Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Ostdiek

Stephen D. Ostdiek 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).

  • Publication number: 20200208324
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20200173091
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: DONALD E. ERICKSON, MARK R. HASLANGER, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK, JAIME E. RODRIGUEZ
  • Publication number: 20200157728
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior and having a front panel defining a front panel opening. A rotatable treating chamber is located within the interior and accessible through the front panel opening. A door assembly is mounted to the chassis for movement between opened and closed positions to selectively open or close the front panel opening. The door assembly includes a window or panel slidable between first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: DARRYL C. BODINE, GREGG P. FITZGERALD, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK, MARCEL SCHMIDT, TODD TUNZI
  • Patent number: 10590585
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Erickson, Mark R. Haslanger, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Jaime E. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10036113
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to a cycle of operation, includes a container rotatable about a rotational axis and having a peripheral wall, a plurality of arranged embossments, and a plurality of arranged holes, wherein the plurality of embossments may be oriented at an angle to both of the rotational axis and the plurality of arranged holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg P. Fitzgerald, John M. Hunnell, John W. McConnell, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Dean L. Tietz
  • Publication number: 20170275801
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: DONALD E. ERICKSON, MARK R. HASLANGER, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK, JAIME E. RODRIGUEZ
  • Patent number: 9708742
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Erickson, Mark R. Haslanger, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Jaime E. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9540754
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable drum for receiving a laundry load. The rotatable drum includes a cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall about a longitudinal axis, and a metal cover at one end thereof, the metal cover having an annular groove formed by a first wall, a second wall spaced from the first wall, a third wall extending between the first and second walls, and a fourth wall extending from the second wall. A metal adjoining piece having a first adjoining wall is coupled with the third wall and a second adjoining wall is coupled with the fourth wall, wherein a hollow annular raceway is defined by the second wall, the third wall, the first adjoining wall, and the second adjoining wall. A sound dampener is disposed adjacent at least one of the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Borlin, Mark R. Haslanger, George W. Malheiros, Stephen D. Ostdiek
  • Patent number: 9534335
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable drum for receiving a laundry load. The rotatable drum includes a cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall about a longitudinal axis, and a metal cover at one end thereof, the metal cover having an annular groove formed by a first wall, a second wall spaced from the first wall, a third wall extending between the first and second walls, and a fourth wall extending from the second wall. A first land is secured to the third wall and has a leg extending toward the second wall adjacent to the third wall, and a second land is secured to the fourth wall. A non-metal adjoining piece is coupled with the first and second land. A hollow annular raceway is defined by the second wall, the leg, the first adjoining wall, and the second adjoining wall and includes a moveable mass disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Borlin, Donald E. Erickson, Mark R. Haslanger, George W. Malheiros, Stephen D. Ostdiek
  • Publication number: 20150345067
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: DONALD E. ERICKSON, MARK R. HASLANGER, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK, JAIME E. RODRIGUEZ
  • Publication number: 20150322614
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER L. BORLIN, MARK R. HASLANGER, GEORGE W. MALHEIROS, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK
  • Publication number: 20150322615
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable drum for receiving a laundry load. The rotatable drum includes a cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall about a longitudinal axis, and a metal cover at one end thereof, the metal cover having an annular groove formed by a first wall, a second wall spaced from the first wall, a third wall extending between the first and second walls, and a fourth wall extending from the second wall. A first land is secured to the third wall and has a leg extending toward the second wall adjacent to the third wall, and a second land is secured to the fourth wall. A non-metal adjoining piece is coupled with the first and second land. A hollow annular raceway is defined by the second wall, the leg, the first adjoining wall, and the second adjoining wall and includes a moveable mass disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER L. BORLIN, DONALD E. ERICKSON, MARK R. HASLANGER, GEORGE W. MALHEIROS, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK
  • Publication number: 20150322613
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable drum for receiving a laundry load. The rotatable drum includes a cylindrical body with a cylindrical wall about a longitudinal axis, and a metal cover at one end thereof, the metal cover having an annular groove formed by a first wall, a second wall spaced from the first wall, a third wall extending between the first and second walls, and a fourth wall extending from the second wall. A metal adjoining piece having a first adjoining wall is coupled with the third wall and a second adjoining wall is coupled with the fourth wall, wherein a hollow annular raceway is defined by the second wall, the third wall, the first adjoining wall, and the second adjoining wall. A sound dampener is disposed adjacent at least one of the walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPER L. BORLIN, MARK R. HASLANGER, GEORGE W. MALHEIROS, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK
  • Patent number: 9003838
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Ostdiek, Vishal Verma
  • Patent number: D761501
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg P. Fitzgerald, John M. Hunnell, John W. McConnell, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Dean L. Tietz
  • Patent number: D801603
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg P. Fitzgerald, John M. Hunnell, John W. McConnell, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Dean L. Tietz
  • Patent number: D830654
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg P. Fitzgerald, John M. Hunnell, John W. McConnell, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Dean L. Tietz
  • Patent number: D848690
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Ostdiek, Murali Ramalingam
  • Patent number: D867700
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg P. Fitzgerald, John M. Hunnell, John W. McConnell, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Dean L. Tietz
  • Patent number: D878690
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg P. Fitzgerald, John M. Hunnell, John W. McConnell, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Dean L. Tietz