Patents by Inventor Adrian J. Tengler

Adrian J. Tengler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Appliance latch with improved door retention at elevated temperatures
    Patent number: 9410349
    Abstract: A door latch for an appliance provides a U-shaped spring for engaging a strike having an expanded tip and passing between the arms of the U-shaped spring in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extent of those arms. Locking of the latch may be provided by collaring the distal ends of the arms to prevent their expansion once the strike is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenyon A. Hapke, Adrian J. Tengler
  • Electrical switch with shear force contact weld release
    Patent number: 8853582
    Abstract: An electrical switch provides a center contact moving between two outer contacts, at least one of which is mounted on a lever. In the event of a contact weld forming between the center contact and the lever mounted contact, unison motion of the lever mounted contact following the center contact during switching causes a strong shear force tending to break the weld. In one embodiment, a fulcrum wall striking the lever of the lever mounted contact causes increased angulation between the contacts so that unison motion rotates and peels the contacts apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian J. Tengler, Michael S. Osvatic, Michael K. Hintz
  • Lid lock with magnetic anti-tamper feature
    Patent number: 8736406
    Abstract: A latch for a washing machine or other appliance provides two interengaging elements on a lid and housing each having a magnet oriented for mutual repulsion. Proper repulsion of the magnets is necessary to signal that the lid is properly closed such as may be used to determine if the appliance may be locked and safely operated, for example, in a clothes spinning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenyon A Hapke, Joel C Bragg, Michael K Hintz, Randy S McDonald, Mark R Heckenkamp, Jonathan H Olson, Adrian J. Tengler, Jarod M Sulik
  • ELECTRICAL SWITCH WITH SHEAR FORCE CONTACT WELD RELEASE
    Publication number: 20130015049
    Abstract: An electrical switch provides a center contact moving between two outer contacts, at least one of which is mounted on a lever. In the event of a contact weld forming between the center contact and the lever mounted contact, unison motion of the lever mounted contact following the center contact during switching causes a strong shear force tending to break the weld. In one embodiment, a fulcrum wall striking the lever of the lever mounted contact causes increased angulation between the contacts so that unison motion rotates and peels the contacts apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: ADRIAN J. TENGLER, Michael S. Osvatic, Michael K Hintz
  • APPLIANCE LATCH WITH IMPROVED DOOR RETENTION AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES
    Publication number: 20130008046
    Abstract: A door latch for an appliance provides a U-shaped spring for engaging a strike having an expanded tip and passing between the arms of the U-shaped spring in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extent of those arms. Locking of the latch may be provided by collaring the distal ends of the arms to prevent their expansion once the strike is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenyon A. Hapke, Adrian J. Tengler
  • LID LOCK WITH MAGNETIC ANTI-TAMPER FEATURE
    Publication number: 20120312594
    Abstract: A latch for a washing machine or other appliance provides two interengaging elements on a lid and housing each having a magnet oriented for mutual repulsion. Proper repulsion of the magnets is necessary to signal that the lid is properly closed such as may be used to determine if the appliance may be locked and safely operated, for example, in a clothes spinning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenyon A. Hapke, Joel C. Bragg, Michael K. Hintz, Randy S. McDonald, Mark R. Heckenkamp, Jonathan H. Olson, Adrian J. Tengler, Jarod M. Sulik