Patents by Inventor Michael W. Hartley

Michael W. Hartley 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: 9765966
    Abstract: An ignition switch assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a gas valve. The ignition switch assembly may include a first ignition contact and a second ignition contact. The first and second ignition contacts may be sized and shaped the same. A hub may be configured to be rotated within the ignition switch assembly. A rotation of the hub in a first direction causes a portion of the first ignition contact to engage the second ignition contact. Further rotation of the hub in the first direction or rotation of the hub in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction causes the portion of the first ignition contact to disengage from the second ignition contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Herzog, Michael W. Hartley
  • Publication number: 20150285495
    Abstract: An ignition switch assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a gas valve. The ignition switch assembly may include a first ignition contact and a second ignition contact. The first and second ignition contacts may be sized and shaped the same. A hub may be configured to be rotated within the ignition switch assembly. A rotation of the hub in a first direction causes a portion of the first ignition contact to engage the second ignition contact. Further rotation of the hub in the first direction or rotation of the hub in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction causes the portion of the first ignition contact to disengage from the second ignition contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Richard R. Herzog, Michael W. Hartley
  • Publication number: 20120140440
    Abstract: An inductive lighting assembly for an appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet, a liner installed in the cabinet, and at least one shelf mounted in the cabinet. The inductive lighting assembly includes a coil locator channel recessed into the cabinet, a primary coil mounted proximate to the coil locator channel, a shelf having a projection coupled thereto; the projection configured to be at least partially inserted into the coil locator channel to separate a metallic object placed on the shelf from the primary coil by a predetermined distance, and a secondary coil mounted in the projection, the primary coil transferring power to the secondary coil through inductive power transfer, the secondary coil being electrically connected to a light assembly installed in the appliance. A refrigerator including an inductive lighting system is also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Dam, Michael W. Hartley, Karl S. Morgan, Richard R. Herzog, Chong B. Wong, John G. Drelicharz
  • Patent number: 8173924
    Abstract: A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Tegel, Robert Dam, Michael W. Hartley, Richard D. Gjerde, Richard R. Herzog, David R. Nowak, Ronald R. Hostert, Theodore James John Veselsky, Juan J. Barrena
  • Publication number: 20090321231
    Abstract: A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Tegel, Robert Dam, Michael W. Hartley, Richard D. Gjerde, Richard R. Herzog, David R. Nowak, Ronald R. Hostert, Theodore James John Veselsky, Juan J. Barrena
  • Patent number: 5813899
    Abstract: A game call method and device for locating a wild turkey. A wooden knocker ball is caused to repeatedly strike the opposite sides of an elongated wooden open sided box. The wooden knocker ball is mounted on the box by a coil spring. The knocker ball is caused to strike the opposite sides in short fast bursts to make long distance travelling pecking sounds like the sounds of a woodpecker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Michael W. Hartley
  • Patent number: 5096158
    Abstract: An oil drain valve assembly is provided for draining oil from an engine crankcase such as in a small internal combustion engine. The drain valve assembly includes an adaptor, an outer sleeve assembly, and interlocking for permitting opening of the valve assembly by relatively limited counter-clockwise rotation and subsequent pulling of the outer sleeve assembly relative to the adaptor. The interlocking means is formed of a pair of diametrically opposed J-slots disposed on the upper end of the outer sleeve assembly and co-mating locking pins disposed on the exterior surface of the adaptor. The locking pins are engageable with detents formed on the J-shaped slots to define a closed or sealed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Burdick, Frank V. Pliml, Michael W. Hartley