Patents by Inventor William K. Kangas

William K. Kangas 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: 10376129
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub defining a treating chamber, a chassis supporting the tub, and a set of leveling assemblies mounted to the chassis. A leveling assembly can include a leveling foot having a threaded shaft and a nut having a threaded interior and a flexible or moveable portion configured to receive a portion of the threaded shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Kangas, Thomas M. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10285561
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub defining a treating chamber having an access opening. A closure selectively closes the access opening and a base supports the tub. The base can include a set of spaced panels and a set of spaced beams connecting the set of panels. The base can be formed by inserting the set of spaced beams within the set of spaced panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. O'Brien, William K. Kangas
  • Publication number: 20180325351
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub defining a treating chamber having an access opening. A closure selectively closes the access opening and a base supports the tub. The base can include a set of spaced panels and a set of spaced beams connecting the set of panels. The base can be formed by inserting the set of spaced beams within the set of spaced panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas M. O'Brien, William K. Kangas
  • Patent number: 10092162
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub defining a treating chamber having an access opening. A closure selectively closes the access opening and a base supports the tub. The base can include a set of spaced panels and a set of spaced beams connecting the set of panels. The base can be formed by inserting the set of spaced beams within the set of spaced panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. O'Brien, William K. Kangas
  • Publication number: 20180192849
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub defining a treating chamber having an access opening. A closure selectively closes the access opening and a base supports the tub. The base can include a set of spaced panels and a set of spaced beams connecting the set of panels. The base can be formed by inserting the set of spaced beams within the set of spaced panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas M. O'Brien, WIlliam K. Kangas
  • Publication number: 20180125324
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub defining a treating chamber, a chassis supporting the tub, and a set of leveling assemblies mounted to the chassis. A leveling assembly can include a leveling foot having a threaded shaft and a nut having a threaded interior and a flexible or moveable portion configured to receive a portion of the threaded shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: WILLIAM K. KANGAS, THOMAS M. O'BRIEN
  • Patent number: 9445706
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a spraying system having a distribution header and at least one aperture provided on the distribution header for spraying wash liquid into the treating chamber, and a recirculation system for recirculating liquid sprayed in the treating chamber to the spraying system. A light assembly is provided on the distribution header, and includes a light source that emits light to a light guide, which in turn distributes light to the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Kangas, Praveen Poojary, Michael S. Seeley, Blayne C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150208897
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a spraying system having a distribution header and at least one aperture provided on the distribution header for spraying wash liquid into the treating chamber, and a recirculation system for recirculating liquid sprayed in the treating chamber to the spraying system. A light assembly is provided on the distribution header, and includes a light source that emits light to a light guide, which in turn distributes light to the treating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: WILLIAM K. KANGAS, PRAVEEN POOJARY, MICHAEL S. SEELEY, BLAYNE C. SMITH
  • Patent number: 7832237
    Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a spin tube coupled to the basket and an agitator shaft coupled to an agitator mounted in the basket. A motor coupled to the agitator shaft applies a torque the agitator shaft and thereby the agitator in first and second torque directions. A clutch couples the spin tube to the agitator shaft for cooperative rotation of the basket and the agitator regardless of the rotational direction of the agitator shaft. Because of the dual directionality of the clutch, reversing the motor simultaneously dynamically brakes the basket and the agitator, thereby eliminating the need for a separate friction brake for the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Chang, William K. Kangas, Kurt Werner, Scott D. Slabbekoorn, James R. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 7614262
    Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a spin tube coupled to the basket and an agitator shaft coupled to an agitator mounted in the basket. A motor coupled to the agitator shaft applies a torque the agitator shaft and thereby the agitator in first and second torque directions. A clutch couples the spin tube to the agitator shaft for cooperative rotation of the basket and the agitator regardless of the rotational direction of the agitator shaft. Because of the dual directionality of the clutch, reversing the motor simultaneously dynamically brakes the basket and the agitator, thereby eliminating the need for a separate friction brake for the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Chang, William K. Kangas, Kurt Werner, Scott D. Slabbekoorn, James R. Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20090193854
    Abstract: An automatic washing machine comprises a spin tube coupled to the basket and an agitator shaft coupled to an agitator mounted in the basket. A motor coupled to the agitator shaft applies a torque the agitator shaft and thereby the agitator in first and second torque directions. A clutch couples the spin tube to the agitator shaft for cooperative rotation of the basket and the agitator regardless of the rotational direction of the agitator shaft. Because of the dual directionality of the clutch, reversing the motor simultaneously dynamically brakes the basket and the agitator, thereby eliminating the need for a separate friction brake for the basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ERIC E. CHANG, WILLIAM K. KANGAS, KURT WERNER, SCOTT D. SLABBEKOORN, JAMES R. SAWYER
  • Patent number: D784633
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Kangas, Praveen Poojary, Michael S. Seeley, Blayne C. Smith
  • Patent number: D866884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Kangas, Praveen Poojary, Michael S. Seeley, Blayne C. Smith
  • Patent number: D959066
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Kangas, Praveen Poojary, Michael S. Seeley, Blayne C. Smith