Patents by Inventor John L. Preher

John L. Preher 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: 4488666
    Abstract: Motor controlled dispenser apparatus for a washing appliance includes a first dispenser for storing and dispensing a first treating agent having a dispensing member movable between a closed position in which the interior of the dispenser is sealed and an open position in which the interior of the dispenser is exposed to enable the dispensing of a first treating agent; a second dispenser for storing and dispensing a second treating agent; a dispenser actuating member movable between a rest position, a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position; and a gear assembly coupling the dispenser actuating member to a motor-driven shaft, for controlling the rate of movement of the dispenser actuating member in accordance with the rate of rotation of the shaft. The dispensing member is coupled to the dispenser actuating member for movement therewith. The rate of movement of the dispensing member from its closed to its open position being determined by the rate of rotation of the motor-driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: LeRoy J. Herbst, John L. Preher
  • Patent number: 4484243
    Abstract: A protective circuit arrangement for sheathed heating elements which interrupts ground fault conditions by effectively decoupling the power line from the heating element regardless of the polarity of the power supply connections. A fusible link couples each side of the heating element to the power supply. A normally open switch responsive to current in the ground path switches a relatively low resistance shunt current path across the heating element when the ground current exceeds a predetermined threshold level. Closure of the shunt path enables sufficient current to flow in the power supply lines to actuate the fusible links. Circuit parameters are selected such that the current in the fusible link coupled to the hot power line is sufficiently greater than that in the fusible link coupled to the neutral line to cause the hot power line fusible link to be actuated first, thereby interrupting the fault condition and decoupling the hot power line from the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: LeRoy J. Herbst, Robert K. Hollenbeck, John M. Hooker, Thomas E. Jenkins, John L. Preher, Jimmy R. Rickard
  • Patent number: 4355738
    Abstract: Motor controlled dispenser apparatus for a washing appliance includes a first dispenser for storing and dispensing a first treating agent having a dispensing member movable between a closed position in which the interior of the dispenser is sealed and an open position in which the interior of the dispenser is exposed to enable the dispensing of a first treating agent; a second dispenser for storing and dispensing a second treating agent; a dispenser actuating member movable between a rest position, a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position; and a gear assembly coupling the dispenser actuating member to a motor-driven shaft, for controlling the rate of movement of the dispenser actuating member in accordance with the rate of rotation of the shaft. The dispensing member is coupled to the dispenser actuating member for movement therewith. The rate of movement of the dispensing member from its closed to its open position being determined by the rate of rotation of the motor-driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Le Roy J. Herbst, John L. Preher