Patents by Inventor Erich Kirchner

Erich Kirchner 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: 11469561
    Abstract: A power connection assembly for an appliance includes a receptacle that has an inner wall. The inner wall defines a cavity. A channel is defined by the inner wall and is in communication with the cavity. A power cord is configured to be at least partially received by the cavity of the receptacle. A cap is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to at least partially encase the power cord. A protrusion extends radially from the cap. A switch is positioned proximate the channel and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The protrusion is received by the channel and is configured to move the switch to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robin A. Reese, Erich A. Kirchner, Kristian N. Engelsen, Janglih J. Lin
  • Publication number: 20210126411
    Abstract: A power connection assembly for an appliance includes a receptacle that has an inner wall. The inner wall defines a cavity. A channel is defined by the inner wall and is in communication with the cavity. A power cord is configured to be at least partially received by the cavity of the receptacle. A cap is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to at least partially encase the power cord. A protrusion extends radially from the cap. A switch is positioned proximate the channel and is operable between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin A. Reese, Erich A. Kirchner, Kristian N. Engelsen, Janglih J. Lin
  • Patent number: 10916904
    Abstract: A power connection assembly for an appliance includes a receptacle that has an inner wall. The inner wall defines a cavity. A channel is defined by the inner wall and is in communication with the cavity. A power cord is configured to be at least partially received by the cavity of the receptacle. A cap is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to at least partially encase the power cord. A protrusion extends radially from the cap. A switch is positioned proximate the channel and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The protrusion is received by the channel and is configured to move the switch to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robin A. Reese, Erich A. Kirchner, Kristian N. Engelsen, Janglih J. Lin
  • Publication number: 20200076143
    Abstract: A power connection assembly for an appliance includes a receptacle that has an inner wall. The inner wall defines a cavity. A channel is defined by the inner wall and is in communication with the cavity. A power cord is configured to be at least partially received by the cavity of the receptacle. A cap is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to at least partially encase the power cord. A protrusion extends radially from the cap. A switch is positioned proximate the channel and is operable between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin A. Reese, Erich A. Kirchner, Kristian N. Engelsen, Janglih J. Lin
  • Patent number: 5548633
    Abstract: A data communications system which comprises at least one group of subscriber data interface elements, with each interface element having at least one data input port and a data output port, and each output port being electrically connectable to a subscriber line of the telephone network to transmit data thereon without interfering with any telephone service that may be present on these subscriber line. A network data interface element, for each group of subscriber data interface elements, being located within a short distance from the farthest subscriber data interface element. Each subscriber data interface element having a data input port and a data output port, and each input port being electrically connectable to a subscriber line of the telephone network and in communication with these subscriber data interface elements thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: SaskTel
    Inventors: Kim Kujawa, Erich Kirchner, Michel Jarzab, Homer Robson