Patents by Inventor Robert M. Weir

Robert M. Weir 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: 4715401
    Abstract: A hose retainer is provided for removably securing hoses within a cabinet of the appliance. The retainer includes a hook for securing the apparatus to a structure inside the appliance, a slit for receiving an end of a hose, and in one embodiment at least one aperture for receiving an end of a second hose. In a second embodiment the apparatus includes an arm and projection for securing an end of the second hose. The appliance includes access ports for affording access to a portion of the hoses while they are in their stored position and further includes an electrical plug storage aperture for holding the electrical cord in a stored, yet accessible location during shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Staun, Robert M. Weir, Dean R. Sommerfeld
  • Patent number: 4624117
    Abstract: A shipping restraint system for an appliance having movable suspension components is provided which includes a plurality of locking pins engagable in apertures in the components to prevent their movement during shipping. The locking pins are held in place by cotter pins which are attached to a cord directed to the exterior of the appliance. Removal of the cotter pins will cause the locking pins to fall under gravity bias from the apertures into receiving cups thereby unlocking the movable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Ory, Paul R. Staun, Robert M. Weir
  • Patent number: 4572596
    Abstract: A U-shaped cabinet shroud for a front-serviceable appliance is provided with overbent side walls which are forced outwardly by guide pins on a stationary back wall of such appliance as the shroud is positioned onto a base member and the rear wall of the appliance resulting in a tight, secure fit of the shroud to the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Weir, Dean R. Sommerfeld
  • Patent number: 4324035
    Abstract: In a front-serviceable appliance having a base frame supporting internal components, the base frame having a front member and side members and a rear panel attached thereto, a removable cabinet has a front bottom flange overlapping and extending beneath the front base frame member, and receptacles for receiving upwardly extending tabs from the side members to position the cabinet with respect to the base. The cabinet is held in position on the base by a pair of spring clips engaging the rear panel and each having a portion abutting a top of the cabinet and curved portions extending into the cabinet through aligned slots in the top thereof to maintain a spring tension. The cabinet is thus retained without the use of screws and its removal does not impair the functional operation of the internal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Sherer, Robert M. Weir
  • Patent number: 4268098
    Abstract: In a front-serviceable appliance having a base frame supporting internal components, the base frame having a front member and side members and a rear panel attached thereto, a removable cabinet has a front bottom flange overlapping and extending beneath the front base frame member, and receptacles for receiving upwardly extending tabs from the side members to position the cabinet with respect to the base. The cabinet is held in position on the base by a pair of spring clips engaging the rear panel and each having a portion abutting a top of the cabinet and curved portions extending into the cabinet through aligned slots in the top thereof to maintain a spring tension. The cabinet is thus retained without the use of screws and its removal does not impair the functional operation of the internal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald L. Kretchman, Robert M. Weir
  • Patent number: 4254640
    Abstract: In a front-serviceable appliance having a base frame supporting internal components, the base frame having a front member and side members and a rear panel attached thereto, a removable cabinet has a front bottom flange overlapping and extending beneath the front base frame member, and receptacles for receiving upwardly extending tabs from the side members to position the cabinet with respect to the base. The cabinet is held in position on the base by a pair of spring clips engaging the rear panel and each having a portion abutting a top of the cabinet and curved portions extending into the cabinet through aligned slots in the top thereof to maintain a spring tension. The cabinet is thus retained without the use of screws and its removal does not impair the functional operation of the internal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Sherer, Robert M. Weir