Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Thornbrough

Kenneth L. Thornbrough 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: 6658869
    Abstract: The invention is an ice maker fitted within the freezer compartment of a refrigerator attached to an existing water and electrical source, the ice maker controlled by a microcontroller. A metal ice tray with partially deformed cups in line on a common base are filled with water and which freezes to form ice cubes, the cups having a rod with small fingers to elevate the frozen ice from the cups. When the ice is ready for ejection, the microcontroller senses by a thermal sensor the programmed temperature causing the ejection sequence to commence, rotating the ice tray as the ice tray is heated to release the ice cubes from the tray, at which time the rods forcibly eject the ice cubes into a storage bin. An upright bail is then lowered into the ice bin to detect the level of ice, signaling the microcontroller to continue or discontinue ice production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Thornbrough