Patents by Inventor Chris R. McElvain

Chris R. McElvain 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).

  • Refrigerator door having end cap with retention plug
    Patent number: 7866773
    Abstract: An improved refrigerator door is provided with a metal outer panel and upper and lower plastic end caps installed on top and bottom edges of the door. The caps include grooves to receive flanges on the edges of the panel, thereby mounting the caps to the panel. The caps include plugs for receipt in a vertical channel in the panel. A bushing is snap fit into the upper cap without the use of hardware fasteners. Electric wires and a water line extend downwardly through the bushing to an ice and water dispenser in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chris R. McElvain, Chad J. Rotter
  • Refrigerator door having end cap with bushing
    Patent number: 7617634
    Abstract: An improved refrigerator door is provided with a metal outer panel and upper and lower plastic end caps installed on top and bottom edges of the door. The caps include grooves to receive flanges on the edges of the panel. A bushing is snap fit into the upper cap without the use of hardware fasteners. Electric wires and a water line extend downwardly through the bushing to an ice and water dispenser in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chris R. McElvain, Chad J. Rotter