Patents by Inventor Rick A. Schneider

Rick A. Schneider 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).

  • Appliance panel with increased natural frequency
    Patent number: 8056172
    Abstract: A side panel for a fabric care appliance is described. The side panel includes an embossed pattern for increasing a first natural frequency (or first harmonic) of the side panel. Preferably, the first natural frequency is substantially higher than any ordinary operating frequency or driving frequency of the appliance. For example, in a washing machine, the first natural frequency of the side panel is preferably at least 1.6 times greater than the maximum rotational frequency of a drum or tumbler of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rick A. Schneider, Steven R. Fricke, Michael S. Short, James R. Sawyer, Phillip E. Lindeman, Michael R. Carey
  • Cored vane for an agitating device
    Patent number: 7624602
    Abstract: A vane for a washing machine agitating device is provided. The agitating device includes a skirt and a center shaft extending upwardly from the skirt. The vane extends radially from the center shaft of the agitating device toward an outer perimeter of the skirt. One end of the vane includes at least two supports defining a cavity there between to lower stress experienced by a hinge point of the vane, thereby minimizing vane breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen M. La Belle, Rick A. Schneider
  • Cored vane for an agitating device
    Publication number: 20070277563
    Abstract: A vane for a washing machine agitating device is provided. The agitating device includes a skirt and a center shaft extending upwardly from the skirt. The vane extends radially from the center shaft of the agitating device toward an outer perimeter of the skirt. One end of the vane includes at least two supports defining a cavity there between to lower stress experienced by a hinge point of the vane, thereby minimizing vane breakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Kathleen M. La Belle, Rick A. Schneider