Patents Represented by Attorney Diederiks & Whitelaw, PLC
  • Patent number: 8096040
    Abstract: A method of assembling allows a refrigerator handle to be selectively mounted to a front face portion or a side edge of a refrigerator door. The handle includes first and second ends separated by an intermediate portion, wherein each of the handle ends includes a recessed section. Each of the recessed sections includes a mounting arrangement formed therein, which is adapted to receive either a bracket for mounting the handle to the side edge of the door or a clip for mounting the handle to the front face portion of the door. The method includes selectively attaching the handle to the front face of the door through the clip, or to the side edge with the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Forrest F. Wing
  • Patent number: 8097833
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an oven provided with bake, broil and multiple convection heating elements, as well as plural, multi-speed fans, for cooking a wide range of food. The appliance can perform multiple, distinct cooking operations, preferably including a bake mode, a no preheat convection bake mode, a rapid preheat convection bake mode, a standard preheat convection bake mode and a convection roast mode, depending upon available user selections. Based on the selected cooking mode, each of the heating elements and fans is operated in a predetermined fashion to provide for efficient heating of the oven and effective cooking of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bonuso, Steven M. Swayne
  • Patent number: 8093553
    Abstract: A method of determining the arrival time of one or more ions at an ion detector is disclosed. Ions arriving at the ion detector produce a signal and the time when a leading edge of the signal and when a trailing edge of the signal cross an intensity threshold are determined. The two times are then averaged to provide an ion arrival time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventor: Martin Green
  • Patent number: 8075062
    Abstract: A monolithic dual-purpose trailer for transporting cargo includes a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and a central reinforcing member in the form of an engineered truss is located between the two side rails. Wheels are mounted to the frame. A deck including a load bearing surface with a grate is formed on the frame. Hoppers are positioned below the grate. The frame is formed as one solid welded unit. The deck has a portion formed of flat aluminum. A perimeter frame rail is located around the deck. The trailer can transport multiple types of loads and does not have to be converted from one mode to another and additionally has reduced longitudinal flexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Randall Hicks
  • Patent number: 8076637
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a quadrupole rod set ion guide or mass filter device. Broadband frequency-signals (13, 14, 15) having a plurality of frequency notches (16a; 16b; 16c) are applied sequentially to the rods of the quadrupole rod set. The notched broadband frequency signals (16a, 16b, 16c) cause undesired ions to be resonantly or parametrically ejected from the ion guide. The resulting ion signals are deconvoluted to provide a mass spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Steven Derek Pringle, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Patent number: 8070700
    Abstract: A lower extremity enhancer to be worn by a user includes two leg supports having a plurality of jointed links. Proximal ends of the leg supports are connected to a back frame. Distal ends of the leg supports are connected to two foot links. The leg supports are powered by a plurality of actuators adapted to apply torques to the leg supports in response to movement of the user's legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Homayoon Kazerooni, Jean-Louis Racine, Andrew Chu, Adam Zoss
  • Patent number: 8066821
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes wash chamber, a wash system for supplying washing fluid to wash arms to clean articles arranged in the wash chamber, and a washing fluid manifold having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a passage interconnecting the inlet and outlet portions. A filter chamber is fluidly connected to the washing fluid manifold for removing food soil from the washing fluid. A venturi is provided in the passage for establishing a low pressure region. A sampling port for feeding the filter chamber is located in the low pressure region. In addition, a bleed port is provide near an inlet of the filter chamber. In this manner, washing fluid enters the filter chamber at low pressure to increase the efficiency of a filtering process, while washing fluid enters the wash arms at a high velocity to efficiently perform a washing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Mark E. Palm, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 8061138
    Abstract: A system for controlling contaminant deposition in an exhaust recirculation cooler mounted in a vehicle to allow exhaust gas to recirculate along a gas recirculation path from the exhaust assembly of the engine to the intake assembly of the engine. The cooler includes a housing defining an exhaust gas inlet leading to an internal gas cooling passageway which, in turn, leads to an exhaust gas outlet. A controller receives flow dependent signals and, in turn, regulates the flow of exhaust gas through the cooler to establish a turbulent flow in order to control the production of deposits in the cooler. Multiple, varying size coolers can be employed, with separate exhaust flows to the coolers being varied in by determining which coolers should be active, while still maintaining turbulent flow patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gavin Pearson
  • Patent number: 8057410
    Abstract: The lower extremity exoskeleton comprises two leg supports connectable to person's lower limbs and configured to rest on the ground during their stance phase. Each leg support comprises a thigh link and a shank link; a knee joint configured to allow flexion and extension between the shank link and the thigh link. The lower extremity exoskeleton further comprises an exoskeleton trunk connectable to the person'supper body. The exoskeleton trunk is connectable to the thigh links of the leg supports allowing for the flexion and extension between the leg supports and the exoskeleton trunk. Two torque generators are coupled to each of the knee joints. A power unit, capable of providing power, is coupled to the torque generators. In operation when a leg support is in a stance phase and climbing a slope or stairs, the power unit injects power into the respective torque generator thereby extending the respective knee angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Russdon Angold, Nathan H. Harding, Homayoon Kazerooni
  • Patent number: 8038805
    Abstract: A dishrack system for a drawer-type dishwasher having a tub including bottom, rear and opposing side walls includes a side portion and a readily removable base portion supported by the side portion. The side portion includes a base section having first and second leg members, and a back wall section. The leg members directly support the side portion upon the bottom wall of the tub, with the back wall section extending along one of the opposing side walls. The base portion includes a first end directly supported by the side portion and a second end which can be supported either directly by the bottom wall of the washing chamber or by another side portion. With this arrangement, the dishrack system occupies a full length and width of the tub, while the base portion can be removed without disturbing dishware items resting on the side portion(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy Anderson, Kory A. Gunnerson, Heather M. Hagans, Kristen K. Hedstrom, Mark E. Palm, David K. Reynolds, Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch, Jeffrey N. Williams
  • Patent number: 8038235
    Abstract: A compact portable refrigerator includes caster wheels on its bottom and a removable storage tray on its top. The storage tray is well suited for containing ice and beverage containers. A lid may be provided to selectively enclose and cover the storage tray. Removable display panels may be provided on a door of the refrigerator. Back lighting may be provided to enhance the appearance of the display panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick M. Lowery, Kenneth C. Boyle, Rob Brueckner, Michael Kopczewski, Ryan Berger, Barry Markwick
  • Patent number: 8037697
    Abstract: An icemaker for a refrigerator having a cabinet with a refrigerated compartment and an unrefrigerated machine compartment includes a body portion formed with an inlet, an outlet and an opening. A flexible mold is positioned in the opening. A water supply is positioned to provide water to the flexible mold. A fluid supply circuit, including a pump mounted in the machine compartment, a first fluid conduit connected between the pump and the inlet, and a second fluid conduit connected to the outlet, provides warm fluid to the body portion. The icemaker forms ice during an ice production cycle and the fluid warmed in the machine compartment is used to partially melt and aid in releasing the ice which is then deposited in a ice storage bin during a harvest cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas David LeClear, Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Guolian Wu, Jon Donald Tromblee
  • Patent number: 8037701
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment and a refrigeration system. A duct, exposed to the freezer compartment, leads into the fresh food compartment. A damper is arranged within the duct to selectively allow the passage of cooling air into the fresh food compartment. The refrigerator also includes an air mixing fan arranged in the fresh food compartment, a freezer mounted ice maker, a user interface having a plurality of control elements and a controller operatively associated with the user interface. The controller includes a memory having stored therein a plurality of operating parameters for controlling various aspects or features of the refrigerator, including a temperature control mode, a super cool mode, a food saver mode and a quick ice mode, which can be synergistically combined to efficiently operate the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Carl Anell, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Carl J. Franken, Alvin V. Miller, Mauro M. Oliveira, Todd E. Pritts, Alan G. Tarrant, Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Patent number: 8039775
    Abstract: A built-in oven has a door, a control panel positioned above the door and a cooling system including a fan-motor assembly for drawing cooling air around the outside surface of the oven and an exhaust duct for discharging air to the ambient. The cooling system comprises a cooling air supply duct above the top side of the oven and with an intake opening below the control panel, and an exhaust duct positioned above the supply duct so that its exhaust opening is placed above the control panel, the fan-motor assembly being mounted between the supply duct and the exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michele Venezia, Marco Giuliani, Cristina Mazzetti
  • Patent number: 8034276
    Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a pump that establishes and directs a flow of washing fluid into a tub during a washing operation. The pump includes a pump housing having a rigid main body portion that defines an inlet section and an outlet section, as well as a plurality of resilient members that are over-molded onto the inlet and outlet sections. The rigid main body portion includes a mounting element for supporting the pump. An insulation grommet is positioned in the mounting element to minimize any transfer of vibration from the pump to the appliance. The inlet nipple, outlet nipple and insulation grommet are joined through a plurality of web members. The rigid main body also includes a secondary outlet section that is adapted to directly receive a hose or is connected to a hose through a secondary outlet nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 8030089
    Abstract: A method of identifying molecules of biological origin is disclosed. The molecules are identified and the basis of the accurately determined mass to charge ratio of the molecules and at least a further physico-chemical property such as elution time or charge state. Further physico-chemical properties may be used. The experimentally determined accurate mass and physico-chemical properties can then be compared with a look-up table of information. The look-up table may generated or physico-chemical properties of data in a conventional database may be calculated. The ability to recognize and preferably identify the same molecules in two different samples may be used to determine whether a particular biological molecules has been expressed differently in an experimental sample relative to a control sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Scott Geromanos, Ashok R. Dongre, Gregory Opiteck, Jeffrey Silva
  • Patent number: 8024872
    Abstract: A multi-layered protector is adapted to attach to and cover the entire sole of a shoe to protect the sole from being marred or otherwise damaged when the shoe is worn by a user. The protector includes a ground engaging layer, a wear indicating layer and an adhesive layer. The wear indicating layer is rigid in character and provides immediate feedback to a user of its exposure. A removable peel layer adjacent the adhesive layer may be removed in order to attach the sole protector to the sole of the shoe. Preferably, the ground engaging layer includes an upwardly extending, peripheral rim portion adapted to protect the outer edge portions of the sole. A deformable conforming layer is optionally provided between the wear indicating layer and the adhesive layer. The protector may be adapted for customization or may be produced specifically for use with a particular shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond Anthony Pettis
  • Patent number: 8025442
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for presenting information on transparent resealable storage bags. Embodiments allow for the presentation of graphic images such as numbers, letters, cartoon characters (such as Disney® characters, e.g., Mickey Mouse®), colors, animals, dinosaurs, flowers, trains, cars, planes, hearts, marketing logos, puzzles (including puzzles that are complete when the sides of the bag are next to one another and incomplete when the sides of the bag are separated) or any other information such as instructional information such as questions and answers or information that changes color based on temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Kathy Wood Paulin
  • Patent number: 8024880
    Abstract: A combination exit sign and emergency light is provided, wherein the emergency light is disposed along a bottom, portion of the exit sign. The bottom portion of the housing is formed with a recessed section intermediate opposing side flange portions, with a light bar incorporating LEDs being mounted in the recess section to provide emergency lighting during power outages and emergency situations. The bar is white in color on the outside, except a bottom portion of the bar is left clear for the free transmission of light. With this construction, at least a substantial majority of fight generated by the LEDs will be directed out of the bottom portion, while the side portions are also preferably lit thereby providing a more intense light out of the bottom portion to assure adequate illumination leading to a suitable exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Best Lighting Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Shuo Kuan, Jeffrey S. Katz
  • Patent number: 8020949
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a door having an outer panel portion and an inner panel portion, with a plurality of mounting members being spaced about the outer panel portion of the door. A glass panel assembly, including a glass panel and a plurality of mounting elements, is detachably mounted to the door through the interengagement of the plurality of mounting elements with the plurality of mounting members. The mounting elements are adhesively secured to the glass panel. Neither the plurality of mounting members nor the plurality of mounting elements are readily visible normally when viewing the kitchen appliance such that the glass panel appears to float relative to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Norman B. Davis, Lawrence J. Ertz, Jon Freesmeier, Steven M. Haring, Chad Jonathan Rotter, Barry E. Tuller