Patents by Inventor Richard F. Topping

Richard F. Topping 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).

  • Ice level sensor for an ice maker
    Patent number: 5460007
    Abstract: An ice level sensor includes three capacitive plates for sensing the level of ice cubes in an ice tray or ice bucket. The ice level sensor preferably includes a relay for turning off the ice maker when a particular ice level is reached. The three capacitive plates provide immunity to frost collection because frost will collect on all plates equally. Preferably, the capacitive sensor is positioned with one plate next to the ice bucket and two plates positioned above the ice bucket. Preferably, the ice sensor may be retrofitted to existing refrigerators by mounting the capacitor plates to the rear freezer wall, and connecting AC input wires to the ice maker through a relay in the capacitor sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Arthur P. Little, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Reed, Douglas J. Ely, Robert Farra, Richard F. Topping