Patents by Inventor Bret E. Kline

Bret E. Kline 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: 10767848
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a heat sink to be attached a heat source, being coupled thermally and directly for conductive flow of heat from the heat source to the heat sink. The heat sink is formed via extrusion of material of suitable density and mass to absorb heat from the heat source based on design requirements. The extruded heat sink is configured with specially oriented extruded fins and machined cross cuts to increase surface area available to air flow, and arranged for efficient passage of air around the extruded heat sink, thus effecting efficient convection of heat into the air ambient. Cross cuts and fin are specifically arranged to enhance the “stack effect,” or “chimney effect,” associated with air flow. An objective is to maximize air flow across available surface area, and thus to enhance removal of heat into the air ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventors: Bret E. Kline, Randy Goodman
  • Publication number: 20200109848
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a heat sink to be attached a heat source, being coupled thermally and directly for conductive flow of heat from the heat source to the heat sink. The heat sink is formed via extrusion of material of suitable density and mass to absorb heat from the heat source based on design requirements. The extruded heat sink is configured with specially oriented extruded fins and machined cross cuts to increase surface area available to air flow, and arranged for efficient passage of air around the extruded heat sink, thus effecting efficient convection of heat into the air ambient. Cross cuts and fin are specifically arranged to enhance the “stack effect,” or “chimney effect,” associated with air flow. An objective is to maximize air flow across available surface area, and thus to enhance removal of heat into the air ambient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Bret E. Kline, Randy Goodman
  • Publication number: 20140360891
    Abstract: A system and method for placing as much of adsorbent/absorbent as possible in a container to allow for the maximal adsorption or absorption of targeted molecular constituents in gases, fluids, liquids or mixture thereof. A system and method for loading, unloading, packing, storing, delivering, and retrieving gases, fluids, liquids, or mixtures thereof. A system for containing, loading, storage, delivery, and retrieval of gases, fluids, liquids, or mixtures thereof, containing a molecular density adsorbent/absorbent material; one or more Lattices each containing the molecular density adsorbent/absorbent material; wherein each of the one or more Lattices permits circulation of air flow from more than two sides to allow for adsorption, absorption or desorption of a constituent in the gases, fluids, liquids, or mixture thereof; and wherein the one or more Lattices is housed within a Vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Bret E. Kline, Mitchell J. New Delman, John A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8502098
    Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel is a laminate assembly of a front metal panel and a rear polymeric film. The film carries various electronic circuits and other components which are operable from the metal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: American Trim, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Byrne, Bret E. Kline, Steven J. Couvillon, Frank J. Catanzarite
  • Patent number: 8503169
    Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel includes a front metal panel, a rearwardly positioned polymeric decorated film and an adhesive layer disposed between the panel and the decorated film. The film overlies an electronic control module which typically includes various displays and press-type switches. Various markings and indicia on the decorated film are visible through openings in the panel and the adhesive layer. The appliance control panel includes one or more capacitance touch switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: American Trim, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert M. Byrne, Bret E. Kline, Steven J. Couvillon, Michael Standley, Rick Hemmelgarn
  • Patent number: 8451591
    Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel includes a front metal panel, a rearwardly positioned polymeric decorated film and an adhesive layer disposed between the panel and the decorated film. The film overlies an electronic control module which typically includes various displays and press-type switches. Various markings and indicia on the decorated film are visible through openings in the panel and the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: American Trim, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Byrne, Bret E. Kline, Steven J. Couvillon, Michael Standley, Rick Hemmelgarn
  • Publication number: 20120144877
    Abstract: An agitator assembly for a clothes washing machine is provided. The agitator assembly includes a base rotatably mounted on a lower portion of a rotary drum. The base includes an upper surface and a lower surface and is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. A plurality of vanes is mounted on the upper surface of the base and is rotated together with the base about the first rotational axis. Each vane extends radially from the first rotational axis toward a periphery of the base. The impeller is configured to rotate along with rotation of the base about a second rotational axis which is radially offset from the first rotational axis. Rotation of the impeller imparts an upper flow through the base to the water contained in a water basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: American Trim, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Byrne, Bret E. Kline
  • Publication number: 20110214978
    Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel includes a front metal panel, a rearwardly positioned polymeric decorated film and an adhesive layer disposed between the panel and the decorated film. The film overlies an electronic control module which typically includes various displays and press-type switches. Various markings and indicia on the decorated film are visible through openings in the panel and the adhesive layer. The appliance control panel includes one or more capacitance touch switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN TRIM, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Byrne, Bret E. Kline, Steven J. Couvillon, Michael Standley, Rick Hemmelgarn
  • Publication number: 20100224469
    Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel includes a front metal panel, a rearwardly positioned polymeric decorated film and an adhesive layer disposed between the panel and the decorated film. The film overlies an electronic control module which typically includes various displays and press-type switches. Various markings and indicia on the decorated film are visible through openings in the panel and the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN TRIM, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Byrne, Bret E. Kline, Steven J. Couvillon, Michael Standley, Rick Hemmelgarn
  • Patent number: 5960785
    Abstract: A door for the oven of a cooking range includes an inner panel that closes the oven and an outer panel spaced from the inner panel. The inner and outer panels are connected adjacent their upper edges by an upper panel. The inner panel includes a first window in the form of a wide-angle lens. The upper panel includes a second window. Light-transmissive devices including a prism and a mirror are disposed between the inner and outer panels so as to direct light received through the lens upwardly and outwardly through the second window. The interior of the oven is illuminated by low-voltage halogen lights carried by the inner panel. The door is insulated by disposing a microporous metal oxide thermal insulation material against the oven side of the inner panel. The insulation is held in place by a plate. The door includes an oven-contacting gasket that extends beyond the boundaries of the plate to provide a thermal barrier when the door off the oven is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: American Trim, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Byrne, Scott A. Calvert, Craig A. Blazakis, Bret E. Kline
  • Patent number: 5632543
    Abstract: An insulated appliance cabinet is provided comprising a mounting structure and a plurality of vacuum insulation panels retained by the mounting structure and positioned relative to one another so as to define a substantially completely enclosed insulation shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph D. McGrath, Bret E. Kline, Dwight S. Musgave