Patents by Inventor David A. Weinkauf

David A. Weinkauf 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: 8154857
    Abstract: A modular system of an appliance host with multiple identical host service interfaces. The multiple identical host service interfaces provide a mechanical service and an electrical service for removable consumer electronic devices. Multiple distinct consumer electronic devices or adapters for consumer electronic devices may be coupled alternatively to the multiple host service interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Richard A. McCoy, Ameresh Viswanathan, John M. Knight, Christopher S. Moes, David A. Weinkauf
  • Patent number: 8072738
    Abstract: A system for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to a vertical surface, an adapter, as well as adapters and appliance for use with the system. The system has a writing surface which is at least partially coverable by a removable consumer electronic device. The adapter has a writing surface and an interface for removably mounting an electronic device to at least partially cover the writing surface. The appliance has a writing surface and interface on surface of the appliance, such as, for example, the surface of a door of a refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Richard A. McCoy, Ameresh Viswanathan, John M. Knight, Christopher S. Moes, David A. Weinkauf
  • Patent number: 8040666
    Abstract: A door movably mounted to a cabinet to selectively close a chamber. The door has a peripheral edge, and a standardized service interface is located on the peripheral edge. The standardized service interface is configured to supply at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The peripheral edge can be the top edge of the door. The standardized service interface can receive the service from the use environment of the cabinet. A connector can be incorporated into the standardized service interface to selectively supply the consumer electronic device with the service. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. McCoy, John M. Knight, David A. Weinkauf
  • Patent number: 8035958
    Abstract: A portable functional unit having a main body and a consumer electronic device coupled to the main body. The main body includes an erasable writing surface, a physical storage compartment for storing articles used with the white board surface, a first service port for selective communication of data, and a second service port for selective communication of power. The main body is adapted to receive the service from the service port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Richard A. McCoy, Ameresh Viswanathan, John M. Knight, Christopher S. Moes, David A. Weinkauf
  • Patent number: 7934958
    Abstract: A system for mounting a device to a host, such as an appliance, includes elongated, substantially parallel device interfaces for removably mounting the device to the host. The device interfaces can include rails, slots and/or electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Richard A. McCoy, Ameresh Viswanathan, John M. Knight, Christopher S. Moes, David A. Weinkauf
  • Publication number: 20100182753
    Abstract: A system for mounting a device to a host, such as an appliance, includes elongated, substantially parallel device interfaces for removably mounting the device to the host. The device interfaces can include rails, slots and/or electrical conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, RICHARD A. MCCOY, AMERESH VISWANATHAN, JOHN M. KNIGHT, CHRISTOPHER S. MOES, DAVID A. WEINKAUF
  • Patent number: 7713090
    Abstract: A system of an appliance host with at least a pair of generally parallel elongated interface structures cooperatively defining alternative pairs of locations for removably coupling a portable device to the outer wall and a potable device for use with the appliance. The interface structures may be rails, slots or elongated electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Richard A. McCoy, Ameresh Viswanathan, John M. Knight, Christopher S. Moes, David A. Weinkauf
  • Publication number: 20090009316
    Abstract: A portable functional unit having a main body and a consumer electronic device coupled to the main body. The main body includes an erasable writing surface, a physical storage compartment for storing articles used with the white board surface, a first service port for selective communication of data, and a second service port for selective communication of power. The main body is adapted to receive the service from the service port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, RICHARD A. MCCOY, AMERESH VISWANATHAN, JOHN M. KNIGHT, CHRISTOPHER S. MOES, DAVID A. WEINKAUF
  • Publication number: 20080247141
    Abstract: A system of an appliance host with at least a pair of generally parallel elongated interface structures cooperatively defining alternative pairs of locations for removably coupling a portable device to the outer wall and a potable device for use with the appliance. The interface structures may be rails, slots or elongated electrical connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, RICHARD A. MCCOY, AMERESH VISWANATHAN, JOHN M. KNIGHT, CHRISTOPHER S. MOES, DAVID A. WEINKAUF
  • Publication number: 20080232053
    Abstract: A system for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to a vertical surface, an adapter, as well as adapters and appliance for use with the system. The system has a writing surface which is at least partially coverable by a removable consumer electronic device. The adapter has a writing surface and an interface for removably mounting an electronic device to at least partially cover the writing surface. The appliance has a writing surface and interface on surface of the appliance, such as, for example, the surface of a door of a refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, RICHARD A. MCCOY, AMERESH VISWANATHAN, JOHN M. KNIGHT, CHRISTOPHER S. MOES, DAVID A. WEINKAUF
  • Publication number: 20080231764
    Abstract: A system of a video display and a writing surface. In one embodiment, the system includes a writing surface, a video display and a service interface for coupling the system to an appliance surface. In another embodiment, the system includes a main body, a video display attached to the main body, and a writing surface on the main body disposed adjacent to and parallel to the video display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Richard A. McCoy, Ameresh Viswanathan, John M. Knight, Christopher S. Moes, David A. Weinkauf
  • Publication number: 20080165509
    Abstract: A modular system of an appliance host with multiple identical host service interfaces. The multiple identical host service interfaces provide a mechanical service and an electrical service for removable consumer electronic devices. Multiple distinct consumer electronic devices or adapters for consumer electronic devices may be coupled alternatively to the multiple host service interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Richard A. McCoy, Ameresh Viswanathan, John M. Knight, Christopher S. Moes, David A. Weinkauf
  • Publication number: 20080165505
    Abstract: A door movably mounted to a cabinet to selectively close a chamber. The door has a peripheral edge, and a standardized service interface is located on the peripheral edge. The standardized service interface is configured to supply at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The peripheral edge can be the top edge of the door. The standardized service interface can receive the service from the use environment of the cabinet. A connector can be incorporated into the standardized service interface to selectively supply the consumer electronic device with the service. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard A. McCoy, John M. Knight, David A. Weinkauf