Kohler Company

Christopher M Shay

Chad J Cochart

Douglas J Brouwer

Brian S Core

David H Ritter

Michael W Smith

Perry D Erickson

Matthew Ryan Wegner

Steven Thomas Radder

Shashank Varma

A trash can that includes a frame, a liner, and a lid. The frame has a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible. The lid is rotatably coupled to the frame by a hinge, such that the hinge and the lid do not extend rearward a rear surface of the casing in the open position.

Trash can

A trash can that includes a frame, a liner, a lid, and a bag cover. The frame has a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible. The bag cover is coupled to the frame and rotatable relative to the frame and the lid between a closed position, in which a top of the liner is concealed and the bag cover prevents the liner from being removed from the casing, and an open position, in which the top of the liner is accessible and the liner is removable from the cavity of the casing.

A trash can having a frame, a liner, and a lid. The frame includes a base and a casing supported on the base. The liner is removably disposed within a cavity of the casing and has a bottom that rests directly on the base in the cavity. The lid is coupled to and rotatable relative to the frame between a closed position, in which the liner is concealed, and an open position, in which the liner is accessible.

A joint for an articulating faucet includes a first housing, a second housing, and a clutch assembly. The first housing defines a first inner cavity and the second housing defines a second inner cavity. The second housing is coupled to the first housing such that fluid may flow from the first inner cavity to the second inner cavity. The clutch assembly is coupled to at least one of the first housing and the second housing and is configured to apply a resistive torque that inhibits movement of the first and second housings relative to each other. The clutch assembly includes a clutch pin, an interface member, and an end cap. The end cap is coupled to a first end of the clutch pin and the interface member. Movement of the end cap varies the magnitude of the resistive torque applied by the clutch assembly.

Clutched joint for articulating faucet

A spout for a tub. The spout for the tub includes a spout body having opposite first and second sides. The spout also includes an inlet portion extending from the first side, where the inlet portion includes an inlet bore and an outlet portion extending from the second side, where the outlet portion includes an outlet bore that is in fluid communication with the inlet bore. The spout further includes an engine configured with waterway geometry, wherein the engine is installed in the spout body through the inlet portion. In addition, the spout body is made of a flexible material.

Flexible tub spout

A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut having a through-bore. The bonnet nut is threaded to the valve housing such that the control stem extends through the through-bore. Flexible fingers are provided along the through-bore to control a level of resistance to a rotation of the rotatable control stem. The stem is positioned to frictionally engage the flexible fingers as the stem is rotated.

Valve assembly having improved rotational feel

A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having an internal generally cup-shaped bore, a valve control cartridge inserted into the bore and having a rotatable control stem extending upwardly therefrom, and a bonnet nut threaded to an internal wall of the valve housing. The bonnet nut has a through channel that surrounds the control stem, and means are provided along the through channel to control a level of resistance to rotation of stem.

A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing and a harbor provided at a lower portion of the valve housing. The valve housing has an internal bore for receiving a valve control cartridge, and the harbor has a first recess suitable for receiving a water supply tube, and a second recess suitable for receiving a second water tube, wherein the harbor also has a slot. The valve assembly further includes the water supply tube mounted in the first recess, the second water tube mounted in the second recess, and a retainer clip positioned in the slot with that clip simultaneously engaging both tubes. The retainer clip comprises a first leg and a second leg connected by a waist to define there between a retaining area, and at least the first leg has formed thereon a notch adjacent a heel of the leg.

Valve assembly having improved connections

A valve assembly is disclosed providing a disk valve, a retaining clip configuration, and a bonnet nut. The disk valve comprises a moveable disk having a pair of recesses that is rotatable relative to a stationary disk to regulate the flow of a fluid through two ports in communication with the disks. The retaining clip configuration comprises a hose clip engaging a retaining segment on a valve housing and two hoses to connect the two hoses to two ports on the valve housing. The bonnet nut provides a tactile resistance to an applied torque when a portion of the valve cartridge assembly is rotated in relation to the valve housing.

Valve assembly having an improved flow path

Articulating faucets have segments connected by a plurality of movable joints. Each joint includes a pair of ceramic mating disks arranged in face to face contact, but able to rotate relative to each other when sufficient force is applied. A wave spring helps keep the disks in constant contact, and rubber spheres press against opposing surfaces of the ceramic disks to produce shear forces to keep the joint stable. In the faucet water passes through the joint by means of a tube or a hollow banjo bolt sealed from the joint. The faucet can therefore direct water to a wide variety of positions, without the need for a side spray, and while reducing the risk of joint leakage.

Articulating faucet and joint therefor

A control disk for a fluid valve has a disk body having at least one through hole, the body having an upper surface for contacting another control element of the valve and an opposed lower surface. The upper surface is formed with a raised undulating contact surface. The raised undulating contact surface defines pockets suitable for receiving a lubricant.

Plumbing valve with undulating disk surface

A fluid control valve has at its lower inlet end a bi-loading seal. The seal is generally ring shaped in top view. However, it has a first flexible load section for sealing the stationary disk with respect to the housing and a second load section having an annular insert that in cross-section is hook-shaped to form a bend of more than 90 degrees. The insert can be molded within the resilient body of the seal so that its outer rim is disposed at a circular shoulder that bears against a seal stop of the housing. A high load can thus be applied between the bearing shoulder and seal stop to achieve a tight seal, while a lower load can be applied between the flexible, unrigidified part of the seal and a stationary valve disk.

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Fredonia, WI, United States of America

Christopher M Shay