Kohler Company

David Eugene Hansen

Perry D Erickson

John C Esche

Brad Raymond Hadfield

Rafael A Rexach

Leila M Rubin

Michael J Merritt

Anton J Kolar

Jeffrey C Hildebrand

Patrick H Montag

David S Wilson

John Check

Disclosed is a friction ring including a body and a contact member. The body is configured to couple the friction ring to at least one of a faucet assembly or a faucet valve assembly. The contact member is disposed on the body. The contact member is configured to slidably engage with a valve stem of the faucet valve assembly. The contact member is further configured to press against the valve stem to increase a frictional force between the contact member and the valve stem over a full range of movement of the valve stem.

Faucet assembly with friction ring

A faucet assembly includes a valve housing having a first side defining first and second openings, the second opening configured to receive a valve. The valve housing further includes a second side defining a third opening configured to receive at least one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line therethrough. The assembly further includes a cap configured to cover at least a portion of the third opening.

Faucet with offset valve

A faucet assembly includes a faucet body having a mounting axis in a direction the faucet body projects from a mounting point. The assembly further includes a valve housing projecting from the faucet body and a valve disposed in the valve housing. The valve is configured to rotate about an axis parallel to and offset from the mounting axis.

A method for controlling touchless operation of a faucet that includes turning on a sensor of the faucet in response to receiving a signal that a mechanical valve of the faucet is in an open position, wherein the mechanical valve is movable between the open position and a closed position; shifting an electronic valve of the faucet from a closed state, in which a fluid does not flow from the faucet, to an open state, in which the fluid is configured to flow from the faucet, in response to a first interruption of a field of detection of the sensor; and shifting the electronic valve to the closed state in response to a second interruption of the field of detection of the sensor, so long as the second interruption follows the first interruption within a predetermined period of time.

System and method to position and retain a sensor in a faucet spout

A fitting for a faucet handle includes a body having an interior wall disposed within the body, the interior wall having a plurality of apertures. Each aperture has at least a first opening and a second opening fluidly connected by a channel, and the first opening is angularly offset relative to the second opening.

Faucet handle fitting

A touchless faucet including a tubular spout having a curved portion including an inlet end through which a fluid flow enters the spout and an outlet end through which the fluid flow exits the spout. The outlet end is located forward and downward of an apex of the curved portion and the inlet end is located rearward and downward of the apex. The faucet also includes an electronic valve for controlling the fluid flow and a sensor disposed completely within the spout along an underside of the curved portion adjacent the apex. The sensor includes a transmitter for emitting a signal and a receiver for detecting an interruption of the signal within a detection zone that does not intersect with the fluid flow from the outlet end of the spout. The sensor communicates with the electronic valve to control the fluid flow when the interruption of the signal is detected.

A pull-out faucet is provided. The faucet includes a spout having an outlet end, a spray head having an engaging end, and a sleeve disposed between the outlet end of the spout and the engaging end of the spray head and configured to detachably couple the spray head to the spout. The sleeve comprises a substantially rigid first portion and a substantially compliant second portion.

Faucet

A faucet having an electronic valve is provided. The faucet includes a spout having a first end through which a fluid exits, a second end coupled to a faucet body, and a sidewall disposed between the first end and the second end. The spout extends along a curved longitudinal axis. A sensor is disposed completely within the spout along a curved portion of the sidewall. The sensor is operatively coupled to the electronic valve.

Valve assemblies are provided that have a selection member engaged with a housing to provide control of fluid communication between first and second fluid pathways. Positioning the selection member within a selection cavity of the housing provides fluid communication with a corresponding fluid pathway. An optional locking member can engage the valve assembly to prevent fluid communication with at least one fluid pathway.

Selectable fluid valve assembly

A pull-out faucet has a spray head with spray selection and pause control. A spring-loaded push button interrupts outlet spray entirely as long as it is being depressed. A rocker button controls spray through inner and outer sets of outlet orifices, for example, giving the user the option of an aerated water jet or an unaerated shower. The rocker button mounts on an integral pivot post of a valve body that houses a diverter valve that is controlled by the rocker button. The rocker button has a pair of legs that extend through openings in the valve body to engage a groove in the diverter valve. Pivoting the rocker button about a pivot axis by depressing either its forward or aft portion, moves the diverter valve along a valve axis to route flow to either the inner or outer orifices.

Faucet spray control assembly

Disclosed are faucets having a housing with a hollow main body, a lower inlet, a hollow side arm, and an upper outlet. A control valve is mounted to the side arm. A waterway subassembly is removably mounted in the main body using a catch located in the side arm which is accessible from outside the side arm and moveable between a first position that prevents the waterway from dropping out of the housing lower inlet and a second position that permits the waterway to drop out of the housing lower inlet.

Faucet with accessible waterway assembly

A heated toilet seat with an outer clam shell type housing and an inner clam shell type housing. A heater wire is positioned in the inner housing to distribute heat. The inner housing is held above the bottom portion of the seat so that little heat is wasted by passing down through the bottom portion. The inner housing can be of essentially the same geometric configuration as the top and bottom portions of the outer housing, and groove and rib structures can tightly enclose the wiring in the inner housing.

Growing community of inventors

Howards Grove, WI, United States of America

David Eugene Hansen