Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Wuestefeld
Thomas J. Wuestefeld 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: 8528994Abstract: A drawer glide assembly for a drawer type dishwasher includes a mounting bracket having a top edge portion, a bottom edge portion and side portions that collectively define first and second opposing surfaces. The mounting bracket also includes a pad member that projects laterally outward from the first surface and a hook member that projects laterally outward from the second surface. The glide assembly further includes a drawer glide unit having a first rail member slidably interconnected with a second rail member through a third rail member. The mounting bracket serves as an interface between a tub of the dishwasher and an outer housing. That is, the mounting bracket is supported upon the outer housing by the hook member and the glide assembly is secured to both the tub and the first surface. In this fashion, the tub can be readily shifted into and out from the outer housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael C. Simmons, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Patent number: 7985298Abstract: A wash/rinse system for a drawer-type dishwasher includes a wash mechanism having a paddlewheel and a spray bar mounted in a washing chamber of the dishwasher. The spray bar includes at least one nozzle that is positioned so as to deliver a jet of washing fluid onto a deflector member provided on the paddlewheel. Upon impacting the deflector member, the jet of washing fluid diverges into streams of washing fluid which are sprayed onto articles positioned in the washing chamber. Preferably, the spray bar includes a plurality of nozzles which direct multiple jets of washing fluid onto a corresponding plurality of deflector members. The paddlewheel is mounted so as to create random streams of washing fluid that are sprayed into the washing chamber to combine with washing fluid emanating from a lower wash arm to clean articles in the washing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Purtilo, Timothy P. Schwartz, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Patent number: 7959742Abstract: An outer support body for a drawer-type dishwasher includes first and second U-shaped brackets. The first U-shaped bracket includes first and second leg members that are joined by a first cross member. Likewise, the second U-shaped bracket includes third and fourth leg members that are joined by a second cross member. The outer support body also includes side wall members that are secured to the first and third and second and fourth leg members respectively. A rear brace extends between and interconnects the side wall members at a position spaced from the second cross member. In addition, a drip pan is provided at a bottom portion of the outer support body between the side wall members.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Rexford W. Cordill, Robert A. Elick, Kory A. Gunnerson, Mark E. Palm, John R. Sanderson, Michael C. Simmons, Jeff B. Thompson, Rodney M. Welch, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Patent number: 7794549Abstract: A drip shield is mounted to a drawer of a drawer-type dishwasher so as to extend along an outer rear surface of the drawer and catch droplets of washing fluid falling from a lid of the dishwasher. The drip shield includes a shelf that extends between up-turned wall portions. The shelf is angled away from the tub so that any droplets of washing fluid that may fall onto the drip shield will migrate away from the drawer. The shelf is also formed such that first and second end portions are positioned higher than a central or intermediate portion. This construction forces the droplets of washing fluid to collect in a centralized drain point from where the droplets of water can be guided to a controlled location.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Rodney M. Welch, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Publication number: 20100139700Abstract: A wash/rinse system for a drawer-type dishwasher includes a wash mechanism having a paddlewheel and a spray bar mounted in a washing chamber of the dishwasher. The spray bar includes at least one nozzle that is positioned so as to deliver a jet of washing fluid onto a deflector member provided on the paddlewheel. Upon impacting the deflector member, the jet of washing fluid diverges into streams of washing fluid which are sprayed onto articles positioned in the washing chamber. Preferably, the spray bar includes a plurality of nozzles which direct multiple jets of washing fluid onto a corresponding plurality of deflector is members. The paddlewheel is mounted so as to create random streams of washing fluid that are sprayed into the washing chamber to combine with washing fluid emanating from a lower wash arm to clean articles in the washing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: DENNIS J. PURTILO, TIMOTHY P. SCHWARTZ, THOMAS J. WUESTEFELD
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Publication number: 20100126530Abstract: A drip shield is mounted to a drawer of a drawer-type dishwasher so as to extend along an outer rear surface of the drawer and catch droplets of washing fluid falling from a lid of the dishwasher. The drip shield includes a shelf that extends between up-turned wall portions. The shelf is angled away from the tub so that any droplets of washing fluid that may fall onto the drip shield will migrate away from the drawer. The shelf is also formed such that first and second end portions are positioned higher than a central or intermediate portion. This construction forces the droplets of washing fluid to collect in a centralized drain point from where the droplets of water can be guided to a controlled location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: RODNEY M. WELCH, THOMAS J. WUESTEFELD
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Patent number: 7695571Abstract: A wash/rinse system for a drawer-type dishwasher includes a wash mechanism having a paddlewheel and a spray bar mounted in a washing chamber of the dishwasher. The spray bar includes at least one nozzle that is positioned so as to deliver a jet of washing fluid onto a deflector member provided on the paddlewheel. Upon impacting the deflector member, the jet of washing fluid diverges into streams of washing fluid which are sprayed onto articles positioned in the washing chamber. Preferably, the spray bar includes a plurality of nozzles which direct multiple jets of washing fluid onto a corresponding plurality of deflector members. The paddlewheel is mounted so as to create random streams of washing fluid that are sprayed into the washing chamber to combine with washing fluid emanating from a lower wash arm to clean articles in the washing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Purtilo, Timothy P. Schwartz, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Patent number: 7678202Abstract: A drip shield is mounted to a drawer of a drawer-type dishwasher so as to extend along an outer rear surface of the drawer and catch droplets of washing fluid falling from a lid of the dishwasher. The drip shield includes a shelf that extends between up-turned wall portions. The shelf is angled away from the tub so that any droplets of washing fluid that may fall onto the drip shield will migrate away from the drawer. The shelf is also formed such that first and second end portions are positioned higher than a central or intermediate portion. This construction forces the droplets of washing fluid to collect in a centralized drain point from where the droplets of water can be guided to a controlled location.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Rodney M. Welch, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Publication number: 20090015119Abstract: An outer support body for a drawer-type dishwasher includes first and second U-shaped brackets. The first U-shaped bracket includes first and second leg members that are joined by a first cross member. Likewise, the second U-shaped bracket includes third and fourth leg members that are joined by a second cross member. The outer support body also includes side wall members that are secured to the first and third and second and fourth leg members respectively. A rear brace extends between and interconnects the side wall members at a position spaced from the second cross member. In addition, a drip pan is provided at a bottom portion of the outer support body between the side wall members.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2007Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Rexford W. Cordill, Robert A. Elick, Kory A. Gunnerson, Mark E. Palm, John R. Sanderson, Michael C. Simmons, Jeff B. Thompson, Rodney M. Welch, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Publication number: 20070247043Abstract: A drawer glide assembly for a drawer type dishwasher includes a mounting bracket having a top edge portion, a bottom edge portion and side portions that collectively define first and second opposing surfaces. The mounting bracket also includes a pad member that projects laterally outward from the first surface and a hook member that projects laterally outward from the second surface. The glide assembly further includes a drawer glide unit having a first rail member slidably interconnected with a second rail member through a third rail member. The mounting bracket serves as an interface between a tub of the dishwasher and an outer housing. That is, the mounting bracket is supported upon the outer housing by the hook member and the glide assembly is secured to both the tub and the first surface. In this fashion, the tub can be readily shifted into and out from the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: Michael C. Simmons, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Publication number: 20070246078Abstract: A wash/rinse system for a drawer-type dishwasher includes a wash mechanism having a paddlewheel and a spray bar mounted in a washing chamber of the dishwasher. The spray bar includes at least one nozzle that is positioned so as to deliver a jet of washing fluid onto a deflector member provided on the paddlewheel. Upon impacting the deflector member, the jet of washing fluid diverges into streams of washing fluid which are sprayed onto articles positioned in the washing chamber. Preferably, the spray bar includes a plurality of nozzles which direct multiple jets of washing fluid onto a corresponding plurality of deflector members. The paddlewheel is mounted so as to create random streams of washing fluid that are sprayed into the washing chamber to combine with washing fluid emanating from a lower wash arm to clean articles in the washing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: Dennis J. Purtilo, Timothy P. Schwartz, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
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Patent number: 7014281Abstract: A dishwasher door includes an outer panel assembly which is quickly, easily and removably mounted on an inner door assembly. The outer panel assembly includes fasteners with rearwardly extending enlarged heads adapted to extend through key slots in the inner door assembly so as to mount the outer panel assembly onto the inner door assembly. Additional fasteners may be utilized to further secure the outer assembly to the inner assembly. Access to the inner cavity of the door is unnecessary for mounting or removing the outer panel assembly to the inner door assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Wuestefeld, David G. Hartz
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Publication number: 20040201337Abstract: A dishwasher door includes an outer panel assembly which is quickly, easily and removably mounted on an inner door assembly. The outer panel assembly includes fasteners with rearwardly extending enlarged heads adapted to extend through key slots in the inner door assembly so as to mount the outer panel assembly onto the inner door assembly. Additional fasteners may be utilized to further secure the outer assembly to the inner assembly. Access to the inner cavity of the door is unnecessary for mounting or removing the outer panel assembly to the inner door assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: Maytag CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Wuestefeld, David G. Hartz