Patents by Inventor Michael J. Kramer

Michael J. Kramer 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: 8408403
    Abstract: A dish support rack for a dishwasher is formed from composite, preferably ceramic/plastic composite. The dish rack includes front, rear and opposing side walls interconnected with a bottom portion. The dish support rack includes a plurality of tine members. The tine members include a base member from which extend a plurality of tines. Each base member includes a socket and a pin element used to join individual tine members to form tine rows. The tine rows are then fastened to the bottom portion to establish dish support zones in the dish rack. The tines can include one or more elastomeric bumpers positioned at various locations where dishware is likely to contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Michael J. Kramer, Seungwon (Chris) Song
  • Patent number: 7870863
    Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a wash tub, a plurality of wash system components and a sump. The sump is either integrally formed with or separately formed and mounted to a bottom wall portion of the tub, while being provided with a plurality of fluid conduits that extend from a central intake ring to a respective plurality of attachment flanges. A wash pump and a drain pump are supported by respective ones of the plurality of attachment flanges so as to direct a flow of wash fluid into and out of the wash tub. The sump also includes structure for mounting a heater and a filter housing, as well as other wash and safety system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Kristen K. Hedstrom, Michael J. Kramer, Mark E. Palm, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 7607444
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a drawer which is slidably mounted in a frame and forms a washing chamber. A lid assembly is mounted to the frame for selectively sealing the washing chamber during a washing operation. A closing mechanism moves the lid assembly from a first or open position to a second or closed position that provides a water-tight seal during a washing operation. The dishwasher is further provided with a latching mechanism including a pivoting door front member, a locking member and a linking bar interconnecting the door front member with the locking member. Manipulation of the pivoting drawer front member causes the locking member to engage/disengage with the lid assembly. The latching mechanism further includes a locking bar and a micro-switch that combine to prevent operation of the dishwasher if the drawer is not properly positioned in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Kory A. Gunnerson, Kristen K. Hedstrom, Michael J. Kramer, Mark E. Palm, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 7426933
    Abstract: An improved water distribution system is provided for a dishwasher. The system includes one or more disks mounted in the dishwasher for rotation about a vertical axis, and one or more water nozzles in the dishwasher for directing a water jet onto the disks. The water jets are directed transverse to the axis of rotation of the disks so as to impart rotation to the disks, and thereby redirect the water jet to a radial direction for distribution in the washing chamber of the dishwasher. Thus, the linear kinetic energy of the water jet is transferred to radial kinetic energy by the rotating disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Palm, Michael J. Kramer, Kristen K. Hedstrom
  • Patent number: 6721681
    Abstract: A chronometric identification and location tag for an animal, such as a dog, that incorporates a variety of detection and sensing functions as well as communication capacities. Assembled in a compact form that allows ready transport on a trainable animal, such as a dog, the chronometer identification and location tag enables the location of the associated animal, as well as the transmission and reception of information and data. Specific embodiments include the use of GPS to provide location data, as well as an alternative location system using temporary or permanent antenna installations. Hazardous material, visual, and acoustic detectors and other sensors and/or generators may be used in conjunction with transmission facilities for providing data regarding the animal's environment. Information and signals may be transmitted to the central controller by a receiver and a speaker can provide for audio signaling to the animal or others close to the animal in an audible range of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Lutrell M. Christian, Michael J. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5819189
    Abstract: A monorail vehicle used for material handling purposes comprises a number of cars which run on a track. The cars are linked together in one or more trains and each train has a master car and several slave cars. An embedded computer in the master car keeps track of the location on the train on the track by means of pulses from a Hall effect sensor in a brushless DC motor which powers the train. A central computer in an off board work station issues commands to the train and by monitoring its position on the track loop, the embedded computer in the master car of the train determines when to execute the command. A special jumper is used to connect the cars of the train together which distributes control signals to the various cars in the train without regard to the position of the cars in the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: HK Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kramer, Jerry A. List, Weston R. Loomer, Thomas T. Von Handorf
  • Patent number: 4288454
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 1-adamantyl-3-(phenylsulfonyl)thioureas of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkyl, amino or lower alkanoylamino to methods of preparation thereof and to their use in the treatment and prevention of viral infections in mammalian and avian hosts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Hoffman-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kramer, Jefferson W. Tilley
  • Patent number: 4178360
    Abstract: A novel labelled antigen consisting of .sup.125 I-rubella virus and its use in a radioimmunoassay for rubella virus specific antibodies in human serum is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Cleeland, Joanne Durkin, Michael J. Kramer
  • Patent number: D625585
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Michael J. Kramer
  • Patent number: D625586
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Michael J. Kramer