Patents by Inventor Walter Pitsch

Walter Pitsch 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: 20220145597
    Abstract: A valve manifold for a universal rough-in valve, the manifold comprising a first inlet; a second inlet; a first outlet; a second outlet; a cavity to receive a fluid mixing valve; a first transition in flow communication with the cavity and the first inlet; a second transition in flow communication with the cavity and the second inlet; a first channel in flow communication with the cavity and the first outlet; a second channel in flow communication with the cavity and the second outlet; wherein the manifold comprises a venturi tube extending from the second manifold outlet towards the first manifold outlet; and wherein the manifold is configured to be removably disposed in a rough-in valve chamber; and the manifold is configured to be removably coupled to the fluid mixing valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
  • Publication number: 20220098837
    Abstract: An integrated faucet filtration system comprising a faucet assembly; a filter assembly; a first T-connector; and a second T-connector; wherein, the faucet assembly comprises a body; a spout; a spray head; a multi-channel hose fluidly coupled to the spray head and disposed in the spout; and a valve cartridge configured to control flow of unfiltered water; the filter assembly comprises a water filter; an electronic actuator; and a solenoid valve; the first T-connecter comprises a first branch configured to receive unfiltered water from a water source; a second branch configured to deliver unfiltered water to the water filter; and a third branch configured to deliver unfiltered water to the valve cartridge; and the second T-connecter comprises a first branch configured to receive unfiltered water from the valve cartridge; a second branch configured to receive filtered water from the water filter; and a third branch configured to deliver the filtered and unfiltered water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Xiaojing Ye, Emilie Williams
  • Publication number: 20220074174
    Abstract: A universal rough-in valve (20) includes a valve chamber (34) configured to receive a valve manifold (72). The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve inlet (22) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber and a second valve inlet (24) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber. The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve outlet (29) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line, and a valve manifold (72) coupled to the valve chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
  • Patent number: 11208792
    Abstract: A faucet spray head magnetic docking system includes a socket that couples to an end of the spout, and a bonnet that couples to the spray head and that engages with the socket. The socket includes a shell configured to be arranged in the mouth of the spout, and integrated with one or more magnetic elements. The magnetic elements may be inserted into corresponding holes of the socket shell. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be incorporated directly into the shell. The bonnet includes a threaded portion for coupling to corresponding threads of a connector at the spray head, and includes one or more corresponding magnets configured to magnetically attract to the magnetic elements of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Verne H. Myers, Xiaojing Ye, Nathan J. Wicker, Walter Pitsch, Philip M. Anthony, III, Aaron B. Eiger
  • Patent number: 11203856
    Abstract: A universal rough-in valve (20) includes a valve chamber (34) configured to receive a valve manifold (72). The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve inlet (22) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber and a second valve inlet (24) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber. The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve outlet (29) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line, and a valve manifold (72) coupled to the valve chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
  • Publication number: 20210230853
    Abstract: Provided are valve devices and flow heads for a valve device. A valve device can include a valve body (30) that opens and closes a valve hole (15a) to allow communication between a primary flow path (17a) and a secondary flow path (17b), a back pressure chamber (7) defined at the back side of the valve body, a small hole (51) that is provided in the valve body to allow the primary flow path of and the back pressure chamber to communicate with each other, and a pin (6) that has a straight portion inserted into the small hole to clean the small hole by relative motions of the small hole and the straight portion. A flow head (34) may be annular and include one or more notches along a perimeter and be configured to engage with an inner peripheral surface of an upper end portion of an inner barrel of the valve device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Marin Marinov, Walter Pitsch, Eric Soberano, Koji Shimizu, Kojiro Watari
  • Publication number: 20210189702
    Abstract: A universal rough-in valve (20) includes a valve chamber (34) configured to receive a valve manifold (72). The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve inlet (22) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber and a second valve inlet (24) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber. The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve outlet (29) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line, and a valve manifold (72) coupled to the valve chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
  • Publication number: 20210189708
    Abstract: A flush valve assembly for use in sanitaryware, such as a toilet or urinal. A flush valve assembly may have a flush valve body that is separate from a central seating body part. A central seating body part may be attached to a flush valve body with a mounting key. Once coupled, a flush valve body and central seating body part may be permanently connected. A flush valve assembly may also include a flush valve lever assembly. A flush valve lever assembly may include a bonnet nut for securing the flush valve lever assembly to a flush valve body. A flush valve lever assembly may include an actuator pin guide having a seal for sealing between the flush valve lever assembly and a flush valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Marin Marinov
  • Publication number: 20200385964
    Abstract: Novel plumbing products, including faucets, are fabricated, e.g., using metallic 3-dimensional or other 3-D printing techniques, to have complex geometries, such as multiple channels that may diverge and re-converge near the spout. The geometries of the various channels can resemble interwoven net-like patterns that define various shapes between the channels. The plumbing fixtures may be formed from one or more of stainless steels, INCONEL, brass, bronze, polycarbonate, PVC, acrylics, rigid polyolefins, PET, carbon fiber, AES, or other plumbing fitting suitable corrosion resistant materials. In some embodiments, the handles of an exemplary faucet can include the same or a similar multiple channel configuration as the spout, providing an advantageously, aesthetically pleasing faucet system. In exemplary embodiments, faucet spouts and their handles are formed so as to couple to standard faucet underbodies, standard valve platforms, or standard threaded hose/waterway connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: James MCHALE, Joseph IENTILE, Walter PITSCH, Jean-Jacques L'HENAFF
  • Patent number: 10801191
    Abstract: Novel plumbing products, including faucets, are fabricated, e.g., using metallic 3-dimensional or other 3-D printing techniques, to have complex geometries, such as multiple channels that may diverge and re-converge near the spout. The geometries of the various channels can resemble interwoven net-like patterns that define various shapes between the channels. The plumbing fixtures may be formed from one or more of stainless steels, INCONEL, brass, bronze, polycarbonate, PVC, acrylics, rigid polyolefins, PET, carbon fiber, AES, or other plumbing fitting suitable corrosion resistant materials. In some embodiments, the handles of an exemplary faucet can include the same or a similar multiple channel configuration as the spout, providing an advantageously, aesthetically pleasing faucet system. In exemplary embodiments, faucet spouts and their handles are formed so as to couple to standard faucet underbodies, standard valve platforms, or standard threaded hose/waterway connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: James McHale, Joseph Ientile, Walter Pitsch, Jean-Jacques L'Henaff
  • Patent number: 10767352
    Abstract: Provided are internal waterway assemblies for faucets comprising a valve assembly comprising a valve water way portion, a bridge comprising a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the valve water way portion and the bridge having a spout receiving portion having a passageway therethrough; and a spout tube configured to be positioned in the spout receiving portion of the bridge. The spout tube is in fluid communication with the passageway of the bridge and configured to deliver water out of the faucet. Internal water way assemblies are configured to couple to any one of a plurality of cover plates for a faucet, the bridge is configured to be assembled to the valve assembly in any one of a plurality of fixed angular orientations to position the spout tube to fit within an interior space of one of the any one of a plurality of cover plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Marin Marinov, Xiao Jing Ye
  • Publication number: 20200240126
    Abstract: A faucet spray head magnetic docking system includes a socket that couples to an end of the spout, and a bonnet that couples to the spray head and that engages with the socket. The socket includes a shell configured to be arranged in the mouth of the spout, and integrated with one or more magnetic elements. The magnetic elements may be inserted into corresponding holes of the socket shell. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be incorporated directly into the shell. The bonnet includes a threaded portion for coupling to corresponding threads of a connector at the spray head, and includes one or more corresponding magnets configured to magnetically attract to the magnetic elements of the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Verne H. MYERS, Xiaojing YE, Nathan J. WICKER, Walter PITSCH, Philip M. ANTHONY, III, Aaron B. EIGER
  • Patent number: 10682655
    Abstract: A faucet assembly with a multifunction spray head is provided. The spray head is capable of four spray functions, and has an outer shell; a flow body extending within the shell, a first end extending out of the shell for attachment to a faucet and a second end in fluid communication with a spray selector assembly. The flow body defines a flow path from the first end of the flow body to a flow selector assembly. The spray head includes a flow selector assembly comprising: a selector valve housing body having at least four valve recesses therein; at least four flow selector valves seated within the recesses in the selector valve housing body; and a rotating selector valve ring. A sprayer seat has a faceplate and a flow diversion conduit corresponding to each selector valve to provide flow paths from a selector valve to a sprayer outlet or aerator outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Xiao Jing Ye, Zhengzhen Lei
  • Patent number: 10625279
    Abstract: A shower head includes a fluid inlet configured to connect to a fluid source, a spray face having a plurality of fluid outlets, a fluid flow path from the fluid source to the spray face, and a diverter positioned in the fluid flow path which is configured to adjust the flow of fluid through the fluid flow path, the diverter being switchable between different spray configurations associated with different spray modes of the shower head. A user interface for selecting the shower spray mode is positioned on a peripheral portion of the spray face, the user interface including one or more touch-sensitive devices configured to receive one or more touch inputs from a user during operation of the shower head and configured to cause the diverter to switch from one spray configuration to another spray configuration in response to receiving the one or more touch inputs from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques L'Henaff, Walter Pitsch, Verne Myers, Xiaojing Ye, Greg Reinecker, Emilie Williams, Alanna Wing Libbrecht, Brian P. Kalember, Gabriela Ravassa, Ki Bok Song
  • Patent number: 10612220
    Abstract: A faucet spray head magnetic docking system includes a socket that couples to an end of the spout, and a bonnet that couples to the spray head and that engages with the socket. The socket includes a shell configured to be arranged in the mouth of the spout, and integrated with one or more magnetic elements. The magnetic elements may be inserted into corresponding holes of the socket shell. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be incorporated directly into the shell. The bonnet includes a threaded portion for coupling to corresponding threads of a connector at the spray head, and includes one or more corresponding magnets configured to magnetically attract to the magnetic elements of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Verne H. Myers, Xiaojing Ye, Nathan J. Wicker, Walter Pitsch, Philip M. Anthony, III, Aaron B. Eiger
  • Patent number: 10450731
    Abstract: Faucet-integrated touch-free soap dispensing systems are provided. A soap dispenser is at least partially integrated with a faucet, and includes a proximity sensor, a dispensing unit, and a soap dispensing outlet. The dispensing unit includes a soap reservoir and a pump mountable below a deck that supports the faucet, and is communicatively coupled to the proximity sensor and fluidly coupled to the soap dispensing outlet via a soap tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: James McHale, Marin Marinov, Walter Pitsch, Xiao Jing Ye
  • Patent number: D876585
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
  • Patent number: D908191
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: AS AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
  • Patent number: D919048
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch
  • Patent number: D919049
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: AS America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Li, Walter Pitsch