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).

  • Publication number: 20140261820
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: William R. Bares, Joseph S. Blake, Margaret C. Mazz, Sarah S. Fitzsimmons, Christine N. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8789771
    Abstract: A faucet is disclosed having a faucet base, a faucet spout mounted on the base and configured to swivel relative thereto, a female connector sleeve having an axial through channel, and a male connector sleeve having an axial through channel that is in fluid communication with the axial through channel of the female connector sleeve, the male connector sleeve being telescopically received within the female connector sleeve. The faucet further includes a first tube connected between one of the male and female connector sleeves and a fluid control valve, and a second tube separately formed from the spout, the female connector, and the male connector and connected between the other of the male and female connector sleeves and an outlet of the spout by internally extending within the spout. The male connector sleeve rotates within and relative to the female connector sleeve when the spout and second tube swivel relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20140069520
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20140026980
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
  • Patent number: 8430345
    Abstract: A faucet assembly is disclosed having internal carrier tubes, where the faucet spout can swivel relative to a faucet base without stressing the tubes. One tube connects a mixing valve to a connector sleeve. Another tube connects a spout outlet to another connector sleeve. The connector sleeves telescope within each other, have a seal there between, and are provided with a clip structure to hold them axially together while permitting relative rotation there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
  • Patent number: 8215334
    Abstract: A control handle assembly for a plumbing fitting has a first control member having a bore and a ledge within the bore extending radially inward to an inner dimension, and a second control member having a mounting post with a ledge extending radially outward to an outer dimension. A deformable clip is captured by the control members between the ledges and has a radial outer dimension greater than the inner and outer dimensions of the ledges so as to rotatably couple the control members. A spout coupling assembly has a lower adaptor defining a lower passageway for housing a diverter and an upper adaptor coupled to the lower adaptor defining an upper passageway. An annular recess is formed in the upper adaptor and a collar is axially restrained in the annular recess. A spout is coupled to the collar so that the spout and collar rotate simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20110197698
    Abstract: A control handle assembly for a plumbing fitting has a first control member having a bore and a ledge within the bore extending radially inward to an inner dimension, and a second control member having a mounting post with a ledge extending radially outward to an outer dimension. A deformable clip is captured by the control members between the ledges and has a radial outer dimension greater than the inner and outer dimensions of the ledges so as to rotatably couple the control members. A spout coupling assembly has a lower adaptor defining a lower passageway for housing a diverter and an upper adaptor coupled to the lower adaptor defining an upper passageway. An annular recess is formed in the upper adaptor and a collar is axially restrained in the annular recess. A spout is coupled to the collar so that the spout and collar rotate simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
  • Patent number: 7934520
    Abstract: A control handle assembly for a plumbing fitting has a first control member having a bore and a ledge within the bore extending radially inward to an inner dimension, and a second control member having a mounting post with a ledge extending radially outward to an outer dimension. A deformable clip is captured by the control members between the ledges and has a radial outer dimension greater than the inner and outer dimensions of the ledges so as to rotatably couple the control members. A spout coupling assembly has a lower adaptor defining a lower passageway for housing a diverter and an upper adaptor coupled to the lower adaptor defining an upper passageway. An annular recess is formed in the upper adaptor and a collar is axially restrained in the annular recess. A spout is coupled to the collar so that the spout and collar rotate simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20090200794
    Abstract: A faucet assembly is disclosed having internal carrier tubes, where the faucet spout can swivel relative to a faucet base without stressing the tubes. One tube connects a mixing valve to a connector sleeve. Another tube connects a spout outlet to another connector sleeve. The connector sleeves telescope within each other, have a seal there between, and are provided with a clip structure to hold them axially together while permitting relative rotation there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20090200401
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20080277611
    Abstract: A control handle assembly for a plumbing fitting has a first control member having a bore and a ledge within the bore extending radially inward to an inner dimension, and a second control member having a mounting post with a ledge extending radially outward to an outer dimension. A deformable clip is captured by the control members between the ledges and has a radial outer dimension greater than the inner and outer dimensions of the ledges so as to rotatably couple the control members. A spout coupling assembly has a lower adaptor defining a lower passageway for housing a diverter and an upper adaptor coupled to the lower adaptor defining an upper passageway. An annular recess is formed in the upper adaptor and a collar is axially restrained in the annular recess. A spout is coupled to the collar so that the spout and collar rotate simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: John C. Esche, William R. Bares
  • Publication number: 20080276367
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson