Kohler Company

David H Ritter

Brian S Core

Douglas J Brouwer

Chad J Cochart

Christopher M Shay

Michael W Smith

Keith Scott Ruh

Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul

Mitchell Feldman

Keith R Fischer

A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.

Drain system for bathtub

A cartridge valve includes a housing, a stem adapter, and a stem assembly. The stem adapter includes a body defining a first hole, which extends in a longitudinal direction. The stem assembly includes a first stem component and a second stem component. The first stem component includes an arm and a spherical portion that is configured to be at least partially positioned within the first hole and defines an opening. The second stem component has a body that is configured to be at least partially received within the opening of the first stem component. The spherical portion is configured to expand in size in response to the first end inserting a portion of the body of the second stem component into the opening in the first stem component, which increases a frictional resistance induced by relative rotation between the stem assembly and the stem adapter.

Faucet with improved valve

A cartridge valve for a faucet that includes a housing; a stem adapter at least partially received in the housing and comprising a body defining a slotted hole, which extends in a longitudinal direction, and a threaded hole, which extends in a radial direction; a stem received in the slotted hole and having a central portion that defines a threaded hole; and a screw threaded to the threaded hole of the stem and the threaded hole of the stem adapter to rotatably couple the stem to the stem adapter at a first predetermined frictional resistance in response to rotation of the stem relative to the stem adapter.

A fluid control valve for a faucet includes a body, a stem, a moveable disc, and at least one stationary disc. The stem is rotatably coupled to the body. The moveable disc is coupled to the stem and is configured to rotate with the stem. The at least one stationary disc is coupled to the body below the moveable disc. The fluid control valve is configured to be biased in an axial direction against a retaining element within a valve body by an incoming supply of fluid through the at least one stationary disc, so as to retain the fluid control valve within the valve body along the axial direction.

Valve assembly

A fluid control valve includes a body, a stem, a moveable disc, a stationary disc, and a valve seal. The stem is rotatably coupled to the body, and is configured to freely rotate three hundred and sixty degrees relative to the body. The moveable disc is coupled to the stem, and is configured to rotate with the stem. The stationary disc is coupled to the body below the moveable disc. The valve seal is coupled to the body below the stationary disc, and is reversible such that the valve seal is configured to be coupled to the body in at least two different orientations.

A faucet handle assembly includes a faucet handle, a handle adaptor, and a bonnet. The handle adaptor includes a plurality of end stops extending radially outward therefrom, and is configured to rotatably couple the faucet handle to a fluid control valve disposed within a valve body, and rotatably couple to the valve body by the plurality of end stops. The bonnet includes an inner ring having a plurality of locking features, and is configured to be removably coupled to the valve body by the plurality of locking features.

Handle assembly

A faucet assembly includes a non-metallic valve body, a valve, a handle adapter, and a retaining clip. The non-metallic valve body includes a longitudinal opening disposed therein and a slot disposed within a side portion thereof. The valve is at least partially disposed within the longitudinal opening. The valve includes a body and a stem extending upwardly from the body, and the stem is configured to rotate relative to the body. The handle adapter is removably coupled to the stem and is rotatably coupled to the non-metallic valve body. The retaining clip is removably inserted into the slot of the non-metallic valve body to limit longitudinal movement of the valve within the non-metallic valve body.

Faucet assembly

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

A handle assembly is disclosed that is suitable for mounting a valve housing that has a valve stem to a support. In one form, the handle assembly includes a handle, an escutcheon, a bonnet, a recess, and a flexible snap ring. The handle is operationally linked to the valve stem of the valve housing for controlling movement of the valve stem. The escutcheon is positionable on a first side of the support adjacent the handle. The bonnet is linked to the valve housing. The recess is formed in one of the bonnet and escutcheon. The flexible snap member mounted to the other of the bonnet and escutcheon and suitable to snap into the recess when the bonnet and escutcheon are telescoped together, while thereafter permitting relative rotation of the bonnet and escutcheon.

Growing community of inventors

Kohler, WI, United States of America

David H Ritter