Patents by Inventor MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY

MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY 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: 11781258
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub with a terminal edge and a dual-wall basket, with outer and inner walls, the inner wall having perforations above the terminal edge, and the basket located within the tub and having at least one drain opening in a bottom of the basket. The method comprising altering a level of liquid in the tub to correspondingly alter a height of a float valve in the tub to selectively open/close the drain opening to effect a filling of liquid in the basket above the tub terminal edge when the float valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
  • Publication number: 20210246590
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub with a terminal edge and a dual-wall basket, with outer and inner walls, the inner wall having perforations above the terminal edge, and the basket located within the tub and having at least one drain opening in a bottom of the basket. The method comprising altering a level of liquid in the tub to correspondingly alter a height of a float valve in the tub to selectively open/close the drain opening to effect a filling of liquid in the basket above the tub terminal edge when the float valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
  • Publication number: 20210230787
    Abstract: A water valve assembly for a laundry appliance includes a body portion having first and second ends. A port is positioned at the first end of the body portion and is configured to be coupled with a water supply. An elongated nozzle extends from the second end of the body portion. The elongated nozzle defines a continuous channel in communication with an open end positioned to align with a top opening of a washtub. A retention feature is configured to receive a flow deflector. The body portion, the port, the elongated nozzle, and the retention feature are integrally formed as a single piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael K. Cluskey, Alexandre Trevizan, Thiago Jorge Libanio Mendes
  • Patent number: 11035063
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. A float valve can be incorporated into the basket structure, selectively opening or closing the valve based upon the liquid level in a tub. As liquid fills the tub, the float valve will rise until it moves into a closed position, permitting the basket and treating chamber to fill with liquid. As the tub drain, the float valve can fall, opening the valve and permitting liquid to drain from the basket or treating chamber. The opened or closed positions can be selectively operated by opening or closing a pump or sump and allowing a tub to drain or fill, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
  • Publication number: 20190218699
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. The basket comprises a dual wall, having an inner wall and an outer wall, defining a space therebetween. Liquid within the treating chamber can flow through a plurality of liquid extraction perforations and into the space between the walls, where the liquid can drain downwardly out through an opening in the outer wall and into a tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, DALE E. MUELLER
  • Patent number: 10280544
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. The basket comprises a dual wall, having an inner wall and an outer wall, defining a space therebetween. Liquid within the treating chamber can flow through a plurality of liquid extraction perforations and into the space between the walls, where the liquid can drain downwardly out through an opening in the outer wall and into a tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller
  • Patent number: 10266978
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment, and two annular balance rings coupled with the basket for rotation therewith. Each balance ring includes a sump for holding balancing fluid when the rotational speed of the basket is below a critical speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Michael K. Cluskey, John M. Hunnell, Christopher A. Jones, Brenner M. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20190106825
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. A float valve can be incorporated into the basket structure, selectively opening or closing the valve based upon the liquid level in a tub. As liquid fills the tub, the float valve will rise until it moves into a closed position, permitting the basket and treating chamber to fill with liquid. As the tub drain, the float valve can fall, opening the valve and permitting liquid to drain from the basket or treating chamber. The opened or closed positions can be selectively operated by opening or closing a pump or sump and allowing a tub to drain or fill, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
  • Patent number: 10202719
    Abstract: A vertical axis laundry treating appliance including a chassis defining a chassis interior, a tub disposed within the chassis interior and defining a tub interior, and a perforated wash basket disposed for rotation within the tub interior, wherein the tub includes a lower tub portion, an upper tub portion, and a flexible intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Prakash S. Amte, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Nicholas C. Fugal, Christopher A. Jones, Dale Mueller, Michele A. Paustian, Brenner M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 10179963
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. A float valve can be incorporated into the basket structure, selectively opening or closing the valve based upon the liquid level in a tub. As liquid fills the tub, the float valve will rise until it moves into a closed position, permitting the basket and treating chamber to fill with liquid. As the tub drain, the float valve can fall, opening the valve and permitting liquid to drain from the basket or treating chamber. The opened or closed positions can be selectively operated by opening or closing a pump or sump and allowing a tub to drain or fill, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
  • Patent number: 9909247
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating fabric according to a cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining an interior, a wash tub within the interior and having a peripheral wall with an upper portion and a bottom end closed by a base; a wash basket located within the wash tub for movement relative thereto and defining a laundry treating chamber; and a drive motor located within the cabinet for rotating or oscillating the wash basket. Prior to installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the wash tub is oversized relative to the interior. After installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the upper portion of the wash tub forms a press fit with the cabinet such that the upper portion of the wash tub exerts a force on the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Aaron A. Linden, Dale E. Mueller, Michele A. Paustian
  • Publication number: 20170268147
    Abstract: A vertical axis laundry treating appliance including a chassis defining a chassis interior, a tub disposed within the chassis interior and defining a tub interior, and a perforated wash basket disposed for rotation within the tub interior, wherein the tub includes a lower tub portion, an upper tub portion, and a flexible intermediate portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, PRAKASH S. AMTE, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, NICHOLAS C. FUGAL, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, DALE MUELLER, MICHELE A. PAUSTIAN, BRENNER M. SHARP
  • Publication number: 20170211220
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation and including a cabinet defining an interior, an imperforate tub located within the interior and having a peripheral wall with an upper portion and a bottom end closed by a base, and a structural support provided within the interior adjacent at least a portion of the imperforate tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, DALE MUELLER, MICHELE A. PAUSTIAN, BRENNER M. SHARP
  • Publication number: 20170073872
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating fabric according to a cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining an interior, a wash tub within the interior and having a peripheral wall with an upper portion and a bottom end closed by a base; a wash basket located within the wash tub for movement relative thereto and defining a laundry treating chamber; and a drive motor located within the cabinet for rotating or oscillating the wash basket. Prior to installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the wash tub is oversized relative to the interior. After installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the upper portion of the wash tub forms a press fit with the cabinet such that the upper portion of the wash tub exerts a force on the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, AARON A. LINDEN, DALE E. MUELLER, MICHELE A. PAUSTIAN
  • Publication number: 20170029999
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment, and two annular balance rings coupled with the basket for rotation therewith. Each balance ring includes a sump for holding balancing fluid when the rotational speed of the basket is below a critical speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, JOHN M. HUNNELL, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, BRENNER M. SHARP
  • Publication number: 20170030000
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. A float valve can be incorporated into the basket structure, selectively opening or closing the valve based upon the liquid level in a tub. As liquid fills the tub, the float valve will rise until it moves into a closed position, permitting the basket and treating chamber to fill with liquid. As the tub drain, the float valve can fall, opening the valve and permitting liquid to drain from the basket or treating chamber. The opened or closed positions can be selectively operated by opening or closing a pump or sump and allowing a tub to drain or fill, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, DALE E. MUELLER, ZACHARY BOHENICK
  • Publication number: 20170022647
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. The basket comprises a dual wall, having an inner wall and an outer wall, defining a space therebetween. Liquid within the treating chamber can flow through a plurality of liquid extraction perforations and into the space between the walls, where the liquid can drain downwardly out through an opening in the outer wall and into a tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, DALE E. MUELLER
  • Patent number: 9453297
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance. The dynamic balancer device comprises an enclosed annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, a plurality of internal baffles in the enclosed annular housing and a fluid disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Michael K. Cluskey, John M. Hunnell, Christopher A. Jones, Brenner M. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20160160421
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance. The dynamic balancer device comprises an enclosed annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, a plurality of internal baffles in the enclosed annular housing and a fluid disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, JOHN M. HUNNELL, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, BRENNER M. SHARP
  • Publication number: 20150176166
    Abstract: A method of controlling a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable wash basket defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry items for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, the method comprising supplying liquid to the wash basket, draining liquid from the wash basket by gravity, and filling the wash basket to a predetermined fill level based on an amount of laundry, a type of laundry, a selected cycle of operation, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, DONALD E. ERICKSON, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, AARON A. LINDEN, KENNETH L. MCCONNELL, BRADLEY D. MORROW, DALE E. MUELLER, MICHELE A. PAUSTIAN, BRENNER M. SHARP, CHRISTINE L. STRAIN, DEAN L. TIETZ, LAUREN M. LALONDE