IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,196,328
Granted Patent B2
US 12,196,328 · App. 18/317,846 · Granted Jan 14, 2025

Push-button tub and shower diverter

Inventors: Tucker A. Jones (Elkhart Lake, WI); Brian J. Mooren (Sheboygan Falls, WI); Evan S. Yee (Grafton, WI); Gregory R. Schmidt (Port Washington, WI)
Assignee: KOHLER CO.
F16K11/22E03C1/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,196,328
App. No.
18/317,846
Granted
Jan 14, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The tub and shower diverter assembly includes an escutcheon, a manifold sub-assembly, and a handle assembly. The manifold sub-assembly is fluidly coupled to an existing waterway connector of an existing conventional tub and shower diverter system. The manifold sub-assembly includes a mixing valve at least partially disposed through the escutcheon and coupled to the manifold sub-assembly by a valve nut. The handle assembly is coaxially aligned with the mixing valve. The handle assembly includes a base insertably coupled to the valve nut and a handle rotatably coupled to the base. The handle is threadably coupled to the mixing valve. The escutcheon abuts a wall when the handle is threadably coupled to the mixing valve.

Claims (43)

1. A tub and shower diverter assembly comprising:

an escutcheon;

a manifold sub-assembly fluidly coupled to an existing waterway connector of an existing tub and shower diverter system, the manifold sub-assembly comprising a mixing valve at least partially disposed through the escutcheon and coupled to the manifold sub-assembly by a valve nut, the manifold sub-assembly further comprising:

a manifold including an inlet/outlet portion configured to be received in the existing waterway connector and an opening positioned opposite the inlet/outlet portion, the opening configured to receive the mixing valve therein;

a first diverter valve housed in a first valve housing; and

a second diverter valve housed in a second valve housing;

wherein the first valve housing and the second valve housing are positioned opposite the inlet/outlet portion and next to the opening configured to receive the mixing valve.

2. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inlet/outlet portion has a generally frustoconical shape that is complementary to a central opening of the waterway connector.

3. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inlet/outlet portion comprises:

at least one inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to an inlet; and

at least one outlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to an outlet.

4. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises one or more sealing members configured to sealingly engage the waterway connector so as to create a substantially watertight seal therebetween.

5. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first valve housing defines a first opening for receiving at least a portion of the first diverter valve therein, and wherein the second valve housing defines a second opening for receiving at least a portion of the second diverter valve therein.

6. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first diverter valve and the second diverter valve are configured to be push-button style on/off flow control valves.

7. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the diverter assembly is configured as a retrofit assembly.

8. A tub and shower diverter assembly comprising:

an escutcheon;

a manifold sub-assembly fluidly coupled to an existing waterway connector of an existing conventional tub and shower diverter system, the manifold sub-assembly further comprising:

a manifold including an inlet/outlet portion configured to be received in the existing waterway connector;

an opening positioned opposite the inlet/outlet portion, the opening configured to receive a mixing valve therein;

a first diverter valve housed in a first valve housing; and

a second diverter valve housed in a second valve housing;

wherein the first valve housing and the second valve housing are positioned opposite the inlet/outlet portion and next to the opening configured to receive the mixing valve.

9. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 8 , wherein the inlet/outlet portion has a generally frustoconical shape that is complementary to a central opening of the waterway connector.

10. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 8 , wherein the inlet/outlet portion comprises:

at least one inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to an inlet; and

at least one outlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to an outlet.

11. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 8 , wherein the manifold comprises one or more sealing members configured to sealingly engage the waterway connector so as to create a substantially watertight seal therebetween.

12. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first valve housing defines a first opening for receiving at least a portion of the first diverter valve therein, and wherein the second valve housing defines a second opening for receiving at least a portion of the second diverter valve therein.

13. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first diverter valve and the second diverter valve are configured to be push-button style on/off flow control valves.

14. The tub and shower diverter assembly of claim 8 , wherein the diverter assembly is configured as a retrofit assembly.

15. A manifold sub-assembly for a tub and shower diverter system, the manifold sub-assembly comprising:

a manifold including an inlet/outlet portion configured to be received in an existing waterway connector;

an opening positioned opposite the inlet/outlet portion;

wherein the opening is configured to receive a mixing valve therein, the mixing valve being coupled to the opening by a valve nut,

a first diverter valve housed in a first valve housing; and

a second diverter valve housed in a second valve housing;

wherein the manifold sub-assembly is detachably coupled to the existing waterway connector of an existing conventional tub and shower diverter system by one or more fasteners and is at least partially disposed through an escutcheon.

16. The manifold sub-assembly of claim 15 , wherein the inlet/outlet portion comprises:

at least one inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to an inlet;

at least one outlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to an outlet; and

wherein the inlet/outlet portion has a generally frustoconical shape that is complementary to a central opening of the waterway connector.

17. The manifold sub-assembly of claim 15 , wherein the manifold comprises one or more sealing members configured to sealingly engage the waterway connector so as to create a substantially watertight seal therebetween.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2023
From: JONES, TUCKER A.; MOOREN, BRIAN J.; YEE, EVAN S.; SCHMIDT, GREGORY R.
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 063658/0918 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17508905 · Oct 22, 2021
Continuation 16867664 · May 6, 2020
Provisional Application 62854674 · May 30, 2019
Related Publication 20230279960A1 · Sep 7, 2023
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