Patents by Inventor William C. Dobson

William C. Dobson 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: 7498546
    Abstract: Objects of the invention relate to a detachable breakaway power supply device that can be selectively coupled to an electrical appliance. A first coupling element is carried by the appliance and a second coupling element is carried by the detachable power supply device. The power supply device is carried by a conventional power supply cord. Attractive magnetic forces between the first and second coupling elements permit selective, removable attachment and electrical contact between the appliance and the power supply device. This arrangement provides a breakaway mechanism in which disturbance of the power supply cord, e.g., by tripping, results in the separation of the power supply device from the appliance to prevent overturning of the appliance and spilling of its contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignees: Focus Products Group, LLC, TML, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Belongia, William C. Dobson, Gustave J. Jockers, Hui Ming Kuo
  • Patent number: 6988897
    Abstract: Objects of the invention relate to a detachable breakaway power supply device that can be selectively coupled to an electrical appliance. A first coupling element is carried by the appliance and a second coupling element is carried by the detachable power supply device. The power supply device is carried by a conventional power supply cord. Attractive magnetic forces between the first and second coupling elements permit selective, removable attachment and electrical contact between the appliance and the power supply device. This arrangement provides a breakaway mechanism in which disturbance of the power supply cord, e.g., by tripping, results in the separation of the power supply device from the appliance to prevent overturning of the appliance and spilling of its contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignees: Focus Products Group, LLC, TML, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Belongia, William C. Dobson, Gustave J. Jockers, Hui Ming Kuo
  • Publication number: 20040077187
    Abstract: Objects of the invention relate to a detachable breakaway power supply device that can be selectively coupled to an electrical appliance. A first coupling element is carried by the appliance and a second coupling element is carried by the detachable power supply device. The power supply device is carried by a conventional power supply cord. Attractive magnetic forces between the first and second coupling elements permit selective, removable attachment and electrical contact between the appliance and the power supply device. This arrangement provides a breakaway mechanism in which disturbance of the power supply cord, e.g., by tripping, results in the separation of the power supply device from the appliance to prevent overturning of the appliance and spilling of its contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Regal Ware, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Belongia, William C. Dobson, Gustave J. Jockers, Hui Ming Kuo
  • Patent number: 6173506
    Abstract: A roaster and method for roasting utilizing a tangential flow reducing structure which directs and guides airflow from a blower device into a roasting vessel with minimal swirl and circular flow. The tangential flow reducing structure is preferably one or more baffles, and is preferably located within a plenum in the base of the roaster. More preferably, the roaster has a number of substantially vertical baffles channeling airflow into a vertical and reduced-swirl flow entering the roasting vessel. The roaster also preferably has a unique connection between the roasting vessel and a base upon which the roasting vessel rests, with a flat washer-shaped gasket maintaining a fluid tight seal between the roasting vessel and the base. To tighten the seal, the roaster also preferably includes a cover which is pivotably attached to a support structure supporting the cover in position over the roasting vessel when the roasting vessel is on top of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Premark WB Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Annette T. Kruepke, William C. Dobson
  • Patent number: 5216031
    Abstract: A vertically extending base of rectangular cross section with an upwardly opening compartment therein is telescopically received within the similarly configured downwardly opening chamber of an overlying housing. The upper end of the base removably mounts a cutter plate. The top panel of the housing removably mounts a palm-held power unit. The power unit, through a central opening in the top panel, mounts elements which secure a vegetable for rotation by the power unit as the housing is moved downwardly over the base for engagement of the vegetable progressively with the cutter plate. The components disassemble and store in nested relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: The West Bend Company
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, David C. Belongia
  • Patent number: 4650268
    Abstract: A cordless iron incorporating a shielded electrical connector. The connector comprises a plug and a socket, the socket having a movable baffle which is held closed when the plug is not engaged with the socket, to isolate the socket's electrical contacts behind a shield section of the baffle. The socket also has a baffle arm, isolated from the shield section of the baffle, by which the baffle may be opened. The plug bears a projection which engages the baffle arm as the plug engages the socket. The socket also has an electrical switch which activates the socket's electrical contacts after the plug is substantially engaged with the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, Carl R. Spoeth
  • Patent number: 4528429
    Abstract: A shielded electrical connector usable in conjunction with a household electrical appliance such as a cordless iron. The connector comprises a plug and a socket, the socket having a movable baffle which is held closed when the plug is not engaged with the socket, to isolate the socket's electrical contacts behind a shield section of the baffle. The socket also has a baffle arm, isolated from the shield section of the baffle, by which the baffle may be opened. The plug bears a projection which engages the baffle arm as the plug engages the socket. The socket also has an electrical switch which activates the socket's electrical contacts after the plug is substantially engaged with the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, Carl R. Spoeth
  • Patent number: 3956613
    Abstract: A generally bowl-shaped coffee maker base structure is disclosed having a plurality of receptacles extending upwardly from the structure bottom. Exposed electrical terminals common with electrical parts on an electric coffee maker are positioned within the appropriate receptacles. The electrical terminals are encapsulated by filling the receptacles with a liquid hardenable sealing compound. The compound is cured and hardens to provide watertight corrosion-proof terminals to produce an immersible unitary base structure for a coffee maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1976
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, James M. Straughn
  • Patent number: D444664
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Premark WB Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, Scott T. Pollnow
  • Patent number: D444993
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Premark WB Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, Scott T. Pollnow
  • Patent number: D452112
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Premark WB Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, Gary Jan
  • Patent number: D283069
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, William C. Cesaroni
  • Patent number: D283932
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, William C. Cesaroni
  • Patent number: D283933
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, William C. Cesaroni
  • Patent number: RE32340
    Abstract: A shielded electrical connector usable in conjunction with a household electrical appliance such as a cordless iron. The connector comprises a plug and a socket, the socket having a movable baffle which is held closed when the plug is not engaged with the socket, to isolate the socket's electrical contacts behind a shield section of the baffle. The socket also has a baffle arm, isolated from the shield section of the baffle, by which the baffle may be opened. The plug bears a projection which engages the baffle arm as the plug engages the socket. The socket also has an electrical switch which activates the socket's electrical contacts after the plug is substantially engaged with the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, Carl R. Spoeth
  • Patent number: D321625
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: The West Bend Company
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, William C. Cesaroni
  • Patent number: D366595
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: The West Bend Company
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, William C. Cesaroni
  • Patent number: D384549
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: The West Bend Company
    Inventors: William C. Cesaroni, William C. Dobson
  • Patent number: D425360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Premark WB Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, Scott T. Pollnow
  • Patent number: D434266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Premark WB Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dobson, Scott T. Pollnow