Patents by Inventor Michael Dirlam

Michael Dirlam 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: 6964360
    Abstract: A clothes hanger is provided. The clothes hanger includes a first main arm connected with a second main arm. Each main arm forms an adjustment element and a primary track. The clothes hanger also includes first and second adjustable arms each movably and pivotally connected with one respective main arm. Each adjustable arm includes a locator element engageable with a respective adjustment element and a primary sliding member received in each primary track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Casey J. Tubman, David G. Cockrell, Michael A. Dirlam, Dale E. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6863197
    Abstract: A garment hanger for use in a garment treatment device or garment storage container includes a hook, a bow and a pair of garment clamps. The garment clamps each include a cam-like clothes gripping arrangement in which a cam is pivotally mounted within a channel and further include a release arm for opening the clamp and a spring for bringing the cam into engagement onto the garment. The cam positively grips the garment, using a series of raised ribs having a incrementally decreasing spacing for graduated engagement of the garment. Opposite the cam within the channel, a high friction surface aids garment retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Dirlam, Michael L. Walker
  • Patent number: 6845536
    Abstract: Methods and system consistent with the present invention provide an appliance having inlet valves connected to respective supply lines with a control system that senses a temperature of a fluid supplied by a first of the supply lines, associates the first inlet valve connected to the first supply line with one of a plurality of predetermined temperature ranges, one of which includes the sensed temperature of the fluid in first supply line, and activates the first inlet valve upon a request by the appliance for a fluid in the one predetermined temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Raveendran Vaidhyanathan, Robert R. Williams, Michael A. Dirlam, George Angelov, Edward L. Thies
  • Publication number: 20050011917
    Abstract: A clothes hanger is provided. The clothes hanger includes a first main arm connected with a second main arm. Each main arm forms an adjustment element and a primary track. The clothes hanger also includes first and second adjustable arms each movably and pivotally connected with one respective main arm. Each adjustable arm includes a locator element engageable with a respective adjustment element and a primary sliding member received in each primary track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Casey Tubman, David Cockrell, Michael Dirlam, Dale Mueller
  • Patent number: 5809828
    Abstract: An airflow test device designed to be used in a clothes dryer. The device includes a retainer which is mounted to an outlet grate of the dryer drum. A vent card is removably supported a predetermined distance from the outlet grate by a support finger extending from the retainer. The vent card is supported in such a manner that a predetermined rate of airflow through the outlet grate during dryer operation moves the vent card toward the outlet grate. Movement of the vent card toward the outlet grate and off the support finger during clothes dryer operation signals that an adequate rate of airflow is passing through the outlet grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Wayne Gardell, Doral Eugene Jackson, George Angelov, William A. Jackson, Daniel W. Southworth, Michael A. Dirlam, Steven J. Mejeur