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).

  • Publication number: 20220205471
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher L. FLOWERS, Dalton A. TEETER
  • Patent number: 7415984
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Kory A. Gunnerson, John H. Miilu, John Trevor Morrison, Chad M. Thomas, Anthony Lewis Durfee
  • Patent number: 6945614
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Thomas M. Johnson, Barry E. Tuller
  • Patent number: 6817367
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Chad M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040177866
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Chad M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040177869
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Kory A. Gunnerson, John H. Miilu, John Trevor Morrison, Chad M. Thomas, Anthony Lewis Durfee
  • Patent number: 6764147
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher L. Flowers
  • Publication number: 20040011390
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher L. Flowers
  • Patent number: 6666531
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher L. Flowers
  • Publication number: 20030230956
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher L. Flowers, Thomas M. Johnson, Barry E. Tuller
  • Publication number: 20030184195
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher L. Flowers
  • Publication number: 20030098634
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher L. Flowers
  • Patent number: 5351467
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Noma Outdoor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlin J. Trefz, Robert R. Boyd, Christopher L. Flowers