Patents by Inventor Terrence J. Andersen

Terrence J. Andersen 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: 9677257
    Abstract: A handshower slide includes a bar with a passageway, a slide mechanism positioned along a length of the bar, and a showerhead holder movable with the slide mechanism along the length of the bar. The slide mechanism includes a handle and a cam, and the cam is positioned within the passageway and is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the bar. The slide mechanism is not movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the first orientation and is movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the second orientation. An orientation of the cam is correlated to a position of the handle, and a spring is coupled to the handle and the cam, so that the spring biases the cam toward the first orientation and away from the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, William C. McKeone
  • Patent number: 9587385
    Abstract: A handshower slide includes a bar with a passageway, a slide mechanism positioned along a length of the bar, and a showerhead holder movable with the slide mechanism along the length of the bar. The slide mechanism includes a handle and a cam, and the cam is positioned within the passageway and is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the bar. The slide mechanism is not movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the first orientation and is movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the second orientation. An orientation of the cam is correlated to a position of the handle, and a spring is coupled to the handle and the cam, so that the spring biases the cam toward the first orientation and away from the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, William C. McKeone
  • Publication number: 20170030057
    Abstract: A handshower slide includes a bar with a passageway, a slide mechanism positioned along a length of the bar, and a showerhead holder movable with the slide mechanism along the length of the bar. The slide mechanism includes a handle and a cam, and the cam is positioned within the passageway and is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the bar. The slide mechanism is not movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the first orientation and is movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the second orientation. An orientation of the cam is correlated to a position of the handle, and a spring is coupled to the handle and the cam, so that the spring biases the cam toward the first orientation and away from the second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: TERRENCE J. ANDERSEN, William C. McKeone
  • Publication number: 20160312451
    Abstract: A handshower slide includes a bar with a passageway, a slide mechanism positioned along a length of the bar, and a showerhead holder movable with the slide mechanism along the length of the bar. The slide mechanism includes a handle and a cam, and the cam is positioned within the passageway and is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the bar. The slide mechanism is not movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the first orientation and is movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the second orientation. An orientation of the cam is correlated to a position of the handle, and a spring is coupled to the handle and the cam, so that the spring biases the cam toward the first orientation and away from the second orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: TERRENCE J. ANDERSEN, William C. McKeone
  • Patent number: 9382699
    Abstract: A handshower slide comprising a bar with a passageway and a slide mechanism positioned along a length of the bar. The slide mechanism comprises a handle, a cam, and a shower holder. The cam is positioned within the passageway and is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the bar. The slide mechanism is secured along the length of the bar while the cam is in the first orientation and movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the second orientation. An orientation of the cam is controlled by a spring and is biased toward the first orientation. The handle is coupled the slide mechanism through the spring and an orientation of the cam is correlated to a position of the handle. The cam is movable from the first orientation to the second orientation by an external force on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, William C. McKeone
  • Patent number: 9200435
    Abstract: A swing spout assembly is disclosed which has a spout having a channel extending from an inlet end to a discharge end. A radially extending groove is formed adjacent the inlet end of the spout, and a snap ring is received in the groove of the spout. A pair of glides in the form of wear washers sandwich the portion of the snap ring extending out of the groove to form a bearing subassembly. An escutcheon is positioned around at least part of the inlet end of the spout. A stationary body has a portion that extends into the channel of the spout and a portion extending around an outer radial periphery of the inlet end of the spout. The portion extending around the outer periphery of the inlet end and the escutcheon defining a pocket that retains the bearing sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, Craig J. Kohn, Meghamukta Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20150233101
    Abstract: A handshower slide comprising a bar with a passageway and a slide mechanism positioned along a length of the bar. The slide mechanism comprises a handle, a cam, and a shower holder. The cam is positioned within the passageway and is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the bar. The slide mechanism is secured along the length of the bar while the cam is in the first orientation and movable along the length of the bar while the cam is in the second orientation. An orientation of the cam is controlled by a spring and is biased toward the first orientation. The handle is coupled the slide mechanism through the spring and an orientation of the cam is correlated to a position of the handle. The cam is movable from the first orientation to the second orientation by an external force on the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Terrence J. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8863769
    Abstract: A sprayer seating assembly is disclosed for more securely docking a sprayer head to an escutcheon positioned on a countertop or the like. The escutcheon has a bore extending there through and a recess adjacent the bore. A sprayer head is linked to a supply hose and has a recess adjacent a base portion of the sprayer head. A flexible snap member is mounted in one of the recesses such that it can flex at least partially into the other of the recesses when the recesses are aligned. The escutcheon forms a rest seat for the sprayer head and the flexible snap member assists in removably retaining the sprayer head against the rest seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: 8667620
    Abstract: A toilet, comprising a bowl, a rim provided at an upper portion of the bowl, a rim channel disposed in the rim, a rear extension that extends from the rim, and a water distribution structure provided in the rear extension and configured to receive water from a water supply. The rim channel includes a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening located between the first and second openings, the openings being configured to communicate water to the bowl. The water distribution structure having at least two exit channels configured to communicate water to at least two different locations of the rim channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Mueller, Terrence J. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20120227836
    Abstract: A swing spout assembly is disclosed which has a spout having a channel extending from an inlet end to a discharge end. A radially extending groove is formed adjacent the inlet end of the spout, and a snap ring is received in the groove of the spout. A pair of glides in the form of wear washers sandwich the portion of the snap ring extending out of the groove to form a bearing subassembly. An escutcheon is positioned around at least part of the inlet end of the spout. A stationary body has a portion that extends into the channel of the spout and a portion extending around an outer radial periphery of the inlet end of the spout. The portion extending around the outer periphery of the inlet end and the escutcheon defining a pocket that retains the bearing sub-assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, Craig J. Kohn, Meghamukta Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20120192342
    Abstract: A toilet, comprising a bowl, a rim provided at an upper portion of the bowl, a rim channel disposed in the rim, a rear extension that extends from the rim, and a water distribution structure provided in the rear extension and configured to receive water from a water supply. The rim channel includes a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening located between the first and second openings, the openings being configured to communicate water to the bowl. The water distribution structure having at least two exit channels configured to communicate water to at least two different locations of the rim channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Mueller, Terrence J. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8186375
    Abstract: A swing spout assembly is disclosed which has a spout having a channel extending from an inlet end to a discharge end. A radially extending groove is formed adjacent the inlet end of the spout, and a snap ring is received in the groove of the spout. A pair of glides in the form of wear washers sandwich the portion of the snap ring extending out of the groove to form a bearing sub-assembly. An escutcheon is positioned around at least part of the inlet end of the spout. A stationary body has a portion that extends into the channel of the spout and a portion extending around an outer radial periphery of the inlet end of the spout. The portion extending around the outer periphery of the inlet end and the escutcheon defining a pocket that retains the bearing sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, Craig J. Kohn, Meghamukta Ghosh
  • Patent number: 8151379
    Abstract: A toilet includes a bowl having an upper rim channel and a water distribution structure for delivering water from a water supply to the bowl. The water distribution structure has an entry suitable to link with the water supply and at least three exit channels. A first of the exit channels communicates with the rim channel so as to provide at least a counter clockwise flow around a first side of the rim channel. A second of the exit channels communicates with the rim channel so as to provide at least clockwise flow around an opposed side of the rim channel from the first side of the rim channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Mueller, Terrence J. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20100175765
    Abstract: A swing spout assembly is disclosed which has a spout having a channel extending from an inlet end to a discharge end. A radially extending groove is formed adjacent the inlet end of the spout, and a snap ring is received in the groove of the spout. A pair of glides in the form of wear washers sandwich the portion of the snap ring extending out of the groove to form a bearing sub-assembly. An escutcheon is positioned around at least part of the inlet end of the spout. A stationary body has a portion that extends into the channel of the spout and a portion extending around an outer radial periphery of the inlet end of the spout. The portion extending around the outer periphery of the inlet end and the escutcheon defining a pocket that retains the bearing sub-assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, Craig J. Kohn, Meghamukta Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20100102177
    Abstract: A sprayer seating assembly is disclosed for more securely docking a sprayer head to an escutcheon positioned on a countertop or the like. The escutcheon has a bore extending there through and a recess adjacent the bore. A sprayer head is linked to a supply hose and has a recess adjacent a base portion of the sprayer head. A flexible snap member is mounted in one of the recesses such that it can flex at least partially into the other of the recesses when the recesses are aligned. The escutcheon forms a rest seat for the sprayer head and the flexible snap member assists in removably retaining the sprayer head against the rest seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, Michael R. Bates
  • Patent number: 7658202
    Abstract: Disclosed are low-profile valve assemblies for engaging a counter top or other mounting surface having a through opening. A special collar is provided which has a flange facing the outer surface of the mounting surface, and a skirt that extends into the through opening where the inward portion of the skirt connects to the valve body. This insets the valve body. o-ring and recess structures are provided to seal the construction, and a handle has an outer skirt to hide the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Mueller, Terrence J. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20080277003
    Abstract: Disclosed are low-profile valve assemblies for engaging a counter top or other mounting surface having a through opening. A special collar is provided which has a flange facing the outer surface of the mounting surface, and a skirt that extends into the through opening where the inward portion of the skirt connects to the valve body. This insets the valve body. O-ring and recess structures are provided to seal the construction, and a handle has an outer skirt to hide the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Mueller, Terrence J. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20080276361
    Abstract: A toilet is disclosed which has multiple branches of rim flow. The branches each enter the rim at an angle, and then flow varied distances around the rim. The flow preferably has a main path at about the five o'clock/seven o'clock position, a secondary large flow at about the one o'clock/eleven o'clock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Mueller, Terrence J. Andersen
  • Patent number: 6401269
    Abstract: A flapper valve assembly for regulating the passage of water from a toilet tank is provided with a structure to reduce overflow risk. There is a yoke pivotally disposed in the tank and supporting a flapper seal that can be seated on and unseated from the flush opening. A flapper arm has a first segment coupled to the yoke along a pivot axis and a second segment extending away from the pivot axis toward the flapper seal. The flapper arm is configured such that it delays seating of the flapper seal when the water in the tank is above a predetermined level and assists seating of the flapper seal when the water is below a designated level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Terrence J. Andersen, David K. Rische