Patents by Inventor Michael L. Spears

Michael L. Spears 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).

  • Mating interface assembly between a dispenser hose and wash unit tub of a washer and dryer combination appliance
    Patent number: 11970813
    Abstract: A laundry appliance including an appliance housing, a wash unit tub disposed inside the appliance housing, a drum rotatably supported within the wash unit tub, and a wash water dispenser assembly. A laundry compartment is provided inside the drum and the drum is rotatable about a drum axis. The wash water dispenser assembly includes a dispenser hose and a mating interface assembly. The dispenser hose includes a dispenser hose inlet and a dispenser hose outlet. The mating interface assembly connects the dispenser hose outlet to the wash unit tub. The mating interface assembly includes a tub port adapter on the tub sidewall that extends outwardly away from the drum axis to provide a mechanical connection with the dispenser hose outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rajwardhan Deshmukh, Mohsin M. Attar, Arun Rajendran, Kurt L. Masciovecchio, Jason R. Spears, Michael Vriezema, Kristian N. Engelsen
  • High-strength lock
    Patent number: 10669739
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears, Robert Dalton
  • HIGH-STRENGTH LOCK
    Publication number: 20190234105
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. IRWIN, Michael L. SPEARS, Robert DALTON
  • High-strength lock
    Patent number: 10267058
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears, Robert Dalton
  • LOCK MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20180266144
    Abstract: A lock having a plug installed within a housing. The plug can be securely retained within the housing using an attachment device disposed within the lockable volume. The attachment device can have a set screw and/or a pin to secure the attachment device to the plug and to prevent rotation of the attachment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Robert E. Dalton, JR., William Albert Tartal, Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears
  • HIGH-STRENGTH LOCK
    Publication number: 20180030756
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. IRWIN, Michael L. SPEARS, Robert DALTON
  • High-strength lock
    Patent number: 9809995
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears, Robert Dalton
  • HIGH-STRENGTH LOCK
    Publication number: 20160168876
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. IRWIN, Michael L. SPEARS, Robert DALTON
  • High-strength lock, method of making high-strength lock, and method for mounting high-strength lock
    Patent number: 9273487
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears, Robert Dalton
  • High-strength lock, method of making high-strength lock, and method for mounting high-strength lock
    Publication number: 20080276666
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears, Robert Dalton