Patents by Inventor Ronnie Charles Coffey

Ronnie Charles Coffey 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).

  • Patent number: 5908229
    Abstract: An outer shell for a refrigerator a cabinet formed from a plurality of vertically arranged panels each having opposed vertical edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. A plurality of dovetail-like, linear joints interlock the vertical edges of the vertically arranged panels without requiring additional fasteners or welding. A top panel is interconnected with the top edges of the vertically arranged panels and a bottom panel is interconnected with the bottom edges of the vertically arranged panels. Each of the linear joints comprise a channel having a fan shaped cross-section provided along one edge of a panel and a connecting flange formed along the edge of a second adjacent panel wherein the connecting flange is received into the channel such that the first and second panels are interconnected. The outer shell is easily assembled by joining adjacent panels via the interlocking joints. Moreover, the joints provide strength to the outer shell and are well suited for use in insulation foaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Douglas Wetherholt, Martin Eric Wesemann, Ronnie Charles Coffey, James E. Altmyer, Michael Wayne Austin