Patents by Inventor Sylvester A. Winternheimer

Sylvester A. Winternheimer 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: 4706169
    Abstract: An acrylic lightpipe transmits light from the lamp compartment of a refrigerator to the inner surface of an indexed control dial for backlighting. The lightpipe is supported within the refrigerator by a bracket positioned in proximity to the dial to be illuminated. Integral extensions formed on the light pipe are gripped by the bracket to prevent the lightpipe from rotating or translating with respect to the dial. The lightpipe is cantilevered by the bracket to backlight only a selected portion of the dial. The light emitting end face of the lightpipe is planar and angled to form an obtuse angle with the axis of the pipe to efficiently illuminate the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marc R. Bussan, Sylvester A. Winternheimer