Patents by Inventor William R. Bares
William R. Bares 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: 10253484Abstract: A faucet assembly includes a bushing defining a cutout at a portion of a first end, and a control handle received on the first end of the bushing. The control handle includes an inner wall defining a set screw bore therein, and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall, the outer wall defining a visible bore therethrough. The control handle further includes a cavity at least partially defined between the inner wall and the outer wall. The cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutout.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson
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Publication number: 20180347158Abstract: A faucet assembly includes a bushing defining a cutout at a portion of a first end, and a control handle received on the first end of the bushing. The control handle includes an inner wall defining a set screw bore therein, and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall, the outer wall defining a visible bore therethrough. The control handle further includes a cavity at least partially defined between the inner wall and the outer wall. The cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutout.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson
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Patent number: 10072400Abstract: A faucet assembly includes a bushing defining a cutout at a portion of a first end, and a control handle received on the first end of the bushing. The control handle includes an inner wall defining a set screw bore therein, and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall, the outer wall defining a visible bore therethrough. The control handle further includes a cavity at least partially defined between the inner wall and the outer wall. The cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutout.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson
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Patent number: 10000913Abstract: A faucet includes a spout; a sprayhead that is moveable relative to the spout between a docked position and an undocked position; a magnet associated with the spout and having a bore; and a magnetically responsive collar associated with the sprayhead and moveable relative to the magnet in an axial direction as the sprayhead moves between the docked and undocked positions. In the docked position, magnetic forces between the magnet and the collar attract a center of the collar to align with a center of the magnet in the axial direction with the collar in the bore of the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
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Patent number: 9707574Abstract: A shower system and diverter valve assembly. The shower system includes two shower devices. The diverter valve assembly may include a pull diverter valve assembly coupled between a shower arm and a hand shower hose. In operation, by applying a force (e.g., a pulling force), the pull diverter valve assembly selectively directs water flow to the shower head or to the hand shower. The diverter valve assembly may include a toggle diverter valve assembly including a portion coupled to a hand shower.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Michael J. Soetaert, Jeffrey A. Schumacher, William R. Bares
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Patent number: 9657466Abstract: A faucet that includes a spout and a sprayhead movable between a docked position, in which the sprayhead is in contact with the spout, and an undocked position, in which the sprayhead is spaced apart from the spout. The faucet also includes a hose assembly that includes a tubular portion having an inlet end and an outlet end and configured to provide fluid through the spout to the sprayhead and a magnetically responsive end portion coupled to the outlet end of the tubular portion and freely and rotatably received within a portion of the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the spout such that when the sprayhead is in the docked position, the magnet magnetically attracts the magnetically responsive end portion so as to retain the sprayhead against the spout.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
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Publication number: 20170107703Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel faucet, such as one having a pull-out sprayer. In one aspect the inlet and outlet lines are formed in an integral structure with a transverse plate that faces a mixing valve. In another aspect the control handle for the faucet is provided with a concentric visible bore and hidden set screw bore combined with a bushing having a cutout to facilitate their use. In still another aspect there is provided a bearing that mounts to a pivotable sprayer and provides distinct swivel positions through the use of a detent connection to a land.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson
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Publication number: 20170073944Abstract: A faucet includes a spout; a sprayhead that is moveable relative to the spout between a docked position and an undocked position; a magnet associated with the spout and having a bore; and a magnetically responsive collar associated with the sprayhead and moveable relative to the magnet in an axial direction as the sprayhead moves between the docked and undocked positions. In the docked position, magnetic forces between the magnet and the collar attract a center of the collar to align with a center of the magnet in the axial direction with the collar in the bore of the magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
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Patent number: 9556597Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel faucet, such as one having a pull-out sprayer. In one aspect the inlet and outlet lines are formed in an integral structure with a transverse plate that faces a mixing valve. In another aspect the control handle for the faucet is provided with a concentric visible bore and hidden set screw bore combined with a bushing having a cutout to facilitate their use. In still another aspect there is provided a bearing that mounts to a pivotable sprayer and provides distinct swivel positions through the use of a detent connection to a land.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson
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Patent number: 9506229Abstract: A faucet is provided. The faucet has a spout and a sprayhead releasably coupled to the spout. A hose having a magnetically responsive collar thereon provides fluid through the spout to the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the faucet such that when the sprayhead is coupled to the spout, the collar magnetically couples to the magnet, thereby applying sufficient magnetic force to the hose to retain the sprayhead against the spout.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
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Publication number: 20160160482Abstract: A faucet that includes a spout and a sprayhead movable between a docked position, in which the sprayhead is in contact with the spout, and an undocked position, in which the sprayhead is spaced apart from the spout. The faucet also includes a hose assembly that includes a tubular portion having an inlet end and an outlet end and configured to provide fluid through the spout to the sprayhead and a magnetically responsive end portion coupled to the outlet end of the tubular portion and freely and rotatably received within a portion of the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the spout such that when the sprayhead is in the docked position, the magnet magnetically attracts the magnetically responsive end portion so as to retain the sprayhead against the spout.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: JOHN C. ESCHE, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
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Publication number: 20160146373Abstract: A handle assembly for a faucet that includes a silicone member configured to slide over and be removable coupled to a faucet handle, wherein the silicone member comprises an opening in which the faucet handle may be received and an external surface that may be gripped by a user. A faucet handle may include a longitudinal groove used to allow air to escape from the opening of the silicone member. The handle assembly does not require additional elements to couple the silicone member to the faucet handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: WILLIAM R. BARES, Joseph S. Blake, Margaret C. Mazz, Sarah S. Fitzsimmons, Christine N. Meyer
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Patent number: 9284723Abstract: A faucet includes a spout and a sprayhead movable between a docked position, in which the sprayhead is in contact with the spout, and an undocked position, in which the sprayhead is spaced apart from the spout. The faucet also includes a hose that includes a tubular portion having an inlet end and an outlet end and configured to provide fluid through the spout to the sprayhead and a magnetically responsive end portion coupled to the outlet end and configured to be freely and rotatably received within a portion of the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the spout such that when the sprayhead is in the docked position, the magnet magnetically attracts the magnetically responsive end portion of the hose so as to retain the sprayhead against the spout.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
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Patent number: 9272295Abstract: The present invention provides a sprayer that has on the sprayer itself capability for simultaneously controlling on/off function and flow selection. A forward button can be pressed by a forefinger to turn flow on, while a rearward rocker can be controlled by a thumb to select between aerated and non-aerated flow. The on/off control is biased to the off position.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
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Patent number: 9249898Abstract: A handle assembly for a faucet that includes a silicone member configured to slide over and be removable coupled to a faucet handle, wherein the silicone member comprises an opening in which the faucet handle may be received and an external surface that may be gripped by a user. A faucet handle may include a longitudinal groove used to allow air to escape from the opening of the silicone member. The handle assembly does not require additional elements to couple the silicone member to the faucet handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: William R. Bares, Joseph S. Blake, Margaret C. Mazz, Sarah S. Fitzsimmons, Christine N. Meyer
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Publication number: 20150368887Abstract: A faucet is provided. The faucet has a spout and a sprayhead releasably coupled to the spout. A hose having a magnetically responsive collar thereon provides fluid through the spout to the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the faucet such that when the sprayhead is coupled to the spout, the collar magnetically couples to the magnet, thereby applying sufficient magnetic force to the hose to retain the sprayhead against the spout.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
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Publication number: 20150360243Abstract: A shower system and diverter valve assembly. The shower system includes two shower devices. The diverter valve assembly may include a pull diverter valve assembly coupled between a shower arm and a hand shower hose. In operation, by applying a force (e.g., a pulling force), the pull diverter valve assembly selectively directs water flow to the shower head or to the hand shower. The diverter valve assembly may include a toggle diverter valve assembly including a portion coupled to a hand shower.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Michael J. Soetaert, Jeffrey A. Schumacher, William R. Bares
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Publication number: 20150322650Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel faucet, such as one having a pull-out sprayer. In one aspect the inlet and outlet lines are formed in an integral structure with a transverse plate that faces a mixing valve. In another aspect the control handle for the faucet is provided with a concentric visible bore and hidden set screw bore combined with a bushing having a cutout to facilitate their use. In still another aspect there is provided a bearing that mounts to a pivotable sprayer and provides distinct swivel positions through the use of a detent connection to a land.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson
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Patent number: 9181685Abstract: A faucet is provided. The faucet has a spout and a sprayhead releasably coupled to the spout. A hose having a magnetically responsive collar thereon provides fluid through the spout to the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the faucet such that when the sprayhead is coupled to the spout, the collar magnetically couples to the magnet, thereby applying sufficient magnetic force to the hose to retain the sprayhead against the spout.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
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Patent number: 9062438Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel faucet, such as one having a pull-out sprayer. In one aspect the inlet and outlet lines are formed in an integral structure with a transverse plate that faces a mixing valve. In another aspect the control handle for the faucet is provided with a concentric visible bore and hidden set screw bore combined with a bushing having a cutout to facilitate their use. In still another aspect there is provided a bearing that mounts to a pivotable sprayer and provides distinct swivel positions through the use of a detent connection to a land.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson