrin, Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 8123140
    Abstract: A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Margarl, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 8113446
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in an emergency fixture is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body and a control element at least partially located in the body and configured to impart rotation into the fluid flow. The control element includes an inlet that receives the fluid flow. The control element also includes a first outlet portion configured to guide a first portion of the fluid flow out of the control element as an axial flow and a second outlet portion configured to provide rotation to a second portion of the fluid flow relative to the axial flow. The first portion of the fluid flow exits the control element at a position downstream from the position that the second portion of the fluid flow exits the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Kline, Robert K. Larson, Kevin M. Kohlwey
  • Patent number: 7952233
    Abstract: A lavatory system having at least one wash station and at least one electrically operated fixture is disclosed. The lavatory system includes a control system for operating the at least one electrically operated fixture and a power supply system for powering the at least one electrically operated fixture. According to one embodiment, the power supply system includes a plurality of power sources and a switch device. The plurality of power sources are electrically coupled to each other and configured to provide an output voltage for powering the at least one fixture. The electrical coupling of the power sources is selectively adjustable between a first arrangement in which the power sources are electrically coupled to each other in parallel and a second arrangement in which the power sources are electrically coupled to each other in series. The first switch device configured to adjust the electrical coupling of the power sources between the first arrangement and the second arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Graeme S. Bayley, Kevin B. Kline
  • Publication number: 20100320292
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in an emergency fixture is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body and a control element at least partially located in the body and configured to impart rotation into the fluid flow. The control element includes an inlet that receives the fluid flow. The control element also includes a first outlet portion configured to guide a first portion of the fluid flow out of the control element as an axial flow and a second outlet portion configured to provide rotation to a second portion of the fluid flow relative to the axial flow. The first portion of the fluid flow exits the control element at a position downstream from the position that the second portion of the fluid flow exits the control element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin B. Kline, Robert K. Larson, Kevin M. Kohlwey
  • Patent number: 7806348
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in an emergency fixture is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first control element at least partially located in the body and configured to impart rotation into the fluid flow. The second control element comprises an inlet that receives fluid, and an outlet that divides the fluid flow into at least a first portion and a second portion. The outlet comprises a first outlet portion and a second outlet portion. The first outlet portion guides the first portion of the flow out of the flow rotation element as an axial flow, and wherein the second outlet portion provides rotation to the second portion of the flow relative to the axial flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Kline, Robert K. Larson, Kevin M. Kohlwey
  • Publication number: 20100230502
    Abstract: A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MAGARL, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Publication number: 20100168926
    Abstract: A lavatory system having at least one wash station and at least one electrically operated fixture is disclosed. The lavatory system includes a control system for operating the at least one electrically operated fixture and a power supply system for powering the at least one electrically operated fixture. According to one embodiment, the power supply system includes a plurality of power sources and a switch device. The plurality of power sources are electrically coupled to each other and configured to provide an output voltage for powering the at least one fixture. The electrical coupling of the power sources is selectively adjustable between a first arrangement in which the power sources are electrically coupled to each other in parallel and a second arrangement in which the power sources are electrically coupled to each other in series. The first switch device configured to adjust the electrical coupling of the power sources between the first arrangement and the second arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Graeme S. Bayley, Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 7717351
    Abstract: A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Margarl, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Publication number: 20090321539
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in an emergency fixture is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first control element at least partially located in the body and configured to impart rotation into the fluid flow. The second control element comprises an inlet that receives fluid, and an outlet that divides the fluid flow into at least a first portion and a second portion. The outlet comprises a first outlet portion and a second outlet portion. The first outlet portion guides the first portion of the flow out of the flow rotation element as an axial flow, and wherein the second outlet portion provides rotation to the second portion of the flow relative to the axial flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin B. Kline, Robert K. Larson, Kevin M. Kohlwey
  • Publication number: 20080093469
    Abstract: A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 7191954
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve is configured to produce a mixed fluid of a particular temperature from a first fluid of a temperature higher than or equal to the particular temperature and a second fluid of a temperature lower than or equal to the particular temperature. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Magarl, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: 6851440
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve is configured to produce a mixed fluid of a particular temperature from a first fluid of a temperature higher than or equal to the particular temperature and a second fluid of a temperature lower than or equal to the particular temperature. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Publication number: 20030155018
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve for the mixing of a first fluid and a second fluid is disclosed. The thermostatic mixing valve is configured to produce a mixed fluid of a particular temperature from a first fluid of a temperature higher than or equal to the particular temperature and a second fluid of a temperature lower than or equal to the particular temperature. The thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body having a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The thermostatic mixing valve also includes a valve member configured to control the rate of flow of at least the first fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: D494252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Lawler Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin B. Kline
  • Patent number: D594089
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Kline, Kevin M. Kohlwey
  • Patent number: D669555
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Jaworski, Timothy E. Perrin, Kevin B. Kline