Patents by Inventor Kenneth N. Minkler

Kenneth N. Minkler 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 temperature dial and associated method of use
    Patent number: 7441713
    Abstract: A tamper resistant temperature dial and associated method of use is disclosed. This includes a temperature adjustment device associated with a controller for a heating device that includes a rotatable dial for setting temperature in the heating device, a ring that is operatively attached to the rotatable dial or the controller, wherein the ring includes a plurality of notched portions, and a resilient detent having a first portion engagable with at least one of the plurality of notched portions on the ring, a second portion for releasably applying pressure to the resilient detent for disengaging the first portion of the resilient detent from the at least one of the plurality of notched portions on the ring and having a third portion that is operatively attached to the attached to the controller or the rotatable dial. The heating device can be either electric or gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Can Trong Nguyen, Raymond-Paul Joubran, Kenneth N. Minkler
  • Controller valve coupling
    Patent number: 6554322
    Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a gas controller to a water heater includes a shank that is longitudinally received in a spud attached to the water heater. O-rings serve to form a water tight seal between the interior surface of the spud and the exterior surface of the shank. Slots formed in the spud and a groove formed in the shank allow the two components to be axially locked to one another with the insertion of a retainer spring clip. The spring clip is readily removable to allow the two components to be separated without the destruction of any components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Thach Duong, Raymond-Paul Joubran, Joseph Raffaelli, Kenneth N. Minkler
  • Controller valve coupling
    Publication number: 20020171241
    Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a gas controller to a water heater includes a shank that is longitudinally received in a spud attached to the water heater. O-rings serve to form a water tight seal between the interior surface of the spud and the exterior surface of the shank. Slots formed in the spud and a groove formed in the shank allow the two components to be axially locked to one another with the insertion of a retainer spring clip. The spring clip is readily removable to allow the two components to be separated without the destruction of any components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: INVENSYS RobertShaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Thach Duong, Raymond-Paul Joubran, Joseph Raffaelli, Kenneth N. Minkler