Patents by Inventor Derek Watkins
Derek Watkins 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: 20220282947Abstract: A trigger mechanism or fire control for trigger operable devices includes a housing; a sear having a sear body coupled to the housing and including a primary engagement surface and an active sear support reset geometry; and a sear support coupled to the housing and having a body with a sear engagement surface and a passive sear support reset geometry. The primary engagement surface of the sear is moved into an overlapping condition with the sear engagement surface of the sear support as the sear is moved from a discharged position to a reset position after actuation of the trigger operable device. In addition, interaction between the active sear support reset geometry and the passive sear support reset geometry causes a mechanical displacement of the sear support to a reset position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventor: Derek Watkins
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Patent number: 11326848Abstract: A trigger mechanism or fire control for trigger operable devices includes a housing; a sear having a sear body coupled to the housing and including a primary engagement surface and an active sear support reset geometry; and a sear support coupled to the housing and having a body with a sear engagement surface and a passive sear support reset geometry. The primary engagement surface of the sear is moved into an overlapping condition with the sear engagement surface of the sear support as the sear is moved from a discharged position to a reset position after actuation of the trigger operable device. In addition, interaction between the active sear support reset geometry and the passive sear support reset geometry causes a mechanical displacement of the sear support to a reset position.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Next Level Designs, LLCInventor: Derek Watkins
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Publication number: 20220099397Abstract: A trigger mechanism or fire control for trigger operable devices includes a housing; a sear having a sear body coupled to the housing and including a primary engagement surface and an active sear support reset geometry; and a sear support coupled to the housing and having a body with a sear engagement surface and a passive sear support reset geometry. The primary engagement surface of the sear is moved into an overlapping condition with the sear engagement surface of the sear support as the sear is moved from a discharged position to a reset position after actuation of the trigger operable device. In addition, interaction between the active sear support reset geometry and the passive sear support reset geometry causes a mechanical displacement of the sear support to a reset position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventor: Derek Watkins
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Patent number: 11199373Abstract: A trigger mechanism or fire control for trigger operable devices includes a housing; a sear having a sear body coupled to the housing and including a primary engagement surface and an active sear support reset geometry; and a sear support coupled to the housing and having a body with a sear engagement surface and a passive sear support reset geometry. The primary engagement surface of the sear is moved into an overlapping condition with the sear engagement surface of the sear support as the sear is moved from a discharged position to a reset position after actuation of the trigger operable device. In addition, interaction between the active sear support reset geometry and the passive sear support reset geometry causes a mechanical displacement of the sear support to a reset position.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: NEXT LEVEL DESIGNS, LLCInventor: Derek Watkins
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Patent number: 8087184Abstract: A drum for a clothes dryer includes a generally cylindrical sidewall rotatable about a horizontal axis. The sidewall has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall defines an interior volume for receiving articles to be dried. A hanger mechanism is coupled to the inner wall. The hanger mechanism is configured to support items hanged therefrom for drying without rotation of the drum. A shelf is coupled to the inner wall. The shelf is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When extended, the shelf is configured to support articles to be dried. The drum is stationary during drying cycles wherein the hanger mechanism and the retractable shelf are in use. A heat source is operated at a reduced power level when the drum is not rotated.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark A. Banta, Randall Calmeise, Michael Beyerle, Jason King, Rebecca Eakins, Derek Watkins, Eric K. Watson
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Patent number: 7731805Abstract: A rack support system for a lower rack in a dishwasher is provided for a dishwasher having a wash chamber within a tub. The rack support system includes a frame configured to support the lower rack. A linkage system couples the frame to a side wall of the tub such that the lower rack is movable between a retracted position within the wash chamber and an extended position wherein the lower rack extends from the wash chamber. The lower rack is movable within a range between a lowered position and an elevated position with the lower rack extended from the wash chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark A. Banta, Derek Watkins, Ronald Tarr, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Subhash Viswanathan Kollengode
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Publication number: 20080129168Abstract: A rack support system for a lower rack in a dishwasher is provided for a dishwasher having a wash chamber within a tub. The rack support system includes a frame configured to support the lower rack. A linkage system couples the frame to a side wall of the tub such that the lower rack is movable between a retracted position within the wash chamber and an extended position wherein the lower rack extends from the wash chamber. The lower rack is movable within a range between a lowered position and an elevated position with the lower rack extended from the wash chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Mark A. Banta, Derek Watkins, Ronald Tarr, Martin Mitchell Zentner, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Subhash Viswanathan Kollengode
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Publication number: 20080022551Abstract: A drum for a clothes dryer includes a generally cylindrical sidewall rotatable about a horizontal axis. The sidewall has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall defines an interior volume for receiving articles to be dried. A hanger mechanism is coupled to the inner wall. The hanger mechanism is configured to support items hanged therefrom for drying without rotation of the drum. A shelf is coupled to the inner wall. The shelf is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When extended, the shelf is configured to support articles to be dried. The drum is stationary during drying cycles wherein the hanger mechanism and the retractable shelf are in use. A heat source is operated at a reduced power level when the drum is not rotated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Mark A. Banta, Randall Calmeise, Michael Beyerle, Jason King, Rebecca Eakins, Derek Watkins, Eric K. Watson
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Publication number: 20070143933Abstract: A method for controlling a laundering process includes determining a concentration of a detergent within a wash fluid during at least one cycle of an article laundering process, and dynamically adjusting at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined concentration of the detergent. An apparatus for controlling a laundering process includes a fluid chamber to contain a wash fluid, a sensor coupled to the fluid chamber to determine a detergent concentration within the wash fluid, and a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to dynamically adjust at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined detergent concentration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventors: Radislav Potyrailo, Patrick Pastecki, Derek Watkins, Jeffrey Fortin, William Morris
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Publication number: 20070143934Abstract: A method for determining detergent concentration includes performing a photometric analysis of a wash fluid during an article laundering process, and determining a concentration of a detergent within the wash fluid based at least in part upon the photometric analysis. Furthermore, an apparatus for determining detergent concentration includes a fluid chamber to hold a wash fluid for washing articles, and an optical sensor optically coupled to the fluid chamber to determine a detergent concentration within the wash fluid based at least in part upon photometric properties of the wash fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventors: Radislav Potyrailo, Jeffrey Fortin, William Morris, Patrick Pastecki, Derek Watkins
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Publication number: 20070138096Abstract: Systems and methods for treating water as well as maintaining water treatment systems are disclosed. The systems and methods include circulating influent water in a recirculation loop. In addition, a contaminate level may be monitored by sensors. When the contaminate level exceeds a set contaminate level, contaminates may be bleed from the systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Ronald Tarr, Timothy Worthington, Derek Watkins
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Publication number: 20070095111Abstract: A drive mechanism for a washing machine having a basket rotatably mounted within a tub includes a variable speed motor including a first pulley. An agitator is mounted within the basket. A rotatable shaft has first and second ends. The first end is directly coupled to the agitator. A second pulley is mounted on the second end of the shaft. A drive belt connects the first pulley to the second pulley. An inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor based on a predetermined agitation profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2005Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Derek Watkins, Scott Dunn, Greg Miller, Mark Weaver, Edward McInerney
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Publication number: 20070094812Abstract: A drive mechanism for a washing machine having a basket rotatably mounted within a tub includes a motor having a first pulley. A washing apparatus is mounted within the basket. A rotatable shaft has first and second ends, the first end being directly coupled to the washing apparatus. A second pulley is mounted on the second end of the shaft. A drive belt connects the first pulley to the second pulley. An inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor based on a predetermined agitation profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Inventors: Derek Watkins, Scott Dunn, Greg Miller, Mark Weaver, Edward McInerney
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Publication number: 20060130242Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub mounted within the cabinet, and a basket rotationally mounted within the tub for relative rotation therewith. A suspension assembly supports the tub within the cabinet. A variable speed motor is included for rotating the basket about a rotation axis, and an inverter is operatively coupled to the motor. A controller is operatively coupled to the inverter and the motor and is configured to control the motor based on a drag torque on the basket.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2004Publication date: June 22, 2006Inventors: Christopher Hoppe, Larry Hawkins, Derek Watkins, Mark Weaver, Michael Finch, Stephen Froelicher, Benton Oukrop
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Publication number: 20050257578Abstract: A magnetic lid switch assembly includes a first magnetically actuated electrical switch that has a lever arm movable between a first position wherein the first switch is open and a second position wherein the first switch is closed. A second magnetically actuated electrical switch electrically is connected in series with the first switch. The second switch has a lever arm movable between a first position wherein the second switch is open and a second position wherein the second switch is closed. A first actuator is magnetically coupled to the first switch. The first actuator moves the lever arm of the first switch closing the first switch to enable the first switch to pass an electric current when the first actuator is positioned proximate the first switch. A second actuator is magnetically coupled to the second switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2004Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Errin Gnadinger, Kristian Magnuson, Thomas McConihay, John Lapina, Derek Watkins
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Publication number: 20050132755Abstract: A method of fabricating a wash basket for a washing machine including providing a substantially cylindrical housing having a bottom and an inner wall, providing a plurality of geometric structures and connecting the plurality of geometric structures to the inner wall. The plurality of geometric structures may be configured to optimize a relationship between mechanically agitating an article contained within the wash basket during a wash cycle and reducing a residual moisture content of the article during a spin cycle. A wash basket for a washing machine may include a housing having an inner wall fabricated by a first process and a plurality of geometric structures fabricated by a second process where the plurality of geometric structures are attached to and extend radially inwardly from the inner wall, the geometric structures comprising a separate structure relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2003Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Robert Sundell, Timothy Richter, Neil Johnson, Michael Beyerle, Edward McInerney, Derek Watkins, Mark Weaver, James Meyer