Patents by Inventor Joel C. Bragg

Joel C. Bragg 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).

  • Tamper resistant appliance latch
    Patent number: 11859337
    Abstract: An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. McDonald, Joel C. Bragg, Jeffrey J. Krieger
  • Tamper Resistant Appliance Latch
    Publication number: 20200340164
    Abstract: An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Randy S. McDonald, Joel C. Bragg, Jeffrey J. Krieger
  • Tamper resistant appliance latch
    Patent number: 10745846
    Abstract: An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. McDonald, Joel C. Bragg, Jeffrey J. Krieger
  • Tamper Resistant Appliance Latch
    Publication number: 20190284744
    Abstract: An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Randy S. McDonald, Joel C. Bragg, Jeffrey J. Krieger
  • Tamper resistant appliance latch
    Patent number: 10316454
    Abstract: An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. McDonald, Joel C. Bragg, Jeffrey J. Krieger
  • TAMPER RESISTANT APPLIANCE LATCH
    Publication number: 20160376742
    Abstract: An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Randy S. MCDONALD, Joel C. BRAGG, Jeffrey J. KRIEGER
  • Lid lock with magnetic anti-tamper feature
    Patent number: 8736406
    Abstract: A latch for a washing machine or other appliance provides two interengaging elements on a lid and housing each having a magnet oriented for mutual repulsion. Proper repulsion of the magnets is necessary to signal that the lid is properly closed such as may be used to determine if the appliance may be locked and safely operated, for example, in a clothes spinning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kenyon A Hapke, Joel C Bragg, Michael K Hintz, Randy S McDonald, Mark R Heckenkamp, Jonathan H Olson, Adrian J. Tengler, Jarod M Sulik
  • LID LOCK WITH MAGNETIC ANTI-TAMPER FEATURE
    Publication number: 20120312594
    Abstract: A latch for a washing machine or other appliance provides two interengaging elements on a lid and housing each having a magnet oriented for mutual repulsion. Proper repulsion of the magnets is necessary to signal that the lid is properly closed such as may be used to determine if the appliance may be locked and safely operated, for example, in a clothes spinning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenyon A. Hapke, Joel C. Bragg, Michael K. Hintz, Randy S. McDonald, Mark R. Heckenkamp, Jonathan H. Olson, Adrian J. Tengler, Jarod M. Sulik
  • Linear travel air damper
    Patent number: 8021218
    Abstract: A damper suitable for use in a refrigerator provides for linear motion of a damper plate toward and away from a damper seat. The damper plate may be driven by an axial lead screw attached to a small DC motor and may employ a non-foam gasket to reduce water absorption and possible formation of obstructing ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Osvatic, Joel C. Bragg
  • Low power consumption lock for appliance latch
    Patent number: 7900979
    Abstract: A transportation-robust bi-stable latch mechanism preserves low actuation forces by means of an auxiliary mechanism blocking the effects of shock forces during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel C. Bragg, Kenyon A. Hapke, Michael K. Hintz, Randy S. McDonald, Michael S. Osvatic, Jarod M. Sulik
  • Appliance lock using a motor driven linear actuator with helical spring drive
    Patent number: 7705253
    Abstract: An electrical linear actuator employs a reversible motor driving a helical wire spring. The coils of the spring engage a follower that moves along the axis of the spring with rotation of the motor to provide linear motion. This actuator may be used as a linear drive in an appliance lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Krieger, Joel C. Bragg, James D. Spors, Michael K. Hintz, Michael S. Osvatic, Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Dishwasher vent assembly
    Patent number: 7367134
    Abstract: A mechanized vent for a dishwasher employs a vent plate moving about a hinge axis as driven by a cam mechanism at a surface of the vent plate removed from the hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Osvatic, Michael K. Hintz, Joel C. Bragg, Jeffrey J. Krieger, Mark D. Rodaer
  • APPLIANCE LOCK USING A MOTOR DRIVEN LINEAR ACTUATOR WITH HELICAL SPRING DRIVE
    Publication number: 20080099314
    Abstract: An electrical linear actuator employs a reversible motor driving a helical wire spring. The coils of the spring engage a follower that moves along the axis of the spring with rotation of the motor to provide linear motion. This actuator may be used as a linear drive in an appliance lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Krieger, Joel C. Bragg, James D. Spors, Michael K. Hintz, Michael S. Osvatic, Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Surge pressure vent for low noise dishwasher
    Patent number: 6293289
    Abstract: A vent for a dishwasher provides a valve with dual actuation, either to be electrically actuated according to a cycle of the dishwasher so as to close during periods of high noise generation, typically the wash cycle, and opened during the dry cycle, or to be actuated independently of the cycle under pressure differences such as may be caused by interruption of the dishwasher cycle and opening and closing of the dishwasher door such as may cause a pressure surge as the introduced cool air is rapidly heated in the interior of the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Ark-Les Corporation
    Inventors: Kenyon A. Hapke, Joel C. Bragg