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).

  • Patent number: 10765293
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Martin Kenneth Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Richard Lawrence Kretz, Kapil Gutpa, Darryl C. Bodine, Jerry M. Visin, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
  • Publication number: 20200121159
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Martin Kenneth Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Richard Lawrence Kretz, Kapil Gutpa, Darryl C. Bodine, Jerry M. Visin, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 10582829
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Martin Kenneth Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Richard Lawrence Kretz, Kapil Gupta, Darryl C. Bodine, Jerry M. Visin, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 10575709
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
  • Publication number: 20190208983
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
  • Patent number: 10292567
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
  • Publication number: 20190125161
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Martin Kenneth Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Richard Lawrence Kretz, Kapil Gupta, Darryl C. Bodine, Jerry M. Visin, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 10136795
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Kapil Gupta, Richard Lawrence Kretz
  • Publication number: 20180256006
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
  • Publication number: 20180220868
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Kapil Gupta, Richard Lawrence Kretz
  • Patent number: 10022037
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin T. Kutto, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Kapil Gupta, Matthew M. Hansen, Sujay S. Dabade, Harshal J. Bhajak, Richard Lawrence Kretz
  • Patent number: 10022038
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew M. Hansen, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10010239
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
  • Publication number: 20180103828
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: MATTHEW M. HANSEN, RONALD M. NOWELL, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180035866
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Daniel W. Southworth, Matthew M. Hansen, Joseph T. Ferencevich
  • Publication number: 20160331204
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin T. Kutto, Ronald M. Nowell, JR., Kapil Gupta, Matthew M. Hansen, Sujay S. Dabade, Harshal J. Bhajak, Richard Lawrence Kretz
  • Patent number: 8033038
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 8033037
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20090313864
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20090313863
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: 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