Patents by Inventor Eric M. Coates

Eric M. Coates 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: 6115863
    Abstract: A drive and support system for a bottom plate disposed in the bottom of a wash basket of an automatic washer. The bottom plate is driven to radially gyrate or wobble within the wash basket by an output shaft which extends upwardly though the bottom and is rotatable in a first and second direction. A spin tube is disposed coaxially about the output shaft and has a top end which engages the bottom of the basket. The spin tube is co-rotatable in the second direction with the output shaft. A universal joint pivotably supports the wash plate about the top end of the spin tube. Drive means connect the wash plate with the upper end of the output shaft such that the wash plate is disposed in an angled orientation when the output shaft is driven in the first direction and the wash plate is disposed in a level orientation when the output shaft is driven in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Mason, Victor W. Cuthbert, Gerald L. Kretchman, David W. Carr, Eric M. Coates, James P. Carow