Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Gillette

Thomas A. Gillette 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).

  • Publication number: 20230211710
    Abstract: A seat back system for a vehicle includes a fixed seat support member fixed relative to the vehicle, a seat back frame pivotally mounted relative to the fixed seat support member, and a torsion spring element mounted to the seat back frame. The torsion spring element includes a first end fixed relative to the fixed seat support member and a second end fixed relative to the seat back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Venkata Narasimha Rao Cherukuvada, Thomas Gillette, Xavier Jesus Del Rio, Srujan Nelakuditi, Alan Garcia, Mark West, Blagoj Dungevski
  • Patent number: 10731915
    Abstract: A pantry box system for a refrigerating appliance includes a pantry mullion having an interstitial space defined therein, a pantry wall extending perpendicularly from the pantry mullion, a base positioned substantially parallel with the pantry mullion. The pantry mullion, pantry wall and base define an insertable pantry compartment having an internal pantry volume. A pantry drawer is in operable communication with the internal pantry volume, and is operable through a drawer aperture defined in the pantry wall between open and closed positions. The pantry drawer includes an exterior drawer panel that conceals the drawer aperture when the at least one pantry drawer in in the closed position. A pantry box cooling system is configured to deliver cooling to the insertable pantry compartment from an external location, wherein the pantry box cooling system includes a control that independently controls a pantry temperature of the insertable pantry compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20180128541
    Abstract: A pantry box system for a refrigerating appliance includes a pantry mullion having an interstitial space defined therein, a pantry wall extending perpendicularly from the pantry mullion, a base positioned substantially parallel with the pantry mullion. The pantry mullion, pantry wall and base define an insertable pantry compartment having an internal pantry volume. A pantry drawer is in operable communication with the internal pantry volume, and is operable through a drawer aperture defined in the pantry wall between open and closed positions. The pantry drawer includes an exterior drawer panel that conceals the drawer aperture when the at least one pantry drawer in in the closed position. A pantry box cooling system is configured to deliver cooling to the insertable pantry compartment from an external location, wherein the pantry box cooling system includes a control that independently controls a pantry temperature of the insertable pantry compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9937834
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having a seatback body and a door pivotally coupled to the seatback body. The seatback defines an internal compartment and an opening leading to the internal compartment. The seatback defines a first seatback edge and a second seatback edge opposite the first seatback edge. The door can rotate relative to the seatback body about an axis, which extends from the first seatback edge to the second seatback edge. The door can move relative to the seatback between an open position and a closed position, and covers the opening leading to the internal compartment when disposed in the closed position. The internal compartment is accessible through the opening when the door is in the open position. The seat assembly further includes a seat base below the seatback. The first seatback edge is closer to the seat base than the second seatback edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Thomas A. Gillette
  • Patent number: 9897370
    Abstract: A pantry box system for a refrigerating appliance includes a pantry mullion having an interstitial space defined therein, a pantry wall extending perpendicularly from the pantry mullion, a base positioned substantially parallel with the pantry mullion. The pantry mullion, pantry wall and base define an insertable pantry compartment having an internal pantry volume. A pantry drawer is in operable communication with the internal pantry volume, and is operable through a drawer aperture defined in the pantry wall between open and closed positions. The pantry drawer includes an exterior drawer panel that conceals the drawer aperture when the at least one pantry drawer in the closed position. A pantry box cooling system is configured to deliver cooling to the insertable pantry compartment from an external location, wherein the pantry box cooling system includes a control that independently controls a pantry temperature of the insertable pantry compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9675946
    Abstract: A bowl liner for a mixing bowl of a stand mixer includes a shell and a rim secured an upper end of the shell. The shell is sized to be received in the mixing bowl, and is formed from an elastomeric material. The shell has a mixing chamber defined therein. The rim includes an outer perimeter surface that has a keyed surface section to locate the liner relative to the stand mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Drees, Thomas A. Gillette, David M. Neidlinger, Paul S. Paget
  • Patent number: 9522399
    Abstract: A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is positionable between a plurality of cutting positions to produce cut food items of varying thicknesses. The food processor includes an adjustment assembly operable to move the cutting assembly between the plurality of cutting positions. The adjustment assembly includes a user-operated control device that is secured to the cutting assembly. The user-operated control device extends through a slot defined in the removable lid such that an upper end of the user-operated control device is positioned outside of the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Conti, Thomas Gillette, David J. Gushwa, Duane M. Kobos, Anthony Roberts, Nicholas Stuart
  • Publication number: 20160264029
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having a seatback body and a door pivotally coupled to the seatback body. The seatback defines an internal compartment and an opening leading to the internal compartment. The seatback defines a first seatback edge and a second seatback edge opposite the first seatback edge. The door can rotate relative to the seatback body about an axis, which extends from the first seatback edge to the second seatback edge. The door can move relative to the seatback between an open position and a closed position, and covers the opening leading to the internal compartment when disposed in the closed position. The internal compartment is accessible through the opening when the door is in the open position. The seat assembly further includes a seat base below the seatback. The first seatback edge is closer to the seat base than the second seatback edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Thomas A. Gillette
  • Publication number: 20160265816
    Abstract: A pantry box system for a refrigerating appliance includes a pantry mullion having an interstitial space defined therein, a pantry wall extending perpendicularly from the pantry mullion, a base positioned substantially parallel with the pantry mullion. The pantry mullion, pantry wall and base define an insertable pantry compartment having an internal pantry volume. A pantry drawer is in operable communication with the internal pantry volume, and is operable through a drawer aperture defined in the pantry wall between open and closed positions. The pantry drawer includes an exterior drawer panel that conceals the drawer aperture when the at least one pantry drawer in in the closed position. A pantry box cooling system is configured to deliver cooling to the insertable pantry compartment from an external location, wherein the pantry box cooling system includes a control that independently controls a pantry temperature of the insertable pantry compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9220372
    Abstract: A bowl assembly for a stand mixer includes an at least partially translucent container that includes a sidewall and a bottom wall. The container includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and an open upper edge. A channel is disposed on the outer surface substantially parallel with the open upper edge. The channel includes upper and lower circumferential walls and a channel wall that extends between the upper and lower circumferential walls. A gasket includes top and bottom sealing flanges and is configured for reception in the channel. A band assembly includes at least one elongate band and a tensioning mechanism. The band assembly is configured for reception in the channel. First and second support members extend substantially orthogonally from the at least one elongate band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn Benoit, Thomas A. Gillette, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8919590
    Abstract: A bowl liner for a mixing bowl of a stand mixer includes a shell and a rim secured an upper end of the shell. The shell is sized to be received in the mixing bowl, and is formed from an elastomeric material. The shell has a mixing chamber defined therein. The rim includes an outer perimeter surface that has a keyed surface section to locate the liner relative to the stand mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Paul S. Paget
  • Publication number: 20140246442
    Abstract: A bowl assembly for a stand mixer includes an at least partially translucent container that includes a sidewall and a bottom wall. The container includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and an open upper edge. A channel is disposed on the outer surface substantially parallel with the open upper edge. The channel includes upper and lower circumferential walls and a channel wall that extends between the upper and lower circumferential walls. A gasket includes top and bottom sealing flanges and is configured for reception in the channel. A band assembly includes at least one elongate band and a tensioning mechanism. The band assembly is configured for reception in the channel. First and second support members extend substantially orthogonally from the at least one elongate band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn Benoit, Thomas A. Gillette, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20120170404
    Abstract: A bowl liner for a mixing bowl of a stand mixer includes a shell and a rim secured an upper end of the shell. The shell is sized to be received in the mixing bowl, and is formed from an elastomeric material. The shell has a mixing chamber defined therein. The rim includes an outer perimeter surface that has a keyed surface section to locate the liner relative to the stand mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: STEVEN C. DREES, THOMAS A. GILLETTE, DAVID M. NEIDLINGER, PAUL S. PAGET
  • Patent number: 6557869
    Abstract: A hand truck with a generally upright skeletal frame carried on spaced apart wheels connected with the lower portion of the frame incorporates a noseplate and a pallet-supporting fork structure configured to enter a pallet. The noseplate and fork structure are carried on the frame to be interchangeably movable to and from vertically spaced operative positions projecting forwardly at generally right angles to the lower end of the frame and removed stowed positions generally vertically adjacent the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Magline, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Gillette, Thomas A. Gillette, Nathan J. Hull, Bruce L. Hailston
  • Publication number: 20020030351
    Abstract: A hand truck with a generally upright skeletal frame carried on spaced apart wheels connected with the lower portion of the frame incorporates a noseplate and a pallet-supporting fork structure configured to enter a pallet. The noseplate and fork structure are carried on the frame to be interchangeably movable to and from vertically spaced operative positions projecting forwardly at generally right angles to the lower end of the frame and removed stowed positions generally vertically adjacent the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Magline, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Gillette, Thomas A. Gillette, Nathan J. Hull, Bruce L. Hailston
  • Patent number: D702487
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Mitchell L. Robertson, Kaitlyn Benoit
  • Patent number: D708009
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Paul S. Paget
  • Patent number: D708010
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Paul S. Paget