Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Hicks

Timothy J. Hicks 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: 11684194
    Abstract: A food processing system includes a base unit having a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end of the frame arm, and a retention fitting extending from the gear housing. An input hub extends from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention fitting and is operably engaged with both the drive screw and the retention hub to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing. A carrier is slidably coupled with the frame arm and is operably engaged with the drive screw. The system further includes a first cutting implement and a second cutting implement, each being alternately coupleable with the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11479360
    Abstract: A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, David Herbert Myers, Eric M. Pressler, Sean Edward Stephens, Matthew L. Fourney, Timothy J. Hicks, Zachary R. Schexnaydre, Jiaming Zha, Preston Hill
  • Publication number: 20220330736
    Abstract: A food processing system includes a base unit having a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end of the frame arm, and a retention fitting extending from the gear housing. An input hub extends from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention fitting and is operably engaged with both the drive screw and the retention hub to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing. A carrier is slidably coupled with the frame arm and is operably engaged with the drive screw. The system further includes a first cutting implement and a second cutting implement, each being alternately coupleable with the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11406214
    Abstract: A food processing device includes a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof to a support end, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with a first face of the gear housing and the support end of the frame arm, and a retention hub operably coupled with the gear housing and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw. The drive screw and the retention hub are linearly arranged with respect to the frame arm in sequential positions away from the first lateral side of the gear housing. The device further includes a carrier slidably coupled with the frame arm and operably engageable with the drive screw such that the rotational movement thereof drives corresponding linear movement of the carrier along the frame arm. The carrier defines at least one cutting implement thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20210039785
    Abstract: A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, David Herbert Myers, Eric M. Pressler, Sean Edward Stephens, Matthew L. Fourney, Timothy J. Hicks, Zachary R. Schexnaydre, Jiaming Zha, Preston Hill
  • Publication number: 20210000281
    Abstract: A food processing device includes a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof to a support end, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with a first face of the gear housing and the support end of the frame arm, and a retention hub operably coupled with the gear housing and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw. The drive screw and the retention hub are linearly arranged with respect to the frame arm in sequential positions away from the first lateral side of the gear housing. The device further includes a carrier slidably coupled with the frame arm and operably engageable with the drive screw such that the rotational movement thereof drives corresponding linear movement of the carrier along the frame arm. The carrier defines at least one cutting implement thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 10836488
    Abstract: A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, David Herbert Myers, Eric M. Pressler, Sean Edward Stephens, Matthew L. Fourney, Timothy J. Hicks, Zachary R. Schexnaydre, Jiaming Zha, Preston Hill
  • Patent number: 10820735
    Abstract: A food processing device includes a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, and a drive screw operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end. The device further includes a retention hub operably coupled with the gear housing and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw and an input hub extending from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention hub and operably engaged with both the drive screw and the retention hub to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing. A carrier is slidably coupled with the frame arm and is further operably engaged with the drive screw such that the rotational movement thereof drives corresponding linear movement of the carrier along the frame arm. The carrier defines at least one cutting implement thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20180229843
    Abstract: A drone comprises at least one propeller for generating lift and an article containment area for containing an article to be carried by the drone. The floor of the article containment area comprises a dynamic support surface for supporting the article and allowing the article to move into, out of and through the article containment area. The dynamic support surface may be a conveyor belt forming the floor of the article containment area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, David Herbert Myers, Eric M. Pressler, Sean Edward Stephens, Matthew L. Fourney, Timothy J. Hicks, Zachary R. Schexnaydre, Jiaming Zha, Preston Hill
  • Publication number: 20160255982
    Abstract: A food processing device includes a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, and a drive screw operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end. The device further includes a retention hub operably coupled with the gear housing and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw and an input hub extending from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention hub and operably engaged with both the drive screw and the retention hub to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing. A carrier is slidably coupled with the frame arm and is further operably engaged with the drive screw such that the rotational movement thereof drives corresponding linear movement of the carrier along the frame arm. The carrier defines at least one cutting implement thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8997531
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: George F. Seiffert, Timothy J. Hicks, Shawn Oltz, Wesley Traylor, Floyd Jackson
  • Patent number: 8904665
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: George F. Seiffert, Timothy J. Hicks, Shawn Oltz, Wesley Traylor, Floyd Jackson
  • Publication number: 20120159802
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GEORGE F. SEIFFERT, TIMOTHY J. HICKS, SHAWN OLTZ, WESLEY TRAYLOR, FLOYD JACKSON
  • Patent number: 8141269
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: George F. Seiffert, Timothy J. Hicks, Shawn Oltz, Wesley Traylor, Floyd Jackson
  • Patent number: 7731010
    Abstract: A conveyor (20) comprising at least one belt (22) defining an outer conveying surface divided into at least two laterally offset regions in which the rollers (50) in one region rotate in a first direction and the rollers (51) in a second region rotate in a second direction as the conveyor belt (22) advances in a conveying direction. The rollers (50, 51) rotate by rolling along roller-engagement surfaces (54) underlying the conveyor belt along a carryway. The rollers rotating in the first direction rotate with a velocity component in the conveying direction (32) different from the velocity component in the conveying direction of the rollers rotating in the second direction. An article positioned simultaneously atop rollers in both regions is rotated by the rotation of the rollers as the conveyor belt advances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Darrell E. Kissee, Timothy J. Hicks
  • Patent number: D901970
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D919365
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D939272
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D990976
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D1011833
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson