Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Mills

Thomas H. Mills 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: 6351602
    Abstract: An upright radiant electrical heater has a reflector assembly supporting a vertically-extending heating element assembly that radiates energy through substantially 360 degree. The reflector assembly includes heat reflective panels that disperse heat horizontally over substantially 90 degrees through an open grill at the front of the heater and vertically in a substantially uniform manner so that hot spots are avoided. A fan forces room air into the heater from below the reflector assembly, upwardly through an air passage behind the assembly into an open control chamber at the top of the heater, and outwardly into the room through ducts along the top front edge of the assembly. A thermostatic control for the heating element assembly and the fan motor is located in the air passage at the top of the heater. The flowing air maintains the exterior of the heater relatively cool to the touch, allowing parts of the housing to be molded from a thermoplastic material into aesthetically-pleasing shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: The W. B. Marvin Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David B. Chaney, Barry W. Smith, Thomas H. Mills
  • Patent number: 6167196
    Abstract: A portable electric space heater having a power cord with a male electrical plug and having easily replaceable quartz heating elements so that an unskilled person can remove and replace a heating element with a minimum of time, tools and skill. The heating elements are removably mounted by sockets within the heater housing behind a grill. One edge of the grill is pivotally connected to the housing and an opposite edge is connected to the housing by a latch member formed on the grill. Access to the heating elements can be obtained by unlatching the grill using the male plug as a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: The W. B. Marvin Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Huggins, Jr., Kostas Kaplanis, Barry W. Smith, Larry L. McGrain, James B. Johnson, Thomas H. Mills
  • Patent number: 5652826
    Abstract: A radiant electric space heater is provided with a high heat limiting capillary tube thermostat and with a grill which is pivotally mounted so that it may be pivoted to an out-of-the-way position for cleaning. The capillary tube thermostat extends along a wire forming part of the grill and into the housing of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: The W. B. Marvin Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Mills
  • Patent number: 5437001
    Abstract: An upright radiant electrical heater has a reflector assembly supporting a vertically-extending heating element assembly that radiates energy through substantially 360 degree. The reflector assembly includes heat reflective panels that disperse heat horizontally over substantially 90 degrees through an open grill at the front of the heater and vertically in a substantially uniform manner so that hot spots are avoided. A fan forces room air into the heater from below the reflector assembly, upwardly through an air passage behind the assembly into an open control chamber at the top of the heater, and outwardly into the room through ducts along the top front edge of the assembly. A thermostatic control for the heating element assembly and the fan motor is located in the air passage at the top of the heater. The flowing air maintains the exterior of the heater relatively cool to the touch, allowing parts of the housing to be molded from a thermoplastic material into aesthetically-pleasing shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: The W. B. Marvin Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David B. Chaney, Barry W. Smith, Thomas H. Mills
  • Patent number: 5381509
    Abstract: A radiant electric space heater is provided with a high heat limiting capillary tube thermostat and with a grill which is pivotally mounted so that it may be pivoted to an out-of-the-way position for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: The W. B. Marvin Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas H. Mills