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).
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Publication number: 20250198141Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2025Publication date: June 19, 2025Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
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Patent number: 12258740Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2023Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
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Publication number: 20230417029Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
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Patent number: 11781296Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
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Publication number: 20220162837Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Andrew James Stokes, Michael J. Strege
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Patent number: 9816641Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
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Publication number: 20160097466Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
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Patent number: 9234606Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
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Patent number: 9151405Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Benjamin W. Marotz, Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Michael J. Strege
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Publication number: 20140367598Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Benjamin W. Marotz, Michael J. Strege, Jeffrey Schumacher, Joel Smith, Sharathkumar Badiger
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Publication number: 20140252257Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Benjamin W. Marotz, Max Bock-Aronson, Murali Natarajan, Michael J. Strege