Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Flowers
Christopher L. Flowers 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).
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Publication number: 20220205471Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a retention system. In one example, the retention system comprises a retention feature arranged in each of a molded element and a fastener. The retention features interface with one another to enhance operation of the fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Christopher L. FLOWERS, Dalton A. TEETER
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Patent number: 7415984Abstract: A dishwasher, including a tub provided with a front lip, has a front door provided with alignment structure on an inner bottom portion which is designed to abut and deflect the front lip, when the front lip is bowed or otherwise deformed, to control the relative positioning between the door and the frontal lip in order to prevent the development of a leakage gap or undesirable engagement between the door and lip. The alignment feature preferably includes at least one cam rib located on the lower underside of the door, as well as adjacent abutment rib(s) adapted to extend toward the front lip of the tub when the door is opened. The cam rib functions to guide the lip along a smooth surface when the tub is bowed or otherwise significantly shifted from a design position to assure quiet shifting of the door, while the abutment rib functions to prevent the development of a potential leakage gap between the front lip and the door.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Kory A. Gunnerson, John H. Miilu, John Trevor Morrison, Chad M. Thomas, Anthony Lewis Durfee
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Patent number: 6945614Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub, a frame extending around the tub, and a door pivotally secured to the frame for movement between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. Hinges are provided on each side of the door to provide a door pivot axis, and are fixed to the frame of the dishwasher. The hinges are accurately positioned relative to the tub by providing at least one boss on each side of the tub, and a recess or hole in each hinge to receive the boss. The hinges are then secured to the frame with screws or by welding. Thus, the hinges are accurately aligned with one another at the proper location on the frame so as to provide proper sealing between the door and the tub when the door is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Thomas M. Johnson, Barry E. Tuller
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Patent number: 6817367Abstract: A dishwasher tub is provided with containment structure which prevents liquid from leaking around a door seal. The containment structure includes a bead that extends along side portions of a front flange of the dishwasher tub. At each lower portion of the front flange, the bead includes an inward and downward extending portion which leads to a substantially vertical portion, and finally to another inward and downward extending portion. The final two portions of the bead are arranged along a reduced dimension section of the front flange and define a trough which guides the liquid back into the tub.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Chad M. Thomas
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Publication number: 20040177866Abstract: A dishwasher tub is provided with containment structure which prevents liquid from leaking around a door seal. The containment structure includes a bead that extends along side portions of a front flange of the dishwasher tub. At each lower portion of the front flange, the bead includes an inward and downward extending portion which leads to a substantially vertical portion, and finally to another inward and downward extending portion. The final two portions of the bead are arranged along a reduced dimension section of the front flange and define a trough which guides the liquid back into the tub.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: Maytag CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Chad M. Thomas
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Publication number: 20040177869Abstract: A dishwasher, including a tub provided with a front lip, has a front door provided with alignment structure on an inner bottom portion which is designed to abut and deflect the front lip, when the front lip is bowed or otherwise deformed, to control the relative positioning between the door and the frontal lip in order to prevent the development of a leakage gap or undesirable engagement between the door and lip. The alignment feature preferably includes at least one cam rib located on the lower underside of the door, as well as adjacent abutment rib(s) adapted to extend toward the front lip of the tub when the door is opened. The cam rib functions to guide the lip along a smooth surface when the tub is bowed or otherwise significantly shifted from a design position to assure quiet shifting of the door, while the abutment rib functions to prevent the development of a potential leakage gap between the front lip and the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Kory A. Gunnerson, John H. Miilu, John Trevor Morrison, Chad M. Thomas, Anthony Lewis Durfee
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Patent number: 6764147Abstract: A single piece tub support and frame for a dishwasher has a unitary support member that includes a pair of laterally spaced U-shaped upright end portions and an intermediate inverted U-shaped upright portion. The intermediate portion fits over the top and sides of the dishwasher tub rearwardly adjacent the front flange portion thereof. When the U-shaped end portions clear the bottom wall of the tub, they resiliently spring inward into supporting positions under the bottom wall. The unitary support member greatly reduces the number of components required, reduces manufacturing time and cost, and maintains the tub in its designed shape.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventor: Christopher L. Flowers
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Publication number: 20040011390Abstract: A single piece tub support and frame for a dishwasher has a unitary support member that includes a pair of laterally spaced U-shaped upright end portions and an intermediate inverted U-shaped upright portion. The intermediate portion fits over the top and sides of the dishwasher tub rearwardly adjacent the front flange portion thereof. When the U-shaped end portions clear the bottom wall of the tub, they resiliently spring inward into supporting positions under the bottom wall. The unitary support member greatly reduces the number of components required, reduces manufacturing time and cost, and maintains the tub in its designed shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: Maytag CorporationInventor: Christopher L. Flowers
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Patent number: 6666531Abstract: A single piece tub support and frame for a dishwasher has a unitary support member that includes a pair of laterally spaced U-shaped upright end portions and an intermediate inverted U-shaped upright portion. The intermediate portion fits over the top and sides of the dishwasher tub rearwardly adjacent the front flange portion thereof. When the U-shaped end portions clear the bottom wall of the tub, they resiliently spring inward into supporting positions under the bottom wall. The unitary support member greatly reduces the number of components required, reduces manufacturing time and cost, and maintains the tub in its designed shape.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventor: Christopher L. Flowers
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Publication number: 20030230956Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub, a frame extending around the tub, and a door pivotally secured to the frame for movement between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. Hinges are provided on each side of the door to provide a door pivot axis, and are fixed to the frame of the dishwasher. The hinges are accurately positioned relative to the tub by providing at least one boss on each side of the tub, and a recess or hole in each hinge to receive the boss. The hinges are then secured to the frame with screws or by welding. Thus, the hinges are accurately aligned with one another at the proper location on the frame so as to provide proper sealing between the door and the tub when the door is in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Thomas M. Johnson, Barry E. Tuller
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Publication number: 20030184195Abstract: A single piece tub support and frame for a dishwasher has a unitary support member that includes a pair of laterally spaced U-shaped upright end portions and an intermediate inverted U-shaped upright portion. The intermediate portion fits over the top and sides of the dishwasher tub rearwardly adjacent the front flange portion thereof. When the U-shaped end portions clear the bottom wall of the tub, they resiliently spring inward into supporting positions under the bottom wall. The unitary support member greatly reduces the number of components required, reduces manufacturing time and cost, and maintains the tub in its designed shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: Maytag CorporationInventor: Christopher L. Flowers
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Publication number: 20030098634Abstract: A single piece tub support and frame for a dishwasher has a unitary support member that includes a pair of laterally spaced U-shaped upright end portions and an intermediate inverted U-shaped upright portion. The intermediate portion fits over the top and sides of the dishwasher tub rearwardly adjacent the front flange portion thereof. When the U-shaped end portions clear the bottom wall of the tub, they resiliently spring inward into supporting positions under the bottom wall. The unitary support member greatly reduces the number of components required, reduces manufacturing time and cost, and maintains the tub in its designed shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: Christopher L. Flowers
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Patent number: 5351467Abstract: Apparatus for suspending, raising and lowering the cutting deck beneath the frame of a riding lawn mower, comprising a pair of lifting arms having first ends rotatably secured to the frame and second ends secured to the cutting deck, rotation of the lifting arms effecting vertical movement of said cutting deck. A pedal operated lifting mechanism is provided, selectively operable by the user of the mower to rotate the lifting arms, thereby raising and/or lower the cutting deck. A suspending member is disposed through an opening in the frame above a portion of one lifting arm, said suspending member having a lower end secured to the lifting arm and an upper end disposed above the opening in the frame. A support member secured to the upper end of the suspending member engages the frame to limit downward movement of the suspending member and lifting arm, and is selectively adjustable by the user to adjust the cutting height of the deck.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1993Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: Noma Outdoor Products, Inc.Inventors: Harlin J. Trefz, Robert R. Boyd, Christopher L. Flowers