Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Spankowski

Thomas M. Spankowski 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: 9752311
    Abstract: A wash-down toilet including a bowl, a passageway, and a trapway. The bowl includes a sump. The passageway includes an inlet in fluid communication with the sump, an outlet provided at a height above the inlet, and a weir. The trapway includes an inlet, an outlet, and a vent, with the inlet of the trapway being in fluid communication with the outlet of the passageway and the outlet being in fluid communication with a soil pipe. The vent is configured to introduce a supply of air into the trapway during a flush cycle to prevent siphoning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Robert S. Davis, Thomas M. Spankowski, Lachlan A. Stewart, III
  • Publication number: 20140259350
    Abstract: A wash-down toilet including a bowl, a passageway, and a trapway. The bowl includes a sump. The passageway includes an inlet in fluid communication with the sump, an outlet provided at a height above the inlet, and a weir. The trapway includes an inlet, an outlet, and a vent, with the inlet of the trapway being in fluid communication with the outlet of the passageway and the outlet being in fluid communication with a soil pipe. The vent is configured to introduce a supply of air into the trapway during a flush cycle to prevent siphoning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Robert S. Davis, Thomas M. Spankowski, Lachlan A. Stewart,, III
  • Patent number: 8776283
    Abstract: A movable seat is disclosed which is positionable within a shower stall of a type having at least one rear support element, such as a rear ledge, and at least one frontal support element, such as a lower frontal threshold. The movable seat includes an essentially horizontal support that has a rearward portion that is suitable to be supported on the ledge and a leg that extends downwardly from a forward portion of the support to a foot. The seat is sufficiently flexible such that if a weight load of a human or thereabout is placed on the support, then the foot will flex forwardly in response thereto, thereby jamming the seat in place relative to the shower stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Clayton C. Garrels, Thomas M. Spankowski, Jason R. Miller
  • Patent number: 8523126
    Abstract: Wall mountable accessory assemblies suitable to be mounted in a bathroom are disclosed. As an example, there is a grab bar assembly that has at least one mounting bracket, a grab bar, and a set screw. The bracket includes a rearward portion mountable to the wall and a frontal portion having a first recess which is forwardly open. The bracket also has a side catch groove structure. A projection on the grab bar is laterally slid into the catch groove structure and interfit therewith. The screw is inserted in the first recess so as to thereby drive a portion of the grab bar forward, inhibiting relative movement between the grab bar and the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Clayton C. Garrels, Thomas M. Spankowski
  • Publication number: 20110253854
    Abstract: Wall mountable accessory assemblies suitable to be mounted in a bathroom are disclosed. As an example, there is a grab bar assembly that has at least one mounting bracket, a grab bar, and a set screw. The bracket includes a rearward portion mountable to the wall and a frontal portion having a first recess which is forwardly open. The bracket also has a side catch groove structure. A projection on the grab bar is laterally slid into the catch groove structure and interfit therewith. The screw is inserted in the first recess so as to thereby drive a portion of the grab bar forward, inhibiting relative movement between the grab bar and the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Clayton C. Garrels, Thomas M. Spankowski
  • Publication number: 20110252561
    Abstract: A movable seat is disclosed which is positionable within a shower stall of a type having at least one rear support element, such as a rear ledge, and at least one frontal support element, such as a lower frontal threshold. The movable seat includes an essentially horizontal support that has a rearward portion that is suitable to be supported on the ledge and a leg that extends downwardly from a forward portion of the support to a foot. The seat is sufficiently flexible such that if a weight load of a human or thereabout is placed on the support, then the foot will flex forwardly in response thereto, thereby jamming the seat in place relative to the shower stall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Clayton C. Garrels, Thomas M. Spankowski, Jason R. Miller