Patents by Inventor Kenneth H. Patrick

Kenneth H. Patrick 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: 6216471
    Abstract: An icemaking assembly (“icemaker”) is provided which includes an improved construction including an ice mold separate but attached to a structural base. The structural base includes integral elements such as a water fill cup, stripper, and mounting configuration. The integral nature of the stripper, combined with its “living hinge” feature, allows for an improved method and apparatus for fixing the ice tray in place. The combination provides an icemaker having improved thermal properties, as well as improved manufacturing efficiencies. Other improvements include an improved control system, as well as other cost-saving features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mid-South Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Patrick, Thomas A. Mooty, Larry E. Unger
  • Patent number: 5823001
    Abstract: An icemaking assembly ("icemaker") is provided which includes an improved construction including an ice mold separate but attached to a structural base. The structural base includes integral elements such as a water fill cup, stripper, and mounting configuration. The integral nature of the stripper, combined with its "living hinge" feature, allows for an improved method and apparatus for fixing the ice tray in place. The combination provides an icemaker having improved thermal properties, as well as improved manufacturing efficiencies. Other improvements include an improved control system, as well as other cost-saving features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Mid-South Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Patrick, Thomas A. Mooty, Larry E. Unger
  • Patent number: 5816450
    Abstract: A pneumatic frosting applicator apparatus designed for dispensing viscous material, primarily frosting for the decoration of baked goods. The device permits the user to dispense frosting using the same natural and easy position utilized by experienced decorators but in a more ergonomically enhanced manner. The device further permits the user to more precisely control the flow of frosting and to dispense the frosting in a smooth continuous fashion. The device is simple to operate and to clean, easy to manufacture, and is affordable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventors: David C. Alexander, Robert B. Rummer, Kenneth H. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5526596
    Abstract: An electric iron includes a storage base. The iron includes a switch for selectively connecting the iron to a source of electrical power. The iron is automatically disconnected from the source of electrical power when the iron is placed in the storage base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bitzel, Edward M. Kubicz, David Jalbert, Kenneth H. Patrick, Michael D. Morrissey, Arthur H. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5509221
    Abstract: A spray nozzle for an electric iron includes a nozzle cap having an outlet orifice formed in a first end wall thereof. The cap includes an axially extending cylindrical wall defining an axially extending bore. A fluid flow coupling is inserted into a second end wall of the cap and includes a valve seat. A movable valve member is disposed within the bore and is operable to direct fluid through the outlet orifice when fluid flows through the bore towards the outlet. The valve member moves within the bore into engagement with the valve seat when flow of fluid through the bore is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Patrick, Michael D. Morrissey, Angelo J. Rainone
  • Patent number: 5446983
    Abstract: An electric iron includes an electrically heated soleplate and a housing including a handle portion and a saddle portion. A thermostat is mounted on the soleplate for sensing the temperature thereof. An actuator is rotatably connected to the thermostat for establishing an operating temperature for the soleplate. A track is formed in the saddle portion of the housing. The track extends arcuately in a horizontal plane through the skirt and has a vertical slope. A control member is movably retained within the track. A linkage interconnects the control member to the actuator for converting the combined arcuate and vertical movement of the control member to rotational movement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5414945
    Abstract: An iron assembly includes a mounting base and an electric iron removably mounted on the base. A water cassette is also removably mounted on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur H. Freeman, Michael D. Morrissey, Kenneth H. Patrick, Bryan de Blois
  • Patent number: 5408769
    Abstract: An electric iron includes an electrically heated soleplate and a housing including a handle portion and a saddle portion. A thermostat is mounted on the soleplate for sensing the temperature thereof. An actuator is rotatably connected to the thermostat for establishing an operating temperature for the soleplate. A track is formed in the saddle portion of the housing. The track extends arcuately in a horizontal plane through the skirt and has a vertical slope. A control member is movably retained within the track. A linkage interconnects the control member to the actuator for converting the combined arcuate and vertical movement of the control member to rotational movement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5404662
    Abstract: An electric steam iron includes a soleplate, an electric heater attached in heat transfer relation to the soleplate and a source of electric current connected to the heater for delivering electric power thereto. The iron includes a housing forming a reservoir. A dam is formed in the water reservoir. The iron further includes a steam generating chamber and a valve controlling the flow of water from the water reservoir to the steam generating chamber. The valve is positioned within the water reservoir relatively rearwardly of the dam so that a head of water is formed above the valve when the iron is placed upright with the iron heel rest in a relatively horizontal plane and the iron soleplate in a relatively vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Patrick, Gary W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5056322
    Abstract: A half crescent shaped ice piece maker comprising a freezing tray (100) having an inner surface arcuately shaped about a longitudinal radial axis and divided into crescent shaped water fillable cavities (112) in which the ice pieces are formed, and an ejector assembly (102) for rotatively moving the ice pieces out of the cavities (122) comprising a rotatable shaft (106) supported in bearings with its axis coincident with the radial axis, and with ejector assembly (102) further comprising a row of primary flexible, spring-like ejector elements (114) lying in a common plane and each secured at a first end to the shaft (106) and having its second end extend into one of the crescent shaped cavities (122) to divide the cavity (122) into rotatively leading and lagging partial crescent shaped cavities while water is injected and frozen therein and before the ejector assembly (102) is rotated to form leading and lagging rows of partial crescent ice pieces with ice bridges (152) around the edges of the ejector element
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Mid-South Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5056321
    Abstract: An ice maker comprising an elongated freezing tray (100) having arcuately shaped cross sectional configuration with equal-spaced separators (120) formed therein each in a plane normal to the axis of the elongated freezing tray (100) and comprising a rotatable assembly comprising a first hollow, cylindrical shaft (100) rotatably secured near both ends of the tray (100) substantially coincident with the axis of the tray (100) and having generally flat paddle-shaped ejector elements (114 and 115) formed thereon a second hollow, cylindrical non-rotatable shaft (160) positioned within the first cylindrical shaft (106) and non-rotatably secured at one end to the tray (100) assembly; a heating element (113) positioned within the second, hollow cylindrical shaft (160) comprising a power source (309) for supplying power thereto to heat the heating element (113) and by conduction to heat the first and second hollow, cylindrical shaft 160 and the ejector elements (114 and 115) to release the full crescent shaped ice pie
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Mid-South Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Patrick