Patents Examined by Andrew M Roersma
  • Patent number: 11832740
    Abstract: A frame for a refrigerated enclosure including a main frame member, a backing member, and a contact plate. The main frame member includes a base, a middle wall, and a forward flange. The backing member and the contact plate are coupled to the main frame member. The backing member includes a rear leg that couples on the rear wall of the base of the main frame member and an interior leg that couples on the interior wall of the base of the main frame member. The interior leg and the rear leg each include a thermal insulating portion. The interior leg includes a front portion that couples with the contact plate. The thermally insulating portions of the interior leg and the rear leg can be integral to one another and form an L-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Pablo Ramirez, Juan Francisco Flores
  • Patent number: 11835168
    Abstract: Provided is a vacuum adiabatic body. The vacuum adiabatic body includes an alternating current line through which AC current flows as a driving source, a direct current line through which direct current flows as a driving source, and a signal line through which a control signal flows as electric lines configured to electrically connect the first space to the second space. Thus, the number of lines passing through the vacuum adiabatic body may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Duchan Ki, Daewoong Kim, Deokhyun Youn
  • Patent number: 11821249
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. While a user is holding an object in both hands, a door may be automatically and additionally opened using another part of a body other than hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaehoon Shin, Myoungju Kang, Dongjeong Kim
  • Patent number: 11812850
    Abstract: A latching mechanism (1) for a drawer or door has handle (2) which is pulled towards a user when the latching mechanism is being opened and pushed away from the user when the latching mechanism is being closed. A latch (3) is moveable between an extended orientation and a retracted orientation; an oblique surface (4) on the latch (3) contacts an actuator (5) when handle (2) is pulled towards the user, forcing the latch (3) towards the retracted orientation; biasing means biases latch (3) towards the extended orientation; and link (7) connects handle (2) to the other parts of the latching mechanism. When installed, link (7) is installed over an edge of a drawer or door so that the handle is located on the front side of the door or drawer and the latch, actuator and biasing means are located on the rear side of the door or drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: Brett Huggan
  • Patent number: 11808515
    Abstract: A can dispenser rack for a refrigerator door, includes a housing in which a rear wall, two side walls, a central partition portion, L-shaped and T-shaped front flanges, and a bottom wall portion define two vertical side-by-side can receiving receptacles each having a top opening for loading cans and a lower opening for removal of cans, with each of the can receiving receptacles being configured to receive a plurality of cans stacked on their sides in a single column. The bottom wall portion has at least one rounded inner portion shaped to receive a side wall of a bottommost can in each can receiving receptacle, and at least one can retaining lip portion extending up from a front of the bottom wall portion to define a lower edge of the lower opening in each can receiving receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: BSH Home Appliances Corporation, BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Nilton Bertolini, Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11805900
    Abstract: A vacuum drawer device includes a drawer movable linearly in a drawer movement direction and having a drawer interior to be closed by an air-tight cover in a controlled manner by an electric lift. The cover thereby runs perpendicularly to the drawer movement direction in a lifting movement along a lifting direction. The cover has an air channel leading into the cover interior, and operatively connected to electric evacuation element such that when the cover is in place, air can be pumped out of the drawer interior through the air channel. A seal lining is arranged on the drawer walls of the drawer on the cover side to run over the entire inner periphery of the drawer such that the cover rests on the seal lining when the vacuum drawer device or the drawer is in a closed position to allow evacuation of the drawer interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Bertschi
  • Patent number: 11779114
    Abstract: A center post assembly for eliminating sagging of a roof panel in a cabinet, where doors of the cabinet latch to the post assembly. The post assembly includes a base portion and a post portion, where one of the base portion or the post portion includes a plurality of slots and the other one of the base portion or the slot portion includes a plurality of threaded studs. The base portion further includes a first bracket and a jackscrew threaded into a threaded opening in the first bracket and the post portion further includes a second bracket, where the jackscrew engages the second bracket so that rotation of the jackscrew causes the second bracket to move relative to the first bracket so that the studs slide in the slots and increase the length of the post assembly to remove the sag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J Dyer, Joseph W Milton
  • Patent number: 11771220
    Abstract: The techniques and systems (e.g., elevator shelf systems) for efficient shelving and item storage are described. For instance, one or more aspects of the described example shelving systems may provide for more compact and more stable shelving systems (e.g., saving more space cabinets for storage rather than shelving operating mechanisms, providing more stability against lateral and in/out swings during descent and ascent, providing capabilities of handling shelving loads up to 30 kg, etc.). One or more inventive aspects of the techniques and systems described herein include the efficient integration and configuration of drawer slides (e.g., for in/out shelf motion), as well as the efficient integration and configuration of a belt and reel system (e.g., for up/down shelf motion).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Elevator Shelf, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Brooks
  • Patent number: 11774171
    Abstract: A shelving system for an appliance includes a cabinet liner that defines sidewalls and an interior. Opposing first and second sidewall adapters are coupled to the sidewalls of the cabinet liner. The first and second sidewall adapters each include a body that is operably coupled with each of the first and second sidewall adapters and that defines a plurality of vertically spaced ledges. A recess is defined partially within the body. A base plate is coupled to each of the vertically spaced ledges. The base plate is configured to attract a glide assembly. A shelf is coupled to the glide assembly such that the shelf is slidable fore and aft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kamil El Sayed, Karol Michal Kostka
  • Patent number: 11774164
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet and a door. The door includes a door liner, a front plate, a first cap decor coupled to the door liner and the front plate, a second cap decor coupled to the door liner and the front plate at a position facing the first cap decor, an insulator filled into a space defined by coupling of the door liner, the front plate, and the cap decors, and a panel assembly disposed detachably in front of the front plate. The panel assembly includes a panel defining an outer appearance of a front surface of the door, a first bracket protruding from a rear surface of the panel and inserted into the first cap decor, and a second bracket provided on the rear surface of the panel and supported by the second cap decor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jiwook Moon, Sangho Jung, Daekil Kang, Gyunghyun Park
  • Patent number: 11766120
    Abstract: A holding device including a fastening device for fixing the holding device to a front panel or to a drawer rear wall, and at least two mutually spaced holding limbs between which a decorative plate can be partially received. The at least two holding limbs are part of a clamping device for applying a clamping force to the decorative plate received between the at least two holding limbs in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction of the decorative plate. The clamping device includes at least one adjustment device for adjusting the clamping force that can be applied to the decorative plate between the at least two holding limbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventors: Marcel Leitner, Markus Riezler, Markus Kampl, Marcel Madlener
  • Patent number: 11766121
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for mounting a furniture unit to a wall and, in particular, to wall studs. The apparatus includes sliding fixings that allow the spacing between fixing members to be adjusted and, thereby, allow the horizontal position of the furniture unit to adjusted to any desired position relative to the wall studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Norcros Group (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Harry Tooley
  • Patent number: 11761255
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. While a user is holding an object in both hands, a door may be automatically and additionally opened using another part of a body other than hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaehoon Shin, Myoungju Kang, Dongjeong Kim
  • Patent number: 11744389
    Abstract: A shelf assembly includes a frame assembly having a side member, wherein the frame assembly is operable between stowed and extended positions. A rack assembly includes a first rack hingedly coupled to a second rack. The first rack and the second rack are pivotally coupled to the side member of the frame assembly, and the rack assembly is operable between first and second positions. The first rack and the second rack are angled towards a pivot axis defined between the first rack and the second rack when the rack assembly is in the second position. The rack assembly moves from the first position to the second position as the frame assembly moves from the stowed position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tiago D. Fagundes, Leonardo K. Granemann, Acacio S. Junior, Spencer F. Souza
  • Patent number: 11744365
    Abstract: A drawer release is described. The drawer release includes a handle portion pivotally or rotatably engaged to a fixed portion, and the fixed portion is attached to or connected to a drawer. The handle portion includes at least one engaging member that engages a lever or actuator of a drawer-slide of the drawer to open or release the drawer. The drawer release provides for the one-handed opening of the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Austin Hardware & Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Jeffries, Norman Allen Smith
  • Patent number: 11732951
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body having a storage space. The body includes an inner case having the storage space, an outer case having an inside surface spaced a predetermined gap from an outside surface of the inner case to house the inner case, a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case sealed to maintain a vacuum state for heat insulating between the inner case and the outer case, a supporting portion provided to contact with the outside surface of the inner case and the inside surface of the outer case to maintain a spaced state of the vacuum space, and a dewing preventive unit adjacent to the supporting portion for preventing dewing from taking place at the outer case by suppressing surface temperature drop of the outer case caused by cold conducted from the inner case to the outer case through the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Wonyeong Jung, Myungryul Lee, Sung Jhee
  • Patent number: 11725869
    Abstract: A cabinet of an appliance includes an outer wrapper defining opposing first and second sidewalls, a rear wall coupling the first and second sidewalls and an access opening and an inner liner defining an interior. The outer wrapper and the inner liner may define a sealed insulating cavity therebetween that is under vacuum. A plurality of reinforcement brackets may be disposed on the outer wrapper. The plurality of reinforcement brackets are configured to prevent deformation of the cabinet during application of the vacuum to the insulating cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Sanket Vivek Phalak, Aaron Michael Stewart
  • Patent number: 11725870
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner. A ladder rack is coupled to the inner liner. The ladder rack includes first and second sidewalls coupled together by a connecting wall that defines a plurality of apertures. An adapter member includes a hook configured to extend through an aperture of the plurality of apertures when coupled to the ladder rack. The adapter member is coupled with a locking member that engages inner surface of first and second sidewalls of the ladder rack. A cantilever support is coupled to the adapter member and extends outward from the ladder rack. A rail assembly is coupled to an upper surface of the cantilever support. A spacer is coupled to an end of the cantilever support and abuts an inner liner surface. A storage feature is coupled to the rail assembly and is operable between stowed and deployed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kamil El-Sayed, Abhay Naik, Chad Rotter, Bartosz Stawczyk, Karol Michal Kostka
  • Patent number: 11717083
    Abstract: A storage system includes at least one upright rail having a front side with notches formed along a length thereof, the at least one upright rail arranged to be attached to an upright support surface. A bracket is arranged to be attached to the at least one upright rail, the bracket including a substrate and a plurality of hooks extending therefrom which are arranged to be received in a corresponding plurality of the notches, the plurality of hooks disposed only along a first portion of the substrate and not along a second portion of the substrate to define an open region of the bracket. The open region allows for attachment of at least one additional hardware member in a shared section with the bracket along the length of the front side of the at least one upright rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Clairson, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Barclay Bishop, Colby Douglas Kudja
  • Patent number: 11717084
    Abstract: A cabinet pull-out comprises a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment and a pull-out frame, the pull-out frame connecting the first storage compartment to the second storage compartment. The first and the second storage compartment each are provided with a base. The pull-out frame comprises a single carrier element which extends essentially rectangularly to the base area of the corresponding storage compartment. Each of the first and second storage compartments are provided with a front wall and a rear wall and two side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The single carrier element is attached to an external side of the rear wall or one of the side walls. A loose storage compartment can be detachably coupled to one of the first or second storage compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Peka-Metall AG
    Inventors: Roland Schöpfer, Urs Eichenberger, Bernhard Weber