Patents by Inventor Ronald M. Nowell, Jr.
Ronald M. Nowell, Jr. 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).
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Patent number: 10765293Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, at least one dish rack in the treating chamber, and a rack height adjustment assembly. The rack height adjustment assembly includes an adjuster plate slidably coupled to the at least one dish rack and fixed vertically relative to the tub, the adjuster plate including at least one adjuster detent, a locking lever having a catch end that is biased to engage the adjuster detent to hold the dish rack in place in either a lowered or raised position, the locking lever being pivotally movable relative to the at least one dish rack between an engaging position where the catch end engages the adjuster detent and a release position where the catch end does not engage the adjuster detent and the dish rack is vertically movable between the lowered and raised positions, and an actuator configured to move the locking lever to the release position when the actuator is moved from an undepressed position to a depressed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Matthew Martin Kenneth Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Richard Lawrence Kretz, Kapil Gutpa, Darryl C. Bodine, Jerry M. Visin, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
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Publication number: 20200121159Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, at least one dish rack in the treating chamber, and a rack height adjustment assembly. The rack height adjustment assembly includes an adjuster plate slidably coupled to the at least one dish rack and fixed vertically relative to the tub, the adjuster plate including at least one adjuster detent, a locking lever having a catch end that is biased to engage the adjuster detent to hold the dish rack in place in either a lowered or raised position, the locking lever being pivotally movable relative to the at least one dish rack between an engaging position where the catch end engages the adjuster detent and a release position where the catch end does not engage the adjuster detent and the dish rack is vertically movable between the lowered and raised positions, and an actuator configured to move the locking lever to the release position when the actuator is moved from an undepressed position to a depressed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Matthew Martin Kenneth Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Richard Lawrence Kretz, Kapil Gutpa, Darryl C. Bodine, Jerry M. Visin, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
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Patent number: 10582829Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, at least one dish rack in the treating chamber, and a rack height adjustment assembly. The rack height adjustment assembly includes an adjuster plate slidably coupled to the at least one dish rack and fixed vertically relative to the tub, the adjuster plate including at least one adjuster detent, a locking lever having a catch end that is biased to engage the adjuster detent to hold the dish rack in place in either a lowered or raised position, the locking lever being pivotally movable relative to the at least one dish rack between an engaging position where the catch end engages the adjuster detent and a release position where the catch end does not engage the adjuster detent and the dish rack is vertically movable between the lowered and raised positions, and an actuator configured to move the locking lever to the release position when the actuator is moved from an undepressed position to a depressed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Matthew Martin Kenneth Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Richard Lawrence Kretz, Kapil Gupta, Darryl C. Bodine, Jerry M. Visin, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
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Patent number: 10575709Abstract: A rack assembly for an automatic dishwasher having opposing side portions, at least two axles extending outwardly from each of the opposing side portions, and a roller wheel mounted to each axle. Each roller wheel roller wheel has a hub adapted to be fixedly attached to the axle, and a wheel rotatably mounted to the hub. A plurality of separators that define pockets is integrally molded with one of the hub or the wheel. Each pocket is adapted to contain one ball bearing such that no two adjacent ball bearings make contact.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
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Publication number: 20190208983Abstract: A rack assembly for an automatic dishwasher having opposing side portions, at least two axles extending outwardly from each of the opposing side portions, and a roller wheel mounted to each axle. Each roller wheel roller wheel has a hub adapted to be fixedly attached to the axle, and a wheel rotatably mounted to the hub. A plurality of separators that define pockets is integrally molded with one of the hub or the wheel. Each pocket is adapted to contain one ball bearing such that no two adjacent ball bearings make contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
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Patent number: 10292567Abstract: A rack assembly for an automatic dishwasher having opposing side portions, at least two axles extending outwardly from each of the opposing side portions, and a roller wheel mounted to each axle. Each roller wheel roller wheel has a hub adapted to be fixedly attached to the axle, and a wheel rotatably mounted to the hub. A plurality of separators that define pockets is integrally molded with one of the hub or the wheel. Each pocket is adapted to contain one ball bearing such that no two adjacent ball bearings make contact.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
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Publication number: 20190125161Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, at least one dish rack in the treating chamber, and a rack height adjustment assembly. The rack height adjustment assembly includes an adjuster plate slidably coupled to the at least one dish rack and fixed vertically relative to the tub, the adjuster plate including at least one adjuster detent, a locking lever having a catch end that is biased to engage the adjuster detent to hold the dish rack in place in either a lowered or raised position, the locking lever being pivotally movable relative to the at least one dish rack between an engaging position where the catch end engages the adjuster detent and a release position where the catch end does not engage the adjuster detent and the dish rack is vertically movable between the lowered and raised positions, and an actuator configured to move the locking lever to the release position when the actuator is moved from an undepressed position to a depressed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Matthew Martin Kenneth Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Richard Lawrence Kretz, Kapil Gupta, Darryl C. Bodine, Jerry M. Visin, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
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Patent number: 10136795Abstract: A dish rack assembly includes a dish rack having spaced wire frame elements at least partially defining a side wall, a height adjuster comprising an arm located on an exterior of the side wall and a retaining clip mounted to the arm and located on an interior of the side wall that can limit the relative movement of the dish rack.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Kapil Gupta, Richard Lawrence Kretz
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Publication number: 20180256006Abstract: A rack assembly for an automatic dishwasher having opposing side portions, at least two axles extending outwardly from each of the opposing side portions, and a roller wheel mounted to each axle. Each roller wheel roller wheel has a hub adapted to be fixedly attached to the axle, and a wheel rotatably mounted to the hub. A plurality of separators that define pockets is integrally molded with one of the hub or the wheel. Each pocket is adapted to contain one ball bearing such that no two adjacent ball bearings make contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
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Publication number: 20180220868Abstract: A dish rack assembly includes a dish rack having spaced wire frame elements at least partially defining a side wall, a height adjuster comprising an arm located on an exterior of the side wall and a retaining clip mounted to the arm and located on an interior of the side wall that can limit the relative movement of the dish rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Kapil Gupta, Richard Lawrence Kretz
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Patent number: 10022037Abstract: A dish rack is supported for vertical movement relative to a dishwasher tub between lowered and raised positions. To raise the rack, spring biased locking levers provided on side walls of the dish rack are pivoted to cause wing members of the locking levers to release locking tabs, extending in a cantilevered fashion from locking straps secured to the rack, from locking openings provided in adjuster arms which are fixed vertically relative to the tub, thereby disengaging the locking straps from the adjuster arms to enable the rack to be lifted to the raised position. To lower the rack, the locking levers are again pivoted to reposition support members of the locking straps into positions offset from the adjuster arms, thereby enabling the rack to be guided to the lowered position where the locking tabs automatically engage the adjuster arms.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin T. Kutto, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Kapil Gupta, Matthew M. Hansen, Sujay S. Dabade, Harshal J. Bhajak, Richard Lawrence Kretz
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Patent number: 10022038Abstract: In one aspect, a dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and defining an access opening, a dishrack, and a guide rail assembly slidably mounting the dishrack to the tub. The guide rail assembly has a guide rail mounted to the dishrack or to the tub and has upper and lower tracks, which are spaced from each other by a predetermined height, and at least one pair of wheels comprising upper and lower wheels, which are rotatably mounted to the other of the dishrack or the tub.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Matthew M. Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr.
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Patent number: 10010239Abstract: An apparatus for the rack assembly of a dishwasher that includes opposing side portions, at least two axles extending outwardly from each of the opposing side portions, and a roller wheel mounted to each axle, wherein each roller wheel has ball bearings that enable at least a portion of the roller wheel to rotate about the axle. The rack assembly apparatus may be used for the upper or lower rack of the dishwasher. In case of the lower rack, the assembly may roll on the surface of the door. In case of the upper rack, the assembly may roll along guide rails.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
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Publication number: 20180103828Abstract: In one aspect, a dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and defining an access opening, a dishrack, and a guide rail assembly slidably mounting the dishrack to the tub. The guide rail assembly has a guide rail mounted to the dishrack or to the tub and has upper and lower tracks, which are spaced from each other by a predetermined height, and at least one pair of wheels comprising upper and lower wheels, which are rotatably mounted to the other of the dishrack or the tub.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: MATTHEW M. HANSEN, RONALD M. NOWELL, JR.
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Publication number: 20180035866Abstract: An apparatus for the rack assembly of a dishwasher that includes opposing side portions, at least two axles extending outwardly from each of the opposing side portions, and a roller wheel mounted to each axle, wherein each roller wheel has ball bearings that enable at least a portion of the roller wheel to rotate about the axle. The rack assembly apparatus may be used for the upper or lower rack of the dishwasher. In case of the lower rack, the assembly may roll on the surface of the door. In case of the upper rack, the assembly may roll along guide rails.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
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Publication number: 20160331204Abstract: A dish rack is supported for vertical movement relative to a dishwasher tub between lowered and raised positions. To raise the rack, spring biased locking levers provided on side walls of the dish rack are pivoted to cause wing members of the locking levers to release locking tabs, extending in a cantilevered fashion from locking straps secured to the rack, from locking openings provided in adjuster arms which are fixed vertically relative to the tub, thereby disengaging the locking straps from the adjuster arms to enable the rack to be lifted to the raised position. To lower the rack, the locking levers are again pivoted to reposition support members of the locking straps into positions offset from the adjuster arms, thereby enabling the rack to be guided to the lowered position where the locking tabs automatically engage the adjuster arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Kevin T. Kutto, Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Kapil Gupta, Matthew M. Hansen, Sujay S. Dabade, Harshal J. Bhajak, Richard Lawrence Kretz
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Patent number: 8033038Abstract: An ironing station having an ironing board stowably mounted in the cabinet for movement between a stowed position and a use position, with a docking station provided on the top wall of the cabinet and having an electrical outlet. An elevation mechanism may be provided for raising the ironing board to an elevated position, and a latch mechanism may be provided for fixing the ironing board in the elevated position.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Lorraine L. Achterberg, James William Kendall, David M. Miller, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., William J. Schill, Jr., Richard A. Sunshine, Ameresh Babu Viswanathan, Vicki Lyn Wyatt
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Patent number: 8033037Abstract: An ironing station has a cabinet defining an interior space, an accessible storage area defined within the interior space of the cabinet, an ironing board stowably mounted in the cabinet for movement between a stowed position and a use position. The ironing board can be coupled to the cabinet via a non-vertical guide rail. A handle can be coupled to the ironing board to aid a user in moving the ironing board between the stowed and use positions. A multi-position docking station can be provided on the top wall of the cabinet for receiving an iron. A cover can be provided for selectively covering the docking station.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Lorraine L. Achterberg, James William Kendall, David M. Miller, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., William J. Schill, Jr., Richard A. Sunshine, Ameresh Babu Viswanathan, Vicki Lyn Wyatt
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Publication number: 20090313864Abstract: An ironing station having an ironing board stowably mounted in the cabinet for movement between a stowed position and a use position, with a docking station provided on the top wall of the cabinet and having an electrical outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: LORRAINE L. ACHTERBERG, JAMES WILLIAM KENDALL, DAVID M. MILLER, RONALD M. NOWELL, JR., WILLIAM J. SCHILL, JR., RICHARD A. SUNSHINE, AMERESH BABU VISWANATHAN, VICKI LYNN WYATT
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Publication number: 20090313863Abstract: An ironing station has a cabinet defining an interior space, an accessible storage area defined within the interior space of the cabinet, an ironing board stowably mounted in the cabinet for movement between a stowed position and a use position. The ironing board can be coupled to the cabinet via a non-vertical guide rail. A handle can be coupled to the ironing board to aid a user in moving the ironing board between the stowed and use positions. A multi-position docking station can be provided on the top wall of the cabinet for receiving an iron. A cover can be provided for selectively covering the docking station.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: LORRAINE L. ACHTERBERG, JAMES WILLIAM KENDALL, DAVID M. MILLER, RONALD M. NOWELL, JR., WILLIAM J. SCHILL, JR., RICHARD A. SUNSHINE, AMERESH BABU VISWANATHAN, VICKI LYN WYATT