Patents by Inventor Dean A. Martin

Dean A. Martin 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: 10203142
    Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tim L. Coulter, Thomas E. Gose, Steven G. Herndon, James H. Jenkins, Bill J. Koons, Brent A. Kramer, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Kevin Lee Noel, Mauro M. Oliveira, Lester J. Ott, Ron S. Paulsen, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Publication number: 20190032983
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. BOWEN, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Lawrence J. Ertz
  • Patent number: 10107539
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Lawrence J. Ertz
  • Publication number: 20180224200
    Abstract: A traveling harness system is provided for an appliance to maintain electrical connections between the appliance and a drawer, while allowing the drawer to move. Wiring harness guides formed in the drawer force the wiring harness to maintain a predictable and desirable loop radius to reduce stress on the wiring harness, which prevents the wiring harness from prematurely wearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald E. HALTMEYER, Dean A. Martin, Guadalupe Antonio Sanchez, Jose Paulo Remor
  • Patent number: 10026385
    Abstract: A smart music device and process provide users with an interface to play a selected song in the correct song key. The device includes a graphical user interface with areas demarcated by translucent conductive ink printed on the layer's underside. A layer of force sensor resistors (FSRs) are under the areas. Touching one of the areas closes a circuit between then conductive ink and FSR triggering a note to be played. The demarcated areas are illuminated to guide the user on scale and root node position. Metadata in memory storage includes the song key which is used during song playback to trigger assignment of the key correct scale across the FSRs and illuminate its root position of musical notes. Touching an area triggers a signal sent to a connected musical instrument to play the note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Dean Martin Hovey
  • Patent number: 9958197
    Abstract: A traveling harness system is provided for an appliance to maintain electrical connections between the appliance and a drawer, while allowing the drawer to move. Wiring harness guides formed in the drawer force the wiring harness to maintain a predictable and desirable loop radius to reduce stress on the wiring harness, which prevents the wiring harness from prematurely wearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Haltmeyer, Dean A. Martin, Guadalupe Antonio Sanchez, Jose Paulo Remor
  • Publication number: 20180076707
    Abstract: A discrete field coupled capacitor with a cross-connected capacitor-pair, such as for use as a discrete bypass capacitor. The FCC includes a first port with first and second terminals, and a second port with third and fourth terminals. A first capacitor structure is connected between the first and second terminals, and a second capacitor structure connected between the third and fourth terminals. A cross-connect structure includes a first cross-connection to connect the first terminal to the third terminal, and a second cross-connection to connect the second terminal to the fourth terminal, to cross-connect the first and second capacitor structures. The capacitor structures have respective parasitic ESL, and can be disposed in proximity to effect a pre-defined ESL field coupling with reverse phasing to reduce parasitic ESL. The FCC can be constructed as a PCB or monolithic device. In a PCB four-layer construction, the cross-connections can be formed on respective mid-layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Alan Dean Martin, Marc Davis-Marsh
  • Publication number: 20180061383
    Abstract: A smart music device and process provide users with an interface to play a selected song in the correct song key. The device includes a graphical user interface with areas demarcated by translucent conductive ink printed on the layer's underside. A layer of force sensor resistors (FSRs) are under the areas. Touching one of the areas closes a circuit between then conductive ink and FSR triggering a note to be played. The demarcated areas are illuminated to guide the user on scale and root node position. Metadata in memory storage includes the song key which is used during song playback to trigger assignment of the key correct scale across the FSRs and illuminate its root position of musical notes. Touching an area triggers a signal sent to a connected musical instrument to play the note.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Dean Martin Hovey
  • Patent number: 9835372
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a crisper system having one or more moveable and removable drawers. The drawers include rollers extending downwardly and outwardly from the drawers to provide maximum storage volume. The rollers are configured to work with channels formed in a support system, which may be integrally formed with a bottom floor of a compartment of the refrigerator. Therefore, the rollers and channels of the support system provide easy access and removability of the drawers of the crisper system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Haltmeyer, Anant Ravindra Karanjikar, Bill J. Koons, Dean A. Martin, Julia B. Burke
  • Patent number: 9683769
    Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tim L. Coulter, Thomas E. Gose, Steven G. Herndon, James H. Jenkins, Bill J. Koons, Brent A. Kramer, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Kevin Lee Noel, Mauro M. Oliveira, Lester J. Ott, Ron S. Paulsen, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Patent number: 9683770
    Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tim L. Coulter, Thomas E. Gose, Steven G. Herndon, James H. Jenkins, Bill J. Koons, Brent A. Kramer, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Kevin Lee Noel, Mauro M. Oliveira, Lester J. Ott, Ron S. Paulsen, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Publication number: 20170167774
    Abstract: An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle B. Van Meter, Dean A. Martin, Xia Yong Fu
  • Publication number: 20170160000
    Abstract: A traveling harness system is provided for an appliance to maintain electrical connections between the appliance and a drawer, while allowing the drawer to move. Wiring harness guides formed in the drawer force the wiring harness to maintain a predictable and desirable loop radius to reduce stress on the wiring harness, which prevents the wiring harness from prematurely wearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald E. Haltmeyer, Dean A. Martin, Guadalupe Antonio Sanchez, Jose Paulo Remor
  • Patent number: 9654898
    Abstract: Electronic content items may be organized into playlists and associated with a plurality of sources. These playlists may be managed using at least one media content manager. A compatibility hierarchy may be implemented to determine compatibility of certain electronic content items with other electronic content items, which may be organized into playlists. Other playlists may be populated based at least in part on the compatibility hierarchy. Playlists comprising electronic content items associated with a plurality of sources may be playable by implementing a federated media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bobby Dean Martin
  • Patent number: 9639607
    Abstract: Electronic content items which may be associated into playlists and located throughout a plurality of sources may be managed using at least one media content manager. A compatibility hierarchy may be used to determine compatibility of certain electronic content items with other electronic content items associated with other sources in order to populate playlists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Bobby Dean Martin
  • Patent number: 9593875
    Abstract: An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle B. Van Meter, Dean A. Martin, Xia Yong Fu
  • Patent number: 9585474
    Abstract: A traveling harness system is provided for an appliance to maintain electrical connections between the appliance and a drawer, while allowing the drawer to move. Wiring harness guides formed in the drawer force the wiring harness to maintain a predictable and desirable loop radius to reduce stress on the wiring harness, which prevents the wiring harness from prematurely wearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Haltmeyer, Dean A. Martin, Guadalupe Antonio Sanchez, Jose Paulo Remor
  • Publication number: 20170010035
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. BOWEN, BRUCE A. KOPF, DEAN A. MARTIN, CHAD J. ROTTER, SCOTT W. LEIMKUEHLER, LAWRENCE J. ERTZ
  • Patent number: 9476627
    Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tim L. Coulter, Thomas E. Gose, Steven G. Herndon, James H. Jenkins, Jr., Bill J. Koons, Brent A. Kramer, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Kevin Lee Noel, Mauro M. Oliveira, Lester J. Ott, Ron S. Paulsen, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Publication number: 20160282029
    Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally fowled with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent with a damper in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter