Patents by Inventor CHRISTOPHER R. MCELVAIN
CHRISTOPHER R. MCELVAIN 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: 20220373242Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and a door for accessing the interior volume. An ice maker is disposed within the interior volume harvesting ice. The ice maker includes a frame and a motor. An ice tray includes a first end engaged with the motor, a second end engaged to the frame and a plurality ice wells defined by a plurality of weirs including first and second sets of weirs positioned proximate the first and second ends respectively, and interior weirs positioned therebetween. Each of the first and second sets of weirs and the internal weirs include a passage bifurcating each weir into first and second weir portions. Each of the passages defined by the first and second sets of weirs have a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of any one of the passages defined by the internal weirs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Robert B. Becker, Marcus R. Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Patent number: 11441829Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and a door for accessing the interior volume. An ice maker is disposed within the interior volume harvesting ice. The ice maker includes a frame and a motor. An ice tray includes a first end engaged with the motor, a second end engaged to the frame and a plurality ice wells defined by a plurality of weirs including first and second sets of weirs positioned proximate the first and second ends respectively, and interior weirs positioned therebetween. Each of the first and second sets of weirs and the internal weirs include a passage bifurcating each weir into first and second weir portions. Each of the passages defined by the first and second sets of weirs have a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of any one of the passages defined by the internal weirs.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert B. Becker, Marcus R. Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Publication number: 20210164717Abstract: An ice maker assembly includes an ice maker that has a mounting plate that includes an engagement feature with an engagement surface. An ice storage bin is configured for insertion into an ice maker receiving space of the ice maker. The ice storage bin includes a retention surface configured to engage with the mounting plate when the ice storage bin is inserted into the ice maker receiving space and an ice bin base that defines a track system configured to move the ice storage bin both vertically and horizontally. The track system includes an elongate portion configured to move the ice storage bin horizontally and a widened portion configured to facilitate vertical movement of the ice storage bin.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Marcus Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Patent number: 10914501Abstract: An ice maker assembly is provided that includes an ice maker. A mounting plate is positioned within an ice maker receiving space. The mounting plate defines a plurality of engagement features extending into the ice maker receiving space. A rail system is disposed on opposite sides of the ice maker receiving space. An ice storage bin is removably positioned within the ice maker receiving space. The ice storage bin comprises an ice bin wall positioned on an ice bin base. An auger assembly is disposed through the ice bin base. A latch is slidably disposed along a bottom surface of the ice bin base. The latch includes a plurality of retention features that cooperate with the engagement features. Horizontal movement of the latch causes vertical motion of the ice storage bin.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Marcus Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Publication number: 20200278142Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and a door for accessing the interior volume. An ice maker is disposed within the interior volume harvesting ice. The ice maker includes a frame and a motor. An ice tray includes a first end engaged with the motor, a second end engaged to the frame and a plurality ice wells defined by a plurality of weirs including first and second sets of weirs positioned proximate the first and second ends respectively, and interior weirs positioned therebetween. Each of the first and second sets of weirs and the internal weirs include a passage bifurcating each weir into first and second weir portions. Each of the passages defined by the first and second sets of weirs have a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of any one of the passages defined by the internal weirs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Robert B. Becker, Marcus R. Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Patent number: 10690388Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and a door for accessing the interior volume. An ice maker is disposed within the interior volume harvesting ice. The ice maker includes a frame and a motor. An ice tray includes a first end engaged with the motor, a second end engaged to the frame and a plurality ice wells defined by a plurality of weirs including first and second sets of weirs positioned proximate the first and second ends respectively, and interior weirs positioned therebetween. Each of the first and second sets of weirs and the internal weirs include a passage bifurcating each weir into first and second weir portions. Each of the passages defined by the first and second sets of weirs have a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of any one of the passages defined by the internal weirs.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert B. Becker, Marcus R. Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Publication number: 20190178554Abstract: An ice maker assembly is provided that includes an ice maker. A mounting plate is positioned within an ice maker receiving space. The mounting plate defines a plurality of engagement features extending into the ice maker receiving space. A rail system is disposed on opposite sides of the ice maker receiving space. An ice storage bin is removably positioned within the ice maker receiving space. The ice storage bin comprises an ice bin wall positioned on an ice bin base. An auger assembly is disposed through the ice bin base. A latch is slidably disposed along a bottom surface of the ice bin base. The latch includes a plurality of retention features that cooperate with the engagement features. Horizontal movement of the latch causes vertical motion of the ice storage bin.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Marcus Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Patent number: 10228179Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and at least one door for providing access to the interior volume. An automatic ice maker assembly is disposed within the interior volume and configured to harvest a plurality of ice cubes. The automatic ice maker assembly has an automatic ice maker, a mounting plate and an ice maker receiving space. The mounting plate defines a plurality of engagement features extending into the ice maker receiving space. A rail system is disposed on opposite sides of the ice maker receiving space and an ice storage bin is removably positioned within the ice maker receiving space. The ice storage bin has an ice bin wall positioned on an ice bin base, and a latch slidably disposed along a bottom surface of the ice bin base. The latch has a plurality of retention features, configured to engage the engagement features.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Marcus Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Publication number: 20180149399Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and a door for accessing the interior volume. An ice maker is disposed within the interior volume harvesting ice. The ice maker includes a frame and a motor. An ice tray includes a first end engaged with the motor, a second end engaged to the frame and a plurality ice wells defined by a plurality of weirs including first and second sets of weirs positioned proximate the first and second ends respectively, and interior weirs positioned therebetween. Each of the first and second sets of weirs and the internal weirs include a passage bifurcating each weir into first and second weir portions. Each of the passages defined by the first and second sets of weirs have a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of any one of the passages defined by the internal weirs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: May 31, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Robert B. Becker, Marcus R. Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Patent number: 9915458Abstract: An appliance door includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that defines an ice making receptacle. An ice maker is disposed proximate a top portion of the ice making receptacle. A sliding assembly is defined within an inward-facing surface of the ice making receptacle. An ice bin is operable between an engaged state, wherein the ice bin is fully inserted into the ice making receptacle, a disengaged state, wherein the ice bin is removed from the ice making receptacle, and a lateral sliding state, wherein the ice bin is operated laterally and free of rotation between the engaged and disengaged states. The ice bin and the ice making receptacle cooperatively define an ice delivery mechanism that selectively delivers ice pieces from an inner volume of the ice bin to an ice delivery zone proximate the outer wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert B. Becker, Marcus R. Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Publication number: 20160116198Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and a door for accessing the interior volume. An ice maker is disposed within the interior volume harvesting ice. The ice maker includes a frame and a motor. An ice tray includes a first end engaged with the motor, a second end engaged to the frame and a plurality ice wells defined by a plurality of weirs including first and second sets of weirs positioned proximate the first and second ends respectively, and interior weirs positioned therebetween. Each of the first and second sets of weirs and the internal weirs include a passage bifurcating each weir into first and second weir portions. Each of the passages defined by the first and second sets of weirs have a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of any one of the passages defined by the internal weirs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Robert B. Becker, Marcus R. Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Publication number: 20160116199Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and at least one door for providing access to the interior volume. An automatic ice maker assembly is disposed within the interior volume and configured to harvest a plurality of ice cubes. The automatic ice maker assembly has an automatic ice maker, a mounting plate and an ice maker receiving space. The mounting plate defines a plurality of engagement features extending into the ice maker receiving space. A rail system is disposed on opposite sides of the ice maker receiving space and an ice storage bin is removably positioned within the ice maker receiving space. The ice storage bin has an ice bin wall positioned on an ice bin base, and a latch slidably disposed along a bottom surface of the ice bin base. The latch has a plurality of retention features, configured to engage the engagement features.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Marcus Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Publication number: 20080174218Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet and a refrigerator door for providing access to a compartment within the refrigerator cabinet, the refrigerator door includes a door pan and a plurality of corner brackets. The door pan includes a front surface, four sidewalls members extending rearwardly from the front surface thereby forming four corners, and an inwardly extending flange from each of the four side wall members. Each of the plurality of corner brackets is connected to two flanges of the door pan by clinching to thereby conceal the clinching from consumers of the refrigerator and to provide support to the door pan without welding. A method includes clinching a plurality of corner brackets to inwardly extending flanges of the prepainted door pan without welding to form a door pan assembly and assembling the refrigerator using the door pan assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: SCOTT W. LEIMKUEHLER, CHRISTOPHER R. MCELVAIN, ROBERT V. ROBERTSON, RAMAMOORTHY SRIKANTH, JACK J. STANDEFER, RICHARD N. WALKER