Patents by Inventor Michael James Soetaert

Michael James Soetaert 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: 20240276132
    Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a housing defining a housing portion with a waterway through which water flows, the waterway extending parallel to an axis from an inlet to an outlet, the housing portion defining an inner wall, a passage housing portion defining a passage upstream of the inlet and the waterway, and a receptacle defined at least in part by the inner wall of the housing portion, the receptacle including an open first end aligned with the outlet and an open second end spaced apart from the open first end. The assembly may further include an auxiliary device removably supported in the receptacle. With the auxiliary device at least partially supported in the receptacle, the auxiliary device may block the receptacle. With the auxiliary device removed from the receptacle, the receptacle may be uncovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Patent number: 12035089
    Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a housing providing an outlet, the outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the second device and the shower device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Patent number: 12003907
    Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a housing providing an outlet, the outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the second device and the shower device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Publication number: 20240048883
    Abstract: An assembly including a speaker and a stand. The speaker including a speaker housing, speaker components supported in the speaker housing and operable to produce and audio output, and a rechargeable power source operable to power the speaker components. The stand being operable to support the speaker, the stand including a stand housing and a stand electrical circuit connectable to an external power source. The speaker and the stand are operable to perform a charging operation, the charging operation including the speaker supported on the stand and power supplied to the rechargeable power source. During the charging operation, the speaker components are operable to produce the audio output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Patent number: 11832042
    Abstract: An assembly may include a speaker supportable for movement relative to a reference external to the speaker and a speaker housing supporting speaker components operable to produce an audio output. A sensor is operable to sense a direction of movement of the speaker during movement of the speaker relative to the reference. Control components are operable to control the speaker components based on the direction of movement of the speaker relative to the reference. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a first direction relative to the reference, an operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to increase or advance during movement in the first direction. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a second direction relative to the reference different from the first direction, the operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to decrease or retreat during movement in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Publication number: 20220038802
    Abstract: An assembly may include a speaker supportable for movement relative to a reference external to the speaker and a speaker housing supporting speaker components operable to produce an audio output. A sensor is operable to sense a direction of movement of the speaker during movement of the speaker relative to the reference. Control components are operable to control the speaker components based on the direction of movement of the speaker relative to the reference. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a first direction relative to the reference, an operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to increase or advance during movement in the first direction. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a second direction relative to the reference different from the first direction, the operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to decrease or retreat during movement in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Patent number: 11178475
    Abstract: An assembly may include a speaker supportable for movement relative to a reference external to the speaker and a speaker housing supporting speaker components operable to produce an audio output. A sensor is operable to sense a direction of movement of the speaker during movement of the speaker relative to the reference. Control components are operable to control the speaker components based on the direction of movement of the speaker relative to the reference. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a first direction relative to the reference, an operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to increase or advance during movement in the first direction. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a second direction relative to the reference different from the first direction, the operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to decrease or retreat during movement in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Publication number: 20210219036
    Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a housing providing an outlet, the outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the second device and the shower device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Patent number: 10945059
    Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a housing providing an outlet, the outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the second device and the shower device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Patent number: 10787799
    Abstract: A shower and speaker assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a speaker supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the speaker may include a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Publication number: 20190141425
    Abstract: An assembly may include a speaker supportable for movement relative to a reference external to the speaker and a speaker housing supporting speaker components operable to produce an audio output. A sensor is operable to sense a direction of movement of the speaker during movement of the speaker relative to the reference. Control components are operable to control the speaker components based on the direction of movement of the speaker relative to the reference. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a first direction relative to the reference, an operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to increase or advance during movement in the first direction. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a second direction relative to the reference different from the first direction, the operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to decrease or retreat during movement in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Patent number: 10171900
    Abstract: An assembly may include a speaker supportable for movement relative to a reference external to the speaker and a speaker housing supporting speaker components operable to produce an audio output. A sensor is operable to sense a direction of movement of the speaker during movement of the speaker relative to the reference. Control components are operable to control the speaker components based on the direction of movement of the speaker relative to the reference. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a first direction relative to the reference, an operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to increase or advance during movement in the first direction. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a second direction relative to the reference different from the first direction, the operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to decrease or retreat during movement in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Publication number: 20180288511
    Abstract: An assembly may include a speaker supportable for movement relative to a reference external to the speaker and a speaker housing supporting speaker components operable to produce an audio output. A sensor is operable to sense a direction of movement of the speaker during movement of the speaker relative to the reference. Control components are operable to control the speaker components based on the direction of movement of the speaker relative to the reference. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a first direction relative to the reference, an operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to increase or advance during movement in the first direction. When the speaker is sensed to be moving in a second direction relative to the reference different from the first direction, the operational characteristic of the speaker components is controlled to decrease or retreat during movement in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Patent number: 10003873
    Abstract: A speaker and assemblies with a speaker. An assembly may include a speaker including a speaker housing, and speaker components supported in the speaker housing and operable to produce an audio output; a sensor operable to sense an orientation of the speaker housing; and control components operable to determine the orientation of the speaker housing, and control the speaker components based on the orientation of the speaker housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Publication number: 20170152650
    Abstract: A shower and speaker assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a speaker supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the speaker may include a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Patent number: 9095862
    Abstract: A shower assembly and system. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a speaker with a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Publication number: 20150208152
    Abstract: A speaker and assemblies with a speaker. An assembly may include a speaker including a speaker housing, and speaker components supported in the speaker housing and operable to produce an audio output; a sensor operable to sense an orientation of the speaker housing; and control components operable to determine the orientation of the speaker housing, and control the speaker components based on the orientation of the speaker housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru, Gregory de Swarte
  • Publication number: 20150053790
    Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a housing providing an outlet, the outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the second device and the shower device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Publication number: 20140183279
    Abstract: A shower assembly and system. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a speaker with a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Publication number: 20130062437
    Abstract: A shower and speaker assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a speaker supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the speaker may include a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru