Kohler Company

Benjamin W Marotz

Murali Natarajan

Andrew James Stokes

Lisa Burns

Max Bock-Aronson

Thomas C Jorsch

Michael J Strege

Charles R Kopplin

Jeffrey A Schumacher

Jeffrey F Tempas

Joel T Smith

Sharathkumar Badiger

Peter W Denzin

Joseph L Stauber

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.

Toilet bowl discharge valve assembly

A drain control assembly for moving a drain valve assembly between an open position and a closed position through movement of a cable. The drain control assembly includes a driven member having a pivot end and a distal end that is configured to receive an end of the cable; a driving member defining a longitudinal axis; and a housing having a first cavity for receiving the driving member and a second cavity for receiving the driven member; wherein the driving member is configured to move in one of a linear manner or a rotational manner; and wherein the driven member is configured to rotate about the pivot end if the driving member moves in a linear manner and the driven member is configured to rotate about the pivot end if the driving member moves in a rotational manner.

Drain control assembly

A handle assembly configured to control water flow through a faucet valve. The handle assembly includes an output shaft rotatable about a first axis and configured to be operatively coupled to the valve; an input shaft rotatable about a second axis that is configured substantially transverse to the first axis, the input shaft configured to engage the output shaft to rotate the output shaft upon rotation of the input shaft; a handle coupled to the input shaft and configured to rotate the input shaft upon rotation of the handle about the second axis; and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft. The saddle includes a body having a channel that supports one of the input shaft and the output shaft, and a post extending away from the body and engaging an opening in the other of the input shaft and the output shaft.

Transverse handle assembly for a valve

A drain control assembly including a receiving member having a bore and a receiving portion for selectively receiving a first actuator or a second actuator. The drain control assembly also includes a moveable member configured to move between a first position and a second position within the bore of the receiving member to cause a cable to open or close a drain valve assembly. The first actuator comprises a first body portion and is configured to move the moveable member in response to linear movement of the first body portion, and the second actuator includes a second body portion and is configured to move the moveable member in response to rotational movement of the second body portion.

A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a first gear coupled to an input shaft, a handle coupled to the input shaft, a second gear coupled to an output shaft and positioned to engage the first gear, and a saddle interconnecting the input shaft and the output shaft.

A trim kit for providing improved aesthetics to a bathroom fixture having a first side and a second side with a housing of a device coupled to the first side. The trim kit includes a mounting plate configured to be coupled to the device on the second side of the fixture, and an escutcheon having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface is configured to provide a decorative aesthetic for the trim kit. The mounting plate includes a plurality of tabs. The interior surface of the escutcheon includes a plurality of catches that are each configured to engage with a corresponding catch to allow the escutcheon to be detachably coupled to the mounting plate.

Replaceable trim kit

A handle assembly for a valve system is provided. The handle assembly includes a body defining a cavity, an input shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a handle coupled to the input shaft, and a first gear located in the cavity and coupled to the input shaft. The handle assembly further includes an output shaft at least partially located in the cavity, a second gear coupled to the output shaft and located in the cavity engaging the first gear, and at least one key supported by the body. At least one of the input shaft and the output shaft include a first portion having cross-section that is other than circular, and the first portion selectively engages the at least one key, thereby limiting rotation of the at least one of the input shaft and the output shaft.

A cable overload device for a cable-actuated drain system having a drain valve assembly and a drain control assembly where the cable includes a driving end connected to the control assembly and a driven end. The overload device includes a plunger, a linking member, a sleeve, and an energy absorber. The plunger is configured to be coupled to the driven end of the cable. The linking member is configured to move the drain valve assembly between open and closed positions. The sleeve includes a bore that extends from a first side to a second side of the sleeve, wherein the bore is configured to receive the plunger through the first side and to receive the linking member through the second side. The energy absorber is provided in the bore between the plunger and the linking member to absorb a force imposed into the linking member from the drain valve assembly.

Cable overload device

A toilet has an electronic flush assembly operable in either a short or long flush sequence selectable by a user. The long flush sequence includes a pre-rinse cycle and a rinse cycle in which the a supply valve and a flush valve are both opened and closed twice, once each first during the pre-rinse cycle and again during a subsequent rinse cycle. The rim supply valve and the flush valve are opened during the pre-rinse and rinse cycles but are closed at the start and end of each cycle. An electronic control controls operation of the valves as well as water supply control components. Level sensors can also be included to provide feedback to the controller, for example, to prevent overflow conditions.

Toilet flushing assembly and sequence

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&#xb0; and &#x2212;40&#xb0; 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.

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.

Growing community of inventors

Kohler, WI, United States of America

Benjamin W Marotz