Patents Examined by Hanh V. Tran
  • Patent number: 11697954
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a door of a household appliance has a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge includes a base portion and a door receiving portion. The base portion includes at least one elongated slot to receive a fastener. The elongated slot enables positioning of the door receiving portion. The second hinge includes a mounting block and a door plate. The door plate has a door receiving portion that has at least one elongated slot to enable positioning of the door receiving portion. The door plate is secured via at least one fastener to the mounting block. The mounting block is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the door plate for positioning the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Whirpool Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11698224
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes a door including a door body and a front panel coupled to a front surface of the door so to cover a front surface of the door body. The front panel includes a display including a screen on which an image is displayed, and a glass panel provided in front of the display. The glass panel includes a glass member and a decorative layer formed in an area other than an area corresponding to the screen of the display among an entire area of the glass member. The front panel includes a support plate coupled to the glass panel and including a display mounting portion on which the display is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dongho Lee, Youngil Song, Jisu Rhie
  • Patent number: 11680673
    Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having sidewalls, a wrapper backwall and a machine wall. At least one metallic inner liner has liner walls and a liner backwall, wherein the metallic outer wrapper and the at least one metallic inner liner are coupled together at a trim breaker to define a structural cabinet having a hermetically sealed interior cavity defined between the metallic outer wrapper and the at least one metallic inner liner. The trim breaker defines a front face of the structural cabinet. At least one trim breaker conduit extends through the wrapper and liner backwalls wherein the trim breaker conduit defines a conduit through the structural cabinet, and wherein the structural cabinet is hermetically sealed at the trim breaker conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Mohamed Alshourbagy, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Giulia Marinello, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Jerry M. Visin
  • Patent number: 11674327
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to pole bases, specifically to light pole base cabinets that can house items. The pole base cabinets can be positioned between a light pole and a footing. The pole base cabinets provide a base to a light pole while adding additional functionality. The cabinets can include a main opening allowing access to a cavity in which items can be stored. Access to the cavity can be restricted with a door that uncovers and covers the main opening. The pole base cabinets can include support panels, internal stiffening panels, external stiffening panels, support tabs, flanges, tabs, a peripheral wall, and other features to provide structural support and enclose the contents in the pole base cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: IPB Solution, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Victor Ducros, Nathan Ross Mowery, Ryan Smith
  • Patent number: 11666147
    Abstract: A release mechanism for a drawer slide latch may include linearly translatable elements. The linearly translatable elements may cause rotation of a lever arm used in latching one drawer slide member to another. The linearly translatable elements may be coupled to a drawer, or be a component mounted to the drawer slide, in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ACCURIDE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Chuck Milligan, Talia Minear
  • Patent number: 11668125
    Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a top panel that defines a hinge receptacle. A lid includes a hinge housing. A hinge is disposed within the hinge housing and extends between the lid and the top panel. A retainer includes a cap and a resilient portion. The retainer partially surrounds the hinge and the cap encloses the hinge housing. The resilient portion of the retainer biases the hinge toward the cap and the hinge receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Vasudeo N. Patil, David Walter
  • Patent number: 11662137
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes at least one hinge assembly configured to hinge a door to a cabinet. The at least one hinge assembly includes a mounting block coupled to, and that extends at least partially along, the door. A hinge bracket is coupled to the cabinet. The hinge bracket is coupled to a top panel of the cabinet and includes an upward extending flange that spans a width of the cabinet and that is coplanar with a front panel of the door. A hinge pin is disposed between the mounting block and the hinge bracket and is coupled thereto such that the entirety of the hinge pin is external to the door and is positioned between the door and the hinge bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lynne F. Hunter, Daniel Lottinville, Karen J. Querfurth
  • Patent number: 11656022
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment; an inner door rotatably provided at the main body; and an outer door configured to open and close the storage compartment together with the inner door and rotatably provided at the inner door, wherein the inner door includes a connector seating portion disposed at an upper portion of the inner door and configured to connect a first electric wire extending from the main body to the inner door to a second electric wire extending from the outer door to the inner door. Connections between the electric wires are improved so as not to be influenced by the inner and outer doors such that durability of the electric wires can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Hyun Lee, Seang Won Lee, Yang-Yeol Gu, Seok Jun Yoon
  • Patent number: 11647837
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet including a top edge. A structural panel is attached to the top edge of the cabinet. An adapter panel is attached to the structural panel. The adapter panel extends over at least a portion of an upper surface of the structural panel. A decorative panel is removably coupled to the adapter panel. The decorative panel is disposed over a top surface of the adapter panel. The decorative panel is free of attachment with the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11633042
    Abstract: A ball bearing drawer slide bracket includes: a vertical panel with upper and lower edges; a nub extending from a first side of the vertical panel; a rear wall positioned generally parallel to and fixed relative to the vertical panel; and a generally C-shaped channel fixed to and extending forwardly from the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: William Duggins
  • Patent number: 11629514
    Abstract: A work platform configured to be adjustable in both height and width, while enabling ease in transformation between an open, use configuration in a closed, storage configuration. The work platform having a platform and a pair of leg frames pivotably coupled to opposite ends of the platform, each of the pair of leg frames including a first leg and a second leg, each of which includes a first member pivotably coupled to the platform, and a second member shiftable relative to the first member, an intermediate rung operably coupled to respective distal ends of the first members and including a length extension lock mechanism configured to inhibit shifting of the second members relative to the first members, and a base rung member including a crossmember operably coupled to the respective distal ends of the second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Tricam Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Foley, Dennis D. Simpson, Benjamin P. Williams
  • Patent number: 11624551
    Abstract: A drainage assembly for an insulated structure includes a flexible body that has a plurality of flexures and defines an opening and notches that extend radially from the opening. A first drainage tube extends through the opening and includes receiving flanges disposed within the notches defined by the flexible body. A second drainage tube is in fluid communication with the first drainage tube. The second drainage tube includes engagement flanges disposed within the receiving flanges of the first drainage tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rahul Chhajed, Mansi Katkar, Mandar Gopalkrushna Kulkarni, Rafael Dutra Nunes, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Manoj T. Sambrekar
  • Patent number: 11624546
    Abstract: A cooling device includes a body and at least two storage compartments having at least one insulation wall therebetween. At least one door is associated with a flank part of the body facing the door. Accordingly, the door is configured in such a manner as to close the inlet of the at least two storage compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Muharrem Uemit Caglin, Tezcan Cetin, Ercan Engin, Ibrahim Tugrul Soenmez
  • Patent number: 11623786
    Abstract: An apparatus for construction of a stringer of a pallet is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the apparatus includes a corrugate sheet (30) cut to form a stringer shape sheet (32) with the stringer shape sheet (32) having a plurality of parallel stringer sections (33) defined by cuts from an upper surface through a lower surface of the stringer shape sheet (32). Each stringer section (33) on the stringer shape sheet (32) may be linked to an adjacent stringer section (33) by a plurality of shear bridges (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventors: Randal D. Olson, Joel R. Olson
  • Patent number: 11614271
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first cover member of a unitary sheet member defining a perimeter portion, an outer frame portion defined radially inward of the perimeter portion, and an inner area surrounded and supported by the outer frame portion. The inner area defines a first planar level with a portion of the outer frame portion extending to a second planar level parallel to and spaced apart from the first planar level in an axial direction. The vacuum insulated structure further includes a second cover member of a unitary sheet and a thermal bridge interconnecting the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The outer frame portion deforms such that the inner area moves axially inward away from the second planar level under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik
  • Patent number: 11614275
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a lower storage space, a front panel door part, a drawer part connected to the front panel door part, a support member located at the drawer part and configured to seat one or more objects stored in the drawer part, at least one draw-out rail that is configured to connect the drawer part to an inner wall surface of the lower storage space, and that is configured to extend and retract in multiple stages to assist insertion and withdrawal of the drawer part based on movement of the front panel door part, and at least one elevation device that is located at each of both side surfaces of the drawer part, that is connected to each of both sides of the support member, and that is configured to elevate the support member relative to the drawer part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kwanghyun Choi
  • Patent number: 11609038
    Abstract: The present invention provides a panel assembly, a refrigerator, and home appliances. The panel assembly of the present invention comprises: a first panel formed of a glass material; a second panel spaced apart from the first panel and formed of a glass material; a plurality of spacers provided between the first panel and the second panel so as to maintain a gap between the first panel and the second panel, and arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a sealing member disposed between the first panel and the second panel for sealing a space between the first panel and the second panel; an exhaust hole provided in at least one of the first panel and the second panel so as to discharge air such that the space between the first panel and the second panel becomes a vacuum insulation space; and a cover member covering the exhaust hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soyoon Kim, Eunsoo Yang, Joonghan Son, Sangho Park
  • Patent number: 11596223
    Abstract: Some implementations of a table system can include a protective member that is positionable below a table to provide protection to both a table and chairs. The protective member can extend lateral beyond a peripheral edge of the table top, for example, to protect the table and accessory furniture while allowing the table top and the peripheral edge of the table top to remain exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halcon Furniture LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Saintmane Conway, Peter Conway, Jacob Edward Snowbarger
  • Patent number: 11598574
    Abstract: An appliance door including an outer skin extending between first and second distal edges thereof, and an inner liner disposed adjacent the outer skin such that a space is formed therebetween. A first endcap is disposed at the first distal edge of the outer skin and the first endcap partially enclose the space formed between the outer skin and the liner. A wireless module is positioned on the first endcap and is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device. The wireless module includes a printed circuit board and an antenna, wherein the antenna faces outwards and away from the first endcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Cleo Rudolph Fulgham, Jr., William T. Anniss, III
  • Patent number: 11592229
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet: a door formed to open and close the cabinet; an upper moving part coupled to the door and formed to be moved in a first direction with respect to the cabinet; a lower moving part disposed under the upper moving part, including an upper adjustment member configured to move the upper moving part in the first direction, and guiding the upper moving part to be linearly moved in the first direction; and a fixing part fixed to the cabinet under the lower moving part, including a lower adjustment member configured to move the lower moving part in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and guiding the lower moving part to be linearly moved in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youngkyun Jeong, Jaemin Park, Yongsoo Kyong, Joosang Yoo, Sungmo Kim