Patents by Inventor Robert W. Rodenbeck

Robert W. Rodenbeck 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: 8844564
    Abstract: A faucet includes a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Patrick B. Jonte, Robert W. Rodenbeck, David M. Burke, Garry R. Marty, Todd Huffintgon
  • Publication number: 20140261767
    Abstract: An insulator base for an electronic faucet includes a housing supporting a light assembly and a connecting wire electrically coupled to the light assembly. A polymer housing secures the light assembly and the connecting wire within the housing. A non-conductive exterior film allows the isolation base to match the finish on an electronically controlled faucet for electrical isolation and faucet status display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
    Inventors: Adam M. DeVries, Kurt Judson Thomas, Kyle Robert Davidson, Michael J. Veros, Robert W. Rodenbeck
  • Publication number: 20140263689
    Abstract: A fluid delivery assembly for a shower includes a waterway assembly, a spray head, and a water treatment assembly. The spray head is configured to receive fluid from the waterway assembly and deliver fluid from an outlet. The water treatment assembly is configured to provide a treatment to the fluid of the waterway assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Paul V. Patton, Thomas F. Foust, Robert W. Rodenbeck, Patrick B. Jonte
  • Publication number: 20140109984
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout and a manual handle that controls a manual valve located in a passageway that conducts fluid flow through the spout. An electrically operable valve is also located within the passageway. The faucet also includes an insulator located between the spout and the manual handle so that the spout is electrically isolated from the manual handle, a first touch sensor on the manual valve handle, a second touch sensor on the spout, and a capacitive sensor directly coupled to one of the first and second touch sensors and capacitively coupled to the other of the first and second touch sensors. The faucet further includes a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor. The controller monitors an output signal from the capacitive sensor to detect touching of the spout and the manual valve handle. The controller is also coupled to the electrically operable valve to control the electrically operable valve in response to the output signal from the capacitive sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
    Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, David M. Burke, Joel D. Sawaski
  • Publication number: 20140000733
    Abstract: A faucet includes a spout, a handle, and a capacitive sensor operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle. An electrically operable valve is configured to control water flow through the spout. A mode indicator includes a light emitting device configured to provide an indication of a plurality of modes of operation of the faucet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
    Inventors: Patrick B. Jonte, Robert W. Rodenbeck, David M. Burke, Garry Robin Marty
  • Patent number: 8613419
    Abstract: A faucet (10) includes a spout (12), a passageway that conducts fluid flow through the spout (12), a electrically operable valve (22) located within the passageway, a manual valve (20) located within the passageway in series with the electrically operable valve, and a manual handle (14) that controls the manual valve (20). The faucet (10) also includes a first touch sensor (26) on the manual valve handle (14), a second touch sensor (28) on the spout (12), a capacitive sensor (30) directly coupled to one of the first and second touch sensors (26, 28) and capacitively coupled to the other of the first and second touch sensors (26, 28), and a controller (24) coupled to the capacitive sensor (30). The controller (24) is configured to monitor the output signal from the capacitive sensor (30) and to distinguish between a user tapping one of the spout (12) and the manual valve handle (14), a user grabbing the spout (12), and a user grabbing the manual valve handle (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Robert W Rodenbeck, David M Burke, Joel D Sawaski
  • Publication number: 20130248617
    Abstract: An electronic faucet includes a spout assembly and a controller configured to control the flow of water through the spout assembly in response to the position of a spray head. A sensor may be positioned to detect an object in a detection zone near the faucet. The controller may disable the sensor upon the spray head being uncoupled from the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Joel D. Sawaski, Robert W. Rodenbeck, Patrick B. Jonte
  • Publication number: 20130239321
    Abstract: An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative shower modules, a user interface includes a plurality of user defined presets, each preset including a shower setting stored in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
    Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, Spencer L. Stohler, Andrew B. Mendenhall, Paul T. Zink, Robert W. Rodenbeck
  • Patent number: 8528579
    Abstract: A faucet includes a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle. The logical control includes a mode controller that changes the faucet between a first mode and a second mode in response to substantially simultaneous touching of the spout and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Patrick B Jonte, Robert W Rodenbeck, David M Burke, Garry R Marty
  • Patent number: 8438672
    Abstract: An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative shower modules, a user interface includes a plurality of user defined presets, each preset including a shower setting stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, Spencer L. Stohler, Andrew B. Mendenhall, Paul T. Zink, Robert W. Rodenbeck
  • Publication number: 20120318364
    Abstract: A fluid delivery device including an electronic faucet having a plurality of faucet components, and a primary capacitive sensor coupled to at least one of the faucet components and providing a primary output signal. At least one secondary capacitive sensor is located on or near an item which causes unintended effects on the output signal from the primary capacitive sensor and provides a secondary output signal. A controller determines a difference signal between the primary and secondary output signals of the primary and secondary capacitive sensors to control operation of the electronic faucet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Joel D. Sawaski, Adam M. Devries, Robert W. Rodenbeck
  • Publication number: 20120227849
    Abstract: A water delivery system is disclosed. The water delivery system may have an electronic user interface. The electronic user interface may be a portable device. The electronic user interface may include inputs to select water temperature, water flow rates, water flow patterns, and/or task based presets. A mixing valve for use with either manual faucets or electronic faucets is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, Patrick B. Jonte, Paul D. Koottungal, Anthony G. Spangler, Michael J. Veros, Garry R. Marty
  • Publication number: 20120160349
    Abstract: A faucet includes a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: PATRICK B. JONTE, Robert W. Rodenbeck, David M. Burke, Garry R. Marty, Todd Huffington
  • Publication number: 20120145249
    Abstract: A pull-out wand is disclosed for use with a water delivery device. The pull-out wand may include one or more sensors, such as a touch sensor and/or a proximity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, Anthony G. Spangler, Michael J. Veros, Paul D. Koottungal
  • Patent number: 8162236
    Abstract: A water delivery system is disclosed. The water delivery system may have an electronic user interface. The electronic user interface may be a portable device. The electronic user interface may include inputs to select water temperature, water flow rates, water flow patterns, and/or task based presets. A mixing valve for use with either manual faucets or electronic faucets is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, Paul D. Koottungal, Anthony G. Spangler, Michael J. Veros
  • Patent number: 8127782
    Abstract: A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick B. Jonte, Robert W. Rodenbeck, David M. Burke, Garry R. Marty, Todd Huffington
  • Patent number: 8118240
    Abstract: A pull-out wand is disclosed for use with a water delivery device. The pull-out wand may include one or more sensors, such as a touch sensor and/or a proximity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, Anthony G. Spangler, Michael J. Veros, Paul D. Koottungal
  • Publication number: 20120017367
    Abstract: An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative shower modules, a user interface includes a plurality of user defined presets, each preset including a shower setting stored in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, Spencer L. Stohler, Andrew B. Mendenhall, Paul T. Zink, Robert W. Rodenbeck
  • Patent number: 8028355
    Abstract: An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative shower modules, a user interface includes a plurality of user defined presets, each preset including a shower setting stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, Spencer L. Stohler, Andrew B. Mendenhall, Paul T. Zink, Robert W. Rodenbeck
  • Publication number: 20100170570
    Abstract: A faucet (10) includes a spout (12), a passageway that conducts fluid flow through the spout (12), a electrically operable valve (22) located within the passageway, a manual valve (20) located within the passageway in series with the electrically operable valve, and a manual handle (14) that controls the manual valve (20). The faucet (10) also includes a first touch sensor (26) on the manual valve handle (14), a second touch sensor (28) on the spout (12), a capacitive sensor (30) directly coupled to one of the first and second touch sensors (26, 28) and capacitively coupled to the other of the first and second touch sensors (26, 28), and a controller (24) coupled to the capacitive sensor (30). The controller (24) is configured to monitor the output signal from the capacitive sensor (30) and to distinguish between a user tapping one of the spout (12) and the manual valve handle (14), a user grabbing the spout (12), and a user grabbing the manual valve handle (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, David M. Burke, Joel D. Sawaski