Patents by Inventor Eric C. Irwin
Eric C. Irwin 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: 20230371654Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: BOA Technology, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
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Patent number: 11684122Abstract: A reel based closure device includes a housing, a spool positioned within the housing, and a knob that is operably coupled with the spool so that an operation of the knob causes the spool to rotate in a first direction within the housing. The spool has an upper flange, a lower flange, and a cylindrical wall disposed between the upper flange and the lower flange. The spool is rotatable in the first direction to wind a tension member about the spool's cylindrical wall when the spool is rotated in the first direction. The tension member has a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end. The cylindrical wall has three holes through which the first end of the tension member is inserted to secure the first end of the tension member to the spool.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: BOA Technology, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
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Publication number: 20210227938Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
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Patent number: 10888139Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
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Publication number: 20190000189Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
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Patent number: 10070695Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Boa Technology Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
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Publication number: 20170027287Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that include a tightening mechanism, such as reel-based lace tightening mechanism, configured to tighten the article by rotation of a knob. The articles can include a concealing portion that is configured to conceal or protect at least a portion of the tightening mechanism, such as the knob. The concealing portion can be configured to prevent unintentional actuation of the tightening mechanism, such as during contact sports. The concealing portion can be configured to hide the tightening mechanism from view to improve the visual appearance of the article. The concealing portion can be collapsible such that a user can press the concealing portion down to expose the knob of the tightening mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: Boa Technology Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Burns, Gary R. Hammerslag, Eric C. Irwin, Kristopher C. Lovett, Michael J. Nickel, Mark S. Soderberg
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Patent number: 8984719Abstract: In some embodiments, a cam assembly and strap based closure system using a spiral is configured for bringing two sides of an article together. In some embodiments, when the user inserts the strap into the cam assembly and turns a knob, the strap is driven into the cam assembly and the strap pins engage one or more cam spirals. In some embodiments, the system is configured such that strap pins may be engaged at a constant angle which may be self-locking. In some embodiments, the system may be infinitely adjustable and the torque felt by the knob may be constant. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to be a quick release system and may allow rapid insertion of the strap for faster operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Boa Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Soderberg, Eric C. Irwin
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Patent number: 8215731Abstract: A handle assembly for mounting to an appliance door includes a main body member having first and second end portions separated by an intermediate portion. First and second plastic end-caps are tightly fit to the first and second end portions via fasteners. The handle assembly is mounted to a front face of the door through interengagment of the fasteners with clips attached to the appliance door. Latch and ramp portions of clips cooperate with the respective fasteners to draw the end-caps into a close locking engagement with the appliance door.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Deron M. Drach, Kendra M. Straub, Julie A. Mann, Frank W. Klitzing, Garett L. Strandemo, Eric C. Irwin
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Publication number: 20100005631Abstract: A handle assembly for mounting to an appliance door includes a main body member having first and second end portions separated by an intermediate portion. First and second plastic end-caps are tightly fit to the first and second end portions via fasteners. The handle assembly is mounted to a front face of the door through interengagment of the fasteners with clips attached to the appliance door. Latch and ramp portions of clips cooperate with the respective fasteners to draw the end-caps into a close locking engagement with the appliance door.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: DERON M. DRACH, KENDRA M. STRAUB, JULIE A. MANN, FRANK W. KLITZING, GARETT L. STRANDEMO, ERIC C. IRWIN
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Patent number: 6612009Abstract: A dishwasher having a wash chamber or tub including a sump and a side wall. A pump is fluidly connected with the sump and a supply tube is supported adjacent the tub side wall and receives wash liquid from the pump, the supply tube has a manifold portion including a plurality of outlet openings. A coupling retainer is connected to the supply tube and has a plurality of funnel shaped coupling ports corresponding in number and spacing to the outlet openings of the supply tube. Each of the coupling ports includes a center opening which is provided with a sealing surface. A valve member supports a plurality of valve elements for sealing the outlet openings and is captured between the coupling retainer and the supply tube such that the valve elements generally align with the coupling parts.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Richard R. Laszczewski, Jr., Roger J. Bertsch, Eric C. Irwin
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Patent number: 6565164Abstract: An automatic dishwashing mechanism with a pivoting door that incorporates a push/pull door latch mechanism comprising a moveable strike plate and a positive-return cam. The cam movement is limited such that the door opening force and door closing force are independent of each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Eric C. Irwin, James R. Bowser, Michael F. Gregory
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Patent number: D521800Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Allen D. Wong, John F. Hines, Laura E. Vennie, Eric C. Irwin, Renee M. Garnham
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Patent number: D524095Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giovanni Pino, Allen D. Wong, Eric C. Irwin, Peter D. Wendel, Ryan L. Wilday
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Patent number: D550031Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Whirpool CorporationInventors: Giovanni Pino, Allen D. Wong, Eric C. Irwin, Peter D. Wendel, Ryan L. Wilday
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Patent number: D550505Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giovanni Pino, Allen D. Wong, Eric C. Irwin, Ryan L. Wilday, Peter D. Wendel
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Patent number: D551500Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giovanni Pino, Allen D. Wong, Eric C. Irwin, Ryan L. Wilday, Peter D. Wendel
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Patent number: D552408Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giovanni Pino, Allen D. Wong, Eric C. Irwin, Ryan L. Wilday, Peter D. Wendel
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Patent number: D553431Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: John W. McConnell, Ryan L. Wilday, Philip Hove, Eric C. Irwin
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Patent number: D555975Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giovanni Pino, Allen D. Wong, Eric C. Irwin, Ryan L. Wilday, Peter D. Wendel