Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Jorsch
Thomas C. Jorsch 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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Patent number: 10738454Abstract: A wall-hung toilet including a bowl, a water inlet chamber receiving water, a rim channel, a shroud surrounding at least a portion of the bowl, a rear mount, and a pocket. The rim channel is provided above the bowl and is fluidly connected to the water inlet chamber to receive the water. The rim channel includes an opening that introduces water into a rear portion of the bowl at an angle relative to vertical. The rear mount includes a mounting hole that is configured to connect the toilet to a wall via a fastener engaging the wall and the mounting hole. The pocket is formed in a side of the toilet and extends through the shroud to provide access to an interior side of the mounting hole from the side of the toilet, such that the fastener can be accessed through the pocket from the side of the toilet.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Thomas Spankowski, Michael Bates, Rob Davis, Carl Barlett, John Zutz, Thomas C. Jorsch
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Patent number: 10066380Abstract: A valve for a toilet includes an inlet and a gate configured to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. The gate includes an at least partially spherical surface and is configured to pivot eccentrically relative to the spherical surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
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Publication number: 20140259351Abstract: A wall-hung toilet including a bowl, a water inlet chamber receiving water, a rim channel, a shroud surrounding at least a portion of the bowl, a rear mount, and a pocket. The rim channel is provided above the bowl and is fluidly connected to the water inlet chamber to receive the water. The rim channel includes an opening that introduces water into a rear portion of the bowl at an angle relative to vertical. The rear mount includes a mounting hole that is configured to connect the toilet to a wall via a fastener engaging the wall and the mounting hole. The pocket is formed in a side of the toilet and extends through the shroud to provide access to an interior side of the mounting hole from the side of the toilet, such that the fastener can be accessed through the pocket from the side of the toilet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Thomas Spankowski, Michael Bates, Rob Davis, Carl Barlett, John Zutz, Thomas C. Jorsch
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Publication number: 20120278986Abstract: A valve for a toilet includes an inlet and a gate configured to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. The gate includes an at least partially spherical surface and is configured to pivot eccentrically relative to the spherical surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
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Patent number: 8230533Abstract: Disclosed are trap valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit positionable immediately below a toilet bowl discharge outlet. It has a pivotable gate in a form of a spherical segment. The gate has an eccentric pivoting motion so that it can swing from an open position to a blocking/closing position in which it fully contacts a sealing gasket. The spherical segment has a leading edge which is approximately between +40° and ?40° from vertical when the gate is in an open position, to minimize the energy required to close the gate. In another form a ball and socket connection to the gate valve facilitates sealing.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
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Publication number: 20080072372Abstract: Disclosed are trap valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit positionable immediately below a toilet bowl discharge outlet. It has a pivotable gate in a form of a spherical segment. The gate has an eccentric pivoting motion so that it can swing from an open position to a blocking/closing position in which it fully contacts a sealing gasket. The spherical segment has a leading edge which is approximately between +40° and ?40° from vertical when the gate is in an open position, to minimize the energy required to close the gate. In another form a ball and socket connection to the gate valve facilitates sealing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz, Charles R. Kopplin, Jeffrey F. Tempas
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Patent number: 7284286Abstract: Disclosed are valve assemblies for controlling flow from a toilet bowl to a trap way. In one form there is a cartridge unit in which a pivotable gate is mounted. The gate can swing from a blocking/closing position to a position in which it is essentially hidden away in a recess out of the main flow path. The surface of the gate facing the bowl is inwardly dished to further facilitate flow optimization.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Charles R. Kopplin, Thomas C. Jorsch, Benjamin W. Marotz
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Patent number: 5343576Abstract: A combined seat and back rest assembly for a bathing enclosure wherein a combined seat and back rest member is hingedly positioned in the enclosure so that it is contained within the enclosure when the seat and back rest member is in a seating position. In a preferred manner, there is a recess in a wall of the enclosure and the hinges for connecting the seat and back rest member are located therein along with the seat and back rest member when in the back rest position. Also preferably, there is a spring biased hinge to provide positive retention of the seat and back rest member in the seating or back rest position. The seat and back rest assembly is particularly suited for a bathing enclosure with an entrance door.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1993Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Todd D. Dannenberg, Thomas C. Jorsch, Peter W. Swart, Larry H. Panzer
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Patent number: 5220696Abstract: For a tub which provides access through a side door, an inflatable seal is employed with the fluid connection to the seal being provided through the door hinge structure. In one embodiment, sensors are provided in conjunction with the water level in the tub so as to activate the source of pressurized fluid to the seal as well as to deflate the seal at a desired time. In another embodiment, a latching mechanism is utilized so as to provide a secure but easy delatching of the door.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1992Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Todd D. Dannenberg, Thomas C. Jorsch, Peter W. Swart, John M. Bloemer, Anthony M. August, Anton J. Kolar
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Patent number: 5163187Abstract: For a tub which provides access through a side door, an inflatable seal is employed with the fluid connection to the seal being provided through the door hinge structure. In one embodiment, sensors are provided in conjunction with the water level in the tub so as to activate the source of pressurized fluid to the seal as well as to deflate the seal at a desired time. In another embodiment, a latching mechanism is utilized so as to provide a secure but easy delatching of the door.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1991Date of Patent: November 17, 1992Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Todd D. Dannenberg, Thomas C. Jorsch, Peter W. Swart, John M. Bloemer