Patents by Inventor Steve C. Drees

Steve C. Drees 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: 10098505
    Abstract: A damper mechanism for a stand mixer includes a swing body coupled to a pivot pin and operable along an actuation path between first and second positions. A piston damper is configured to provide a damping effect to a downward movement of a mixer head and is coupled to the swing body. The piston damper includes a damper housing and a piston rod, wherein the piston rod is operable between extended and compressed positions relative to the damper housing. The piston damper provides a damping effect along a portion of the actuation path of the swing body as a mixer head moves towards the closed position relative to a pedestal of the stand mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Erica L. Roberts, Mark J. Sherman, Daniel A. Altenritter, Steve C. Drees, Stuart W. Athey, Everett S. Kettle, Arren J. McCormick
  • Patent number: 9763542
    Abstract: A jar retainer mechanism for a blending appliance includes an articulating arm pivotally coupled to a housing of the blending appliance. The articulating arm is operable between engaged and disengaged positions and includes a latch member disposed on a first end of the articulating arm. The latch member is configured to engage an engagement tab disposed on a blender jar when the articulating arm is in the engaged position and the blender jar is received laterally in a jar receiving portion. A push member is disposed on a second end of the articulating arm and is configured to displace the blender jar when the articulating arm is moved towards the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steve C. Drees, Paul S. Paget
  • Publication number: 20160324367
    Abstract: A damper mechanism for a stand mixer includes a swing body coupled to a pivot pin and operable along an actuation path between first and second positions. A piston damper is configured to provide a damping effect to a downward movement of a mixer head and is coupled to the swing body. The piston damper includes a damper housing and a piston rod, wherein the piston rod is operable between extended and compressed positions relative to the damper housing. The piston damper provides a damping effect along a portion of the actuation path of the swing body as a mixer head moves towards the closed position relative to a pedestal of the stand mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Erica L. Roberts, Mark J. Sherman, Daniel A. Altenritter, Steve C. Drees, Stuart W. Athey, Everett S. Kettle, Arren J. McCormick
  • Patent number: 9468339
    Abstract: A blending appliance having a housing includes a motor compartment and a jar receiving portion spaced laterally from the motor compartment. The housing includes an upper retaining member and a support pad extending outwardly from the housing, such that a jar receiving portion is defined therebetween. A motor is disposed in the motor compartment. A jar includes a lid with a feed chute. Together, the jar and lid are configured for reception in the jar receiving portion of the housing. The lid is vertically secured onto the jar by the upper retaining member upon reception of the jar into the jar receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Conti, Steve C. Drees, Brandon T. Mock, Leif A. Norland, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20150257601
    Abstract: A jar retainer mechanism for a blending appliance includes an articulating arm pivotally coupled to a housing of the blending appliance. The articulating arm is operable between engaged and disengaged positions and includes a latch member disposed on a first end of the articulating arm. The latch member is configured to engage an engagement tab disposed on a blender jar when the articulating arm is in the engaged position and the blender jar is received laterally in a jar receiving portion. A push member is disposed on a second end of the articulating arm and is configured to displace the blender jar when the articulating arm is moved towards the disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: STEVE C. DREES, PAUL S. PAGET
  • Publication number: 20140269155
    Abstract: A blending appliance having a housing includes a motor compartment and a jar receiving portion spaced laterally from the motor compartment. The housing includes an upper retaining member and a support pad extending outwardly from the housing, such that a jar receiving portion is defined therebetween. A motor is disposed in the motor compartment. A jar includes a lid with a feed chute. Together, the jar and lid are configured for reception in the jar receiving portion of the housing. The lid is vertically secured onto the jar by the upper retaining member upon reception of the jar into the jar receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: MICHAEL P. CONTI, STEVE C. DREES, BRANDON T. MOCK, LEIF A. NORLAND, PAUL S. PAGET, MITCHELL L. ROBERTSON
  • Patent number: D526531
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steve C. Drees, Jeremy T. Wolters, John B. Ledingham
  • Patent number: D533395
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steve C. Drees, Jeremy T. Wolters, John B. Ledingham