Kohler Company

Luke B Zimbric

Alan T McDonald

Thomas E Lilly

Ben Z Cohen

Erin E Lilly

Jeff Tempas

Greta Knowles

William C Kuru

Sarah K O'Brien

Kyle L Hokel

Kyle A Marten

Erika Kovesdi

Gurusiddeshwar Gudimani

Yoon Kyum Koh

Erika Kövesdi

Timothy J Williams

Eric Dutton

A method of sealing a bathing enclosure includes engaging a first side of a compliant member with a first member, engaging an opposing second side of the compliant member with a second member, and inserting the first and second members with the compliant member into a receptacle projecting from a side panel of a bathing enclosure.

Caulkless seal

Disclosed is a bath wall assembly. The bath wall assembly includes a first back wall panel and a second back wall panel. Each of the back wall panels are configured to be mounted to a structural wall of a bathroom. The first back wall panel includes a flange that extends at least partially along an edge of the first back wall panel. The second back wall panel includes a channel configured to receive a portion of the flange therein. The channel is configured to prevent relative movement between the first back wall panel and the second back wall panel in a vertical direction. Together, the flange and the channel form a substantially water-tight seam between the first back wall panel and the second back wall panel.

Multi-piece bath or shower wall

A sealing assembly for a bathing enclosure includes a receptacle having a lower flange, a side flange projecting from the lower flange, and an upper flange projecting from an upper end of the side flange. The assembly further includes a base, defining an outwardly-extending flange at an upper end thereof, the outwardly-extending flange configured to interface with the lower flange of the receptacle. The assembly further includes a seal configured to be received in the receptacle, the seal having a compliant member having opposing first and second sides, a first member having an inner surface configured to engage the first side of the compliant member, and a second member having an inner surface configured to engage the second side of the compliant member. An upper surface of the compliant member is configured to be compressed by the upper flange of the receptacle.

A pressure toilet has a trapway providing 'as needed' (bulk dependent) siphon assist. During normal liquid waste or low bulk flushing, no siphon is formed in the trapway, and the water and light waste in the bowl are evacuated solely under the force of the pressurized jet of water. A large volume near or just downstream from the dam is provided to accommodate the blow out from the water jet. Only upon reaching a threshold concentration of bulk waste material in the down leg does the trapway draw a siphon. A horizontal baffle at the lower part of the down leg assists in the accumulation of bulk material of sufficient concentration to establish a siphon in the trapway.

Pressure toilet with bulk loading siphon assist

A seal for a bathing enclosure includes a first structure having a first flange extending from an upper end thereof and a second structure having a second flange extending from a lower end thereof and a channel. The channel includes a first side surface extending upward from an end of the second flange, a second side surface opposing the first side surface, extending upward from the second flange, and an upper surface opposing the second flange, extending between the first side surface and the second side surface. The second flange defines a slot between the first side surface and the second side surface and the second flange is configured to interface with the first flange.

A storage and assist assembly for a shower includes a first member, a second member, and an elongated member. The first member is configured to be coupled to an upper portion of a fixed wall member. The second member is configured to be coupled to a lower portion of the fixed wall member. The elongated member is removably coupled between the first and second members and is configured to receive one or more storage accessories thereon.

Shower storage and assist assembly

A bathing area accessory may be used within a bathing area. The bathing area accessory may be a bathing area shelving assembly, a bathing area bar assembly, a storage assembly, a bathing area seat assembly, or a shaving ledge assembly. The shelving assembly for use within a bathing area may include a niche and at least one shelf that is attachable to, removable from, and reattachable to the attachment portions of the niche. The niche may include attachment portions that receive and secure the at least one shelf. The niche may include two sidewalls that extend substantially vertically along a vertical length of the niche. The attachment portions may be on the two sidewalls and the at least one shelf may attach with a pair of the attachment portions that are vertically aligned with each other.

Shower seat assembly

A storage system for a shower enclosure includes a first wall member, a second wall member, and a storage accessory. The first wall member includes a corner defining a recessed portion. The first wall member further includes a corner notch disposed along the corner within the recessed portion, and a first side notch disposed along an inner side surface of the first wall member adjacent the recessed portion. The second wall member is coupled to the first wall member at an end of the corner adjacent the recessed portion and is oriented perpendicular to the first wall member. The second wall member includes a second side notch disposed along an inner side surface of the second wall member. The storage accessory is removably coupled between the first wall member and the second wall member at the corner notch, the first side notch, and the second side notch.

Shower storage systems

A seal for a bathing enclosure includes a compliant member, a first member, and a second member. The compliant member includes opposing first and second sides defining a plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures extend from the first side to the second side. The first member includes an inner surface configured to engage the first side of the compliant member. The second member includes an inner surface configured to engage the second side of the compliant member. A plurality of female members project from the inner surface of the first member through the plurality of apertures and a plurality of male members project from the inner surface of the second member through the plurality of apertures. The male members are configured to be received in the plurality of female members.

Bathing area accessories

An apron assembly may be designed for a bathtub having an above-floor drain. The apron assembly may include an apron attached to an upper surface of the bathtub, an apron extension which snaps onto a bottom portion of the apron, and an apron cover that snaps onto a front surface of the apron extension.

Bathtub apron assembly

A bathing enclosure includes a base, one or more wall panels, and a compliant member. The base includes a first flange extending outward from an upper end thereof to define an upper surface. The wall panels include a second flange extending outward from a lower end thereof to define a lower surface. The compliant member has a length and a width, the length being greater than the width. The base and the one or more wall panels at least in part define a forward entrance into an interior of the enclosure. A generally horizontal interface is formed between the first flange and the second flange. The compliant member is coupled to a first of the one or more wall panels proximate the entrance. The compliant member forms a seal with the first flange, the length of the compliant member extending outward relative to the interior of the enclosure.

A trip lever assembly for initiating a flush cycle of a toilet is constructed to have a more solid and smooth feel with less play. The assembly includes a handle accessible with a stem extending into an interior of the toilet. An inner bushing fits onto the stem and inside of a fixed outer bushing. A trip arm connect the handle to a pull member operatively attached to the flush valve. The handle has an anti-rotation feature that engages an associated feature of the inner bushing so that the inner bushing mechanically couples and rotates with the handle. A high viscosity dampening grease is disposed between the inner bushing and the outer bushing to limit lateral play, and smooth the rotation of the handle.

Growing community of inventors

Sheboygan Falls, WI, United States of America

Luke B Zimbric