Kohler Company

Fred Ogreenc

Santosh R Narasimhan

Jeff Tempas

Jeffrey F Tempas

Scott R Knapp

David P Ourada

Kenneth A Lefeber

Ravikanth Manchiraju

Ken Lefeber

John C Esche

Joseph L Stauber

Norman J Jaeckels

Amruta Shyam Velapure

Eric Sanders

Jason Seehafer

Richard Kluth

A sprayer including a fluid carrier having an inlet configured to receive water from a water source and an outlet for emitting water, and including a vibration source coupled to a portion of the fluid carrier between the inlet and the outlet. When the sprayer is in a first mode of operation, water is emitted from the outlet in a first pattern; and when the sprayer is in a second mode of operation, the vibration source is configured to oscillate the fluid carrier such that water is emitted from the outlet in a second pattern.

Frequency modulated sprayer

A method of purging a whirlpool bathtub includes providing a pump having an off condition and an on condition, the pump configured to circulate water to a basin through a water feed line. The method further includes providing a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower configured to provide air to the basin through an air feed line. The method further includes turning the blower to the on condition and the pump to the off condition, and introducing at least a portion of the air from the blower into the water feed line.

Whirlpool bathtub and purging system

A whirlpool bathtub system includes a basin having a plurality of nozzles, a water feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, an air feed line connected to the plurality of nozzles, a pump configured to circulate water to the basin through the water feed line, and a blower having an off condition and an on condition, the blower being configured to provide air to the basin through the air feed line. When the blower is in the off condition, the blower is configured to allow air to flow into the air feed line. When the blower is in the on condition, the blower is configured to increase the flow of air flowing into the air feed line.

A wall-entry bathtub includes a basin, a shell defining an entryway to allow access into the basin, and an entry wall movable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the entry wall is substantially clear of the entryway in the lowered position and at least partially blocks the entryway in the raised position. The bathtub also includes first and second entry wall position sensors configured to sense the position of the entry wall and a controller in electronic communication with the first and second entry wall position sensors, wherein the controller is configured to control components of the bathtub based at least in part on the position of the entry wall.

Wall-entry bathtub

A detection system for a tub having a water recirculation system includes an electronic sensor and an indicator. The electronic sensor is configured to detect a condition indicative of water being present in a water recirculation system of a tub. The indicator is configured to provide a visual indication according to the detected condition.

Water ingress detection system

A user interface system for a vibroacoustic bath includes a resistive touchscreen device configured to display images and to receive touch input via a panel of the resistive touchscreen device. The resistive touchscreen device is configured to display at least one image for use in controlling the vibroacoustic bath. The resistive touchscreen is further configured to receive a user selection relating to the image. The user interface system also includes a control circuit configured to use the received user selection to determine output signals for driving a plurality of transducers of the vibroacoustic bath.

User interface device for a bath or shower

A wall-entry bathtub includes an entry wall movable between a raised position and a lowered position to provide convenient ingress and egress. A handle assembly is coupled to a pair of latches and brackets to selectively restrain the wall-entry bathtub in the raised position. A counterweight assembly is coupled to the entry wall and reduces the force required to move the entry wall between the lowered and raised positions. The entry wall also includes a seal member that is expandable to inhibit water from leaking past the entry wall when the wall-entry bathtub is in use. Dual drains are provided to reduce the time required to drain water from the wall-entry bathtub. And, a controller, in combination with a variety of sensors, applies predetermined logic to control the water filling, entry wall sealing, and water draining of the wall-entry bathtub.

A user interface system for a vibroacoustic bath is provided. The user interface system includes a resistive touchscreen device configured to display images and to receive touch input via a panel of the resistive touchscreen device. The resistive touchscreen device is configured to display at least one image for use in controlling the vibroacoustic bath. The resistive touchscreen is further configured to receive a user selection relating to the image. The user interface system also includes a control circuit configured to use the received user selection to determine output signals for driving a plurality of transducers of the vibroacoustic bath.

A water conserving toilet having a set of holes around the rim to provide a washing of the bowl includes enlarged holes towards the front of the rim to create a focused jet of water used to initiate siphon action. The enlarged holes are positioned on an elevated multi-plateau boss within the rim. The boss extends beyond the highest normal level of water in the rim and has a vent to vent air from the rim. A sloped entry within the receiving chamber connects the tank of the toilet to the rim to further increase the momentum of this water. The jet from the enlarged front holes in the rim is further focused by a groove extending on the bowl's lower wall.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Grove, WI, United States of America

Fred Ogreenc