Patents by Inventor Luke B. Zimbric

Luke B. Zimbric 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: 11058259
    Abstract: A method of sealing a bathing enclosure includes engaging a first side of a compliant member with a first member, engaging an opposing second side of the compliant member with a second member, and inserting the first and second members with the compliant member into a receptacle projecting from a side panel of a bathing enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Luke B. Zimbric
  • Publication number: 20200015634
    Abstract: A method of sealing a bathing enclosure includes engaging a first side of a compliant member with a first member, engaging an opposing second side of the compliant member with a second member, and inserting the first and second members with the compliant member into a receptacle projecting from a side panel of a bathing enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventor: Luke B. ZIMBRIC
  • Patent number: 10433680
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a bathing enclosure includes a receptacle having a lower flange, a side flange projecting from the lower flange, and an upper flange projecting from an upper end of the side flange. The assembly further includes a base, defining an outwardly-extending flange at an upper end thereof, the outwardly-extending flange configured to interface with the lower flange of the receptacle. The assembly further includes a seal configured to be received in the receptacle, the seal having a compliant member having opposing first and second sides, a first member having an inner surface configured to engage the first side of the compliant member, and a second member having an inner surface configured to engage the second side of the compliant member. An upper surface of the compliant member is configured to be compressed by the upper flange of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Luke B. Zimbric
  • Publication number: 20190069729
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a bathing enclosure includes a receptacle having a lower flange, a side flange projecting from the lower flange, and an upper flange projecting from an upper end of the side flange. The assembly further includes a base, defining an outwardly-extending flange at an upper end thereof, the outwardly-extending flange configured to interface with the lower flange of the receptacle. The assembly further includes a seal configured to be received in the receptacle, the seal having a compliant member having opposing first and second sides, a first member having an inner surface configured to engage the first side of the compliant member, and a second member having an inner surface configured to engage the second side of the compliant member. An upper surface of the compliant member is configured to be compressed by the upper flange of the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: LUKE B. ZIMBRIC
  • Patent number: 10165903
    Abstract: A seal for a bathing enclosure includes a first structure having a first flange extending from an upper end thereof and a second structure having a second flange extending from a lower end thereof and a channel. The channel includes a first side surface extending upward from an end of the second flange, a second side surface opposing the first side surface, extending upward from the second flange, and an upper surface opposing the second flange, extending between the first side surface and the second side surface. The second flange defines a slot between the first side surface and the second side surface and the second flange is configured to interface with the first flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Luke B. Zimbric
  • Patent number: 10130219
    Abstract: A storage and assist assembly for a shower includes a first member, a second member, and an elongated member. The first member is configured to be coupled to an upper portion of a fixed wall member. The second member is configured to be coupled to a lower portion of the fixed wall member. The elongated member is removably coupled between the first and second members and is configured to receive one or more storage accessories thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Alan T. McDonald, Sarah K. O'Brien, Yoon Kyum Koh, Luke B. Zimbric
  • Patent number: 9848740
    Abstract: A storage system for a shower enclosure includes a first wall member, a second wall member, and a storage accessory. The first wall member includes a corner defining a recessed portion. The first wall member further includes a corner notch disposed along the corner within the recessed portion, and a first side notch disposed along an inner side surface of the first wall member adjacent the recessed portion. The second wall member is coupled to the first wall member at an end of the corner adjacent the recessed portion and is oriented perpendicular to the first wall member. The second wall member includes a second side notch disposed along an inner side surface of the second wall member. The storage accessory is removably coupled between the first wall member and the second wall member at the corner notch, the first side notch, and the second side notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Alan T. McDonald, Sarah K. O'Brien, Luke B. Zimbric, Timothy J. Williams, Kyle A. Marten, Gurusiddeshwar Gudimani
  • Publication number: 20170332847
    Abstract: A seal for a bathing enclosure includes a first structure having a first flange extending from an upper end thereof and a second structure having a second flange extending from a lower end thereof and a channel. The channel includes a first side surface extending upward from an end of the second flange, a second side surface opposing the first side surface, extending upward from the second flange, and an upper surface opposing the second flange, extending between the first side surface and the second side surface. The second flange defines a slot between the first side surface and the second side surface and the second flange is configured to interface with the first flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: LUKE B. ZIMBRIC
  • Patent number: 9756986
    Abstract: A seal for a bathing enclosure includes a compliant member, a first member, and a second member. The compliant member includes opposing first and second sides defining a plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures extend from the first side to the second side. The first member includes an inner surface configured to engage the first side of the compliant member. The second member includes an inner surface configured to engage the second side of the compliant member. A plurality of female members project from the inner surface of the first member through the plurality of apertures and a plurality of male members project from the inner surface of the second member through the plurality of apertures. The male members are configured to be received in the plurality of female members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Luke B. Zimbric
  • Publication number: 20160166118
    Abstract: A storage and assist assembly for a shower includes a first member, a second member, and an elongated member. The first member is configured to be coupled to an upper portion of a fixed wall member. The second member is configured to be coupled to a lower portion of the fixed wall member. The elongated member is removably coupled between the first and second members and is configured to receive one or more storage accessories thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Alan T. McDonald, Sarah K. O'Brien, Yoon Kyum Koh, Luke B. Zimbric
  • Publication number: 20160166121
    Abstract: A shower receptor includes a generally planar base surface, a deck surface, and a threshold surface. The generally planar base surface includes a drain opening. The deck surface extends upward from the generally planar base surface and along an outer side periphery thereof. The threshold surface extends upward from the generally planar base surface and along a front periphery of the base surface. The deck surface is spaced apart from the threshold surface to define a gap. The deck surface is substantially coplanar with the threshold surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Luke B. Zimbric, Sarah K. O'Brien, Stephanie Szemetylo, Gurusiddeshwar Gudimani
  • Publication number: 20160166119
    Abstract: A storage system for a shower enclosure includes a first wall member, a second wall member, and a storage accessory. The first wall member includes a corner defining a recessed portion. The first wall member further includes a corner notch disposed along the corner within the recessed portion, and a first side notch disposed along an inner side surface of the first wall member adjacent the recessed portion. The second wall member is coupled to the first wall member at an end of the corner adjacent the recessed portion and is oriented perpendicular to the first wall member. The second wall member includes a second side notch disposed along an inner side surface of the second wall member. The storage accessory is removably coupled between the first wall member and the second wall member at the corner notch, the first side notch, and the second side notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Alan T. McDonald, Sarah K. O'Brien, Luke B. Zimbric, Timothy J. Williams, Kyle A. Marten, Gurusiddeshwar Gudimani
  • Patent number: 9364120
    Abstract: A bathing enclosure includes a base, one or more wall panels, and a compliant member. The base includes a first flange extending outward from an upper end thereof to define an upper surface. The wall panels include a second flange extending outward from a lower end thereof to define a lower surface. The compliant member has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width. The base and the one or more wall panels at least in part define a forward entrance into an interior of the enclosure. A generally horizontal interface is formed between the first flange and the second flange. The compliant member is coupled to a first of the one or more wall panels proximate the entrance. The compliant member forms a seal with the first flange, the length of the compliant member extending outward relative to the interior of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Luke B. Zimbric
  • Publication number: 20160045078
    Abstract: A bathing enclosure includes a base, one or more wall panels, and a compliant member. The base includes a first flange extending outward from an upper end thereof to define an upper surface. The wall panels include a second flange extending outward from a lower end thereof to define a lower surface. The compliant member has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width. The base and the one or more wall panels at least in part define a forward entrance into an interior of the enclosure. A generally horizontal interface is formed between the first flange and the second flange. The compliant member is coupled to a first of the one or more wall panels proximate the entrance. The compliant member forms a seal with the first flange, the length of the compliant member extending outward relative to the interior of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Luke B. Zimbric
  • Publication number: 20140259369
    Abstract: A bathing enclosure includes a base, one or more wall panels, and a compliant member. The base includes a first flange extending outward from an upper end thereof to define an upper surface. The wall panels include a second flange extending outward from a lower end thereof to define a lower surface. The compliant member has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width. The base and the one or more wall panels at least in part define a forward entrance into an interior of the enclosure. A generally horizontal interface is formed between the first flange and the second flange. The compliant member is coupled to a first of the one or more wall panels proximate the entrance. The compliant member forms a seal with the first flange, the length of the compliant member extending outward relative to the interior of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Luke B. Zimbric