Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel includes a front metal panel, a rearwardly positioned polymeric decorated film and an adhesive layer disposed between the panel and the decorated film. The film overlies an electronic control module which typically includes various displays and press-type switches. Various markings and indicia on the decorated film are visible through openings in the panel and the adhesive layer. The appliance control panel includes one or more capacitance touch switches.

Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel is a laminate assembly of a front metal panel and a rear polymeric film. The film carries various electronic circuits and other components which are operable from the metal panel.

Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel includes a front metal panel, a rearwardly positioned polymeric decorated film and an adhesive layer disposed between the panel and the decorated film. The film overlies an electronic control module which typically includes various displays and press-type switches. Various markings and indicia on the decorated film are visible through openings in the panel and the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for attaching a handle to a compartment door for a home appliance. The device includes a stud with an annular groove mounted on the front of the compartment door and a bracket attached to the handle. The bracket is secured to the stud by means of a set screw adapted to be advanced through a threaded opening in the bracket into the groove and then into engagement with portions of the groove to complete the attachment.

Abstract: An agitator assembly for a clothes washing machine is provided. The agitator assembly includes a base rotatably mounted on a lower portion of a rotary drum. The base includes an upper surface and a lower surface and is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. A plurality of vanes is mounted on the upper surface of the base and is rotated together with the base about the first rotational axis. Each vane extends radially from the first rotational axis toward a periphery of the base. The impeller is configured to rotate along with rotation of the base about a second rotational axis which is radially offset from the first rotational axis. Rotation of the impeller imparts an upper flow through the base to the water contained in a water basket.

Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel includes a front metal panel, a rearwardly positioned polymeric decorated film and an adhesive layer disposed between the panel and the decorated film. The film overlies an electronic control module which typically includes various displays and press-type switches. Various markings and indicia on the decorated film are visible through openings in the panel and the adhesive layer. The appliance control panel includes one or more capacitance touch switches.

Abstract: An appliance control panel is described. The control panel includes a front metal panel, a rearwardly positioned polymeric decorated film and an adhesive layer disposed between the panel and the decorated film. The film overlies an electronic control module which typically includes various displays and press-type switches. Various markings and indicia on the decorated film are visible through openings in the panel and the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A dishwasher assembly is disclosed including one or more racks for retaining one or more dishware items to be washed. A washer system is provided for respectively washing and drying the dishware item. A dishwasher housing is used for retaining the rack and the washer system. The dishwasher housing includes a door for accessing the rack, to enable the inserting and removing the dishware item. Preferably, the rack is a rotary rack that cooperates with a rotation assembly for rotating the rack. Also, the dishwasher housing preferably includes a first wall-facing side and a second wall-facing side. The first and second wall-facing sides are preferably formed at a desired angle, so as to fit into a corner.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a through-the-door beverage can dispenser that includes a chute disposed within a refrigerated interior space that is adapted to receive and hold a plurality of beverage cans in a side-by-side relationship for sequential discharge from a bottom end of the chute. The beverage dispenser includes a rotatable drum that in a loading position has a trough portion adapted to receive a beverage can discharged from the bottom end of the chute and a barrel portion adapted to sealingly fill a passage through a door of the refrigerator. The drum is rotatable by hand from the loading position to a dispensing position where the trough portion of the drum is adjacent to the passage through the door to permit removal of a beverage can from the trough without opening the door.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser system is disclosed in which a dispensing valve is provided for fluidly connecting to a detergent supply container. A receptacle is connected to the dispensing valve for receiving a predetermined quantity of detergent from the detergent supply container. A motor is provided for displacing the receptacle between a fill position, connected to the dispensing valve, and a dispensing position, where the detergent is dispensed from the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kitchen appliance that includes a food mixer and a recipe card holding device. The recipe card holding device includes a first end that is attached to the food mixer and a second end that holds a recipe card.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heated anti-slip step for a motor vehicle. The step includes a metal tread plate having a plurality of grip structures extending upwardly from a top surface of the tread plate. A plurality of drain holes extend through the tread plate. An electrical resistance heater is disposed proximate to the tread plate and is operable to heat the step so as to melt any snow or ice that may be present on the step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal ball bat and a method of forming the same. The metal ball bat includes a tubular metal body including a barrel and a handle. The handle includes a gripping zone and an end. The metal ball bat also includes a collar having a first opening defined by a first edge, a second opening defined by a second edge, and an inner wall extending between the first edge and the second edge that defines an interior chamber. Part of the end of the handle extends through the first opening into the interior chamber of the collar and is flared against the inner wall of the collar to mechanically secure the collar to the handle and form a knob.

Abstract: An end cap for preliminary attachment of a control panel to a main body of an appliance includes a generally planar body having a front side and first and second supporting sides. The supporting sides are disposed at a rear and bottom of the planar body and are adapted for securement to the appliance main body. Each of the supporting sides has a plurality of securing tabs extending therefrom. The securing tabs are adapted to extend through an opening in the appliance main body and to engage the main body to preliminarily secure the control panel to the main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ball bat having a knob, a handle portion extending from the knob, a barrel portion extending from the handle portion, and an inflatable grip disposed on the handle portion. The inflatable grip includes an inflatable tubular sleeve through which the handle portion extends, an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable tubular sleeve for pumping air into the inflatable tubular sleeve, and a release valve in fluid communication with the inflatable tubular sleeve for releasing air from the inflatable tubular sleeve. The ball bat according to the invention allows a batter to selectively pressurize the inflatable tubular sleeve to adjust the rigidity and size of the grip, which improves batter comfort and reduces the amount of shock and vibration transferred from the ball bat to the batter's hands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ball bat having a knob, a handle portion extending from the knob, a barrel portion extending from the handle portion, and an inflatable grip disposed on the handle portion. The inflatable grip includes an inflatable tubular sleeve through which the handle portion extends, an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable tubular sleeve for pumping air into the inflatable tubular sleeve, and a release valve in fluid communication with the inflatable tubular sleeve for releasing air from the inflatable tubular sleeve. The ball bat according to the invention allows a batter to selectively pressurize the inflatable tubular sleeve to adjust the rigidity and size of the grip, which improves batter comfort and reduces the amount of shock and vibration transferred from the ball bat to the batter's hands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recipe card holding device for attachment to a food mixer. The device includes a first end and a second end. The first end attaches to the food mixer, and the second end holds a recipe card. In a first embodiment of the invention, the first end is attached to a food mixer by a mounting portion that is configured to contact a portion of the housing of the food mixer adjacent to the power take off. In other embodiments, the mounting portion is configured to attach to other portions of the housing. An orifice is provided in the mounting portion through which an accessory mounting screw of the food mixer is passed. The second end preferably includes three generally parallel fingers that extend away from an arm that connects the first end and the second end. A recipe card is then inserted between the fingers in an alternating manner.

Abstract: An end cap for preliminary attachment of a control panel to a main body of an appliance includes a generally planar body having a front side and first and second supporting sides. The supporting sides are disposed at a rear and bottom of the planar body and are adapted for securement to the appliance main body. Each of the supporting sides has a plurality of securing tabs extending therefrom. The securing tabs are adapted to extend through an opening in the appliance main body and to engage the main body to preliminarily secure the control panel to the main body.

Abstract: An end cap for preliminary attachment of a control panel to a main body of an appliance includes a generally planar body having a front side and first and second supporting sides. The supporting sides are disposed at a rear and bottom of the planar body and are adapted for securement to the appliance main body. Each of the supporting sides has a plurality of securing tabs extending therefrom. The securing tabs are adapted to extend through an opening in the appliance main body and to engage the main body to preliminarily secure the control panel to the main body.