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).

  • Patent number: 8528994
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Simmons, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
  • Patent number: 7985298
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis J. Purtilo, Timothy P. Schwartz, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
  • Patent number: 7959742
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 7794549
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney M. Welch, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
  • Publication number: 20100139700
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DENNIS J. PURTILO, TIMOTHY P. SCHWARTZ, THOMAS J. WUESTEFELD
  • Publication number: 20100126530
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: RODNEY M. WELCH, THOMAS J. WUESTEFELD
  • Patent number: 7695571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis J. Purtilo, Timothy P. Schwartz, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
  • Patent number: 7678202
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney M. Welch, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
  • Publication number: 20090015119
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20070247043
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Michael C. Simmons, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
  • Publication number: 20070246078
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Dennis J. Purtilo, Timothy P. Schwartz, Thomas J. Wuestefeld
  • Patent number: 7014281
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuestefeld, David G. Hartz
  • Publication number: 20040201337
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuestefeld, David G. Hartz