Patents by Inventor Todd E. Kniffen

Todd E. Kniffen 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: 20030029021
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a handle to a door includes a first clip fastened to the door, a second clip fastened to the door and a handle clamped to the door by the first and second clips. The clip has a flat surface with an aperture therethrough and two wings at one end. A bent or beveled portion at the other end of the flat surface allows the clip to clamp the inner wall of the handle. A fastener, such as a screw, is placed through the aperture in the clip and into the exterior surface of the door to secure the clip and the handle to the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Forrest F. Wing, Thomas Edward Gose, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen
  • Publication number: 20030024259
    Abstract: A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: James H. Jenkins, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
  • Publication number: 20030024265
    Abstract: A chiller compartment is provided that secures to the inside of a refrigerator door. The chiller compartment includes a pair of French doors that are connected by a linkage that causes the doors to simultaneously open or close. The doors retract within the chiller compartment when opened, thereby protecting the doors should the refrigerator door be closed while the chiller compartment doors are left open. The chiller compartment also includes a tray of sufficient height to secure tall beverages or food items and prevent such items from toppling out of the chiller compartment while the refrigerator door is opened or closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis E. Winders, Eric S. Svenby, Jonathan J. Tiemeier, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Publication number: 20030019236
    Abstract: An ice and water dispenser for refrigerator doors is provided that includes an ice dispensing actuator pad that causes dispenser to deliver ice when activated. The dispenser also includes a water dispensing lever that causes the dispenser to deliver water when pushed. The ice and water dispenser includes a control panel that allows the user to control the dispensing operation, such as whether to dispense crushed or cube ice. Because of the arrangement of the ice and water dispensing actuators, the user can insert a glass into the dispensing cavity and dispense both ice and water simultaneously. Further, because of the arrangement of the ice and water dispensing actuators, the user can fill oversize cups, water bottles, or pitchers without having to awkwardly reach around the cup to manually activate the water dispensing lever or push the ice dispensing actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Doug A. Heims, Tim Bergmann, David A. Stauffer, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent
  • Publication number: 20030019827
    Abstract: An extending vertical wall is provided that secures to the rear edge of a shelf assembly inside a refrigerator compartment. The vertical wall comprises a vertical panel with two downwardly protruding legs. The legs removably reside within sockets included in the rear edge of the refrigerator shelf assembly. When the vertical wall is attached to the refrigerator shelf assembly, the vertical wall prevents items placed on the shelf from toppling off the back edge of the shelf assembly. At the user's discretion, the vertical wall may be quickly and easily removed from the shelf assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the wall is a formed retainer having an inserted U-shape such that the legs are received in the shelf sockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Forrest F. Wing, John J. Pink, Eric S. Svenby, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi K. Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Publication number: 20030020386
    Abstract: An improved door bucket assembly is provided for a refrigerator or freezer door. The assembly includes a bucket pivotally mounted in a retainer mounted in the door, such that the bucket is movable between an upright position and tilt-out position. The bucket is open at the top such that items stored in the bucket are accessible when the bucket is in both the upright and tilt-out positions. A stop member limits the tilt-out movement of the bucket to 30°-45°. A clip on the retainer releasably engages a tab on the bucket to prevent accidental tilt-out of the bucket during movement of the door between open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Scott W. Leimkuehler, Roger K. Bush, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, J. Michael Nurre, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Publication number: 20030020387
    Abstract: Improved shelving is provided for a refrigerator. The shelving includes a pair of upper and lower rails which extend across the back of the food compartment, and a pair of half-width shelves selectively positionable on either of the upper and lower rails. The shelves can therefore be arranged in a side-by-side manner at the same level, in a side-by-side manner at different levels, or one shelf immediately above the other in closely spaced proximity so as to provide a tall storage area within the food compartment of the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Forrest F. Wing, John J. Pink, Thomas E. Gose, Roger C. Miersen, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen
  • Publication number: 20030020384
    Abstract: A refrigerator crisper and crisper trim is disclosed. The refrigerator crisper includes a body with integral front wall, back wall, opposite side walls, and a bottom wall, the integral front wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, opposite side edges, and a trim piece connected to the body and at least partially covering the top edge, the bottom edge, and the opposite side edges of the integral front wall of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Roger K. Bush, Todd E. Kniffen, Michael J. Eveland, Greg A. Scorpil, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Publication number: 20030020385
    Abstract: A refrigerator bucket for mounting to a refrigerator door is disclosed. The refrigerator bucket includes a container having an open top face with a finished top edge and tabs extending downwardly from the top edge of the container for connecting the container to the refrigerator door, and a trim piece connected to the container, the trim piece at least partially covering the finished top edge of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Scott W. Leimkuehler, J. Michael Nurre, Todd E. Kniffen, Michael J. Eveland, Timothy Mark Nugent
  • Patent number: 5479707
    Abstract: An ice maker module is built on an integrally formed plastic base. One or more ice making modules are stacked on top of an ice bin. Integrally formed within the plastic base is "wet" compartment within which are disposed multiple numbers of evaporators on which water is frozen into ice cubes. The plastic base also separates the wet compartment from a dry compartment in which is mounted refrigeration components and control circuitry. The evaporators are constructed of two plates of stainless steel. Icing sites are located on the flattened sides of a serpentine refrigeration channel formed between depressions in the stainless steel plates. A microcontroller operates the ice making process. Harvesting of the ice cubes is initiated after the ice maker has used an amount of water necessary to make the ice. An ultrasonic range finder monitors the amount of ice in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Mile High Equipment Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Scott E. Bredesen, James J. Wilson, Duane D. Flim, Todd E. Kniffen, Clinton O. Schahrer
  • Patent number: 5291752
    Abstract: An ice maker module is built on an integrally formed plastic base. One or more ice making modules are stacked on top of an ice bin. Integrally formed within the plastic base is "wet" compartment within which are disposed multiple numbers of evaporators on which water is frozen into ice cubes. The plastic base also separates the wet compartment from a dry compartment in which is mounted refrigeration components and control circuitry. The evaporators are constructed of two plates of stainless steel. Icing sites are located on the flattened sides of a serpentine refrigeration channel formed between depressions in the stainless steel plates. A microcontroller operates the ice making process. Harvesting of the ice cubes is initiated after the ice maker has used an amount of water necessary to make the ice. An ultrasonic range finder monitors the amount of ice in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Scott E. Bredesen, James J. Wilson, Duane D. Flim, Todd E. Kniffen, Clinton O. Schahrer
  • Patent number: 5182925
    Abstract: An ice maker module is built on an integrally formed plastic base. One or more ice making modules are stacked on top of an ice bin. Integrally formed within the plastic base is "wet" compartment within which are disposed multiple numbers of evaporators on which water is frozen into ice cubes. The plastic base also separates the wet compartment from a dry compartment in which is mounted refrigeration components and control circuitry. The evaporators are constructed of two plates of stainless steel. Icing sites are located on the flattened sides of a serpentine refrigeration channel formed between depressions in the stainless steel plates. A microcontroller operates the ice making process. Harvesting of the ice cubes is initiated after the ice maker has used an amount of water necessary to make the ice. An ultrasonic range finder monitors the amount of ice in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Mile High Equipment Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Scott E. Bredesen, James J. Wilson, Duane D. Flim, Todd E. Kniffen, Clinton O. Schahrer
  • Patent number: D474485
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Tamara Kappler, Todd E. Kniffen, Timothy M. Nugent, David J. Olberding, Robert Pohl, Ravi K. Sawhney, Eric Svenby, Dennis E. Winders, John Frank Zinni