Patents by Inventor Gregory Van Vooren

Gregory Van Vooren 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: 8047683
    Abstract: A lighting device mounting system for a dishwasher, and an associated apparatus and method, are provided, comprising a lighting device having a first portion disposed within a dishwasher tub portion and configured to emit light therefrom. The first portion has a larger lateral area than a receiving aperture defined by a tub wall of the tub portion. The lighting device includes a second portion engaged with the first portion, and adapted to extend through the receiving aperture. The second portion includes at least one laterally-extending flange extending laterally outward therefrom. A securing device having a medial hinge portion and an engageable locking mechanism associated with free opposing ends, is configured to interact with the second portion, opposite the tub wall from the first portion, and between the at least one laterally extending flange and the tub wall, so as to secure the lighting device to the tub wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Olesen, Gregory Van Vooren
  • Patent number: 8020662
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for attenuating noise generated by a dishwashing appliance in operation is provided herein. During operation a dishwasher and its components generate thermo-acoustic waves associated with noise. A base tray comprising a major surface and an array of thermo-acoustic nodes are used to manage and control the thermo-acoustic waves. The array of thermo-acoustic nodes can be configured in a plurality of rows and columns with at least two thermo-acoustic nodes being interconnected. The array of thermo-acoustic nodes can be configured to channel the thermo-acoustic waves therebetween so as to control and manage the thermo-acoustic waves, thereby attenuating the noise associated with the thermo-acoustic waves. The base tray can be customizable with various arrangements of different thermo-acoustic nodes, clusters, stabilizers and/or channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Ascander Colon, Jason Duckworth, Gregory Van Vooren
  • Patent number: 8015848
    Abstract: An acoustic panel for reducing the transmission of noise therethrough is provided. The acoustic panel may include a sound-absorbing surface with a plurality of convex and concave structures. The convex and concave structures may be organized in a regular array and may be spatially arranged to be alternating with one another. A dishwasher may use such an acoustic panel including a panel of sound absorbing material by placing such a panel inside the door, in or around the walls of the tub of a dishwasher, or the panel can also be used to reduce the transmission of noise with other products. A method of inserting a panel of sound-absorbing material into the door of a dishwasher is also provided. The panel may include protrusions extending from one of its surfaces in order to engage a supporting surface of the product to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Ascander Colon, Jason Duckworth, Gregory Van Vooren
  • Patent number: 7934783
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided, comprising a door pivotably engaged with a body and a counterbalance assembly coupled therebetween for facilitating pivoting of the door. The counterbalance assembly includes a first and second biasing member, each coupled to the body and serially engaged with a respective first and second flexible element coupled to the door. A guide member is secured to the body and includes a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track, and a pulley rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track. The first flexible element is at least partially wrapped about each of the fixed arcuate member and the pulley so as to serially engage the first and second guide tracks. The second flexible element is at least partially wrapped about a second side of the fixed arcuate member so as to engage the first guide track. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Van Vooren, Jerry Olesen, Jason Duckworth, Ronald G. Tynes, Daniel M. Stewart, John Helgesen
  • Publication number: 20100218793
    Abstract: A lighting device mounting system for a dishwasher, and an associated apparatus and method, are provided, comprising a lighting device having a first portion disposed within a dishwasher tub portion and configured to emit light therefrom. The first portion has a larger lateral area than a receiving aperture defined by a tub wall of the tub portion. The lighting device includes a second portion engaged with the first portion, and adapted to extend through the receiving aperture. The second portion includes at least one laterally-extending flange extending laterally outward therefrom. A securing device having a medial hinge portion and an engageable locking mechanism associated with free opposing ends, is configured to interact with the second portion, opposite the tub wall from the first portion, and between the at least one laterally extending flange and the tub wall, so as to secure the lighting device to the tub wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Jerry Olesen, Gregory Van Vooren
  • Publication number: 20100180916
    Abstract: An acoustic panel for reducing the transmission of noise therethrough is provided. The acoustic panel may include a sound-absorbing surface with a plurality of convex and concave structures. The convex and concave structures may be organized in a regular array and may be spatially arranged to be alternating with one another. A dishwasher may use such an acoustic panel including a panel of sound absorbing material by placing such a panel inside the door, in or around the walls of the tub of a dishwasher, or the panel can also be used to reduce the transmission of noise with other products. A method of inserting a panel of sound-absorbing material into the door of a dishwasher is also provided. The panel may include protrusions extending from one of its surfaces in order to engage a supporting surface of the product to which it is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Mario Ascander Colon, Jason Duckworth, Gregory Van Vooren
  • Publication number: 20100141103
    Abstract: A dishwashing appliance door assembly and associated apparatus are provided. An inner door member has a console member about the upper end thereof and is pivotable about a lower end thereof with a tub portion. One of the inner door member and console member includes a first handle device engaged therewith. An outer panel member is operably and removably engaged with the inner door member and/or console member, and extends laterally to substantially cover the second surface and console member. The outer panel member is at least partially disposed between a second handle device and the inner door member and console member. The inner door member is pivotable with respect to the tub portion via the second handle device when the outer panel member is operably engaged with the inner door member, and is pivotable via the first handle device when the outer panel member is removed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Jerry Olesen, Gregory Van Vooren
  • Publication number: 20090072686
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided, comprising a door pivotably engaged with a body and a counterbalance assembly coupled therebetween for facilitating pivoting of the door. The counterbalance assembly includes a first and second biasing member, each coupled to the body and serially engaged with a respective first and second flexible element coupled to the door. A guide member is secured to the body and includes a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track, and a pulley rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track. The first flexible element is at least partially wrapped about each of the fixed arcuate member and the pulley so as to serially engage the first and second guide tracks. The second flexible element is at least partially wrapped about a second side of the fixed arcuate member so as to engage the first guide track. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Van Vooren, Jerry Olesen, Jason Duckworth, Ronald G. Tynes, Daniel M. Stewart, John Helgesen
  • Publication number: 20050109591
    Abstract: A multifunctional switch for any automobile application having a need for a multiple detent switch. The switch includes a button that is moveably connected to a base. The switch includes a first lever connected to the button at a point of the first lever that is closer to a first end of the first lever than a second end of the first lever. The switch also includes a first tactile bridge fixed to the base. The first tactile bridge is adapted to be contacted by the first end of the first lever and thereby close a first switch. The switch further includes a second tactile bridge fixed to the base. The second tactile bridge is adapted to be contacted by the second end of the first lever and thereby close a second switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Gregory Van Vooren, William Swisher
  • Patent number: 6215669
    Abstract: A holder for holding a leadless circuit element includes opposing flanges which can be bent downwardly for bending the flanges into hands and fingers for holding the leadless circuit element within a plastic mold. In still further accord with the device, the device includes an insert displacement connection integral to a frame for allowing the leadless circuit element to be included in a circuit. Further, the assembly is insert molded in plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Van Vooren