Patents by Inventor Michael J. Bottas

Michael J. Bottas 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: 4779431
    Abstract: A drive system for an automatic washer includes a high slip motor connected to a drive reduction mechanism for driving an energy absorbing agitator preferably having flexible vanes. The high slip motor is driven with spaced alternating pulses so that the agitator accelerates in one direction and then slows after the end of the pulse followed by acceleration and then slowing in a second direction so that sinusoidal agitation is produced by a pulse input to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Burk, Michael J. Bottas
  • Patent number: 4693095
    Abstract: In a dual action agitator for use in an automatic clothes washer, a barrel-shaped upper agitator includes a plurality of fins of different lengths and each having curved blade portions at the lower end thereof. The blade portions of adjacent fins form an interrupted screw thread to enhance vertical movement of a clothes lead adjacent the agitator for improved clothes rollover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Burk, Michael J. Bottas, John W. Pielemeier, Dale E. Mueller