Patents by Inventor Michael J. Strege

Michael J. Strege 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: 20250198141
    Abstract: A valve trim assembly for use in a shower environment. The valve trim assembly includes an outer covering and a valve assembly. The outer covering includes a first axis disposed through a midpoint of the outer covering. The valve assembly is at least partially disposed within the outer covering and configured to control a flow of fluid. The valve assembly includes a nut coupled to the outer covering, an adapter at least partially disposed within the nut and rotatable about the first axis, and an elongated joint coaxially aligned with the adapter. The nut and the adapter cooperatively define a joint where the adapter rotates within the nut to maintain engagement between the outer covering and a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
  • Patent number: 12258740
    Abstract: A valve trim assembly for use in a shower environment. The valve trim assembly includes an outer covering and a valve assembly. The outer covering includes a first axis disposed through a midpoint of the outer covering. The valve assembly is at least partially disposed within the outer covering and configured to control a flow of fluid. The valve assembly includes a nut coupled to the outer covering, an adapter at least partially disposed within the nut and rotatable about the first axis, and an elongated joint coaxially aligned with the adapter. The nut and the adapter cooperatively define a joint where the adapter rotates within the nut to maintain engagement between the outer covering and a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
  • Publication number: 20230417029
    Abstract: A valve trim assembly for use in a shower environment. The valve trim assembly includes an outer covering and a valve assembly. The outer covering includes a first axis disposed through a midpoint of the outer covering. The valve assembly is at least partially disposed within the outer covering and configured to control a flow of fluid. The valve assembly includes a nut coupled to the outer covering, an adapter at least partially disposed within the nut and rotatable about the first axis, and an elongated joint coaxially aligned with the adapter. The nut and the adapter cooperatively define a joint where the adapter rotates within the nut to maintain engagement between the outer covering and a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
  • Patent number: 11781296
    Abstract: A valve trim assembly for use in a shower environment. The valve trim assembly includes an outer covering and a valve assembly. The outer covering includes a first axis disposed through a midpoint of the outer covering. The valve assembly is at least partially disposed within the outer covering and configured to control a flow of fluid. The valve assembly includes a nut coupled to the outer covering, an adapter at least partially disposed within the nut and rotatable about the first axis, and an elongated joint coaxially aligned with the adapter. The nut and the adapter cooperatively define a joint where the adapter rotates within the nut to maintain engagement between the outer covering and a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
  • Publication number: 20220162837
    Abstract: A valve trim assembly for use in a shower environment. The valve trim assembly includes an outer covering and a valve assembly. The outer covering includes a first axis disposed through a midpoint of the outer covering. The valve assembly is at least partially disposed within the outer covering and configured to control a flow of fluid. The valve assembly includes a nut coupled to the outer covering, an adapter at least partially disposed within the nut and rotatable about the first axis, and an elongated joint coaxially aligned with the adapter. The nut and the adapter cooperatively define a joint where the adapter rotates within the nut to maintain engagement between the outer covering and a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
  • Patent number: 9816641
    Abstract: A handle assembly configured to control water flow through a faucet valve. The handle assembly includes an output shaft rotatable about a first axis and configured to be operatively coupled to the valve; an input shaft rotatable about a second axis that is configured substantially transverse to the first axis, the input shaft configured to engage the output shaft to rotate the output shaft upon rotation of the input shaft; a handle coupled to the input shaft and configured to rotate the input shaft upon rotation of the handle about the second axis; and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft. The saddle includes a body having a channel that supports one of the input shaft and the output shaft, and a post extending away from the body and engaging an opening in the other of the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
  • Publication number: 20160097466
    Abstract: A handle assembly configured to control water flow through a faucet valve. The handle assembly includes an output shaft rotatable about a first axis and configured to be operatively coupled to the valve; an input shaft rotatable about a second axis that is configured substantially transverse to the first axis, the input shaft configured to engage the output shaft to rotate the output shaft upon rotation of the input shaft; a handle coupled to the input shaft and configured to rotate the input shaft upon rotation of the handle about the second axis; and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft. The saddle includes a body having a channel that supports one of the input shaft and the output shaft, and a post extending away from the body and engaging an opening in the other of the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
  • Patent number: 9234606
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a first gear coupled to an input shaft, a handle coupled to the input shaft, a second gear coupled to an output shaft and positioned to engage the first gear, and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
  • Patent number: 9151405
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a body defining a cavity, an input shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a handle coupled to the input shaft, and a first gear located in the cavity and coupled to the input shaft. The handle assembly further includes an output shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a second gear coupled to the output shaft and located in the cavity engaging the first gear, and at least one key supported by the body. At least one of the input shaft and the output shaft include a first portion having cross-section that is other than circular, and the first portion selectively engages the at least one key, thereby limiting rotation of the at least one of the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Marotz, Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Michael J. Strege
  • Publication number: 20140367598
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a first gear coupled to an input shaft, a handle coupled to the input shaft, a second gear coupled to an output shaft and positioned to engage the first gear, and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
  • Publication number: 20140252257
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a body defining a cavity, an input shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a handle coupled to the input shaft, and a first gear located in the cavity and coupled to the input shaft. The handle assembly further includes an output shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a second gear coupled to the output shaft and located in the cavity engaging the first gear, and at least one key supported by the body. At least one of the input shaft and the output shaft include a first portion having cross-section that is other than circular, and the first portion selectively engages the at least one key, thereby limiting rotation of the at least one of the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Marotz, Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Michael J. Strege