Kohler Company

Santosh R Narasimhan

Fred Ogreenc

Jeff Tempas

Scott R Knapp

Kenneth A Lefeber

Jeffrey F Tempas

Ken Lefeber

David P Ourada

Ravikanth Manchiraju

Robert C Giese

Glen D Rauwerdink

Darren R Wojahn

Adam W Dwyer

Logan M Tatem

Benjamin S Cohen

James N Jaeckels

Glen Rauwerdink

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 support member for a bathtub comprises a base and a plurality of flexible elements. The base includes an upper surface configured to be coupled to a bathtub. The plurality of flexible elements extend laterally outward from a side of the base and are configured to engage a lower portion of the bathtub.

Bathtub support member

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

This disclosure relates to a vibroacoustic water system. The water system includes a reservoir configured to contain water and comprising a wall. The water system further includes four transducers mounted against the wall of the reservoir. The four transducers are configured to receive an input signal and to generate vibrations within water contained in the reservoir by vibrating the wall of the reservoir. The four transducers are mounted in a configuration such that, when the wall is partitioned into four sections, only a single transducer is mounted against each section of the wall and no other transducers are mounted against the wall.

Systems and methods for controlling transducers to provide a vibracoustic experience

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 mounting assembly for mounting a transducer to a plumbing fixture is provided. The mounting assembly includes a bracket configured to be affixed to an exterior wall of the plumbing fixture. The mounting assembly further includes a shield defining an internal cavity and configured to be removably coupled to the bracket. The shield is configured to be coupled to the transducer and to enclose at least a portion of the transducer within the internal cavity.

Transducer mounting assembly for plumbing fixture

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.

Plumbing fixtures are disclosed having acoustic electromagnetic transducers mounted thereon to transmit music or other vibrations to the fixture interior. The mounting assembly provides for a shield that reduces exposure of those in the fixture to a magnetic field generated by the transducers. In one form there is a post extending from the transducer, through the shield, to a bracket on the housing. Other structures are provided to facilitate removability of the shield and transducer for maintenance purposes.

Growing community of inventors

Port Washington, WI, United States of America

Santosh R Narasimhan